John Elway [Hardcover]

Bob Rosato (Editor), Clay Latimer (Editor), Beckett Publications (Corporate Author)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

What marches this amply illustrated tribute downfield with the verve of a two-minute drill is the collection of tribute offerers themselves. John Elway's 10 chapters are built on the testimony of 10 witnesses--Bronco players and opponents--to the future Hall of Famer quarterback's excellence, longevity, creativity, and coolness: the lineup includes Denver coaches Dan Reeves and Mike Shanahan; teammates Terrell Davis, Shannon Sharpe, and Ed McCaffrey; and opposition field marshalls Brett Favre and Jim Kelly. Under game conditions, all would be assessed yardage for piling it on; then again, an elegy's game plan is to praise without penalty, and praise they certainly do.

Still, Elway offers its perspectives, none more cogent than that of defensive lineman Neil Smith, who spent nine seasons as a Chief huffing and puffing after Elway before ultimately joining him in Denver. "I had the most sacks (15) against John," Smith admits proudly, "and it's probably because he took me to another level when I played against him... But after you'd sack him, really crush him, he'd just get up and grin... and come back and throw a touchdown on you. That hurt." It also captures Elway's brilliance in a nutshell: his skills made the game better, and his spirit never let him give up. If that doesn't deserve appreciation, nothing in sports does, and Elway, like a crafty receiver, catches both halves of that equation quite nicely. --Jeff Silverman

Product Details

• Hardcover: 126 pages
• Publisher: Beckett Pubns; 1st edition (January 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1887432744
• ISBN-13: 978-1887432740
• Product Dimensions: 12 x 8.9 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,123,935 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Was a birthday present, May 3, 2002

By 

"muttcrt" (Wichita Falls, Texas 76308) - See all my reviews

This review is from: John Elway (Hardcover)

I got this book from my wife as a birthday present, and immediately sat down and read it cover to cover. I knew a lot of the info in the book already, having been a Bronco fan since 1972, but it did refresh a lot of old (and somewhat painful) memories. I feel this book is a "must have" for any Bronco/Elway fan.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent summary of John Elways career by others, March 20, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: John Elway (Hardcover)

This book offers commentary and descriptins of John Elway by other NFL teammates, players, and coaches. Included are chapters by Mike Shanahan, Terrell Davis, Brett Favre, Dan Reeves, and Clay Matthews (who played for the Cleveland Browns, against the Broncos in 3 AFC Championship games). Each individual's comments are very interesting, as they all offer a different perspective.

The only drawback is that the book appears to have been completed before Super Bowl 33; so Dan Reeves does not offer his views on coaching *against* Elway in a Super Bowl. A minor critique, though, as he still provides an interesting read.

The book is also filled with many excellent photos from Elway's NFL and college days.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent perspective of Elway's career from others, March 20, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: John Elway (Hardcover)

A fascinating look at John Elway in the words of other people: players, opponents, and coaches. Each chapter offers a different individual's thoughts, written by such stars as Terrell Davis, Mike Shanahan, Brett Favre, Dan Reeves, and Clay Matthews (who played on the Cleveland Browns against the Broncos in 3 AFC Champonship Games).

The only drawback is that the book appears to have been released before Super Bowl 33; so Dan Reeves comments don't include his thoughts on coaching *against* Elway in a Super bowl. A minor critique, though. All in all, this book is an interesting and fairly affordable look into Elway's life and career.

Also, it contains some excellent photos, both from his NFL and college days.