Synopses & Reviews
Rick Reilly has been called one of the funniest humans on the planetan indescribable amalgam of Dave Barry, Jim Murray, and Lewis Grizzard, with the timing of Jay Leno and the wit of Johnny Carson” (
Publishers Weekly). In
Tiger, Meet My Sister, Reilly compiles the best of his columns from his last five years with ESPN, columns that will make you laugh, cryand quite a few that may make you want to throw this book across the room. Rick Reilly tends to get under peoples skin like that.
He has no compunction telling readers, in his singular quick-witted style, how he really feels about some of the most popular sports figures of our time. Wondering about quarterback Jay Cutler? Cutler is the kind of guy you just want to pick up and throw into a swimming pool, which is exactly what Peyton Manning and two linemen did one year at the Pro Bowl.” Or how about Tiger Woods? Sometimes you wonder where Tiger Woods gets his public-relations advice. Gary Busey?” But for every brazen takedown, Reilly has written a heartwarming story of the power of sports to heal the wounded and lift the downtrodden: the young Ravens fan with cancer who called the plays for a fewvictoriousgames in 2012, or the onetime top NFL recruit who was finally exonerated after serving five years for a crime he didnt commit.
With a new introduction and updates from Reilly on his most talked-about columns, as well as his expert opinion on athlete tattoos, NFL cheerleaders, and running with the bulls in Pamplona, Tiger, Meet My Sister showcases an unparalleled sportswriter at the top of his game.
Review
“Is there anyone that still thinks fantasy-baseball players are some sort of niche, Trekkie sect? Countless Major League players admit themselves to playing the game, and the web hasn't only mainstreamed it, it has turned it into a multi-million-dollar business. At this point, we'd say more sports fans know who Matthew Berry is than know most of the players on his team.”
-New York Magazine
Review
“You dont have to play fantasy sports to enjoy Matthew Berrys FANTASY LIFE. You dont even need to be a sports fan. If you like great writing, if you appreciate irreverent humor, if stories about friendship, family, backstabbing, and regrettable Justin Bieber tattoos warm your heart, youll love this book.”
-Harlan Coben, #1 New York Times bestselling author
"Matthew Berry's FANTASY LIFE is touching, gripping, addicting. There's nothing like it."
-Adam Schefter, ESPN NFL Insider
“Is there anyone that still thinks fantasy-baseball players are some sort of niche, Trekkie sect? Countless Major League players admit themselves to playing the game, and the web hasn't only mainstreamed it, it has turned it into a multi-million-dollar business. At this point, we'd say more sports fans know who Matthew Berry is than know most of the players on his team.”
-New York Magazine
Review
"An utterly hilarious romp through a wacky, yet occasionally poignant universe that runs parallel to reality - as told by someone who's struggled to find his way in both...If you're already one of the 36 million who do play, the book will make you laugh out loud, pump your fist in agreement and shake your head in sympathy. If you don't play, this book is a great way to find out what all the fuss is about." -
USA Today
"As a longtime fan of Matthew Berry, I'm happy he's finally collected the most inane and hilarious things people will do in pursuit of fantasy glory. If I was in a fantasy league where you drafted people who write about fantasy leagues I would draft Matthew first. Also, I would need to make some major changes in my life." - Seth Meyers, Saturday Night Live Head Writer and three-time fantasy champion in a league you don't care about
“You dont have to play fantasy sports to enjoy Matthew Berrys Fantasy Life. You dont even need to be a sports fan. If you like great writing, if you appreciate irreverent humor, if stories about friendship, family, backstabbing, and regrettable Justin Bieber tattoos warm your heart, youll love this book.”—Harlan Coben, #1 New York Times bestselling author
“I am a bad fantasy football player and worse fantasy baseballer. I am heartened after reading Fantasy Life that this apparently does not matter. Matthew Berrys book proves that there are lots of people out there like us: people who don't use fantasy sports to escape from life, but rather to live it with more fun.”— Peter King, Senior Writer, Sports Illustrated, and owner, “Montclair Pedroias,” New Jersey Suburban League
"I don't care about fantasy sports, and unless it involves a player shooting another player on the field like in The Last Boy Scout, I don't want to hear any stupid fantasy stories. But Matthew Berry did the impossible: He wrote a book about fantasy football that was hilarious and interesting to people who don't even like fantasy football. I loved this book." - Tucker Max, #1 New York Times bestselling author of I Hope They Serve Beer in Hell
“Football can be broken down into Xs and Os, but at the end of the day, were all after drama, human interest, and a great story. Matthew Berrys Fantasy Life is a great story. I know sports can make a difference in peoples lives; Matthew Berry has shown that fantasy sports can, too.” - Ron “Jaws” Jaworski, ESPN NFL Analyst, and proud owner of multiple fantasy championships under the name "Jawbreaker"
"If I had to choose between playing real football and fantasy football, I honestly dont know what Id choose. (Just kidding.) For players like me, fantasy sports are an obsession, an escape, and a great opportunity to trash talk each other. Matthew Berry is THE guy (other than me) everyone listens to and texts for advice during drafts. Fantasy Life is a must-read for fantasy sports fans, athletes, and anyone who loves ridiculous stories" Maurice Jones-Drew, All Pro NFL running back, host of "Running with MJD" on SiriusXM Fantasy Sports Radio
“For those of us who compete in fantasy sports, it's a fraternity. And this book IS fantasy sports. It covers the highs and lows, the good and bad, in victory and in defeat. And it's told by the only man who could tell it: Matthew Berry, the Talented Mr. Roto himself.”- Dale Earnhardt, Jr., NASCAR driver and 12-team "Dirty Mo Posse" league champion.
“I was excited to see that Matthew was writing a book about fantasy sports. As a pro athlete Ive seen fantasy sports blow up in the last 10 years, and hes been in the middle of all of it. Thank you, Matthew Berry, for writing such a funny book - and for being my personal consultant for the Cardinals fantasy football league.” -Matt Holliday, All-Star Outfielder, St. Louis Cardinals
“Matthew Berry has gleefully documented everything that is so great about fantasy sports - the celebrations and the punishments, the conniving and backstabbing, the agony and the ecstasy. Hes got an amazing story for any situation you find yourself in. Its the Kama Sutra of fantasy. If you've ever watched The League, you will love this book. Matthew shows in hilarious fashion that fantasy is like life - just better.” - Jackie and Jeff Schaffer, Creators of The League
“One of the people who makes it so much easier for you to enjoy success in fantasy sports now explains why we all enjoy playing fantasy sports. Draft this book early in your first round.” - Keith Olbermann, four-time New York Times bestselling author, nine-time fantasy baseball pennant winner
"Matthew Berry's personal journey in fantasy football is a lesson in a reality of life. Now, you can separate fantasy from reality in a fascinating read." - Chris Mortensen, ESPN Senior NFL Insider and "always in the money!"
"Matthew Berry's Fantasy Life is touching, gripping, addicting. There's nothing like it."—Adam Schefter, ESPN NFL Insider
“Is there anyone that still thinks fantasy-baseball players are some sort of niche, Trekkie sect? Countless Major League players admit themselves to playing the game, and the web hasn't only mainstreamed it, it has turned it into a multi-million-dollar business. At this point, we'd say more sports fans know who Matthew Berry is than know most of the players on his team.”
-New York Magazine
Synopsis
An inside look at the world of fantasy sports from the most recognizable and trusted name in the industry.
Fantasy Life explores the increasingly ubiquitous world of fantasy sports. Every year, millions of men – and women - spend their time assembling, managing, and obsessing over fantasy teams. Reputations are put on the line. Friendships are tested. Money is won, and more often lost. Fantasy sports aren’t make-believe. For its devotees, fantasy is reality.
As the Senior Fantasy Analyst at ESPN, Matthew Berry is on the front lines of what is no longer just a niche sub-culture, but a multi-billion dollar national pastime. In Fantasy Life, he celebrates every aspect of the fantasy sports world, from the hilarious to the insane to the uplifting. It contains stories of intrigue, betrayal, outrageous behavior, and surprisingly touching moments (let’s just say that fantasy might save your life). And along the way, he chronicles his rise from a fourteen-year-old fantasy player to being the face of fantasy sports for the largest sports media company in the world, a journey that coincides with the tremendous growth of fantasy sports, from small groups of friends mailing each other box scores to a phenomenon played by over 30 million people.
Because sometimes fantasy life is better than real life.
Synopsis
Now a
New York Times bestseller!
Fantasy football, fantasy baseball, fantasy basketball, even fantasy sumo wrestling: the world of fantasy sports is huge, and still growing. Today, more than 35 million people in the United States and Canada spend hours upon hours each week on their fantasy sports teams. And as the Senior Fantasy Sports Analyst for ESPN, Matthew Berry is on the front lines of what has grown from a niche subculture into a national pastime.
In Fantasy Life, Berry celebrates every aspect of the fantasy sports world. Brilliant trash talk. Unbelievable trophies. Insane draft day locations. Shake-your-head-in-disbelief punishments. Ingenious attempts at cheating. And surprisingly uplifting stories that remind us why we play these games in the first place.
Written with the same award-winning style that has made Berry one of the most popular columnists on ESPN.com, Fantasy Life is a book for both hard-core fantasy players and people who have never played before. Between tales of love and hate, birth and death, tattoos and furry animal costumes, the White House Situation Room and a 126-pound golden pelican, Matthew chronicles his journey from a fourteen-year-old fantasy player to the face of fantasy sports for the largest sports media company in the world.
Fantasy will save your life. Fantasy will set you free. And fantasy life is most definitely better than real life. Youll see.
About the Author
Described as “one of the stars of the web” and a “fantasy savant” by The New York Times, Matthew Berry is ESPN’s Senior Fantasy Analyst. Known as the “Talented Mr. Roto,” he’s one of the most popular columnists on ESPN.com and appears regularly on ESPN television and radio shows. He won an Emmy for his television show, “Fantasy Football Now,” and is a member of both the Fantasy Sports Trade Association’s Hall of Fame and the Fantasy Sports Writers Association Hall of Fame. Named to the Twitter Top 100 by Sports Illustrated, Matthew has also been profiled in numerous magazines and newspapers, had his likeness included in the Madden NFL ‘11 video game, and appeared on “Dancing with the Stars,” FX’s “The League,” and even “One Life to Live.”