"A classic of American sports writing."--New York Times
"Bissinger makes you feel the tensions of the kids, who are not just playing a game, but literally fighting for the honor of their town. He also accomplishes the more difficult feat of making the team's rabid fans sympathetic. His language...[echoes] the mythical proportions of the game and a season that will render the rest of the players' lives a dull denouement. Fascinating even for those, or maybe especially for those, with no interest in football."--Library Journal
"[An] inspiring story about a small town and it's unbelievable football team. Starring unforgettable characters in a setting you'll never want to leave, this is a must-read for true fans."--Bustle.com
"Groundbreaking."--Austin American-Statesman
"About more than football. Buzz Bissinger's story about the 1988 Permian High School Panthers football team from Odessa, Texas, is a critical look at the impact of high school football on a football-crazed community. It's not but about 365 pages long...but sometimes, even in the fall and winter, you need a brisk read that's not too heavy."--Arkansas Democrat Gazette
"The movie and TV show are good, but the book that inspired them is even better...[A] compelling look at how the high school dynasty shapes the pigskin-crazed small-town community of Odessa, Texas."--Men's Fitness