Ditka: An Autobiography (Hardcover)

by Mike Ditka (Author), Don Pierson (Author)

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly
Football fans will love this inside look at the sport by the coach of the Super Bowl champion Chicago Bears, written with the Chicago Tribune staffer who covers the team. This is the account of a steelworker's son who quit college for pro football and played for Chicago, which he loved, Philadelphia, which he hated, and Dallas, which he liked. Cowboys coach Landry gave Ditka his first coaching job and George Halas signed him as the Bears' head man. In addition to providing details of his career, Ditka ponders at length about his philosophy of football, a sport which for him involves 100% dedication, a belief in the importance of teamwork and an unconcern with popularity. He also makes interesting observations about Landry (at variance with the public image) and about Bears stars Jim McMahon, "Refrigerator" Perry and Walter Payton. Photos. 35,000 first printing; $35,000 ad/promo; author tour.
Copyright 1987 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Library Journal
The hard-driving coach who drove his 1985 Chicago Bears to the Super Bowl title brought a background of rough, all-out play into his leadership. With the help of Pierson, Ditka goes back to boyhood in a Pennsylvania steel town to show his development. His playing experience and lessons from George Halas and Tom Landry lead into his own coaching philosophy. Ditka adds his opinions on associatesespecially rapping Buddy Ryan, his former defensive coachalong with reflections on his own marital life and drinking problem and others' drug use. Good for most public libraries, especially around Chicago. Morey Berger, Monmouth Cty. Lib., Freehold, N.J.
Copyright 1986 Reed Business Information, Inc.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 271 pages
• Publisher: Bonus Books (July 1986)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0933893078
• ISBN-13: 978-0933893078
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 5.6 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #1,412,150 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars a revealing and candid autobiography, July 7, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: Ditka: An Autobiography (Paperback)

The fiery New Orleans Saints head coach provides fans with an insightful look on his childhood, playing career with the Bears, Eagles and Cowboys and transformation from an assistant coach to a head coach. Ditka also discusses his coaching philosophy, relationships with many of his star players and family life. You will not be disappointed.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars TOUGH AND HARD NOSED, February 23, 2002

By A Customer

This review is from: Ditka: An Autobiography (Paperback)

DITKA IS A VERY ENJOYABLE BOOK. MR. DITKA DOES A GREAT JOB TELLING THE STORY OF THIS LIFE AND CAREER. I FOUND HIS OPINIONS AND INSIGHT VERY HUMAN AND INTENSE. HE WAS CERTAINLY A GLADIATOR ON THE FIELD AND A TAKE NOTHING FROM NOBODY COACH. I REALLY LIKE HIS STYLE AND HONESTY IN THIS BOOK. I HIGHLY RECOMMEND THIS BOOK FOR ALL FOOTBALL FANS AND ESPECIALLY FOR BEAR FANS. HE IS ONE OF THE FIVE GREATEST BEARS OF THE MODERN ERA HALAS, SAYERS, PAYTON, BUTKUS, BEING THE OTHERS. A MUST READ

1 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Other Books, September 3, 2007

By	Blue Tyson "- http://freesf.blogspot.com" - See all my reviews

Ditka : an Autobiography by Mike Ditka is boofy old Iron Mike's story. He tells what it was like to be a tough guy and a hardarse, and to plan with ridiculous injury levels and what that did to him.

Oh yeah, and a bit on that whole coaching and Superbowl thing as well. Not too bad for this sort of book.