The Pats : An Illustrated History of the New England Patriots

An account that tackles “the Pats’ wilderness years to the current dynasty . . . with fresh insight, bite, and humor from an All-Pro roster of writers” ( John U. Bacon, New York Times bestselling author of Overtime ). The New England Patriots have become a dynasty, though it didn’t begin that way. Love ’em, hate ’em, the Pats have captured this country’s attention like no other franchise. From two award-winning authors this is the first complete story of a legendary team and its five championship trophies. In the tradition of their celebrated illustrated histories of some of sports’ most iconic franchises, Stout and Johnson tell the history in full and in colorful detail. This is a lavishly illustrated tale full of larger-than-life characters—from founding owner Billy Sullivan, early stars like Syracuse running back Jim Nance and beloved wide receiver turned broadcaster Gino Cappeletti, to Hall of Famers and stars like John Hannah, Russ Francis, and Steve Grogan through to present-day stars like Tom Brady and Bill Belichick and owner Bob Kraft. Featuring essays by Richard Johnson, Upton Bell, Leigh Montville, Howard Bryant, Ron Borges, Lesley Visser and more, The Pats is a must-have gift for fans, old and new, and an indelible portrait of the most talked about team in NFL history. “Glenn Stout and Richard Johnson . . . whisk us back in time to old ballparks, long-ago games and the personalities who made Boston a dynamic sports town. What Stout and Johnson did for baseball with Red Sox Century they now do for football with The Pats .”—Steve Buckley, Boston Herald “The book every Patriots fan has been waiting for.”—Bob Ryan, Boston Globe columnist emeritus and ESPN commentator A New York Times and Boston Globe bestseller! A gift for every The definitive narrative history of the New England Patriots, illustrated with more than 200 photographs and including original sidebars and essays by Patriots chroniclersLeigh Montville, Upton Bell, Howard Bryant, Lesley Visser, and more. The New England Patriots have become a dynasty, though it didn't begin that way. Love 'em, hate 'em, the Pats have captured this country's attention like no other franchise. From two award-winning authors this is the first complete story of a legendary team and its five trophies. In the tradition of their celebrated illustrated histories of some of sports' most iconic franchises, Stout and Johnsontell the historyin full and in colorful detail.This is a lavishly illustrated tale full of larger-than-life characters - from founding owner Billy Sullivan, early stars like Syracuse running back Jim Nance and beloved wide receiver turned broadcaster Gino Cappeletti, to Hall of Famers and stars like John Hannah, Russ Francis, and Steve Grogan through to present-day stars like Tom Brady and Bill Belichick and owner Bob Kraft. Featuring essays by Richard Johnson, Upton Bell, Leigh Montville, Lesley Visser, Howard Bryant, Ron Borges, and more, The Pats is a must-have gift for fans, old and new, and an indelible portrait of the most talked about team in NFL history. A Gift For Every Fan: The Definitive Narrative History Of The New England Patriots, Illustrated With More Than 200 Photographs And Including Original Sidebars And Essays By Patriots Chroniclers Leigh Montville, Upton Bell, Howard Bryant, Lesley Visser, And More-- Introduction : Overtime -- Cradle Of The Game : The Origins Of Football And The Pro Game In Boston / By Richard A. Johnson -- Where Fools Rush In -- Almost, 1960-1963 / By Phil Bissell -- Promises, Promises, 1964-1970 -- Clive Rush / By Leigh Montville -- When You're Having More Than One ... 1970-1975 -- The Night The Carburetors Died / By Upton Bell -- The Long Goodbye, 1976-1980 -- Boston/new England Patriots / By Lesley Visser -- The Last Shall Be (almost) First, 1981-1985 -- Close Shaves, 1986-1992 -- Enter The Tuna, 1993-1996 -- A Sunday Mug Shot / By George Plimpton -- Jacked And Not So Pumped, 1997-1999 -- No Looking Back / By Howard Bryant -- The Coach And The Quarterback, 2000-2001 -- How Did These Guys Win? / By Ron Borges -- Back-to-back, 2002-2004 -- Almost Perfect, 2005-2008 -- No Excuse For Losing, 2008-2011 -- Patriots Rising, 2012-2014 -- Deflated ... And Elated, 2015-2016 -- Dynasties End?, 2017. Text By Glenn Stout ; Photography, Illustrations, And Essays Edited By Richard A. Johnson. Includes Index. Includes Bibliographical References And Index.