Eli Manning: The Making of a Quarterback

This book was written earlier in Elis career with an update after the Giants won their second Super Bowl with him as quarterback. The book is mostly written from details from teammates and the Giants former General Manager without much if any input from Eli. If you are looking to find out what Eli was thinking during his early career struggles or even in key games you will be disappointed. Also throughout the book the author repeats the same quotes from various people several times, as if he couldnt find anyone else or new information to add to a particular chapter. Youll get some background and other tidbits about Eli that you may not have known, but overall this book leaves you wanting much more than it delivers.

First published in 1949, Joseph Campbell wrote a definitive book about the role and nature of heroes in mythology throughout human history, Hero of 1000 faces. According to Campbell, A hero ventures forth from the world of common day into a region of supernatural wonder: fabulous forces are there encountered and a decisive victory is won: the hero comes back from this mysterious adventure with the power to bestow boons on his fellow man. After watching Eli play over the last 3.5 years, it is clear that by any definition Campbell has come up with, Eli Manning is an archetypical hero. OK, maybe Im exaggerating, but his accomplishment during the superbowl run was incredible by any definition. Vacchianos book basically reviews the key points in this heros development--and these points are important for all of us to review to see how we can do better too. Theres not a whole lot in this book that hasnt already been covered in the media, so if youve been keeping close tabs on the Giants over the years, you may not learn much. However, its never a waste of time seeing again how its done. Kudos to Vacchiano for reviewing the subject in an eminently readable form. Kudos mostly though to Eli for making the book possible!

Good book. Enjoyed reading it. Would recommend it to any sports fan. Easy reading for anyone that likes sports family

While Ralph clearly did enormous amounts of research and interviews, as a whole the book falls flat. The writing is scattered and jumps around quite a bit. It doesnt read like a book at all - instead it reads like cliche ridden three page sports articles mashed together. If you like Eli Manning and the Giants you will enjoy this book. However, if youre looking for an engaging sports story skip this book.

I like Ralphs Blue Screen blog and I liked his writing and TV appearances while I lived in NYC. So buying the book was a no-brainer especially since I was a Eli supporter since the day we drafted him. Its good and I expected a lot of inside details about Eli and we got some... but compared to LTs book and other sport books, it doesnt feel like Ralph had enough inside access. I skimmed a lot of Plaxicos book and even that was pretty good because you can tell Plaxico is giving us every single detail according to his view. Pretty good but it lacks the first-account stories and insight as if Eli wrote it himself or was involved.

Bought as a gift for a HS footballer.

I too admit to being a long-time and fierce New York Giants fan and from the start Eli Manning fan. I knew that when Eli was placed into the starting line-up, we would have to endure growing pains and tough losses as he developed both as a quarterback and a leader for the New York Giants. Ralph Vacchiano perfectly captures the nuances of what Eli has meant to Ernie Accorsi (then GM), the Giants, the fans and the NFL. Ralph uses an interesting and perfectly suited style of writing from an outsider looking in approach while still enjoying insider access and direct information that a veteran reporter has. Having said that, Ralph doesnt bat you over the head with subjectivity. While he clearly respects and admires Eli and his family, he still maintains an objectivity that is both fresh and appealing. What differentiates this book from the multitude released in the past several months about the Giants Super Bowl Run or any other football book is the crafting and skill used. It is hard to put this book down and each chapter flows perfectly into the next. It is a compelling read. Ralph is an excellent writer and this is an excellent book. Neil Hickey, Reading, PA.

For anyone who is a football fan, and especially a Giants fan this is a must buy book. This book gives an excellent recount of Elis first 4 years of his career and does an excellent job of showing just how much an NFL QB goes through. This is an excellently written book with good inside detail from ex NFL QBs and coaches. Im not much of a book person and could not put the book down.

This book was terrific. A story of teamwork, a dream and the incredible development of Eli Manning, NY Giants quarterback. A must read for any sports fan.

What sticks out above everything else in this very well-researched account of Eli Manning, is Vacchianos startling ability to draw the reader in emotionally. In particular - Vacchianos gripping account of that famous final drive in the Super Bowl against the undefeated New England Patriots. Having watched - glued to the screen, waiting for Manning to implode, and yet he didnt - that gut-scrambling final 2-plus minutes, I can say it was some of the very best drama football has produced. What is remarkable is that Vacchiano, through his writing, matches the virtuoso moment. The fact that readers were already well aware of the outcome, makes this an even more astonishing feat of writing. I ripped through those last 40 pages, even though I knew what the end result was... The tendency in books like this is for the writer to gush over the subject...accolade after accolade. Vacchiano steers away from the expected. At times, its a harsh, clinical evaluation of the subject. Vacchiano, as every reporter writing a book should do (but few accomplish), taps on a wealth of resources. Former Giants Ernie Accorsi writes the forward and is quoted throughout...but there are also dozens of others involved. This is not only a must-but for Giants fans, but for fans of solid writing (ahh, that drama!) as well. A stirring achievement by one of the best football beat writers in America.