Raider books

[Deadbolt]

What are the best ones out there? I just got done with Madden's book, and I loved hearing the stories about all the old players (Ted Hendricks, in particular). I'm in the process of reading Al's book by Glenn Dickey. Throw some suggestions out there!

 

[Byron2112]

I've read Cruisin with the Tooz, Snake(Stabler's book) and It's Just a Bruise(a memoir from a doctor with the Raiders in the early 80's).

All good reads.

Snake was the funnest, as you can imagine his tales of partying and winning big games.

It's just a Bruise was a unique look at how players are treated, and tricked, medically in the NFL, plus he was on the '83' team so there are great stories about the SuperBowl run.

 

[Crossbones]

Snake is a good one. Great Raiders stories and it typifies the Raider Mystique.

One you should definitely pass on is Jim Otto's book "The Pain of Glory" -- terrible book. And it really destroyed Jim Otto in my minds eye. That guy is really full of himself. Don't believe me just ask him.

 

[jake75]

Tatum's book "they call me assasin" --good

Bo Jackson's book has some good stories in it.

I think the same thing as Crossbones about Otto's book, however my copy is signed so it's the jewel of my raider books.

The Tooz and Stabler books are fun too.

 

[Stanny]

"Cooking With and Offensive Guru"-By Tom Walsh

His homemade banana nut bread and eggs Florentine are to die for. He has some funny stories on how to create an offense as well.

Sorry I couldn't help myself.

 

[BigTron]

"Cooking With and Offensive Guru"-By Tom Walsh

His homemade banana nut bread and eggs Florentine are to die for. He has some funny stories on how to create an offense as well.

Sorry I couldn't help myself.

I also bought a book called "Dropping passes and passing blame" it was co-written by TO and MOss.
Actualy Too-Real Owens did write a book. It was called "Little T learns to share" or some shit. If TO is teaching your kids value's good luck!

 

[hawaiianboy]

I've read all those except the Otto one after Bones ripped it awhile back.... and I haven't been able to find Tate's second book...

There's got to be more than those right?....

 

[Al's Wingman]

I'm in the process of reading Al's book by Glenn Dickey. Throw some suggestions out there!

That one is pretty tame. I would suggest Slick: The Silver and Black Life of Al Davis by Mark Ribowsky

One you should definitely pass on is Jim Otto's book "The Pain of Glory" -- terrible book. And it really destroyed Jim Otto in my minds eye. That guy is really full of himself. Don't believe me just ask him.

I was able to look past that. He is proud of his accomplishments but he doesn't come across as arrogant at all. I didn't like hearing about all the medical stuff but the rest of the book was very entertaining. He puts it all out there. He surprised me with his honesty. He's no Al ass kisser. He actually clarified something that has bothered me about Al forever. I always figured Al disliked being challenged and formed his Yes Man circle. Otto tells us that is half true and the numerous examples provided convince me.

I give Jim Otto full credit for coming from a life of basically nothing in a tundra town in Wisconsin where he struggled to even make his high school football team all way the to the NFL Hall of Fame. His body has paid the price for it and then some.

What really stands out to me is this guy's highest salary as a pro was $70,000 a year. No pension, no disability insurance and no hand-out from Al. He parlays his savings into a fast food empire and becomes a multi-millionaire, all while battling incredible medical hardships. The man stands on a pedestal as far as I'm concerned.

and I haven't even mentioned the personal troubles which would turn anyone's life upside down.

Look at this way, If you stub your toe, you're coming out of the game on your own like a crybaby. Jim Otto's legs needed to fall off before they could get him out of the game.

BOW TO THE GREATNESS OF JIM OTTO!

 

[Crossbones]

Well I don't agree Wingman about that book. His story is a great one buy Otto isn't a great story teller IMO and it soured me on the man. But hey, it's all good.

Have you ever been into Otto's Burger King up in Auburn? I stumbled in there years ago and was like "whoa..." all sorts of Raiders memorabilia (mostly Otto's) in glass casses. Pretty cool.

 

[Blackened]

"Cooking With and Offensive Guru"-By Tom Walsh

His homemade banana nut bread and eggs Florentine are to die for. He has some funny stories on how to kill an offense as well.

Sorry I couldn't help myself.

There fixed it for ya.

 

[Madturk]

The Black Knight was good if you want to learn about the history of the Raider franchise.

 

[massraider]

Ones I have read:

Cruisin with the Tooz

Stabler's book (The Snake?)

The two Al Davis bios (Slick and.....Just Win Baby, I think it's called)

They Call Me Assassin (A loooong time ago, but I remember it being interesting).

All of Madden's books.


They were all great. can't remember which Davis bio I preferred, it has a been a long time.

 

[1D4]

"It ok it's just a bruise"
The book buy the team doctor who wrote any given sunday is great I've read it 3 times all the way through.

 

[Byron2112]

One I've got on the back burner is "The League(The Rise and Decline of the NFL)". Sounds sinister doesn't it?

It's not specifically about the Raiders, but it was written in 1986 and is an in depth account of all the back room dealings and going's on about the merger, and the lawsuits with Al moving and all the leagues skeletons, so Al and Raiders obviously are featured prominantly, in fact a snippet of his fight with Rozelle to move from Oakland is featured on the back cover.

It's near 800 pages long, and every review I've read says this is the shiznit on down and dirty NFL biz history, so I'm pretty excited to get into that.