If I Don't Six

I finished Elwood Reid's novel more than two weeks ago and its events and characters are still very much with me. On the surface the novel is a depiction of big time football at Michigan, and the main character's stoical rejection of its values, but its themes run much deeper than that. Reid captures the male world anywhere, regardless of milieu--high school, sports, or business--a place where the smashing of egos goes on until a hierarchy is determined. The book is wonderfully felt and alive, its scenes tangible, poignant, funny, and terrifying; and in the main character's refusal to be tackled and kept down by the world around him, the novel rises into a kind of heroism as real as it is remarkable.

For someone who never played football in High School or College, I was totally mesmerized by the depiction of Division I football. He paints a clear and consise picture of the hardships that each one of the characters experienced during their tumultuous first year. Gripping!!!! Hard to put down!!!!!! Any others thoughts from anyone of you, please email me.

To put it simply. An honest and sober story of life in college sports with an ending that sent chills down my spine. I had to read this one twice because it moved me so much. READ IT.

Elwood Reid gives a great description of the recruiting process, spring practices, coaches and college life at a Big 10 university. It also deals with other life issues like young love, good friends, etc. I enjoyed this book very much and hope to see more from this very talented author. I found out about this book by default while listening to WQAM 560 AM in Miami one day and Mr. Reid was on telling about his newest piece and how he, too, played ball for Michigan. He has been there, writes from a knowledgable point of view and this book should really keep your interest from cover to cover. If you like football, loved college life and parties, then you'll enjoy it, too. It brought back memories.

Elwood Reid knows whereof he writes, naming his lead character Elwood Riley, a Marcus Aurelius-quoting budding Stoic and scholarship football player at U. of Michigan. Elwood's disillusionment with the "fellas" as well as the coaches is illustrated in memorable phrases that suggest a very promising future as a writer for Reid. I read it in one day with special interest in that I am NCAA Faculty Rep. for the college I teach history at. Highly believable and the best novel about football since DeLillo's "End Zone."