Rising Tide

Bear Bryant, Joe Namath, and Dixie's Last Quarter

By: Randy Roberts, Ed Krzemienski

Narrated by: Alan Sklar

The extraordinary story of how Coach Paul "Bear" Bryant and Joe Namath, his star quarterback at the University of Alabama, led the Crimson Tide to victory and transformed football into a truly national pastime.

During the bloodiest years of the civil rights movement, Bear Bryant and Joe Namath-two of the most iconic and controversial figures in American sports-changed the game of college football forever. Brilliantly and urgently drawn, this is the gripping account of how these two very different men-Bryant a legendary coach in the South who was facing a pair of ethics scandals that threatened his career, and Namath a cocky Northerner from a steel mill town in Pennsylvania-led the Crimson Tide to a national championship.

To Bryant and Namath, the game was everything. But no one could ignore the changes sweeping the nation between 1961 and 1965-from the Freedom Rides to the integration of colleges across the South and the assassination of President Kennedy. Against this explosive backdrop, Bryant and Namath changed the meaning of football. Their final contest together, the 1965 Orange Bowl, was the first football game broadcast nationally, in color, during prime time, signaling a new era for the sport and the nation.

Award-winning biographer Randy Roberts and sports historian Ed Krzemienski showcase the moment when two thoroughly American traditions-football and Dixie-collided. A compelling story of race and politics, honor and the will to win, Rising Tide captures a singular time in America. More than a history of college football, this is the story of the struggle and triumph of a nation in transition and the legacy of two of the greatest heroes the sport has ever seen.

ROLL TIDE ROLL! STORY OF THE BEAR & JOE NAMATH!

Great story of Bear Bryant & Joe Willie Namath and memorable and troubled years for the Crimson Tide of Alabama - a Must for Roll Tide Fans!

Leadership and the coming of age, of a quarterback in turbulent times

A thoughtful chronology of a legendary and controversial coach who found found an atypical star quarterback during a period of great change in this country. The authors deftly spun story of Paul W Bryant, Joe, Willie Namath, and a state that initially resisted the dawn of civil rights movement. The protagonists were well developed….. a good read!

Love Alabama football? Read this!!

Great story and insight not only about Joe Namath and the bear but the times that surrounded this era.

Bear and Joe Wille

Great story of Bear Bryant and Joe Namath's high school and college years. The narrator was excellent with his Bear like voice.
There was too much time spent on the political turmoil of the time.