Loyal Sons: The Story of the Four Horsemen and Notre Dame Football's 1924 Champions [Hardcover]

Jim Lefebvre (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 4, 2008

Winner, Bronze Medal--Sports/Recreation/Fitness Category
2009 Independent Publisher Book Awards

Award-Winning Finalist--Sports: Autobiography/Biography Category
The National "Best Books" 2009 Awards

Finalist--Sports Category
2010 National Indie Excellence Book Awards

"An engaging read.... Especially recommended for football enthusiasts with a passion for the history of the sport." ----The Midwest Book Review

"Jim Lefebvre has scored big on both the research and the writing...a great read--whether you are a fan of Notre Dame, Notre Dame football, U.S. history, college athletics, or the human spirit." ---Denis Gullickson, author, Before They Were The Packers

Their photograph is legendary--among the most recognizable images in the history of American sports iconography. Yet who were these Four Horsemen of Notre Dame? How did they become Fighting Irish? What did they and their teammates accomplish under Coach Knute Rockne? And why did it matter?

After all these decades, their story is finally told in Loyal Sons--in breathtaking detail that fully engages the reader. The first-ever book-length treatment of this famous team and its triumphant 1924 national championship season is a ground-breaking work of sports history. We learn how these sons of miners and merchants, grocers and doctors are drawn to the University of Notre Dame, and what they helped create once there. Follow along as the '24 Irish literally take the game of college football from coast to coast. Along the way, their flair, timing and teamwork earn for Notre Dame countless new followers, as the phenomenon of Rockne's "wonder team" sweeps the nation.

Loyal Sons is a great football story--and so much more. It provides snapshots of American life in the 1920s and chronicles grand dreams, hard work, setbacks and challenges, serendipitous timing, motivation and spirit. Loyal Sons is a must-read for fans of college football history and a treasured keepsake for all those who cherish Notre Dame.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Loyal Sons is a masterpiece. It takes the reader back to the Notre Dame campus of 1924--and vividly relives the heroics of Rock's Four Horsemen. Thanks for writing a story that needed to be told." --Jerry McKenna, creator of the Rockne, Leahy, Krause, Holtz, Parseghian and Four Horsemen sculptures at Notre Dame

"These truly were LOYAL SONS. Loyal to their school, their families, their faith, and to one another. What a special time in Notre Dame history." --Rev. Theodore M. Hesburgh, CSC, president emeritus, University of Notre Dame

"A 'must-read' real jewel...wonderfully researched and detailed." --South Bend Tribune

About the Author

Jim Lefebvre is an award-winning author, journalist and sports historian. He is founder and publisher of FOREVER IRISH, the online magazine celebrating the heritage of Notre Dame football. Please visit FOREVER IRISH at NDFootballHistory.com.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 288 pages
• Publisher: Great Day Press (September 4, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0981884105
• ISBN-13: 978-0981884103
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 6.6 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #731,327 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A long awaited look beyond the headlines, September 24, 2008

By 

Sparky Aldridge (FL) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Loyal Sons: The Story of the Four Horsemen and Notre Dame Football's 1924 Champions (Hardcover)

Jim Lefebvre's description of teamwork, sportsmanship and relentless perseverance exhibited by the team members of the 1924 Notre Dame football team in his book Loyal Sons far exceeded my expectations of what I thought was going to be an interesting historical read about four football players on horseback, a famous Coach, an undefeated season and an invitation to the Rose Bowl.

This is a great book about football...and so much more.

Jim captures the interwoven essence of strong character, devout families, hard work, integrity, selflessness and coachability that made this unpretentious team of young gentlemen "raise the bar" for those who followed.

Mr. Lefebvre's accounting of Knute Rockne and his coaching staff's ability to balance priority of education with a season of unprecedented athletic success and snowballing national recognition for Notre Dame revealed to me a non-compromising dynamic of Rockne's success.

Coach Rockne instilled in his players two important lessons: 1, sacrifice, dedication and hard work yield results; and 2, there is life after football

Don't miss the Epilogue.

Sparky Aldridge

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars FOUR HORSEMEN x 2, January 7, 2009

By 

R. Buck (Dallas, TX) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Loyal Sons: The Story of the Four Horsemen and Notre Dame Football's 1924 Champions (Hardcover)

I bought this book as a gift for my father-in-law about a month before his birthday, and ended up thumbing through it, and thumbing through it. I enjoyed it so much that I bought a second copy for myself. Great storytelling. Wonderful photos. There is obvious tradition with "The Four Horsemen," of course, but what the author has given us here are the thoughts and deeds of an entire generation surrounding TFH. Beautifully told, this book has depth that is well worth the money ... even twice.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An engaging read for anyone curious about what university football was like a century ago, October 9, 2008

By 

Midwest Book Review (Oregon, WI USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Loyal Sons: The Story of the Four Horsemen and Notre Dame Football's 1924 Champions (Hardcover)

Award-winning journalist and sports historian Jim Lefebvre presents Loyal Sons: The Story of The Four Horsemen and Notre Dame Football's 1924 Champions, the first book-length look at the famous Notre Dame football team and its 1924 victory over Army. Reconstructing the daily life of team members, and taking an especial note of how the competitive team became a source of pride for Catholics across America, Loyal Sons is an engaging read for anyone curious about what university football was like a century ago. Especially recommended for football enthusiasts with a passion for the history of the sport.