This retrospective on the history and allure of Notre Dame football includes two CDs of audio highlights from past games strung together by the narration of Regis Philbin, an avowed Irish supporter. The book is an unquestioned feast for ND fans, brimming with scores of photographs and ably written renditions of the team's greatest leaders and triumphs. Garner (And the Crowd Goes Wild; And the Fans Roared; etc.) spices his game reports and profiles with anecdotes and, when possible, interviews with former players and coaches. This is no definitive history—it's more like a greatest hits version of Notre Dame's past, enough to keep the spines of the dewy-eyed faithful tingling. The CDs' greatest contribution is the archived audio of famous college football broadcasters like Van Patrick, Al Wester and, of course, Keith Jackson. Philbin, though, is out of place here. Surely the voice of longtime Westwood One radioman Tony Roberts, for example, would have stirred the passions of Notre Dame fans more than Philbin's dry summation of Notre Dame's 1973 national championship: "The Irish had capped a perfect season. What a way to ring in the New Year." Conversely, the production goes over the top occasionally, especially with the voice of Ronald Reagan talking about Notre Dame's magic over a military drum solo. But this is a quality production with much to offer, destined to adorn coffee tables far beyond northern Indiana. (Sept.)
Forecast:It's safe to say that this will be a big seller, especially if the Irish do well this year.
