Rites of Autumn: The Story of College Football

I collect football books. As an historian, I look for books that cover the glorious tradition and history of the game. This book is perfect if you're looking for that theme. First of all, check out the cover. The cover tells the story of this book. It takes you back to a different era. I love this book. It is one of my favorites. It covers everything and makes for a great coffee table book. I highly recommend this book if you enjoy college football.

I didn't see the ESPN series to which this book is "companion," but if the series is as good as the book, I'll start praying for the network to begin re-running it as soon as possible. As the days start to get autumnal, there are few things better than settling in with a college football game on TV and this book on your lap.Richard Whittingham takes us through the history of college football, from the Ivy League dynasties of the 1880s to the 1920s, through Army's dominant years in the 1940s, to today's powerhouse teams and superstar coaches. Along the way, we meet many of the great players and coaches, look at many historic photographs, and read engrossing descriptions of memorable games. The photos are well-chosen and impressive, the writing fast-paced, and the book's layout appealing and easy to read.For any serious and knowledgeable fan, this book can be fodder for countless hot-stove league debates (I know "hot stove league" is a baseball expression, but work with me here). Whittingham makes a case for his choices for best team in each of the decades from the 1900s to the 1990s. He also picks "games worth remembering" from each of the great bowl games, analyses many of the game's great rivalries, and even lists the best (or, to be fair, his favorite) school fight songs and mascots.This is a fascinating, entertaining, and memorable book -- and as a lifelong Roger Staubach fan, I found his foreword an extra bonus. I find it hard to believe that any college football fan wouldn't appreciate receiving it ... and could easily see some of the more serious fans becoming quite passionate about it. It's definitely worth checking out.

I am a fan of Richard Whittingham's work and normally would have eagerly anticipated RITES OF AUTUMN. But my life was far from normal. I was exhausted, three days past very invasive day-long surgery and was hurting like hell when my wife surprised me with the book that evening. Here is how good this book is. I stayed up until 2PM finishing it -- literally feeling no pain. The next day I paid for this splurge without regret. Grateful for this wonderful work, I recommend it to anyone interested in our nation's rich traditions. Like Whittingham's other work, RITES OF AUTUMN is far more than a sports book.

I am a fan of Richard Whittingham's work and normally would have eagerly anticipated his new RITES OF AUTUMN. But my life had become far from normal. I was three days past very invasive day-long surgery, half way through a 23 day hospital stay. Despite a lot of drugs, I was hurting like hell when my wife brought in RITES after dinner. Here is how good that book is. Since the operation I was exhausted by 9PM and, after more medication, feel asleep soon after. But this night I began the book and stayed up until 2PM finishing it -- literally feeling no pain. I paid for this splurge the next day without regret. Then September 11th happened on my TV and I got so depressed I read RITES again. Again I was carried away, now from America's tragedy. Obviously, I am grateful for this wonderful work and recommend it to anyone interested in out nation's rich traditions. Like Whittingham's other work, RITES OF AUTUMN is far more than a sports book.

The introduction by Roger Stauback is worth the price of the book. Anyone who had anything from a mild interest or upward in college football would love this book. The author knows his subject well. This and his other sports books express his interest and love of the "game". After reading this you will want to look at some of his previous books, especially "What a game they played".