I Hate the Dallas Cowboys: And Who Elected Them America's Team Anyway? [Paperback]

Bert Sugar (Editor)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 15, 1997

There is likely no team in Americans sports more loathed than the Dallas Cowboys. The antics of their players and coaches, their crass showmanship, their contemptible pride, make them a worthy target of our scorn. For the first time ever, a collection of essays will give voice to what America thinks of the Dallas Cowboys. Bert Randolph Sugar, whom The New Yorker called "the best kibitzer in New York," has brought together a noted list of contributors who share our contempt. Here's a taste of their distaste. "I doubt if Jerry Jones can even spell tradition."--Chet Coppock, The Voice of Chicago. I Hate the Dallas Cowboys will be a crisp invective that is sure to make headlines and sure to make us laugh.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

If syndicated sportswriter Sugar had wielded his blue pencil more judiciously, this anthology would have been improved. With articles by 10 top writers like Jim Murray, Budd Schulberg and Skip Bayless and 10 top ex-players like Mercury Morris, Jerry Kramer and Greg Buttle, the book could have been exceptional if some of the contributors had not been allowed to ride their personal hobby-horses. Two of the former gridders included are Cowboy haters (because, the reader suspects, they were never chosen to play in Dallas). And several contributors argue that the Cowboys' appropriation of the sobriquet "America's Team" is wrong because other teams are more deserving of that designation: among the nominees are the Redskins, Steelers, Eagles, Packers, Bills and Bears. But those not pursuing a personal agenda agree that the image of the Dallas team has altered considerably since it began--it has gone downhill. While in the past the Cowboys were thought to present a picture of hard-hitting but ethical players, today, with arrogant drug users dominating, a few essayists suggest that the title "South America's Team" is more accurate. Buttle, Morris, Murray and Schulberg stand out, but otherwise the book is a disappointment. Illustrations not seen by PW.

Copyright 1997 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

From Library Journal

Sportswriter Sugar (The Sports 100, Carol Pub. Group, 1997) has assembled 20 essays and a cartoon by a group of writers and erstwhile athletes. The latter include NFL luminaries such as Mercury Morris, Greg Buttle, and Conrad Dobler. The main thrust of their diatribes against the Dallas team is that their own teams were denied so many victories (even Super Bowls) by the "Boys." Most of the writers are sports columnists in cities with teams that have been likewise deprived. They rant about everything from the coaches to the cheerleaders to the city of Dallas itself. Mostly, it's good-natured ribbing, though, and more than a little grudging respect shines through. Sugar's witty introduction is the best part. The rest of the essays are uneven. An optional purchase for most public libraries.?Will Hepfer, SUNY at Buffalo Libs.
Copyright 1997 Reed Business Information, Inc.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 192 pages
• Publisher: St. Martin's Griffin (September 15, 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0312168683
• ISBN-13: 978-0312168681
• Product Dimensions: 8.2 x 5.5 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.1 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (18 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,446,234 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A review from someone who has at least read the book first, June 7, 2000

By 

"eclecticdude" - See all my reviews

This review is from: I Hate the Dallas Cowboys: And Who Elected Them America's Team Anyway? (Paperback)

It is obvious from reading the lower rated reviews that the individuals found the title on a search and wrote the review without reading it. Big mistake, guys. Bert Sugar is the editor, not the author. The book does collect various essays from people from both former athletes and from sports writers. Some of the essays do come off as rather dull. Most are intersting reads. There is even a short piece to accompany the cartoon of the real Americas Team, drawn by Bill Gallo, with the real team consisting of the Duke and a handful of other Western heroes. Bill Conlin, a journalist for a Philadelphia paper spends almost as much time ragging on his "Iggles" (Eagles) as he does the Cowboys. Skip Bayless, a veteran of Dallas newspapers, is one of the better writers here. Also interesting is Thom Loverro's imagined future of 2097, wherein a father tries to explain the fall of America caused by the now extinct Dallas Cowboys. Hilarious! Beware, Cowboy haters! The true origin of the "America's Taam" will defeat a myth held by haters for decades.

7 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Very Entertaining, January 4, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: I Hate the Dallas Cowboys: And Who Elected Them America's Team Anyway? (Paperback)

As webmaster of 49ersFan.Net, I ordered several books for Christmas gifts this year. Among them was this book. When it arrived, I thumbed through it and couldn't put it down. Needless to say I kept a copy for myself. There are reflections and comments from many "professional" Cowboy's haters such as Skip Bayless (former Dallas beat-writer), Steve Bartkowski (former Falcons QB), and many other NFL players and personalities. What I found most fascinating were the comparisons between today's Cowboy juveniles, and the personalities of the past! I thought the "old" Cowboys had a pretty good reputation but apparently I was WRONG! For those who truely hate the Cowboys, this book is EXCELLENT! Very entertaining and a great buy!

5 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This is a well informed and organized book., October 13, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: I Hate the Dallas Cowboys: And Who Elected Them America's Team Anyway? (Paperback)

I feel that Mr. Sugar has done what a lot of long time fans have been wanting to do. Write a book informing the General public of what the Cowboys are all about. They have been around with an attitude for long enough. Mr. Sugar has compiled essays laying out specific excusses to hate the Cowboys. There are a couple of them that are for the cowboys. This is a well balanced book. It is suggested reading for all fans who love to hate the worst team ever.