Do you have a football fan in your house?

Do you want to understand the game? I'm talking US football and if you want to know what all the yelling and screaming is about, I've got a book for you!

I'm not a huge fan of football. I have watched with my parents but never really "got" the game. I was lucky enough to be sent a great book to review.

The Sportscaster's Guide to Watching Football
Decoding America's Favorite Game

Author: Mark Oristano
Publisher: Synergy Books
Release Date: August 2009
Pages: 160
Format: trade paperback
Ages:
Genre: sports/self-help
review book

from the publisher:
To help novice football fans discover what all the cheering is about, veteran sportscaster Mark Oristano brings readers a basic understanding of one of America's most beloved sports. From "special teams" to "running backs" and "tight ends," Oristano highlights key football terms and puts them into perspective using realistic scenarios to illustrate the impact various positions, penalities and plays have on the game. Filled with diagrams of key plays, game-winning strategies and talking points to help new fans seem knowledgeable, this book informs and instructs rookie spectators as they root their favorite team onto victory.

My thoughts:
I loved this book and I don't like football. Really, I'm serious, the behind the scene information and the stories Mark tells are entertaining all by them selves.

Mark takes you through his career as a sportscaster, dropping names left and right, so you understand why he can teach us. Then he breaks the game down, tells us stories from the locker room and gives us sound bites so we'll sound like we know what we're talking about, telling us when to use them ;-)

And he's funny. I kept interrupting my sons computer game to tell him stuff and he's not into football either. The best part is this advice: Watch a recorded game while following along with the book. Stopping and rewinding as needed. I think it's best to do this when your fan is not around to "guide" you.

You won't be an expert by any means but you'll have a clearer understanding so you can enjoy the game. Professional, college, high school, youth. I can see the attraction of the game. Even if you really don't want to understand the game, read it for the stories and behind the scenes information.

Mark talks so we can understand without making us feel like idiots and if we need it, there is a great glossary.

Rating: I'm going with a 4.5 - It's almost a keeper but purchase this then donate when you no longer need it. You'll want to keep it longer then a library checkout will allow.