Exploring what it means to a school, a coach, and a player to be in the Final Four or even at The Final, this work features stories of players and ...
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Sep 24, 2010
David
rated it: 
As NBA announcer Mark Jackson would say, "John Feinstein, you're better than this!". I've read about 10 of Feinstein's books, starting with Season on the Brink re Bob Knight, and they're mostly terrific, especially when he chooses less well-covered territory (e.g. Patriot League basketball or long-term aftermath of Kermit Washington punch of Rudy T. or Army-Navy football game, rather than ACC basketball or Final Four). But this one is kind of phoned in. A couple good, non-obvious ch
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Jan 13, 2012
Jamie
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Everything and everything regarding the Final Four can be found in this book. Mr. Feinstein covers every single aspect of the weekend. He starts quite chronologically, matching the events that take place in earliest in the weekend, earliest in the book, or at least for the most part. Some chapters feel awkward in the placement. For instance, the chapter entitled "Partying" describes the events the NCAA uses to keep people occupied until the next basketball game is played. This chapter
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Apr 22, 2011
Bryce
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I'm a KU guy (yeah, yeah, go ahead and comment away on the VCU loss...I've got thick skin), so you can pretty much assume that college ball comes first in my sports interests. Any info about what happens behind the scrim of this massive event fascinates me, and this is a pretty potent look at all the components that make the Final Four what it is, bite-size though the book may be. "Last Dance" should get a 3.5 rating and possibly even a 3 as it wasn't nearly as powerful as the shocki
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Jul 23, 2011
Aaron
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Last Dance is a "behind-the-scenes" look at the roots, growth, commercialism, players, coaches, and administrators of the Final Four. The book uses the 2005 Final Four (when Coach Roy Williams won his first championship with North Carolina) as a focal point for looking at the Final Four from the position of the NCAA, (especially) the coaches, players, and other ancillary characters. I had two problems with this approach; one, we get a very sympathetic viewpoint of Coach Williams, UNC
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Oct 25, 2011
Dustin
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John Feinstein may be my favorite writer out there... His books for me combine great writing with subject matter that almost always vibes with what I'm interested in. So when I was perusing books at a used book sale a few years ago, and I saw this book for 3 dollars, it seemed like a complete no-brainer... I bought it without even considering it. It wasn't until a recent flight to Maine that I actually picked this book up to read. At about 370 pages, this isn't a complicated read, so I figured i
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Mar 12, 2011
Ice
rated it: 
Feinstein is turning out the sports books faster than ever, as his whirlwind tour of the NCAA college basketball tournament follows quickly on the heels of his fall 2005 look at pro football, Next Man Up. Maybe that explains the somewhat rushed feel, as Feinstein skips briskly from one anecdote to the next.
In his effort to depict the annual climax of "March Madness" from as many perspectives as possible, Feinstein collects stories from coaches, players, referees, sportscast More...
In his effort to depict the annual climax of "March Madness" from as many perspectives as possible, Feinstein collects stories from coaches, players, referees, sportscast More...
Mar 26, 2011
Linda
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As the daughter of a college basketball coach and a great fan of the NCAA tournament, I thoroughly enjoyed this book. And what better timing for reading this piece than in the midst of March Madness even though my pick to win it all is no longer eligible for the Last Dance. And it turns out that Emily knows the author, and both Tom and I know a few individuals mentioned in the book.
Jan 03, 2009
Diane
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That was fun! This is the story of the Final Four and my 20 years in North Carolina made reading a treat. I liked learning a bit of the history of the NCAA tournament, the referees, the broadcasting, some of the major teams and coaches. Nothing to deep, and lots about UNC. If I didn't like Duke before, I really don't like Duke after reading this. A quick and easy read and nice timing.
Oct 06, 2011
Miller.Cole
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I think this is a good book, but not my favorite. I am almost done with it. Its about the finial four and all of the trips and people that were involved at times it gets confusing because the author jumps from story to story but you get back into it pretty fast.
Mar 11, 2010
Seeing as how the tournament is fast approaching, and the Pac-10 gave me very little to pay attention to this year, I picked this book up again this weekend. And will be putting it back down. John Feinstein is terrific on NPR, but this book makes me feel like I'm hanging out with Leslie Knope on "Parks and Recreation". She's very excited about name dropping for all the Pawnee movers and shakers, but we have no idea who they are so we are more bemused rather than interested. I'm sur
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Dec 11, 2008
Carrie
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I listened to the abridged audiobook of this story. It was really interesting. I learned way more about college basketball's final four.
Jan 16, 2012
Joel
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Never thought about reaching the Final Four that coaches are viewed different. More respect. Good good read about what a coach goes through to get to the final four. John Feinstein great author.
Jun 29, 2009
Michael
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A little too corporate. A little too inside. It reads like an "as told to" account.
Jan 18, 2010
Bryan
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Decent read, very similar to A good walk spoiled but basketball related.
Mar 02, 2009
David
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If your a NCAA basketball fan and/or a John Feinstein fan, you should find this book enjoyable. Feinstein revisits many of the different facets of the Final Four from many coaches, players, and even the referees aspects.
Oct 11, 2011
Nathan
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An interesting book. Gives you a good feel for what the Final Four is all about.
Feb 19, 2008
Robert
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It follows the 2005 NCAA basketball tourney, but focuses way way way too much on UNC and Duke. This guy has something for Coach K and Roy Williams. I mean I know they are great coahces but don't try to trick me into thinking this book is about all four final four teams because it is not.
Dec 16, 2009
Shar
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Great read for March. Feinstein is a good reporter and a good thinker about sports, especially college sports. In this book he gives us a good look behind the scenes. I especially liked his organization that gives us a good look at the basketball committee and the legends of the game.
May 01, 2010
Becky
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Good book which brings to life the NCAA Men's Basketball tournament from the participants perspective. How coaches, NCAA officials, referee's, press and players feel about the tournament and their thoughts and feelings as they experience the tournament.
Apr 23, 2008
Dave
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An insider's perspective on what the Final Four is like, with emphasis on a detailed account of the 2005 Final Four. The chapters on referees and on the selection committee were the best, containing interesting inside dope and entertaining anecdotes.
Jun 15, 2008
Ash
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If Feinstein had followed another year, 2001 for example, I would have enjoyed it more. But, even though UNC won it all in the year covered, Feinstein's writing is compelling and made me wish the next season started tomorrow.
Jun 09, 2009
Marc
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This was a very "eh" book. Not much about the actual teams in the final four. Some focus on the coaches, none on the players, more focus on some guys who've been associated with the final four for a while. Not a great read...
Apr 01, 2008
Toby
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Hacky, hacky, hacky, Mr. Feinstein. I've read other books of yours and enjoyed them. But other books didn't editorialize nearly so much. Report if you're going to report, buddy.
Aug 23, 2008
Eric
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I hate books that claim to be 'behind the scenes' but really aren't that in-depth. This is one of them. It's just not interesting.
Oct 02, 2007
Sarah
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Focuses on the 2005 Final Four (when UNC won). Lots about Duke and UNC in it, so great read for UNC basketball fans.
Jan 16, 2008
Joseph
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Very anecdotal, seemed disjointed and not much of a story/theme. Just a bunch of semi-related stories.
