Semi-Tough

Semi-Tough is a comedic masterpiece by Dan Jenkins, recently named number seven on Sports Illustrated's Top 100 Sports Books of All Time. The novel follows the outsize adventures of Billy Clyde Puckett, a star halfback for the New York Giants, as his team faces off against the despised Jets in the Super Bowl. Billy Clyde is not only tasked with winning the game but also with keeping a journal of the events leading up to, including, and following the game for a New York book publisher. Infused with Dan Jenkins's characteristic joie de vivre and replete with cigarettes, whiskey, and wild women, Semi-Tough is an uproarious romp through a lost era of professional sports. The book is known for its humor and has been adapted into a timeless film starring Burt Reynolds, Kris Kristofferson, and Jill Clayburgh. The novel is a celebration of the excesses and camaraderie of professional sports in the 1970s, offering a glimpse into the lives of athletes both on and off the field. With its sharp wit and vivid characters, Semi-Tough is a must-read for any sports enthusiast or fan of comedic fiction.