Eli Manning: The Making of a Quarterback

If your a Manning fan,a N.Y.G. fan, or just a fan of football stories, read 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.

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.

As a Giant fan and an Eli fan I had to get this book and read it right away. I was glad I did. I havent missed but two televised Giants games in nearly seven years, so I thought I knew everything about Eli Manning and the Giants, but this book gave me even more insight. The pressure Eli was under when he entered the league is well established, but this book gave me a new appreciation for all the young man has been put through in just a few years. From the locker room feelings towards Kerry Collins to the shared insight of his on the road roomate, I felt as I read the book like I could feel his pressure rather than just hear about it. The way he carried himself during his rough times is a testimony to the man he is not just as a player. His refusal to ever get overly upset or throw tantrums or the fact that he never once threw his teammates under the bus (when his errors were exasberated by their mistakes on occassion)and just take the hit for the team make me a fan of his even more than I was before. As a book, it reads well. Like a story rather than a plain vanilla biography. The insights by Ernie Arcorsi are excellent, as he experienced his own pressures the same as Eli. The two tied together forever. Great read and an excellent book, not a simple book about football but about being a man under intense scrutiny and enormous pressure. Highly recommeded! Not just to Giants fans but to any fan of football who has grown tired of selfish, spoiled, over paid atheletes and their antics.

Let me start off by saying that while Im a huge Giants fan, I dont believe that a great playoff run automatically makes Eli an elite quarterback. Luckily, Ralph Vacchiano doesnt try to convince the reader that he is. His fair and honest account of Elis emotional and professional development made me a big fan of this book. He not only details Elis first camp throught his Superbowl MVP performance but provides the reader with and inside look into Payton and Elis relationship as well as Elis relationship with his NY Giants teammates. In addition, he does a fantastic job highlighting the complicated and emotionally charged series of events that brought Eli and eventually a Superbowl championship to NY. This book was hard to put down and is a must read not only for Giants fans but for football fans in general. You wont be disappointed.

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 enjoyed reading how Ernie Arcosi went with his gut to get Eli selected in the draft and the end result is two Super Bowls. Wish the same could have been accomplished when with Cleveland Browns. Insight into the Manning family was also special. Thanks for the book.