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Why Fantasy Football Matters: (And Our Lives Do Not) |  | Authors: Erik Barmack, Max Handelman
Publisher: Gallery
Category: Book
List Price: $16.99
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Seller: best_bargain_books3
Rating:  15 reviews
Sales Rank: 372395
Media: Paperback
Edition: Original
Pages: 256
Number Of Items: 1
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.6
Dimensions (in): 8.9 x 5.9 x 0.8
ISBN: 1416909966
Dewey Decimal Number: 796.332
EAN: 9781416909965
ASIN: 1416909966
Publication Date: August 1, 2006
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
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Product Description
Talking Trash, Trading Studs, and Drafting Sleepers -- an Insider's Guide to the World's Greatest Obsession U.S. businesses lose $200 million in productivity each football season because employees are managing their fantasy squads instead of working. In Why Fantasy Football Matters (And Our Lives Do Not), two grizzled veterans revel in the addiction that is fantasy football. From pre-draft hijinx to post-draft trash talk, from tumultuous trades to the perils of free agency, it celebrates the eccentric personalities, absurd rituals, and hilarious superstitions of one of the most fanatical fantasy leagues on earth. With humor, insight, and a dash of advice, Why Fantasy Football Matters celebrates the thirty-two million Americans who prefer managing their fantasy squads to relaxing with loved ones. And it gives girlfriends, coworkers, and sports purists all the proof they need to accept that this is an obsession that really matters.
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| Customer Reviews:
Showing reviews 1-5 of 15
 Disappointed March 29, 2009
M. Nejedly (Miami)
This book has fantastic reviews and I am horribly disappointed. It seemed to take everything that people have heard happening in a fantasy league and condensed it all into one season. It reminded me of the ESPN show "Playmakers" where every cliched NFL event from the last 10 years happened to one team during one season. Unrealistic. I also had trouble buying the email sent out by one of the team owners venting. Anyone who has read this will know what I'm talking about. His venting email read like an ESPN article, not one someone would actually write. After finishing this book, I read "Committed: Confessions of a Fantasy Football Junkie" by Mark St. Amant, which is a much finer book with a similar theme. I struggle to understand anyone who has read "Committed" can honestly rate this book as high as 5 stars. To each his own I guess.
 Laugh out loud funny February 21, 2008
Sam Hendricks (Virginia USA)
3 out of 3 found this review helpful
"Why Fantasy Football Matters (and our lives do not)" by Erik Barmack and Max Handelman
One word sums up this book best.
Captivating.
I picked up "Why Fantasy Football Matters (and our lives do not)" and finished it within two days. It was hard to put down because every new chapter takes the reader along the next adventure of a leagues FF season. If you play fantasy football you will enjoy reading this in-depth look at a typical fantasy football league by Barmack and Handelman.
I loved the references to movies and other cultural icons like Bill O' Reilly, Seinfeld, Wile E Coyote, Cool Hand Luke, the Muppets and even DR Seuss. Sure some of the lists were for issues that are not of particular importance to me; however, for the most part, they were an enjoyable look back into some iconic moments from my past.
I especially enjoyed Chapter 20 "Rage Against The Experts E-Mail". It has an excellent diatribe about "expert advice and analysis" and the sometimes stupid questions (and answers) FF columnists get and give. I think every fantasy fooballer has had these thoughts on one occasion or another. It was good to see them in print!!!
As far as criticism, do not expect too much fantasy football wisdom from this book. Just sit back, read it and enjoy the ride. It does have an occasional morsel of knowledge, but if you are into fantasy football these "tips" and "strategies" will be well known by you now.
Another albeit small criticism is that "Why Fantasy Football Matters" was published in 2006, so some of the references to the fantasy football season may seem a bit old to new readers. But this does not distract from the obvious humor in these references.
All-in-all, this is an entertaining book that examines the stereotypical thoughts and actions of a 12 man fantasy football league from pre-season through their post season blues. I guarantee something in the book will remind you of your league and make you laugh out loud. Along similar lines if you enjoy this book you will also love "Committed, Confessions of a Fantasy Football Junkie." by Mark St. Amant which I have also reviewed (and others have mentioned in previous reviews). It too is a humorous look at a fantasy football league's season and the World Championship of Fantasy Football (WCOFF).
Sam Hendricks, Author of "Fantasy Football Guidebook" and "Fantasy Football Almanac"
Eagerly anticipated, ultimately disappointed January 29, 2008
Mikethebuc (London, England)
2 out of 3 found this review helpful
Having recently read the superb "Committed, Confessions of a Fantasy Football Junkie." by Mark St. Amant, I bought "Why Fantasy Football Matters" in the hope that it would be just as good. Unfortunately, I was somewhat disappointed and it did not compare favourably with St. Amant's book. Too many ham-fisted tangents into irrelevant and distracting lists, not enough substance.
An exciting look into a fantasy league season August 26, 2007
reenum (Kansas)
Fantasy football is about having fun and humiliating your friends and colleagues at the same time. This book captures that mentality perfectly.
There have been other books where the history of fantasy sports are explored, journeys are made to interview fantasy luminaries, etc. Not here. This is the story of a fantasy football season from start to finish. The participants are all regular joes, and they do what most fantasy owners do. There is talk about the psychology of drafting, trade offers, in-season trash talking, and many other things that make fantasy sports worth playing. I felt like they were telling the story of my league.
Barmack and Handelman do a great job of writing. The book never becomes mundane or boring. The writing is witty, and the different aspects of the fantasy season are presented in all of their glory. Each owner has a distinct personality. Even though they are each labeled as a specific fantasy sports archetype, the authors do a good job of keeping them relatable and human instead of becoming caricatures.
My only complaint is the many Top 10 lists in this book. They often don't even relate to the content. It feels like filler inserted to make sure this book achieved a respectable page count. That's a minor quibble. The reader can easily avoid these.
This is a great book for fantasy sports lovers and those who tolerate them.
Painfully acurate January 11, 2007
Edward Flowers (Atlanta, GA)
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
This book really makes you take a step back and examine your addiction to Fantasy Football. It is a must read for wives that just don't get the importance.
Showing reviews 1-5 of 15
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