Joe Ehrmann, a former NFL football star and volunteer coach for the Gilman high school football team, teaches his players the keys to successful de...
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reviews
Dec 11, 2009
Tom
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I thought this was an average book at best, although the message sent about what makes a man a man was great. The reason why I didn't like this book, which won the Pulitzer and was the reason I picked it up, was because I KNEW this message already. I guess I'm just fortunate to have good parents and friends, so I didn't really learn anything new. Be a good person every day, help others out, don't pick on nerds (how could I, I was one) show good sportsmanship, yada yada yada.
Also, a More...
Also, a More...
Apr 29, 2009
Qmarcott74
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Season of Life is a tale about an ex-NFL player and his impact in a sports writer's life. The author, Jeffery Marx, gets back in touch with an old friend from years ago. This friend, whom he met while working with the Baltimore Colts as a teen, goes by the name of Joe Ehrmann. Now a high school coach, Ehrmann uses events of his past to shape the boys on his team into true men, not the men that most of society tell them to be. Going much deeper than actions on the gridiron, this story touches
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Dec 03, 2010
Jojo
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There were plainty of things about his boook that I loved, a lit more than what I disliked. This book gave me a lot of ways to think about life, but there was one I liked most of all.
"The only thing that is ever really going to matter is the relationships that you had in life" page 36. This is my favorite line of the book mainly because of the line before it,"False masculinity: athletic ability, sexual conquest, and economic success." I highlighted a lot of lines i More...
"The only thing that is ever really going to matter is the relationships that you had in life" page 36. This is my favorite line of the book mainly because of the line before it,"False masculinity: athletic ability, sexual conquest, and economic success." I highlighted a lot of lines i More...
May 03, 2009
Jack
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Season of Life tells the true story of a high school football team's season, but more prevalent is the lessons on life and truly becoming a man told by the coaches of the team. Jeffrey Marx, a sports writer, follows a high school team coached by Joe Ehrmann - a former NFL player who Marx met as a ball-boy. Ehrmann used to be a wild football player and partier. But after his younger brother died, he changed his ways and became a man of faith. Now, Ehrmann teaches his players how to be true me
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Jun 16, 2011
Jeff
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There is generally a theme or a good story I get from every good book. Here's my favorite line from this book, spoken after a mother asked the coach how good this year's team was going to be. "Won't know for twenty years," the coach responded. "That's when we'll know what kind of husbands and fathers they'll be. That's when we know what kind of men they'll be."
Boy, I love that.
I love it when sports books transcend the facts and figures and final scores and More...
Boy, I love that.
I love it when sports books transcend the facts and figures and final scores and More...
Aug 01, 2011
Dear-old-dad recommended this book, saying that anyone who coaches should read it. Actually, I think every father of a son should read it. Really interesting views as to what false masculinity is (from prowess in the ball field to the bedroom to the billfold) and instead defines real masculity as building relationships, having empathy, having a cause...being a man for others. All of this within the context of a dramatic football season with lots of ups and downs and touching stories about the
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Aug 18, 2011
David
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hmm, I think the internet swallowed my review. Anyway, pretty interesting account of a season tagging along with a Baltimore h.s. football team assistant-coached by a former pro player the author knew from his days as a ballboy for the Colts. Good stuff on the coaching staff's efforts to help inner-city, often fatherless kids, find their way in the world, learn about being a man oriented to helping others, etc., but somewhat preachy and repetitive.
If there were to be a second draft More...
If there were to be a second draft More...
Dec 17, 2008
Tasha
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I found this book surprisingly enjoyable and think it an important one for adults to read who work with children. I even got teary-eyed on several occasions (even though there was a lot of football). Several ideas will stick with me, especially the concept of revolving integrity. What I liked most about the book is how applicable it is to teaching. It's all about empathy, which is what I think about most when teaching books and reading.
That said, I was disappointed that the definiti More...
That said, I was disappointed that the definiti More...
Oct 25, 2009
Teatum
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A sports psychology professor handed me this book to read, and it was certainly worth my while. It was one of the first sports-related books I read not pertaining to my senior thesis about women in sports, but unbeknownst to my professor, perhaps, it takes a hard look at the gender stereotypes often found in sports, especially one as hard-hitting and masculine as football. While the author, journalist Jeffrey Marx, doesn't specifically mention "gender" and "gendering" as issu
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Nov 03, 2008
Charles
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The cover lauds the author as a winner of the Pulitzer prize. I quickly developed the theory that it had to be in sports writing as this book reads like an extended version of what you'd find on a regional paper's Sunday sports page. I was right.
This book starts hokey and it ends hokey. In between are numerous examples of the kind of writing you were warned about in freshman composition: rampant, awful clichés and foreshadowing about as subtle as a lead pipe to the head. Upon f More...
This book starts hokey and it ends hokey. In between are numerous examples of the kind of writing you were warned about in freshman composition: rampant, awful clichés and foreshadowing about as subtle as a lead pipe to the head. Upon f More...
May 27, 2008
Mike
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Season of Life, by Jeffrey Marx, is about ex-NFL player and current minister, speaker, workshop-leader, and part-time HS football coach Joe Ehrmann. Season of Life offers Marx's mini-biography of Joe Ehrmann, as well as an explication of Ehrmann's philosophy of 'strategic masculinity' and developing character in student-athletes through sports.
The PE staff, coaches, students and parents with whom I have met in recent years to discuss Ehrmann's 'code of conduct' have found many themes More...
The PE staff, coaches, students and parents with whom I have met in recent years to discuss Ehrmann's 'code of conduct' have found many themes More...
Jun 22, 2009
Sarah
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I've heard Joe Ehrmann speak, and I love his message -- what better place to undo gender and build caring men than in the most gendered, dickweedy, follow-the-leader male groups -- but, I mean, the book's called Season of Life. It's unpleasantly fawning in the manner of Three Cups of Tea, another book with a great message that's nearly drowned out by the sycophancy of the journalist-as-yes-man. Once again, I'm thinking "THIS guy won a Pulitzer?" (Talking to you, Richard Russo, my ar
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Jan 01, 2012
Derek
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A favorite read of mine of teaching young men (a.k.a boys) how to become true men. This high school football coach focuses on what matters for a group of young men--character, respect, and integrity. Winning or losing is only an appendage to what a boy becomes through the trials and successes. Great for those working with youth.
Jan 23, 2009
Rochelle
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this book was so much more than i expected. i cried at least once during every chapter it seemed; it just opened up alot emotions i felt about my own dad...how much i love him and how in a way...we're always trying to connect with our dads. truly incredible story.
Feb 18, 2009
Joleen
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Love, love this book. If you are married, had a dad, uncle, brother, son or male cousin or work with a man -- this book will help explain a lot. I recommended it to several pastors or adult leaders for a book for a male church group for discussion.
Sep 15, 2009
Bill
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I bought copies of this book and gave it to the guys I coached with. What could be better than taking the task of coaching--of working to turn boys into responsible men more important? Great lessons on life and a great story too.
Jun 09, 2009
Will
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Youth coaches everywhere need to read this. Great message.
Without taking away from this at all, there is a subtle bait and switch. The story begins with the "football star", but in reality he is only a disciple of another coach--the real hero of the book.
Without taking away from this at all, there is a subtle bait and switch. The story begins with the "football star", but in reality he is only a disciple of another coach--the real hero of the book.
Jan 30, 2012
Noah
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I thought this was an O.K book.I read this book because I like football so i thought it would be good. As I kept reading the book got really slow. I would say it is an o.k. book, read it if you want.
Jul 30, 2009
Jenn
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must read for a father, with a young son. Moving, truthful and worth passing on. A wonderful alternative to mainstream thinking of raising young boys. Framing it up in sports, but translating to life.
Mar 02, 2009
Shannon
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A good quick read for anyone who is interested in learning how masculinity can be cultivated in a society that is increasingly violent, concerned with the latest and greatest, and "me" oriented.
Dec 31, 2011
Debbie
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Rereading this book for the fourth time. I require my college prep students to read it as a "springboard" for a writing assignment they will do based on interviews they conduct with their fathers.
Dec 12, 2010
Michael
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Truly inspiring... as a father and football coach - a MUST read regarding how to raise your son and to develop boys into respectful, spiritual, confident, GRATEFUL, giving young men!
Mar 08, 2009
Chris
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Absolutely loved this book. great look at a man who is teaching young boys how to be real men. Looks at what's wrong with what men are taught and how this affects society
Jan 21, 2008
Nate
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In my mind the book is worth the read! The book is full of life lessons that we all can relate to at some point in our life. The focus is on relationships and how important relationships are. We all have relationships but how well do you really know that person. Do you know people enough where we can make a difference for each other. In my mind I know it is important to foster the true friendships that I have and grow new ones as they come into my life
The book has been very inspirat More...
The book has been very inspirat More...
Jan 20, 2010
This book is about a man that played in Professional football who helps boys become men. He is a high school football coach that is very wise. He shows what it takes to make the transition from being a boy to being a man.
Mar 23, 2010
Caroline
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Read this book for a class, yet was pleasantly surprised. The beginning seems a little slow, but the life lessons really come together at the end.
Nov 27, 2009
Lynette
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If only we could find these kind of people to coach each and all sports our world would be a much better place.
The attitudes of these fine coaches should be our every day way of life.
The attitudes of these fine coaches should be our every day way of life.
Dec 06, 2009
Vicki
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I gave this book to Daniel's baseball coaches because they were so terrible. This is a lovely book about the real meaning of sports.
Feb 02, 2010
Scott
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I liked this book. Manhood - it's not about athletic ability, sexual prowess, or the ability to earn a million bucks. So why does our society ram that down our throats?! The book, (and more importantly, the main subject's personal philosophy) is that men are supposed to build relationships - built on love, respect, honor, and dignity. The fact that this message is told throughout a sportswriter's description of an exciting high school football season makes it that much more appealing to the aver
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Feb 22, 2009
Rich
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One of the best books I have read in a long time. Very inspiring and I just might start a local ministry based on this book!
