Turnaround: Bear Bryant's First Year at Alabama [Hardcover]

Tom Stoddard (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 1, 2000

By 1958, the once legendary Bama football program had reached an all-time low - only four wins in three years. The proud tradition that included national titles and Rose Bowl victories was a source of state pride that had to be saved. Paul "Bear" Bryant became the football program's savior, and the University gave him free rein to work his miracles. Comprehensive interviews with players and coaches, detailed accounts of practice sessions, play-by play recordings of the games, and numerous photos take the reader back in time to that critical year in Alabama football history.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Tom Stoddard attended the University of Alabama, served in the navy, and worked in journalism, public relations, and other fields. Now retired, he and his wife, Katie, live near Mobile, Alabama.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 256 pages
• Publisher: Black Belt Press; 2 edition (August 1, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1880216892
• ISBN-13: 978-1880216897
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 5.9 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,441,726 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

14 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A Bama fans dream - detailed and untold stories of the Bear, October 19, 2000

By 

Douglas R. Williamson (Tuscaloosa, Alabama United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Turnaround: Bear Bryant's First Year at Alabama (Hardcover)

As far as turnarounds are concerned, Alabama Crimson Tide fans have seen their fair share. Last season, they witnessed the Tide as they dropped miserably to 1-1 after a September loss to underdog Louisiana Tech. By New Year's Day, the Tide, now 10-2, had won the SEC championship, was ranked in the top five nationally and was preparing to face Michigan in the Orange Bowl. This season, the Tide fell to 1-3 before defeating the South Carolina Gamecocks at Bryant-Denny Stadium. Tide fans are hoping for a successful turnaround in 2000 similar to last season's about-face. Many Alabama fans, however, are in the dark about the great turnaround of 1958. That was the season Paul "Bear" Bryant took over at the helm of Alabama football, rejuvenating and breathing new life into not a single season, but an entire program. Tom Stoddard, a 1960 graduate of the University of Alabama, gives a detailed and straightforward account of Bryant's first season as head football coach at the Capstone in his book, Turnaround. In the three seasons prior to the magical 1958 season, the Crimson Tide had managed only four victories. Intense efforts by Alabama boosters and administration to put an end to the demise of a once proud and highly successful football program led to the resignation of then head coach J.B. "Ears" Whitworth. Enter the self-proclaimed "momma's boy" from Arkansas, "Bear" Bryant. With vivid and highly descriptive recollections from Bryant's former players, coaches and acquaintances, Turnaround depicts in behind-the-scenes fashion how Bryant took a group of young men who had become all too familiar with defeat and turned them into winners, and three seasons later, national champions. Any Crimson Tide football fan would fall in love immediately with this book. I certainly did.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars "Stoddard Nailed It", January 26, 2003

By 

David Briley (Morristown, TN United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Turnaround: Bear Bryant's First Year at Alabama (Hardcover)

I have most likely read almost every book that has been written about the legendery college football coach. With the possible exception of "Bear", (which was an autobiography written by John Underwood) this is the best book ever written on Paul "Bear" Bryant. It was meticulously researched and led the reader on a journey throughout the year of 1958 (Bryant's first year at Alabama) which laid the foundation for a football dynasty during the 1960s and 1970s. While books like "The Junction Boys" might be more entertaining (but not always factual), "Turnaround" does not suffer the numerous embellishment problems that "Junction" did. Tom Stoddard deserves a great deal of recognition for this work. It is a must for the serious student of Bryant.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Turnaround Season: What Could Have Been, December 14, 2001

By 

Terry McClure (Cocoa Beach, Florida United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Turnaround: Bear Bryant's First Year at Alabama (Hardcover)

The book provides some remarkable insight into Coach Bryant's methods and thoughts. I heard stories that I have never heard and I consider myself a big fan. The problem was the boring play by play of the games and the constant roster updates. If you are a Bama fan buy it. If not it would be of little interest.