http://www.andalusiastarnews.com/articles/2005/08/04/sports/473sports.txt
Eli strikes Gold
By John Wallace
Thursday, August 4, 2005 8:45 PM CDT
Eli Gold lives up to his name in "Crimson Nation."
The "Voice of the Crimson Tide" strikes gold in his new book about
Alabama football.
The newest book regarding the legendary college football program that
is The University of Alabama and its many legendary players and coaches
proves Gold can truly paint a picture with words.
One can almost hear his unique, signature voice telling the tales of
Alabama Crimson Tide glory as they read the history of one of the
winningest college football programs.
"Crimson Nation" (ISBN: 1401601901, $24.95, Rutledge Hill Press) begins
with the birth of football at the Capstone and weaves its way to the
present with a colorful collection of stories helped along by Gold's
in-depth research and insight interviews with former coaches and
players.
The book begins slowly with Gold having to rely on other books, old
newspaper articles and other documents to map out the beginning of
Alabama's football program.
The story bogs down a little in the early going, but once Gold reaches
the 1950s the storyline picks up pace and never slows down.
Pages begin to flip faster as Gold uses his mastery of storytelling
combined with interesting tales and unforgettable quotes from the
people who were there.
"Crimson Nation" really begins to speed along once Gold mentions late
Alabama Head Coach Paul W. "Bear" Bryant's return to the Capstone when
"Mama called."
The book, like the Alabama football program, does not slow down once
the descriptive account of Bear's return to Tuscaloosa and his winning
ways at the University begin to unravel in Gold's smooth, easy-going
but excitable tone.
One of the best parts of the book is Gold's recollection of the 1992
National Championship season. He also adds more than a few
tongue-in-cheek remarks throughout the book within parenthesis to help
set the tone and mood for each story.
The book takes fans from the inception to the present in a enjoyable
manner ending with a promise of more to come. Now is the perfect time
to read this well-written book because it ends with talk of last season
and an up-tempo optimism for 2005 and beyond.
Auburn fans may want to skip "Crimson Nation" after an undefeated 13-0
season in 2004. Alabama fans, however, can rest assured this is one of
many books on Alabama football deserving of a spot in their libraries
or on their coffee table.
If you are an Alabama Crimson Tide fan and can't wait for the 2005
season to begin, do yourself a favor and pick up a copy of "Crimson
Nation."
It's well worth the price and definitely a book every fan should have
in its hardback edition. It'll be a great addition to any library and
want it be nice to have it when Gold updates his personal history of
the Tide with Crimson Nation II?
Of course, one of the reasons I like it so much is because of a great
photo of current Alabama Head Coach Mike Shula and a handsome
photographer standing in the background on page 222 of the hardback
edition.
But, seriously, this is a book by an Alabama fan for Alabama fans. A
book everyone who has ever chanted "Rammer Jammer, Yellow Hammer!" will
enjoy and appreciate.
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