Reviews

Bowden, a reporter for the Philadelphia Inquirer, records the tempestuous 1992 season of professional football's Philadelphia Eagles as they fight for a spot in the playoffs. He presents vivid portraits of coaches Buddy Ryan and Richie Kotite, owner Norman Braman, and key players. Bowden assesses the achievements and problems of star quarterback Randall Cunningham, defensive players Reggie White and Seth Joyner, and others, as injuries, money, sexual relations, and egos affect their careers. As Ken Delinger (For the Glory: College Football Dreams and Realities Inside Paterno's Program, LJ 8/94) has done for college football, Bowden turns a searching eye on professional football. For most sports shelves.-Morey Berger, St. Joseph's Hosp. Medical Lib., Tucson

This look at the Philadelphia Eagles covers both the tenure of coach Buddy Ryan, which began in 1986 and ended with his firing in 1991, and the next three years of current coach Rich Kotite's regime. The 1992 season is the focal point, but Bowden, who covered the Eagles for the Philadelphia Inquirer, deals in depth with the years leading up to that season. Of particular interest are Bowden's profiles of many of the Eagles' colorful characters, including Ryan, owner Norman Braman (who sold the team to Hollywood producer Jeff Lurie in 1994) and players Jerome Brown, Seth Joyner and Randall Cunningham. Bowden pulls no punches, documenting the stormy off-the-field lives of several team members including Joyner and Wes Hopkins, as well as describing the players' dislike of star quarterback Cunningham. Although a bit melodramatic at times, this is as thorough an account of a sports franchise as any fan, even Eagles fanatics, could want. Photos not seen by PW (Oct).