Synopses & Reviews
One of Americas most respected sportscasters—and the play-by-play voice of NBCs
Sunday Night Football—gives us a behind-the-curtain look at some of the most thrilling games and fascinating figures in modern sports.
No sportscaster has covered more major sporting events than Al Michaels. During the course of his forty-plus-year career, he has logged more hours on live primetime network television than anyone in history, having covered all four major sports championships—the Super Bowl, the World Series, the NBA finals, and the Stanley Cup final—as well as the Olympic Games, the Triple Crown, and many more. He has witnessed firsthand some of the most memorable events in sports, and in this highly personal and entertaining account, he brings them all vividly to life.
Michaelss stories cover unforgettable chapters over the past half century—from the 1980 Lake Placid Olympics “Miracle on Ice” to the earthquake that rocked the 1989 World Series to the drama of what many consider the most exciting Super Bowl ever—Super Bowl XLIII between the Steelers and the Cardinals. Some of the biggest personalities on and off the field are here—Pete Rose, John Wooden, Brett Favre, Tommy Lasorda, O. J. Simpson, John Madden, Cris Collinsworth, Roone Arledge, Bill Parcells, Tiger Woods, Doc Rivers, Dennis Miller, and many, many more. Complementing access with insight, Michaels adds to the stories you thought you knew: Michael Jordans eyesight; Howard Cosells prickly, bombastic personality; even Peyton and Eli Mannings sibling rivalry.
From start to finish, Al Michaels gives us an up-close portrait of an industry that is—today more than ever—a vital part of our national culture.
Review
“A playful puppy of a memoir about a big dog career.” Kirkus Reviews
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Praise for Al Michaels: “Al Michaels is my favorite. . . . He is the last of the true icons.” Eminem, in < i=""> GQ Magazine <>
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“Al Michaels might be the best storyteller in all of sports.” Bill Simmons, editor-in-chief of < i=""> Grantland <> and author of the #1 < i=""> New York Times <> bestseller < i=""> The Book of Basketball <>
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“One of my favorite guests. Ive lost track of how many times Ive had Al Michaels on my shows” Howard Stern
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“Al Michaels may be the best all-around play-by-play announcer ever.” Sports Illustrated
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“An enjoyable look at an important period in sports and television history by a man who helped shape it.” Washington Times
Synopsis
In this highly entertaining and insightful memoir, one of televisions most respected broadcasters interweaves the story of his life and career with lively firsthand tales of some of the most thrilling events and fascinating figures in modern sports.
No sportscaster has covered more major sporting events than Al Michaels. Over the course of his forty-plus year career, he has logged more hours on live network television than any other broadcaster in history, and is the only play-by-play commentator to have covered all four major sports championships: the Super Bowl, World Series, NBA Finals, and the Stanley Cup Final. He has also witnessed first-hand some of the most memorable events in modern sports, and in this highly personal and revealing account, brings them vividly to life.
Michaels shares never-before-told stories from his early years and his rise to the top, covering some of the greatest moments of the past half century—from the “Miracle on Ice”—the historic 1980 Olympic hockey finals—to the earthquake that rocked the 1989 World Series. Some of the greatest names on and off the field are here—Michael Jordan, Bill Walton, Pete Rose, Bill Walsh, Peyton and Eli Manning, Brett Favre, John Madden, Howard Cosell, Cris Collinsworth, and many, many more.
Forthright and down-to-earth, Michaels tells the truth as he sees it, giving readers unique insight into the high drama, the colorful players, and the heroes and occasional villains of an industry that has become a vital part of modern culture.
About the Author
Al Michaels primetime network television than anyone in history, including twenty years as the play-by-play voice of Monday Night Football. He won his first Sportscaster of the Year award in 1980, became the second sportscaster in history to receive a News Emmy nomination for his coverage of the San Francisco earthquake during the 1989 World Series, and was honored with a lifetime achievement award at the 2011 Sports Emmys. Michaels has covered eight Olympics, and is currently the play-by-play voice of NBCs S
unday Night Football, TVs highest-rated show. He lives in Los Angeles.
L. Jon Wertheim, the executive editor of Sports Illustrated, is one of the most accomplished sports journalists in America. His work has been cited in The Best American Sports Writing anthology four times as well as in The Best American Crime Writing. He is the author of seven highly praised books, including the New York Times bestseller Scorecasting. He is a regular contributor to CNN and National Public Radio and is a commentator for the Tennis Channel.