Notes from a 12 Man: A Truly Biased History of the Seattle Seahawks [Hardcover]

Mark Tye Turner (Author)

Book Description

Release date: August 4, 2009

As the Seattle Seahawks head into the playoffs, football fans will enjoy this rollicking team history as seen through the eyes of an obsessive fan. Since the franchise's beginnings more than 30 years ago, there's no doubt who has been the greatest member of the Seattle Seahawks. After all, who was there at the opening of the Kingdome only to watch that fabled stadium, years later, turn to dust? Who endured the embarrassment of The Boz? And who was there during Super Bowl XL to witness the team lose to the game officials? Oh yeah, that's right. We, the twelfth man, were there. Living up to our reputation as some of the loudest, most supportive fans in the NFL. Notes from a 12 Man isn't just the team's history, it's our history. Author Mark Tye Turner, a television writer who's been a twelfth man since Day One, tells it like it is and in obsessive detail. This book will make you laugh, wince, cheer, and learn everything you ever need to know about the team--and then some.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Notes from a 12 Man is a fan's account of the long and storied history of the Seattle Seahawks from Jack Patera, Bill the Beer Man, Kenny Easley, and Efren Herrera to Matt Hasselbeck. ...Over the years, I have seen numerous attempts at presenting the Seahawks history in writing. But there have not been any done as well as Notes from a 12 Man. I found myself reading the text and alternately laughing, crying, cringing, and shouting out loud!
—Steve Largent

"Mark Turner writes about the Seahawks with childlike fascination. . . It's a great read for Seahawk fans and fans of pro football, period."
—Kenny Mayne, ESPN

"In this sustained howl of happiness, hilarity, and horror, Mark Turner perfectly captures the (fundamentally weird) essence of the Seahawk franchise. No Seahawk fan, serious or casual, can afford to do without this book."
—Fred Moody, author of Seattle and the Demons of Ambition

"…a detailed, humorous and sometimes pained fan perspective of the franchise's 33 years of existence. [Turner] covers everything—from his magical memories of watching his first game at the Kingdome to the tense period when Ken Behring almost moved the team, to quirky, who-woulda-thunk-it trivia about the team."
—Seattle Times

"Turner's book is packed with . . . specific and funny Seahawks moments. Some of them we remembered, some of them we'd forgotten, some of them (especially the pre-1983 stuff) we'd never known. It's a book that will sit on our bookshelf probably until we die, ready to supply a quick trip down memory lane whenever we desire it."
—Seattlest.com

About the Author

Mark Tye Turner has written for everyone from George Clooney to Jerry Springer. He blogs about the Seahawks on the popular fan site SeahawkBlue.com. He lives in Los Angeles.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 304 pages
• Publisher: Sasquatch Books (August 4, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1570616027
• ISBN-13: 978-1570616020
• Product Dimensions: 5.8 x 1 x 8.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (39 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #666,676 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Hello Amazoners.. or is it Amazonians? I know, wearing a football jersey isn't exactly "authorly" attire, but hey, it was game day at Qwest Field and I am a twelfth man. Now using the term "twelfth man" is not sex specific. Women are part of the twelfth man. The only requirement for being a twelfth man is always having faith in the Seahawks. Anyway, since you actually made an effort to get to this page then you probably want to know biographical info about me. Well I was born and raised in the Seattle area. For the last 20-some years I have worked in Los Angeles as a television writer/producer. For many years I worked on "Talk Soup" on E! Entertainment Television, a show that garnered me one of those Emmy statuettes. I also worked on the comedy-reality-dating show "Blind Date" for a good stretch of time. You remember the program. We sent two people on a blind date and then goofed on them with thought bubbles and graphics. I think we scared many viewers into becoming celibate. If you bought my book "Notes From a 12th Man A Truly Biased History of the Seattle Seahawks," I want to thank you for your purchase. I hope you enjoy (and laugh a little) while reading about the history of one of the NFL's least appreciated teams. For those of you who are still considering it, remember Pete Carroll, Russell Wilson and the rest of the Hawks could very well be taking us to the promised land of world championships. Why not get on the ground floor and learn of all about Seahawks. It beats doing the dishes.

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars A Seahawks Fan Greatest Read December 8, 2009

By Kevin Atkins

Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase

I can tell you one thing about this book but there is way too many great things I have to say about it. I've been a Seahawks fan since I was a little kid. We grew up in Virginia and my dad loved the Redskins. My dad would always throw the football with me and said I could catch like Steve Largent. I was like, who is that? That's when it all started for me. All my life I've been a die hard Hawks fan. This book has taken me back from my childhood days to the present day. Reading this book makes me go back to the days when I was a little kid cheering for my Hawks and remembering these exact situations going through my mind as I read. I've always been a fan of the NFL, especially in the 80's and early 90's. Those were my learning years. I grew more attached to these years of Seahawks football. Mark Tye Turner really brings that memory out in this book. Even if your not a Seahawks fan, this book is the best read of any sports book I've ever read. I've read plenty of books from other teams, ie...Redskins ( My dad made me do a book report in elementary school) blahhh, well, there wasn't a book about the Seahawks. The best thing I could find when I was growing up was a paper the Seahawks put out every week, I still have those to this day. This book is such a good read, I am almost finished and I will read it again. AMAZING may be the best word to describe it. Thank you Mark Tye Turner for this book. You have got me into this book, and I love it.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Could not put this book down... November 2, 2009

By Denis L. Knippenberg

Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase

As I picked up this book, I found myself absolutely RIVETED to it. I could not put it down until I finished it. I loved every page, and was only disappointed when I reached the end of the book itself.

In this book, Mark Tye Turner reached into the minds of sport fans everywhere. He reached out and struck a chord with sport fans around the world. He showed the joy and sorrow of all fans of all sports. This is a wonderful book, not only for Seahawk fans, but for anyone who has endured the many ups and downs with their favorite sport team. Mark Tye Turner really accomplished an uncanny ability to express his emotions intertwined with his love of a sport team.

As a Seahawk fan, I took great delight in sharing common experiences with Mark Tye Turner in this book. As a fan of a sport team, I know that I would certianly appreciate another fan's loyalty and devotion to his team.

Thank you, Mark Tye Turner for a brilliantly writeen book from the life of a true fan.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars A must-have for every Seahawks fan! November 2, 2009

By Amber Head

Format:Hardcover

I've read this book cover to cover, and it's truely one of the best books I've ever read! It's entertaining and gives a true 12th Man prospective. I highly recommend this book to anyone and everyone that's a Seahawks fan. If you don't have a copy, GET ONE! Perfect Christmas present for the Seahawk fan in your life!