What if the U.S. Boycotted Hitler's Olympics?
What if Bobby Riggs beat Billie Jean King?
What if Bucky Dent popped out at the foot of the Green Monster?
What if Drew Bledsoe never got hurt?
Upon Further Review takes classic arguments conducted over pints in a pub and places them in the hands of dozens of writers, athletes, and historians. From turning points that every sports fan rues or celebrates, to the forgotten would-be inflection points that defined sports, Upon Further Reviewanswers age old questions, and settles the score, even if the score bounced off the crossbar.
PAT'S REVIEW
| The what if book of sports. That is what this book is about, the author has taken essays written by others and put together an interesting tale of what if? The United States boycotted the 1936 Olympics, would that have made more of an impression on the World to what was happening in Germany at the time, we would do it in 1980, interesting why we did not in 1936. What would have happened if the Giants did not win the pennant in 1951, the broadcast of the “Shot heard around the World”. A world series that had two young rookies Willie Mays for the Giants and Mickey Mantle for the Yankees, the Giants would lose. The author talks of other sporting events like Bucky Dent’s shot that put the Yankees back into the postseason in 78, and what if Billy Riggs had beaten Jean King, that one I really did not read because at the time she was much better than him anyway. The chapter I liked was at the beginning about Cassius Clay, who later changed his name to Muhammad Ali. When you read this chapter the author takes you back to 1966, and how six months before the 24 year old Ali said “I have no personal quarrel with those Viet Cong”, that was his explanation, he went on to say a few more things and one must remember at that time he still could not eat at certain restaurants, or stay at hotels because of his race and this was after he won a gold medal in the 1960 Olympics, and most of this was happening in his hometown of Louisville. His hearing lasted three hours and had no government witnesses, but there was a lengthy report from the FBI. But in a letter sent to Ali’s draft board by a white southern judge, he recommended that a Conscientious Objector classification should be granted. This would have been just another one of Ali’s stunning upsets, but wait for this letter from the judge did not matter the justice department rejected the letter and recommended that Ali is classified as 1-A and subject to the draft. Everyone, of course, knows what happens, well think what would have happened if that letter would have stood would he have become as huge maybe, but really that justice department helped him because when it to the Supreme court they first were going to rule not in his favor and when that letter was produced it was unanimous in his favor, he did lose 4 and half years but what is he known for fighting the U.S. AND WINNING. Overall a good book. I received this book from Netgalley.com I gave it 4 stars. Follow us at www.1rad-readerreviews.com (less) |
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