Nitschke: The Ray Nitschke Story [Hardcover]

Edward Gruver (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: July 2, 2002

Based on dozens of interviews and covers such highlights of the legend's career as his 1978 induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, his 1964 performance in the Pro Bowl, and the remaining of the Packer practice grounds at Nitschke Field in 1997.

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

Ray Nitschke was a rough and tough middle linebacker for the best team of the 1960s, the Green Bay Packers. Gruver, who wrote winningly on the Packers' glory years in The Ice Bowl, has done a nice job of blending familiar material about Nitschke with new interviews with Ray's teammates and contemporaries to create a compelling, coherent, and detailed portrait of a complex individual. Readers meet not only a Hall of Fame football player but also someone who underwent one of the most amazing life transformations imaginable, from an alcoholic, belligerent wild man to a sober, steady husband and father. Nitschke was a favorite for the way he played and for his habit of consistently making himself cheerfully available to fans. His entertaining autobiography, Mean on Sunday, was originally published in 1973, but this is the first biography of this legendary player. Recommended for all football collections. John Maxymuk, Rutgers Univ. Lib., Camden, NJ
Copyright 2002 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

Review

Gruver, who wrote winningluy on the Packers' glory years in The Ice bowl, has done a nice job of blending familiar material about Nitschke with new interviews with Ray's teammates and contemporaries to create a compelling, coherent, and detailed portrait of a complex individual. (Library Journal )

It didn't take much convincing to get a Green Bay Packers fan to write a book about one of the team's all time greats. It (Nitschke) tells the story of gravel-voiced Ray Nitschke, who died in 1998 at the age of 61. The linebacker has been called the greatest hitter in NFL history by many football historians and players. No.66 instilled fear in opponents with his crushing blows, taunting and trademark, toothless sneer. (Jean Peerenboom Green Bay Press Gazette )

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 264 pages
• Publisher: Taylor Trade Publishing; 1 edition (July 2, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0878332715
• ISBN-13: 978-0878332717
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 6.2 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,281,893 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An inspiring account of the life of a dedicated game player, January 5, 2003

By 

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

This review is from: Nitschke: The Ray Nitschke Story (Hardcover)

Nitschke is the first biography of accomplished professional football player Ray Nitschke (1936-1998), who won the Green Bay Packers five NFL titles and the first two Super Bowls. Constructed from thorough research and dozens of interviews by biographer Edward Gruver, Nischke is the impressive portrait of a courageous man who lost both his parents at age 13, played a legendary championship "Ice Bowl" game in sub-zero weather, was inducted into the Pro Football hall of fame in 1978, and earned lasting memorials and tributes after his unfortunate death from a heart attack. Nitschke provides the reader with an inspiring account of the life of a dedicated game player and is "must" reading for Packer fans in general, and those who remember Ray Nitschke's performances on the field in particular.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Nitschke is Football, January 17, 2004

By 

JMack (Chicago) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Nitschke: The Ray Nitschke Story (Hardcover)

Ray Nitschke is a symbol of a football era that has passed. He played the game for enjoyment not for money. Unlike current players, he was grateful to the fans and never passes up an autograph seeker. Truly, there will never be another Ray Nitschke.

Edward Gruver began putting this biography together before Nitschke's death. Much of the information was gained in interviews with Nitschke. Because many of the stories are in his own words, it lends authenticity to the story. Gruver interviewed teammates and opponents to get their perspective of Nitschke. The result is the best rounded biography of the man who is arguably the best middle linebacker in NFL history.

Aside from the stories of his playing days, the book also looks at Ray Nitschke the man. He lived through a rough childhood to become an unlikely recipient of a scholarship to Illinois. Although he dreamed of playing for the Bears, he made Green Bay his home only a few seasons after he was drafted. After getting married, Nitschke changed from a rough bar room brawler to a family man. His nasty on-field persona was left on the field. Nitschke was involved in numuerous charities. However, his family came first.

Nitschke is an easy read, that is historically accurate and well written. My one objection to the book is my feeling that some of the stories could have been expanded up further. Nevertheless, this is an excellent read for Packer fans.