The Pittsburgh Steelers: The Official Team History [Illustrated] [Hardcover]

Abby Mendelson (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 1, 1996

Complete history of the illustrious Men of Steel from the founding of the franchise in 1933 to the championship teams of the '70s to the Bill Cowherled teams of the 1990s. 300 photographs highlight famed players and action from the Steelers numerous championship runs.

Editorial Reviews

Review

...[F]rom the fascinating owner Art Rooney to incredible coaches Chuck Noll and Bill Cowher to unforgettable players like Joe Greene, Franco Harris and Ben Rothlisberger, this book covers it all with amazing photos, anecdotes and a storied history. It's a must-have not only for Steeler fans, but for all football fans.

(Book Chick Di ) --This text refers to the Paperback edition.

About the Author

Abby Mendelson is an award-winning writer who covered the Steelers as a beat reporter in the 1970s. He lives in Pittsburgh with his wife.

--This text refers to the Paperback edition.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 256 pages
• Publisher: Taylor Trade Publishing (October 1, 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0878339574
• ISBN-13: 978-0878339570
• Product Dimensions: 11.4 x 8.8 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.8 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,715,155 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Enjoyable read with great pictures for all Steelers' fans., October 31, 1999

By 

Marky K. Billson (Pittsburgh, PA United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Pittsburgh Steelers: The Official Team History (Hardcover)

This is a nice effort by Abby Mendelson. Most enjoybable are the little boxes in the read, which speaks of "Why dancers at the Edison Hotel loved Art Rooney Sr." or "Bradshaw's Last Game". These stories tend to stick out in your head, and really give the true story of the Steelers as one of the classiest and most successful teams, if not THE most classy and successful team, in the NFL.

Mendleson's efforts compare with other great writings on the Steelers by Jim O'Brien and Roy Blount Jr.

Oh, there are nitpicks. When Mendleson writes that in "1947 (the Steelers) could have used (Bill Dudley)" on p. 33, let us remember that Dudley was traded for Bob Cifers. Cifers provided the blocking Dudley couldn't, hence the improvement of Pittsburgh's record from .500 in '46 to 8-4 in '47 and the club's first playoff birth. In fact, when Head Coach Jock Sutherland put Cifers in to the Steelers' single-wing in '47 in the season's fourth game, the Magarac Attack IMMEDIATELY went on a six game winning streak, the club's longest for 28 years. Even the first Super Bowl Champs of 1974 couldn't win six in a row.

However, covering 60 odd years of club history is going to cause some oversights. Overall, Mendleson really captures the flavor of the Pittsburgh Steelers. Even with three years of football played since this printing, this book holds up well.

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A must for any football books collection, July 27, 2000

By 

MARTIN LEBEAU - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Pittsburgh Steelers: The Official Team History (Hardcover)

Here a book I recommend to any football fan.Before I read this book the only thing I know about them is Jack Lambert and the "Immaculate reception" of Franco Harris.With this book I discover an unbelievable team,Bradshaw,Stallworth,Blount and the team of the 70`s.The effort of the Rooney family to keep the Steelers in Pittsburg.The story from when the team name was "Pirates" to the first few years of the 90`s.Their association with the Philadelphia Eagles to form the Steagles.The rivalry with the Browns.And the most surprising for me,the number of championships and Superbowls this team appear.A must on your football books collection. If you want to learn more about this team this is the book I recommend to you.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars I AM A BROWNS FAN BUT I LOVED THIS BOOK, November 26, 2002

By A Customer

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Pittsburgh Steelers: The Official Team History (Hardcover)

A BOOK FOR NOTJUST STEELER FANS BUT FOR ALL FOOTBALL FANS. THIS BOOK TAKES US THROUGH THE HISTORY OF THE TEAM, COVERING THE ROONEY FAMILY, PLAYERS, COACHES, AND SEASON TO SEASON RESULTS. IT ALSO HAS MANY EXCELLENT PICS AND STATS AND A GAME BY GAME SCORE FOR EACH SEASON. THIS IS A MUST READ. A TON FOR THE PRICE. FROM THE EARLY DAYS TO THE TERRIBLE TOWEL (MOSTLY A CRYING TOWEL FOR THE OPPONENTS) THIS BOOK IS MARVELOUSLY FILLED WITH FACTS AND INFORMATION ABOUT THE MOST DOMINANT TEAM OF ALL TIME.