Semi-Tough

By: Dan Jenkins

Narrated by: L. J. Ganser

Seventh on Sports Illustrated's Top 100 Sports Books of All Time, Dan Jenkins' Semi-Tough is a raucous, politically incorrect football spoof starring New York Giants' redneck star Billy Clyde Puckett.

As Puckett records the outrageous buildup to his team's Super Bowl clash with cross-town rivals the Jets, his best friend's voluptuous main squeeze puts some knee-buckling moves on him that he finds difficult to dodge.

©1972 Dan Jenkins (P)2008 Recorded Books, LLC

Critic reviews

"Jenkins is as irreverent and hip a sports satirist as ever ..." ( Publishers Weekly)

Don't be mislead by the 1 star reviews

The people that left the one star reviews are exactly who you think they are. This gem is 50 years old and set in a sports setting in the early 70s and there are a lot of racial slurs thrown around and the vast majority are in jest. There are a couple parts that get uncomfortable but as a whole it's a great listen. It took a bit to get rolling but I was sad when it was over.

Great book almost ruined by narrator

Would you consider the audio edition of Semi-Tough to be better than the print version?

No idea

What was one of the most memorable moments of Semi-Tough?

When the narrator wasn't trying too hard.

What didn’t you like about L. J. Ganser’s performance?

Too theatrical, but I guess it grew on me to be tolerable, but just barely.

Very funny and entertaining

The story is funny and entertaining but the reading from L.J, Ganser is brilliant! It really takes you into the characters and the story

Reread 40 years later

Rereading after 40 years I can still laugh at Dan's wit, and cringe slightly @ words. It caused me to think how publishers nowadays in a politically correct world, how would this book be published.
Hopefully it wouldn't as I am sure there's no maliciousness involved.
I'm looking forward to reading more from Dan Jenkins, his daughter Sally as well. I am becoming a big fan, she's every bit as good as her father was.

Maybe too raw

Pre-internet glimpse into the lives of rich & famous athletes. Racial epithets & descriptions of women made me uncomfortable