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John U. Bacon
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The Best of Bacon: Select Cuts Hardcover – May 3, 2018

by John U. Bacon (Author)
4.7 4.7 out of 5 stars 36 ratings
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From the Preface:
“I wrote these stories between 1992 and 2018. They cover a dozen different sports for a dozen different media outlets, from the Ann Arbor News to National Public Radio, and they stretch from a couple pages to a dozen. But they have one thing in common: they all meant a lot to me when I wrote them, and they still do today.”
 
The Best of Bacon presents both new and familiar stories by best-selling author John U. Bacon, all centered on sports in his home state of Michigan. Best known for his acclaimed books on college football, Bacon’s writing has been praised for going beyond traditional Xs and Os sports reporting. True to that reputation, this collection showcases personal, behind-the-scenes stories of players, coaches, and even fans. Many of these stories are connected to specific moments in time—a great season, the passing of a legendary broadcaster, or a star player’s daily grind before a big game—and will immediately transport readers to some of the highs (and lows) of their own sports memories. More often, Bacon’s writing explores timeless themes—why we love sports, how we pass that passion down to the next generation, and how it will be threatened or preserved in the future.

​Michigan is one of the nation’s best sports states, home to countless amateur squads, two Big Ten schools, and professional teams in all four major sports whose histories reach back to the start of their leagues—something only New York, Massachusetts, and Illinois can also claim. This book covers the spectrum, from insider profiles of big names like Magic Johnson, Bo Schembechler, and Joe Louis, to cautionary tales of the debilitating greed threatening our favorite pastimes, to uplifting stories of the unsung heroes whose passion drives them to coach Little League baseball teams or run summer camps for peanuts. These stories speak to the value of sports, but also to our values. Whether a Spartan or a Wolverine, a long-suffering Lions’ backer or a diehard Wing-Nut, a lifetime sports fan or just someone who loves a good story, there is something here for everyone.
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  1. Print length
    240 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publisher
    UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN REGIONAL
  4. Publication date
    May 3, 2018
  5. Dimensions
    6 x 1.1 x 9 inches
  6. ISBN-10
    0472130811
  7. ISBN-13
    978-0472130818
  8. See all details
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Editorial Reviews

Review

“While every vignette here takes you to a different place and time, it all resonates in a familiar way: John U. Bacon reports and writes with heart. He is a comfortable narrator even on the challenging subjects, and he offers a unique perspective on sports and all different sides of life. John has always brought the ‘lasting lessons’ on Michigan athletics, but the best lessons are the ones he finds within.”
—Eric Adelson, Yahoo! Sports, writer, awarded nation's top sports feature, 2013

“People who think they don't like sports probably haven't read John U. Bacon. That was me before I started talking with John on my show. He doesn’t write about statistics, wins, and losses. He writes about people digging down deep, challenging themselves to do better, try harder, encourage a teammate, weather a tough loss, get back up, do it again, and then—hopefully—celebrate a success. This collection will leave you looking at sports—and the people who play and coach them—with new eyes.”
—Cynthia Canty, host of “Stateside,” Michigan Radio

About the Author

John U. Bacon is the author of ten books, most recently John Saunders’ Playing Hurt: My Journey from Despair to Hope (which Bacon coauthored) and The Great Halifax Explosion: A World War I Story of Treachery, Tragedy, and Extraordinary Heroism, which extend his streak to six consecutive national best sellers. He teaches at at the University of Michigan. Visit his website for more information: https://johnubacon.com/

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN REGIONAL (May 3, 2018)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 240 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0472130811
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0472130818
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 1.1 pounds
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 6 x 1.1 x 9 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.7 4.7 out of 5 stars 36 ratings

About the author

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John U. Bacon

John U. Bacon

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John U. Bacon has written twelve books on sports, business, health, and history, the last seven all National Bestsellers. His latest book is "LET THEM LEAD: Unexpected Lessons in Leadership from America's Worst High School Hockey Team," out September 7, 2021.

Bacon's radio essays earned him NPR's PRNDI Award for best commentary in 2014. He appears often on national TV, gives speeches across North and South America, and teaches at the University of Michigan, where he won the 2009 Golden Apple Award for "exceptional teaching." In 2006, he was inducted into the Ann Arbor Huron High School Hall of Fame for turning around the hockey team.

Bacon is a decent hockey player, a mediocre Spanish speaker, and a poor piano player, but that has not prevented him from enjoying all three.

Customer reviews

4.7 out of 5 stars
36 global ratings

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Top reviews from the United States

  • Mr. Michael J. Mooney
    5.0 out of 5 stars Bacon does it again!
    Reviewed in the United States on May 23, 2020
    Verified Purchase
    Nice collection of stories about people and places that I have come to know over the years. They provide a glimpse of a person or activity that meant something to him and he made it interesting to me. What’s the next story about?
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  • Gordon Montross
    5.0 out of 5 stars Great book, always love John U
    Reviewed in the United States on June 25, 2018
    Verified Purchase
    Great book, always love John U. bacon's take on sports and life itself. A lot of great stories for his past, good quick read.
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  • Michigan Don
    5.0 out of 5 stars Five Stars
    Reviewed in the United States on June 6, 2018
    Verified Purchase
    Great stories!
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  • david purdy
    5.0 out of 5 stars What a fun book this was to read
    Reviewed in the United States on May 25, 2018
    What a fun book this was to read. It brought back so many memories. I am giving it to my 30 year old son so he can get a better view of my sports idols, as well as ideals. While is he somewhat attached to his phone, he still plays golf and is active in soccer, kickball and basketball leagues. This articles on kids and sports made me think that I must have done something right if he still enjoys participating this much.
    Mr. Bacon's past articles give some great behind the scenes views of some of the all time greats. He has always had a knack for telling a story that has me smiling by the time I finish it. These articles were no different.
    He also lived out all sports junkies dreams through his forays into professional golf, car racing and even college football. He found out what we all know, but don't want to believe.
    If you like sports at all, you are going to enjoy this book.
    Dave Purdy, Raleigh, NC.
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  • David Fessell
    5.0 out of 5 stars Great read and a great GIFT!...
    Reviewed in the United States on August 22, 2020
    The Best of Bacon really delivers--amazing writing, heartfelt stories, and abundant humanity...oh, and stellar sports, too! I'm reading it for a second time, and enjoying it even more. I've sent it to my Dad, sister, and several friends. When you find a book with depth, wisdom, and truths about life, you naturally want to share it...bet you'll want to savor it and share it, too!...
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  • Richard O. "Rick" Austin
    5.0 out of 5 stars A must fun read. Not only for Michiganders but for anyone who appreciates great writing.
    Reviewed in the United States on August 28, 2018
    I have read most of John U's books, from "Three and Out" to "Endzone". His entertaining writing makes them hard to put down. As a former Michigander, gone for over 30 years, I missed his articles for the Detroit News and more. But you never "leave" Michigan. This collection of his articles confirms to me his attention to detail and accuracy plus humor. His article as a girl's hockey coach cracked me up. As he said, the girls love to pass, pass, pass, but they keep score, and you can't score unless you shoot. As each article is different, you don't have to read for continuity, but you still can't put it down. Thanks, John U.
    One person found this helpful
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  • Cynthia A. Coburn
    5.0 out of 5 stars A GREAT read!!
    Reviewed in the United States on June 1, 2018
    Such a fun, interesting and enlightening compilation of stories. The Best of Bacon introduces you to the real people who reside inside the icons we all grew up “knowing.” It questions the now conventional, takes to task those who serve themselves before others and makes you nostalgic for “the good ole days” when sports were more about the memories than the millions.

    Most entertaining is John’s recounting of his own “careers” in sports. His self-depreciating humor makes you wish you were a spectator in his various, albeit short, pursuits of excellence.

    You need not be male, an avid sports fan or even a Michigander to thoroughly enjoy this book. I picked it up and didn’t put it down until there were, sadly, no more pages left to turn.
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  • Jim Driver
    5.0 out of 5 stars Great stories from a great author.
    Reviewed in the United States on May 28, 2018
    A great book will make you laugh and make you cry. This book did both of those but I have to add one more thing: I thought I knew a lot about the subjects John wrote in this book but I learned that I didn’t know Jack. What a great learning experience! Laugh, cry and learn. All three in this book.
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