Semi-Tough

It is incredibly politically incorrect, replete with satiric racial and sexist slurs, full of (as an old song goes) cigarettes whiskey and wild, wild women, but despite that, and more likely in part because of that, this is the single funniest sports book ever written. Nominally about two characters from Texas who play for the New York Giants in the 70s, this is wonderful satire about sports, athletes, and life in general, and the fact that it is out of print is mind boggling. Burt Reynolds gave a pretty good performance as the immortal running back Billy Clyde Puckett, but youve GOT to read this book to truly appreciate Dan Jenkins' biting satiric wit.

...check the auctions, check garage sales, check used bookstores in your neighborhood. If you have never read this before, this is quite simply one of the funniest books ever written. Do not let the horrible movie from 1977 that was adapted from this fool you - this is nothing less than a minor classic about the New York Giants, told 'first person' by the star running back, as 'hype week' ensues before their big Super Bowl showdown with their crosstown rivals, the Jets. Leading up to the game, we are treated 'firsthand' to many lewd and vivid stories of wild parties right out of what can only be the '70s, loose women (also right out of what can only be the '70s), and all around male bonding as the team stands on the verge of it's finest hour. It is funny how nearly 30 years later, the somewhat jaded underlying subtext of the business side of professional football still rings true in many instaces, and in many other examples we see that things in professional sports have definetely become more complicated and bottom line oriented here in real life in the early 21st Century. WARNING: definetely NOT a book for the easily offended! As funny as it is, some of the text seems like it was lifted right out of the raunchiest issues of Hustler. Not to mention that this book is filled with some of the most un-politically correct racial slurs of all time, and the race card is indeed a recurring issue throughout the book (the star RB who is supposedly 'writing' the book is a white guy), once again showing the era that it was written in as being a much different time. Buyer Beware!

I was just shopping for "Life Its Ownself" for a friend who works in a college sports program -- I thought he could relate to T.J. Lambert, the coach. I was surprised and saddened to see it's out of print, but "Semi-Tough," too?!? What treachery.I've read most of Dan Jenkins' books, and although "Dead Solid Perfect" is my favorite, "Semi-Tough" was my first love. I first read it in high-school, too. Although I never did have any illusions that I was anything like Barbara Jane (yes, I am female!) we all have to have something to aim for, don't we?!? Mr. Jenkins, long may you wave.

Please, please, PLEASE do not let that questionable movie with the same name discourage you from enjoying this ribald classic. Written in (perhaps) a more honest, less "sensitive" time, Semi Tough is not for the feint of heart, easily offended, victim-mentality, politically correct reader. But if you're looking for a hard hitting, fast moving, side splitting depiction of pro footballers in a less "enlightened" time, Semi Tough is sure to please. It's just as sharp and funny today as it was 25 years ago, a rare treasure in a sea of unremarkable humor literature.