A short while back, I was asked to read and review a book recapping the glory days of the Pittsburgh Steelers and their arch-nemesis the Dallas Cowboys in the 1970s. Having a deep love for all things football, regardless of the teams on the field, I immediately agreed, even though I’m not exactly the most experience writer when it comes to book reviews.
The book, The Ones Who Hit the Hardest by Chad Millman and Shawn Coyne, arrived a few days later and I quickly opened it up, eager to learn more about a period in NFL history in which the Steelers and Cowboys dominated the league.
Telling the tale of the foundation of two storied franchises while simultaneously enveloping readers with a insider account of the internal battles in the steel industry that gave the Steelers their name, The Ones Who Hit the Hardest is an outstanding read that even the most casual fan will enjoy.
From opening paragraph to the very end, the story line kept me hooked in a way that non-fiction works rarely are able to do, weaving together first hand memories from those involved with a stellar depiction of the surrounding environment at the time.
The 1970s were a time of definite struggle for many people throughout the nation, and that was certainly the case in Pittsburgh, with their favorite team forging the NFL’s first dynasty with a blue collar work ethic to match that of their fan base. Meanwhile, the rise of the Cowboys into “America’s Team” is chronicled just as well, painting a flawless portrait of the battle for supremacy between Dallas and Pittsburgh throughout the decade.
It’s not often that a sports related book is able to take the reader on a journey through history, but that’s exactly what this book did for me, and as such, I highly recommend it to every fan of the game. Larger than life characters like Steelers founder Art “The Chief” Rooney, defensive end “Mean” Joe Greene, and head coach Chuck Noll dominate the storyline, but the minor players without which Pittsburgh would not have built their dynasty are fully chronicled as well.
You may not be a fan of the Steelers, but by the time you finish, I guarantee your level of respect for their franchise will have increased exponentially. The Ones Who Hit the Hardest will keep you up late at night, unable to put down your copy until the last page is turned, and it is a tremendous tribute to a city and franchise that defined one of the greatest eras in modern sports.
The Ones Who Hit the Hardest is available for purchase through book retailers everywhere, but before you rush out and buy your own copy, be sure to fill out the entry form below to register for a free copy, courtesy of publisher Gotham Books and Penguin Group USA.
I will be drawing out one lucky winner’s name later on this week on Saturday evening, so be sure to get your entry in as soon as possible.
No related posts.
Written by Chris Kolb
Topics: Book reviews, Dallas Cowboys, Pittsburgh Steelers