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AuthorsJeff Pearlman

Jeff Pearlman Books

Jeff Pearlman is an American sports writer. He has written two books about baseball and was the author of the infamous John Rocker interview in Sports Illustrated. In October 2011 he released his fifth book, a biography of Walter Payton titled, "Sweetness: The Enigmatic Life of Walter Payton." It spent four weeks on The New York Times Best Seller list.Pearlman was born and raised in Mahopac, New York. He got his start in journalism in 1989, when he interned at a weekly newspaper in Cross River, entitled "The Patent Trader". After graduating from the University of Delaware, he was hired as a food and fashion writer by The Tennessean in Nashville. In 1996, Pearlman was hired by Sports Illustrated, where he spent nearly seven years as a baseball writer.In 2002, Pearlman left Sports Illustrated and spent the next two years at Newsday, but left to focus on writing books. He also keeps an unusually personal online blog, where he posts a weekly Q&A series, The Quaz, with athletes, politicians, actors, singers and many random people. He was a frequent contributor to ESPN.com's Page 2, then as a columnist for SI.com. No stranger to controversy, Pearlman used his own website as a forum to call out the overzealous missionary goals of Tim Tebow's father as "pretty evil." In the fall of 2007, Pearlman wrote several controversial articles on Page 2 regarding the lack of a rivalry between the University of Delaware's and Delaware State University's football teams. The University of Delaware and Delaware State finally played a football game on November 23, 2007 at part of the NCAA Division I FCS playoffs. Delaware won the game with a score of 44–7.
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Three-Ring Circus book cover
Three-Ring Circus
Kobe, Shaq, Phil, and the Crazy Years of the Lakers Dynasty
Jeff Pearlman - 2020-09-22
Goodreads Rating
Discover the captivating story of the Lakers dynasty from 1996-2004, when Kobe Bryant and Shaquille O’Neal collided on and off the court to lead the Lakers to three straight championships. Through public sparring, physical altercations, and the threat of trade, the Shaq-Kobe duo resulted in one of the greatest dynasties in NBA history. Three-Ring Circus is a riveting deep dive into one of sports’ most fraught yet successful partnerships.
Recommended by
Harrison Faigen
The Best American Sports Writing 2018 book cover
The Best American Sports Writing 2018
Jeff Pearlman - 2018-10-02
Goodreads Rating
This collection features the best sports journalism from the previous year, sourced from various print and digital publications. Edited by a series and guest editor, the book offers a wide range of styles, voices, and stories, all with one thing in common: exceptional writing and a passion for sports.
Football for a Buck book cover
Football for a Buck
The Crazy Rise and Crazier Demise of the USFL
Jeff Pearlman - 2018-09-11
Goodreads Rating
This book by a New York Times bestselling author tells the outrageous and unforgettable story of the USFL football league, which challenged the NFL and launched the careers of legendary players like Steve Young and Reggie White. The author draws from over 400 interviews to uncover the wild behind-the-scenes stories of this audacious entity, from drug excess to airplane brawls and more. Football for a Buck is an entertaining cautionary tale of ego and excess in sports.
Recommended by
Jon Ferguson Mohr
Gunslinger book cover
Gunslinger
The Remarkable, Improbable, Iconic Life of Brett Favre
Jeff Pearlman - 2016-10-25
Goodreads Rating
This unparalleled sports biography tells the story of Brett Favre, one of the game's last cowboys and a towering figure on the field for two decades. From a rough rural childhood and lackluster high school football career to guiding the Green Bay Packers to two Super Bowls and shattering countless NFL records, this book draws on more than five hundred interviews to reveal the man behind the rocket arm. With addiction, infidelity, the loss of his father, and a prolonged exit from the game he loved, Favre's journey is a fascinating portrait of triumph, fame, tragedy, embarrassment, and ultimately, redemption.
Bat Flip book cover
Bat Flip
The Greatest Toronto Blue Jays Stories Ever Told
Mr. Keith McArthur, Mr. R.A. Dickey, Ms. Stacey May Fowles, Ms. Alison Gordon, Mr. Buck Martinez, Mr. Stephen Brunt, Mr. John Lott, Mr. Shi Davidi, Mr. Steve Clarke, Mr. Jeff Pearlman - 2016-09-14
Goodreads Rating
This anthology, Bat Flip, is a must-read for any Toronto Blue Jays fan. The book curates the best writing about the team, from triumphant moments to heartbreaking defeats. It features contributions from players, journalists, and fans alike, telling the story of a beloved franchise that has captured the hearts of millions. You'll find stories about legends like Joe Carter and John McDonald, as well as lesser-known heroes and antiheroes. Whether you're reliving old memories or discovering new ones, Bat Flip is a celebration of everything that makes the Blue Jays great.
Showtime book cover
Showtime
Magic, Kareem, Riley, and the Los Angeles Lakers Dynasty of the 1980s
Jeff Pearlman - 2014-03-04
Goodreads Rating
Explore the glitz and glamour, on and off the court, of one of the biggest dynasties in professional sports history in this captivating book. Follow the rise of the 1980s Los Angeles Lakers, led by the iconic Earvin “Magic” Johnson and the legendary Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, as they dominate the NBA with their signature “Showtime” style. Bestselling author Jeff Pearlman draws from hundreds of interviews to deliver a fascinating account of the team's incredible nine NBA championship series appearances and five victories. Get an inside look at the decadent Hollywood lifestyles of the players, as well as the intense rivalries and unforgettable characters behind one of the most epic sports sagas in American history.
Sweetness book cover
Sweetness
The Enigmatic Life of Walter Payton
Jeff Pearlman - 2011-10-04
Goodreads Rating
This engrossing biography delves into the life of Chicago Bears legend Walter Payton, who still stands as one of the most revered figures in sports. From his childhood in Mississippi to his record-breaking NFL career and struggles with mental health, "Sweetness" is a candid and insightful look at one of America's most complex athletes. Based on extensive research and interviews with those closest to Payton, this book is a must-read for football fans and anyone interested in the human stories behind sports icons.
The Rocket That Fell to Earth book cover
The Rocket That Fell to Earth
Roger Clemens and the Rage for Baseball Immortality
Jeff Pearlman - 2009-03-24
Goodreads Rating
The Rocket That Fell to Earth is a provocative account of Roger Clemens' rise and fall as a baseball superstar. Bestselling author Jeff Pearlman creates a vivid, no-holds-barred image of Clemens' life and career, exploring his place in the steroid controversy that shocked professional baseball. This explosive portrait of a sports legend loved and reviled by fans and colleagues alike is a must-read for any sports enthusiast.
Boys Will Be Boys book cover
Boys Will Be Boys
The Glory Days and Party Nights of the Dallas Cowboys Dynasty
Jeff Pearlman - 2008-09-16
Goodreads Rating
"Boys Will Be Boys" is a wildly entertaining read about the NFL Dallas Cowboys of the 1990s. This New York Times bestseller by Jeff Pearlman reveals the uncensored exploits of legendary players like Michael Irvin, Deion Sanders, Emmitt Smith, and Troy Aikman. With riveting and often hilarious stories about their on and off-field shenanigans, this book is a must-read for any sports fan.
Love Me, Hate Me by Jeff Pearlman
The Bad Guys Won! by Jeff Pearlman