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This biography of Joe Paterno by his son Jay is an honest and touching look at the life and legacy of a beloved coaching legend. Jay Paterno paints a full picture of his father’s life and career as well as documenting that almost none of the horrific crimes that came to light in 2012 took place at Penn State. Jay Paterno clear-headedly confronts the events that happened with cool facts and with passion, demonstrating that this was just one more case of an innocent man convicted by the media for a crime in which he had no part. Noting that the scandal itself was but a short moment in Joe Paterno’s life and legacy, the book focuses on Paterno’s greatness as a father and grandfather, his actions as a miraculous coach to his players, and his skillful dealings with his assistant coaches. A memorial to one of the greatest coaches in college football history, the book also reveals insightful anecdotes from his son and coaching pupil.
chemepsu
Posted Tue Sep 16 00:00:00 EDT 2014
Excellent book- the real story!
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Got this for my husband and it did not take him very long to finish it. Everywhere he went that book was with him....it gives you lots of info on the Coach and how the family feels about everything.
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.
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Posted Sun Sep 28 00:00:00 EDT 2014
Many biographies written by family members of societal icons can offer the inside view to that person's life for the benefit of those who loved and cherished that icon. Jay Paterno provides the first hand evidence growing up under the same house as college football coaching legend Joe Paterno. This book is equal parts memoir, the relating of fatherly advice, as well as the definitive rebuttal to the Freeh report. This is the first biography I've read where I took a highlighter to it; different colors for the different aspects of the book I've delineated.
Much of America came out in force to debate the spectacle surrounding the Jerry Sandusky investigation. Sadly, many people came with pitchforks and torches ready to burn somebody - anybody - for these horrific crimes against children. The real shame is that many things were overlooked in the desire to see "justice" done. Mr. Paterno gives a first hand account of the situation on the ground in Happy Valley. Sadly, in the rush to see "justice" done, there was an ironic dispensing of injustice at the way Penn State treated Joe Paterno. Jay Paterno documents his travels, travails, and conversations with all those who were involved.
However, most of the book is spent talking about life having a Division I coach as a father. However you choose to see Coach Paterno, it is imperative that one knows more about the man they either revere or revile. Having been a Penn State fan for over 40 years, I knew some of the stories the younger Paterno tells here. Many, however, are new. In the course of telling stories about Coach Paterno's wisdom, the names that get mentioned are those familiar to Nittany Lion fans. More often than not, it is the players' off-field activities that get mentioned. The fact that many, many more boys ended up becoming men of substance and impact. It is those reasons that a great motivator and builder of men was lost to society.
Jay's storytelling is fluid and swift. He is a good communicator and can make his points succinctly and effectively. The chapters are short which is good if you want to read a chapter between busy parts of your day. Many photographs are included at the back of the book to help rekindle memories of previous Penn State exploits. A worthy companion to this book would be Paterno by Joe Posnanski.
I will disclaim that I am a Penn State fan and and admirer of the late Coach Paterno. That notwithstanding, this is a book that is essential reading for those who want all the information about JoePa and recent Penn State history. Even if you hate Penn State with the fire of 1,000 suns, I would urge you - if you claim to be open minded - to read this book. (I will even lend you my copy, if you like.)
BOTTOM LINE: A definite must-read for college football fans.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
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Posted Fri Oct 10 00:00:00 EDT 2014
Joe Paterno lived an honorable and principled life, defined by The Grand Experiment at Penn State where academics took precedence over athletics, showing a college football team could win championships while graduated players. Jay Paterno does a great job of honoring his father's legacy that was unfortunately torn down by a corrupt Board of Trustees, a gutless NCAA, and a bloodthirsty media. Jay lays waste to most of the half truths and vicious misrepresentations that came to define the last months of his father's life. As a very passionate Penn State alum, this book made me cry at times, having to set it down after barreling through many of the more difficult chapters about events in November 2011. But even in his final moments, Joe Paterno was committed to the principles that carried forth among his children, and all the football players who played for him: truth, due process, and commitment to serving others. Thank you for 61 years of Success With Honor, Joe. Jay's book shows your legacy will outlive your critics.
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Overview
This biography of Joe Paterno by his son Jay is an honest and touching look at the life and legacy of a beloved coaching legend. Jay Paterno paints a full picture of his father’s life and career as well as documenting that almost none of the horrific crimes that came to light in 2012 took place at Penn State. Jay Paterno clear-headedly confronts the events that happened with cool facts and with passion, demonstrating that this was just one more case of an innocent man convicted by the media for a crime in which ...