Great column, John. Season On The Brink will always get the most attention because of the subject matter but the books John Feinstein wrote about the PGA Tour (A Good Walk Spoiled) & Patriot League College Basketball (The Last Amateurs) are outstanding books. There are so many books he wrote I lost count. If there is a list of the greatest sports writers ever he is easily top five on that list
Thanks John. I loved John Feinstein and used to visit with him in the lobby of the Sawgrass Marriott when The Players Championship was held in May. He was very kind to this “fanboy”. I am one of the few people that actually had a better opinion of Bob Knight after Feinstein’s book was released. I already knew he was a jerk. What I didn’t know was all he did for charity and his former players as well as the Bloomington community. But if you want to read Feinstein‘s best books buy yourself The Last Amateurs and The Civil War. Classics!
John, I lived in Indiana in the late 70s and through the 80s. I loved Coach Knight’s skill and approach to the game I love, even though it was difficult at times given his unexplainable outbursts. Feinstein’s book was hard for me to read but it was an honest inside view of a tough IU season. I’ve always respected Feinstein for his integrity and intelligent writing, and am sad at his untimely death. Thanks for giving him a solid tribute.
Really, JC? Did you really need to make my eyes sweat? 😥
I’ve read “…On The Brink” at least four, maybe five times. Am staring it on the family room shelves, right now, as I click away. Time to crack it open again.
And I STRONGLY recommend Feinstein’s “The Last Amateurs,” an intimate look at the 1999-2000 Patriot League basketball season. Just so good.
Whether or not you believe in a higher power, Feinstein’s passing within days of March Madness isn’t coincidental to me. I hope he and Knight watch this year’s tourney together.
"The Legends Club" by Feinstein, about Coaches Smith, K, and V is an amazing read for any college basketball fan who lived that era. Wow!! Just get it and read it. Wow!!
Quote: "Wrote Forde: “What Feinstein, 30 years old at the time, did in that book probably will never be done again. He told as honest a story as he could without sacrificing his journalistic ethics on the altar of access. He did not let the subject dictate the story. He did not sell out.”
I wonder what percentage of reporters covering coaches and teams can make this claim? In my experience as a fan trying to get the truth...I can't think of a one. Access is what they fear, if they ask the real questions they will be banned or limited. So fans get watered down or outright mistruths all the time. My opinion
His two baseball books were outstanding, even though baseball wasn't his favorite sport.
"A Civil War," about the 1996 football seasons at Army and Navy, is one of the best sports books ever.
His books about mid-major eastern college basketball are outstanding as well. He had an affinity for the Mt. St. Mary's, George Masons, La Salles and Richmonds of the college basketball world.
Really good piece today John. I recently picked up a "previously owned" copy of "A Good Walk Spoiled" at a bookstore in Ojai. I have not read it yet but now I will do so with a somewhat different perspective. There is a great tribute to Feinstein in today's Washington Post written by George Solomon, the man who hired him to the Post. For me Feinstein was up there with Sally Jenkins, Rick Reilly, Ivan Maisel and Alan Shipnuck. He will be sorely missed.
Nice tribute, John. It seems our heroes depart before their work is done. When there were still things like magazines my weekly sports "jones" was fulfilled by one or two of Feinstein's reports. And "A Good Walk Spoiled" was a spiritual yard marker for my many rounds of golf.
Rest in peace, JF, and thank you, and thank you to my "other John" as well. Charlie
JC, Great article about an outstanding sports writer. He died much too young. I am almost 69 myself. When I read about John Feinstein, who I have to admit, I did not know or read before, that he was part of the Bobby Knight inner circle, I had to find the intersection with Sid Hartman. I knew there would be one because Knight and Hartman were tight. You might remember I am a huge Sid Hartman fan having lived in Minnesota for over 30 years and married to a girl whose mom and family friends knew Hartman personally growing up. I found the expected Hartman reference in this interview in the Indy newspaper from 2017. Maybe you know that interviewer. I hope you do not mind that I share it. It is a personal and first hand insight to Feinstein separate from yours: https://www.indystar.com/story/sports/2017/11/06/john-feinstein-talks-iu-ncaa-scandal-bob-knight-the-first-major/823626001/
Perfect analogy: the rototiller. I had some epic battles, trying to break up Oregon spring dirt. Like trying to contain a bucking bronc, at least in my view. Always wondered what Knight was like, in person. Hard to grasp that 6'5" presence, without seeing in person
One of my best friends and college roomates (RIP) was from Indiana. He had a friend that was attending IU. He told me a story that one day the IU student passed Bob Knight on campus and said "Good morning, coach," to which Knight turned, jeered and grumpedly said something to the effect of "Show some respect to your elders. It's Mr. Knight to you."
This one feels like losing someone I know. In his books, in his columns, in his radio or TV appearances, he was always the same guy. His values came through consistently and when the the institutions he covered lost track of their own values, you could count on him to call them on it. By the way, did he ever tell you his John Wooden story?
Great column, John. Season On The Brink will always get the most attention because of the subject matter but the books John Feinstein wrote about the PGA Tour (A Good Walk Spoiled) & Patriot League College Basketball (The Last Amateurs) are outstanding books. There are so many books he wrote I lost count. If there is a list of the greatest sports writers ever he is easily top five on that list
Thanks John. I loved John Feinstein and used to visit with him in the lobby of the Sawgrass Marriott when The Players Championship was held in May. He was very kind to this “fanboy”. I am one of the few people that actually had a better opinion of Bob Knight after Feinstein’s book was released. I already knew he was a jerk. What I didn’t know was all he did for charity and his former players as well as the Bloomington community. But if you want to read Feinstein‘s best books buy yourself The Last Amateurs and The Civil War. Classics!
Thanks, John
Your barebones reporting says more than can be found in the papers.
John, I lived in Indiana in the late 70s and through the 80s. I loved Coach Knight’s skill and approach to the game I love, even though it was difficult at times given his unexplainable outbursts. Feinstein’s book was hard for me to read but it was an honest inside view of a tough IU season. I’ve always respected Feinstein for his integrity and intelligent writing, and am sad at his untimely death. Thanks for giving him a solid tribute.
One of the best at his craft, to be sure
Really, JC? Did you really need to make my eyes sweat? 😥
I’ve read “…On The Brink” at least four, maybe five times. Am staring it on the family room shelves, right now, as I click away. Time to crack it open again.
And I STRONGLY recommend Feinstein’s “The Last Amateurs,” an intimate look at the 1999-2000 Patriot League basketball season. Just so good.
Whether or not you believe in a higher power, Feinstein’s passing within days of March Madness isn’t coincidental to me. I hope he and Knight watch this year’s tourney together.
Your articles just never fail to reach a standard reached by few
Jim
"The Legends Club" by Feinstein, about Coaches Smith, K, and V is an amazing read for any college basketball fan who lived that era. Wow!! Just get it and read it. Wow!!
I just finished it a week ago. It made me decided to read more of his stuff.
Quote: "Wrote Forde: “What Feinstein, 30 years old at the time, did in that book probably will never be done again. He told as honest a story as he could without sacrificing his journalistic ethics on the altar of access. He did not let the subject dictate the story. He did not sell out.”
I wonder what percentage of reporters covering coaches and teams can make this claim? In my experience as a fan trying to get the truth...I can't think of a one. Access is what they fear, if they ask the real questions they will be banned or limited. So fans get watered down or outright mistruths all the time. My opinion
Why I miss Bill King announcing on the radio.
His two baseball books were outstanding, even though baseball wasn't his favorite sport.
"A Civil War," about the 1996 football seasons at Army and Navy, is one of the best sports books ever.
His books about mid-major eastern college basketball are outstanding as well. He had an affinity for the Mt. St. Mary's, George Masons, La Salles and Richmonds of the college basketball world.
Really good piece today John. I recently picked up a "previously owned" copy of "A Good Walk Spoiled" at a bookstore in Ojai. I have not read it yet but now I will do so with a somewhat different perspective. There is a great tribute to Feinstein in today's Washington Post written by George Solomon, the man who hired him to the Post. For me Feinstein was up there with Sally Jenkins, Rick Reilly, Ivan Maisel and Alan Shipnuck. He will be sorely missed.
Nice tribute, John. It seems our heroes depart before their work is done. When there were still things like magazines my weekly sports "jones" was fulfilled by one or two of Feinstein's reports. And "A Good Walk Spoiled" was a spiritual yard marker for my many rounds of golf.
Rest in peace, JF, and thank you, and thank you to my "other John" as well. Charlie
JC, Great article about an outstanding sports writer. He died much too young. I am almost 69 myself. When I read about John Feinstein, who I have to admit, I did not know or read before, that he was part of the Bobby Knight inner circle, I had to find the intersection with Sid Hartman. I knew there would be one because Knight and Hartman were tight. You might remember I am a huge Sid Hartman fan having lived in Minnesota for over 30 years and married to a girl whose mom and family friends knew Hartman personally growing up. I found the expected Hartman reference in this interview in the Indy newspaper from 2017. Maybe you know that interviewer. I hope you do not mind that I share it. It is a personal and first hand insight to Feinstein separate from yours: https://www.indystar.com/story/sports/2017/11/06/john-feinstein-talks-iu-ncaa-scandal-bob-knight-the-first-major/823626001/
Great read!
Great article—thanks for the link, Brian.
Really miss the Indy Star!
Sounds like i have a book to read. Thank you JC! Great writing by you.
Perfect analogy: the rototiller. I had some epic battles, trying to break up Oregon spring dirt. Like trying to contain a bucking bronc, at least in my view. Always wondered what Knight was like, in person. Hard to grasp that 6'5" presence, without seeing in person
One of my best friends and college roomates (RIP) was from Indiana. He had a friend that was attending IU. He told me a story that one day the IU student passed Bob Knight on campus and said "Good morning, coach," to which Knight turned, jeered and grumpedly said something to the effect of "Show some respect to your elders. It's Mr. Knight to you."
This one feels like losing someone I know. In his books, in his columns, in his radio or TV appearances, he was always the same guy. His values came through consistently and when the the institutions he covered lost track of their own values, you could count on him to call them on it. By the way, did he ever tell you his John Wooden story?