Book Reviews & Lists

     His image was bigger than life as a football coach and leader of men, but how many of us actually knew Vincent Thomas Lombardi From Sheepshead Bay, Brooklyn, NY?
Author Maraniss takes us through the remarkable life of Vince, beginning with his upbringing in Brooklyn, his schooling, and his playing and coaching days at Fordham University, and coaching at Westpoint under the immortal Colonel "Red" Blake. At 46 years of age, he was hired to coach the hapless Green Bay Packers in 1959. The rest of the story is football history, as the Packers became one of the most storied franchises in NFL history, winning five championships in nine seasons, including the first two "Super Bowls", which were not called Super until later.
     By the time he died of cancer in 1970, after one season with the Washington Redskins during which he transformed them into winners, Vince had become a mythical character who transcended the sport, and his legend has grown in the decades since. Many now turn to him in search of characteristics they fear have been lost, such as discipline, obedience, loyalty, character and teamwork. To others he symbolizes something less romantic, that is, modern society's obsession with winning and success.
     In reading this account of Vince Lombardi, I found Maraniss' description of him as a flawed and driven yet misunderstood heroic figure. He was more complex and authentic than any of the other stereotypical images from critics and admirers. The author goes into much detail about his family life and how Vince's personality and image affected his wife and children.
     This is one of the better biographies I have read in the last few years. I hope readers will enjoy David Maraniss' descriptions of Vince's complex life as a coach, husband, father and legend.

Submitted by Peter Ciparelli, Killingly Public Library
Villager Papers, November 5, 2010