Fiery Fullback

Sports columnists around the country have been eloquent in their anticipation, and the moment has arrived: Fiery Fullback, the never-before-published, 24th and final volume of the Chip Hilton sports series written by the late Hall of Famer coach Clair Bee in the '40s, '50s and '60s, is now in print in dual editions. The publication marks the culmination of Broadman & Holman's steady reissue (since 1998) of the first 23 volumes, as updated by Bee's daughter and son-in-law. This final installment finds Chip, now a senior at State, hoping to quarterback the football team all the way to the Rose Bowl-and using his wholesome values to enlist the full support of a troublesome new player. Adult fans reliving the pleasures of their youths will be pleased that the hardcover edition appears just as Bee wrote it (""Young ladies will not be permitted in Jefferson Hall at any time,"" intones the dorm superintendent); it also uses line drawings from the original series, and its cover matches the originals as well. Cultural observers take note: the front matter for the hardcover includes an interfaith pre-game prayer for athletes and a statement from Richard Nixon about the merits of competition.