The Heart of a Champion: Celebrating the Spirit and Character of America's Sports Heroes [Hardcover]

Frank Deford (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 2002

In this exciting new book, award-winning sports writer and commentator Frank Deford captures the inspirational stories of many of the greatest athletes and teams to appear on a Wheaties box. For more than 75 years, the Wheaties box has celebrated the essence of being a champion: the character of excellence, the spirit of achievement, and the triumph of determination.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Once called "the world's greatest sports writer" by GQ Magazine, Frank Deford is the author of twelve books, including novels, biography, sports, social history, and humor. He is one of the most respected and versatile sports writers in America, and is regularly seen on HBO's "Real Sports" with Bryant Gumbel. He is also heard every week on National Public Radio, and his articles have been appearing in Sports Illustrated since 1962. The six-time Sportswriter of the Year is a member of the Hall of Fame of the National Association of Sportscasters and Sportswriters. A graduate of Princeton University, Deford resides in Westport, CT.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 164 pages
• Publisher: Northword Press; 1 edition (September 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1559718374
• ISBN-13: 978-1559718370
• Product Dimensions: 11.3 x 10.2 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.5 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,286,732 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Better than a box of Wheaties, September 27, 2002

By 

I.M. Soty (Dixon, IL) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Heart of a Champion: Celebrating the Spirit and Character of America's Sports Heroes (Hardcover)

Do you remember growing up and hearing about Wheaties, The Breakfast of Champions? We were always told that if we ate our Wheaties, we would grow up to be champions as well. Well, that part of the story never did hold true for me, but the champions that did appear on the front of the cereal box over the years have proved to be an enduring selection of sports heroes who have great stories behind their acheivements.

In this very engaging and beautifully photographed book, the front of the Wheaties' boxes that I remember as a child have come to life. The author, Frank Deford, has written great essays to allow us to better understand the underlying stories behind the athletic acheivements of these memorable champions of sports.

Interestingly enough, I am not a big follower of sports and originally purchased this book as an early Christmas gift for my brother. Sitting down for a cup of coffee, I became involved with the book and found myself enjoying the well written stories and great historical photos. I've decided to keep this copy, and I'll buy my brothers and nephews additional copies for their own use. I'm sure they will enjoy the great gift.

I highly recommend this book. Trust me, it is much better than reading the back of the Wheaties box while enjoying a bowl of cereal.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Great Tribute Book to Great Athletes, November 5, 2002

By A Customer

This review is from: The Heart of a Champion: Celebrating the Spirit and Character of America's Sports Heroes (Hardcover)

Great sports athletes really inspire us. And as I read Frank Deford's inspiring profiles of Cal Ripken, Jr., Tiger Woods, Jerry Rice, Chris Evert, Jackie Robinson, the 1980 U.S. Hockey Team, and ohers, I was again sent back to relive some of the greatest sports moments of my life. The photos enhance the categories of commitment, grace, courage, team effort and perseverance. Frank Deford has captured the enduring spirit of these amazing men and women, and thanks to Wheaties, they ae enshrined in our minds and hearts forever. If you have a sports lover in your family, this is the book to get them this Chrsitmas.

5.0 out of 5 stars The Heart of a Champion, June 24, 2011

By 

Roosevelt - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Heart of a Champion: Celebrating the Spirit and Character of America's Sports Heroes (Hardcover)

This book is one of my favorite sports book! I love sports and enjoy all books on this subject; which is a great study in American history and culture. This copy was bought, for a gift. In 2006, I bought six copies, for myself and for gifts. It is a book of beautiful words and pictures. The best gift, which I can give......is a book of merit.