Turning of the Tide: How One Game Changed the South

by Sam Cunningham, Don Yaeger, John Papadakis

New York Times bestselling author Don Yaeger tells the electrifying story of the game that broke down the last stronghold of racial division in college football. In 1970, legendary Alabama coach Paul "Bear" Bryant met his good friend and USC coach John McKay in the Los Angeles airport. Their handshake set the stage for an event that would resonate in history: the first integrated football game to be played in Alabama. The two teams that met on Crimson...

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1931722943
• ISBN13: 9781931722940
• Release Date: September 2006
• Publisher: Center Street
• Length: 252 Pages
• Weight: 0.55 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.0" x 6.3" x 9.2"

Customer Reviews

The Author Showed a Balanced Viewpoint

I am a graduate of an SEC university. I was looking forward to reading the book. The book is much better than One Night, Two Teams because it was fair. Don Yaeger was not preachy and did not try to pit USC as good and Alabama as evil. Alabama should have integrated sooner and Yaeger told the facts about that. The book was factual. Bear Bryant had a strategy that was ultimately effective for more comprehensive integration, as the book points out. This book would be a good study if one is interested in sports sociology.

Fabulous for a select audience

This is a 'must-read' for anyone with an interest in big-time college football and race relations in the US. To paraphrase someone in the book, Sam "Bam" Cunningham did more in one football game to accelerate integration in Alabama and the South than the late Rev. King, Jr. did in 25 years. Hyperbole perhaps but a point worth making. The only down side to the book is that it isn't really a book. The author repeated and re-repeated incidents, one surmises, to make it book-length. That aside, it's a wonderful read.

Goes to show...

This book provides further evidence that stature awarded the University of Southern California goes far beyond the tradition-laden ivy draped walls - beyond the unprecedented contribution of their alumni to the arts, sciences, medicine and energy fields. The University of Southern California is a force for good.

NEW INSIGHT INTO ALABAMA

I RECEIVED MY BOOK JUST DAYS BEFORE I HAD BACK SURGERY, AND IT REALLY KEPT ME OCCUPIED. I AM NOT MUCH OF A READER OF BOOKS, BUT THIS WAS GREAT. AND I GOT TO MEET THE AUTHOR AND HAVE IT SIGNED. ROLL TIDE

Turning of the Tide: How One Game Changed the South.

Well written book on a great subject. We learn from history and this book takes us beyond football. Bear Bryant and John McKay were not only oustanding coaches but realized they have a moral obligation to help others at the same time helping themselves. I have read books on both men and of course they weren't perfect but they did grab the reins to make a difference. None of us is perect but some times we can make a difference. It was important that it was Sam Cunningham who made it happen. He is a leader who understands what is important. He and the others help make life better for all of us. I will share this book with my grandsons so they can understand that it is important to bring others with you on your advantures to success. The book covered an amazing amount of stories about how sports and athletes can make a difference. Great reading. I have heard many myths about the game and they were interesting but now an important story has been told by some of those who lives it.