One on One: Behind the Scenes with the Greats in the Game

It can make a morning hockey shootaround fascinating with the right mix. This is like sitting down with Feinstein and letting him talk about the greats and near-greats he's encountered. I'm probably in the minority here, so I don't want to get anyone's hopes too high with a five-star rating. If you like Feinstein's other work, you'd join me in elevating the personal rating below from four to five stars. Kindle Edition Verified Purchase.

I am not an American, but I love sports. The book is sometimes funny, but sometimes a little boring and too long. John Feinstein is very honest about his feelings towards people. If he does not like one - he is very critical and sometimes unfair. I don't have to like a person, but I have to acknowledge his achievements. If John does not like you, he will try to find something even in your best moments.

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On the other hand, if he likes you, he will defend you even if the case is not defendable. All in all, if you are sport junkie-then grab the book and read it. Behind the Scenes with the Greats in the Game. Wonderful insight to the workings of one of the premier sports writers of our times. We get to"see" and "hear" how Fienstein has interviewed and followed He confirms my assessment of Bob Knight as a bully and the courage of the young men who guard our country and play in one of the great rivalries.

Long after the details of the stories and faces of the people fade I will remember "I lay me down to bleed for awhile, but I will rise again.

One on One: Behind the Scenes with the Greats in the Game by John Feinstein

Feinstein is just great. Feinstein is a very gifted storyteller and I felt like I was sitting right next to him as he relives stories from his past. I'm about halfway through this book and just loving it. If you're a casual sports fan you won't regret picking up this book.

I had never read a John Feinstein book before, and now I am a little upset. I am upset becuase now I have to purchase more books.

This guy is incredible. This book gives you the behind the scenes of the year that Feinstein spent with Coach Knight. Behind the Scenes with the Greats in the the Game. John Feinstein has a gift of making me feel that he is talking with me not to me about what he experienced to get the book done.

He does not under estimate his reader and think Mr.

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Feinstein that he is the only smart person in the room He finds the heart of his subject showing them an athletic skill is only part of who you must be you must also be human. His descriptions of the subjects of his books are both funny and touching, particularly the connections he made with the players that he met doing research for the Army-Navy book. His stories about getting the access he needed to write his books make you feel like you are with him every step of the way. I've read several of his other books and now I want to read others that I missed. Loved each and every word.

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Amazon Rapids Fun stories for kids on the go. Amazon Restaurants Food delivery from local restaurants. ComiXology Thousands of Digital Comics. East Dane Designer Men's Fashion. This book revisits old friends and book subjects, and gives background on how he came to write his books. I love this book. It is one of his best. Apr 10, Randy Fonner rated it really liked it. Mar 13, David Jimenez rated it it was amazing.

One on One is a complete Walk off Grand Slam This book, One on One, is just what it says, one on one with all of the greatest to ever play the sports. The author, John Feinstein, is arguably one of the greatest, most hard-nosed, in depth and nicest reporters of all time. The man is trusted by all in sports, and it shows in this book.

He has been able to go where no other but few have gone. Most of the people who are present on the list are Presidents. To say that this man loves what he does is qu One on One is a complete Walk off Grand Slam This book, One on One, is just what it says, one on one with all of the greatest to ever play the sports.

To say that this man loves what he does is quite possibly the understatement of the century. But the fact that he has been able to connect with the athletes on a writers level, and also an emotional level, is just astounding to me. He seems to be able to find and speak to the greatest men at what they do.

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But this is no newspaper article; this is no page interview. With the exception of Soccer he has covered all of the biggest sports in the world. This is going where no man or woman has ever been able to go. This is spending a year with the great and terrible Bob Knight. This is 5 hour long drives with Dean Smith. This is spending weeks in France with John McEnroe. This is spending time with the late and great Jimmy Valvano.

Feinstein has drawn the picture that so many of us have been waiting for. With one book cover to cover, he has changed the way I will view sports forever. But more impressive than the book, are the lengths he went through to be able to write this story. Dodging angry players, angry coaches, endless PR people, and a few punches he has produced sports literature gold. This is quite widely considered by many experts, to be one of the greatest books to ever be written and categorized in the sports section. All of his books are held to an almost unparalleled standard and he could be, as he is a reporter, one of the greatest sports writers of all time.

This book is a must read for anyone who considers themselves a well-rounded sports fan. For any true sports fan, especially any multi-sports fan, this is a must read. It is great insight into the people that make various sports what they are. I hear the criticism from some of the others who have read the book about Feinstein's ego showing through. It has some autobiographical aspects, so I would be surprised if it didn't have some of that showing through.

But his insight into some of the leading personalities is great. I liked his years later follow-ups, except for his follow-u For any true sports fan, especially any multi-sports fan, this is a must read. I liked his years later follow-ups, except for his follow-up on Tiger Woods.

All of the other follow-ups were based on actual meetings, or at least encounters Bobby Knight in an attempt to follow-up. I especially loved the academy, Patriot league, and Dean Smith segments. But c'mon John - Earl Woods is dead and buried, and your diatribe about Tiger was based on public information, not any special insight or access that you had. I really liked the ending for two reasons. One, the decision to not end the book on a sour note about Bob Knight - Two, the stories were great! Even if you have issues with the ego aspects that come through, this book is well worth the read because of the insights that come into it.

Also - I listened to this book in the audio version. David Devries does one of the best jobs I have heard on an audio book, almost in a league with Jim Dale of Harry Potter fame. Jan 22, Motez Bishara rated it it was amazing Shelves: I'd say this one is a solid 4. I've read a half-dozen Feinstein books over the years, starting with the classic 'A Season on the Brink' while I was still in high school. Feinstein is a terrific writer, but is, first and foremost, an outstanding reporter. There are not many reporters left who focus almost exclusively on books Bob Woodward is another that comes to mind , and in this era of the character blasts and barking heads on sports talk shows, Feinstein is true throwback.

One on I'd say this one is a solid 4. One on One details how the writer started his career and formed relationships with most of the top names in sports. Reading about his methodology is worthwhile for anyone interested in sports writing, but especially those starting their careers or education in the field of journalism. Ever wondered how to get into the tough to crack player's lounge at Wimbledon for an interview?

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It's all in here and more, with a lot of laughs along the way. My one slight criticism is the author's fascination on the armed forces sports teams drags on a bit, but hey, it's his passion and we're along for the ride. Just about every Feinstein book is worth reading, and this one is close to the top. Aug 31, Scott rated it really liked it. Feinstein is a massive name in sports writing, but I hadn't read a single one of the many books that he's written in the past 25 years. Still, as a general sports fan, this was a really interesting read.

He focuses on a handful of the games that he's most passionate about - college basketball and football, and professional golf and tennis. He throws in some baseball, too. Some of the people he's interacted with are lovable, some despicable; nearly all are engaging. Even more interesting than the Feinstein is a massive name in sports writing, but I hadn't read a single one of the many books that he's written in the past 25 years.

Even more interesting than the seemingly endless array of amusing anecdotes are the insights that the book offers into journalism in the sports world. Reading about Feinstein, a rather aggressive New York reporter, and his run-ins with various hot-heads within and around sports is an intriguing look at how a reporter goes about his job.

Any serious fan of sports should read at least a few chapters of the book, as skipping the sports you don't care about takes nothing away from the individual chapters. Feb 05, Sherman rated it really liked it. I have read several of John Feinstein's books, the recent being "A Season on the Brink" but this one is definitely his best so far. A nice big hardback of pages I just took my time reading and enjoyed each and every interview. It's not always easy as people think to get back in locker rooms and to get that special interview no one else can manage to get.

His year with Bobby Knight was a long one but you have to appreciate the coach and what he stood for. Feinstein told it just like it was, l I have read several of John Feinstein's books, the recent being "A Season on the Brink" but this one is definitely his best so far. Feinstein told it just like it was, leaving in all the profanity which Knight wanted to take out. There wasn't too many celebrities he didn't like but Feinstein didn't care for Tiger Woods that much and a couple of others.

He covers all the sports, not just football and he must have felt sometimes he has the most hectic life imaginable always rushing to catch a plane or being somewhere on time. Again, a great book and a keeper for my library shelf! Oct 08, Sandra Strange rated it liked it Shelves: Wierdly, I really liked this book--not to say I can recommend it to my students, unfortunately, because it contains a LOT of bad language we're talking Bobby Knight here, after all. Feinstein is a good writer, which really captivates the reader.

The characteristics th Wierdly, I really liked this book--not to say I can recommend it to my students, unfortunately, because it contains a LOT of bad language we're talking Bobby Knight here, after all. The characteristics that make this book interesting include all of the stories of his contacts, pleasant and not, with the greats of these sports, especially college basketball coaches, and the relationships among them all. The book ends with a really touching incident that shows the best of sports, after showing some of the worst, as well.

You don't have to be overly interested in sports to really enjoy reading about these fascinating characters and their absolute commitment to games. Feb 18, Jill rated it it was amazing. John Feinstein loves his job and you can tell. Yet, I was still surprised that I fell in love with it. Athletes, coaches and sports agents??? Half the time I was googling people because I knew I had heard the name before but I couldn't remember their face.

My brother told me I was an idiot for asking who was Dean Smith. I enjoyed the journalism and behind the scene stories so much that that didn't matter. Many great one liners and random acts of smart arsery. Reminded me that while you can't removed the money and the politics from any organized sports, some people are there for the love of the game and, to me, that is the whole point. Nov 20, Gary rated it it was amazing. This is a very fun read. It is Feinstein story behind the story of his first 10 books.

Since Feinstein has written about so many sports, this book gives you a 40, foot overview of Tennis, College Football, College Basketball and Golf. I have read most of these books so it was interesting to here how the books came about and some of the problems that he ran into when researching and writing the books. It is really a collection of many short stories and interviews he did over the years.

He talk This is a very fun read. He talks some about his interactions with Bill Foster the coach of Duke before coach K. I know Bill Foster through his daughter who I work with so it was very cool to read about Feinstein interactions with Foster. If you have an general interest in tennis, professional golf, college football or college basketball you will enjoy this book.

Jul 22, Christy rated it liked it Shelves: I received this as a Goodreads First Reads giveaway. I was hoping it would be a book that my husband and I could both read and enjoy. We both really love watching sports. We have season passes for our college football team, and will watch about different sports games on tv in a given weekend. This book was outside of both of our normal genres. At pages, it was a big time investment, which shouldn't have been a problem since we both love sports so much, but I had a hard time staying inter I received this as a Goodreads First Reads giveaway.

At pages, it was a big time investment, which shouldn't have been a problem since we both love sports so much, but I had a hard time staying interested. It was interesting to read from the author's point of view, given his extensive background in sports reporting. I enjoyed his writing style, but would probably enjoy some of his other books about one specific sport instead.

Mar 05, Sharon Storm rated it it was amazing. His descriptions of the subjects of his books are both funny and touching, particularly the connections he made with the players that he met doing research for the Army-Navy book. His stories about getting the access he needed to write his books make you feel like you are with him every step of the way. His insights about both well-known peop "One on One" is a wonderful collection of John Feinstein's experiences writing books about Army-Navy football, college basketball, and pro tennis and golf.

I've read several of his other books and now I want to read others that I missed. Loved each and every word. Jul 25, Mark Edlund rated it really liked it. I like Feinstein as a writer a lot. His access to the sports he writes about is incredible. This book goes back on many of his previous books and describes how he got the "one on one" access for the subjects of his many books. He does not always like his subjects Bob Knight but he gets to know them and their drives intimately. Jan 22, Kristie rated it liked it.

I have not read any of Mr. Feinstein's previous books but I am familiar with him and his love of almost every sport. Like many of those who also read the book, I got a bit tired of stories about himself but I suppose that was the premise of the book--the stories behind the stories his books are about, if that makes any sense. He describes many of his conversations that led to his book subjects which I found interesting. He is definitely a great journalist in that he is not afraid to go after the I have not read any of Mr.

He is definitely a great journalist in that he is not afraid to go after the story he wants. I love watching sports and playing tennis so I liked this book but anyone not at all interested in sports would find other books more to their liking. Jan 06, Tom Gase rated it really liked it. This book is basically Feinstein's look back at his first 10 books so Feinstein goes into great detail on what it was like to write Season on the Brink with Bobby Knight and his other books.

I especially like the last pages where he does a "Where are they Now? A must-read for sports writers and fans of Feinstein will love. Feb 05, Matthew Frets rated it really liked it. I've been a Feinstein fan for quite a while and was surprised to find this on the library shelf a month after being released. Feinstein details the stories behind his various releases, and they are all entertaining and make for a quick read.

There were a few things that could have been altered- a few too many stories about trying to get through various sports' securities, and a comment about David Justice not being a s Overall grade: There were a few things that could have been altered- a few too many stories about trying to get through various sports' securities, and a comment about David Justice not being a solid guy that was never fully explained.

Feinstein paints himself as a writer who tries to give the full story, but in some cases takes shots at people he simply doesn't like. May 11, David rated it really liked it. Fans of Feinstein will recognize many of his books in this long account of his career as a writer.

Using his rocky relationship with Bobby Knight as a spine, Feinstein strings together a long series of stories from behind the scenes of his other books and tells us how several of them came be - from the weak early sales pitches to award-winning final products. Surprisingly melancholy in spots, this is a great complement to Feinstein's other books. If you're not already a fan, don't start here I Fans of Feinstein will recognize many of his books in this long account of his career as a writer. If you're not already a fan, don't start here I recommend A March to Madness or Living on the Black , but you'll want to keep this one on your to-read list.

Dec 03, Nathan rated it really liked it. I received "One on One" as a Goodreads giveaway, and really enjoyed it.