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Are you ready for some football (books to read)?
- Article by: MICHAEL RAND , Star Tribune
- Updated: September 8, 2009 - 11:00 PM
In the book publishing business, timing isn't everything -- but it's pretty close.
The book cover for Gophers Illustrated
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In the book publishing business, timing isn't everything -- but it's pretty close.
As such, a pair of new football-related releases from the University of Minnesota Press split the uprights in that all-important facet. The books -- "The Vikings Reader" by Armand Peterson and "Gophers Illustrated" by Al Papas Jr. -- came out at the start of September. With the Gophers slated to open their new stadium Saturday and the Vikings kicking off a Favre-frenzied season Sunday, both should reach the public's consciousness.
The authors have a joint launch event at 7 tonight at Magers and Quinn in Uptown, with other appearances to follow (see www.upress.umn.edu for more information). Here's a brief look at both books:
"The Vikings Reader" ($25.95) has its strength in collecting some of the best moments -- and writing -- from roughly half a century of purple history.
Peterson gathers up notable published stories from heavy hitters in journalism -- including Jim Klobuchar, Sid Hartman, Patrick Reusse and Frank DeFord -- and fills in the gaps in history with his own words. As any Vikings fan knows, there are plenty of moments -- good and bad -- along the way.
The final sentence sets up 2009 and beyond, reading thusly: "Hopefully, we will be reading many more stories about this new Vikings dynasty in the next few years." It's a safe bet that with this franchise -- particularly this season -- there will be no shortage of material for future generations.
"Gophers Illustrated" ($24.95) is unique in that instead of relying heavily on photos or words, the focal point appears to be a marriage of descriptions, charts and original sketches by Papas Jr. Indeed, it is billed as "a unique graphic history of Gopher football."
With content from the 19th, 20th and 21st centuries, the book contains interesting nuggets of obscure information (such as rules of the game in 1903) and clever presentation of familiar history (such as the 1977 victory over Michigan).
Because there are so many sports books out there -- and so many follow a rather predictable pattern -- it's refreshing to see one that breaks away from the mold.
MICHAEL RAND
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