Lombardi and Me: Players, Coaches, and Colleagues Talk About the Man and the Myth

by Paul Hornung, Billy Reed

Explaining the legendary Vince Lombardi through the words of the men who knew him the best, this book describes Lombardi’s efforts and qualities that defined an era of football and captured the attention of the nation Former player Paul Hornung, one of Lombardi’s biggest challenges and brightest stars of his time, interviews the players, coaches, reporters, family, and friends, including Bart Starr, Larry Brown, Frank Gifford, Bill Curry, Vince Lombardi Jr., and many more. These men share captivating stories and an insight into illustrate the unequalled blend of personality quirks and character traits that made Lombardi so magnetic and one of the most well-respected coaches ever.

Genres: Sports, Football, Biography

192 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2006

Reviews

[Tom Richmond · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have had this on my book shelf since Christmas the year I turned 12. I have never bothered open it, since I have read both ‘When Pride Still Mattered’ and ‘Instant Replay’. I figured it was simply a book about Lombardi from Paul Hornung’s perspective.

My assumption was wrong, and I am glad I finally read it. The true matter of this book is a collection of short recollections by those who knew Vince Lombardi, by way of interview with Paul Hornung. People from all periods of his life, not just his time with the Packers, weigh in on him as a man, the lessons he taught them, and the impact that he made on those he spent time with.

The best part about this book is, it’s not just former players. His son, local beat reporters, his old golf buddy, player personell executives, people from all walks of life weigh in on who Vince Lombardi was, and what his legacy is. It paints a really unique picture, and provides context on how he was not only as a coach, but as a man.

My major criticism lies in the reflections from the Golden Boy after each excerpt (he mostly repeats stuff that the excerpt already says, though he sometimes offers unique insight), and the decision to end the book with Lombardi’s farewell speech, which undoubtedly sounded great upon delivery, but does not translate well onto the page.

This is a quick read, and I would recommend it to anyone interested in Packers/Football history, leadership, and early-to-mid 20th century values.

[Jeff Wong · Rating 3 out of 5]

I am a long-time, life-long Packers fan and this book was fun for me. Having read David Maraniss's biography on Vince Lombardi "When Pride Still Mattered" much of the subject matter was already known to me, however, there were some stories (primarily from the non-Green Bay Packers) that the authors decided to include, that were new. This man was an extraordinarily successful leader in his era of professional football and for that, all of us (Packers fans) are forever grateful

[Dave · Rating 3 out of 5]

I've been a Packer fan for well over 40 years. Though I was born the year Vince Lombardi retired from coaching, his legacy and those 1960s Packer teams are very much a part of my fandom.
This is a nice quick read,with each chapter a different person talking about the Iconic coach.
Most of the stories I'd heard/read before, but there are a few nuggets I had not heard of before now.

[✦⁺₊✩☽⋆ Ozzie ⋆☾✩⁺₊✦ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Was so fascinating hearing all the different perspectives on what sort of man and coach Lombardi was.

[John Civardi · Rating 4 out of 5]

The book has an appendix with Lombardi’s farewell speech. It is inspiring and timeless.

[Just Janet · Rating 2 out of 5]

Like another reviewer stated, this is a compilation of stories from former Lombardi players who prove in story after story that they are not writers. However, Hornung/Reed aren't good editors either. Most frustrating was reading the interview from a player and then Hornung would add his comments at the end of each chapter. Unfortunately, he would merely retell the same story and not add any new and revelatory personal reflections about himself and that player. In the players and the authors defense, playing for the best coach in NFL history and being able to put that experience on paper are two completely different things. The best part of the book was Coach Vince Lombardi's last speech. Lombardi's ability to motivate a player or a team is a rare quality among men. Even after 50 years, his words leap off the page.

[Sean Tenney · Rating 5 out of 5]

A page-turner if there ever was one, former Green Bay Packer Paul Hornung gives and intimate, well-crafted portrait of the man who touched so many lives, on and off the gridiron. Interviews from Fuzzy Thurston, Max McGee, Bart Starr, and other players/writers/friends of Lombardi provide many angles to this testament.

Heard of Vince Lombardi? Then, you should read this book.

[Rachel · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a fascinating book, even for Packers-hating Chiefs fan. :-) The main drawback is that Hornung, the author, editorializes to a point that makes each interview about him and his own relationship to the interviewee, instead of about the individual's relationship to Lombardi. Overall, there was lots of interesting detail and some fun personal anecdotes.

[Luis Perez · Rating 3 out of 5]

– Nonfiction. A look at legendary NFL coach Vince Lombardi told by the people who knew him best.

A solid, straightforward book. Not full of great prose but good insight and anecdotes about Lombardi.

[Amy Bermudez · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book is a compilation of essays about Vince Lombardi written by friends, players, and others who knew him personally. As such, they aren't writers and a lot if what they wrote, though heart-felt, was less than eloquent, repetitive, and kind of boring. Not really my cup if tea.

[Jon Sanders · Rating 4 out of 5]

Quick read. Loved it.