Sports Illustrated 50 Years: The Anniversary Book

Rating:
Summary: Sports Illustrated - 50 mighty years
Review:
Sharing a celebration of 50 years with Sports Illustrated made the purchase of this book a special delight. So much has happened in so many sports, but Sports Illustrated has been along for the ride. And in the special world of sports fans it has taken its own place. Acquiring an appreciation of sport beyond the mere competition has a lot to do with how Sports Illustrated impacts on your life.

Unfortunately, the ability to receive Sports Illustrated on a weekly basis on the other side of the world has been affected by several vagaries - including the notion that although the British Empire was in decline, its magazines were far more preferable for New Zealanders than their American equivalents, and also the fact that it is only in the modern era of communications that it is easy to send a credit card number to facilitate delivery of whatever takes your fancy.

The memory of seeing my first copy of Sports Illustrated sticks with me from my schoolboy years. It related to coverage of the 1968 Olympic Games and Bob Beamon's massive leap into the rarefied air of Mexico City. It was the age of dissent with the Black Power salute on the rostrum by Tommie Smith and John Carlos later encapsulated, if that same memory is correct, in a series on The Black Athlete in the magazine.

As time has gone by access to the magazine has become much easier and its literature a welcome addition to that available in other publications on the events of the sports world.

Fifty years is an outstanding achievement and a credit to those who had the vision in the first place. All of which is preparatory to saying that those days before the magazine was born are well covered in the textual side of this celebratory book, along with the various eras through which it has passed.

It features the best of what has happened, with brief out-takes from what are regarded as the finest stories. Fortunately, however, these are available in full, in the bigger book, Sports Illustrated - Fifty Years of Great Writing. Also recorded are some of the greatest photographs and also the art of sport, with a special favourite being the shot of Hank Aaron in full flight.

A year-by-year breakdown precedes the listing of all the covers of Sports Illustrated and while that might seem a little gradiose it is a celebration after all, and it has to be acknowledged it represents something of an interesting timeline of its own. The passing parade of America's view of world sport it may be, but it is hard to dispute that Sports Illustrated has made its impact, and contribution, on the sports it covers.

And this book is a fascinating reminder of all that has happened in 50 memorable years. For any sports fan, this book is a must.

Rating:
Summary: What a Gift!
Review: This coffee table sports offering has no weak spots. Cover-to-cover...SOLID. I found it to be the perfect business gift for the sports enthusiast. I am not a shill for SI or Amazon but,it's also very efficient. This is my 5th order.

Rating:
Summary: Fantastic
Review: What a treasure! I got this coffee-table for my nephews (15 and 13) and my own son (13) for Christmas, and all gift-unwrapping immediately halted while they looked through the book. "Wow!" "Oh man, look at that!" etc. while they looked at the incredible collection of stunning sports photos from the past 50 years. Every SI cover is included, too, as well as selections from the best articles, and humorous quotes, even sports art. Everyone of every age picked this book up at some point on Christmas Day, sometimes in groups of 3 or more, all looking at the amazing pictures. The older people wanted to check to see if their favorites were included - and how DID Michael Jordan jump that high!? Look at OJ Simpson back when he won the Heisman trophy. And hockey players didn't wear helmets - not even the goalie?? - in the 1960's? Fantastic book.