Reviews
Our Boys is about far more than football. It's an inspiring story about how a coach and a community are building young men with the simple values of love, patience, and hard work. This is a great book., Joe Drape tells the remarkable story of the Smith Center Redmen, not only their success in winning football games, but also in swelling pride for a community and building character in young men. He shows that Roger Barta and the people in Smith Center are winners in every sense of the word., If you want to turn away from the high-voltage auctioneer babble that surrounds big-time, big-money sport, take this trip to Smith Center, Kansas, with Joe Drape. This is organic stuff, a fat and healthy slice of unadulterated American life. Simply terrific., The tale [Drape] spins ends up being one that transcends athletics, a story of adolescence and smalltown life. . . . From the opening practice to the Redmen's final game, Drape flawlessly paints a picture of how Smith Center achieves perfection year after year. . . . Drape gives the reader a team worth rooting for., Joe Drape has caught something deep and beautiful in Our Boys . It is true to the reality of life on the plains, much more than another football story., Our Boys delves into the heart of America in a manner that reminds me of The Last Picture Show and Friday Night Lights . Joe Drape crafts a terrific tale that will make you laugh, cry, and think. This is a story about small-town America that will make you shout., "Our Boysis about far more than football. It's an inspiring story about how a coach and a community are building young men with the simple values of love, patience, and hard work. This is a great book."-Joe Paterno, head football coach, Pennsylvania State University"If you want to turn away from the high-voltage auctioneer babble that surrounds big-time, big-money sport, take this trip to Smith Center, Kansas, with Joe Drape. This is organic stuff, a fat and healthy slice of unadulterated American life. Simply terrific."-Leigh Montville, author ofThe Big BamandAt the Altar of Speed"Our Boysdelves into the heart of America in a manner that reminds me ofThe Last Picture ShowandFriday Night Lights. Joe Drape crafts a terrific tale that will make you laugh, cry, and think. This is a story about small-town America that will make you shout."-Jim Dent, author ofTwelve Mighty OrphansandThe Junction Boys"Joe Drape tells the remarkable story of the Smith Center Redmen, not only their success in winning football games, but also in swelling pride for a community and building character in young men. He shows that Roger Barta and the people in Smith Center are winners in every sense of the word."-Bob Stoops, head coach, University of Oklahoma"Joe Drape has caught something deep and beautiful inOur Boys. It is true to the reality of life on the plains, much more than another football story."-David Maraniss, author ofWhen Pride Still Mattered: A Life of Vince Lombardi"A great read for all, but even more so for big-city readers to get a taste of the quality of life and genuine caring of this small community and its revered teacher, mentor, and coach Roger Barta. It is not so much a story about football but about the true meaning of midwestern values, family life, and the spirit of small town Kansas and its special people. I couldn't put it down."-Bill Snyder, head coach, Kansas State University, " Our Boys is about far more than football. It's an inspiring story about how a coach and a community are building young men with the simple values of love, patience, and hard work. This is a great book."-Joe Paterno, head football coach, Pennsylvania State University "If you want to turn away from the high-voltage auctioneer babble that surrounds big-time, big-money sport, take this trip to Smith Center, Kansas, with Joe Drape. This is organic stuff, a fat and healthy slice of unadulterated American life. Simply terrific."-Leigh Montville, author of The Big Bam and At the Altar of Speed " Our Boys delves into the heart of America in a manner that reminds me of The Last Picture Show and Friday Night Lights . Joe Drape crafts a terrific tale that will make you laugh, cry, and think. This is a story about small-town America that will make you shout."-Jim Dent, author of Twelve Mighty Orphans and The Junction Boys "Joe Drape tells the remarkable story of the Smith Center Redmen, not only their success in winning football games, but also in swelling pride for a community and building character in young men. He shows that Roger Barta and the people in Smith Center are winners in every sense of the word."-Bob Stoops, head coach, University of Oklahoma "Joe Drape has caught something deep and beautiful in Our Boys . It is true to the reality of life on the plains, much more than another football story."-David Maraniss, author of When Pride Still Mattered: A Life of Vince Lombardi "A great read for all, but even more so for big-city readers to get a taste of the quality of life and genuine caring of this small community and its revered teacher, mentor, and coach Roger Barta. It is not so much a story about football but about the true meaning of midwestern values, family life, and the spirit of small town Kansas and its special people. I couldn't put it down."-Bill Snyder, head coach, Kansas State University "A feel-good story of youthful drive, great coaching and the value of unflagging communal support."- Kirkus Reviews "The tale [Drape] spins ends up being one that transcends athletics, a story of adolescence and smalltown life. . . . From the opening practice to the Redmen's final game, Drape flawlessly paints a picture of how Smith Center achieves perfection year after year. . . . Drape gives the reader a team worth rooting for."- Publishers Weekly "'Hoosiers' on a football field."- New York Post "The most improbable, unabashed love story I've read in years."- Minneapolis Star Tribune "A compelling story expertly told."-Pat Forde, ESPN.com, " Our Boys is about far more than football. It's an inspiring story about how a coach and a community are building young men with the simple values of love, patience, and hard work. This is a great book."-Joe Paterno, head football coach, Pennsylvania State University "If you want to turn away from the high-voltage auctioneer babble that surrounds big-time, big-money sport, take this trip to Smith Center, Kansas, with Joe Drape. This is organic stuff, a fat and healthy slice of unadulterated American life. Simply terrific."-Leigh Montville, author of The Big Bam and At the Altar of Speed " Our Boys delves into the heart of America in a manner that reminds me of The Last Picture Show and Friday Night Lights . Joe Drape crafts a terrific tale that will make you laugh, cry, and think. This is a story about small-town America that will make you shout."-Jim Dent, author of Twelve Mighty Orphans and The Junction Boys "Joe Drape tells the remarkable story of the Smith Center Redmen, not only their success in winning football games, but also in swelling pride for a community and building character in young men. He shows that Roger Barta and the people in Smith Center are winners in every sense of the word."-Bob Stoops, head coach, University of Oklahoma "Joe Drape has caught something deep and beautiful in Our Boys . It is true to the reality of life on the plains, much more than another football story."-David Maraniss, author of When Pride Still Mattered: A Life of Vince Lombardi "A great read for all, but even more so for big-city readers to get a taste of the quality of life and genuine caring of this small community and its revered teacher, mentor, and coach Roger Barta. It is not so much a story about football but about the true meaning of midwestern values, family life, and the spirit of small town Kansas and its special people. I couldn't put it down."-Bill Snyder, head coach, Kansas State University "A feel-good story of youthful drive, great coaching and the value of unflagging communal support."- Kirkus Reviews "The tale [Drape] spins ends up being one that transcends athletics, a story of adolescence and smalltown life. . . . From the opening practice to the Redmen's final game, Drape flawlessly paints a picture of how Smith Center achieves perfection year after year. . . . Drape gives the reader a team worth rooting for."- Publishers Weekly "'Hoosiers' on a football field."- New York Post "The most improbable, unabashed love story I've read in years."- Minneapolis Star Tribune "A compelling story expertly told."-Pat Forde, ESPN.com , A great read for all, but even more so for big-city readers to get a taste of the quality of life and genuine caring of this small community and its revered teacher, mentor, and coach - Roger Barta. It is not so much a story about football but about the true meaning of midwestern values, family life, and the spirit of small town Kansas and its special people. I couldn't put it down.
