In Denver, Lindsay Jones noted Broncos QB TIM TEBOW's autobiography, "THROUGH MY EYES," is "devoted to his three great loves: God, his family and Florida football." The book, Tebow's first, was released this week and was co-authored by NATHAN WHITAKER. It "details Tebow's childhood in the Philippines and Jacksonville, Fla., his high school football career and his legendary career at the University of Florida." Tebow also "shares personal family stories." Jones noted Tebow and Whitaker "began writing the book last September and finished the rough draft in mid-December." They "added the last half of the closing chapter to include Tebow's three starts that completed his rookie season with Denver" (DENVER POST, 6/2). USA TODAY's Grossman & Leahy in a cover story noted the book "starts each chapter with a Bible verse and is laced with as much 'glory to God' as it is with pages of grit-and-grunt details of Tebow's trademark punishing workouts" (USA TODAY, 6/1).
BEHOLD THE WONDER OF ME: In Milwaukee, Bob Wolfley wrote there is "more jersey popping, chest-thumping, self-congratulating, home-run posing and oh-the-wonder-of-me-ing" in "THOSE GUYS HAVE ALL THE FUN: INSIDE THE WORLD OF ESPN" than in "a month's worth of 'SPORTSCENTER' highlights." Wolfley: "Many times in this book you have the feeling people are elbowing one another to be the keynote speaker at this year's convention for narcissists. Lots of people in the book take credit for something or express disappointment about not getting enough credit. ... This is not to say these people don't deserve the credit they claim. But it has more weight when someone else says it." However, "no one lines up for the blame when blame is due, like it was for the failed 'SPORTSNIGHT' show which launched ESPN2." Wolfley added, "London was bombed less in World War II than Bristol is on these pages" (JSONLINE.com, 5/28). ESPN Exec VP & Exec Editor JOHN WALSH wrote in a fan Q&A, "The first half of the book has a narrative thread about the history of ESPN that has heretofore not come to light in such a distinguished manner. The tale of the first 10-12 years of the company has never been better told. The second half of the book, which is about the contemporary ESPN, faces more challenges because the historical lens is not a generation removed. It's an enjoyable read, and does pull back the curtain on how decisions are made, and were made, at the company" (ESPN.com, 6/2).
GONE BUT NEVER FORGOTTEN: Magic Senior VP PAT WILLIAMS has written a book about late Basketball HOFer JOHN WOODEN titled “COACH WOODEN.” Williams said the book “takes those seven principles” that Wooden’s father gave him to live his life by, and “we do a chapter on each one of them because they’re so relevant in 2011 just as they were in 1922.” Golf Channel’s Gary Williams said, “His principles and his approach to the way he coached is the most applicable thing that I've seen of all business aspects from any coach” (“Morning Drive,” Golf Channel, 6/3).
LEGENDS FROM THE PAST: GOLFWEEK's Bradley Klein notes N.Y. Times reporter DON VAN NATTA JR.'s latest book, "WONDER GIRL: THE MAGNIFICENT SPORTING LIFE OF BABE DIDRIKSON ZAHARIAS," tells the "story of how Didrikson emerged from small-town poverty to become the most celebrated sportswoman of the first half of the 20th century, if not the greatest athlete of her age." Van Natta "has dug deeply, drawing upon old newspaper accounts, sports museum archives and the memories of those who knew The Babe." But what Van Natta "hasn't combed is her soul, and so we come away knowing very little of her beliefs, fears and loves" (GOLFWEEK, 6/3 issue)....In Dallas, Rick Gosselin reviewed JEAN LEAVY's book, "THE LAST BOY: MICKY MANTLE AND THE END OF AMERICA'S CHILDHOOD." Gosselin noted he read this book because of how much he enjoyed Leavy's book on SANDY KOUFAX, and the Mantle book is "as good if not better." Mantle was "adored by a generation as a baseball player but was far less as a person," and Leavy's book provides an "unvarnished look" at him. Gosselin: "This book was just another reminder that athletes aren't role models and shouldn't be placed on pedestals as heroes" (DALLASNEWS.com, 6/1).
COMIC BOOK TREATMENT: In Green Bay, Warren Gerds reported GREG LE DUC is writing a comic book series about Pro Football HOFer CURLY LAMBEAU. The "first of seven comics in the series is due out in July." Le Duc noted the comic, entitled "GRIDIRON 1," will be "released as both a traditional comic book for retail purchase and as an e-comic book" for Kindle, Nook, iPad and iPhone users (GREEN BAY PRESS-GAZETTE, 5/28).
