This is the journal of a disturbed, sometimes proud, but often humbled and disappointed University of Oregon football fan.The diary picks up in 2010, the season Chip Kelly's Ducks went to the national championship game and lost to Auburn. It travels through the Marcus Mariota years and the ill-fated reign of Mark Helfrich, who led the Ducks to the inaugural College Football Playoffs, where Oregon beat Florida State before getting trounced by Ohio State.
The program's collapse under Helfrich created much anxiety among Oregon fans, including the author. His response to the upheaval is some of the most unhinged and best writing in the book.
It winds down in 2017 and early 2018 with the short tenure of Willie Taggart and the hiring of Mario Cristobal.
It is published as the 2018 season commences, a hopeful time as Oregon attempts a comeback under the leadership of Cristobal.
In the days leading up to this publication, the book has been both criticized and praised by early readers.
Too "scattered" and devoid of "drama," a quality that makes it "feel longer than it is," said one critic.
Another reader praised its non-sequential format as "somewhat brilliant," and added, "Oregon football as a memory is a flashback...this is succinct. It is very good. Sometimes I don't mind seeing life as a Duck fan. It's dangerous, but so is my bourbon and Lawnmower lager. I've been tripped by sidewalk cracks. So be it."
Indeed.--Buddy Dooley
Buy it now!
Terry Simons
No comments:
Post a Comment