The Best American Sports Writing 2003

If theres a book in the Best Am series that I might not be related by 6 or more degrees, that would have to be the sports one. But looks like it might not be so, after having read 2 very influential essays - Bill Plaschke's Fowled Away, Elizabeth Gilbert's Lucky Jim.

I'm not a sports fan at all - and I thought this collection was terrific. Buzz Bissinger's essayists use a great variety of sports, from chess to snowmobiling as well as the more obvious choices, to explore an even wider range of topics, from autism to lawsuit-happy Americans. Sports fans with an interest in the wider world will probably enjoy Bissinger's selection even more than I did. Those interested only in sports might be disappointed.

this was the first collection in this ongoing series of books i read . i read it almost cover to cover . opted out of about two stories maybe . the reason i favor Buzz over a couple of the subsequent quest editors is because i really like the human interest aspect of sports and athletic endeavour . i'm not a stat guy at all . couldn't care less about the stats . i'm curious about the people who do and/or try to do difficult physical stuff . to my mind , this series will never have another guest editor on a par with Buzz because i think many of the other editors (while also very good) are trying to please their colleagues too much . see what you think . thanks Buzz .

I've read most of the "Best American Sportswriting" annual collections since the series began back in 1991. The 2003 edition might just be the strongest yet. Guest editor Buzz Bissinger has put together a strong collection of stories that probe beyond the headlines to focus on the place of sports in our society. The book starts out with the awful tale of a former triathlete turned quadroplegic ("Lucky Jim") and rarely loses intesity from there. Other highlights include a profile of the man behind The Chicken ("Fowled Away"), the Washington comeback of Michael Jordan ("Gambling Man), a profile of demolition derby racers ("Appetite for Destruction"), a recount of the 1972 Munich Olympics massacre ("When the Terror Began"), and a sad biographical story ("Bobby Fisher's Pathetic Endgame). All told, there is not a clunker in the mix.Overall, this is a great collection for anyone who loves sports or who simply loves a good story.