First and Long: A Black School, a White School and Their Season of Dreams

by Greg Borowski

Tells the story of two Wisconsin high schools--suburban and predominantly white Shorewood and Milwaukee's Catholic and predominantly black Messmer--and their decision to field a joint football team in 2001.

362 pages, Hardcover

First published February 1, 2004

Reviews

[Charlie · Rating 3 out of 5]

In some ways this book felt like a build-up without a climax; I really thought the team was going to win a game at some point, but then they just didn't. It also felt like there wasn't a ton of character development - some people came in with strong character that they maintained, and others with weak character just disappeared. I did find the profile of Jim Trost interesting - demonstrates the value of positive coaching & mentorship.

[Aileen · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was the book that my bosses picked out to give us for X-mas. I think I'm actually getting into it because 1) It's about a football team; 2) I literally live 5 blocks from the two high schools that the story is about, in either direction; 3) A kid that was in my Freshman English class in college, is photographed in the book.


Truth be told, I was only attached to this story because I literally live between the two high schools in either direction. The story is worth telling, and it breaks the typical cliche of the team that overcame social odds to win the big game. But it's real, and it doesn't sugarcoat the fact that life is hard, no matter how old you are.