 
The Blind Side: Evolution of a Game
Average Rating: 4.5 Total Reviews: 292
More Information
 On: 2010-07-24
I really admire this book its a great football book and great for people who love who love football to read. I also have a little brother who is working on being in the NFL when he is older.
On: 2010-07-21
Everybody knows the story recounted in The Blind Side, so I wont recap it here for you. Ill just tell you this was a great book - one of the best Ive read this year. It was historical narrative, but unlike other books of this genre by other authors, Michael Lewis did several things really well with this one.
He managed the web of characters really well. He gave background and history on most of the folks, and introduced you to all the main and supporting characters but never to the point where the complexities made it difficult to keep everybody straight (like, for example, in Charlie Wilsons War -- which, granted, covered a wider scope but got bogged down too much with all the characters). It was easy to follow and remember who everybody was - from all the assistant coaches to Michael Ohers mom and siblings to his long lost childhood friend.
Lewis also managed the pace and scope of the story well. It never felt jumpy or choppy (like, say, 5 Cities That Ruled the World) like it was zooming in and out from metanarrative to minute details and back. The pace was even and kept my interest the entire time. Anecdotes from football were timely and neatly inserted to highlight and complement Ohers and the Tuohys story, and broke it up just enough to keep you reading.
And finally, Lewis didnt beat you over the head with any sort of moral of the story, so to speak. He simply told the story and let its power speak for itself, and then left it up to the reader to draw any sort of conclusions or morals they wanted. (A practice which is much too underdone in writing these days - and which evidently allowed many people to get upset rather than inspired by the book. According to his new afterword, he got letters from conservatives, liberals, whites, blacks, Christians, and nonchristians all complaining about the story.)
Lewis is a great storyteller and this was a great story. That combination is a powerful force which results in a great book.
On: 2010-07-19
You really should have some appreciation for the game of football in order to really enjoy this book. Presuming you do then you will be able to follow the evolution of not only the game of football but life in America during those same years. I was born in the early 50s, watched football on TV during the 60s 70s 80s so I can understand the technical and huge social impact of "the game" and how it evolved. That part of the book I found was very interesting informative and well worth the read. Having grown up in a family with a Dad that played and coached football during the 50s 60s and 70s this book does a great job in documenting the social issues of poverty and affluence then and now. The book conveys the difficult years we all faced and still face today in this country between the haves and have nots ... poverty and wealth the clash of the classes. A very good story worthy of a Ken Burns PBS special ... have not seen the Sandra Bullock movie ... not sure I want to ... maybe too Hollywood for me but will give it a try. Hope you enjoy this book as much as I did.
 On: 2010-07-16
Theres a lot to like about this book. The story of African-American Michael Oher and how his acceptance into a conservative Southern family helped him develop from a homeless, socially awkward teenager into a self-confident left tackle pursued by coaches from college-football powers, is heart-warming. Michael Lewiss writing is deft, and his effort at tying Ohers story into an account of how the left tackle position became so important in the NFL is masterful. Its a good read for football fans, and even non-fans can enjoy this rags-to-riches story as well. The movie version is good, too, but I recommend the book for its depth and detail.
 On: 2010-06-02
Enjoyed the movie, The book was gearded towards those w;ho follow football players career.
On: 2010-05-30
Enjoyed the book, the story helped bring it all together since I had seen the movie first.
 On: 2010-05-28
I suppose if you are a rabid football fan, this book would be for you. Since I am not, I realize that I am in the minority and my words will fall on deaf ears. If youve seen the movie, then read the book, you find there are two different stories here. The movie was a typical Hollywood creation meant to give you the warm fuzzies
and is almost unrecognizable as the story in the book. The screen writer should get into another line of work - and as for Sandra Bullocks (I usually like her) performance, it was hardly worth an Oscar. She walks thru her part like a wooden stick, albeit an angry bossy one. But that is another story. I waded thru the book dutifully to the end, muddling thru page after page after page ad nauseum of football statistics and history and every once in a while it would get back to Michael Oher. Im sure that Michael and his white family are commendable people, but the book was so disjointed I couldnt follow it with much interest and I wonder why it was not edited better. Dont waste your time.
On: 2010-05-18
The book is much better than the movie, and if you like Michael Lewis you would like this book. I really loved the way the book it is a mixture of a biography and a football explanation on why the left tackle is so important. Very fun read.
On: 2010-05-16
I bought this book after I saw the film and was surprised that its emphasis was on the game of football and not so much on the story in the movie. Still I liked it very much and have recommended it to other people.
On: 2010-05-10
The Blind Side: Evolution of a Game (Hardcover)
An incredible human interest story detailed further below but first.........the author of Liars Poker and Moneyball is at it again with an offbeat interesting subject, or multiple subjects which are intertwined. This is an analysis of the evolution of the left side tackle designed to protect the quarterbacks blind side, particularly from the evolution of speed rushers in the Lawrence Taylor mode. Lewis starts with an in depth analysis of Joe Theismans famous leg break with some interesting facts even Joe didnt remember including who may really have been responsible. Separate stories are then presented of the new prototype Left Tackles like Jonathan Ogden whose investment banker father showed him that his value at Left Tackle would out way any interest in playing college basketball for his 69" son. This part of the book is intertwined with a historical perspective of how the passing game developed mainly through the Bill Walsh West Coast offense which downplays the significance of the quarterback. This section of the book is intertwined around the personal story to be described and while extremely interesting to football fans will have virtually NO appeal the typical female fan or other casual fans.
But what will be of greater human interest is the overlay of the story of Michael Oher, the "man/child" currently playing football at Ole Miss. Oher shows up at a predominantly white Christian school in the 9th grade with virtually no school history and horrible family background. An incredibly shy 350 pound kid struggles but ingratiates himself to faculty and staff and manages to stick around. Finally one Thanksgiving Day a volunteer assistant coach and his wife see him at a bus stop in his usual shorts and recognize that in addition to no money for food, he is traveling to the gym to watch practice just to be in a heated room. Through incredible acts of kindness and caring this young man is taken in by this wealthy Christian family who attempt to socialize and educate him for the future.
But little did they realize that at 6 6" with an incredible frame and quick feet, football coaches would see their answer to possibly the most important position on the football field and they would relentlessly come calling. This presents many problems as Oher has virtually no chance of attending college with his past educational background. Thus begins the odyssey of the recruiting wars for this individual who by the end of high school has been called the best pro prospect even though he has played in only 15 football games.
This portion of the book dominates approximately 70% of the book. It is incredibly touching and I certainly applaud the sympathetic, caring approach by Leigh Ann and Sean Tuohy. This book is not just for football fans as the issues here are much greater. How does a child get to the 9th grade with virtually no retention of knowledge or ability to function in a social setting? What can a change in culture and caring do for this young man? And other questions will also appear such as is their potential ulterior motives for selecting this student out of so many and wasnt the final steps to eligibility really inappropriate? As to my opinion I choose to believe that the Tuohys were interested in helping another human being, and in the process, it enriched the lives of their family, this young man and the possibilities that a loving, caring environment can create.
I strongly recommend this book for football fans, sociologists, and people with interest in politics, religion, or Southern Culture as there are many issues intertwined. Once again, the weakness to this book may be that he narrowed its focus by making it a "sports book". Its not. Its main message, to me, concerns underprivileged kids and how a change in environment can produce incredible results.
Gunner, May, 2010
On: 2010-05-08
The book arrived in a timely manner and in excellent shape. I have yet to start reading the book. If its anything like the movie, Im sure it wont take long to read.
On: 2010-05-08
Read the incredible true story of Baltimore Ravens lineman Michael Oher (pronounced OAR). One of thirteen children born to a crack addict mother, Oher spent his formative years on the streets of Memphis - times where neither the state nor the schools had any record of his existence.
But through a chance meeting with the Tuohy family at Briarcrest Christian High School, Oher becomes part of a family, attends school regularly, plays sports - and gets a chance in life. Its a powerful story with many great messages (although I did skim over the lengthy descriptions of the development of the left tackle in the NFL).
On: 2010-05-03
I wasnt aware that there was so much about the sport of football in the book....this could turn off readers who never watch.
Thankfully I at least understand the language, even if Im not "up"on all the famous players.
I am informed more about the role of each player in their position on the team
I am enjoying the book, however, now that I am into the story of the young man.
On: 2010-04-30
This has to be the BEST true story movie that I am seen so far.... I bought the book and that was very good too. I have watched this movie 4 times already and not tired of it. FANTASTIC!!!!
On: 2010-04-28
This book restored my faith in good people of the United States. However, I do feel that too much time was spent on Bill Walsh. The family that gave of themselves is to be commended and it goes to show what love, understanding and caring can do, not just to young people but to us all.
On: 2010-04-26
Youre making this to complex. All I did was order a book. It arrived, I read it, what else is pertinent.
On: 2010-04-26
Order was timely and in great shape! You would do well to purchase from thsi seller!
On: 2010-04-24
i for one loved the book im a huge sports fan but it was a little boring. i understand that he wanted to make it a little educational but i found it boring. i think michael couldve made learning a little more exciting
On: 2010-04-23
Book arrived in the condition it was described as - shipping was very quick! Would definately use this seller again
On: 2010-04-08
What a great book. Michael Lewis not only knows how to put together a captivating story, he does so with subtle wit and plenty of insight. His meticulous research is obvious; hell casually mention a former player and then go into detail about that players career and its importance to the history of football over several pages. It definitely adds to the scope of the topic.
Born and raised in New Orleans before studying at Princeton and eventually trading bonds for Salomon Brothers, Lewis is a perfect candidate to tell this story because of his affection for the people of the American South. Although he goes into detail about the serious socioeconomic problems that divide up Memphis, and touches upon the shady dealings of college football recruiters, he shows us that the people associated with Briarcrest Christian School are huge-hearted people who love God and football and church, who treat their peers with respect and compassion. The Southern culture is completely different from the California bubble Ive grown up in, yet I cant help but admire the Tuohy family, the athletic coaches, teachers, tutors, the principal, the social workers, and everyone else in the community who not only gave Michael a leg up but went the extra mile for their community in general, without any obvious personal gain.
Another incredible thing about this book, at least for me, was how cool it was when Bill Walsh and Bill Parcells and Nick Saban and Ed Orgeron made cameos in the story, because these are people I would read about in the news or see making formal announcements at press conferences but never knew. So when Lewis writes about Sabans sharp suits and impeccable manners, Orgerons barely intelligible drawl and nonstop enthusiasm, about a frustrated and disappointed Bill Walsh who couldnt even look into the eyes of his players on the flight home from a playoff loss, I was starry-eyed. These guys are celebrities to me, whom I admire for their passion and dedication to their craft.
Also, the occasional investment banking analogy was amusingly out of left field. Plus the book had a countless number of hilarious moments. These guys and gals may be serious business on the field and in the classroom, but they really know how to crack a joke or break the tension.
I watched the movie after reading the book and I was surprised at how accurate the filmmakers were at capturing the spirit of the people involved. For a casual movie fan, the film is enough, but if you like both the movie and football I cannot recommend this book enough.
On: 2010-04-07
I found myself skipping page after page of football history. At first it was interesting but soon got out of hand. Watch the DVD its better.
On: 2010-04-07
The seller was responsive and efficient and the product was in the exact condition described.
On: 2010-04-06
I loved this book and movie. If you love inspirational books, please check out Live Like A Fruit Fly (also on amazon) - I am the author and just trying to spread the word :)
On: 2010-04-01
Lewis "The Blind Side" takes readers through Michael Ohers life, from being basically on his own in the projects to first-round draft-pick for the Baltimore Ravens. Everyone involved played a critical role, from Big Tony who brought Mike along with his own son to enroll at Briarcrest Christian School, to the administration and teachers there who accepted Michael (with some trepidations), to the Tuoy family who took Michael into their home (hed never had his own bed) and found a tutor for him, to his coaches in high school. Lots of admiration for all involved!
On: 2010-03-30
Great Product. Awesome narration. This story keeps you on the edge of your seat!
On: 2010-03-29
Im a big football fan (3 fantasy leagues) and I found many parts of this book boring because it was too technical and focused too much on recruiting and football strategy, rather than the interpersonal relationships between the player, coach, etc. I think this will be a rare case where the book is not as good as the movie.
On: 2010-03-26
This is a good outreaching movie, about reaching out to those in need. Helping those in need. Sandra Bullock best acting. See it.
On: 2010-03-20
The Blind Side has great information. I teach students like Michael and I found the story very inspirational. The football information was very interesting. However, if you are not into football, you can skip those chapters and still get all of Michaels story. The most valuable information for me was the facts about differences in the children from different economic classes which are apparent as early as kindergarten.
On: 2010-03-07
I saw the movie way before i read the book, but i can assure you, if you like the movie youll love the book, it has and air of remembering the game, and taking you to the moments that really change the game of football.
On: 2010-02-26
I thoroughly enjoyed the book (though as a woman I sometimes got bogged down in the history telling of some of the football stats) It was interestering to learn of some of the stars of yesteryear and of past coaches.
The storyline of what the Toueys did is remarkable and Ive heard Leigh Ann wants to start some type of program for underprivileged black kids who need help with grades to stay in school. What a woman!!
My one complaint is the cover....Michael Lewis name stands out much more than the title of the book..like he is selling his name over that of the book and of Michael Ohr...the cover on the paperback is much more appropriate. Hopefully, the cover on the hardback will be changed if the book sells enough copies.
On: 2010-02-25
Gave it as a gift but Im sure its a good book. Saw the movie.
On: 2010-02-19
The Blind Side is generally very well written, tremendously informative, and highly engaging. I learned a great deal about the evolution of the passing game, and very much enjoyed the tale of Michael Ohers rise. But the merits of the book will be obvious to any reader who has the slightest interest in football.
Its defects may be a bit less apparent. In one passage, Michael Lewis says the following: "Memphis could make you wonder why anyone ever bothered to create laws segregating the races. More than a million people making many millions of individual choices generated an outcome not so different from a law forbidding black people and white people from mingling." Not only is this patently false, its highly insulting. White supremacy and its corollaries--e.g., the economic and social subjugation of black people--were the law, not one-half of some controlled trial, and modern-day segregation is their legacy. So its quite ignorant and hurtful to claim, especially so nonchalantly, that black people have chosen to wall themselves off in the poverty of western Memphis.
Another problem with the Blind Side is that precious little of it is told from the subjects perspective--i.e., from Ohers point of view. I kept wanting to get an idea of his side of the story, but only toward the very end of the book do you get as much as an inkling as to how he was seeing things. Relatedly, only toward the very end of the book do you get a sense of how much and how hard Oher worked to improve his athletic skills before he moved into white Memphis. According to the Authors Note, Oher didnt open up to Lewis til fairly late in the game, so to speak, but thats no excuse for Lewiss failure to thoroughly incorporate Ohers perspective and detail his striving. Nor is there any excuse for Lewiss continuing to call Oher "Big Mike" even after noting that Oher hates that moniker.
Also, Lewis falls all over himself lauding Ole Miss head coach Ed Orgerons recruiting ability, but punts when it comes to explaining why that talent didnt result in success for the Rebels, who were awful under Orgerons stewardship. Finally, and I realize this is pretty petty, but Lewis not only confuses ecto-, endo-, and mesomorphism, but doesnt realize that none of them really applies to Oher, or to offensive linemen in general.
On: 2010-02-18
The Blind Side weaves together the compelling story of a out-of-nowhere high school football star with the evolution of the game of football. The title comes from the nickname given to the area behind a quarterback who is setting up to pass. Defenses normally put their best pass rusher on this side to give him the added advantage of the qb not being able to see his approach. As football offenses became more and more pass-happy, the offensive tackle who protects the quarterbacks "blind side" became critical. As a result this position has become one of the most highly paid in the NFL.
Lewis traces this development while focusing on Michael Oher (pronounced "oar"), a high school phenom whose life story is, well, if the book were fiction, it would be panned as sheer fantasy.
The title, The Blind Side, misleads the reader into thinking that the focus will be on the evolution of football. However, this is really very tangential to the Michael Oher story. As fascinating as that was, this reader came away somewhat pitying Oher, for the book lays open his life to a degree that no young adult should have to face. Imagine 300+ pages of the Duggar family shamelessly spilling their family time in full view. It may not be dirty laundry, but it way more information than the public needs about anyone, especially a young man trying to become an adult.
Kudos to the Tuohys for their selfless giving. I suppose some are jaded about their wealth and resources, but the question comes to mind, "What can I do to help those less fortunate?" I wonder how successful their foundation for helping other inner-city kids has been. It seems to me that their own experience shows that it takes a family to raise a kid.
Even though Oher is now a Ratbird (a pox on their nest), I wish him success in his football career, except of course when playing the Browns.
The football history was interesting but it is definitely not what one recalls when thinking about the book. It is well written and an enjoyable read.
On: 2010-02-07
My favorite reading is a book that tells the story of real people, and The Blind Side relates an incredible, uplifting story of professional football player Michael Oher, who, through the help of a wealthy Memphis family and his unbelievable size and athletic ability, found a life he couldnt have imagined from his vantage point as a child in the Memphis ghetto. I bought the book and read it after I saw the movie and a television interview with the real-life Touhys. Then, I bought a second copy as a gift (Im not giving mine up). Michael Lewis has used his considerable sportswriting background to tell the story in an easy narrative style. Its true that the reader sees only glimpses of the back stories of the characters. However, by focusing on events, Lewis has created a fast read as he quickly moves the story along. I found the movie characters to be more richly developed than those in the book. (Sandra Bullock is a deadringer for Leigh Anne Touhy and deserves the Oscar nomination she received. Even Tim McGraw is developing as a passable actor.) I will add that for someone (moi!) who does not know football strategy, that (short) part of the book was over my head though that problem was no fault of Michael Lewiss. I will forever recognize the name Lawrence Taylor, however.
One mark of a good book is that it leaves the reader wanting more, and this one may be ripening for a sequel. What has happened to the Touhys? Did Leigh Anne get her wish for a building and a school for other promising athletes who cant cut it in public school? What is Michael Oher doing with his millions? What has happened to his mamma? His 13 siblings? I want to be on the waiting list for that sequel when Lewis thinks its ready to be written. I am already on the waiting list for the DVD of the movie!
On: 2010-02-06
Michael Lewis does his homework
Well-written, original and hard to put down
Enjoyed the whole book
On: 2010-01-31
The movie was awesome and so was the book! What an amazing story! Two thumbs up! Michael Oher is an inspiration!
On: 2010-01-30
One of the most heartwarming, true stories I have read in ages. A "must read" or a "must see (movie).
Although they are entirely different in subject matter, I would put the book on a par with Mitch Alboms "Have a Little Faith."
 On: 2010-01-21
I wouldnt know if this is a good product or not because it was never shipped to me. I ordered it six weeks ago and have heard nothing from either amazon or the seller.
On: 2010-01-20
I think Ill start off by saying that Im not a sports fan. At all. I get utterly bored out of my mind if Im in the vicinity of any sports game and dont play because its a horrible sight to see me play a sport. But oddly enough, I have an intense like of sports movies. Which is how I learned about The Blind Side in the first place. Well, thats only partly to blame. Im also an unabashed Sandra Bullock fan and love most of her films, so of course I had to go see The Blind Side.
Usually, I like to read a book before the movie comes out. Mostly, thats because when you see the movie first, the book is bound to get tainted with the movie. Its inevitable whether you loved it or hated it. In some rare instances where this happened I liked the movie more than the book. This happened with Practical Magic (another Sandra Bullock film) and The Blind Side.
The book focused more on the game of football than I wouldve liked. But then again, it is also subtitled Evolution of a Game, so its not like I was misled. There were some parts of the book where my mind wandered and I was just thinking "Get back to the family. Thats why Im reading." Then again, there were some football only parts that had me engrossed in the book. But, the story of Michael Oher was why I kept reading.
Michael Ohers story was inspirational. He made something of himself, even though he was plagued with obstacles. And the Tuohys taking him and all that they did for him was heartwarming. This book was also had its fair share of humor and I let out a chuckle here and there. But with the good also comes the bad. And the bad comes from me seeing the movie first.
The characters were somewhat more likeable in the movie than in the book. Leanne Tuohy comes out more snobby and bitchy in the book. The coach, whom I loved in the movie, came out more as a snake and someone with ulterior motives. Another thing that bothered me in the book was how in some moments, it seemed like the Tuohys did have a hidden agenda. I know that they didnt, but I understand how they would seem like boosters to the NCAA.
Although, some of the characters came off a bit standoff-ish in the book, one character whom I loved in the book and the movie was Sean Tuohy. He was a major part of the book, yet he wasnt that much of a main character in the movie. I enjoyed his parts in the book. Also, already having seen the movie, I kept picturing Sean as Tim McGraw. Allow me to have my shallow moment and say that since good ol Tim is all sorts of yummy, I didnt have not one problem with his expanded role in the book.
Anyway, even though I thought the book was just okay, I absolutely loved the movie. I thought it was just amazing. It made me laugh and cry and then cry a bit more. Amazing true story, with an amazing film to back it up.
On: 2010-01-11
In "The Blind Side," the masterful non-fiction writer Michael Lewis tells the fairy tale story of Michael Oher, a young man whom society, family, and school have abandoned and wouldve bound to be at best a bodyguard of the local drug boss except that God has blessed him with all the attributes of the perfect NFL left tackle -- and thus destined to become one of the most highly-paid individuals in NFL history. Lewis now spins into this Hollywood narrative analysis of the evolution of NFL football, making the book feel sometimes like "Moneyball" (which I think is the best business ever to be published) and sometimes like Nicholas Sparks (it really is hard to match this author for saccharine lameness, but Lewis does put in a very good effort on many a page).
The genesis of the book is in 2003 when the author meets with his elementary school classmate Sean Tuohy, a Taco Bell franchisee who recently decided to adopt a reticent black giant. Heres what we know about Sean Tuohy. He was a basketball player at Old Mississippi State University, and he continues to support heavily its athletics. Hes supposedly rich because he lives a very lavish lifestyle (with his own plane called Air Taco), but as a leveraged entrepreneur his finances are also extremely shaky. Being a former athlete who must now spot and seize business opportunities, Sean Tuohy must have noticed the potential of Michael Oher when he suddenly became a classmate of his daughters at a posh Christian private school. And Sean did have a habit of befriending the poor black athletes at the school. All this is important information that does not of course take anything away from how the Tuohy family adopted Michael, and turned his life around: giving the future football superstar a home and a family, teaching him the manners and the culture that he would need to survive in the world, and bringing in a tutor as well as strategies to ensure that he could get into college. But if these circumstances were enough to warrant an investigation of the NCAA (to see if the Tuohy family had adopted a poor black giant in order to secure a football superstar for their alma mater) then surely Mr. Lewis might have mentioned some of these facts in the beginning to bring some journalism balance to the story.
But these facts come towards the middle and end of the narrative, which by then Ive become completely engrossed in this too-good-to-be-true narrative. Learning of these things I became disillusioned by the narrative, and started flipping through what I believed to be the authors flippant excuses for the behavior of the Tuohy family. Yes, it was good and noble and Christian of the Tuohy family to adopt Michael Oher, but if Michael Oher were poor and black and small with AIDS and ADHD, would the family still have adopted him? And towards the end the family contemplated whether it should be their noble mission on this earth to adopt many poor disadvantaged gifted black athletes so that they may have future professional careers.
Theres many reasons to like this book. Its an uplifting narrative that is bound to be a Hollywood blockbuster. Its an easy-to-read book that can be finished on a flight from New York to San Franscico. But theres only one problem with the book, and that its not a Michael Lewis book which is why I began to read this book in the first place.
"Liars Poker" was a funny and insightful memoir and a powerful condemnation of Wall Street that is still required reading for college undergraduates today. "Moneyball" is business analysis at its very best, and is probably required reading for MBAs today. But "The Blind Side," while entertaining and may become the most lucrative of all the authors books, is by far not his best.
On: 2010-01-09
This book is fabulous. I read it after seeing the movie because the movie whet my appetite. If your into football youll love Michael Lewiss book. I did. Michael Ohers story is an inspirational message to all people. Dont give up on your dreams and aspirations. Youll never know what may come your way. I now watch the Baltimore Ravens games.
On: 2010-01-07
The book is 314 pages, about 150 pages too long. Theres 3 or 4 article length stories here. The book is a Frankenstein, with two disparate themes
#1) the evolution of the left tackle in professional football
#2) Pygmalion Redux - an African Americans journey from poverty to prominence.
Theme #1 is football clinical - I enjoyed it, but the average reader might start to snooze.
Theme #2 is heartwarming - but theres very little meat on the bone. Michael Oher wont open up to anyone, so the author is forced to present Michaels story from everyone elses viewpoint.
All the participants are wonderfully likeable - no one appears to have any warts.
The book - its not quite a "Paper Lion" and its certainly not an "Angelas Ashes".
For comtemporary sports journalism, I would choose Gary Smiths "Going Deep".
On: 2010-01-03
I want to add my praise of a book that was so well written that I actually learned about football when I knew next to nothing about it. I viewed this part as secondary to the story of Michael Oher which was my main interest in buying this book. I had seen the movie and wanted more detail. What I got was a fantastic treatise on the history of football presented in such a gripping way that even I understood!! I am not sporty. Now I am really interested in seeing football as well as satisfied with learning about a family whose beliefs were so integrated into their lives that it did not need mentioning throughout the book. What a wonderful family. What a wonderful author. Thank you for this rare treat.The Blind Side [Blind Side](Later Printing Edition); Evolution of a Game
On: 2010-01-03
If youre a fan of high school, college, or NFL football, this book is a great read. If youre interested in discussions of class economics or discourses on race, this book is a great read. Or if you just want to read a book that will make you laugh, challenge you, and sometimes make you questions of the motives of the protagonists, this book is a great read.
The only hesitation I have about the book is that I think it purports to be about Michael Oher, the high school and college phenom left tackle. In a lot of ways it is, but only to the extent that Lewis wanted to tell Ohers story. On the other hand, however, what Lewis is really exploring in this book is why and how a rich, white couple (Sean and Leigh Ann Tuoy) from one of the most segregated cities in America (Memphis) would become invested in young black kid who is ironically simultaneously almost impossible to notice and impossible to ignore.
In some ways, I think Lewis is interested in the Tuoys investment in Michael as a person as is contrasted against the systems (Briarcrest High School Athletics Dept, Ole Miss University, and every other major college football program in the country, and the NFL). Everybody seems to want something from him, and that thing is immediately apparent and almost assured. But the Tuoys were invested in him long before they realized just how good a player he was. In that sense, his incredible success seems to make their investment both charming and sincere.
Tough to admit (and Lewis doesnt address this at all, really) that I wouldnt have been interested in reading about the Tuoys charity or Ohers luck had it not been for his incredible physical gifts. Maybe thats the real lesson of the book.
On: 2009-12-29
Was pleasantly surprised at the amount of informative football information in addition to the Michael Oher story.
On: 2009-12-28
My family saw the movie so we decided to get the book; I remembered vaguely reading a New York Times magazine piece that Lewis wrote on the subject some time ago that I assume was excerpted from the book and thought it would be interesting to get the full story. Its an interesting and enjoyable book overall, with one main caveat: the movie for obvious reasons takes the Michael Oher story as the primary focus, while the book is fairly balanced between Ohers inspiring life story and the larger story about the "evolution of a game," namely football, that Lewis addresses using Oher as a jumping-off point. As long as you understand thats going on and arent surprised you should enjoy the story and the football analysis!
On: 2009-12-28
There is not one bad thing I can say about this book. I would give it 10 stars if I could. A truly inspiring true story. I enjoyed this book from page one and finished it in record time. It is a great story and very well written. I was basically interested in Michael Ohers story, but the book includes a lot of knowledge about football, and a lot of facts that arent obvious when you watch football on TV and listen to the announcers. I wasnt a big football fan before this book, but now I am. There is so much more going on in a game than I thought. Now Im looking at different things on the field. And you can follow Ohers incredible rise and career since he was drafted in the first round by the Baltimore Ravens.
On: 2009-12-17
As a HUGE football fan and Ole Miss grad, I really enjoyed this book. It switches back and forth from the story of Michael Ohers inspiring life to a history of how the game of football became what it is today. Great book for any fan of the Baltimore Ravens, the Ole Miss Rebels, or football in general.
On: 2009-12-17
The book was exactly what I was looking for. The product arrived in a timely fashion and sure beat heading to the mall.
On: 2009-12-15
This is a book devoted to the Left Tackle position in a football offensive line. Half of the story is an explanation of how the position became so important and the rest of the book deals with a true story about a black homless boy who is adapted by a white upperclass family. It is plain and easy to read. It keeps your interest. I read the book before seeing the movie which only deals with the family adoption story line. Even if you have seen the movie, you should read this book.
On: 2009-12-12
I have to confess to never having given any thought to left tackles, so I was surprised to learn that not only are they the highest paid offensive linemen, that some are more highly paid than any NFL position except quarterback. I am so ignorant of offensive lineman, I had never heard of Michael Oher, much less that he was the 23rd draft pick of the nearby Ravens and that he had just completed a fairly successful rookie season. So everything in Lewiss as always well-told tale was revelatory. The ying and yang between Bill Walsh and Bill Parcells, perhaps a little more familiar. The challenge here seemed to be stitching the story of the player into the story of the development of the modern NFL. I guess I would have liked more of the latter, while feeling ultimately a little let down by the former. It seems like 90 percent of the story is all about Ohers experience at a Christian school in Memphis. But once he arrives at Ole Miss, it seems like Lewis is in fast forward mode and by the time he gets out of Ole Miss, the selection process in the draft seems to be handled in a sentence or two. The book ended before I was ready to stop reading on my Apple Kindle Application. I was amused that at some point, after reading pages and pages about his academic travails, Lewis notes that when Oher arrived at Ole Miss, he was pretty much as smart as anybody else. The day after I hit the touchscreen of the last page, I found a story in the Washington Post about a high school player in Northern Virginia who had moved in with a coach, and is expected to be a star at Pitt next year. That left me wondering if Ohers experience was really that unique. The Post failed to even mention Oher in their long article, which surprised me quite a bit, what with the popularity of the movie. It made me wonder, does this happen all the time. All in all, very engrossing.
On: 2009-12-04
If you are a true die-hard, in-the-wool football fan and love reading about the game and its history, then this book is well worth reading. HOWEVER, if you are reading the book to learn the story of Michael Oher, then you will be frustrated, turning the pages rapidly to get to those depicting his story. Dont get me wrong, the author knows his football and is adept at telling its history, as well as those unique players that have contributed to the game. As for Michaels story - - - see the movie. Its more rewarding.
On: 2009-12-01
I love the story of Michael Oher and the Tuoy family, and Im looking forward to the movie.
Lewis is an excellent writer and knows how to tell a good story - BUT he plays fast and loose with the facts at the beginning of the book. Go over to Youtube and watch the video of Lawrence Taylors hit on Joe Theismann. Lewis swears that Taylors reaction after the play has nothing to do with the gravity and grossness of Theismanns injury (he had a compound fracture, with the bone protruding through his sock!). In Lewis account, Taylors reaction is a result of his own claustrophobia and fear of being at the bottom of a pile. Watch the video. A) Lawrence is on top of the pile (and its not much of a pile) and B) Lawrence is frantically waving to the Redskins sideline trying to get their attention to the fact that Theismann needs immediate attention.
When Lewis mis-characterizes the first incident in his book this badly, he gives himself a credibility problem for everything else he as written.
On: 2009-12-01
Hard to figure the theme. You get into the story of Oher and then get bumped to a history of Bill Walsh and then back to Oher and then Lawrence Taylor and then Oher and then Steve Wallace? Too hard to follow.
On: 2009-11-25
While I was browsing at a book store I did a quick flip through of this book, I only read the part about Lawrence Taylor and the history and importance of the left tackle and basically got it into my head that the rest of the book was going to be like that. I recently bought the book and was dissapointed to see that most of the book was about the real life story of Michael Oher.
The story of Michael Oher I thought was a very nice story but didnt really capture my imagination. It seemed a bit cliche even though it was true story and didnt really have anything that really touched me. I thought at the very least it was going to detail how Oher learned to be a offensive tackle (to in essence connect his story to the left tackle history) but it really didnt and was more of a human interest story.
The Tuhoys generosity is inspiring but the reason I didnt embrace the story is because I felt that Michael Oher was not really a sympathetic character (even with his sad childhood). I dont understand why this boy captured Leigh Annes heart besides being pityable. He didnt do anything to charming or heartwarming he was just kinda at the right place at the right time. What made him so special (besides being huge) that she adopted him but not some other poor black teen? I dont get it. Also Im a relativley shy person myself so I understand being quiet and all but I just couldnt relate to how aloof Michael Oher was. I mean if some rich white lady decides to buy me new clothes and then adopts me and put me in her will Id be thanking her every 5 seconds but Michael doesnt show much gratitude. The thing I kept thinking is how lucky Michael Oher is that no only on top of the inheritance he will be getting he will also have his NFL earnings.
Perhaps Im being too harsh on Michael Oher but thats just the way I feel.
On: 2009-11-24
Great Book, It is about time we have some more positive storys hit the mainstream. Michael Lewis blends football with the touching story of Michael Oher. I reccomend this book!
On: 2009-11-18
Not just a book about football, a book about the extraordinary life of an underprivileged individual whose life changed based upon the kindness and determination of others. I want to laugh, cry, and cheer all at the same time while reading this. I read all 339 pages in less than 24 hours, something I never do even when I love a book, I simply COULD NOT put this down. I dont care if youre a man or woman, football fan or not, you will find a reason to fall in love with this story.
On: 2009-11-15
This was one of the best-written, most moving books I have read in a long time. It is a truly compelling story. The football angle, while important, is almost tangential to the most significant aspects of the book -- the characters themselves. Although this would appeal to a sports enthusiast, it is also a must-read for bibliophiles like me.
On: 2009-10-26
Michael Lewis has hit two home runs ... or scored two touchdowns, pick your sports analogy. Blind Side is two books in one. First it is a analytical look at the evolution of NFL football. With Bill Walsh perfecting the west coast offense, basically a timing based system where the QB drops back and throws to a predefined location, stretching the field laterally. The makes the QB in his offense ineffective if his timing is disrupted. Along comes Lawrence Taylor who hit quarterbacks behind the line of scrimmage so often they had to create the sack! So with the timing based system and nuts like LT bursting around the Blind Side a premium was placed on the guy blocking that side. The bar is set so high for Blindside tackles are the second highest paid position in the NFL.
Interspersed through the book you get to meet Michael Oher and hear his story. It is the best feelgood sports story, and possibly most life affirming tale I have ever had the pleasure of reading. Michael was essentially homeless in the ghetto of Memphis when through determination and luck he enrolls in Briar Crest, a nearly all white affluent christian high school on the other side of town. Fate shine on him in the early going when a student and her mother see Michael walking down the street in shorts and a T shirt on a cold day. Mrs. Touhy(?) saw the need and took upon herself to offer a hand. What resulted was the rebuilding of a life destroyed by ambivalence.
This is a fantastic read, i recommend it to all who enjoy reading about the good in the world.
On: 2009-10-22
I know. The Title makes no sense.
Thats because its about 60 percent of a book: the story of Michael Oher, the Tuohys and the marketing of high school football players. Thats the part I loved.
What I didnt like: Lewiss rather patronizing treatise on football ("the Evolution of the Game), invented by Bill Walsh and Bill Parcells (yes, Im sure they told him that because I knew Walsh and know Parcells and modesty was/is not one of either mans virtues.) Lewis makes it sound as if Michael Oher, who entered the NFL in 2009, arrived just in time to get a $13 million contract. Yes, he points out that in 1993, when free agency started, that left tackles were paid more than right tackles. But he suggests that Lawrence Taylor was the first pass rusher to endanger quarterbacks from the blind side. I dont think Deacon Jones or Doug Atkins or Gino Marchetti would think that. Nor would any of the quarterbacks they hit in the pre-Oher paleozoic era.
I guess what Im saying is that the football section of the book is much too patronizing. A friend agreed,pointing out that it shouldnt be read by people who know the game from the inside because its far too simplistic about football. There also are annoying little mistakes _ Sid Gillman spelled his name that way, not "Gilman, as Lewis has it.
I didnt really like "Moneyball either. I dont like sports books that push pat theories about events that by their nature are unpredictable. Billy Beanes teams havent fared too well lately, have they? But I believe in the stolen base that Billy so disdains.
On: 2009-10-21
A great story of Michael Oher. I love sports bios especially football ones. And actually it is rare to read a bio of a rookie NFL player because most bios are of NFL stars, but this bio is something special because it charts the life story of Michael Oher and how to he got to the NFL. The story of Oher is mostly about his life and not about his football story at Ole Miss. But, the book also talks about football strategy. Specifically it touches on Lawrence Taylor and how his exceptional performance led to a completely new evaluation of the left tackle position. That in itself is worth reading too.
Its a well written book and easy to read. Sometimes you wonder about what some of these football players had to go though in their lives in order to get to the NFL and this is one of those stories. Without giving out more away, Ill just say its highly recommended.
On: 2009-10-09
I thought I knew a lot about Michael Oher, since my wife had him in class at his high school, but this book helped me put him in context as a football player and as an individual. Learned more than I cared to about football, but without that knowledge you cant truly understand his transformation from inner city loser to NFL signee!
On: 2009-09-20
Every once in a while Ill purchase a book based on a movie, sometimes (as was the case with this one), just based on having watched the movies trailer on Apples website. Most of the time, the book ends up way better than the movie and I really enjoy it. I should state in all fairness that Im not a football fan - Im just not. So, when the trailer down-played the importance of football in the story in comparison with the story about Michaels growing relationship with the Touhy family, this is what I expected from the book. Instead, the book is essentially a retrospective history of the increasing importance of the left-tackle position as critical to winning college and professional football games over the past 4 decades or so, with bits of the story thrown in to keep it going (I finally had to give the book up a little after 100 pages). To make a long story short, a football fan who doesnt really like, but also doesnt mind a touching story, will love this book; a person who really has no use for nor understanding of football, but enjoys a touching story and a well written book that happens to mention football, will still want to look elsewhere. Even if the book were less focused on the history and unique quirks of the game (much of it reads like an inside story for folks who follow football religiously), its still written largely in football jargon, and reads more like the transcript of a pro-game play-by-play than a novel ought to. Just my thoughts...
On: 2009-09-09
Our womens Book Club is based on a group of middle aged women in a Methodist Sunday School class in Texas. We selected the Blind Side for our book this month. It was a huge success. The story is heartwarming and you finish the book (and the meeting) upbeat and hopeful. Only one member is a big football fan, but most of us work as teachers, lawyers, or in social services. The author did a wonderful job telling a compelling story of "the social services/education system" as well as the game of football and the left offensive tackle position (not that most of us could identify that position on the field, even after reading the book).Many, many laughs at our meeting concerning our ignorance which seasoned the other serious messages in the book concerning the hypocrisy of college athletics, the culture of poverty, and the Religious Right of the South. We recommend this to any womens book club.
On: 2009-09-09
I found out I did not know all I wanted to know about football. What I learned from The Blind Side was interesting, but what the Touhy family did for the game of football and for one young athlete is extra ordinary. The unselfishness of the Touhy family is a revelation in the big heartedness of our American family. This is a must read for everyone in your family. I have read it twice!
On: 2009-09-09
Amazing read of one of the most unique stories of success I have ever encountered.
On: 2009-09-06
This book is the best I have read in a long time. I grew up in Memphis and my son attended Briarcrest Christian School grades 7 - 12. Enjoyed everything about this inspiring book.
On: 2009-09-05
"The Blind Side" is less about the evolution of the game than it is a character sketch of Michael Oher. The book, as most of Michael Lewiss work, is a fun and enjoyable read, but be forewarned this is not same content as "Moneyball", so dont expect it to dramatically change your understanding of football.
Having said that, the story of Michael Oher is a captivating one - from a street corner and no place to call home to an NFL star in a span of several years. The insight into the NFL recruiting process is worth the time alone, except that in the process you will also become intimately familiar with Michael Oher. It should make a great movie.
On: 2009-09-01
Michael Ohers story is certainly interesting, but theres just not enough content for an entire book of this size.
I LOVED the chapters on the evolution of the rush defensive end, the West Coast offense, free agency, and everything else that made the LT position so valuable. The early Michael Oher chapters were fascinating. Once he was making it in school and crushing people on the football field, it became a little tedious.
On: 2009-08-24
Judging from the Amazon reviews, people have really enjoyed this book. It does have engaging subject matter for the sports fan. I purchased it after hearing it mentioned on sports talk radio. The host gave it a strong recommendation. It has a great theme with an interesting subject.
However, this book could have used a strong editor outside of what self editing I imagine Mr. Lewis did or mostly did not do. I good book can drift from theme to theme, but all too often "The Blind Side" makes rapid and disconnected changes in story line. The author seems to over-write -- repeating ad nauseum his points and grinding them in for two or three more paragraphs or pages than needed. How many translated quotes from Ed Orgeron do you need to get the authors point that the former Ole Miss football coach cannot speak the Kings English. Lewis invents a written language to portray the way the coach talks and brings on example after example of Coach Os goofy rantings without introducing us to the real Orgeron.
There is a really great story in this book, but the author fails to create great characters to bring the story to life.
How often do I have to hear how rich the Touhy family, that helps Michael Oher through high school and college, is before that fact sinks in. Maybe more than once, but not many, many times.
"The Blind Side" runs in excess of 300 pages. A skilled editor could hack over 50 pages from it and turn it from 2 stars to 4 stars almost overnight.
Read both this book and the excellent "Rammer Jammer Yellow Hammer" by Warren St. John, and youll see the difference tight editing and proper character development can make. St. Johns book like this Lewis book is a non-fiction football story.
On: 2009-08-14
I picked up this book because I read other books by this author including Liars Poker and Moneyball. I found this book truly inspirational. This is one of those stories that someone will make a movie about. Lewis tells a story about Michael Oher who was born to a drug addicted mother. He struggled through life and with the help of many families ended up playing college football and become one of the best players in the league.
Whether you are a football fan or not, you will be emotionally touched by this story because every single one of us can relate to it. We all, in one way or another, have to struggle through life to achieve whatever it is that we want. If you have read other books by Lewis, this one will not disappoint you.
- Mariusz Skonieczny, author of Why Are We So Clueless about the Stock Market? Learn how to invest your money, how to pick stocks, and how to make money in the stock market
On: 2009-08-04
Maybe Ive just read too much Michael Lewis, but I was really unimpressed by this book. Dont get me wrong, Lewis can tell a story well and make it extremely engaging, but his shtick is to take something that isnt obvious (the advantage of OBP in Moneyball or the craziness of the Wall Street banking culture in Liars Poker) and explain it in a way that makes it seem simple. The problem here is that although he tries to take that approach to the position of left tackle in football, it isnt like hes revealing anything new. Everybody already knows that the blind side is important. In fact, he makes that point himself when talking about the change in the compensation for players filling that role. So, to approach this as if he was shedding light on something nobody else had really brought to public attention doesnt sit very well.
In addition, I was at times turned off by his tone when talking about Michael Oher. I am sure he didnt mean to, but at times, hes extremely condescending both to Michael and to his background. Its like, he used all of his insight investigating a certain position in pro football, and didnt bring any of it to bear on the situation in Memphis poorest areas.
I did enjoy reading the story of Michael Oher, and Im glad I read the book, but there was enough in it that was either distasteful or just caused me to feel impatient with the subject matter that I cant really recommend the book wholeheartedly.
On: 2009-07-31
I am a 45 yr old woman with 4 children. I believe this book should be read by all teenagers who are involved in the game. It is inspiring and touching. The message goes beyond football. It is a labor of love .. a mothers drive and the determination of one HUGE adolescent.
On: 2009-07-15
Well crafted. The author weaves together an inspirational human interest story and an evolutionary view of the NFL to create a delight of a book.
On: 2009-07-04
The Blind Side provides great insight into how the value of the Left Tackle position has risen over the past few years. A fantastic tribute to the Tuohy family who took an otherwise forgotten gentle giant of a boy (Michael Oher), and through continuous support and direction got him noticed by Division 1 universities.
The book provides a good insight into the recruiting process, the hope of the NCAA for student/athletes to turn their lives around and how with a little encouragement and support one can change a life.
Well worth the read. I highly recommend this for parents of high school football players who may not think their kids have what it takes to go to college (academically).
On: 2009-06-12
The story of Michael Oher is one of the great, touching personal stories coming out of the 2009 NFL Draft. From a homeless child born to a drug-addled mother to his early days with a wealthy Tennessee family and onward through high school and college, Michaels tale is remarkable, poignant and touching. It would be difficult to imagine reading this and not being moved by it.
But it is the story of the history of the left tackle position as well as the story of a young boy growing into a man. While it could stand on its own as a coming of age tale, it is in the skilled talents of Michael Lewis and his deft wrapping of the individual threads of history and modern thought with personal challenge, effort and triumph that makes this one of the best sports reads of the decade.
On: 2009-06-08
I couldnt put this book down once I started reading. This is not just a sports book or just a book for a sports fan. Anyone to read this will receive much valuable insights on human nature, charity and what it means to be a family.
On: 2009-06-02
Having read a few of Michael Lewiss books, I was already prepared for his attention to detail in explaining the nuances of a given sport or economic market. i was taken aback by his explanation of how the Left Tackles importance to a successful system was brought about because of another LT...Lawrence Taylor. Ill stop at that only to say that this book is not only an education of the Left Tackle, it also gives way to how such a dominant force who fit the LT mold fought far more battles and overcame many personal roadblocks to become the Baltimore Ravens 2009 1st round pick. Human kindness and the greatness of unconditional love also manifests itself in this Great Read.
On: 2009-05-26
The story of Michael Oher was very good but what I found interesting was the insights of Football, Players and Positions. Michael Lewis should be commended for a great and interesting read. He brought a story of a troubled young man and a loving family together with the talent that he was given together to bless the reader.
On: 2009-05-01
Out of all the books I have read in my life, this was definitely my favorite. "The Blind Side" was fantastic book for so many reasons; it will be tough to fit them all into a decent sized review. The book was about a heavy set boy from the streets who fought his way through life and found himself playing college football. Anyone who enjoys the game of football will really enjoy this read.
My dad was the one who inspired me to read this book and at first sight I was pretty unsure about the book. I knew it was about football and thought it would be another boring read because football is such a big part of my life. But when I read the first few chapters I knew this book was going to be one of a kind and it was. The book went way beyond the aspect of football, but still tied it all back together in the end.
I think I really liked this book because it was connected to my life in so many ways. Like Michael, Im a football player. Understanding the stress of long days on the football field helped me connect to what he was going through. Also, I really liked how the author talked about the all of the different families that helped Michael throughout his career and how each family had their own story. In addition, I really liked the concept of believing in your dreams and never giving up. I felt that the book had great moral concepts and ideas that can be used in the readers life.
One of my favorite parts of the book is when Michael is being nominated into the All-American team and Michael and his friends and family get very emotional. I feel that the author does a great job of expressing the characters feelings and I believe the characters actions are very realistic and can be compared to everyday life. I did feel the book had a flaw or two. I felt that sometimes Michael would receive help in spite of luck which did not seem realistic. In all, I thought the book was outstanding and loved the plot line in which a young boy came from nothing and worked his butt off to succeed in life.
I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys football or anyone who likes to see the underdog come out on top. I wouldnt recommend it to anyone who isnt a huge sports fan. This book is a great read for any age and really brings out the best in people.
On: 2009-04-30
The story of Michael Oher is one that needed to be told, and Michael Lewis presents the story. Ohers story is one that sells itself, and will have anyone who reads the book having trouble putting it down. But when I came to the end, I almost couldnt believe it. There had to be more. More information, more details about Ohers life that didnt make it into the book. And not just with Michael Oher, but with the family that took him in. Lewis hints at how Oher impacted their outlook, and how it changed them going forward, but then fails to provide the details of what actually happened. Lewis also spends far too much time writing about Lawrence Taylor and Bill Walsh, and other NFL players and coaches past and present. It appeared as if he had this information for a story about the NFL, and this story about Michael Oher, and felt the need to combine the two. The chapters on the history of the left tackle could have been greatly reduced, and replaced with more stories and more details about Ohers life.
In all, this is a book people should read because it is about so much more than just football. But when I finished, I wanted more, and I was racing to my computer to run searches on Michael Oher and the other people in the book. I feel like Lewis needed to do a much better job answering these questions for me, instead of leaving me to my own devices to find out.
On: 2009-04-02
The author of "Moneyball" gives another great effort in this story. He takes multiple anecdotes to talk about the emerging importance of the left tackle but the best comes from the unique story of Michael Oher, soon to be a first round NFL Draft pick. The author is close with Ohers adoptive family so that raises some questions, but he tries to answer them. Worth the purchase.
On: 2009-03-09
As a huge fan of football on all levels and a fantasy sports junkie, I found this book really captivating.
It has changed the way I watch a football game and given me context into why the game has evolved in the way it has. I find myself watching the left side of the line in every game -- the crucial battle where most games are won or lost because of the ability or inability of the offense to neutralize the best defensive player on the field.
On: 2009-02-07
Lewis tracks the rise of a high school sport star and how the left tackle (LT) position has changed the past 20 years. I found the stories about the 49ners influence on the passing game almost as interesting as the Michael Oher story. Too bad there is only a chapter and a half about this.
In the afterword, Lewis mentions that he couldnt wait to write this story. I think he knew Oher would be coming out after his junior year and wanted to cash in. In fact Oher decided to stay through his senior season. Lewis should have waited. Michaels story is not complete. The book has a bit of a slap-dash feel to it.
On: 2009-02-06
As I read the book I laughed out loud and I cried. I am glad that one familys reaching out served the greater good. My faith in mankind has been reaffirmed and I am inspired to contribute more as well.
In several ways this book has good economics lessons to learn. First we learn about the gap in material well-being between inner city residents and those in the suburbs in the US through the example of Memphis, Tennessee. Then, through pro football, we see an example of how value in our economic system evolves over time.
While likely not his intent (a la Adam Smith) Michael Lewis has shown why the monopoly structure of sports in the US should be broken up and replaced by a more free market competitive environment. Memphis, like the other 100 of so metropolitan areas in the US, possesses many young men (and women) such as Michael Oher whose access is blocked by the artificial monopoly world of sport abetted by our government.
An open environment of business competition would surely lead to more teams being formed to capture the monopoly profit. With more spots available at the pro level, self interested "brokers" at all levels of coaching would have a greater incentive to search the more difficult areas for prospects.
Michael Lewis has demonstrated that sports have become a huge part of our culture. Fear not that the economic "pie" from sport will shrink by this new competition, for only the share of those with access will shrink.
On: 2009-01-19
The Blind Side features two story lines, one traces the evolution of offensive football since the early 1980s specifically the way it reacted to the way Hall of Fame revolutionized the Outside Linebacker position was played. Thanks to Taylors prowess at rushing the Quarterback, the Left Tackle(who protects the QBs blind side) quickly became one of the most important, and highest-paid positions on the football field.
The second storyline focuses on Michael Oher, who has all the psyical gifts that NFL scouts look for in the prototypical Left Tackle, the problem: can Michael make the grades necessary to play college football? We follow Michael on his journey from impoverished upbringing, to his enrollement at an elite christian school, where he is taken in by a white family, to his eventual enrollment at Ole Miss. Along the way, we are given a glimpse into the often predatory recruiting process that top prospects must negotiate.
Michael is projected to be a first round pick in Aprils NFL draft.
There have only been a handful of great books on Football published in the past 20 years, and this is one of them.
On: 2009-01-19
Anyone looking for a rags to riches story involving football, this is the book for you! A great story, but the narrative is a bit slow in places. A great book for anyone wanting to understand where the different offenses came from, and the importance of the left offensive tackle position.
On: 2009-01-16
Its fair to say that vast majority of casual football fans enjoy watching games without having more than a very general idea of the strategy that lies behind each play. For most spectators, if the quarterback completes a pass, hes doing a good job; if he throws an interception, hes not. If the defense gets a sack, theyre awesome. If they give up a touchdown, theyre struggling. Were happy when our team does well, annoyed when they play poorly, and clueless when it comes to knowing about actual football strategy. Thats what the commentators are for.
In The Blind Side, author Michael Lewis gives readers some excellent tools to use in elevating their level of knowledge about--and appreciation for--the finer points of the game. Specifically, Lewis takes readers through the history of the left tackle position. If this sounds like less-than-thrilling subject matter for a nearly 300-page book, youre in for a surprise.
This is a nonfiction book, but in many places it reads like a novel, primarily because Lewis follows the story of a football player named Michael Oher from his impoverished childhood, through his improbable adoption by a wealthy Memphis family, his surprising high-school football career, and his enrollment on a football scholarship at the University of Mississippi. Oher is a real person, and in telling his as-yet-uncompleted story, Lewis tells the history of the position Oher plays.
The left tackle has become one of the highest-paid positions in professional football, and in a sport where the stars are paid millions per year, thats saying something. Many readers, even those who consider themselves knowledgeable football fans, may be surprised to learn that the seemingly inauspicious offensive-line position is considered one of the most important on the field. The reason, according to Lewis, is that the left tackle protects the quarterbacks "blind side."
The development of the left-tackle position is a fascinating history in itself for those who enjoy reading about football and perhaps remembering some of the notable events the book touches on, but the real story of The Blind Side is the inspirational and touching tale of Michael Oher, the kid from the slums who became a football sensation.
Lewis utilizes an interesting strategy in writing what is essentially a biography of a football player who is not even out of college yet, a tactic that is particularly effective in portraying the ever-evolving nature of football strategy. Readers will come away feeling like they know a little bit about the life of Michael Oher but quite a bit about the position he plays.
Lewiss casual writing style is easy to read but can be confusing at times. His wry perspectives on Southern Christianity may annoy some readers, but for the most part he remains an unobtrusive and unbiased narrator. There is some foul language, as may be expected in a nonfiction book whose real-life characters utilize casual profanity in regular speech, but overall there is little truly objectionable content.
For football fans interested in a wider perspective on the game as well as readers interested in a real-life rags-to-(presumably)-riches story, The Blind Side will entertain and educate.
On: 2009-01-11
I broke a record with this book. Fastest ever time (for me) for completing a slightly over 300 page book. Im not a speed reader, my last two reviews were months in the making because of my attention span with reading. This book captivated it and I could not put it down. I wont say how long it took in total but suffice to say I hung on every word and wanted more.
The story itself about Michael Oher and the family that took him in is amazing. It reaffirms something I have often said about the state of the world and its champions, "The greatest chess player ever is starving to death in Ethiopia right now." A statement that cannot be backed up of course but a story like this backs up its possibility.
I am a huge fan of football and the insight that the author brings about the Left Tackle and how it has come to prominance is impressive. Michael Lewis blends it all in to an amazing read.
This is definitely 5 stars for any fan of American Football or just a fan of a positive life story. Michael Oher will most likely be in the draft this year, he is predicted to go in the first round, probably top 10. I will be watching for sure.
On: 2008-12-16
In left tackle terms this book was a pancake. I cant believe it took me so long to buy this book and read it. During the past year I have passed this book over on numerous occasion instead choosing a number of different titles including "Meat Market". If anyone is out there faced with a similiar choice its a no brainer. The Blind Side goes to the top of my list of this years best reads.
Lewis spins a great tale of the life and times of Michael Oher and the educational and social system that at first neglected him and then helped him rise to national prominence. This story will make you think, make you cry, and make you cheer. The book has something for everyone. If your a non sports fan, the book tackles the public school system. life on the street, and racism. If your a sports fan: Buy this book now!!!!
I loved how Lewis tied the life and times in the evolution of the left tackle position into the story line. With each chapter I either acquired more knowledge, was reminded of historical information, or fascinated by Michael Oher himself. In reading the Blind Side; I got a history lesson, a lesson on compassion, and a lesson on racism in Memphis all in one. The book increased my knowledge about SEC football, recruiting in general, and "The Grove". At the same time my contempt for organizations such as the NCAA and the public school system continued to rise.
On: 2008-10-04
Reading the jacket blurb, one would think that The Blind Side is the football version of Moneyball - full of insights into a new approach to running a football team. And there is a little of that, as Michael Lewis chronicles the emergence of the left tackle as a position of critical importance. I liked this part of the book, even if it ran on too long and was much too repetitive. Ultimately, this book was the story of one talented boy who rose above a life of poverty and neglect, and with the help of many, got himself an education and a chance to play football at the top level. 80% of this book is a Michael Oher bio, and a good one. While the author tried to make this about big issues in football and society, the book is at its best just telling Ohers story. In spite of a number of flaws, this was a biography that I did enjoy, and I learned a little more about football in the process.
On: 2008-09-30
As a person who loves sports but does not have in-depth knowledge of football (nor the patience to read a die-hard Football 101 history book!), this was a great read - both educational & entertaining. Its a wonderful blend of sports history & a real-life story that is still in progress. I highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys the game and a great story. This book is well-written and you dont have to be an expert on the game to thoroughly enjoy it.
On: 2008-09-28
Lewis has always been great at dissecting the strategies people use in sports and business. Business is a big part of big football. And so are the people. As the story unfolds you will be impressed with the evolution of the game and the people who make it happen. And you will have your heart strings tugged by the story of Michael Oher, his adoptive family the Tuohys, Big Tony, and all the rest.
On: 2008-09-06
I loved Michael Lewis Moneyball, and per the suggestion of a friend I picked up The Blind Side. While Moneyball was excellent, The Blind Side may have just topped it.
Michael Lewis has a gift for being able to tell a story in a way that explains the basics of an idea and makes it fascinating to learn about. Prior to reading this book, I would have classified myself as a casual NFL football fan; However, after reading Lewis account of the evolution of the left tackle, it completely changed both the way I think about and watch the game.
As if redefining the game of football wasnt enough, Lewis also has taken a character in Michael Oher and created one of the most interesting, unlikely, and moving stories I have read about. Ohers story gives a sense of hope that by being surrounded by special, caring people, there is no limit to what one can accomplish.
A great book, easily one of the best Ive read all year.
On: 2008-09-03
First to give you full disclosure Im a University of Georgia (UGA)Ball Fan. In the South "Ball" means just one thing, football. Does your son play ball has only one meaning, unless you are a Tech fan, then it could mean basketball, but those guys still carry slide rules.
I bought this book because I thought it was a "sports story". I was wrong. It is an incredible human interest story, also. One which has caused me to laugh out loud and read some passages to my wife and, others, which made me cry.
This should be required reading for every school board official in the country.
Oprah ought to put it in her book club.
The author starts off explaining why an offensive left tackle is important in football (See Lawrence Taylor (L.T) and Joe (How I got my leg broken on national television) Thiesmann. It tells of the evolution of the passing game in the NFL from a steam-roller running game to a finesse passing game ala Bill Walsh (see west Coast Offense that was really born in Cincinnati).
I particular enjoyed the antidote about his official trip to visit the University of Tennessee.
But what will be of greater human interest is the overlay of the story of Michael Oher, the "man/child" currently playing football at Ole Miss. Oher shows up at a predominantly white Christian school in the 9th grade with virtually no school history and horrible family background. An incredibly shy 350 pound kid struggles but ingratiates himself to faculty and staff and manages to stick around. Finally one Thanksgiving Day a volunteer assistant coach and his wife see him at a bus stop in his usual shorts and recognize that in addition to no money for food, he is traveling to the gym to watch practice just to be in a heated room. Through incredible acts of kindness and caring this young man is taken in by this wealthy Christian family who attempt to socialize and educate him for the future.
But little did they realize that at 6 6" with an incredible frame and quick feet, football coaches would see their answer to possibly the most important position on the football field and they would relentlessly come calling. This presents many problems as Oher has virtually no chance of attending college with his past educational background. Thus begins the odyssey of the recruiting wars for this individual who by the end of high school has been called the best pro prospect even though he has played in only 15 football games.
This portion of the book dominates approximately 60% of the book. It is incredibly touching and I certainly applaud the sympathetic, caring approach by Leigh Ann and Sean Tuohy. This book is not just for football fans as the issues here are much greater. How does a child get to the 9th grade with virtually no retention of knowledge or ability to function in a social setting? What can a change in culture and caring do for this young man? And other questions will also appear such as is their potential ulterior motives for selecting this student out of so many and wasnt the final steps to eligibility really inappropriate? As to my opinion I choose to believe that the Tuohys were interested in helping another human being, and in the process, it enriched the lives of their family, this young man and the possibilities that a loving, caring environment can create.
I strongly recommend this book for football fans, sociologists, and people with interest in politics, religion, or Southern Culture as there are many issues intertwined. Once again, the weakness to this book may be that he narrowed its focus by making it a "sports book". Its not. Its main message concerns underprivileged kids and how a change in environment can produce incredible results
I thought it was hilarious that Sean Tuohy read Michael the following and told him that it was about Ole Miss going into the stadium at LSU (THE STADIUM IS KNOWN AS ""Death Valley,":
The Charge of the Light Brigade
by Alfred Lord Tennyson
Half a league, half a league,
Half a league onward,
All in the valley of Death
Rode the six hundred.
"Forward, the Light Brigade!
Charge for the guns!" he said:
Into the valley of Death
Rode the six hundred.
"Forward, the Light Brigade!"
Was there a man dismayed?
Not though the soldier knew
Some one had blundered:
Theirs not to make reply,
Theirs not to reason why,
Theirs but to do and die:
Into the valley of Death
Rode the six hundred.
Cannon to right of them,
Cannon to left of them,
Cannon in front of them
Volleyed and thundered;
Stormed at with shot and shell,
Boldly they rode and well,
Into the jaws of Death,
Into the mouth of Hell
Rode the six hundred.
Flashed all their sabres bare,
Flashed as they turned in air
Sabring the gunners there,
Charging an army, while
All the world wondered:
Plunged in the battery-smoke
Right through the line they broke;
Cossack and Russian
Reeled from the sabre-stroke
Shattered and sundered.
Then they rode back, but not,
Not the six hundred.
Cannon to right of them,
Cannon to left of them,
Cannon behind them
Volleyed and thundered;
Stormed at with shot and shell,
While horse and hero fell,
They that had fought so well
Came through the jaws of Death
Back from the mouth of Hell,
All that was left of them,
Left of six hundred.
When can their glory fade?
O the wild charge they made!
All the world wondered.
Honour the charge they made!
Honour the Light Brigade,
Noble six hundred!
Oh, Im an ex-artillery officer as well.
Highly recommended for educational professionals and members of Boards of education. It wouldnt hurt if you are a fan of college football ,either.
Gunner August, 2008
On: 2008-08-24
this is really a book of three parts: 1. one the emergence of the left tackle position in the nfl and how that happened (bill walsh). 2. michael oher taken in by the tuohys. and 3. michael oher becoming high school football sensation and blue chip recruit.
1. is interesting
2. is heartwarming
3. actually starts to totally undermine 2. i went from thinking the tuohys were great people who wanted to help a poor going nowhere kid to thinking maybe the tuohys were in on some master plan to bring big mike to ole miss. this is ultimately where the book fails, the scheming; also the book is entirely rushed at the end and has no sort of conclusion since oher is still a work in progress at a currently bad football school but seems to be highly thought of by nfl draft gurus. one hopes oher makes it but it seems a difficult road, in the nfl they wont diagram plays for you with kitchen chairs or ketchup bottles and the offenses are extremely complex.
all in all i wouldnt recommend this book it starts with promise but about halfway through you really lose faith in everyone concerned in the book and so it leaves a bad aftertaste.
On: 2008-08-14
My mom recommended this book to me and I finally saw it at the library and put it on the bottom of my reading pile. But when I started reading, I read it very quickly because it is so engaging. This is a book about football, but it is also a book about race and class relations, generosity, luck, and life. It challenges you to think about how far you would be willing to go to help another person and what might happen if you actually did that. Outstanding.
On: 2008-07-23
I saw the author interviewed by Barry Kibrick on the local community college television station. They disgussed the issue of the prohibition against organizations cultivating young potential college-ball recruits with gifts and aid and ["perhaps"] whether this was the motivation in adopting a child from the inner city, it was left unclear, of course BECAUSE IT WOULD BE A MONSTROUS THING TO ADOPT A CHILD SPECIFICALLY TO SERVE YOUR ALMA-MATERS FOOTBALL TEAM!!! This issue is deftly dealt with as an unconfronted secondary matter which really doesnt require that much attention--RIGHT!? This book delibrately avoids a hard look at a real manifestation of SLAVE CULTURE! The act itself renders secondary the childs life to a brief time on a college football team. It is saying that it is less important that a child has a history that is his own, that of his parents and grand parents, and not the history of the rich people who lived across town and were so proud of their third rate college team they just had to have a player--some kind of pet-mascot hybrid whose training program and life perspective and system of values can be molded in any way to suit that end enforcable by law--like a slave. Why? Because in their heart of hearts they believe in slavery. Like Milton Freidman says in "Capitalism and Freedom," [Robinson Crusoe, without his man Friday is not free, because he must fend for his own survival.] It becomes clearer as your read what Freidman means by this... it isnt the freedom of the wage earner that is of value protecting, nor those tied to a salary, or even the freedoms of those with a modicum of wealth, but those whove really created freedom like say in the tens and hundreds of millions of dollars, or even better, billions of dollars worth of wealth. What Freidman shares with most other economists in this regard is this... he chooses to empathize with those most likely to offer him a career and not those who comprise the bulk of humanity. Like this book, "The Blind Side," which acknowldges social strife in the inner city just so far as it hinders a couple of ghoulish gnomes and the recruiting hinderances of their favorite college team! Screw this book, screw Michael Lewis and Barry Kibrick!
On: 2008-07-06
My husband made me read this book. I wasnt looking forward to it. After about 10 pages I was hooked. I knew nothing about football going into this book and absolutely loved it. I got it for my brother for his birthday and he was obsessed. He got it for our father...hes hooked.
Great story of overcoming odds while teaching about the sport of football.
Everyone will enjoy this one!
On: 2008-07-05
On the surface, this is a book about Michael Oher, a poor teenager in Memphis, whose size and speed turn him into one of the countrys top football prospects. Michael Lewis, one of the greats at mapping the intersection between sports and economics, expands the story to include much more. He demonstates why the frenzy occured over someone like Michael Oher (the Left Tackle covers the Quarterbacks blind side, a huge gap after Lawrence Taylor showed exactly how fragile the multimillion dollar QB investments can be) as well as how people try to jump on the bandwagon.
The book is at its finest when it shows the conflicting loyalties of people "helping" Michael Oher improve his life. What are the true intentions of the coach who also is looking for a ticket to a college coaching career? A mentor looking to assist his alma mater? Or even the unwritten - an author looking for a topical subject.
The book is a very easy read, and hard to put down. And you wont ever look at those offensive lineman the same.
On: 2008-07-02
If you liked Moneyball and are hoping this will be its spiritual successor, its not. Its much more a story of one player, Michael Oher, and his travels through high school and college football (as of July 2008 hes still in college so no pro career to speak of).
I used to work as a lawyer for a pro football team so I read these kinds of stories with some personal interest, but if youre looking for a pure sports book buy Moneyball. If you like Lewis writing style and his ability to tell a story you wont be disappointed at all. Its a great story and does contain an interesting analysis of the development of college and pro football and especially the role of the left tackle in the new offence. But its much more personal than Moneyball - much more in the style of Liars Poker, which becomes explained in the afterword when you discover that he knows the family described in the book personally and so he had significantly more insight into their private lives than an ordinary author.
On: 2008-07-01
The Blind Side, by Michael Lewis, is primarily a biography of projected future NFL first-round draft pick Michael Oher and secondarily a history of the evolution of the left tackle position in the NFL.
Lewis chronicles how Oher, who bounced around as a child and never learned to learn, was taken in by the wealthy Tuohy family, how they helped him to learn and to play football, and how he went on to start at Ole Miss. Lewis does an excellent job communicating the characters personalities to the reader, particularly Ohers.
Interspersed throughout the book are historical anecdotes about the evolution of the left tackle position. Lewis gives particular attention to Lawrence Taylor and the shift to fast, destructive pass rushers, and to Bill Walsh, who was one of the first coaches to emphasize protection of the quarterbacks blind side.
While Lewis tells a very interesting story, his writing style has its flaws. He jumps around quite a bit, which is almost as distracting (he just does it one too many times) as the sentence fragments he loves to sprinkle in. Lewis also uses the wrong word a few times. He mixes up "insure" and "ensure". He calls linemen "ectomorphs" (ectomorphs have slender builds). The copy editor for this book was asleep at the switch.
On the whole, this is an interesting and entertaining book about a likable young man, and a good recap of a major strategic shift in the NFL.
On: 2008-06-03
Moneyball was as insightful as it was cutting edge, but Blindside goes to another level entirely.
The glimpses into the mechanics of football, coaching and player selection are brilliant. The humanitarian side is another story all its own. Lewis doesnt pull any punches as he details the circumstances surrounding the discovery of Big Mike by the Tuohys, nor does he gloss over the potential self-serving interests that could have been at the heart of the Tuohys benevolance.
All of these moving parts beautifully packaged into a fantastic (and true) story.
As great as his other books were, I have to give this one the nudge as his best work so far.
On: 2008-05-30
This is a great book about the exlposion on Left Tackle. I assume that all of us can answer the question: Why are left tackles being paid and rated so high since the past decade? We all know because they protect quaterbacks blind side. This book explores in details the answer to the question plus the life of the most rated high school left tackle M. Oher (He almost went to NFL this year but decided to finish his senior year at Ole Miss).
This book is very educated and entertaining while trickering various emotions from Ohers life story. Football fans cant miss this.
On: 2008-04-29
Michael Lewis has done it again, presenting an overview of the evolution within a sport, while providing insightful social commentary within the context of a captivating story.
Like in Moneyball, Lewis tracks the evolution of a major sport within the course of a generation; and like Friday Night Lights (by Buzz Bissinger), the social commentary about the role of sports, the values of our society, and the impact of race/wealth/privilege are presented through a heartful mosaic of incidents. I was especially impressed by the way this story highlights how unequal access to "the system" can be for kids growing up in different backgrounds (not a huge surprise), but what a case study!
I couldnt put the book down and finished at 4 am. I will concur with a previous reviewer who felt a little bamboozled by the disclosure in the afterword about Lewiss relationship with the Tuohys. On the face of it, it seems like there should have been disclosure BEFORE reading the book - allowing the reader to make of it what he would.
On: 2008-04-13
One of the best sports books I have ever read. I enjoyed MoneyBall but could not put down this book. Fascinating.
On: 2008-04-13
Michael Lewis does it again: this time running two wonderful stories in parallel - that of a virtually-orphaned African-American child taken in by a wealthy white family that resoundingly points to nurture rather than nature as a determinant of success; and that of the revolutions in modern football that led to a reliance on the passing game. The reasoning and argumentation behind both of these stories is economic, and as always, Lewis writes with a flair and an ear for dramatization that makes what are sophisticated arguments into a compelling read - believe the story is actually being made into a movie. Terrific page turner.
On: 2008-04-06
This is an outstanding book. Tells a story about a great young man and a great family that overcome a lot together. Fascinating as a sports story, a social commentary, inspirational to anyone who wonders if he can make a difference. And the best part is its all true. A real page turner, more exciting than any novel.
On: 2008-04-03
This book is different from Lewis last few books in that sports takes a back seat to the human element.
Lewiss theme in this book is that when a person is given an honest shot to succeed, then more often than not, that person will succeed. Michael Oher is functionally illiterate and almost incapable of learning when he enters high school. Through the availability of resources provided by Sean and Leann Tuohy, Michael Oher is able to graduate in time and play football at Ole Miss. I felt that Lewis glossed over a lot of the difficulties that Michael must have faced while he was studying. Lewis instead gives us anecdotes that show how Michael Oher is a fish out of water. He does prove his hypothesis that an underprivileged kid can succeed simply by being given love and opportunity.
The book also shows the extreme divide between rich and poor in this country. While Oher was in the projects, no one cared whether he went to school. He spent his days playing basketball and hanging out. When Oher started attending high school in the rich part of Memphis, he was instantly thrust into an environment of privilege. Even when Oher is not living with the Tuohys, he is getting much more of an education than he would otherwise. The most stark example of this divide is that Ohers tutor is a teacher who used to teach in the Memphis Public Schools. Although it is never said, one can imagine she makes close to or more than what she made as a public school teacher tutoring Michael Oher. Lewis does a good job in showing the inequality that still exists between the resources of the rich and the poor.
Finally, the pageantry and politics in big time college football recruiting, Given the recent scandals involving Bobby Petrino and Nick Saban, the reader can see the slimy way these coaches lure young kids to play for their programs. Beginning in his junior year, Oher gets hundreds of letters a week. Coaches are at all of his practices. Ohers high school coach tries to get his by making an assistant coaching job for himself a de facto prerequisite for Oher attending the University of Tennessee. College recruiting comes off as dishonest and unethical.
As usual, Lewis has done a good job of mixing society and sport into an enjoyable narrative.
On: 2008-03-04
This is about Michael Oher, an impressive mass of humanity and football talent from the Memphis ghetto and the evolution of the left tackle position into the 2nd highest and important position on the field after QB. Each could have been there own book, but Ohers is a sad one, at first, a black kid "adopted" by a rich white family and put into an exclusive private school on the right side of the tracks. The Tuohys want it to be believed they saw a kid who needed a break but he would never have darkened their doorway if he wasnt a 6"6" hulk with the body fat of a fullback and speed to play hoops as well. Never mind that he didnt talk at all, there were no previous school records and he was reading at a 3rd grade level. But he does persist and improve and by hook or crook graduates and accepts a scholarship to Ole Miss, where his adoptive parents went. But its hard to read about his upbringing and not cheer for the kid and care less why he got a chance, just as long as did. (and to that end the Touhys say they will do the same for more kids, albeit ones with athletic abilities).
The emergence of the LT position (Ohers spot) in importance is equally riveting, going from a "big ugly" spot where size was the only thing that mattered to getting people who could stop the new breed of pass rusher, equal size hulks with speed, like Lawrence Taylor. Since the game has changed from a running dominated to a passing dominated, the special skills necessary to play effective Left Tackle became more well know and realized, and with that the whole front line gained status and importance. Any game you watch today, the "key" in every broadcaster is how the line plays. Great, fast read.
On: 2008-02-25
The story of a young illiterate black man of gigantic proportions being taken in--adopted-- by a well-to-do white family and, not without some difficulty, making the most of his chance to succeed.
A tragic, but heartwarming story..A little "too perfect," however, when the young man winds up signing with his adopted white fathers alma mater leading some readers, especially those familiar with college football recruiting in the South, to suspect that the author left out or chose to overlook parts of the story---if he in deed had full access to the whole story.
But there is enough ugliness and beauty here, earthy humanity, struggle and sacrifical love to offset that concern or suspicion....And sometimes truth can be stranger than fiction. TThis may be one of those times...
Lots of valuable insight here into the challenges of inner city ghetto life, the challenges inner city high schools face, the recruiting process in the SEC and the evolution of the left offensive tackle position, all good stuff...
Overall, a good book, a very good book, especially since it is a true story...but there is that scent, very faint, but still there....Thats unfortunate and perhaps unfair. But its still there.
On: 2008-02-08
I enjoyed this book even more than Moneyball. Great insight into the college football recruiting process. Also great to see a book recognizing the offensive line position. Lewis discusses football in a way that is deep enough for football fans, yet still understandable for novices. Definitely check this book out.
On: 2008-01-29
I read this book because I really enjoyed MONEY BALL and felt certain Lewis would handle any subject well. He did not disappoint me with this book. If youre looking to read a football book, you wont be disappointed, but youll most likely be surprised by the intimate human story of love, loyalty and leadership that is included. This is a book for anyone looking to expand their awareness of our society and the human race.
On: 2008-01-14
After reading the book I was interested to see if others felt the same as I, that the book felt repetitive as if the author was trying to fill pages. This story could have been a feature magazine article. Half way through I just wanted it to end.
On: 2008-01-12
What did Lawrence Taylor do to the game of football? As outside linebacker for the NY Giants, LT destroyed quarterbacks. He reveled in making his opponents fear him - having ended the career of Joe Theismann, every quarterback entering the field against LT knew the danger of getting hit snd finish a game, a season, or even a contract on the sidelines.
Because of LT, offenses changed to compensate - with a focus on protecting the blind side. With the advent of free agency and salary caps, organizations had to decide the most valuable players on the field. As Lewis demonstrates, the left tackle is the highest paid position in the NFL, secong only to the man they protect - the starting quarterback.
What begins as a commentary on the evolution of a game turns into a narrative of the making of one left tackle. The perfect combination of size, strength, and agility came out of under-privileged Memphis in Michael Oher. Oher began attending a Christian private school and was adopted by the well-to-do Tuohy famiy, which set out to make Oher successful.
Oher, under the watchful eye of the Tuohy family, went from a near illiterate to an average student in just a couple of years. This transformation opened the world of NCAA sports to Oher, which will likely lead him to become the most sought after left tackle in the NFL. Hes currently playing football at Ole Miss.
For even the casual fan, understanding the evolution of the left tackle position is intriguing. After reading this book, its hard to watch a football game without looking to the edge of the screen to see if the left tackle is doing his job. Well, youll at least look for it on replay - when he doesnt do his job, and the team suffers.
While the general trend in the NFL is interesting, the life of Michael Oher is fascinating. The Tuohy family integrating Oher into their lives is an amazing story of charity. The Tuohy family proves that a radical change in environment can make all the difference in the world. Oher was plucked from a wasted world, where his likely future included drugs, gangs, and an early death and inserted into a loving, nurturing home. By recreating his life with the Tuohys, Oher thrived in school & sports. His IQ went from 80 - 100, demonstrating that environment can make all the difference in the world.
To sports fans and educators alike, I recommend this book.
On: 2008-01-11
For almost the entire time I was reading this book - at least the part about Oher - the only thing that kept popping into my mind was how the author (Liars Poker was great, btw) bought the story hook, line & sinker. Why was he siding so strongly with the family, I wondered. Then, right at the end, he admits they were long-time friends.
Its really too bad because the rest of the book has some usefull information and informative side stories. Ohers story is usefull and uplifting as it illustrates the hopelessness of certain classes of society. A good read for even mild football fans like myself but be sure to keep your BS filter on high.
On: 2008-01-08
This book, although well-written, absolutely turns my stomach. The Touhys should not be looked to for inspiration, and their "acts of kindness" have many ulterior motivations. Yes, Oher will have a brighter future because of the family, but lets not overlook the cost. Leigh Anne is proud that she taught Michael that he should shop at "Tiffanys", and that this is a real life education, is a sad commentary on her twisted world view. Is Michael a toy, a sociology experiment, someone she can use to shock her Southern friends?? Sean is proud that Michael gets into his alma mater - yet, the kid cant even read. Oh, thats right, he got straight As by Seans manipulation of the system, gets declared learning disabled(what joy Sean must have felt), and this makes him qualified to play football . . . oops, I mean go to college. What if Michael wasnt 65 and built to play the game? Would they take him in? What a disgrace this family is. Also, is this the "Christian way" of doing things?
The insight into the development of the left tackle is very interesting, on the other hand. Still, I couldnt get around the distasteful family, with their false Christian values, ostentacious ways, and ulterior motives. And, mind you, Michael Lewis is a good friend of Sean Touhys, and likely gives an extremely biased view of them. I dont plan of reading another of Lewis books again.
On: 2008-01-08
Ole Miss is a great university. This book is a great read. It will change the way you think for sure!!!
On: 2008-01-07
This book, although well-written, absolutely turns my stomach. The Touhys should not be looked to for inspiration, and their "acts of kindness" have many ulterior motivations. Yes, Oher will have a brighter future because of the family, but lets not overlook the cost. Leigh Anne is proud that she taught Michael that he should shop at "Tiffanys", and that this is a real life education, is a sad commentary on her twisted world view. Is Michael a toy, a sociology experiment, someone she can use to shock her Southern friends?? Sean is proud that Michael gets into his alma mater - yet, the kid cant even read. Oh, thats right, he got straight As by Seans manipulation of the system, gets declared learning disabled(what joy Sean must have felt), and this makes him qualified to play football . . . oops, I mean go to college. What if Michael wasnt 65 and built to play the game? Would they take him in? What a disgrace this family is. Also, is this the "Christian way" of doing things?
The insight into the development of the left tackle is very interesting, on the other hand. Still, I couldnt get around the distasteful family, with their false Christian values, ostentacious ways, and ulterior motives. And, mind you, Michael Lewis is a good friend of Sean Touhys, and likely gives an extremely biased view of them. I dont plan of reading another of Lewis books again.
On: 2007-12-29
Easily one of the best books I have ever read. I dont read a lot...probably one to three books a year, and I simply COULD NOT put this book down. I was moved to tears at some points reading the story of Michael Oher, and was fascinated by not only the "evolution of the game", but by the evolution of Michael as a person due to some major divine intervention in his life. I was gripped from the opening recounting of Lawrence Taylors career-ending sack on Joe Theissman, and wanted more even after the epilogue. Ive also read "Meat Market", and this book is WAY better than that (they both also feature ex-Ole Miss coach Ed Orgeron, which was interesting). Anyways, stop reading this review and buy the book already!
On: 2007-12-27
One hallmark of a great professor in college is that the kids recommend the class to non-majors. Im essentially a non-major in football; I watch the Rose Bowl parade and Ive been to 4 college games. Despite my inherent non- interest in the game, Lewis drew me into a fascinating, relevant world beyond the familiar television analysis and colour commentary. The combination of coaching analysis and the personal Oher story make for a great perspective into how the massive football industrial machine works. Just as you dont need to care about baseball to enjoy Moneyball, same for TBS.
On: 2007-12-24
Im a big Michael Lewis fan. I read Moneyball and loved it, but I figured thats because baseball is my favorite sport. So when a colleague got me a copy of Lewis latest book, The Blind Side, I figured Id read it but not right away; after all football is #3 or #4 on my list of must-watch sports, so whats the rush?
I finally started reading it recently and finished it last night. Now I wish I would have started sooner. Its every bit as good as Moneyball but from a completely different perspective. The Blind Side tells the story of Michael Oher, an extremely poor individual from Memphis who is an incredible physical specimen. Its his physical abilities that get everyones attention, including the NCAA. In fact, if youre looking for a book to show you just how incompetent and silly the NCAA can be, well, youve found the winner with The Blind Side.
Besides the story of Oher, Lewis also uses this book to document the left tackles meteoric rise in importance and pay scale in the NFL. The book is filled with interesting behind-the-scenes observations from coaches and players alike. For example, I dont think Ive ever read so much about Lawrence Taylors career-ending hit on Joe Theismann.
All in all, this is an excellent summary of a position and a player who is currently still in college but should soon be making his mark in the NFL. Its also an inspiring story of a family who took him in and gave him a chance. In short, theres something in this for everyone regardless of whether youre a big time football fan.
On: 2007-12-18
I am currently reading this book for the second time. I enjoy the uniqueness of Michael Ohers personality, especially in the context of his personal environment. However, while reading this again Ive come across at least four misspelled names without searching them out. Included are misspellings of Matt Leinart (Leinert), Adrian Peterson (Petersen), Patrick Ramsay (Ramsey), and Bob Stoops (Stoopes). I guess I will never understand this amount of errors in a major release.
On: 2007-12-13
This is simply a great story, with lots of great football intertwined in it. I enjoyed every minute of reading it, and will probably read it again sometime. Highly recommend this book.
On: 2007-11-27
The Blind Side by Michael Lewis continues the discussion started in Moneyball about assessing the value of athletes. This story begins by discussing the role of passing vs. running, the way that a one or two gifted linebackers could put a passing game in jeopardy, and - therefore - the need for even more gifted offensive linemen to stop those linebackers. Since the most vulnerable line of approach for the quarterback is from the right linebacker, then the left offensive tackle is now exceptionally valuable. The title The Blind Spot refers to the, usually right-handed, quarterbacks blind spot to his left as he prepares to pass.
However, in a very real sense, this book is really about our inability to see the inherent value in the people who are around us every day. Michael Oher - pronounced like oar - is the left tackle profiled in the book. Through a series of unlikely events Mr Oher goes from being a gentle giant of a teenager with no family, no education, and no future except, perhaps, as a bodyguard to a functional college student with tremendous potential as a professional athlete and/or businessman. This is the real story of The Blind Side.
The real question that must be asked after reading this book is how much human talent and capital is being wasted because we simply can not see it in front of us. If we could only find and develop that talent, how much richer, healthier, and free would we be as a country? The answer is not clear.
Nor is the story of Mr Oher completely finished yet. At the risk of passing a judgement that Im not qualified to give, Mr Oher seems to have had some sort of mild autism, which ironically protected him from some of the more unsavory elements in his environment. Even so, the hardest challenges may be yet ahead of him. Many gifted athletes from Jim Thorpe to Mike Tyson have allowed fame and wealth to destroy them.
This is a thought provoking book that can be read on many levels. Strongly recommended.
On: 2007-11-27
Before reading this book, I figured this would be like Moneyball, but more towards football. it is in a way, but this has a lot more info on the life of Michael Oher, and less on the evolution on the left tackle in the game of football. However, that is not to say this is a bad thing. By looking at the life of Oher, and everything about him, from his upbringing, to his recruitment by the biggest names in college football, Michael Lewis tells a great story about not only a person, but about the game of football. This book gives great insight about where the game of football is going, as well as how it has changed in the past couple of decades. Great read, and highly recommended for all football fans.
On: 2007-11-15
Football fan or not, "The Blind Side" is a fascinating look at the game of football, The South and the lives of inner city youth raised in poverty. You will recognize several people in this book, and look at football in a new way. Lewis has combined several stories into an inspiring book about one person who was able to overcome formidable disadvantages and triumph.
by: pitydafoo On: 2007-11-06
The Blind Side: Evolution of a Game by Michael Lewis is the authors most recent (to date) book, and it takes the reader into the poorly-understood and frequently overlooked football position of Left Tackle.
How Lewis does this is by telling the story of a young man named Micahel Oher - a young, troubled, and supremely talented football player, who goes from being practically homeless for most of his life to earning a football scholarship at Ole Miss.
Lewis does a great job of drawing the reader in with real-life drama, not only when hes focusing on Oher, but also when re-telling the real-life stories of former NFL players such as Lawrence Taylor, the legendary defensive end who convinced offensive coordinators of the importance of the left tackle position.
Like Moneyball, Lewis ends up telling multiple stories in one book, which give the reader a larger and more complex look at football and the men that play it.
The only drawback I can come up with is that, at times, Lewis doesnt take a particularly objective approach to his subject. Hes rooting for Michael Oher to succeed a little too much, and dubs a real woman as "NCAA Lady". To Lewis, this woman isnt so much another character with an honest purpose so much as a faceless antagonist sent to crush Michael Ohers chance of getting a scholarship.
Such bias is understandable, as Lewis explains in the end of the book that he came to know Michael Oher and his new family personally, and clearly spent a good deal of time talking with them.
Given how steeply stacked the odds against Michael Oher seem to be, the story is an inspiring one of perseverance and courage. And it is one that any sports fan will almost certainly enjoy.
On: 2007-11-06
Im not particularly a football fan (Im a recovering Washington Redskins fan living on the West coast), but Ill readily admit to being a fan of Michael Lewis work. Ever since Liars Poker, Ive loved the way he brings together the big and the small in a story, ultimately tying high-level trends to human stories. The Blind Side upholds Lewis high standards. I read the book in one sitting on a flight to Asia, and I have to blame the book for depriving me of many hours of sleep. This is a book that somehow manages to thoughtfully examine race and class in the South, as well as the development of the game of football.
I have to confess that as a boy I was a huge Washington Redskins fan, and I thought I well remembered the infamous play that ended Joe Theismanns career. Lewis takes the analysis of that play--and with it, the changes that it represented in the game--to a whole new level. From Lawrence Taylors famous sack, we see the development of a kind of arms race to deploy first enormous left tackles, and then equally enormous and strong offensive players to counter them. Lewis goes back through footballs history to see how the game evolved from running to passing, and then looks at how passing offenses drove new defensive tactics. He takes what could be dry history and brings it to life with vivid recreations of critical plays in past games that represent milestones in the evolution hes charting. I probably wont be able to watch a passing play in football the same way again.
The second thread Lewis follows in the book is is the touching story of Michael Oher, an enormous and enormously talented young man who narrowly avoids falling through the cracks in the projects of Memphis. Oher is a boy with every physical gift but every conceivable social disadvantage. Through the caring and kindness of new adoptive parents, the Tuhoy family, he is set on a course to attend college. Of course, nothing is that simple, and The Blind Side doesnt shy from leaving some ambiguity as to whether the story of Michael Oher has really taken a good course. Lewis handles this openly and deftly, with the result that you dont feel as though hes simply a cheerleader rooting for Oher and his adoptive family. That said, I was eagerly turning the page, hoping to read of a happy ending for Oher. It is truly compelling stuff.
Bottom line: I couldnt stop reading The Blind Side until I was out of pages. Then I just wanted more. Its an example of some of the best nonfiction writing you can find today. And it might even make you like football again.
On: 2007-10-22
M. Lewis provided a view of recruiting in the South East that comes off as if the Coaches were Country Bumbkings. They just cant be the clowns as described and field the teams they do. Entertaining, but a bit extreme.
A very heart warming personal story about a fine athlete. His three years as starting left tackel for Ole Miss has shown he is one of many in the Conference with size and speed. He may have reached his level of development. He has not exceled as in high school.
It was good to see the premium placed on linemen yet they are considered body guards for the quarterbacks.
Ole Miss, under Coach Vaught, was known for the size and speed of its linemen. Gene Hickerson, his brother Willie Hickerson, Crawford Mims, Charlie Duck, Bob Allison, Billy Yelverston as examples. The premium on left tackels is not a new one. Just not discussed. Ole Miss in those Vaught days had three teams that on any given day could play each other and come out almost even each game. Never think that Ole Miss Recruiters were ever at the low level described in the book. The earth shook when Wobbel Davidson visited a home. A real pro. and gentleman. The best scout and recruiter in the Southeast. He was creditable, respected and respectful. In the 50s speed, toughness and grades were the key to being recruited at Ole Miss. Look back at the records. I was there and proud of all my teamates, and Coaches. Look at the mess we have now.
On: 2007-10-21
Very few non football people can capture the intricacies of success in football like this author did. Whether you are skeptical over motives ,or appalled by the reality that americans crave to be involved with football, you get the facts of life about high school football recruiting, and NCAA recruiting. I admire the family that took him in and hope she does find a building to house other athletes in need. If you want to know what really goes on inside of high school and college football read this book.
On: 2007-10-17
This is the most unusual sports book. Michael Lewis, the author of books like Moneyball, has written two stories, intertwined with each other to illustrate his point about how football has radically changed since the rise of what is known as the "West Coast Offense" and its secondary reaction, the rise of fast, large defensive players, and the final reaction, the rise of particularly the Left Tackle position, now the second highest paid position in the NFL.
Lewis begins by telling the story of Bill Walsh and the rise of the West Coast offense in the NFL in the early 80s, and how it was almost rejected out of hand by the powers that be. The success of the San Francisco 49ers and its role in changing the financial resources of the sport from a TV football viewing audience, led to the need for fast defensive lineman, like Lawrence Taylor, which led in turn to the development of the left tackle position, which is now the second highest paid position in the League, due to a demand for specific physical skills which are almost impossible to find for that role.
Then Lewis telescopes to a most remarkable story: the young, troubled life of Michael Oher, from Memphis, TN. Lewis does show how the colleges have developed NFL tendencies, and how the demand for information about specific talent has been met by people like Tom Lemming and his ground breaking recruiting services of the past 30 years. Oher is a most unlikely story. He was given up by his family, the state welfare agencies, schools, foster agencies, etc., until one day, an older friend took him to an evangelical school in a wealthy, mostly white, suburb of Memphis in hopes of giving him a Christian education.
Oher has no academic skills and has been beat down by life so much, he has no social skills, and does not fit in at all with the other students, until one day, out of kindness and mercy, he is given the opportunity to try out for the schools football team, where runs one drill and stuns the team. Soon at practice, the school field is lined with representatives of nearly major college football in the southeast, and the first drill is interrupted by Clemson assistant Brad Scott telling the staff, in Ohers presence on the field, that Oher has a full scholarship waiting for him at Clemson. Oher is eventually adopted by the Tuohy family, a millionaire family, well connected in sports and business, and the culture clash, between a wealthy, devout family and a social reclusive, poor, giant of a kid takes up the remainder of the book, until Oher eventually enrolls at the Tuohys alma mater, Mississippi.
Lewiss story is satisfying from many perspectives. He goes deep into the modern cultural and financial behemoth of American football to show why it is working the way it is today. He illustrates well, the lingering tensions in America today between white and black, poor and wealthy, urban and suburb, family breakdown, and college admissions. This reviewer, a graduate of a southern Christian high school, sees where Lewis gets right many things about that movement: a deep sense of piety, a dedicated work ethic, and at many times an oblivious nature to how the rest of the world works, and an inability to deal with many problems endemic to modern children in a deep way: poverty, family breakdown, etc. Though Lewis does get right the sense of mercy that exists among many, motivated by their faith, to help someone in need, whether they understand the costs or not.
Lewis, unfortunately, does not reveal his longstanding personal relationship with the Tuohy family, going back to their undergraduate years until the end of the book. It would have been helpful for a journalist to reveal that early on. And, Lewis is a bit too sympathetic in explaining a fight Oher got into over a personal insult in his freshman year at Ole Miss, that led to a small child being hurt accidentally.
The Blind Side is a remarkable tale of sport, money, class, culture, family and how faith interacts with real individuals dealing with impossible situations.
On: 2007-10-11
Ive enjoyed all of Lewis work, but this is his best yet. Its a wonderfully complex story of football history and social commentary. Its one of those books that you shouldnt pick up late at night, because you wont be able to put it down.
On: 2007-09-23
The storyline of this book is well known, so I wont review it.
I was highly entertained - the writing is excellent, the story compelling and true.
At the same time, the clear inequities in rescuing just one person from the millions in similar situations was laid bare. Even more troubling to me was the apparently delusional notions of the good Samaritan that he was driven to help the poor rather than the basketball and football teams of his high school and college. Ethical lapses were rampant - The father lied to the NCAA investigation about ignorance of details, he inflated grades with questionable correspondence courses, and generally compromised the academic standards of the high school. The mother lobbied teachers for special treatment, and they intervened with the Ole Miss administration to mitigate the potential criminal charges when Michael nearly badly injured someone just for some insulting comments, which resulted in injuries to a small child. The parent had a friend of Michaels offered scholarships so he could attend the same school, and were proud of their younger son for asking for his own personal favors from the visiting coaches during recruiting season.
The author was not immune, recounting the way the likable giant Michael dominated his high school games as though it was Hercules saving the day, when my impression was more of subverting into a cult of personality for the future pro an amateur contest in which many kids might otherwise get some recreation.
The saving grace is the author includes all the facts (so far as I can tell), and I wound up liking all the people involved despite their flaws, as well as being impressed by their accomplishments.
An enlightening and engaging book, which I highly recommend for people with at least a moderate interest in and knowledge of football.
On: 2007-08-23
First and foremost: The Blind Side is not Moneyball for football.
There are two primary storylines. First, the inner-workings of modern professional football as told through the evolution of the left tackle (aka the "blind side"). Second, the lives of top high school football recruits, as told through the story of one impoverished high school kid who happens to be a "freak of nature" football prospect.
I would have liked to have seen more of the first, Moneyball-esque, storyline, and less of the second. Unfortunately for me, Lewis focuses on the second.
On: 2007-08-11
Buy this book! I enjoyed it so much that, after reading it, I immediately went online and searched for more information about the main character and his current team. The author, Michael Lewis, also does a wonderful of job of weaving in pertinent background information about the history of the NFL passing game, and the importance of the left tackle position in football. If youre looking for a great read, look no further! Michael Ohers story is as inspiring as it gets!
On: 2007-07-21
Ive read all of Michael Lewis books except "Coach" (as a friend recently commented, "lets leave those to Mitch Albom"). Lewis has made a career out of counter-intuition. "The Blind Side" fits well into the Lewis groove. The casual fan watches football and thinks quarterback, running back, wide receiver. But Lewis takes you through the games evolution (with its increased reliance on precision passing) and shows you why the left tackle has become the games second-highest-paid position. As Lewis notes, as the salaries of quarterbacks have risen, so has the cost of insurance. And, on the football field, quarterback insurance is personified by the left tackle...protector of the blind side.
As one reviewer notes here, The Blind Side contains "many stories, all good." Exactly. While the incredible tale of Michael Oher consumes a good portion of the book, there are other great stories. For example, Lewis paints a brilliantly vivid picture of Lawrence Taylors impact on the league; and I love the juxtaposition of Bill Walshs brand of football (as personified by Joe Montana) vs. Bill Parcells brand of football (as personified by LT).
Im tempted to say this might be Lewis finest work. The only reason I wont is because of the monster that is Liars Poker: Rising Through the Wreckage on Wall Street, a book that people may well be referencing 50 years from now. Im also a big fan of the under-appreciated "Trail Fever" (released as Losers: The Road to Everyplace but the White House - which I bet Lewis hated since the whole point of the book was that the so-called losers were lifes real winners - in paperback). But "The Blind Side" is surely the authors best storytelling. I bet hell agree to that.
On: 2007-07-12
If you dont care a lick about football, you probably wont get much out of this book; but if you have even a glimmer of interest in football and enjoy books that are well written, then do yourself a favor and read Blind Side. Michael Lewis is someone who can develop a story--he writes stunningly well.
On: 2007-06-08
Lewis fans will not be dissappointed by this wonderful read. As always, Lewis explains the evolution of his subject, in this case an offensive left tackle, in an interesting, compelling, and fact-based manner. His humor is ever present and he takes fair shots at all participants. Lewis keen eye for socio-economic and cultural dynamics is actually surpassed by his ability to communciate the nuances in a direct, unflinching way. I always enjoy Lewis writing style, which I feel is a little like Hemingways short, athletic prose. At the end of the day what Lewis is really really good at is understanding that shifts in culture (sports, business, etc) happen because certain individuals make them happen. His ability to delve into the lives of these people and help us get to know them is what makes his books so interesting.
On: 2007-06-05
Incredible book! Michael Lewis even topped himself (Moneyball) in this book. Very entertaining book and insightful about the evolution of football told through the story of the top blue-chip football recruit.
I recommend this book to anybody
On: 2007-05-21
MONEYBALL by Michael Lewis was one of the finest books
on baseball I have ever read . . . I can now say that his
latest, THE BLIND SIDE, was one of the finest books on
football I have ever read--or make that heard (in that
I listened to it on CD).
It was so good, in fact, that at the end I found myself
staying in my car one afternoon because I wanted
to see what happened . . . and when it was over, I
thought to myself, "Too bad. This is a story I wanted
to continue."
But methinks it will, in that we will most probably hear more
about Michael Oher (its main character) . . . it concluded
with Oher still in college after what might be described as
an improbable climb from his being a homeless Memphis
kid to a career that will likely take him into the National
Football League.
En route, Lewis touches upon many fascinating subplots:
the role of the left tackle in the game, how society lets
young black youngsters drop out of the educational
system, collegiate recruiting, the NCAA, and how diploma
mills lead to both college credits and degrees.
You dont have to be a sports fan to enjoy THE BLIND
SIDE . . . those interested in education and sociology
will like it, along with anybody else looking for a story
that will hold your attention from beginning to end.
I got a particular kick out of this book because it made
many long car rides go quickly, in large part due to
Grover Gardners excellent narration.
On: 2007-05-19
I agree with most of the reviewers that I enjoyed reading about how left tackles became so important and well-paid in football. While much less technical than Lewiss work on "Moneyball," I found it well-written and interesting.
However, the larger story is about Michael Oher, a teenager growing up in Memphis who has been neglected and ignored by the public school system. A rich white couple take him into their home, become responsible for him, and he is able to attend college and will likely become a major NFL prospect. A great story about sacrifice, overcoming adversity, the American dream, etc. Right?
Not so fast. Because questions are raised: why did this couple bring this teenager into their home. Apparently, while Sean Tuhoy regularly worked with minority kids at a local posh Christian academy, he never essentially adopted one before. Why this one? While Lewis leads us to believe it is from the goodness of the Tuhoys hearts and portrays them as essentially faultless saints, there are obvious ulterior motives. Is it a coincidence that Oher decides to marticulate at the Tuhoys alma mater, Ole Miss, where they are still highly involved? Was anyone else struck by Leigh Ann Tuhoy stating emphatically that Oher was not going to Tennessee when he expressed interest in that school? (Personal bias alert: I went to UT) Obviously there was something fishy going on here: the NCAA investigated the Tuhoys because their actions were highly suspicious. Lewis paints the NCAA as intrusive and the Tuhoys as simply protecting themselves against an aggressive institution that is wrongly accusing them.
Oh, by the way, Lewis admits to being an old friend of Seans. They go way back together, and it was Sean discussing Oher that made Lewis interested in the story. Of course, all of this is admitted at the end of the book, when our minds have been made up by a few hundred pages of absolution and explanation.
Sorry, this book seems like a marketing strategy to me. I couldnt help but think the Tuhoys wanted Oher at Ole Miss, got caught by the NCAA, and here is Lewis turning the tide of public opinion back to the Memphis saints.
Personally, I think giving Oher a chance he would not have had otherwise is outstanding, regardless of which school he attends. But this book felt extremely dishonest to me. I wonder if Lewis friendship with the Tuhoys colored his journalistic integrity. Check that; I have no doubt it did.
On: 2007-05-18
I agree with most of the reviewers that I enjoyed reading about how left tackles became so important and well-paid in football. While much less technical than Lewiss work on "Moneyball," I found it well-written and interesting.
However, the larger story is about Michael Oher, a teenager growing up in Memphis who has been neglected and ignored by the public school system. A rich white couple take him into their home, become responsible for him, and he is able to attend college and will likely become a major NFL prospect. A great story about sacrifice, overcoming adversity, the American dream, etc. Right?
Not so fast. Because questions are raised: why did this couple bring this teenager into their home. Apparently, while Sean Tuhoy regularly worked with minority kids at a local posh Christian academy, he never essentially adopted one before. Why this one? While Lewis leads us to believe it is from the goodness of the Tuhoys hearts and portrays them as essentially faultless saints, there are obvious ulterior motives. Is it a coincidence that Oher decides to marticulate at the Tuhoys alma mater, Ole Miss, where they are still highly involved? Was anyone else struck by Leigh Ann Tuhoy stating emphatically that Oher was not going to Tennessee when he expressed interest in that school? (Personal bias alert: I went to UT) Obviously there was something fishy going on here: the NCAA investigated the Tuhoys because their actions were highly suspicious. Lewis paints the NCAA as intrusive and the Tuhoys as simply protecting themselves against an aggressive institution that is wrongly accusing them.
Oh, by the way, Lewis admits to being an old friend of Seans. They go way back together, and it was Sean discussing Oher that made Lewis interested in the story. Of course, all of this is admitted at the end of the book, when our minds have been made up by a few hundred pages of absolution and explanation.
Sorry, this book seems like a marketing strategy to me. I couldnt help but think the Tuhoys wanted Oher at Ole Miss, got caught by the NCAA, and here is Lewis turning the tide of public opinion back to the Memphis saints.
Personally, I think giving Oher a chance he would not have had otherwise is outstanding, regardless of which school he attends. But this book felt extremely dishonest to me. I wonder if Lewis friendship with the Tuhoys colored his journalistic integrity. Check that; I have no doubt it did.
On: 2007-05-17
This book had me hooked in the first paragraph. A friend of mine described it as a book about how LT changed the face of football. On a very basic level that is true, however, I think that doesnt describe the overall depth of the book.
This book gives the reader a lot to consider including what and who we value in society, the money involved in high school, college and professional sports and a good understanding of how obnoxious the college recruiting process is.
I have recommended this book to a bunch of friends and none have been disappointed.
On: 2007-05-17
Lewiss The Blind Side is an excellent depiction of all that is wrong with intercollegiate athletics and our societys insistence on pushing young Black males into sport as a road out of poverty. Lewis provides an interesting backdrop in terms of the evolution of footballs left tackle position in building the foundation for the story of the growth and subsequent recruitment of the books protagonist, Michael Oher. Ohers story is the story of the American Dream. A young kid mired in poverty finds his way to a group of people who care strongly for him, make a home for him, and help him navigate the road to college.
But what is most interesting is Lewiss look at the nightmare side of this story. Lewis reveals much of the dirty underbelly of high school and collegiate sport, especially concerning the ways the least academically prepared high school athletes are assisted in meeting admissions and eligibility standards.
Ohers is a story that needs to be told and Lewis has done well in illuminating much of the hidden processes involved in school sport.
On: 2007-05-17
History meets drama. This book provides the reader with an insight into the back alleys of West Memphis and Southern Detroit. It showcases both the game of American football and how it came to be, and the life of an under-privelaged boy gifted with size and athleticism. I wont say any more at the risk of ruining the book for you. This is a great book, and it cant hurt to buy it. Tom Cutler, 12 years old.
On: 2007-05-16
This book was one of the best my husband and I have ever read! We had borrowed it from a friend and decided we wanted our own copy. We bought three and gave the other two to two of our grandsons.
Knowing this inspirational story is real made it so inspiring. What a family and what a young man! We will be watching Michael Oehrs career. The historical facts about football were also interesting. I will look at the game in a new light.
On: 2007-05-16
I think when most people think of Michael Lewis, they think of Moneyball - the book that rocked major league baseball. I also think of Liars Poker, an interesting look into the bond business in the eighties. Heck, I still quote "Equities in Dallas" from time to time. Anyway, when I saw this, I was excited because football is the most strategic of all sports, and this could have shed a lot of light on such a fascinating subject.
Unfortunately, that was not the case. It is an interesting book, but the "Evolution" of the game is that left tackles are now considered pretty important. Thats the evolution. Sorry I gave it away. There is some history of football, recruiting, the west coast offense, and the development of the offensive line, but its not that much.
Most of the book is a touchy feely story of an offensive tackle who is adopted by a rich white family and through their help, turns his life into an living afternoon television special. While somewhat touching, it got a little too bogged down in the details and turned pretty much into a sappy drama.
Yes, it is readable, and fun, but really nothing to recommend.
On: 2007-04-14
Michael Lewis has done it again. Recommend it highly to anyone that has appreciated his previous manuscripts.
On: 2007-04-11
Not just another football story. Michael Lewis tells the story of a young African American boy whose road should have ended in poverty, but instead, rides a highway to promise. The main character is Michael Ohr, a youngster born into abject poverty and dispair. He is rescued by a family, whose love and nuturing attempt to give the boy hope and a future. But, Michaels past continually works against him on and off the football field. A must read for those who love an uplifting, inspirational piece of non-fiction that is less about football and more about the game of life.
by: Anonymous On: 2007-04-10
This story of a young man who rose from nothing to play professional football will captivate and inspire you. There is also plenty of football history wound into the story.
On: 2007-03-22
Michael Lewis has done it again. If you liked his masterpiece, Moneyball, youre really going to enjoy The Blind Side. If youre intrigued by what I suppose could be classified as intellectual sports studies, then this book is your next beach read. It is half a Freakonomics for football and half a compelling personal story of a hard-luck but gifted, almost too quirky to be real young man whose life was saved because his natural gifts suited him for the most underappreciated position in football, the Left Tackle. This story is so amazing that Id be shocked if it doesnt become a movie. And the intellectual side of the book will help the reader see the game in a whole new way.
On: 2007-03-18
Ive enjoyed all of Michael Lewis works, going way back to "Liars Poker". This work combines a fascinating look both at the horrors facing inner city youth and the culture of collegiate recruiting. Its an easy and engrossing read
On: 2007-03-11
The main protagonist is a person who has experienced a childhood that was barely civilized. While it appears things have worked out much better than they started, it has only been because of a series of very unlikely events.
After reading this book, I sent it to a couple of friends in Japan. I did that to show them the best and the worst that American society has to offer. Yes, its true that someone can rise from nothing. But one can also fall VERY far down, and that happens all to often. In a society like Japan, this entire story would be practically impossible. Of course not because of a lack of pro football, but because the society constricts movement up...and down to a large extent.
I have to say, I dont know (or care) much about football, and still found the history of evolution of the left tackle position very interesting. It has not increased my interest in the game, but at least I appreciate that football is FAR more complex than I thought it was.
I recommend the book for both of the themes above. And the author has a gift for bringing characters to life, that makes them very real and quite human.
On: 2007-03-08
This was an interesting read. The book starts out with a good history lesson on the importance of the left tackle, and provides some good trivia about coaching in the NFL. The book quickly turns into a cronicle of a poor high school student trying to get into major college football. If you find the book on sale and you enjoy football, jump on it.
On: 2007-03-08
Michael Lewis has a unique style to his writing that keeps you engaged and interested throughout the book. This is an interesting vignette into high school, college, and pro football, and how the left tackle position has evolved over the last 20 years. I recommend it highly!
On: 2007-03-07
Like many, I became familiar with Michael Lewis writing after the fabulous "Moneyball" where he takes a look at the finances of baseball. Now Lewis dives into the seamy world of prep and college football recruiting, and the horrors of ghetto life. Yeah, the book is about the evoluation of the left tackle in the pro game, thats only part of it.
Lewis follows the life of Michael Oher, who was raised with nothing in the Memphis ghetto. He stumbles upon the wealthy Tuohy family, and the story takes off. Lewis has an interesting literary technique where hell leave the main story behind to interview former NFL players and coaches about the importance of the left tackle, particularly on how it helped Bill Walsh secure some Super Bowl victories. At time this literary device can be frustrating -- we want to move on with Michaels life -- but it serves a good purpose. After a historical chapter, were back on track.
Of course the corrupt world of college football recruiting is depicted in detail. The Tuohy family provide an interesting dynamic. They help Michael greatly; theyre also part of the corrupt system. As warm a heart as the parents are, one gets the feeling that they would not help a similar kid if he was not a superstar athlete. Even near the end of the book, Mrs. Tuohy is so upset about the shooting of a former Memphis prep star she says shes going to open a home for poor athletes and she says she doesnt care if she gets criticized because its just for athletes because, "Thats all we know!" Well, gee, how difficult is it to reach out to non-athletic kids? Perhaps the Tuohys should use their Ole Miss educations for that. I constantly went back and forth on my feelings of the Tuohy family. At one point when I thought they were opportunists, Leigh Anne and Sean would turn around and do some pretty big-hearted things. The good far outweighs the bad with them, but they seem to treat life like a homecoming football game and prom.
Lewis doesnt take an editorial stance on all this, he lets us make form our own opinions. Yes, a lot of it is disturbing, like how Sean never read a book his whole time as a star athlete at Ole Miss, and even didnt have to take English writing at the school, one could substitute Spanish. Nearly every community college in America requires English, yet that vaunted institution University of Mississippi apparently has no standards. Its also disturbing how Sean speaks for Michael when hes interviewed by the NCAA, and along with his wife they scheme some BYU internet classes to get Michael eligible for collegiate football, when in reality he should be going to a community college, not a so-called rigorous SEC research university. After reading this, yes, one feels like they need to take a shower and it makes me glad I didnt attend such a paltry college like Ole Miss. Im guessing outside of Vanderbilt, most SEC schools could give a darn about academics as long as the football team is winning. Michael Ohers private high school had tougher standards than Ole Miss.
The evolution of the game is the sub-title, but its misleading. Rather its an insightful and disturbing look at poverty, class, corrupt college athletics, a conflicted family that wants to do whats right for a poor kid but also wants some glory for their alma mater, and finally the importance of the left tackle in todays game. Lewis ties it all together extremely well.
I cant wait for his next book.
On: 2007-03-04
This is one of the more inspirational yet disturbing books Ive read in a long time. Michael Oher, the central figure, was a huge kid on a path to no where in the Memphis projects until he was admitted to a white private school and adopted by a wealthy family from the other side of town. He was born with incredible athletic gifts, but had never been nurtured or given an education of any kind. Slowly but surely he improved his mind and discovered that he was one of Americas best high school offensive lineman. Much of the story is about this development and it is a very good story. The distrubing part, however, is how college coaches prey on him trying to get him to their schools and how it seems his adopted family takes advantage of every loop hold available to get him into the college. The book acts like there is little reason to question their intent, and I admit their efforts on Ohers behalf were tremendous regardless of their motives, but instead of taking an alternative path and perhaps a little more time to help him develop his character and academic credintials, they abuse correspondence courses, from which Oher clearly learns nothing, just to get him qualified to play football for their alma mater. Oher is going to be a great financial success and will be much better equipped to handle it because of his adopted family, but it still a very questionable situation.
Michael Lewis is a gifted writer and insightful researcher and this book demonstrates his talents. It is very well done and well worth the time it takes to read. I would particularly recommend it to people interested in sports and the process of getting poor, unprepared kids into college athletic programs.
On: 2007-03-03
A fascinating story among two interconnected lines:
* the narrative of Michael Oher, an athletic Pygmalion befriended by the affluent Tuohy family in Memphis
* the evolution of the game of football to appreciate the value of left side offensive linemen to seal off pass rushers and protect the quarterbacks blind side.
The story - especially of rags-to-likely-NFL riches Michael Oher - is compelling, though we are left without knowing the ultimate end of the story.
As a reader, I was conflicted about the Tuohys. On the one hand, they were incredibly compassionate and generous toward this man-child. On the other hand, I must wonder if they would have been as generous had Michael Oher not been a star athlete. It smacks of the biggest jock-worshipping jock-ocracy in America. Are inner city black kids not worth "saving" unless they can hit the jump shot or level a pass rusher? The kid would not have gotten all the breaks he enjoyed without his gargantuan physical dimensions and his prowess at football.
For an insider glimpse of the high school and college football recruiting process and the evolution of football strategy, The Blind Side is an absorbing read!
On: 2007-02-12
A very well written book as are all Michael Lewis books. However, I felt like taking a shower after reading the end. The book did not have a "happily ever after" feel to it. The Tuohys(especially Leigh Ann) were not going to see Michael fail and would not let anything get in their way including an injured 3 year old boy. The correspondance school with BYU and the "tutor" made me question how much Michael actually learned. There was so much ego involved and I was left wondering if Michael was so keen on starting a Center for children like him (with his money) to keep Leigh Ann busy and supported her threats of him tranferring. I wish Michael well but I note he was second string All SEC and I hope he is prepared for life and not just running a Taco Bell.
On: 2007-02-09
As another reviewer pointed out, only 20% of the book is actually about the evolution of football. That part is excellent, and typical of Lewis best work (especially Moneyball). The rest of the book is like hoop dreams except the kid gets adopted by rich white people. They seem like nice folks, and Im sure they wont abandon him if he blows out a knee, but is there really any sort of lesson to take away?
On: 2007-01-31
This is a remarkable book with valuable insights into the dynamics of pro-football, NCAA rules, and race and class in America.
Three members of my family have read it including my wife who hates all professional sports. She just loved it and was able to enjoy and appreciate the footbal wisdom.
I am recommending this to everyone I know!!
On: 2007-01-31
I truly enjoyed this book, but I cant help but wonder if the Tuohys would put as much effort and cash into "saving" the kid if he wasnt a major college football prospect. Its pretty sad how they work the system to get the kid into Ole Miss. Yes, the kid had a bad home life before they took him in, but what it comes down to is this: the kid doesnt have the marks to get in! The Tuohys came across as pompous and self-important. I love the book but I really couldnt develop anything but disgust for the Tuohy family. Of course I dont know them, but if Michael was a skinny 5-9 135 pound kid with the same mental deficits, there would be no way they would bust their butts to get him into Ole Miss.
On: 2007-01-31
Michael Lewis is an outstanding story teller who has found a fascinating story. Any dedicated fan of football will not be able to put down this book. There are many interesting subplots and side stories in addition to the central one of find a Hope diamond in the rough -- Michael Oher.
On: 2007-01-30
The topic mentioned in the books title probably only comprises about 20% of the book. That part is very good. The rest is a story about an up and coming football player. The problem is that there is no end to the story. It is still being written. This story could have been told in a 5 page magazine article.
On: 2007-01-30
The story of Michael Oher is one that all fans of professional and college football should read. This book gives you a sense of the brutal nature of the game and the outstanding physical talents that it takes to excel at it. Its also a reminder that professional football (and many professional sports) are now and have long been a way out of a destitute life for a precious few in our society.
Michael Oher could have become a thug, a drug dealer, a crack addict, or a hopeless unemployed welfare case. But he didnt. Oher was extremely fortunate that a series of events out of his control guided him toward an opportunity that few could ever dream of getting a shot at. He has rare physical gifts: long reach, great girth, size and muscle mass, strength, but most importantly rare agility for a young man of his dimensions. Because of his rare gifts, Oher found an arena in which he could dominate and gain a great deal of attention. Coaches went out of their way for him even though his academic development was virtually nil. He was given opportunities that most from his impoverished community could never dream of.
Taken in by a wealthy white family who nurtured, guided and lifted him up from the trappings of the ghetto, Michael has lived a very unusual and amazing life as told by Michael Lewis. This book is not just about football, although there are plenty of enjoyable passages within about the pro game and its players. Mostly its about Oher and his long, strange journey. This book is about the commitment of a family and what it took for them to help a young man lift himself up by his bootstraps and make something of himself. Its about a society in which its virtually impossible to break out of abject poverty without an incredible amount of help. This story is about triumph over the limitations put upon a person by society.
For readers of Lewis "Moneyball," this is a far different story. Where "Moneyball" is an anatomical account of professional baseball and what it takes to succeed in that realm, "The Blind Side" is a biography, laced with stories that describe why a young man like Michael Oher, who otherwise might be a social castoff, suddenly have immense value in the ravenous world of professional sports.
"The Blind Side" doesnt only reveal the brutal nature of pro football. It also shows us a side of American society that most of us rarely see or want to know about and shows us just how difficult it is to break free from its clutches.
On: 2007-01-30
Imagine that you are a large (over 300 pounds) African-American teenager who lives in the worst part of Memphis. You never knew your father (and he will soon be murdered). Your mother is addicted to drugs and doesnt do much to provide for you. You have no bed. You dont know where your next meal is coming from. You havent gone to enough school to know how to do much of anything.
What do you want out of life? You want to be Michael Jordan . . . just like millions of other teenagers. Youve spent endless hours on the playgrounds practicing as a shooting guard.
What will you become in a handful of years? One of the most heavily recruited college football players in the nation and a top professional prospect who people are watching as you learn how to be a left tackle.
The story of how Michael Oher made this transition is one of the most amazing, moving, and fascinating real-life stories it has ever been my pleasure to read. Whether or not you like football, youll find this book to be impossible to put down.
Michael Lewis does a remarkable job in telling the story. Mr. Lewis was fortunate to have a long-term friendship with Sean Tuohy, one of the many people who helped Michael Oher fulfill his potential. As a result, Mr. Lewis enjoyed amazing access to the people involved in Michaels life . . . and eventually got some help from Michael as well.
The Blind Side is four stories in one:
1. Michaels life before he met the Tuohy family.
2. Michaels progress from being ignorant to becoming a highly recruited college football prospect.
3. Michaels adjustment to college.
4. The changes in professional football that created an irresistible demand for someone with Michaels physical capabilities.
Each of these stories would make a fine book. To be able to pursue all four stories at the same time is an unexpected delight.
But the storys not over. Michael is now a sophomore at Ole Miss. Will he make it to the NFL? You can follow his career and find out. Perhaps other amazing chapters lie ahead. Who knows?
Theres another story this book doesnt tell, but implies: The world is full of talented youth who could make great contributions . . . but they need a lot of help from people who care and are determined to help the youth succeed. For ever Michael Oher, there must be millions who languish. How can we change that? Youll be haunted by that question after you read this book.
If you are looking for keen insights into football that you dont already have, youll probably be disappointed. Any fan of professional football knows that a teams potential chances of success are only as good as the blocking of the offensive line. Clearly, the left tackle is the best insurance against a maimed right-handed quarterback, something no fan wants. Youve probably noticed that the top left tackles get paid almost as much as quarterbacks. The history of how the Bill Walsh-type passing offenses have become so important is something youve lived through.
The professional football material will, however, be helpful to those who dont know football and want to appreciate why people have been going gaga over Michael Oher.
How can you help an at-risk youth today?
On: 2007-01-28
I loathe football. Especially the way its morphed over the past thirty years into little more than an excuse for head bashing. The only "sport" more mindless than football is boxing. I dont know much about football, in fact, most of what I know about it now, I learned from Blind Side. It sounds to me like the professional teams are all looking for physical freaks who are little more than violent monsters who can follow simple instructions, who are angry at the world and can be manipulated to direct that anger into trying to maim the players from the opposing team. The fact that they are quite likely to be maimed themselves is only a concern because of potential lost services to the team. The players are capital expenditures that will depreciate over time and the teams just want to get their moneys worth before a player has to be discarded. The level of concern over injured players almost rises to the level of concern over that racehorse that broke its leg last year. For weeks, people were beside themselves worrying over whether the horse would have to be put down. They were almost, but not quite, as concerned about the horse as they are about the recent premature deaths of former football players that are almost certainly due to multiple concussions received while playing pro football as it is now meant to be played.
The story of how the object of football has changed from scoring touchdowns to trying to break the quarterbacks legs is only a part of Blind Side. The main part is the story of one person, Michael Oher, who is sixteen when we meet him. Michael Lewis, the author, tells a fascinating story, as usual. Oher comes from such a sad and deprived background that it is amazing that he can function at all. The Tuohys, a wealthy couple with two kids of their own, take Oher in. And at 65" and 340 pounds, Oher is no stray kitten. To their credit, the Tuohys helped Oher out of the goodness of their hearts, not because they realized that he would be filthy rich one day soon because he is exactly the right body type to be a left tackle, the player who protects the quarterbacks blind side.
Ohers story brings up several concerns. One is that he always dreamed of playing basketball, and had no interest in football. Although he was pretty good at basketball, his body is perfect for football, so the coaches at his new high school directed him to football and away from basketball. Since Oher is unusually passive, he went along. But being passive isnt a good quality for a football player. It took a lot of taunting and goading by other players for Oher to finally develop his anger and direct it to hitting the other players. Lewis never hints that anyone encouraged the kids to taunt Oher, but it certainly worked out well. Another concern is that in order for Oher to graduate from high school and be admitted to college, he had to have a C average and pass a certain number of courses. The Tuohys hired a full-time tutor for Oher and Oher worked very hard but in the end, he almost certainly had to cheat to make the grade point average. Lewis tells of Oher taking online courses to make up the last credits he needed. Certainly Oher is better off with the education he did get than the complete lack of education he was getting before everyone wanted him to be able to accept a football scholarship. But you know he isnt the exception. I guess theres no way to change the system at this point, but wouldnt it make more sense to have a minor league for football rather than handing out degrees in criminal justice to players who can barely read just so theyll be eligible to play?
Michael Lewis is a terrific writer. I loved his Money Culture and Liars Poker and Moneyball. I was less enchanted by Coach, his paean to an unpleasant and sadistic high school coach. And with Blind Side, Im on the fence. The writing is good, the story is gripping, theres controversy and drama. Im a bit uncomfortable though, about how many people are using Oher for their own profit. The high school coaches were thrilled to have Oher playing for them because it meant recognition and promotions. The college coaches were promising the Tuohys and Oher the moon if hed go to their college because it meant a chance at the pros for them. Even if Oher gets injured and never signs a pro contract, theyve already profited. And Lewis has a best selling book.
On: 2007-01-23
the last book i read about football was a piece of non-fiction titled the stronger women get, the more men watch football. its by a stanford educated athlete and she basically wrote a book about how sports culture in america reinforces a male-dominated society and serves to condone abuse and violence against women. if i remember correctly theres an entire chapter devoted to how college football is a drain on higher education, and the authors got plenty of studies and statistics to back up her argument. suffice to say, im not a sports fan. but, i am fan of michael lewis - especially his financial writing. (liars poker is one of my favorite books.) so, when i saw this book i was hesitant, but thought id give it a chance, and i am so glad i did.
lewis has a fantastic way of weaving an individuals story against the more abstract forces at work - economic forces are lewis particular forte. before i read this book i would have had little idea about the market demand for Ohers forthcoming NFL career as a left tackle. the time lewis devotes to the history of this position is well spent and of particular use to any person with an analytic mind who is dwelling in a virgin topic. i would have looked at someone like Oher and thought "oh college sports has yet again unfortuntely usurped the academics." fortunately, lewis spends a chapter toward the end detailing Ohers childhood - abject poverty, disenfranchisement, drugs, foster homes, racism, neglect. so its impossible for me to rail against college football for taking up valuable semester time when Oher could be studying and perhaps becoming another Cornell West. (whos to say he wont?) i am now so happy athletic scholarships exist, and even more happy to know giving and caring people like the tuohys exist in the world.
this is another brilliantly written book by michael lewis.
On: 2007-01-20
I bought this book for my wife at Christmas because she had read a small column in Readers Digest about it and she thought it might be worth reading. She absolutely loved it and learned so much about behind the scenes in Sports.She would recommend it to anybody because of the way the author told the story. Very informitive! Great book!
On: 2007-01-19
Excellent story. Feel good book of the year. The only thing I would change is that the story hasnt played itself out yet and we are left with a cliffhanger. Who will he play for? Can he play in the NFL? Etc..
Maybe could have been written in three years, not now.
On: 2007-01-18
Book: A nonfiction book without graphs, charts, or pictures that is a combination biography of Michael Oher and an examination of the NFL from the late 1970s to today.
Review: The author of Moneyball, Michael Lewis, returns with another sports book, this time focused on football (the USA version of the word). Lewis tracks the changing nature of the NFL, and the changing importance of certain positions. As time advanced the manner in which the game is played evolved, lead by the strategists (as opposed to the brute force school), mainly Bill Walsh. The strategists pushed an offensive system that used a more organized systematic method of offensive production (a more "chess board" approach) that increased the average yards per pass, increased the total number of passes, relative to total and to percentage of plays vs. run plays, and, oddly enough also increased the completion rate at the same time. This new method, which has been called by some the "West Coast Offense", coupled with a new player/management system that allowed free agency, drove one particular position to the forefront.
In the past everyone that played on the offensive line believed himself (as indicated in the book) to be playing a position that was non-individualistic (more team-focused), and interchangeable (play Center, Guard, Tackle, left-right did not matter). Adding in the lack of measurable production numbers, the pay for players on the offensive line reflected this "throw any body in there" mentality. Then things began to change, both with an offensive system that advanced the use of the pass to the point where it became much more feasible to stress the pass over the run and win games, and with advent of the counter to this system. The advanced pass system opened up a new realm of offensive production, but also opened up the quarterback to danger. Why? Because the blockers who would normally be back for the run, are forward as potential targets for a pass (not specifically the same players). This allowed players like Lawrence Taylor to run forward and clobber the QB (though, he likely would have been able to do so anyway, there were just fewer people between him and the quarterback after the change in offensive systems). The position pushed to the forefront by the changes in the game? Left tackle. Why left tackle as opposed to any other position on the field, like say right tackle? Because the left tackle guarded the quarterbacks blind side (right-handed quarterback, and most are right-handed). While the system was in transition, most salaries remained the same for offensive linemen, while an increasing number of quarterbacks became injured, sometimes with career injuries. Then free agency came about, and everyone awaited the avalanche of money to fall on quarterbacks, running backs and wide receivers. Oddly enough, a good portion of this free agent money, though, went to left tackles. GMs realized that they needed a great left tackle to protect their quarterback, and without one, even the best quarterback will have lower production.
This realization flowed down to the college level, and somewhat down to the high school level. Especially down to one particular kid by the name of Michael Oher. Oher was a gigantic black kid from the poorest area of Memphis when he joined a private high school and began his rise up the social-economic ladder.
Lewis book examines this change in the NFL system, while spending the majority of his time following the career of Michael Oher up to the present (2006) as a sophomore in college. The sections with information about the changes in the football world are intermixed with sections on the life of Michael Oher (includes: life in a very poor section of Memphis, introduction to a private high school and figurative, then literal adoption by two rich white people, the transformation of a young man from having an IQ of 80 to roughly having an IQ of 110, and advancement from high school to college football).
I enjoy sports, including football, but am most familiar with the inner-workings of baseball. I tended to follow the same fan path as noted in Lewis book in which most football fans follow the ball, and pay less attention to the other action on the field that is sometimes more important in moving the ball (like the offensive line-defense battle). This particular book provided me with a great deal of insight into an area of the football field that I had never really considered, and never really understood.
On: 2007-01-17
Sports fans, particularly football fans, will find this book one of the best ever written on the subject of the evolution of the game. The logical drive of Lewis story is this:
Legendary coach Bill Walsh developed the "West Coast" offense, which relied on many shorter passes and less on the running game.
In response to the increased importance of passes, we saw the increased importance of the pass rusher (in particular the force of nature known as Lawrence Taylor), whose job it is to prevent the quarterback from passing by coming in on his "blind side" (the side opposite the QBs passing arm).
In response to the pass rusher, we saw the increased importance of the offensive left tackle - ideally, a guy on the far side of 300 pounds, but with the agility of a track star half his size - whose job it is to keep this pass-rusher from succeeding.
The particular genius of "Blind Side" lies in the way Lewis supports his story: its part a recounting of famous games and players, part a history of the business of football, but most importantly it is a human-interest story about a particular left tackle, the young phenomenon Michael Oher, who played for Briarcrest Christian in Memphis. Homeless and alone even as a pre-teen, he is discovered and taken in by a wealthy family whose kids go to Briarcrest. This family, the Tuohys, adopt Michael and become both his greatest advocates, his football coaches, and in effect his agents.
Michael Ohers story puts some flesh on the bones of Lewis logical argument. Its very touching, naturally, but it also keeps the book from become abstract and esoteric. As a football fan, I loved the war stories about the history of the professional game. As a business professor, I loved the parts about the competitive strategy behind the game. But as a reader (in general) and parent, Michaels story was my favorite part. Thus, this is one football book I could recommend even to readers who are not avid students of the game. One of the best books of 2006.
On: 2007-01-16
This book, like Moneyball, is excellent. Michael Lewis deftly weaves Michael Ohers story into the evolution of the game, telling a fantastic story and providing amazing detail as to how the left tackle became so necessary to the modern day game. Ohers story is also inspirational, and without trying, the author gives readers who otherwise might not care some insight into poverty, and how hard it is to get out and get ahead. I finished it in two days, and loved every second of it. It changed the way that I think about and watch football.
On: 2007-01-16
My husband brought this book with him on our beach vacation. He is a big football fan, so I assumed that I would have no interest in the book. I could not have been more wrong! He enjoyed it so much, I picked it up to glance at the first page and wound up reading the whole thing in 2 days. We were on vacation with another couple, neither of whom like football at all, but they each wound up reading it and really enjoying it as well. I highly recommend this book.
On: 2007-01-16
First and foremost, this is a very good book about football--Mr. Lewis gives a clear, birds-eye perspective on the evolution of the pass-oriented offenses and pass-attacking defenses that have gradually come to dominate the professional game over the past 25 years, and this treatment alone makes for a good read. What takes up most of the space in the book, and what really made it a great read for me, is the in-depth look at the life of Michael Oher (the current LT at Ole Miss, and a top NFL prospect). The story of Oher and his foster family is deeply compelling, and I think it makes this a great pick for marginal football fans in the same way that the overt business applications of _Moneyball_ made it a great pick for marginal baseball fans. To put it another way--this is the only football-related book that I would ever recommend to my mother, who has only a passing interest in the sport. As a Georgia Bulldog I was especially gratified by the detailed account of Ohers recruitment, which centers around the SEC and includes some very interesting encounters with Phil Fulmer and Nick Saban. As he does in all of his books, Michael Lewis takes a long look at the way markets operate and how those operations affect individuals, but this one has a much more pronounced human touch than did _Moneyball_. Those who expect "_Moneyball_ for the NFL" might be a bit disappointed, but anyone who knows a little bit about football and has a heart will probably enjoy this book immensely.
On: 2007-01-15
I chose Blind Side because I heard an NPR interview of the author, Michael Lewis. I was impressed with the story of a young black man who was helped by some wealthy "white folks" in Memphis. The book was also about NFL football. I had given "Money Ball" to a man friend for Christmas a few years back and thought this might be a book to give a couple of difficult to gift men. Then I picked up the book and began to read. Now I am not enamored with football. I will watch it but will not choose it. But the information on the history of how the defense and offense of the NFL has changed over the years was facinating. The story of Michael Ohr is also interesting, funny, and very much worth reading. It helped me understand the level of "survival" that some of my students in an alternative school come through the door with. I am encouraging my fellow teachers to read this and some of my students who do not like to read much. I think they will see some of themselves and their fellow students in Michael Ohr.
On: 2007-01-15
Since Id greatly enjoyed Lewis baseball book "Moneyball", I figured this would make a nice companion to read during the NFL playoffs. The books subtitle is "Evolution of a Game", so I expected a somewhat similar book looking at the transformations underway in professional football. And to a certain degree, that content is there, via a brief discussion of the rise of the passing game and Bill Walshs crucial role in this, as well as Lawrence Taylors impact on the game. The book opens with a blow-by-blow of LTs famous leg-snapping sack of Joe Theisman -- an event I vividly recall watching on TV as a 12-year-old Redskins fan. This leads off the discussion of role of the left tackle and this positions counterintuitive rise in the NFL pay scale. All of which segues into the books main subject: Michael Oher.
Oher is one of thirteen children born to an alcoholic, drug-addicted mother in the West Memphis ghetto. He grew up in total poverty with her, in and out of various foster homes and various public schools. Along the way, he filled out into a 6 6" 340 pound behemoth with natural grace and speed unnatural to those of his size. He also came to the attention of Lewis old elementary school classmate, and ex-college star point guard Sean Tuohy. Now a successful businessman and pro-basketball announcer, Tuohy takes an interest in MIchael and works the system to get him into his daughters elite Christian prep school.
The lily-white conservative Tuohy familys quasi-adoption of Michael, along with his meteoric rise to prominence in college football recruiting circles forms the central storyline. The Tuohys basically work their upper-crust and sports connections to shepard Michael along, pressuring people, exploiting loopholes, and using their money to smooth his path. Lewis originally wrote about this for the New York Times Magazine, and in many ways, the book feels like an extended magazine piece. Its essentially a very smooth and readable extended human interest profile. The main problem is that the book has no ending -- it ends with Oher a sophomore at Mississippi. The more natural ending would have been two years later, with Oher getting drafted and about to get enter the maelstrom of the NFL.
On: 2007-01-12
This is a true story of a young man, the family that "adopted" him and his bright future because someone cared. It is true and it also gives you some serious insight into the second highest paid player on any NFL team. What position that is will probably surprise you. If you like inspriational true stories, and/or are a football fan, you will find this story fascinating and surprising.
On: 2007-01-11
Im not much of a football fan. Dont watch many games on TV. Nevertheless, Michael Lewis has written a book I couldnt put down. The intersecting stories of the Left Tackle position, and the destitute Memphis school boy, Michael Ohr, who finds a home with a family of white born-again Christans is extraordianry. Id read Lewiss book about Billy Beane and the Oakland Raiders so I knew I was in for a good story, well told. The Blind Side exceeded my expectations.
On: 2007-01-11
Lewis The Blind Side is centered on the story of Michael Oher. Michael is one of millions of kids who are born into poverty and grow up under terrible conditions. Luckikly, Michael has something that the major of such kids do not have. Michael was born with the physical size, speed, and make up for what has become a much sought after commodity in todays National Football League.
Lewis takes us into a little history and then the evolution of a game. Todays NFL has become a pass oriented game. A teams main goals are how to protect a quarterback from the opposing defenses, and also how to attack the opposing team quarterback. We find out that Michael Oher finds the help and love of an rich white family to care and guide him. They struggle to find out about Michaels past, and how to make up for many years of educational neglect.
I found to the book to be extremely informative. I am a big football fan and the descriptions and breakdowns of the games evolution were fascinating. Michaels story is both moving and inspriational. The Touhy family are to be applauded and hopefully this story will move people to be quicker to lend a hand instead of passing judgement.
I recommend this book not just to the football and sports fan, but to all readers. Enjoy!
On: 2007-01-10
My theory is that females know far less and care far less about football than men for the simple reason that its a game played by men. We dont get the finer points of play and position, and why the flags thrown, that men get very excited about and involved in. Over-involved, some say. Some women do anyway, and this book is for everybody; it certainly does not coddle the fan; and a fair share of insights were lost on me--the occasional fan. But if you follow football, youll love Michael Lewiss book. Initially I bought it for a friend whos a big football guy, while hes laid up due to surgery. Before giving it up, I opened the book and finished reading it in about a day. Its that good. Previously I read Lewiss "Liars Poker" about Wall Street traders and "Moneyball" about the As baseball managing coach Billy Beane. Both books are first-rate. I think that "The Blind Side" spawns from a simple monetary question: When the heck did the value (read: payday) grow so far, so fast for the singular position of offensive left guard? The author answers the question by reaching first far back into football history and then traveling forward to spear Lawrence Taylor as the first of the super-size breed barely 25 years ago. What makes this well-told story highly readable is the back story of Michael Oher, an up and coming player whose young life follows a bizarre trajectory into the big leagues. Oher is one unlikely protaganist, but it kept me entertained and I learned a whole bunch about football. The book is a real eye-opener for any player hopeful for whats revealed about national scouting. Says one famous High School scout, "Its not only size and strength and speed and athletic ability. Footballs an emotional game. Its about aggression, tenacity, and heart." (p.87) Its just good story-telling all the way through.
On: 2007-01-10
As always, Michael Lewis tells a fine story. The interplay between the historical relevance of the need for blindside blocking and the story of this youngster is compelling. Im still not totally sure how to react to Ohers adopted family. I found it difficult to believe that their first real incentive to address the needs of someone engulfed in the poverty present in their hometown just happened to be a potential goldmine. Maybe its as clear cut as that. Id hope that as a society we werent so blind...
On: 2007-01-10
The publishers should be marketing this book to women not just male football or sports fans. The story of Michael Oher is so compelling. I could not put this book down. Michael Lewis does another great job of making the reader want to follow the career of this amazing young man. Just as in Moneyball, his psychological profiles are intriguing and offer such richness.
The portions of the story which detail specifics about football might be confusing to someone who does not follow the game. If the story of someone making it despite terrible odds sounds appealing to you skim these parts. I have not sat through an entire football game in years. After finishing the book I find myself wanting to watch an Ole Miss football game or any football game where my focus will change from watching the quarterback to watching the left tackle.
On: 2007-01-10
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. Michael Lewis is a great story teller, and he does a great job of tieing the evolution of football in with the life in times of Michael Oher. Its a real page turner. If your a fan of the game you will have trouble putting this book down.
On: 2007-01-09
For an amateur football fan,I learned a lot about the game of football and how recruiting is done. Gave me insight into how players work in the game and how they are chosen. Also, wonderfully hopeful as to what the underprivileged children in the US are capable of if we all help just one of them. I love this author and hope he keeps putting out more books for us
On: 2007-01-09
Im not really a book reader but heard an interview on a sports radio talk show and had to buy it. I am a die hard football fan and after reading this book I now catch my self looking at the left tackle instead of the quarterback. I could not put the book Down. My wife and kids were shocked to see me sitting on the sofa with the TV off and reading a book. What an inspiring story. Its just great to hear about people who care about people and go way out of their way to help. And this story isnt even over yet. You bet I will be watching that young man on Saturdays and God willing on Sundays in a few years.
Gilbert Sanchez
On: 2007-01-09
My local newpaper had an article about this book. The article led me to believe the book was mostly about the life of Michael Oher. I was interested in learning how a boy who was basically living on the streets came to become an expectional athlete. Unfortunately I found the book to be half about the game of football and half about Michael Oher. Although football has become Michaels life I didnt care to learn about the game of football in this book. I was also disappointed in the ending, however as a result of reading this book I will continue to keep tabs on Michaels football career through the internet. Perhaps someday there will be a sequel to "The Blind Side" that will continue the story of Michael Oher and his college and professional career.
On: 2007-01-09
I rated this book 5/5 because of how much I enjoyed it despite the fact that the subject wasnt quite what I hoped for. This is a well written biography of the highschool years of Michael Oher. The authors depth and prose are commendable. While the author did touch on the evolution of certain aspects of football (west coast offense and the importance of the left tackle) I would have liked more. Overall, a great read.
On: 2007-01-05
A friend recommended this book to me after reading it. He entertained me with stories of the history of football strategy, Bill Walsh, the evolution of the West Coast Offense, etc that hed read in the book. So I bought the abridged audio cd for an 8 hour drive...and listened to a nice 5 hour story about a Tennessee high school left tackle. Half of the interesting football strategy Id heard about from my friend was cut out of the audio version in favor of the personal interest story that pulls The Blind Side together. In fact, only the first 15-20 minutes were really about football. I went back and read the Sports Illustrated story by Michael Lewis on the Blind Side and some expercts from the text so I could get the complete version, but thats no way to consume a book.
I recommend you read The Blind Side and pass on listening to the abridged audio CD.
On: 2007-01-05
Michael Lewis provides significant historical insight in this book: from the threat to QBs posed by L.T., the offensive transformation by Bill Walsh and the 49ers of the 80s, to the need today to find monstrous yet mobile left tackles. This book also provides a significant example in the nurture over nature argument and provides a sad commentary on the socio-economic and cultural disparity that still exists in the U.S. Superb book!
On: 2007-01-04
I gave this book as a gift to my son who loved it! Sorry I cant rate it personally but if it is half as good as "Moneyball", which my son assures me that it is, I cant wait to read it
On: 2007-01-04
A very well written story that shows the evolution a the offensive line in football, and the compassion of a family in helping a troubled and very tallented football player.
On: 2007-01-04
If you enjoyed Michael Lewis Moneyball, you will undoubtedly enjoy The Blind Side. Even if you havent read Moneyball (which, if you are a sports fan, you should), you will enjoy The Blind Side if you enjoy stories about unexpected talent, people who discover their potential, and those who help them do so. The crux of this multi-layered narrative is Michael Oher (pronounced "Oar"), a young black man from inner-city Memphis who survived an astonishingly impoverished childhood to join a rich white Christian family and discover that his dream of becoming a professional athlete is well within his reach. In telling this almost unbelievable tale, the author weaves in background information on football strategy, the culture of inner-city Memphis, the culture of well to-do white Christian Memphis, and the challenge of getting out of high school and into college for the protagnonist. I read this book in less than a week after receiving it as a Christmas present from my wife, and although its storyline bounces around in a slightly uncomfortable way at times, I truly enjoyed it. Perhaps even more significantly, reading the book made me a fan of Michael Ohers, and although I prefer Big Ten football to the SEC, I will certainly be watching his progress as a left tackle at Ole Miss with interest from afar. And last but not least, my interest in Michael Lewis future books has been solidified. I await his next offering with baited breath!
On: 2007-01-04
This engaging book is an interesting tale of one disadvantaged Memphis child who has fallen in between the cracks of society and is adopted by a fabulously wealth family. The book also provides insights regarding the under-appreciated position offensive left tackle lineman and the evolution of this newly critical position.
But the book suffers from its own blind side: The author is so concerned about engaging the audience in Michael Ohers compelling story that the author is blind to the socioeconomic dynamics and to any potential character flaws of our protagonist. The twists of fate that transform Michael Oher from abject poverty to NFL prospect are not lost on the author, but he fails to see the irony in Michaels social evolution. Once Michael Oher has been plucked out of oblivion, his biological family suddenly expresses interest in reconnecting with Michael given his impending wealth and fame that will come from his likely NFL career. While Michaels skepticism is warranted, he complains that "[My family] had the same chances I had ... They need to get off their lazy a**es and work." The irony of this wild claim go unobserved by the author. Michaels entire story is one of rare opportunities afforded by being adopted by a rich family with understanding of the NCAA process. The idea that his family (much less anyone else) had the same opportunities as Michael is laughable.
Other examples of the authors uncritical examination include the recounting of Michaels violent outburst that ended up sending a child to the hospital. Rather than condemning and studying this violence, the author goes to great lengths to implicitly rationalize the violent act with stories of Michaels troubled past. Perhaps the act has roots in Michaels upbringing, but the lack of critical commentary was disturbing.
This otherwise enjoyable book seems to be oblivious to these ironies, and is undermined by the blind adoration of Michael Oher.
On: 2007-01-03
As a football fan, this is a fascinating view of the evolution of the game, and how one position has changed the game. Additionally, the story of Michael Oher is fascinating. I picked up the book, and couldnt put it down! The story of Michael Oher will grab you and not let you go. It is not only a football story, but also a story about life, and the chances it (or not) gives to individuals, and what people do with the chances they are given.
On: 2007-01-03
This is a wonderful story, well written. This does rely on some knowledge and insight into the game, but it is primarily a heart warming story and only secondly an insightful glimpse into a fascinating game.
The powerful element of this for me, is that this is a true story. Sure Michael Lewis will have added a little artistic license but the rich vein of truth really allows the reader to enjoy. Michael Oher - good luck. Im now watching your progress (and your back!).
Whether you are a fanatic of football (US variety) or simply enjoy a great story, I strongly recommend this.
by: llacharbach On: 2007-01-01
Like Moneyball this is a thinking fans sports book.
It explains the evolution of the game and the left tackle
position on the offenisve line.
Lewis is a wonderful storyteller somewhat like Tracy Kidder.
The writing draws the reader in. This should be required
reading for football fanatics before the NFL draft.
On: 2006-12-30
If you like Michael Lewis, football, the biblical story of the Good Samaritan, or a good "rags to riches" story, you will love Lewis latest work, "Blind Side." The book is the true story of Michael Oher, a black kid from the poorest, drug infested part of Memphis (Tennessee), who broke from the cycle of being hopelessly poor to making it as a highly recruited college football player. His is an unusual story because it was the white world that had so unusually aided and abetted his rise.
"Blind Side" tells the story of how Ohers odds in life changed dramatically with the help of a coach, Big Tony, who promised Ohers dying grandmother he would make sure Michael got a good Christian education. Big Tony landed Michael on the doorstep of a rich, evangelical, Republican Memphis family, the Touhys. "He left a neighborhood in which he could drive all day without laying eyes on a white person for one where a black person was a bit of a curiousity."
Illiteracy, bad grades, car crashes, a night with the Memphis police, and NCAA investigation, men in the street who offered to become his agent could have all sent Oher back to his former home, Hurt village, the prison of his past, if it were not for his social connection to white people. Instead, the world that had once taken no notice of him was now so invested in him that it could not afford to see him fail.
The problem for Michael, as it is for many children mired in the world of poverty, was not intelligence, but rather, access to the system. While sports is the closest thing to a pure meritocracy in America, five of six public school kids with the ability to play college sports (the way out) fail to gain access due to academic disqualification. "Blind Side" is the story of academic and emotional support culminating in access.
Lewis is generous in developing the key figures in Michaels life. The book is full of interesting storylines relating to people responsible for his impoverished background, and for his unusual journey out of poverty. Lewis also devotes considerable space to the emergence of the left offensive tackle (he protects the "blind side") as the second most valued, after the quarterback, position in professional football. The rising importance of the left tackle position is another convergence that plays a key role in Michaels successful outcome.
"Blind Side" is a great, thought provoking read. It may challenge your thinking about those born into poverty and their inability to escape their environment to gain access.
On: 2006-12-29
If you like Michael Lewis, football, the biblical story of the Good Samaritan, or a good "rags to riches" story, you will love Lewis latest work, "Blind Side." The book is the true story of Michael Oher, a black kid from the poorest, drug infested part of Memphis (Tennessee), who broke from the cycle of being hopelessly poor to making it as a highly recruited college football player. His is an unusual story because it was the white world that had so unusually aided and abetted his rise.
"Blind Side" tells the story of how Ohers odds in life changed dramatically with the help of a coach, Big Tony, who promised Ohers dying grandmother he would make sure Michael got a good Christian education. Big Tony landed Michael on the doorstep of a rich, evangelical, Republican Memphis family, the Touhys. "He left a neighborhood in which he could drive all day without laying eyes on a white person for one where a black person was a bit of a curiousity."
Illiteracy, bad grades, car crashes, a night with the Memphis police, and NCAA investigation, men in the street who offered to become his agent could have all sent Oher back to his former home, Hurt village, the prison of his past, if it were not for his social connection to white people. Instead, the world that had once taken no notice of him was now so invested in him that it could not afford to see him fail.
The problem for Michael, as it is for many children mired in the world of poverty, was not intelligence, but rather, access to the system. While sports is the closest thing to a pure meritocracy in America, five of six public school kids with the ability to play college sports (the way out) fail to gain access due to academic disqualification. "Blind Side" is the story of academic and emotional support culminating in access.
Lewis is generous in developing the key figures in Michaels life. The book is full of interesting storylines relating to people responsible for his impoverished background, and for his unusual journey out of poverty. Lewis also devotes considerable space to the emergence of the left offensive tackle (he protects the "blind side") as the second most valued, after the quarterback, position in professional football. The rising importance of the left tackle position is another convergence that plays a key role in Michaels successful outcome.
"Blind Side" is a great, thought provoking read. It may challenge your thinking about those born into poverty and their inability to escape their environment to gain access.
On: 2006-12-29
This is Michael Lewis story about the inequalities of our socio-economic system as cloaked in the story of a huge, talented ghetto kid who becomes a candidate for stardom due to his ability to play left tackle on the offensive line.
Lewis spends the first chapter telling of Lawrence Taylors transforming of profssional football by the use of his speed and agility to disrupt the passing game. The left tackle becomes the key player in thwarting Taylor and his successors. As the story unfolds we find a 350 pound, 66", 15 year old with unreal speed and agility who has nevr played organized football. Described as "big Mike" he is taken in by a white family in east Memphis and simultaneously rescued from the slums of west Memphis. The storyline is about how he becomes the number one high school football prospect in America. He ends up at Ole Miss where he has just completed his sophmore year. Lewis uses the last chapter to opine that the system would have doomed this kid without protection from his white guardians and that it would all be so fixable if we were just more enlightened??? As a Berkeley liberal, Lewis is entitled to his dreams, but I couldnt help thinking how any black kid in the world would just love to be in America, even if they had to put up with bad neighborhoods and the rest. When you consider that liberals are responsible for the destruction of those very neighborhoods it makes you question what planet Lewis lives on? Nonetheless, its a great story and highly informative. I, for one, enjoy Lewis writing and his storytelling, but just disagree with his well concealed sarcasm and moral certainty. If youre a pro football fan this book is a must.
On: 2006-12-29
This is a true story about a teenage black boy who is essentially built to play what some consider to be the most important position in the NFL today -- left tackle.
As a 15 year old, he was approximately 66" tall, weighed 350 pounds (with very little fat), and was both quick and fast. In short, a PERFECT specimen.
Unfortunately, he has a few issues to overcome:
He has never played football
He lives in a ghetto
His mother is a drug addict
His father is dead
He has no "home"
Hes flunking school (which he rarely attends anyway)
He has an IQ of about 80
This is an enjoyable story of how he became the current starting left tackle for the University of Mississippi, intertwined with a history of pro football since Lawrence Taylor came on the scene as a quarterback sacking nightmare.
On: 2006-12-28
Mr. Lewis again takes us to the heart of the matter. This is a story about football, a family, a lost young man, coaches, poverty, education, loss and the will to survive. Mr Lewis weaves a fine tapestry of tales that centers on young man by the name of Michael Ofer. His journey and that of the family that "adpots" him is at the center of this remarkable story. Mr. Lewis in his reporters style fleshes things out from all angles. I could not put this book down. It was easily one of the BEST BOOKS OF THE YEAR!!!
On: 2006-12-28
This is Michael Lewis story about the inequalities of our socio-economic system as cloaked in the story of a huge, talented ghetto kid who becomes a candidate for stardom due to his ability to play left tackle on the offensive line.
Lewis spends the first chapter telling of Lawrence Taylors transforming of profssional football by the use of his speed and agility to disrupt the passing game. The left tackle becomes the key player in thwarting Taylor and his successors. As the story unfolds we find a 350 pound, 66", 15 year old with unreal speed and agility who has nevr played organized football. Described as "big Mike" he is taken in by a white family in east Memphis and simultaneously rescued from the slums of west Memphis. The storyline is about how he becomes the number one high school football prospect in America. He ends up at Ole Miss where he has just completed his sophmore year. Lewis uses the last chapter to opine that the system would have doomed this kid without protection from his white guardians and that it would all be so fixable if we were just more enlightened??? As a Berkeley liberal, Lewis is entitled to his dreams, but I couldnt help thinking how any black kid in the world would just love to be in America, even if they had to put up with bad neighborhoods and the rest. When you consider that liberals are responsible for the destruction of those very neighborhoods it makes you question what planet Lewis lives on? Nonetheless, its a great story and highly informative. I, for one, enjoy Lewis writing and his storytelling, but just disagree with his well concealed sarcasm and moral certainty. If youre a pro football fan this book is a must.
On: 2006-12-27
As many others have noted, this book is not about the evolution of the game of football as much as it is the story of Michael Oher. As interesting as Ohers story might be, it is disappointing to expect one type of book and find yourself reading something very different. I read and enjoyed "Moneyball" and expected this book to provide the same kind of analysis that would cause me to view football in a different light, as "Moneyball" did with baseball. It did not.
It is a quick read, but I learned very little about the game of football. Most of the points made are fairly basic and pretty evident for fans of the game. If I had known beforehand what this book focused on, I would not have read it. That is why it merits two stars.
In the future, I will be more careful before selecting a Michael Lewis book.
by: bradventures On: 2006-12-27
Its quite an odd subject for a writer of Michael Lewiss stature to cover, and the story line of the book is quite odd too. It made more sense at the end of the book when Lewis explained that the Touhy family of Memphis, TN are old friends of his. The story of the impoverished high school student Michael Oher from Memphis, TN was fascinating on many levels. The importance of sports today guarantees that a superior talent will be found and nurtured one way or another. Ohers case is about as extreme as you can imagine - being "adopted" by a wealthy Memphis family and hand-held all the way to an improbable college football scholarship and apparantely very good shot at the NFL. Its an extremely well researched and captivating story that will interest many, put particularly sports fans.
On: 2006-12-22
I think this book succeeds on many levels.
It is not just a book about football. And the material on the left tackle position is probably the weakest part of the book. So if you are expecting a football book, go somewhere else.
It is more a book about Oher and the Tuohys. I can just not imagine a life like Oher lived. Or a family taking him in. And what it took to get him into college, etc.
The book made me think, which I guess is all you can ask. In addition, I will be looking forward to following Ohers career.
On: 2006-12-21
While this is an interesting book, the only evolution thats discussed at length in the book is that of Michael Oher, not that of the left tackle position or football in general. As a character study, it works, but not as a historical perspective of the game.
The book starts promisingly enough, with a recounting of the LT hit on Joe Theisman that went a long way towards cementing the importance of a good left tackle to protect the QBs blind side. After that, though, theres very little in the book that gives a historical development of the pass game, its impact on the importance of the O-line, and how the left tackle position developed in the early game. Instead, the evolution that occurs takes place with Oher, mainly due to his interactions with the Tuohy family.
As with his other books, Lewis seems to stress certain qualities for the "characters," so that they all come off as being more exaggerated than is probably true - Michael is the lovable oaf, Sean the athlete-done-good, and Leigh Anne the hot, hip and street smart woman. Its the same thing he did with Moneyball and his non-sports books, exaggerating things to make people seem larger-than-life.
Overall, its an interesting book, especially those sections dealing with the recruiting process. However, dont expect a treatise on the left tackle position and how its changed the game - that book has yet to be written.
On: 2006-12-20
While "The Blind Side: Evolution of a Game" is a good read with an interesting story, it is by no means an account of the evolution of the left tackle position in professional football, and is more a book on sociology and the South than it is on the sport. It is a 4-star quality read that I knocked down to three, because I envision a lot of people -- teased by great early chapters on Joe Theismann, Lawrence Taylor, Bill Walsh and the birth of the West Coast Offense -- wondering what the heck they are reading as they pass the halfway point.
Of the final 3/4 of "The Blind Side", all of it -- except for one chapter on Steve Wallace of the 49ers and how the NFL left tackle came to be so well-paid -- is devoted to Michael Oher. At times the book ventures far from the left tackle position, and far from football entirely. Michael Lewis pays a great deal of attention to Ohers plight growing up in poor Memphis, the lengths the Tuohy family went in caring for him and taking him in as a family member, the strings they pulled in their Tennessee and Ole Miss communities to steer Oher in the best direction as a budding star, his recruitment by major football powers and big-name coaches (and their obsession with him as a prospect), and his personal evolution as a person and, less, as a player.
In contrast, the amount of pages Lewis devotes to the technical aspects of the left tackle position can be counted on two hands. His analysis of the position is vague, and not really anything new for people who are familiar with technical football and especially for those who have played. He weaves in some brief snapshots of guys like Jonathan Ogden, Wallace, and some other pros, but they are too short and infrequent. There are some funny anecdotes about NFLers Patrick Ramsey and Dwight Freeney responding to news of this up-and-coming freak Oher. But again, not nearly enough. It becomes frustrating because there seems to be so much potential in these portions of the work -- especially in the LT/Walsh chapters.
And with all the attention on Oher, very little is paid to his actual techinque as an offensive lineman. The reader quickly becomes well aware that Oher is incredibly fast and quick for such a large man, but we know little about his OL skills -- especially once he gets to Ole Miss. In fact, Lewis fast-forwards Michaels freshman season at Ole Miss from Game 1 to the final game of the season -- the Egg Bowl against Miss State. What happened in between regarding Ohers evolving OL play is left out. And I couldnt help but wonder how much of his potential as an NFL prospect is exaggerated, considering how Sean Tuohy acknowledges Oher can only process the demands of a playbook when they are described to him with "mustard and ketchup bottles."
For a book that was reviewed by Sports Illustrated, The Blind Side is disappointing as a sports/football book but, if you can get past that, is still a very good read. Itll be interesting to follow Oher through Ole Miss and potentially the pros as a result.
On: 2006-12-20
While this is an interesting book, the only evolution thats discussed at length in the book is that of Michael Oher, not that of the left tackle position or football in general. As a character study, it works, but not as a historical perspective of the game.
The book starts promisingly enough, with a recounting of the LT hit on Joe Theisman that went a long way towards cementing the importance of a good left tackle to protect the QBs blind side. After that, though, theres very little in the book that gives a historical development of the pass game, its impact on the importance of the O-line, and how the left tackle position developed in the early game. Instead, the evolution that occurs takes place with Oher, mainly due to his interactions with the Tuohy family.
As with his other books, Lewis seems to stress certain qualities for the "characters," so that they all come off as being more exaggerated than is probably true - Michael is the lovable oaf, Sean the athlete-done-good, and Leigh Anne the hot, hip and street smart woman. Its the same thing he did with Moneyball and his non-sports books, exaggerating things to make people seem larger-than-life.
Overall, its an interesting book, especially those sections dealing with the recruiting process. However, dont expect a treatise on the left tackle position and how its changed the game - that book has yet to be written.
On: 2006-12-17
Not a prefect book, but close to it. The flowing narrative slips back and forth in time as Lewis relays an excellent story of hope and drive overcoming dispair, for which we should thank his wife, Tabitha, who got him interested in the Michael Oher story. Better than THE NEW NEW THING.
On: 2006-12-14
Having read Liars Poker and Moneyball, I expected this book to be in the same genre: Exploration of a niche of an industry intertwined with profiles of a few illustrative players. Other reviewers here have noted that the evolution of the offensive left tackle is only a small portion of the book - I would refer to it more as a synopsis than as an account. And a flawed one. For example, it is dismissive of the skills of Joe Montana, ignoring that he was widely reported as being exceptional in his ability to quickly and accurately move through "the progression" (the potential receivers) and this was critical to making Walshs system work. Montanas leadership/motivational skills were also widely credited.
As for the individuals followed, this is not so much a story of Michael Oher, but more of the Tuohy family that take him in and plays a critical role in getting Oher past the obstacles. This is understandable: Oher is portrayed as a very difficult interview plus Sean Tuohy is a childhood friend of the author.
The promotional materials claim that the need for left tackles has percolated down from the NFL to colleges to high schools. But in this book, I saw nothing about high school preparing Oher for this position - he was used as a run blocker. And the book covers only his freshman year in college - in which he played right guard - and does NOT describe his play in any of the games (this is a sign of how much the author depended on the Tuohys for this info).
The description of his recruiting by colleges is generic - he could have been any highly rated prospect. There is virtually no discussion of the arguments that the recruiters made - quality of opponents, quality of training, coaching, mentoring, ... There was more space spent on the inducements offered to Sean Jr.
The book feels badly padded - there is far too much repetition of biographic details - to the point that it becomes annoying.
I did NOT find this to be an uplifting story (unlike some reviewers here). A major support system arranged by the Tuohys kept Oher from failing, but at the end of the book he still has massive deficits. It came across more as a Sisyphean effort for the Tuohys (Camus variety - work in which there is honor).
The author portrays Oher as a sure-thing for the NFL on the basis of build and athleticism. I am skeptical - Oher has learning difficulties, is immature in many areas, and seems to need a full-time personal guidance counselor/motivator. Plus he seems to have a serious potential for self-destruction.
There is a big gap in the story that made me wonder about the rest of the account of Oher and the Tuohys: The description of how and why Oher chose Ole Miss is fuzzy. The description of Ohers freshman year at Ole Miss makes it seem a bad choice - both for football (mediocre players and coaching staff and an untried head coach) and social/educational. My inference was that the Tuohys believed that Oher continued to need a support system beyond that supplied by the football program (eg, his own personal tutor, the Tuohys connections, ready access to the Tuohys themselves) and that that was more important than the strength of the football program. I expect that portions of the story were softened out to not embarrass Oher. However, I had to wonder if the story was also being softened because Tuohy is a friend of the author.
Note: I most definitely am not criticizing the Tuohys for providing additional support for Oher at college. Three of my high school friends were recruited to play football at major colleges (in 1960s). One made it to the NFL (high draft choice) and two dropped out during their freshman year: they went from being standouts (offense linemen) to being below average for their position (physical size) and they didnt have the support to cope with all the simultaneous changes and pressures. This situation would have made an interesting portion of this book, but is barely visible.
One of the joys of Moneyball was the accounts of the teams and managers that resisted analytical assessment and stuck with the conventional wisdom, and how the latter differed from the former. There is none of this here. The high school football coach who resisted using Oher is later praised as brilliant. The evolution of the game is treated as a pair of family trees rooted in Walsh and Parcells.
On: 2006-12-13
Having read Liars Poker and Moneyball, I expected this book to be in the same genre: Exploration of a niche of an industry intertwined with profiles of a few illustrative players. Other reviewers here have noted that the evolution of the offensive left tackle is only a small portion of the book - I would refer to it more as a synopsis than as an account. And a flawed one. For example, it is dismissive of the skills of Joe Montana, ignoring that he was widely reported as being exceptional in his ability to quickly and accurately move through "the progression" (the potential receivers) and this was critical to making Walshs system work. Montanas leadership/motivational skills were also widely credited.
As for the individuals followed, this is not so much a story of Michael Oher, but more of the Tuohy family that take him in and plays a critical role in getting Oher past the obstacles. This is understandable: Oher is portrayed as a very difficult interview plus Sean Tuohy is a childhood friend of the author.
The promotional materials claim that the need for left tackles has percolated down from the NFL to colleges to high schools. But in this book, I saw nothing about high school preparing Oher for this position - he was used as a run blocker. And the book covers only his freshman year in college - in which he played right guard - and does NOT describe his play in any of the games (this is a sign of how much the author depended on the Tuohys for this info).
The description of his recruiting by colleges is generic - he could have been any highly rated prospect. There is virtually no discussion of the arguments that the recruiters made - quality of opponents, quality of training, coaching, mentoring, ... There was more space spent on the inducements offered to Sean Jr.
The book feels badly padded - there is far too much repetition of biographic details - to the point that it becomes annoying.
I did NOT find this to be an uplifting story (unlike some reviewers here). A major support system arranged by the Tuohys kept Oher from failing, but at the end of the book he still has massive deficits. It came across more as a Sisyphean effort for the Tuohys (Camus variety - work in which there is honor).
The author portrays Oher as a sure-thing for the NFL on the basis of build and athleticism. I am skeptical - Oher has learning difficulties, is immature in many areas, and seems to need a full-time personal guidance counselor/motivator. Plus he seems to have a serious potential for self-destruction.
There is a big gap in the story that made me wonder about the rest of the account of Oher and the Tuohys: The description of how and why Oher chose Ole Miss is fuzzy. The description of Ohers freshman year at Ole Miss makes it seem a bad choice - both for football (mediocre players and coaching staff and an untried head coach) and social/educational. My inference was that the Tuohys believed that Oher continued to need a support system beyond that supplied by the football program (eg, his own personal tutor, the Tuohys connections, ready access to the Tuohys themselves) and that that was more important than the strength of the football program. I expect that portions of the story were softened out to not embarrass Oher. However, I had to wonder if the story was also being softened because Tuohy is a friend of the author.
Note: I most definitely am not criticizing the Tuohys for providing additional support for Oher at college. Three of my high school friends were recruited to play football at major colleges (in 1960s). One made it to the NFL (high draft choice) and two dropped out during their freshman year: they went from being standouts (offense linemen) to being below average for their position (physical size) and they didnt have the support to cope with all the simultaneous changes and pressures. This situation would have made an interesting portion of this book, but is barely visible.
One of the joys of Moneyball was the accounts of the teams and managers that resisted analytical assessment and stuck with the conventional wisdom, and how the latter differed from the former. There is none of this here. The high school football coach who resisted using Oher is later praised as brilliant. The evolution of the game is treated as a pair of family trees rooted in Walsh and Parcells.
On: 2006-12-05
I really enjoyed this book, read it one sitting, and then read all of the reviews just to justify continuing to think about it. Some of the reviewers didnt rate the book as highly as I did, but I can understand their complaints. The (minor, in my opinion) errors of fact are annoying, but probably only to a pretty serious football fan. And yes, if you consider the title only narrowly, you might be disappointed to find a book that is not just about football strategy and how the game has evolved. But, and I may be stretching a bit here, if you consider the title more metaphorically, there are other "blind sides" and "evolutions" at work here than just right-handed quarterbacks and the role of left-tackles.
I love football and probably have a slightly higher-than-average knowledge of the game (for a chick who was never allowed to play on a real team!) but this book taught me a few things about both the game and the business of football, on the college and professional levels.
Another "blind side" is the view of some serious holes in our society: that such desparate poverty exists alongside such immense wealth; that a child can be lost for YEARS without housing, education, health care, or any measure of security; that most of us really ought to be both more generous and more clear-minded about our responsibilities to each other and our ability to be of use. For me, this books view of the generous acceptance, and the limits of the generosity and acceptance of a Southern Evangelical Christian community was alone worth the price of admission.
And perhaps "evolution" also includes the gaming of the ridiculous NCAA eligibility/compensation system, the dance of altruism and self-interest among some of the characters, and the growth of the young man at the heart of the story. But maybe Im over-reaching.
Im thinking of the old expression "neither flesh nor fowl nor good red herring." This book is like that; its about a lot of different ideas. I think Michael Lewis does a terrific job of telling the story, without a tidy conclusion and without telling us the motivations of the people involved, instead letting us decide.
Personally, I applaud the Touhy family, heres a quote from the book by the adoptive mother: "I want a building...were going to open a foundation thats only going to help out kids with athletic ability who dont have the academics to go to college. Screw the NCAA. I dont care what people say. I dont care if they say were only interested in them because theyre good at sports. Sports is all we know about."
If you want just one thing from a book, a football strategy guide, a tale of unlikely success, or a primer on Ole Miss, you might be disappointed. But if you want to take a deeper, closer look at a piece of our society (and you dont think that sports are a waste of time) I think you will be richly rewarded by this book. I was.
On: 2006-12-04
An interesting book that educates the reader of the increased value of the left tackle position in the NFL to tell the more compelling story of the social and athletic development of Michael Oher. As a football fan, I thought there was enough of the evolution of the position to learn something, which provided an adequate level of context toward Michael Ohers evolution. The author did an excellent job in getting you involved with the depth of Michaels struggles, and in making you want to keep your eyes on Michael Oher moving forward. The only think that stopped me from 5 stars was the simplicity in which some of the challenges (i.e college qualification)resolved themselves.
On: 2006-12-03
The title and description would have you believe that this book is about the evolution of the left tackle position in the NFL. There are a few insightful, informative chapters on this topic, but most of the pages are devoted to a human interest story about Michael Oher, a left tackle prospect currently playing college football at Ole Miss.
Michael Lewis spends twice as many chapters discussing Ohers unique personality and childhood anecdotes than he does exploring the history of the left tackle position. A book titled "Blind Side: Evolution of a Game" makes you think that the central theme of this book would be about how and why left tackles became one of the highest paid positions in the NFL. But make no mistake, this book is about the story of Michael Ohers life, and the "evolution of a game" takes a back seat.
Though Ohers story is an unusual one, it is not something a sports fan like me finds particularly interesting. It is a shame, because I was fascinated when Lewis did get around to talking about Lawrence Taylors career-ending hit on Joe Theissman, Bill Walshs offensive strategy to neutralize blind side pass rushers, and the increased importance of left tackles in the NFL. Unfortunately, there were too few pages devoted to these kinds of football stories for me to have been satisfied with this book.
On: 2006-12-02
The title and description would have you believe that this book is about the evolution of the left tackle position in the NFL. There are a few insightful, informative chapters on this topic, but most of the pages are devoted to a human interest story about Michael Oher, a left tackle prospect currently playing college football at Ole Miss.
Michael Lewis spends twice as many chapters discussing Ohers unique personality and childhood anecdotes than he does exploring the history of the left tackle position. A book titled "Blind Side: Evolution of a Game" makes you think that the central theme of this book would be about how and why left tackles became one of the highest paid positions in the NFL. But make no mistake, this book is about the story of Michael Ohers life, and the "evolution of a game" takes a back seat.
Though Ohers story is an unusual one, it is not something a sports fan like me finds particularly interesting. It is a shame, because I was fascinated when Lewis did get around to talking about Lawrence Taylors career-ending hit on Joe Theissman, Bill Walshs offensive strategy to neutralize blind side pass rushers, and the increased importance of left tackles in the NFL. Unfortunately, there were too few pages devoted to these kinds of football stories for me to have been satisfied with this book.
On: 2006-12-01
Buyers beware! Michael Lewis "The Blind Side, Evolution of a Game" may not be exactly what you think you are getting.
The title and cover design suggest that "The Blind Side" is about football, and the evolution of the game of football. And, it is - for about one-third of the 293 pages.
The rest of the book is an over bloated, but feel good case study of a massive football protegee named Michael Oher, who is helped to escape his negative home environment and ultimately enter the surreal world of college recruiting. Its a story that we have heard before. And, sadly, it is not a story we would hear if the protegee were a budding cellist, or a potential math scholar, or teacher, or scientist - after all, they do not have the potential of becoming a left tackle, a key, but under-discussed theme of the book.
And yet, when "The Blind Side" is good, it is worthy of a five star rating. The first paragraph puts you in RFK Stadium, ready to witness Lawrence Taylors blind side attack that savagely breaks Joe Theismans leg and ends his career. Lewis is at his best as he describes the evolution of defensive ferocity and intimidation, and its impact on the game, under Coach Bill Parcells.
Of course, evolution is not stagnant, and other forces rise to meet the challenge, personified by Bill Walsh. Walsh is the offensive contretemps to Parcells. His genius is to neutralize/negate the pressure on the quarterbacks by developing an offensive scheme that:
- Reduces the number of decisions to be made by a quarterback
- Speeds the decision-making process by throwing short passes to faster, more agile players, allowing their athletic skills to add yardage after catches - essentially lessening the impact of defensive linemen and pass rushers.
- Recognizes that the vulnerability of the quarterback comes primarily from the blind side, hence elevates the status, and salary, of Left Tackles who can consistently protect the teams investment in their Quarterback.
All of this is pretty well known now, but in the early 80s when all of this was happening, Walsh was creatively changing the way smart teams attacked aggressive defenses.
Unfortunately, just when the book was beginning to feel like the estimable "Moneyball," Lewis takes us on a 200 page journey of this massive protegee who is taken in by Sean and Leigh Anne Tuohy. To that extent, the book becomes "The Mind Side, Evolution of an Individual." Fine - but, would I have bought this book had I known that it was better suited as a reading in a Sociology class than within a business context?
And, here is where I was let down. "Moneyball" is a powerful book, in which Lewis sticks to his knitting and delivers a remarkable treatise in strategic business planning - how to beat the NY Yankees on a $40M payroll, using new logic and different metrics to identify affordably effective players. Thats where I thought Lewis was headed in "Blind Side". In fact, I was anticipating that Lewis was going to dig into the following areas:
- In the age of the salary cap, how do the most successful teams apportion their payroll to produce consistent, winning seasons - and why. In this way we can better understand the rise in importance of the Left Tackle, several of whom are cited as archetypes.
- Walsh thought that his system superseded the talent of the quarterbacks who ran it. For instance, Virgil Carter, Jeff Kemp, and Steve DeBerg are cited as marginal players with sub 50% passing completions records until they became associated with Walsh. Great - but Walsh apparently had the same feelings about his system vis-a-vis the impact of Joe Montana, a third round draftee. Considering the successes and legacy of Montana, this is an area of the "evolution" that should have been further developed. Was it the genius of Walsh or the talent of Montana (or Steve Young or did it even matter)?
I considered giving this book a lower rating based on the weight of text stereotypically devoted to the recruitment of a football player whose full scholarship offers, from scores of higher educational institutions, are an affront to legitimate students who compete for admission and fulfillment of non NFL dreams - and must pay for the privilege.
However, when Lewis is comparing the creativity of Walsh with the speed and brute force of Parcells and Taylor (e.g., "the evolution of the game" part), the book is riveting.
Frankly, it is a lesson that can be metaphorically reapplied in business for owners and managers who need to find new answers that recreate their businesses in the face of more aggressive competition and globalization.
I just wish that the Author had gone there.
On: 2006-11-29
To explain how much I enjoyed this book I have to give a little background. I was sending some books on Amazon to a friend who is recovering from a serious accident. I had placed my order before Thanksgiving. I started this book on the Wednesday night before Thanksgiving and later that weekend I quickly checked my order and saw it had not been sent yet. I was able to change what I was sending without cost to share this wonderful book with him.
In just 300 pages I read one of the most moving stories about human good nature and learned about life of a poor black person than in anything else I have read. The Tuohy family stands out as the most remarkable and inspiring. Here is a family that lives religious values. I kept thinking about the wonderful line in "When Harry Met Sally" when I read about Leigh Anne. I would love to have a little of whatever she has. She is the real giant in the book.
The family accepted Micheal Oher, a black teen age giant, into their family and made him part of it without being patronizing. They respected his need for privacy and the difficulties that he had adjusting.
It also showed the power of love to overcome so many misfortunes. I can only say that I was inspired.
If that were the only subjects of the book I would have been fine. What really was amazing was that it was only two thirds of the book. The rest explained how professional football has evolved, the best explanation of Coach Walsh, an understanding of football line play and the personality of an offensive lineman. On top of that I realized how much I missed of a football game I watched.
I am looking forward to Michael being a pro left tackle and hope I can remember what I have read. If not I will read this book again and enjoy it all a second time.
Thank you Michael Lewis for such a treat.
On: 2006-11-27
What we have here is a really unique book. Michael Lewis has taken a little of what made his "Moneyball" so spectacular, applied it to football and married it up to a truly unbelieveable story of a real person struggling against all odds to make something of his life. The result is both entertaining and educational.
Lewis lays the foundation for the book by telling a basic story of the free-market at work in the game/business of professional football. He explains how Lawrence Taylor and free agency inadvertently conspired to make the offensive left tackle the second highest paid player in NFL football after the quarterback.
Taylor threw off quarterbacks by attacking them from behind, their "blind side." He was so effective that college and high school football programs sought to find or build others like him and soon the NFL filled with players in the LT mold. The player who defended the quarterback against the LT type was the offensive left tackle. To play the position well, a person needed the rarest combination of physical attributes; 66" to 69", 325 to 350 pounds, long arms, huge hands, a low center of gravity all coupled with an ability to move -- fast. Bring it all together and some NFL team will write you a check for about $7 million each year.
Thus begins the unlikely story of Michael Oher, a 15 year-old Memphis near-orphan with little to no education who starts attending an upper-middle class Christian high school through a twist of fate. Michael, as it happens is about 66", 345 pounds, with speed, long arms, big hands... you get the idea.
His story is truly fascinating and the book will engage you on a number of levels. This one is absolutely worth reading.
On: 2006-11-25
I would give it 6 stars, if I could. This is not really a story of football. If you are looking for a history book on how to play the game, or how the game has changed, dont bother. If you enjoy stories of human nature and how it is interwined with sports, then this is your book. The book loosly follows the MoneyBall story. It discusses the demand for solid left tackles in todays game, and the money that follows. But the main story is of Michael Oher, a gifted player from the gettos of Memphis, and how he and the people around him supported him. The real question would a person with normal gifts, but with the same background as his, get the same chance?
On: 2006-11-23
The premise of the store is interesting. How did left tackle become one of the most important positions in football? The first half of the book does a fair job of walking through the reasons. (West Coast offense, LT, etc.)
Unfortunately, at that point Lewis runs out of things to write about, so he starts talking about Michael Oher, an O Lineman at Ole Miss. Ohers story is intersting, but it is too early to tell. He is a "superstar" but only a sophomore. I also think that Lewis overdoes how great Oher already is.
I also dont really understand what Ohers story really had to do with the original premise of the book. Is Lewis saying that because left tackles now make millions, Oher wants to be one? I would think that if Oher had come around in the 70s people would still have thought of him as a football player. Last time I checked lineman were big and strong (and quick) in that era too.
On: 2006-11-19
I believe Blind Side is Michael Lewiss best book since Liars Poker. As other reviewers noted, the book can be read on many levels, with the human interest story dominating the football technicalities.
Ultimately, the lesson of the Michael Oher story and this book can be summarized as a combination of unlikely circumstances all coming together in a single place and time. Somewhere in West Memphis, a well-intentioned man named Big Tony fulfills his dying mothers wish: enroll his son at a Christian school. Michael just happens to be sleeping on Big Tonys floor: a few months earlier or later, and Michael would be crashing elsewhere. So Michael gets invited to go along.
Michael gets referred to a home study course to prepare for Briarcrest. A few months later, a conscience-stricken administrator realizes he made a big mistake: no way could Michael handle home study or any other study, and now hes out of the public school system. So Michael gets admitted to Briarcrest, where an astute science teacher realizes hes a kinesthetic learner. He cant take tests but he absorbs the material.
Cut to the movie Hoop Dreams: Remember the scene when the evil high school administrator sits at the adding machine, counting up the debts the departing players parents now owe the school? Ka-ching! And heres an administrator saying, "We blew it." Draw whatever ironic conclusions you like, its a powerful comparison.
Meanwhile, Michaels life keeps getting better. One Thanksgiving weekend, Michael has a chance encounter with the one man at Briarcrest most unlikely to understand and help: Sean Tuohy, who rose from poverty through sports ("I majored in basketball," he says of his college years). Tuohys wife Leigh Anne exclaims, "Hes wearing shorts!" and soon this former sorority girl and Ole Miss cheerleader has added Michael as a new family member. Michael gets his own futon and dresser, as well as a place on the family Christmas card and his own share of the familys wealth.
By now we should not be surprised to learn that a child can reach ninth grade in a public school system without the rudiments of learning. Any reader of the New York Times magazine will be aware of our governments priorities. Weve read countless stories of inner city misery, including an excerpt from this book. If Michael had been caught with a few grains of marijuana, or had shoplifted a five dollar item, somehow money would be found to administer court costs and jail time. But an infusion of cash into his school system would prevent these and countless other criminal acts for a fraction of the cost, and in the process turn out some educated citizens.
Michael seems a worthy recipient of the luck that came his way. A gentle giant, he seems eager to please, yet the book downplays his social skills. In one casually presented scene, Leigh Anne drops Michael off from their first memorable shopping trip. He goes inside, then reappears with a tribe of small children who form a chain to carry the new merchandise into the house. And in another, Michael appears to fail the written part of his driving test...until one of the "ladies" appears to congratulate Michael and remind him hes promiised her a sideline pass in the NFL! If the Tuohys hadnt intervened, would Michael be a con artist?
I must say I cant get concerned over the tutoring and gamesmanship to get Michael up to NCAA-approved academic standards. As Lewis points out, other Ole Miss football players lack basic skills including lifemanship. Football-dominated schools clearly have monetary incentives to recruit top players, so why not drop the hypocrisy and reward players directly? Instead of giving them scholarships that lead to degrees based on ease of subject matter, give them money so they can function (and maybe even go to school) afterwards.
I dont think the Tuohys were motivated to help Ole Miss in the beginning. Apparently Sean was looking for Division II schools where Michael could play basketball when the football coaches revealed their interest (blindsiding Sean?!)
At times I couldnt help thinking, "Instead of just lavishing all this attention on one person, why dont the Tuohys build a school in West Memphis?" But of course its easier to think of changing the world one person at a time (as Oprah likes to say). Leigh Anne suggests starting a foundation to help other athletes reach academic qualifications and thus get a chance at a college scholarship.
They wont save everybody. Lewis makes us aware that if Michaels talent lay in playing piano or solving differential equations, hed never have escaped his background. Then again, as a society we value football more than music or math...we can leave the values debate to another review.
The fact that Blind Side encourages us to raise and discuss these questions is a major achievement. I for one was sorry to put the book down. I wanted to spend a little more time with the Tuohys and of course with Michael, too.
On: 2006-11-18
I believe Blind Side is Michael Lewiss best book since Liars Poker. As other reviewers noted, the book can be read on many levels, with the human interest story dominating the football technicalities.
Ultimately, the lesson of the Michael Oher story and this book can be summarized as a combination of unlikely circumstances all coming together in a single place and time. Somewhere in West Memphis, a well-intentioned man named Big Tony fulfills his dying mothers wish: enroll his son at a Christian school. Michael just happens to be sleeping on Big Tonys floor: a few months earlier or later, and Michael would be crashing elsewhere. So Michael gets invited to go along.
Michael gets referred to a home study course to prepare for Briarcrest. A few months later, a conscience-stricken administrator realizes he made a big mistake: no way could Michael handle home study or any other study, and now hes out of the public school system. So Michael gets admitted to Briarcrest, where an astute science teacher realizes hes a kinesthetic learner. He cant take tests but he absorbs the material.
Cut to the movie Hoop Dreams: Remember the scene when the evil high school administrator sits at the adding machine, counting up the debts the departing players parents now owe the school? Ka-ching! And heres an administrator saying, "We blew it." Draw whatever ironic conclusions you like, its a powerful comparison.
Meanwhile, Michaels life keeps getting better. One Thanksgiving weekend, Michael has a chance encounter with the one man at Briarcrest most unlikely to understand and help: Sean Tuohy, who rose from poverty through sports ("I majored in basketball," he says of his college years). Tuohys wife Leigh Anne exclaims, "Hes wearing shorts!" and soon this former sorority girl and Ole Miss cheerleader has added Michael as a new family member. Michael gets his own futon and dresser, as well as a place on the family Christmas card and his own share of the familys wealth.
By now we should not be surprised to learn that a child can reach ninth grade in a public school system without the rudiments of learning. Any reader of the New York Times magazine will be aware of our governments priorities. Weve read countless stories of inner city misery, including an excerpt from this book. If Michael had been caught with a few grains of marijuana, or had shoplifted a five dollar item, somehow money would be found to administer court costs and jail time. But an infusion of cash into his school system would prevent these and countless other criminal acts for a fraction of the cost, and in the process turn out some educated citizens.
Michael seems a worthy recipient of the luck that came his way. A gentle giant, he seems eager to please, yet the book downplays his social skills. In one casually presented scene, Leigh Anne drops Michael off from their first memorable shopping trip. He goes inside, then reappears with a tribe of small children who form a chain to carry the new merchandise into the house. And in another, Michael appears to fail the written part of his driving test...until one of the "ladies" appears to congratulate Michael and remind him hes promiised her a sideline pass in the NFL! If the Tuohys hadnt intervened, would Michael be a con artist?
I must say I cant get concerned over the tutoring and gamesmanship to get Michael up to NCAA-approved academic standards. As Lewis points out, other Ole Miss football players lack basic skills including lifemanship. Football-dominated schools clearly have monetary incentives to recruit top players, so why not drop the hypocrisy and reward players directly? Instead of giving them scholarships that lead to degrees based on ease of subject matter, give them money so they can function (and maybe even go to school) afterwards.
I dont think the Tuohys were motivated to help Ole Miss in the beginning. Apparently Sean was looking for Division II schools where Michael could play basketball when the football coaches revealed their interest (blindsiding Sean?!)
At times I couldnt help thinking, "Instead of just lavishing all this attention on one person, why dont the Tuohys build a school in West Memphis?" But of course its easier to think of changing the world one person at a time (as Oprah likes to say). Leigh Anne suggests starting a foundation to help other athletes reach academic qualifications and thus get a chance at a college scholarship.
They wont save everybody. Lewis makes us aware that if Michaels talent lay in playing piano or solving differential equations, hed never have escaped his background. Then again, as a society we value football more than music or math...we can leave the values debate to another review.
The fact that Blind Side encourages us to raise and discuss these questions is a major achievement. I for one was sorry to put the book down. I wanted to spend a little more time with the Tuohys and of course with Michael, too.
by: mrliteral On: 2006-11-15
I am a rather casual football fan. Outside of the interesting college bowl game or professional playoff, I tend to catch football only during odd moments flipping through channels. My understanding of the game is passable but hardly excellent; it was, therefore, nice to read Michael Lewiss book The Blind Side. I learned things, and that is always a good thing to say after reading a book.
The particular insight I got from this book is the importance of the offensive line, especially the left tackle. While all the glory goes to the quarterbacks (and to a lesser extent, running backs and wide receivers, it is actually the left tackle that is often the franchise player and typically commands one of the highest (if not the highest) salaries on a team. What makes the left tackle so important? Put simply, he protects the quarterbacks blind side and allows the passing game to flourish. Often a key difference between a great QB and a mediocre one is the quality of the left tackle protecting him.
While Lewis presents a history of the position and how it helped develop the pass-happy offenses of recent years, he also tells the tale of one up-and-comer in the position. Michael Oher, more-or-less the hero of The Blind Side is at first just a gigantic teenager growing up in the worst neighborhoods of Memphis, Tennessee. At first, he seems destined for a short, unhappy life: essentially illiterate and with a broken home, he gets a chance to attend a prosperous Christian high school, where his physical abilities are noticed.
The book chronicles his rise from his impoverished roots to a top college prospect. His success is both due to his efforts and the work of many others who realized he had real potential. Oher was a person who was almost instantly recognized as a potentially great left tackle, but he would never get to the pros without assistance.
The book concludes after one year of college ball at the end of 2005, so (as of this date of this review), he would still only be a sophomore and in the physically perilous world of football, his future in the game is possibly good, but also possibly short. In the past, however, the game was his only possible chance at real success; now, however, with the help he has received, he has the chances to do other things beyond the game.
Lewis writes with the easy assurance common to good sports writers. Occasionally, he meanders about, going off on tangents before resuming the narrative. Fortunately, the tangents themselves are also informative. The Blind Side is a book on evolution: the evolution of a game (it says so right on the cover), but also the evolution of an individual. It is a good book and recommended for any fan of football.
On: 2006-11-15
My son played receiver on the Briarcrest Football Team. As a fan I met Michael Oher early on. I saw Michael deal with a great amount of adversity and overcome it. I saw loving and caring individuals reach out
in a way I never had seen before to help him in his quest to become educated. I also saw him enter school as a raw block of iron that through hard work, and a never give up attitude honed itself into the greatest football lineman ever to come out of the Southeast. I saw a shy individual without parents, without confidence, or economic benefit gain incredible ground, develop his education up to the level of his classmates that socially and economically had superior ability and education. This true story is a great motivational story of what an individual can overcome in life when faced with real hardship. It is also a true story of some great individuals that reached out with love and compassion for a human being in need. "BLIND SIDE" will touch your heart in a way that has never been felt before.
On: 2006-11-10
...but very close. This book was a quick read. I am very interested how Michael Oher will fare in the NFL if he makes it (Which Lewis virtually assumes). Lewis style of duel stories going on in one book make it entertaining. Although not quite up to par with Moneyball, it comes darn close. If you liked Moneyball or are a fan of football this book is highly recommended.
On: 2006-11-06
I have read all of the Michael Lewis books. This one is ok.. the story seems a little thin to make an entire book.. you can sense it as you read along.. probably more details in the book than you really need.
Like my title it is good not great.
On: 2006-11-04
Not a bad book by any means; Lewis is a fine writer who draws you into the story. But I came into this book hoping for an interesting analysis of football -- specifically how the game has changed since Lawrence Taylor taught coaches they had to protect the quarterbacks blind side.
Instead, 90 percent of the book is a biography of Michael Oher, a star left tackle currently playing college ball and expected to be an early NFL draft pick.
The good stuff -- rather, what I was expecting from the book -- is concentrated at the beginning and end, when Lewis goes into detail about football itself and how it has changed since the 80s.
So if youd like an interesting biography of a homeless kid turned football star, youll love this. But if youre looking for a book about football, you might want to look elsewhere.
On: 2006-11-03
I picked this up after reading the excerpt in SI and thinking, "man, that would make a great book!" Well, not quite great. Then again, this wasnt that book. If you read the SI excerpt and were looking for 300 pages of economic analysis on the value of the left tackle and the allocation of payroll resources in a salary capped NFL, youll have to settle for 50 pages of the subtitular "evolution of a game," and about 250 pages of something else. I suspect that a lot of people will feel that this distribution makes this a more important book than the one I thought I was buying. Could be, but that doesnt mean its a better one.
What is the 250 pages of something else? The story of Michael Oher, a 66", 350 lb. athletic freak wallowing in poverty and neglect in West Memphis ghetto, until he is discovered, saved and adopted by a wealthy suburban family with startlingly strong ties to the college where this presumptive best-of-the-next-generation NFL left tackle (and functionally illiterate, learning disabled, sub-2.0 high school GPAer) winds up.
Lewis doesnt explicitly state it until the acknowledgements, but the connection he sees between the Oher story and the evolution of a game story is as follows: had the left tackle not evolved into an important, highly specialized and highly compensated NFL asset, who would have cared about this poor black kid? Would his near-wasted life have ever been retreived from the scrap heap? Would mainstream (white) America ever have cared? Essentially, now that the redeemable qualitites of Michael Oher seem to be embodied by his material value and his earning potential, what are we to make of this?
The connection between the stories is undoubtedly touchy-feely, not to mention a bit esoteric. I suspect he doesnt assert it until the acknowledgements because it is a pragmatic view that cant help but tarnish what I would argue were the adoptive familys altruistic (if Shelley-esque and somewhat Conradian) motives. Also, problematically for me, Lewis admits in the acknowledgements that Sean Tuohy is a lifelong friend - a fact that if revealed before the action might have enlightened the reader as to why Lewis seems to take such a cavalier and trusting approach to the Tuohy familys arguments regarding their interest in Michael, their role in the recruiting process, the very questionable means they employ to get the kid NCAA eligible, and more.
That notwithstanding, Michaels story is certainly an interesting one. My main problem with the book is that Lewis relies on the Oher story, I think because his premise is overblown and underproven. Just like the "Moneyball" philosophy.
Lewis essential contention is that after the arrival of Lawrence Taylor (and a bevy of quick, blind side pass rushing Taylor clones), and the subsequent (or resultant) offensive shift to more quick hit, pass oriented West Coast style offenses, the NFL began to rethink the left tackle position. In so doing, left tackle became for NFl player personnel people, not just another O lineman, but the bodyguard of the QB - the man charged solely with protecting his blind side (when he is a right-handed thrower). Lewis argues somewhat convincingly that this revaluation was best evidenced by the skyrocketing left tackle salaries around the league once the NFL introduced free agency and allowed the market to operate in relative freedom.
Its a great story. And a nice argument. But, in the same way that "Moneyball" oversold the Oakland As allegedly ingenious fiscal strategy (still waiting on that As championship parade), this book tries to make a substantial argument out of a statistical molehill.
Early on, Lewis moves rather fluidly and enjoyably between the evolution story and the Oher story. Then, for a hundred pages at once, he leaves the evolution story behind and belabors the Oher stuff. The return to Bill Walsh and the West Coast offense is welcome, but by now its clear that Lewis has left the realm of sports economist and become more social observer. If you enjoyed "Moneyball," and for all its flaws, I did, this book is not going to be footballs "Moneyball."
It winds up more comparable to David Maraniss "Clemente," a book that uses a sport in its social context to tell one persons story. Michael Ohers story is a good one to tell, but this jigsaw puzzle was cut in too small of pieces on too large a scale. Lewis says that he stumbled across the story looking for a magazine piece to write. I think he found it and didnt realize it.
Enjoy the SI excerpt to get the best of this effort by Lewis. If from the other reviews, you find the Oher story compelling, see "Hoop Dreams."
On: 2006-11-02
I picked this up after reading the excerpt in SI and thinking, "man, that would make a great book!" Well, not quite great. Then again, this wasnt that book. If you read the SI excerpt and were looking for 300 pages of economic analysis on the value of the left tackle and the allocation of payroll resources in a salary capped NFL, youll have to settle for 50 pages of the subtitular "evolution of a game," and about 250 pages of something else. I suspect that a lot of people will feel that this distribution makes this a more important book than the one I thought I was buying. Could be, but that doesnt mean its a better one.
What is the 250 pages of something else? The story of Michael Oher, a 66", 350 lb. athletic freak wallowing in poverty and neglect in West Memphis ghetto, until he is discovered, saved and adopted by a wealthy suburban family with startlingly strong ties to the college where this presumptive best-of-the-next-generation NFL left tackle (and functionally illiterate, learning disabled, sub-2.0 high school GPAer) winds up.
Lewis doesnt explicitly state it until the acknowledgements, but the connection he sees between the Oher story and the evolution of a game story is as follows: had the left tackle not evolved into an important, highly specialized and highly compensated NFL asset, who would have cared about this poor black kid? Would his near-wasted life have ever been retreived from the scrap heap? Would mainstream (white) America ever have cared? Essentially, now that the redeemable qualitites of Michael Oher seem to be embodied by his material value and his earning potential, what are we to make of this?
The connection between the stories is undoubtedly touchy-feely, not to mention a bit esoteric. I suspect he doesnt assert it until the acknowledgements because it is a pragmatic view that cant help but tarnish what I would argue were the adoptive familys altruistic (if Shelley-esque and somewhat Conradian) motives. Also, problematically for me, Lewis admits in the acknowledgements that Sean Tuohy is a lifelong friend - a fact that if revealed before the action might have enlightened the reader as to why Lewis seems to take such a cavalier and trusting approach to the Tuohy familys arguments regarding their interest in Michael, their role in the recruiting process, the very questionable means they employ to get the kid NCAA eligible, and more.
That notwithstanding, Michaels story is certainly an interesting one. My main problem with the book is that Lewis relies on the Oher story, I think because his premise is overblown and underproven. Just like the "Moneyball" philosophy.
Lewis essential contention is that after the arrival of Lawrence Taylor (and a bevy of quick, blind side pass rushing Taylor clones), and the subsequent (or resultant) offensive shift to more quick hit, pass oriented West Coast style offenses, the NFL began to rethink the left tackle position. In so doing, left tackle became for NFl player personnel people, not just another O lineman, but the bodyguard of the QB - the man charged solely with protecting his blind side (when he is a right-handed thrower). Lewis argues somewhat convincingly that this revaluation was best evidenced by the skyrocketing left tackle salaries around the league once the NFL introduced free agency and allowed the market to operate in relative freedom.
Its a great story. And a nice argument. But, in the same way that "Moneyball" oversold the Oakland As allegedly ingenious fiscal strategy (still waiting on that As championship parade), this book tries to make a substantial argument out of a statistical molehill.
Early on, Lewis moves rather fluidly and enjoyably between the evolution story and the Oher story. Then, for a hundred pages at once, he leaves the evolution story behind and belabors the Oher stuff. The return to Bill Walsh and the West Coast offense is welcome, but by now its clear that Lewis has left the realm of sports economist and become more social observer. If you enjoyed "Moneyball," and for all its flaws, I did, this book is not going to be footballs "Moneyball."
It winds up more comparable to David Maraniss "Clemente," a book that uses a sport in its social context to tell one persons story. Michael Ohers story is a good one to tell, but this jigsaw puzzle was cut in too small of pieces on too large a scale. Lewis says that he stumbled across the story looking for a magazine piece to write. I think he found it and didnt realize it.
Enjoy the SI excerpt to get the best of this effort by Lewis. If from the other reviews, you find the Oher story compelling, see "Hoop Dreams."
by: ed_u On: 2006-11-01
There are two levels of narrative at work in author Michael Lewis comprehensive, intriguing book on offensive football strategy today - a personal account of triumph over the odds for a particular player and the broader story of what gave the player the opportunity to succeed in the game. The latter is obviously directed to the Monday morning quarterbacks who have seen the gradual evolution of the left tackle from a faceless offensive lineman to one of the most valued players in the game. The author sees how it began with the New York Giants Lawrence Taylor when he was drafted in 1981 as the #2 pick.
A foreboding presence on the field, Taylor had a career-defining moment when he sacked Washington Redskins Joe Theismann so hard in 1985 that the resulting compound fracture to Theismanns right leg led to his early retirement from active play. With battle lines now redrawn, college and professional teams needed to figure out how best to protect the starting quarterback from similar injury. According to Lewis, the left tackle started to become an even more pivotal position since he protects the quarterbacks blind side and usually possesses the footwork and agility necessary to counteract the pass rush of defensive ends. Ensuring the starting quarterback makes it to the play-offs is the number one priority for a team, and the left tackle makes that happen.
The second story is actually the more interesting of the two because Lewis chronicles the manifestation of this mindset to recruiting and how six-foot-six, 300-plus pound Michael Oher from Memphis was plucked out of destitution to become the starting left tackle at Ole Miss. As the son of a drug-addicted mother and an absentee father, Oher was an illiterate teen scraping by in a housing project until family acquaintances Sean and Leigh Ann Touhy took him in, helped him graduate from high school and set the path for Oher to become a legitimate recruit for the colleges in the region. Whats most intriguing about Lewis account is the excessive indulgence shown by the school coaches and the various college football programs, among them Tennessee and LSU, in accommodating Oher to join them. The evolution of the left tackle seems like an idiosyncratic area to place his focus, but Lewis makes this a compelling read, even for those of us who dont follow football religiously.
On: 2006-10-31
I enjoyed this book thoroughly. Its not just a sports book but a human interest story. The evolution of the left tackle is interesting, but doesnt compare to the story of Michael Oher. It was hard not to jump to the end of the book to see how Michael Ohers story turned out. Since the book is in real time Ill have to wait a few years to see what happens.
On: 2006-10-29
When I first heard that Michael Lewis was writing a book on football titled "The Blind Side", I was immediately interested and looked forward to it. I had hopes it would be somewhat like Moneyball and he would explain some ideas and theories involved in football. The cover of the book shows a typical Xs and Os diagram of a football play and it is sub-titled "Evolution of a Game". Well, I guess I didnt learn the lesson of "dont judge a book by its cover". This book has very little to do with football strategy, thought process or anything related to the game. In fact, this book is biography of the great young offensive left tackle Michael Oher, currently a sophomore at the Univeristy of Mississippi.
In the first half of the book, Lewis weaves back and forth between the life of Oher and the evolution of football and why the left tackle is so much more important to the NFL game than it used to be. Once that introduction is done, he writes little of interest to fans of the game. The rest of the book is all on Ohers life in high school, college and then goes back his life before college. All of that is an interesting read, but not really football related.
So, if you are looking for a book on football strategy and game planning, skip this one. This is nothing like Moneyball. But if you are looking for an interesting biography about a football player, then this is a fine book.
On: 2006-10-28
Others have aptly summarized the book so I will only note that the book is a great read with an open ending - Lewis leaves us in suspense because Michael Oher is still in the opening chapters of his life. I intend to keep up with his progress - as will other readers of this book.
btw, a few weeks ago, a friend from Australia e-mailed to ask me why the left tackle was such a hard position (he was watching MNF and listening to Madden.) Im putting a copy of this book in the mail to him tomorrow.
On: 2006-10-27
I read this book with three hats on; as an RN/EMT, a coach and dad of 2 adopted African American sons. Mr. Lewis nails the entire experience of a homeless child-athlete coming to age in a loving family. He certainly has done his homework. However, I kept getting the impression that he was going to have an ending to the story. The ending leaves me with one big question--why was this book written before the real story is allowed to unfold? It did leave me with many questions however he jumped at the chance to document only part of the real story of what it is like to be a black athlete coming up--I would have been far more impressed with knowing why the book was written. I am left wondering more about the authors relationship to the family who took a talented young black athlete in and if he is trying to help their cause more than to document the struggles of promising young athletes scooped from the streets. All in all not a bad book.
On: 2006-10-27
I have been interested in sports due to the lessons learned in developing leadership and motivational skills. It has always been fascinating to me to see what separates the winners from losers, the good players from the super stars, and the bench players from the starters. I used to think it was their unusual physical abilities. It is apparent to me now the intangible differences lie in the mental conditioning.
Reading "The Blind Side" brings home the fact mental toughness starts in ones environment. It is a story bigger than just football. It is an inspirational, motivational, and energizing story about the differences in a life one person can make.
Reginald V. Johnson, Author, "How To Be Happy, Successful And Rich"
On: 2006-10-24
Having grown up in the Bay Area, I remember watching the incredible 49ers way back when --- when Joe Montana was considered a god and Jerry Rice an angel. I was young, 10 maybe... And, with childhood petulance, would always wonder why Montanas team would let him get sacked and why the dratted white-haired coach would take him out and why he wouldnt do more of those Hail Mary, dance-around-the-living-room-with-joy passes...
With a clear, clean, easy-to-understand, and easy-to-relate-to style Michael Lewis explains it all. And sheds a huge spotlight on several important things that I never noticed as a youngster: 1) the incredible change of the game that Bill Walsh brought about and 2) the unsung heros of the game as embodied by the left tackle and other linemen.
Yes, The Blind Side is the story of Michael Oher and his amazing journey out of the ghetto and into the limelight... due largely to Sean and Leigh-Ann Tuohy. And that story was interesting, if not a little hackneyed. (Im a bit embarassed about my cynicism, but there you go).
But I really, really enjoyed the insights that Lewis brings to the game of football and will not watch football the same way again EVER! I look forward to everything Michael Lewis writes with glee and he is the only author that I buy in hardback. And this book does not disappoint. It was completely engaging and entertaining. While I watch football sporatically nowadays, I cant wait to go to a game soon and concentrate on the left tackle......
On: 2006-10-24
At this point, Ill leave the concise summaries of the action to those reviewers whove come before me. Suffice it to say, I read all sorts of stuff (fantasy, sci-fi, thrillers, mysteries, biographies) and this is my favorite book of 2006. Youve got it all here: game theory, race relations, a Pygmalion-like transformation, humor (lots of it!), and personalities so large (both physically and psychologically) youd scoff at the wildness of it if this book were fiction. Unless you hate football, you will enjoy this read; you dont have to know a left tackle from a cornerback to get DEEPLY involved in "The Blind Side."
On: 2006-10-23
At this point, Ill leave the concise summaries of the action to those reviewers whove come before me. Suffice it to say, I read all sorts of stuff (fantasy, sci-fi, thrillers, mysteries, biographies) and this is my favorite book of 2006. Youve got it all here: game theory, race relations, a Pygmalion-like transformation, humor (lots of it!), and personalities so large (both physically and psychologically) youd scoff at the wildness of it if this book were fiction. Unless you hate football, you will enjoy this read; you dont have to know a left tackle from a cornerback to get DEEPLY involved in "The Blind Side."
On: 2006-10-16
If you are looking for the football version of Moneyball you might be a bit disppointed by Blind Side. Its not really that kind of book. (Indeed, there are few books that completely alter ones view of a subject the way Moneyball did) There are some interesting chapters about Bill Walsh and the innovations he brought to the offensive side of football, but Blind Side is much more of a human interest story. Its a highly readable and engaging story and it will surely make you pay more attention next time an Ole Miss game is on TV. I highly recommend it.
On: 2006-10-16
As both an avid sports fan and reader of sports literature I found this to be by far the most outstanding sports related book Ive ever read. (Ive read lots of them)
Michael Lewis does a superb job of combining football statistics with human life drama as he chronicles the serendepidous coming together of the Touhy family and Michael Oher and all that follows.
If you love big time college football youll enjoy reading about recruiting tactics of big time coaches, i.e. Fullmer, Saban, & others.
If you love NFL football youll enjoy the statistical based reasoned explanation of how the game has evolved & changed over the past couple of decades. Throw in descriptions of personalities about prominent NFL people, i.e. Walsh, Ogden, Wallace, and others and you have a statistical based explanation with a genuine human approach.
Lewis is "Grishamesque" in his treatment of Michael Oher - Im pulling for Michael to become an all pro left tackle.
Details of Michaels struggles, perserverance and successes brought tears to my eyes. Details of the Touhy familys care and nurturing of Michael reinforced my belief in the good of mankind. The world needs more people like them!!
Michaels final encounter with Antonio Turner caused me to jump to my feet, thrust my fist into the air and say, YES!!!!
This book is an incredible read about life, fate,big time sports and the economic value of highly skilled athletes. It is also about something more - the great economic and cultural divide in this country as evidenced by Urban America in general and Hurt Village and Dixie Homes in particular. Political leaders and public policy makers should read this book - it strikes at the heart of one of our countrys greatest challenges in the 21st century - how do we close the gap between the "haves and have nots?"
On: 2006-10-15
If you are looking for the football version of Moneyball you might be a bit disppointed by Blind Side. Its not really that kind of book. (Indeed, there are few books that completely alter ones view of a subject the way Moneyball did) There are some interesting chapters about Bill Walsh and the innovations he brought to the offensive side of football, but Blind Side is much more of a human interest story. Its a highly readable and engaging story and it will surely make you pay more attention next time an Ole Miss game is on TV. I highly recommend it.
On: 2006-10-13
Of course, I do love football, and my young son plays on offensive and defensive lines, so the description of the book and its high ranking on the Top 100 list motivated me to purchase and read.
The Blind Side is an interesting, fast read. It combines a remarkable human interest story of a young man, literally from the streets of Memphis, who is currently a sophomore at Ole Miss and headed to NFL fame, with the evolving nature of pro football strategy, both on an off the field.
If you are old enough to remember Joe Theismanns career ending leg injury (I am) you will recognize the opening scenes of the book. The rest of the stories are intertwined and flow with ease through the finish at this current period in time. The "currency" of the book was one of the things I really liked.
I have not read any of Mr. Lewis other books, but am now looking forward to it.
On: 2006-10-10
The excerpt in Sports Illustrated sparked my interest in reading this book. I also read part of the New York Times magazine article until I realized, "wait a minute. Im buying this book." The subtitle "Evolution of a Game" and the Xs and Os on the cover indicated that we might get a history of football strategy, explained through Lewis understanding of markets, and the exploiting of their inefficiencies.
So, I picked it up expecting it to be as football-y as Moneyball was baseball-y. It wasnt. And for the sports fan, those sections were the best and pretty much disappear a third of the way into the book. You can feel the excitement as the high school coach fires his team up to run GAP! every play. You get a great sense of potential of the books star as he runs a defensive lineman completely off the field of play.
The book focuses on Michael Oher, and the story of his upbringing and subsequent adoption by the Tuouhy family in Memphis. The football strategy parts of the book exist, not on their own merits, but only as the forces that set up the market conditions that Oher finds himself in -- conditions where a person of his size and agility are worth a lot of money to a lot of people. With the Tuouhys adoption (first informally, and then formally) of Oher, the book moves away from football strategy but remains interesting.
Even though Lewis presents the familys motivations as innocent and altruistic, I could not shake the feeling throughout the book that what was going on was what the NCAA thought was going on -- Ole Miss alums had noticed a kids potential early on, and pulled every trick in the book to get him into Ole Miss.
Im not sure if Lewis was attempting to create a real indictment of this family -- Im sure they wont read it that way -- but they compromise the High schools principles to get Oher in; he performs terribly for years, and then makes it all up in a summer course under the careful eye of a tutor who also follows him to Ole Miss. I not naive enough to believe that his tutor wasnt actually the one who passed the "classes". The patriarch of the family, Sean Tuouhy, berates the NCAA investigator who is just doing her job and does not allow Oher to answer any of her questions. Tuouhy also pulls strings when Oher gets in trouble at Ole Miss.
Perhaps the most tragic character in the book is Ohers brother in the adopted family. As Oher leads on, and lies to, college recruiters, his younger brother starts feeling a little of his own power, and holds it over the recruiters. Like many other things in this book, its presented as a cutesy anecdote -- the 13 year boy asking the celebrity coach "whats in it for me?" But it comes off as a lot less cutesy when reflected by a passage near the end of the book. After years of exposure to the system, the boy asks his mom one day, (paraphrasing), "since Michael is going to be rich, and my sister is going to marry a rich guy, shouldnt I get all of your inheritance."
Another reviewer states, ". . .it enriched the lives of their family. . .". I think it remains to be seen just what kind of "enrichment" we might be talking about.
As explained in the authors note, Lewis is a friend of the Tuouhys. I think it hurts him in this book. He glosses over events like a truck accident that Oher was involved in. When Oher accepts trips to college campuses even after deciding where he wants to go, Lewis writes this off as the innocent young kid having fun. Yet, if Lewis really wanted to protect these people, would he have left in the quote where Oher says hes going to buy his 13 brothers and sisters a house, and then recants because he felt he made it on his own, even though all evidence indicates otherwise?
Another reviewer stated "his adoptive parents and coaches seem angelic compared to the NCAA in this story." I would ask this reviewer why Oher wasnt adopted by the Tuouhys until they realized that the gifts they had bestowed upon him wouldnt look so suspicious if he was their son.
Dont read my indictment of some of the personalities as an indictment of the book. I am not sure if Lewis was trying to protect the family, and failed or whether his intent was to cleverly expose the seedy side of big time college athletics at the expense of his friends. Either way, I found this to be an fascinating book.
I just would have liked to have seen more focus on the football.
On: 2006-10-06
Michael Lewis has written a wonderful story about how, thru sports, a person can elivate their status and gain opportunities in society. The Blind Side: Evolution of a Game is so much more than a story of an adopted young inner city boy with little of hope, and his eventual rise to become of the highest paid and most prolific left tackles in the National Football Field: it is a story of determination and perserverance, and how anything is possible if you dedicate yourself. In this case and story, it was dedication to a game - football, that continually evolves and changes, as too does the dynamics of most sports. There are a few copy proof errors with this book, but they are easily overcome by the sheer heartbeat and rythem that you embark upon. Well done.
Overall, there is something for everyone in this delicious book of courage and determination. Regardless if you are a fan of football the way I am or not, there are life lessons all individuals will appreciate.
On: 2006-10-06
I found the book to be an excellent read. Some very interesting football insights, including emerging offensive strategies, the increasing importance of the left tackle position, and the horrendous college football recruitment methods that currently exist. These are all interspersed within the story of Michael Oher, a gifted athlete , who manages, with much help, to emerge from the Memphis ghetto to become a potential superstar.
On: 2006-10-03
I bought this book because I became a big fan of Michael Lewis after reading his acclaimed book "Moneyball." I wasnt too disappointed by "The Blind Side" but there were countless errors in the book that could have easily been sidestepped if Lewis had either done some fact-checking or the copy editors would have done their jobs. Errors include: the misspellings of names, including Bob Stoops (spelled Bob Stoopes on page 83), and Patrick Ramsey (spelled Patrick Ramsay on page 63). Minor errors, I know, but still distracting to the casual football observer. Three other errors that stood out to me: the author said in one part of the book that NFL free-agency began in 1994, but later said it began in 1993 (it actually did begin in 1993). He credited Steve Young with leading the San Francisco 49ers to two Super Bowls titles as a starting quarterback, when in actuality he led them to only one Super Bowl win as a starter (he won two other rings but was the backup to Joe Montana both times). Expanding on this topic, the author also insinuated that Montanas four victories in the Super Bowl were more a product of former 49ers coach Bill Walsh than Montana himself, pointing out that Young won two Super Bowls as a starter. The author fails to mention not only Young winning just one Super Bowl as a starter, but also that the victory came when George Seifert was the coach, and not Bill Walsh. The author also credits the 49ers first Super Bowl win as coming in January of 1981, when it came in January of 1982. This book contained a fantastic story of Michael Ohers rise to stardom as a left tackle, but too many errors brought down the overall enjoyment of this book, which is really a darn shame.
On: 2006-10-02
Lewis does an excellent job once again of keeping you engaged while educating your brain on a largely unnoticed phenomenon in the sports - the incredibly high value of the left tackle. All the while he is telling you a true story of the redemption of a kid with absolutely nothing from one of the poorest zip codes in the US by an affluent family with a heart big enough to love the 330 pound boy from the other side of the tracks. A must read if you like football, or live in the south, or care anything about those trapped in poverty.
On: 2006-10-02
I bought this book because I became a big fan of Michael Lewis after reading his acclaimed book "Moneyball." I wasnt too disappointed by "The Blind Side" but there were countless errors in the book that could have easily been sidestepped if Lewis had either done some fact-checking or the copy editors would have done their jobs. Errors include: the misspellings of names, including Bob Stoops (spelled Bob Stoopes on page 83), and Patrick Ramsey (spelled Patrick Ramsay on page 63). Minor errors, I know, but still distracting to the casual football observer. Three other errors that stood out to me: the author said in one part of the book that NFL free-agency began in 1994, but later said it began in 1993 (it actually did begin in 1993). He credited Steve Young with leading the San Francisco 49ers to two Super Bowls titles as a starting quarterback, when in actuality he led them to only one Super Bowl win as a starter (he won two other rings but was the backup to Joe Montana both times). Expanding on this topic, the author also insinuated that Montanas four victories in the Super Bowl were more a product of former 49ers coach Bill Walsh than Montana himself, pointing out that Young won two Super Bowls as a starter. The author fails to mention not only Young winning just one Super Bowl as a starter, but also that the victory came when George Seifert was the coach, and not Bill Walsh. The author also credits the 49ers first Super Bowl win as coming in January of 1981, when it came in January of 1982. This book contained a fantastic story of Michael Ohers rise to stardom as a left tackle, but too many errors brought down the overall enjoyment of this book, which is really a darn shame.
by: raspell On: 2006-09-26
An incredible human interest story detailed further below but first.........the author of Liars Poker and Moneyball is at it again with an offbeat interesting subject, or multiple subjects which are intertwined. This is an analysis of the evolution of the left side tackle designed to protect the quarterbacks blind side, particularly from the evolution of speed rushers in the Lawrence Taylor mode. Lewis starts with an in depth analysis of Joe Theismans famous leg break with some interesting facts even Joe didnt remember including who may really have been responsible. Separate stories are then presented of the new prototype Left Tackles like Jonathan Ogden whose investment banker father showed him that his value at Left Tackle would out way any interest in playing college basketball for his 69" son. This part of the book is intertwined with a historical perspective of how the passing game developed mainly through the Bill Walsh West Coast offense which downplays the significance of the quarterback. This section of the book is intertwined around the personal story to be described and while extremely interesting to football fans will have virtually NO appeal the typical female fan or other casual fans.
But what will be of greater human interest is the overlay of the story of Michael Oher, the "man/child" currently playing football at Ole Miss. Oher shows up at a predominantly white Christian school in the 9th grade with virtually no school history and horrible family background. An incredibly shy 350 pound kid struggles but ingratiates himself to faculty and staff and manages to stick around. Finally one Thanksgiving Day a volunteer assistant coach and his wife see him at a bus stop in his usual shorts and recognize that in addition to no money for food, he is traveling to the gym to watch practice just to be in a heated room. Through incredible acts of kindness and caring this young man is taken in by this wealthy Christian family who attempt to socialize and educate him for the future.
But little did they realize that at 6 6" with an incredible frame and quick feet, football coaches would see their answer to possibly the most important position on the football field and they would relentlessly come calling. This presents many problems as Oher has virtually no chance of attending college with his past educational background. Thus begins the odyssey of the recruiting wars for this individual who by the end of high school has been called the best pro prospect even though he has played in only 15 football games.
This portion of the book dominates approximately 70% of the book. It is incredibly touching and I certainly applaud the sympathetic, caring approach by Leigh Ann and Sean Tuohy. This book is not just for football fans as the issues here are much greater. How does a child get to the 9th grade with virtually no retention of knowledge or ability to function in a social setting? What can a change in culture and caring do for this young man? And other questions will also appear such as is their potential ulterior motives for selecting this student out of so many and wasnt the final steps to eligibility really inappropriate? As to my opinion I choose to believe that the Tuohys were interested in helping another human being, and in the process, it enriched the lives of their family, this young man and the possibilities that a loving, caring environment can create.
I strongly recommend this book for football fans, sociologists, and people with interest in politics, religion, or Southern Culture as there are many issues intertwined. Once again, the weakness to this book may be that he narrowed its focus by making it a "sports book". Its not. Its main message concerns underprivileged kids and how a change in environment can produce incredible results.
As a matter of disclosure, I live in Memphis, have leased Tuohys his plane in the past and have many mutual friends. He and his wife have exceptional reputations and I applaud their involvement in helping this man.
On: 2006-09-25
Like in Moneyball and Liars Poker, Michael Lewis examines a culture, e.g., baseball, stock market, and now football, while interspersing a biography illuminating the underlying culture.
In this case, Mr. Lewis shows how the left tackle position has rose from obscurity in the 1960s into one of the highest-paid positions in the current game. The initial focus is in how specialized a person must be to play this position as the highest level (more rare than many other positions). After this description, Mr. Lewis introduces us to Michael Oher, a person who has all of the physical tools and then some but has never played organized sports and has basically been abandoned since early childhood.
The people (parents, coaches, etc.) all want to help Mr. Oher fulfill his potential. However, it doesnt come off as being completely altrusitic as all benefit whom are in his presence, e.g., coach parlays his involvement into a college coaching position. In addition, the recruiting battles for Mr. Ohers services amplify these traits.
His adoptive parents and coaches seem angelic compared to the NCAA in this story. One of the most sobering statitistics quoted in this book is that only one of five players capable of playing in the NFL ever make through the legal and educational morass that is the NCAA.
Its hard not to root for Mr. Oher and I would think well see his name at the top of the draft board in 2007-2008. Excellent book and highly recommended.
|
|
