Customer Reviews

Steve McMichael's Tales from the Chicago Bears Sideline

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I thoroughly enjoyed this book. Although it will especially appeal to Chicago Bears fans, any football-lover will also find it to be a great read. Steve McMichael was always one of the more colorful players on and off the field, and he tells the story in similar irreverent fashion. The book follows McMichael's career chronologically from childhood through college to the NFL, with a brief stop in New England before his long great career with the Bears. The 1985-86 Super Bowl season is recalled in the most depth, with the behind the scenes story of each week's Bears game. McMichael tells it all in a funny and insightful manner. I have also been a big fan of co-author sportswriter Phil Arvia for many years. Also not afraid to tell it like it is, he and McMichael are a great team.

Hey, I'm an old time Chicago Bears' fan. I started following them in my childhood in the 1950s. In elementary school, we'd talk knowingly of Harlon Hill, Ed Brown, and other worthies (not having TV, of course, I never saw these athletes in action).

Steve McMichael, one of the characters from the Bears' last championship team in the 1980s, has authored this book. He traces his involvement in football from when he was young through college to his being drafted by the New England Patriots. After a forgettable rookie season, he was cut, with his coach referring to him as part of the "criminal element" in football. The Bears showed an interest and he went there, with results well known thereafter.

The book is filled with quite a few anecdotes and it makes quick reading. If you want anything profound, you aren't likely to find it here. But the book is a lot of fun--especially if you are a fan of the "Monsters of the Midway."

This is an incredible insight into the career of Steve McMichael. He was a key member of the Super Bowl XX winning team. Steve is very forth coming in this book and tells the tales with his passion that only Steve is able to. If you have not read or obtain this book, it is definitely a must have for any true Chicago Bears Fan. I read this from cover to cover and had a difficult time putting it down. This book gives you more insight on this player as a person and star. It just adds to the love that I have for that very special team. There will never be another team quite like the '85 Bears and I am glad to be of fan of this team still to this day. Thanks Steve for the insight on you.

I don't want to seem too negative about this book because I am a Bears fan, and a McMichael fan as well, but I was dissapointed. I was expecting to read about the Superbowl season of 1985 from the point of view of someone who was there. Maybe read a couple of locker room stories that hadn't been told to the public before. But there really wasn't much substance to this book, unless you count the numerous references to McMichael's stats, and how great he thinks he was. Mongo, we know you were a great player, but it's sad to have you remind us of it ever other paragraph.
So if you'd like an easy read, with a general overview of McMichael's career, this is a decent book. But if you are a true Bear's fan, don't expect to learn anything new.