Scoreboard, Baby: A Story of College Football, Crime, and Complicity

by Ken Armstrong, Nick Perry
Scoreboard, Baby: A Story of College Football, Crime, and Complicity cover
Good Books rating 4.33
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  • ID: 5862
  • Added: 2025-10-24
  • Updated: 2025-10-24
  • Reviews: 3
Reviews
booktopia.com.au · Unknown · 2025-11-09
harrowing 4.00

The book delves into the dark underbelly of college football, exposing the systemic issues and crimes that have plagued the sport. It's a harrowing yet necessary read that challenges the romanticized view of college athletics.

Scoreboard, Baby is a gripping exploration of the corruption and criminal activity that has long been intertwined with college football. The author meticulously uncovers the stories of those who have been exploited and the institutions that have turned a blind eye. It's a sobering account that forces readers to confront the harsh realities behind the glamour of the sport. The book doesn't just recount the crimes; it delves into the cultural and systemic factors that have allowed them to persist. It's a call to action for reform and a stark reminder of the human cost of unchecked ambition and greed.

Quick quotes

    The book is a stark reminder of the human cost of unchecked ambition and greed.

    It's a call to action for reform and a stark reminder of the harsh realities behind the glamour of the sport.

    The author meticulously uncovers the stories of those who have been exploited and the institutions that have turned a blind eye.

kennys.ie · Unknown · 2025-11-09
brilliant 4.50

The graphic novel Little White Duck offers a powerful and insightful look into life in late 1970s China through the eyes of a young girl named Da Qin. The book is praised for its rich artwork and focused language, which effectively convey the cultural and historical context of the time.

Little White Duck is a graphic novel that provides a unique and powerful perspective on growing up in late 1970s China. The story follows Da Qin, a young girl, and offers a glimpse into her life, experiences, and the cultural context of the time. The book is celebrated for its rich and evocative artwork, which blends traditional Chinese scrolls and midcentury propaganda posters. The narrative is both educational and engaging, offering valuable insights into a different way of life. The reviewer appreciates the book's ability to convey complex themes and emotions through focused language and strong visuals. They also highlight the book's potential as a tool for teaching world history, cultural studies, and moral lessons. The reviewer suggests that the book is suitable for readers of all ages, from 10-year-olds to adults, and can be enjoyed both for its storytelling and its artistic merit.

Quick quotes

    What this graphic novel points out with classy in-your-face power is that we really don’t know what it’s like to grow up in China.

    The colors, the lines, the style all combine to make this book as art, worthy of a coffee table or a better still a gallery exhibit.

    Little White Duck is an amazing book, truly. My only question is whether it’s really for kids.

facebook.com · Unknown · 2025-11-09
fascinating 4.50

The reviewer found 'Little White Duck: A Childhood in China' to be a fascinating autobiography of Na Liu, illustrated as a graphic novel by her husband. The book provides a unique perspective on China's history and culture, with elements of the mythical, practical, and historical. The reviewer appreciated the glossary, timeline, author biography, and maps, but noted a minor issue with the frequent grimaces of the little girl characters.

The reviewer enjoyed 'Little White Duck: A Childhood in China' for its fascinating portrayal of Na Liu's childhood in China. The book, illustrated by Andrés Vera Martínez, offers a unique blend of mythical, practical, and historical elements, providing a rich tapestry of Chinese culture and history. The reviewer particularly appreciated the detailed glossary, timeline, author biography, and maps, which added depth to the narrative. However, they noted that the frequent grimaces of the little girl characters were somewhat off-putting, though they acknowledged that this might be a common stylistic choice in graphic novels. Overall, the reviewer found the book to be a pleasure for all ages, offering a heart-warming and insightful look into a disappearing China.

Quick quotes

    The practical is conveyed in the fact that only one child can start in pre-school — and that privilege goes to little sister Xiao Qin.

    The historical is conveyed from a child’s perspective when her parents violently grieve over the death of Chairman Mao in 1976.

    My one objection is the frequent over-the-top grimaces of the little girl characters, but this is the status quo in graphic novels.

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