America's Game

by Michael MacCambridge
America's Game cover
Good Books rating 3.9
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  • ID: 6017
  • Added: 2025-10-29
  • Updated: 2025-10-29
  • Reviews: 4
Reviews
blinkist.com · Unknown · 2025-11-14
engaging 4.00

The book provides a comprehensive overview of the NFL's history and its impact on American culture. It delves into the league's evolution, key figures, and the business behind the sport, offering a well-researched and engaging narrative.

America's Game offers a detailed look at the National Football League, tracing its origins and growth into a cultural phenomenon. The book highlights the league's strategic moves, influential personalities, and the commercial aspects that have shaped its success. It's a must-read for football enthusiasts and those interested in sports history. The narrative is engaging and well-researched, providing insights into the NFL's impact on American culture and society. However, some readers might find the business aspects a bit overwhelming, but overall, it's a compelling read that balances history, strategy, and entertainment.

Quick quotes

    The NFL's journey from a modest league to a cultural juggernaut is meticulously chronicled.

    The book offers a behind-the-scenes look at the business strategies that propelled the NFL to the top.

    It's a fascinating exploration of how football became America's favorite pastime.

goodreads.com · Unknown · 2025-11-14
honest 4.50

The reviewer found 'Blubber' by Judy Blume to be a realistic and honest portrayal of bullying among girls, which resonated with them both as a child and as an adult. They appreciated the book's truthful depiction of characters and its hopeful, yet not overly neat, resolution.

The reviewer had vivid memories of reading 'Blubber' as a child and found it comforting during a period of insomnia. They appreciated the book's realistic portrayal of bullying and the truthful depiction of characters, even if some aspects were troubling. As an adult, they found the bullying scenes more disturbing and wished for adult intervention. The reviewer also noted the apathy of Jill's teacher, Mrs. Minish, which they found jarring. They praised the audiobook narration by Halley Feiffer and found the book to hold up well despite its age. Overall, they highly recommend 'Blubber' for its honest portrayal of bullying among girls.

Quick quotes

    Judy Blume has a gift for seeing kids as they really are, not as adults would like them to be.

    I was also much more troubled by the bullying scenes during this re-reading.

    I love that she portrays these characters so truthfully without sugar-coating their flaws, and that she ends the story with a hopeful, but not completely neat, resolution.

peak-careers.com · Unknown · 2020-04-20
harrowing 3.50

Judy Blume's 'Blubber' is a stark portrayal of schoolyard bullying, where young readers witness the cruelty and its impact on both the victim and the perpetrator. The story is told without commentary, allowing the scenes of viciousness to speak for themselves, while also highlighting the author's knack for connecting with young audiences through relatable and sometimes indelicate humor.

Judy Blume's 'Blubber' delves into the harsh realities of childhood bullying, focusing on the dynamics between a group of fifth-grade girls. The story revolves around Linda, who is nicknamed 'Blubber' and becomes the target of relentless teasing and humiliation. The narrative is driven by Wendy, the ringleader, and Jill, who initially participates in the bullying but eventually stands up against it. The scenes of cruelty, such as forcing Linda to eat a chocolate ant or making her show her underpants, are presented without moralizing, allowing young readers to draw their own conclusions. Blume's writing is direct and engaging, often incorporating elements like farts and nose-picking that resonate with young audiences. The story effectively conveys the emotional turmoil and the eventual realization of the consequences of bullying, making it a poignant read for young readers.

Quick quotes

    Judy Blume presents the scenes of viciousness (the girls forcing a chocolate ant down Linda's throat or making her show the boys her underpants) without commentary and young readers will be appalled long before Jill exhibits any qualms

    while enjoying, as usual, those indelicacies like farts and nose picking which only strengthen their general conviction that this author writes directly to them.

    Actually Jill is teased and ostracized only long enough to learn how it feels to be on the receiving end of grade school cruelty, for her own protest proves the beginning of the end of Wendy's tyranny.

    At last, however, when Wendy, appointing herself judge, puts Blubber on trial for tattling on Jill and her friend (we're never sure it wasn't Wendy who told), Jill defies the bully by insisting that Linda have a defense lawyer

pigskinbooks.com · Unknown · 2018-07-30
harrowing 3.60

The book 'Blubber' by Judy Blume is a difficult read due to its intense and realistic depictions of bullying, which include assault and sexual assault. The main character, Jill, is indifferent to Linda's suffering until she becomes a victim herself, but the story does not have a happy resolution. The book is appreciated for raising awareness about bullying but is considered outdated and in need of more positive guidance on preventing and stopping it.

The book 'Blubber' by Judy Blume is a challenging read that deals with the intense and realistic issue of bullying. The story is narrated from the perspective of Jill, a fifth-grade student who initially participates in the bullying of her classmate Linda. The bullying depicted in the book is severe, including assault and sexual assault, which makes it a difficult read for both children and adults. As an adult, the reviewer found the book even more disconcerting than they did as a child. The story does not have a happy resolution, which is realistic as bullying is often silently survived rather than addressed in a healthy way. The book is appreciated for raising awareness about bullying, especially since it was written at a time when there were no other books on the topic. However, the reviewer suggests that parents look for more up-to-date books on the subject that provide more positive guidance on preventing and stopping bullying. The book's themes of bullying and changing friendships resonated with the reviewer, particularly during a difficult fifth-grade year. The reviewer also notes that the book has faced challenges due to mature language and the lack of punishment for the main bully. Overall, the book is seen as a valuable but outdated resource for discussing bullying with children.

Quick quotes

    The bullying in Blubber is intense. I'd more accurately call it assault and, in some cases, sexual assault.

    The main character, Jill, is indifferent to Linda's suffering until the tables are turned and she's the one being bullied by the class.

    The book didn't seem like it was planned out very thoroughly. As I've said before, the whole thing felt unorganized.

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