North Dallas Forty

by Peter Gent
North Dallas Forty cover
Good Books rating 4.33
Sports Fiction
Buy online
Amazon
Format/Price Check
Technical
  • ID: 9296
  • Added: 2025-12-23
  • Updated: 2025-12-23
  • ISBN: 9781453220719
  • Publisher: Open Road Media
  • Published: 2011-06-28
  • Reviews: 3

Peter Gent's National Bestseller, North Dallas Forty, pulls back the curtain on the glamorous world of professional football, revealing the dark and often overlooked aspects of the sport. The story follows Phil Elliott, an aging receiver for a Texas team, as he navigates the final days of his career, fueled by a dangerous mix of painkillers and cortisone. This powerful narrative, written by a former Dallas Cowboy, is widely regarded as the best football novel of all time, offering a stark contrast to the clichés and glamor often associated with the game./n/nThe novel delves into the personal struggles and excesses of the players, painting a vivid picture of the life behind the locker room doors. From the field to the nightlife, Elliott's journey is one of desperation, pleasure, and the relentless pursuit of glory. Adapted into a successful film in 1979, North Dallas Forty continues to captivate readers with its raw and unflinching portrayal of the sport and the men who play it.

Reviews
Read Think Football · 2012-05-22
brutal 4.50

This novel is a gritty and unflinching look at the NFL, capturing the brutal reality of the sport and the personal struggles of its players. It is considered one of the best sports books ever written.

This novel is a raw and unfiltered portrayal of the NFL, delving into the dark side of professional football. The author, a former player himself, provides an insider's perspective on the corruption, abuse, and personal demons that plague the sport. The narrative is intense and gripping, offering a stark contrast to the glamorous image often portrayed in the media. It's a must-read for anyone interested in the darker, more human side of professional sports. The characters are complex and flawed, making them all the more relatable and compelling. The novel's unflinching honesty is both its greatest strength and its most challenging aspect, as it forces readers to confront the harsh realities of the sport.

Quick quotes

    North Dallas Forty is considered one of the best, though, and it came in twenty-fifth on Sports Illustrated's list of the top 100 sports books.

    The novel is a gritty and unflinching look at the NFL, capturing the brutal reality of the sport and the personal struggles of its players.

    It is widely considered the best football novel of all time.

Care's Books and Pie · 2010-07-15
powerful 4.00

This novel is a vivid and unvarnished portrayal of the NFL, capturing the savagery and pain of the sport. It is a powerful and unforgettable read that exposes the dark side of professional football.

This novel is a powerful and unvarnished portrayal of the NFL, capturing the savagery and pain of the sport. The narrative spans eight days in the life of a pro football team, providing a raw and unfiltered look at the brutal reality of the game. The author's insider perspective adds a layer of authenticity that makes the story all the more compelling. The characters are complex and flawed, making them all the more relatable and engaging. The novel's unflinching honesty is both its greatest strength and its most challenging aspect, as it forces readers to confront the harsh realities of the sport. It is a powerful and unforgettable read that exposes the dark side of professional football.

Quick quotes

    Eight days in the life of a pro-football player. Eight days of savagery, pain, drugs, drinking, laughter, raunchy sex, and haunting love between ...

    The novel is a vivid and unvarnished portrayal of the NFL, capturing the savagery and pain of the sport.

    It is a powerful and unforgettable read that exposes the dark side of professional football.

The New York Times · 1973-10-28
gripping 4.50

This novel is a gripping and unflinching look at the NFL, capturing the brutal reality of the sport and the personal struggles of its players. It is a powerful and unforgettable read that exposes the dark side of professional football.

This novel is a gripping and unflinching look at the NFL, capturing the brutal reality of the sport and the personal struggles of its players. The narrative spans eight days in the life of a pro football team, providing a raw and unfiltered look at the brutal reality of the game. The author's insider perspective adds a layer of authenticity that makes the story all the more compelling. The characters are complex and flawed, making them all the more relatable and engaging. The novel's unflinching honesty is both its greatest strength and its most challenging aspect, as it forces readers to confront the harsh realities of the sport. It is a powerful and unforgettable read that exposes the dark side of professional football.

Quick quotes

    The novel spans eight days in the life of a pro football team, starting and ending on a Monday, the day after a game.

    This novel is a gripping and unflinching look at the NFL, capturing the brutal reality of the sport and the personal struggles of its players.

    It is a powerful and unforgettable read that exposes the dark side of professional football.

Appears in Lists