Quotable Spurrier

Steve Spurrier is the epitome of a national sports figure either loved or hated with enthusiasm by millions.

Presents a cultural history that highlights the key moments, games, personalities, and scandals of American college football, tracing how it grew from a rugby offshoot to a part of the country's national identity.

From 1976 until 1994, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers lost far more games than they won. The Bucs’ status as a sporting punch line belied the fact that they were led by arguably the most important owner of that era. Known as the “Vice-Commissioner,” Hugh F. Culverhouse, Sr., wielded his financial acumen as a weapon, keeping other NFL owners in line through the economic downturn of the 1980s, two work stoppages, and a multimillion dollar lawsuit from a rival league. Culverhouse’s near–Dickensian frugality also led, directly and indirectly, to the Steve Young–Joe Montana quarterback controversy; Doug Williams’ triumph in Super Bowl XXII; and the largest fourth-quarter collapse in NFL history. Over two dozen interviews with Culverhouse’s allies and adversaries inform this thorough and balanced chronicle of the man and his team.

Southerners have always had something to say. Focusing on the unique qualities of both the landscape and people, Quotable Southerner showcases the linguistic insight of the region’s native and adopted sons and daughters. Sometimes insightful, sometimes hilarious, these quotes will have readers smiling, laughing, and shaking their heads.

This volume supplements "The Quotable Newman" (Sophia Institute Press, 2012), with 136 new topics and an overlap of 39 topics. Volume II is a bit more wide-ranging and perhaps also more "fun" (in a sense) for Newman devotees. Examples of the latter aspect might include Cardinal Newman's reflections upon his own writing and books, science and Christianity, heaven and hell, and old age. The citations also tend to be relatively shorter, and to include proportionately more material from his correspondence. I found two additional volumes of "Letters and Diaries" (volumes 27 and 28): covering the years of 1874-1878. They contain a lot of excellent observations and "gems" on a variety of topics, that I was delighted to find and now to pass along, for the education and edification of the reader. Once again, theology is the overwhelming emphasis. Anyone interested in Cardinal Newman's Catholic (or Anglican) doctrinal thinking and beliefs will, I trust, enjoy and learn from what I have compiled.

John Wooden was arguably the greatest college basketball coach of all time, a teacher as well as mentor whose handiwork produced a dynasty bridging the 1960s and 1970s. Quotable Wooden is a compilation of more than two hundred quotes by and about Wooden. Among the topics covered are his playing days at Purdue, his years at UCLA, his coaching philosophy, and his views on today's game. Other notables quoted in this inspiring book include Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Bill Walton, Denny Crum, Dick Vermeil, and Rick Reilly.