Crimson Coronation (Hardcover)

by Al Browning (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Review
... As much as almost anybody I ever knew, Al Browning was always a recognized authority on University of Alabama football. Few people know more about Dixie's Football Pride ... -- John Pruett, columnist, The Huntsville Times

Every writer eventually reads a sentence or an article or a book that causes him to remark, "Why didn't I think of that?" That's what I said when I read Al Browning's nevel, Crimson Coronation. Why, indeed, didn't I think of that ... Not only do celestial players return to Earth, in uniforms of their day, so do celestial fans, dressed in period clothing ... The nation doesn't know what to make of Crimson Coronation, as the tournament is called. Can it be real? Is it a hoax? ...

But it does happen -- at least in the imagination of Al Browning ... There are poignant moments ... There are intriguing twists ... There are funny scenes." -- Clyde Bolton, columnist/novelist, The Birmingham News

Product Description
Crimson Coronation is a novel that deals with the conception of, development of and staging of a tournament to determine the best University of Alabama football team in history. The time frame is 1998 through 2000. The story culminates in the playing an eight-team tournament at Bryant-Denny Stadium in Tuscaloosa, Alabama between December 7, 2000 and December 25, 2000. Celestial beings return to earth to play, to watch, to coach and to participate in other ways. Tuscaloosa, Alabama becomes the news mecca of the world, with celestials visiting, the entertainment mecca of the world, with superstar performers participating in a variety of events, and the sports mecca of the world, with the unusual nature of the tournament prompting worldwide coverage.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 272 pages
• Publisher: Five Points South Pubns (April 15, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1881590100
• ISBN-13: 978-1881590101
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 6.2 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #3,463,196 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars If there is a Field of Dreams in the South, this is it!, May 14, 1999

By A Customer

Whether you are a fan of Rock and Roll or College Football, this book is for you. Not only do the greatest Crimson Tide teams and players in history come to the show, so do some of the greatest entertainers of our times. You haven't heard Bob Dylan sing our national anthem until you hear it in the pages of this book. Al Browning has captured every note.

Who wins the big event? It wouldn't be fair to those who have yet to experience this story to reveal the exciting ending.

I read this book in one sitting, cover to cover, and I'm sure I am not the only one to get hooked on the story.

I'm waiting for the next one from Al Browning!

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A must-read for every BAMA fan!, June 6, 1999

By A Customer

Al Browining has written what has been spoken in Dixie for years--who would have been THE best team from Tuscaloosa? Although it's just his opinion, he does a good job of letting you learn about the players' and coaches' personalities and characteristics (and for some, time didn't change a thing in the social lives of some players from different eras--i.e. Johnny Mack Brown and Kenny "the Snake" Stabler). It's a great way to discuss 8 of the 12 national championship teams. To all who read, enjoy and Roll Tide!

1.0 out of 5 stars WAS THIS BOOK NECESSARY?, November 14, 2001

By A Customer

As a hard core Bama fan, but not a hard core reader of fiction, I bought this book with some skepticism. Despite the more current history of Bama football (the problems with the NCAA, the Mike Dubose era (error), etc.), Alabama has one of the richest and proudest traditions in college football.

Al Browning's fictional account was either an attempt to honor the greats who wore the Crimson jerseys of yesteryear or a cheap, juvenile attempt to capitalize on Bama fans who will buy anything. I think it was the latter and I am embarassed that I fell for this stunt.

Trying to compare teams from the 1920s and 30s with teams from the 1960s, 70s, and 90s is realistically futile. Mr. Browning's attempt to do so is just embarassingly bad. There are so many other ways Mr. Browning could honor the Crimson tradition, even in fiction. As a Crimson Tide fan, I suffered through the entire book. But I would not recommend this kind of torture to anybody.

The one star rating is one star higher than it deserved.

ROLL TIDE!!!