Customer Reviews

A Team to Believe In: Our Journey to the Super Bowl Championship

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"A Team to Believe In" is written by Tom Coughlin and Brian Curtis and it chronicles the 2007 championship season for the New York Giants. The book begins with backstory on the incredibly difficult 2006 season and how Coughlin had to prove he was worth keeping in 2007. From there, the book describes the amazing journey the G-Men took in the 2007 season and the playoffs.

Coughlin provides an inside look on what he needed to change, how his struggles in 2006 effected his family, and how he reconnected with his team. It's all very interesting and well-written. I found the opening chapter about 2006 quite interesting and it was fascinating to see how Coughlin dealt with the scrutiny and criticism. He describes how he became close with his players and also gives general insight to coaching in the NFL.

All in all, this is a great read for Giants fans. It's a must-have for anyone who wants to commemorate Big Blue's Super Bowl run in 2007.

Tom Coughlin's memoir of the New York Giants 2006 season and win over the undefeated New England Patriots in Super Bowl XLII could have been a lot more than it is. Like the public persona of the coach, it lacks a bit of personality and inside information that football fans are looking for. I did find it worthwhile reading, anyway.

This book functions as a mini autobiography of Coughlin's coaching career and the high pressure and long hours it requires to be a successful coach in the National Football League. One of the better features of the book is learning about his coaching pedigree and his discussion of how he had to loosen up a little bit with the New York Giants, who as most recall, were seemingly in near mutiny of Coughlin's old school rules and discipline.

And while Coughlin does a good job with the above, his recounting of the season and the Giants team is often devoid of personality and inside information about how the team overcame some of the squabbling and questions about leadership to go on their improbable run to a Super Bowl victory. He certainly plays lip service to the quiet leadership skills of the oft criticized Eli Manning and his rocky but repaired relationship with older players like Michael Strahan, but it more reportorial than emotional engaging.

There also is little about football strategy and X's and O's in this book, which is fine as I didn't expect much. But for an avid football fan like myself that always adds a great deal to a book about football.

Despite these drawbacks, I am sure New York Giants fans will enjoy this look back at the season from Coughlin's perspective. I would not, however, recommend this to the casual football fan.

Any Giant fan who wants to relive the magic should buy this book now. Some fun insights and touching stories show the foundation of one of the biggest Superbowl underdogs of all time. Enjoyed every page.

Rather than get the DVDs, I decided to get this book for my wife (we're both Giants fans, but she bleeds blue). She couldn't put it down. I started reading it as well and it's great to get Tom's perspective on the ins and outs of an NFL season. Things that you don't see when you're watching the game. I recommend this to all Giants fans who want to relive the magical Superbowl XLII run.