Tales from the Packers Sidelines: A Collection of the Greatest Stories Ever Told

Rating:
Summary: Not Aikman; Sanders
Review: Any true Packer fan, critic or historian would know that it was Barry Sanders (#3 overall) that the Packers chose Mandarich over in '89, but that doesn't change the story. It just serves more as a speedbump. Great book with lots of insight.

Rating:
Summary: Not Aikman; Sanders
Review: Any true Packer fan, critic or historian would know that it was Barry Sanders (#3 overall) that the Packers chose Mandarich over in '89, but that doesn't change the story. It just serves more as a speedbump. Great book with lots of insight.

Rating:
Summary: A first-rate collection and a "must" for Packers fans
Review: Entertainingly gathered and presented by award-winning, thirty-year veteran sports journalist Chuck Carlson, Tales From The Packers Sideline: A Collection Of The Greatest Stories Ever Told is an enjoyable collection of eye-opening tales about Wisconsin's most beloved football team, and ranges from their training and traditions; to their classic rivalries; to Bret Favre's terrible addiction to painkillers, and more. Tales From The Packers Sidelines is packed from cover to cover with anecdotes, notes of whimsy and dramatic recountings. Tales From The Packers Sideline is a first-rate collection and a "must" for Packers fans everywhere.

Rating:
Summary: Fumble!
Review: This book would have been granted a much higher rating if not for the errors, and this book has plenty of them.
Many of the errors are numbers-related and don't have a significant impact on the particular story (the Packers started playing in Milwaukee in 1933, not 1932 as stated in the story 'Good Times and Bad Times'), or a draft position (Ezra Johnson was a first-round pick, not a second according to the story 'Ezra'). But some of the errors do significantly alter the story: In 'Terrible Tony' the story implies that the Packers were "obsessive" about drafting Tony Mandarich rather than "taking a flier" on Troy Aikman. Aikman was the first pick in the draft, selected by Dallas, before the Packers ever had a chance. He was not bypassed by the Packers, and any team that was in the Packer's position (second pick in the draft) probably would have taken Mandarich, too.
Along with the errors are inconsistencies: According to 'The Man in Charge,' "Bob Harlan announces in 1995 that the Packers would no longer play in Milwaukee," while 'An Era Ends' correctly states that 1994 was the last year. Harlan made the announcement in 1994, before the regular season had ended.
The short stories, nonetheless, are entertaining, and Packer fans - even the most knowledgeable - are sure to have their memories jarred about a long-forgotten item or two about their beloved team. But that same knowledgeable fan - and there are many - is sure to be distracted by the many mistakes that plague this book. Yes, the book is entertaining, but you certainly wouldn't use it for reference.

Rating:
Summary: A good idea with interesting stories...but too many errors
Review: This book would have been granted a much higher rating if not for the errors, and this book has plenty of them.
Many of the errors are numbers-related and don't have a significant impact on the particular story (the Packers started playing in Milwaukee in 1933, not 1932 as stated in the story 'Good Times and Bad Times'), or a draft position (Ezra Johnson was a first-round pick, not a second according to the story 'Ezra'). But some of the errors do significantly alter the story: In 'Terrible Tony' the story implies that the Packers were "obsessive" about drafting Tony Mandarich rather than "taking a flier" on Troy Aikman. Aikman was the first pick in the draft, selected by Dallas, before the Packers ever had a chance. He was not bypassed by the Packers, and any team that was in the Packer's position (second pick in the draft) probably would have taken Mandarich, too.
Along with the errors are inconsistencies: According to 'The Man in Charge,' "Bob Harlan announces in 1995 that the Packers would no longer play in Milwaukee," while 'An Era Ends' correctly states that 1994 was the last year. Harlan made the announcement in 1994, before the regular season had ended.
The short stories, nonetheless, are entertaining, and Packer fans - even the most knowledgeable - are sure to have their memories jarred about a long-forgotten item or two about their beloved team. But that same knowledgeable fan - and there are many - is sure to be distracted by the many mistakes that plague this book. Yes, the book is entertaining, but you certainly wouldn't use it for reference.