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I adore Michael Lewis...such a great journalist. Some surprises from the book: I was intrigued to learn about Bill Walsh's influence on the passing game. I knew he was a big shot in Northern California, and my friend always used to sneak into Steve Young's backyard (he was very nice about it), but I did not know how conceptual he was in terms of altering the strategy of how people play NFL football.
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My fingers flew through this book. It was the combination of racism & humanity that captured me. I wanted to find out how it all turned out. The fact that it's true made it even better. I have to confess that I didn't read every word of the chapters relating to football history as to why the left tackle is so very important ... I'm sure it would have added to the meaning ... but I was more interested in the people & not the rationale behind sports selections. Having read the book - now I'll be r
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Just finished this book (thanks, Coco!) and absolutely loved it. Movie was good--but it was only a part of the depth presented in the book on the amazing story of Michael Oher and the evolution of the offensive/defensive strategies in the NFL involving the QB and the left tackle. I gave it a 4-1/2 stars on my personal reading log.

Not a bad book. A lot of football description (very technical) which I surprised myself by liking. I also, of course, love the idea of the kid with no support and a spotty background making it in the big time... Michael Oher's story is definitely one that I would love to see happen to more inner-city kids.
Maybe it's because I am a foster parent, but I didn't see what the Touhy's did as a big sacrifice, and I couldn't help but wonder if some of the doubters (who thought they mentored Michael so h ...more
Maybe it's because I am a foster parent, but I didn't see what the Touhy's did as a big sacrifice, and I couldn't help but wonder if some of the doubters (who thought they mentored Michael so h ...more

Unexpectedly and quirkily hilarious. Wish there'd been some sort of afterword on what happened to Michael...
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A fascinating read that weaves together the broader historical trends and strategies of football with the narrow story of one poor Memphis kid and his preternatural ability at the game. Lewis knows how to tell an engaging story, and he's clearly gotten a lot of insight on the game from people who know. It's a measure of Lewis's ability to get the reader to care about the player he profiles that one of the first things I did after finishing it was to google Michael Oher and find out what's happen
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Nov 24, 2009
Juliana Philippa
marked it as to-read

Jan 30, 2010
Anne
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Mar 31, 2010
Anna
marked it as to-read

Oct 03, 2011
Tomo
marked it as to-read

Sep 10, 2012
Meghan
marked it as to-read

May 10, 2013
Stacy
marked it as to-read

Aug 04, 2017
Terri
marked it as vaca-home-library