The Best American Sports Writing 2003 (The Best American Series) (Paperback)

by Buzz Bissinger (Editor), Glenn Stout (Editor)

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly
The latest edition in the Best American Sports Writing series features 25 pieces of cracker-jack writing from some of the country's best known sports journalists. In keeping with the tradition of the series, the new volume includes articles on some of the country's most famous athletes Barry Bonds (by David Grann), Shaquille O'Neal (by Rebecca Mead) as well as stories on little-known people one-legged marathon runner Jim MacLaren (written by Elizabeth Gilbert), golfer and Vietnam veteran Walter Donaldson (by Bill Plaschke). Many of the stories are poignant, either in describing how sports helped a person cope with a difficult situation or in relating the downfall of a celebrated personality. Among the best are David Grann's look at the softer side of Barry Bonds; Michael Leahy's piece on Michael Jordan's "love of risk"; and Terry Pluto's profile of the 275-pound autistic waterboy for the Hudson High football team. Although there are millions of words written about sports every year, Bissinger has managed to assemble stories that bring a fresh perspective to their subject; there are no often-told stories of faded glory days.
Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

From Booklist
Typically this annual collection is peppered with a who's who of sports journalism. Bissinger, this year's editor, takes a less-traveled path, emphasizing fine work by writers who don't happen to be household names. For example, there is James McKean, who once played basketball for Jud Heathcote when the legendary Michigan State coach was at Washington State. What can a basketball coach have taught a young man whose career interests were poetry and teaching? Plenty, as McKean thoughtfully relates in "Playing for Jud." Also on the subject of basketball coaches, Elizabeth Kaye's Los Angeles magazine profile of Laker coach Phil Jackson is revealing, thoughtful, and wry, much like the man himself. Other highlights include Michael Agovino's cautionary but affectionate account of a childhood dominated by point spreads, in My Dad, the Bookie. For fans of great sportswriting, this annual is always much anticipated and enjoyed. Wes Lukowsky
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 352 pages
• Publisher: Mariner Books (October 10, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0618251324
• ISBN-13: 978-0618251322
• Product Dimensions: 8.2 x 5.3 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.5 out of 5 stars See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #782,831 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

  Popular in this category: (What's this?)

  #81 in

  Books > Sports > Miscellaneous > Journalism

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars 2003 Collection Might Be the Best Yet, November 22, 2003

By	Brian D. Rubendall (Oakton, VA) - See all my reviews (TOP 100 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

I've read most of the "Best American Sportswriting" annual collections since the series began back in 1991. The 2003 edition might just be the strongest yet. Guest editor Buzz Bissinger has put together a strong collection of stories that probe beyond the headlines to focus on the place of sports in our society. The book starts out with the awful tale of a former triathlete turned quadroplegic ("Lucky Jim") and rarely loses intesity from there. Other highlights include a profile of the man behind The Chicken ("Fowled Away"), the Washington comeback of Michael Jordan ("Gambling Man), a profile of demolition derby racers ("Appetite for Destruction"), a recount of the 1972 Munich Olympics massacre ("When the Terror Began"), and a sad biographical story ("Bobby Fisher's Pathetic Endgame). All told, there is not a clunker in the mix.

Overall, this is a great collection for anyone who loves sports or who simply loves a good story.

2.0 out of 5 stars If you want to grow to hate sports just read this book, March 29, 2004

By A Customer

This book presents an incredibly grim view of sports. Is there no good sports writing that actually deals with sport or do writers today only deal with the personalities and the pains of sports? If you want to kill any joy left of sports in your life then open up this book and let these writers open your eyes to everything negative they can find in sports. Even the "uplifting" stories present a world crashing down around people who have only 1 positive outlet in life, the sport they play.