Michael's Notes - Thoughts On Worship, Leadership & Fitness

A Book Review: From Peanuts to the Pressbox

If you are a true sports fan then you will love From Peanuts to the Pressbox by Eli Gold. The pages are filled with an inside look at both the stars and sportscasters of a variety of sports. From minor league hockey to Nascar, from SEC football to the AFL and many things in between. Eli Gold, the radio voice of the University of Alabama football team for the last 20 years, relates his life long quest to be where he is, working in the pressbox of major sporting events. It is the story of a young boy dreaming, a young man working to achieve the dream and a man realizing the dream.

Mr. Gold shares stories of the bigger than life personalities are involved in sports. I often found myself laughing out loud at the life that was communicated. I even found myself remembering where I was during the events.

From Peanuts to the Pressbox is an easy read, very entertaining and was a great way to pass the time on a rainy day.

Three Ways to Read A Book

 Over the last year I have read between 20 and 25 books, however they are not all read the same way. I have realized that I read books, depending on their topic in three distinct ways: without highlighter, with highlighter and taking notes.

Without Highlighter
These are the novels I read just for pure enjoyment. Starting at page one and read till the last page.

With Highlighter
Reading with a highlighter close by ready to underline things that grab my attention

Taking Notes
This is highlighting at a whole different level. These are books that are filled with good stuff that I will want to have easy access to.  So, I go through the book again, this time in front of a computer keyboard, typing out all the highlighted sections. Or my wonderful assistant types out the notes. The notes are then filed in a folder on my computer “book notes,” under the title of the book.

At any point during the year I could be reading two or more books at a time; however they are not all read the same way.

 P.S. There is one book I continue to read over and over again and each time I am amazed at what I learn…The Bible.

Quiet Strength

On my last day at the beach I read Quiet Strength the story of Tony Dungy, the former coach of the Indianapolis Colts, told in his own words with the help of co-writer Nathan Whitaker. It is a story of leadership and dependence on God.

From the Foreword, written by Paulette and Denzel Washington, you sense the book is going to be much more than a story of a football coach. One of the last lines of the Foreward sums up much of the book: “The reward of remaining patient and obedient to the will of God is that life becomes fulfilling and satisfying…complete.”

A huge influence on Dungy was his parents, who modeled a relationship with Christ, who stressed the importance of education and who insisted on excellence in every endeavor. Here are two quotes from Dungy’s mother that are passed along to us in the book:

“Its always easier to do things the wrong way, but it’s always best to do them the right way.”

“Excellence that feels it has to be proclaimed, by the mere fact of its proclamation admits the doubt of its existence.”

As the football stories are told, Dungy, unashamedly repeats often his reliance on God for the ‘quiet strength.’ He also speaks plainly that winning isn’t necessarily God’s idea of success.  Here is how Dungy states this:

“God’s definition of success is really one of significance – the significant difference our lives can make in the lives of others. This significance doesn’t show up in win-loss records, long resumes, or the trophies gathering dust on our mantels. It’s found in the hearts and lives of those we’ve come across who are in some way better because of the way we lived.”

It is refreshing to see someone who lives his life in professional sports circles so grounded as a follower of Christ, husband and family man.

Dungy concludes the book revealing to the readers his life goal: “My purpose in life is simply to glorify God.” It might only be stated near the end of the book; however, it is perfectly clear through every page.