What Washington Can Learn From the World of Sports [Hardcover]

George Allen (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 25, 2010

Politics and sports: they’re two of America’s greatest passions. And George Allen—former U.S. Senator, former Virginia Governor, and son of the great NFL coach George Allen, Sr.—brings these two worlds together in his new book, What Washington Can Learn From the World of Sports. Having spent his life with one foot in the sports arena and the other in the political arena, Allen brings his unique perspective and experiences to What Washington Can Learn From the World of Sports. Through personal stories, anecdotes, and interviews, Allen draws both parallels and contrasts between two of our nation’s favorite passions. From national security, to wasteful government spending, to judicial activism, Allen proves that our government need look no further than the football field, baseball diamond, or basketball court to solve today’s pressing problems. What Washington Can Learn From the World of Sports shows what Washington can learn from the greatest moments—and failures—in sports, as well as from the spirit and principles of fair play, hard work, and keeping score.

Editorial Reviews

From the Inside Flap

There’s a reason you like sports more than politics.

It’s because sports make sense and Washington doesn’t. In sports, you have to play by the rules, but in Washington they constantly change the rules to reward special interests they like and punish those they don’t. In sports, referees know how to stay out of the action; the players are the stars. But in Washington, congressmen, senators, and bureaucrats think they’re the stars, and that regulation, not freedom and competition, makes America work. In sports, players know you win or lose as a team, but how many politicians think of “Team America” rather than their petty self-interests?

No one knows sports and politics better than George Allen. The son of a Hall of Fame football coach, and a college quarterback and rugby player himself, Allen has also been a United States Senator and Governor of Virginia. He’s seen the worlds of sports and politics close up, and he knows which one he prefers— it’s the same one you do, because sports work and Washington doesn’t. In What Washington Can Learn from the World of Sports, Allen blends sports anecdotes—memorable, funny, and nostalgic—with the political issues we face, drawing out the principles of sports that have real world applications to our national life and politics. In What Washington Can Learn from the World of Sports, you’ll learn, through great stories about the intersection of sports and politics:

* Why politicians (like Richard Nixon, who phoned in plays to the Redskins and Dolphins) are the worst armchair quarterbacks—and know far less than they think they do
* Why merit matters in sports, and needs to matter more in Washington
* Why coaches are always looking to build improvement, while Washington is content to manage decline
* Why in sports, as in life, nothing is more important than a good defense
* PLUS a foreword from L.A. Rams great David “Deacon” Jones, an afterword from Oklahoma Sooner quarterback and former congressman J. C. Watts, and much, much more

Provocative, entertaining, and down to earth, What Washington Can Learn from the World of Sports is the perfect book for everyone who believes the common sense of the playing field should be applied on Capitol Hill.

From the Back Cover

What Washington Can Learn From the World of Sports

“There are a lot of similarities between sports and life. I’ve found that out after being fired from coaching. Who better to explain what Washington can learn from sports than George Allen? He’s the son of a Hall of Fame coach, a former player himself, and has had vast experience as a national political figure. Interesting, right between the eyes, great reading!”
—JON GRUDEN, commentator on Monday Night Footballand former NFL Coach

“The good Governor George Allen shows how sports is all about competition and winning and losing and playing by the rules, while Fedzilla is an unaccountable beast, ripping up the rulebook, eating our most entrepreneurial citizens, and taking this country to hell post haste. Great book, important lessons, and sound advice from a guy who gets it.”
—TED NUGENT, rock star and best-selling author of Ted, White, and Blue

“George Allen has written a great book that demonstrates a truly unique way to advance conservative ideas. A home run.”
—PETER SCHWEIZER, best-selling author of Do as I Say (Not as I Do)

“George Allen has great insight into what Washington can learn from the world of sports. The founding fathers worked together as a team in spite of their differences; they understood the importance of a ‘balance of power,’ just as Coach Allen used to preach ‘everyone just do your own job and everything else will fall into place’ and ‘be consistent in your responsibilities and take nothing for granted and we will win.’ Politicians in Washington need to be reminded of their duties, their responsibility to work as a team, and not let the media and polls sway their decisions.”
—BRIG OWENS, former Washington Redskins defensive back

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 174 pages
• Publisher: Regnery Publishing (May 25, 2010)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1596985984
• ISBN-13: 978-1596985988
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6.1 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #982,450 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Inspiring reading perfect for a range of readers seeking clarity in understanding Washington's political plays, August 13, 2010

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Midwest Book Review (Oregon, WI USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: What Washington Can Learn From the World of Sports (Hardcover)

What Washington Can Learn From the World of Sports belong on political and sports shelves alike, offering a unique association between sports rules and team playing and the political world of Washington DC. Chapters cover issues of ties, equal opportunity, government regulation, and working as a team and make for inspiring reading perfect for a range of readers seeking clarity in understanding Washington's political plays.

5.0 out of 5 stars Great comparison, December 27, 2010

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Mouser's Mom "CWD" (Arlington, VA United States) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: What Washington Can Learn From the World of Sports (Hardcover)

This book by George Allen (previous Governor & Senator from The Commonwealth of Virginia) is a fine comparison on how the governement rates with football. He has several great points.

Only thing is, football is smarter then our Congress....

5 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Allen Scores Again, June 30, 2010

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Judy C. - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: What Washington Can Learn From the World of Sports (Hardcover)

As a former Senator and the son of a winning football coach, Senator Allen is in a position to know about both subjects. He brings them together and makes it clear that a good coach in the White House could help our nation. If the powers in Washington, Republicans AND Democrats, would just read Chapter 9, "A Locker Room Divided Against Itself Cannot Survive" we might be able to make progress with the current problems that plague our nation. This should be mandatory reading for all elected officials.