Rating  - Maryland Terps fan
As life long Terps fan, this read is a must. I loved it. Mr. Moore really has captured what being a Terrapin really means to those of us that are die hard fans. Thanks.
Rating - A Celebration of The Maryland Terrapins
In 2002 I had the honor of working with the legendary Johnny Holliday on his autobiography, "From Rock To Jock." This detailed account of the "Voice of The Terps" life was critically acclaimed as an entertaining and significant history of broadcasting, Top 40 radio, and sports through the eyes of Johnny. We became close friends during the two years we worked on "From Rock To Jock", and this friendship continued when we were asked to write "Hoop Tales," a very different book, with different goals.
For starters, "Hoop Tales" follows the publisher's format for this popular series. The recipe is assemble a collection of great pictures (and our book has some very good ones, several from Sports Illustrated, and the rest from UMD Hornbake Archives, the Athletic Dept, and personal collections), and select about ten stories that basketball fans will love.
I think we did that and much more. We uncovered new information, such as the earliest formation (and games) of the team; experiences of the veteran referees- in their words - of great players, games, and their interactions with Coaches' Bud, Lefty, and Gary. Coach Williams provides his overview of the turning points in the program's evolution. The chapter on Len Bias is Johnny's personal account of knowing Lenny, and describing his growth as a player and person over four years. Several Terp players have thanked us for this positive portrayal. Coaches Bud, Lefty, and Gary, and many famed players - from Keith Booth to Walt Williams- contributed time and candid accounts to "Hoop Tales," and the greatest living sports writer, John Feinstein, wrote the Foreword.
"Hoop Tales" is a written celebration of the Maryland Terrapins with great photos. I'm giving my own co-authored book a five star rating here - and I know some readers will be critical of this self-promotion - but I can't post this author's info without a rating. And we are very proud of this book and we hope Maryland fans will support it. Thanks, and GO TERPS!!
Rating  - Not Much New Information
This very short, very readable history of Maryland University's men's basketball program is an enjoyable read, especially for Maryland basketball fans. That said it also has some drawbacks.
First, there really are not a lot of details here. I didn't really learn anything I didn't already know about the program except maybe some of the items in the first chapter about the program's origins and early years. For example, the chapter on Len Bias is short and non-analytical. I know much, much more about that sad chapter in Maryland's history than is presented in this book - which basically is "it's a sad story, Len Bias was a great player, it hurt the program." Ditto the run to their first Final Four and subsequent NCAA Championship Season.
This book is probably basically what it's supposed to be, a short synopsis of the team's history and is probably better suited for pre-teens and teens than adults who have followed the program for years. Overall, I can't say I was disappointed, but I didn't really get anything out of reading this book.
Rating - Here's a Winner!
Award winning broadcaster Johnny Holliday can add another title and experience to his long and illustrious career - Author!
In "Hoop Tales: Maryland Terrapins Men's Basketball" Holliday, and Stephen Moore, takes the reader inside the Maryland "huddle" to gain insight into one of the most storied programs in college basketball.
As a reader, one can sense the passion Johnny Holliday has for the program, and written words are as enthusiastic as his play-by-play call, or as sweet as the swish of a long jumper.
Len Clark
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