Marv Levy: Where Else Would You Rather Be? [Hardcover]

Marv Levy (Author), Jim Kelly (Foreword)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 15, 2004

This book is about one man’s life as a football coach and much more. Forty-seven years of joyous celebrations after victories and crushing disappointments after defeats are encompassed in it, but it is about more than just touchdowns and interceptions. It is about how a person like Marv Levy, dedicated to his life’s work, can begin his career as the obscure assistant coach of a high school junior varsity team and then one day, decades later, lead his men out onto the field in football’s greatest spectacle—the Super Bowl. Readers are invited to come experience what it was like to be on the sidelines and be the winning coach in a game that has been designated as the greatest upset in collegiate football history and then be there again 25 years later when an injury-riddled team, losing 35-3 in the second half, rallies and then miraculously goes on to achieve the greatest comeback victory in the history of the National Football League. Fans will learn what it was like to wallow in the exhilaration that comes from leading a team to four consecutive Super Bowl appearances, only to follow it with the desolation that strikes when all four of those games end in defeat. But they will also learn about the character, persistence, and personalities of those incomparable Buffalo Bills of the 1990s who so resolutely pursued their impossible dream. There will be some laughs and there may be some tears. Readers will meet the people who shaped this coach’s life, and they will wind up feeling close to them. They will look forward to each adventure contained in these pages, and when each new one does come, they are likely to say, along with the author, "Where else would I rather be than right here—right now!"

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Marv Levy was born in Chicago and developed a love for sports at a young age. After high school he served in the Army Air Corps from 1943-46. At Coe College he was a talented running back and sprinter and a Phi Beta Kappa graduate. He later earned a masterÂ’s degree at Harvard University in English history. After coaching at the college level for seven years, Levy began his professional coaching career as the kicking teamÂ’s coach for the Philadelphia Eagles and as the special teamsÂ’ coach for the Los Angeles Rams and Washington Redskins. He then became the head coach of the Montreal Alouettes in the Canadian Football League, leading them to two Grey Cup championships. He joined the Buffalo Bills as head coach in 1987 and built a powerhouse franchise that attracted fans and accolades to the Bills. Levy led the Buffalo Bills to a historic four consecutive Super Bowl appearances. In 1988 and 1995 United Press International named him Coach of the Year. He currently holds the record for most wins by a Bills coach with 123. After retiring from football after the 1997 NFL season, Levy was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2001. He currently lives with his wife, Mary Frances, in Chicago and has a daughter, Kimberly.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 414 pages
• Publisher: Sports Publishing LLC (November 15, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 158261797X
• ISBN-13: 978-1582617978
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 6.3 x 1.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.8 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (17 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #835,613 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

28 of 28 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Nowhere Else!, November 23, 2004

By 

Thomas Roman (Seattle, WA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Marv Levy: Where Else Would You Rather Be? (Hardcover)

This is not another "football book." It's about lessons learned and resiliency! I watched Marv Levy during Berman's Prime Time with a dictionary! And the book is no different - a vocabulary builder, yet easy to read with great humor.

I'm an NFL fan since '72, Seahawks since '76. I watched the Bills' no-huddle race to a 24-0 first quarter lead against the Eagles in 1990 and was blown away! The Levy coached Bills are the most entertaining team in any sport I've ever seen. Should Marv Levy be coaching in the NFL today? Of course he should! How does a team win 4 consecutive Conference Championships? - read the book.

The story brought back memories of my own little league days when I was #12. Even as an adult playing catch it's fun to do "Kelly to Reed."

I would not think any more of NFL Hall of Fame Coach Marv Levy had he won 4 Superbowls. Like the teams he coached and the man himself, this book is a winner!

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A must-read even if you don't really like football!, February 5, 2005

By 

BLZRUL (seattle,wa) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Marv Levy: Where Else Would You Rather Be? (Hardcover)

I devoured this book, alternatively laughing and wiping tears from my eyes. Marv Levy is a rare gem, who deserves all the success for which he's worked so hard. I'd love to see this ageless, brilliant man stalking the sidelines again, screaming four-syllable insults at the referee over blown calls.

Seriously - even if you're on the bench about football you will enjoy this book. Marv is a multi-dimensional guy with a keen wit and he writes in a warm, interesting conversational tone. I definitely recommend this one and in fact am back at Amazon today to purchase several for my friends and family.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Another Victory For Coach Marv!, February 15, 2005

By 

tides24 "tides24" (West Seneca, NY USA) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Marv Levy: Where Else Would You Rather Be? (Hardcover)

Coach Marv Levy is fond of saying that Football doesn't build character, it reveals it. Quite true, and Football has revealed the classy character of this outstanding man and coach. Marv didn't use a ghostwriter. The old Harvard grad wrote this all by himself, and the book is a gem. It's well-written, interesting, warm and witty. The book is a thoroughly enjoyable read, and one doesn't have to be a football fan to savor it. Marv has always been pure class, and his autobiography is the same. It's a winner!