What do you think?
Rate this book
Pigskin Rapture: Four Days in the Life of Texas Football
In a magical four-day period in autumn 2015, both of Texas’s NFL teams played at home on different days, a major high school rivalry was set for Friday night in West Texas, and a fierce regional rivalry came to the Cotton Bowl on Saturday afternoon. Pigskin Four Days in the Life of Texas Football captures not just the action on the field but, perhaps more importantly, the pageantry off the field as cheerleaders, tailgate parties, booster club rallies, homecoming coronations, skybox parties, the bar scene, and more.
Sports journalist Mac Engel and photographer Ron Jenkins and his assistant Michael Ainsworth took the ultimate football road from a Texan’s game in Houston, to Odessa to cover Permian High School’s homecoming game, then to Dallas take in Texas v. Oklahoma in the Cotton Bowl, followed by every Texan’s Sunday ritual, the Dallas Cowboys at home against perhaps the best quarterback in a generation. Along the way the Pigskin Rapture team captures the sights, sounds, and smells of a state smitten with football, from K-D’s Barbecue in Midland, to the rarefied air of Cowboys owner Jerry Jones’s private box in AT & T Stadium. Here, too, are the more subtle and occasionally unseen manifestations of Texas football culture, such as a homeless man who resides on a practice field in Houston; the cavernous remains of the Astrodome; the proud high school where Andrew Luck played; the Australian woman who made the Cowboy’s cheerleading squad, having never watched an NFL game; and the hangover a West Texas town continues to endure nearly three decades following the publication of Friday Night Lights.
With hundreds of stunning full-color photographs and meticulous reporting on the games and events, this book provides both die-hard and casual football fans everything they need to feel part of the action!
Sports journalist Mac Engel and photographer Ron Jenkins and his assistant Michael Ainsworth took the ultimate football road from a Texan’s game in Houston, to Odessa to cover Permian High School’s homecoming game, then to Dallas take in Texas v. Oklahoma in the Cotton Bowl, followed by every Texan’s Sunday ritual, the Dallas Cowboys at home against perhaps the best quarterback in a generation. Along the way the Pigskin Rapture team captures the sights, sounds, and smells of a state smitten with football, from K-D’s Barbecue in Midland, to the rarefied air of Cowboys owner Jerry Jones’s private box in AT & T Stadium. Here, too, are the more subtle and occasionally unseen manifestations of Texas football culture, such as a homeless man who resides on a practice field in Houston; the cavernous remains of the Astrodome; the proud high school where Andrew Luck played; the Australian woman who made the Cowboy’s cheerleading squad, having never watched an NFL game; and the hangover a West Texas town continues to endure nearly three decades following the publication of Friday Night Lights.
With hundreds of stunning full-color photographs and meticulous reporting on the games and events, this book provides both die-hard and casual football fans everything they need to feel part of the action!
240 pages, Hardcover
Published August 26, 2016
15 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
July 7, 2016
My edition: Kindle
Pages: 240
Series: Stand-Alone
Rating: 3 stars
Review: Texas... What comes to your mind when you hear Texas? Me, I think of the Lone Star state, Chris Kyle, the Alamo, guns, cute guys, oh and FOOTBALL.
Nothing and I do mean nothing has ever compared to Texas and football. I've been to many states and none have ever come close to competing with Texas. Yes other places get crazy about football but it's either college or pros or both that the state gets crazy. Now Texas, anything with a pigskin gets blown up. From pop warner to high school to college and finally to the NFL. It is suggested in the forward that it is social behavior to miss a wedding or a birthday party for a football game such as Texas A&M. Whether this is true or not I do not know. Football is key to Texas. If only it wasn't so hot I would move there. The next runner up with football love in a state is Oklahoma, then Alabama and Georgia.
Football is one of my favorite sports. My top NFL team is the Houston Texans followed by the Pittsburgh Steelers and New Orleans Saints. Texas Longhorns come up on #7 on my college teams. When I saw this book on NetGalley I thought yeah I need it. Hello Texas football is amazing (if you don't count the cowboys. Yeah not a big fan of the Cowboys. They are almost to the bottom of my list right above the Broncos.)
Even when baseball was America's pastime, football was Texas's pastime.
The author, Engel, was to cover as much ground as he can with three levels of football, high school, college, and the pros. He was to do this in four days.
There are pictures included in the book. Some of my pictures didn't show in my kindle form. I don't know why half of them showed and the other half didn't. What I did see were done wonderfully. I liked them. It was refreshing to see. The pictures with the Astrodome are a few of my favorites right next to J.J. Watt's plush toys.
Engel covers a lot of ground. Not only football games but the stadiums and the fans. He starts off with one of the most famous buildings in Texas. Settled in Houston is the Astrodome. If you don't know the Astrodome it is the home of the Houston Oilers. It has housed everyone from George Strait to Muhammad Ali. Ask any adult in Houston that has grown up there or near it and the Astrodome is, as said in the book ,childhood. I believe this to be true.
I love that Engel covered these wide topics. It shows not only what it's like on a daily basis but what football has changed into and how it shapes everything around it. If you are a football fan I would recommend this book. Even if you aren't any kind of Texas fan I would still recommend it.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Received off of NetGalley.
Pages: 240
Series: Stand-Alone
Rating: 3 stars
Review: Texas... What comes to your mind when you hear Texas? Me, I think of the Lone Star state, Chris Kyle, the Alamo, guns, cute guys, oh and FOOTBALL.
Nothing and I do mean nothing has ever compared to Texas and football. I've been to many states and none have ever come close to competing with Texas. Yes other places get crazy about football but it's either college or pros or both that the state gets crazy. Now Texas, anything with a pigskin gets blown up. From pop warner to high school to college and finally to the NFL. It is suggested in the forward that it is social behavior to miss a wedding or a birthday party for a football game such as Texas A&M. Whether this is true or not I do not know. Football is key to Texas. If only it wasn't so hot I would move there. The next runner up with football love in a state is Oklahoma, then Alabama and Georgia.
Football is one of my favorite sports. My top NFL team is the Houston Texans followed by the Pittsburgh Steelers and New Orleans Saints. Texas Longhorns come up on #7 on my college teams. When I saw this book on NetGalley I thought yeah I need it. Hello Texas football is amazing (if you don't count the cowboys. Yeah not a big fan of the Cowboys. They are almost to the bottom of my list right above the Broncos.)
Even when baseball was America's pastime, football was Texas's pastime.
The author, Engel, was to cover as much ground as he can with three levels of football, high school, college, and the pros. He was to do this in four days.
There are pictures included in the book. Some of my pictures didn't show in my kindle form. I don't know why half of them showed and the other half didn't. What I did see were done wonderfully. I liked them. It was refreshing to see. The pictures with the Astrodome are a few of my favorites right next to J.J. Watt's plush toys.
Engel covers a lot of ground. Not only football games but the stadiums and the fans. He starts off with one of the most famous buildings in Texas. Settled in Houston is the Astrodome. If you don't know the Astrodome it is the home of the Houston Oilers. It has housed everyone from George Strait to Muhammad Ali. Ask any adult in Houston that has grown up there or near it and the Astrodome is, as said in the book ,childhood. I believe this to be true.
I love that Engel covered these wide topics. It shows not only what it's like on a daily basis but what football has changed into and how it shapes everything around it. If you are a football fan I would recommend this book. Even if you aren't any kind of Texas fan I would still recommend it.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Received off of NetGalley.
June 10, 2016
I enjoy watching and reading about football, and I am from Texas. This book brought back childhood memories and spoke to my heart. Everyone knows that Texans religiously watch and/or attend football anytime it is played, most notably high school football under the "Friday Night Lights". As the author states, "The game of football is a language every Texan speaks, and it connects El Paso to Brownsville to Tyler to Sherman. The game becomes the dominating point of conversation in church, at lunch, at work, or a thousand other places all over the state." I am from a small east Texas town just outside of Texarkana. I followed high school and college football all over the state, including east Texas, the DFW Metroplex, and all the way across the state in west Texas. Some sports channels like Fox Sports SW occasionally broadcast high school games of the week. The University of Texas even has their own sports network that plays Longhorn sports 24/7.
The author of this book set out to attend four games in four days, and as such the book is divided into four quarters. The four highlighted games are: the Houston Texans on Thursday night, Odessa Permian on Friday night, the University of Texas on Saturday, and the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday. At the end of each day he includes a travel log and a dining log. The interesting part of the book is that he includes stops at neighboring towns, schools, and points of interest.
I will admit that I am not a huge fan of professional football, but I did enjoy reading the sections about the Texans and the Cowboys. The author takes you inside the games, giving relevant play by play analysis, and behind the scenes to Jerry Jones's owner's suite and the locker room for post-game interviews. I will also admit that I have never been a UT Longhorns fan, but this section was also very interesting as it highlighted the struggle and strife that the Longhorns faced last season. Plus the featured game was one of the most memorable in the long UT vs. OU rivalry in quite some time. The featured high school game at Odessa Permian was my favorite section. Of course the author talked about "Friday Night Lights" - the book, movie, and TV series - but he interviewed residents that were either involved or intimately familiar with the whole situation. Twenty five years later it is still fresh on people's minds and still fascinating to read about. The other thing that stands out in the book is the foreword by Troy Aikman and the vivid full color photography from Ron Jenkins. The photographer did a great job capturing stunning pictures of all aspects covered in the book.
I would recommend this book to all football fans, particularly those in and around Texas or those familiar with Texas sports. I received this as a free ARC from Globe Pequot, Rowman & Littlefield, Lone Star Books on NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
The author of this book set out to attend four games in four days, and as such the book is divided into four quarters. The four highlighted games are: the Houston Texans on Thursday night, Odessa Permian on Friday night, the University of Texas on Saturday, and the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday. At the end of each day he includes a travel log and a dining log. The interesting part of the book is that he includes stops at neighboring towns, schools, and points of interest.
I will admit that I am not a huge fan of professional football, but I did enjoy reading the sections about the Texans and the Cowboys. The author takes you inside the games, giving relevant play by play analysis, and behind the scenes to Jerry Jones's owner's suite and the locker room for post-game interviews. I will also admit that I have never been a UT Longhorns fan, but this section was also very interesting as it highlighted the struggle and strife that the Longhorns faced last season. Plus the featured game was one of the most memorable in the long UT vs. OU rivalry in quite some time. The featured high school game at Odessa Permian was my favorite section. Of course the author talked about "Friday Night Lights" - the book, movie, and TV series - but he interviewed residents that were either involved or intimately familiar with the whole situation. Twenty five years later it is still fresh on people's minds and still fascinating to read about. The other thing that stands out in the book is the foreword by Troy Aikman and the vivid full color photography from Ron Jenkins. The photographer did a great job capturing stunning pictures of all aspects covered in the book.
I would recommend this book to all football fans, particularly those in and around Texas or those familiar with Texas sports. I received this as a free ARC from Globe Pequot, Rowman & Littlefield, Lone Star Books on NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
July 17, 2016
Football is as much a part of the culture of Texas as are oil rigs, barbecue, and cowboys (the kind in the Western novels). What the game means, at every level of play, to the state and its fans and teams is illustrated in this book that is well-written by Mac Engel and illustrated beautifully by Ron Jenkins.
The premise of book is a four day, four game trip taken by the authors in which they cover two professional games -Houston Texans on Thursday, Dallas Cowboys on Sunday - as well as a high school game on Friday and a college game on Saturday. The high school game featured Odessa Perriman, the school featured in the best-selling book “Friday Night Lights.” The college game was one of the biggest rivalries in the sport, Texas against Oklahoma.
The book is divided into four quarters, one for each quarter. While there are sections in which game action is recapped and Engel writes about the game with knowledge, the book is at its best when it is about other topics. Examples are memories of the Houston Astrodome and the Houston Oilers from long-time fans in that city, what it takes to become a Dallas Cowboy Cheerleader, what it is like inside AT&T Stadium at a Cowboys game and the spirit of the students and fans of the Texas Longhorns, especially with this particular game in which the Longhorns upset the heavily favored Sooners. The reader will really feel what it is like to be part of Texas football.
The photography is just as important to this book as the words. Jenkins has many pictures that not only complement the text, but add additional images and emotion beyond what is being communicated. The reader will feel the emptiness of current pictures of the deserted Astrodome, be inspired by the cheering Longhorns students and cheerleaders and feel overwhelmed at the sheer size of the mammoth videoboard at AT&T Stadium. Often pictures in sports books will be accompaniments – in this book, the pictures are just as vital to the story as the words
Football fans will enjoy this book on the culture of the sport in Texas, covering the game, the people, the towns and the food. One does not have to live in the state or be a fan of a Texas team to appreciate what the game means to residents of the state after reading this book. A very enjoyable and entertaining read.
I wish to thank Lone Star Books for providing a copy of the book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
http://sportsbookguy.blogspot.com/201...
The premise of book is a four day, four game trip taken by the authors in which they cover two professional games -Houston Texans on Thursday, Dallas Cowboys on Sunday - as well as a high school game on Friday and a college game on Saturday. The high school game featured Odessa Perriman, the school featured in the best-selling book “Friday Night Lights.” The college game was one of the biggest rivalries in the sport, Texas against Oklahoma.
The book is divided into four quarters, one for each quarter. While there are sections in which game action is recapped and Engel writes about the game with knowledge, the book is at its best when it is about other topics. Examples are memories of the Houston Astrodome and the Houston Oilers from long-time fans in that city, what it takes to become a Dallas Cowboy Cheerleader, what it is like inside AT&T Stadium at a Cowboys game and the spirit of the students and fans of the Texas Longhorns, especially with this particular game in which the Longhorns upset the heavily favored Sooners. The reader will really feel what it is like to be part of Texas football.
The photography is just as important to this book as the words. Jenkins has many pictures that not only complement the text, but add additional images and emotion beyond what is being communicated. The reader will feel the emptiness of current pictures of the deserted Astrodome, be inspired by the cheering Longhorns students and cheerleaders and feel overwhelmed at the sheer size of the mammoth videoboard at AT&T Stadium. Often pictures in sports books will be accompaniments – in this book, the pictures are just as vital to the story as the words
Football fans will enjoy this book on the culture of the sport in Texas, covering the game, the people, the towns and the food. One does not have to live in the state or be a fan of a Texas team to appreciate what the game means to residents of the state after reading this book. A very enjoyable and entertaining read.
I wish to thank Lone Star Books for providing a copy of the book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
http://sportsbookguy.blogspot.com/201...
August 1, 2016
PIGSKIN RAPTURE by Mac Engel reminds the reader of the vast, varied, and layered devotion to football that spans the state of Texas. Using 4 games (2 pro, 1 high school, and 1 college) over 4 days, Mac Engel, along with amazing photos by Ron Jenkins, shows the full array of football fandom and how it affects education, business, social events and even home life.
Engel divides the book in 4 quarters, with a quarter devoted to each game. The first quarter is devoted to a Houston Texans game, and Engel explores devotion to a new team and how Houston, one of the largest cities in the country, embraced the new team and while it is still struggling as a franchise, has already developed die hard fans. Second quarter is a high school game including Permian High School, from the Friday Night Lights book, movie and TV show. Engel gives a recap on where Permian is now and how the book/movie/TV show changed the high school and town forever. A devotion to high school football is covered as well, with Engel really studying the lifestyle changing way of life a community has around their local team, from changing event and social calendars to businesses capitalizing and suffering based on how their local team is doing. Third quarter jumps into college football, where Texas is king. Engel reminds the reader the deep history and current success of some of the college football powerhouses in Texas. The game he attends is an event too, from the cannon-firing touchdown celebration, to how everyone hangs on the edge of their seat for their respective team. Fourth quarter is football royalty, the Dallas Cowboys. Engel follows the games, but more so follows the personalities around the games, from the TV commentators, to the revered and yet often misunderstood owner, to the common fan who just wants to drink and have the Cowboys win. Engel makes me think that all the football you could ever need is within the Texas state lines.
With the wonderful photography and how each chapter is like a detailed morsel of information, PIGSKIN RAPTURE is a book to look at again and again. A definite read for Texas football fans, all football fans will have good time reading PIGSKIN RAPTURE as well.
Thank you to Lone Star Books, Mac Engel, and Netgalley for a copy of the book in exchange for an honest review!
Engel divides the book in 4 quarters, with a quarter devoted to each game. The first quarter is devoted to a Houston Texans game, and Engel explores devotion to a new team and how Houston, one of the largest cities in the country, embraced the new team and while it is still struggling as a franchise, has already developed die hard fans. Second quarter is a high school game including Permian High School, from the Friday Night Lights book, movie and TV show. Engel gives a recap on where Permian is now and how the book/movie/TV show changed the high school and town forever. A devotion to high school football is covered as well, with Engel really studying the lifestyle changing way of life a community has around their local team, from changing event and social calendars to businesses capitalizing and suffering based on how their local team is doing. Third quarter jumps into college football, where Texas is king. Engel reminds the reader the deep history and current success of some of the college football powerhouses in Texas. The game he attends is an event too, from the cannon-firing touchdown celebration, to how everyone hangs on the edge of their seat for their respective team. Fourth quarter is football royalty, the Dallas Cowboys. Engel follows the games, but more so follows the personalities around the games, from the TV commentators, to the revered and yet often misunderstood owner, to the common fan who just wants to drink and have the Cowboys win. Engel makes me think that all the football you could ever need is within the Texas state lines.
With the wonderful photography and how each chapter is like a detailed morsel of information, PIGSKIN RAPTURE is a book to look at again and again. A definite read for Texas football fans, all football fans will have good time reading PIGSKIN RAPTURE as well.
Thank you to Lone Star Books, Mac Engel, and Netgalley for a copy of the book in exchange for an honest review!
June 20, 2017
*I received a copy from LoneStar Literary Life*
"Basically, if you live in Texas, you're either playing football or watching it."
To say that I was excited to review this book is an understatement. I grew up watching all sports but the main one to our family has always been football. Mac Engel takes us on a four day journey of very competitive and noncompetitive football. Not only do we get to read about the four major games, we get to join him as he visits other games and towns. It's a great sprinkling of small town vibes and big city goings on that can only be describes as exhilarating albeit exhausting.
Pigskin Rapture is a must read for any football fan. Reading about Midland Lee v Odessa Permian, and OU v UT brought me back to more nostalgic times of watching high school and college football. As I read about the Dallas/New England game, I couldn't agree more about the magnificence that is AT&T stadium. As I read about my beloved Texans, I remembered the hope of watching that Hail Mary only for it to come crashing down in the second half.
I also looked forward to the end of each chapter because Mac gave a short travel log as well as some recommended eateries! As a known foodie, I couldn't help but take note in case I wanted to take a day trip for some good eats. Overall, Pigskin Rapture was a book that left me speechless. All I can say is that I loved it!
While I haven't read many books on Texas football, Pigskin Rapture is one of my absolute favorites. Mac Engel perfectly described the excitement of pregame hopes to the disappointment of a loss. The pictures by Ron Jenkins helped capture the essence that is Texas football.
Whether you're a fan or not, I hope you read Pigskin Rapture. You'll love the side trips to other towns and teams as well as the gorgeous photos. It's a well written book about a sport so dear to me. There is also a great giveaway. Be sure to scroll below and enter to win a signed copy of this book.
"Texas is football and football is Texas."
"Basically, if you live in Texas, you're either playing football or watching it."
To say that I was excited to review this book is an understatement. I grew up watching all sports but the main one to our family has always been football. Mac Engel takes us on a four day journey of very competitive and noncompetitive football. Not only do we get to read about the four major games, we get to join him as he visits other games and towns. It's a great sprinkling of small town vibes and big city goings on that can only be describes as exhilarating albeit exhausting.
Pigskin Rapture is a must read for any football fan. Reading about Midland Lee v Odessa Permian, and OU v UT brought me back to more nostalgic times of watching high school and college football. As I read about the Dallas/New England game, I couldn't agree more about the magnificence that is AT&T stadium. As I read about my beloved Texans, I remembered the hope of watching that Hail Mary only for it to come crashing down in the second half.
I also looked forward to the end of each chapter because Mac gave a short travel log as well as some recommended eateries! As a known foodie, I couldn't help but take note in case I wanted to take a day trip for some good eats. Overall, Pigskin Rapture was a book that left me speechless. All I can say is that I loved it!
While I haven't read many books on Texas football, Pigskin Rapture is one of my absolute favorites. Mac Engel perfectly described the excitement of pregame hopes to the disappointment of a loss. The pictures by Ron Jenkins helped capture the essence that is Texas football.
Whether you're a fan or not, I hope you read Pigskin Rapture. You'll love the side trips to other towns and teams as well as the gorgeous photos. It's a well written book about a sport so dear to me. There is also a great giveaway. Be sure to scroll below and enter to win a signed copy of this book.
"Texas is football and football is Texas."
November 2, 2016
Pigskin Rapture is a unique coverage of four football games in four days across Texas, from pro to college to high school. Texas is football!
The book is organized like a football game, starting with the pregame and ending with a recap, with four quarters in between. Each quarter is a different game in a different city. Along with specific game highlights, Pigskin Rapture covers everything both on and off the gridiron, from tailgating to cheerleading, from local all stars to local cuisine.
Some of my favorite parts are about the local fans and businesses that go all out for the love the game. Juxtaposed with all this fanfare is the sobering reminder of everyday life that continues along the edges and in the shadow of the palatial stadiums and the glittering high life. Without becoming overblown or convoluted, Pigskin Rapture manages to include all the angles and aspects of Texas football.
With its well-designed cover, high-gloss pages, engaging descriptions, and spectacular photos, Pigskin Rapture would be an excellent addition to anyone’s book collection (proudly displayed for all to see) or an ideal gift; it’s that beautiful.
***
“At this moment, football is everything.”
The book is organized like a football game, starting with the pregame and ending with a recap, with four quarters in between. Each quarter is a different game in a different city. Along with specific game highlights, Pigskin Rapture covers everything both on and off the gridiron, from tailgating to cheerleading, from local all stars to local cuisine.
Some of my favorite parts are about the local fans and businesses that go all out for the love the game. Juxtaposed with all this fanfare is the sobering reminder of everyday life that continues along the edges and in the shadow of the palatial stadiums and the glittering high life. Without becoming overblown or convoluted, Pigskin Rapture manages to include all the angles and aspects of Texas football.
With its well-designed cover, high-gloss pages, engaging descriptions, and spectacular photos, Pigskin Rapture would be an excellent addition to anyone’s book collection (proudly displayed for all to see) or an ideal gift; it’s that beautiful.
***
“At this moment, football is everything.”
November 5, 2016
Though I may not live in Texas, Texas football was a part of my life growing up. My dad was a huge Dallas Cowboy’s fan back in the days of coach Tom Landry. Back in those days families only had one television, so when dad’s watched sports, their little girls usually watched sports too…at least this little girl and her sisters did. I remember my dad loving the Cowboys and hating the Steelers. We cheered for the Browns too of course. I mean if you’re from NE Ohio, you’re a Browns fan through thick and thin (usually thin).
I can only imagine living in Texas with the Texas football fans. I’m sure you’ve heard of Friday Night Lights. That IS football in Texas. Texans live and breathe football, and this book takes you on a vivid four day journey of Texas football. With its gorgeous photographs and the game-like layout, Pigskin Rapture takes you on ride that is football. You’ll feel like you are right there on the field, in the locker room, cheering with the fans. Though it is not just one story, or one game, it is a cohesive look at the game.
If you have a football fan in your life, they will love Pigskin Rapture.
I can only imagine living in Texas with the Texas football fans. I’m sure you’ve heard of Friday Night Lights. That IS football in Texas. Texans live and breathe football, and this book takes you on a vivid four day journey of Texas football. With its gorgeous photographs and the game-like layout, Pigskin Rapture takes you on ride that is football. You’ll feel like you are right there on the field, in the locker room, cheering with the fans. Though it is not just one story, or one game, it is a cohesive look at the game.
If you have a football fan in your life, they will love Pigskin Rapture.
October 31, 2016
This book is stunning. Four quarters, four days, a detailed story, hundreds of full color pictures depicting the highs and lows of football in Texas from high school to the NFL. With a foreword by Troy Aikman, this is book is a must have for all Texas football fans.
March 22, 2017
Sucked, it downloaded only parts of the book to my kindle
I wouldn't reccomend this because it only downloaded parts of the book to my kindle and the words didn't fit on the screen!
I wouldn't reccomend this because it only downloaded parts of the book to my kindle and the words didn't fit on the screen!
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews