How football explains America

Just to say it: I really wanted to enjoy this book. I'm a bona fide football nut and I have a huge appreciation for Sal Paolantonio's editorial work on ESPN. Those two together should have made for a really enjoyable reading experience, but I just couldn't like this book.

Throughout, Sal attaches characteristics of football to those found in other “artifacts” of American history (Manifest Destiny, the unique American art form of jazz, etc.). While reading Sal's conclusions, I consistently found myself saying, “Well, I guess you could make that connection...” Too often, the conclusions that Sal arrives at are beyond what one would normally think of.

The other major detractor of this book is its organization (or lack thereof). The best way I can describe it is this: it's as though Sal researched various topics, followed trails that led back to other topics, produced a whole pile of disparate notes, then stapled the whole thing together for the publisher.

Sorry, Sal - I like you as a reporter, but not as an author.