Howard Cosell

The Man the Myth and the Transformation of America

By: Mark Ribowsky

Narrated by: Brian Holsopple

Length: 18 hrs and 24 mins

Publisher's summary

A deeply misunderstood sports legend, once the most hated and loved man in America, gets his due in this absorbing, revelatory biography.

Howard Cosell was one of the most recognizable and controversial figures in American sports history. His colorful bombast, fearless reporting, and courageous stance on civil rights soon captured the attention of listeners everywhere. No mere jock turned "pretty-boy" broadcaster, the Brooklyn-born Cosell began as a lawyer before becoming a radio commentator. "Telling it like it is", he covered nearly every major sports story for three decades, from the travails of Muhammad Ali to the tragedy at Munich. Featuring a sprawling cast of athletes such as Jackie Robinson, Sonny Liston, Don Meredith, and Joe Namath, Howard Cosell also re-creates the behind-the-scenes story of that American institution, Monday Night Football. With more than 40 interviews, Mark Ribowsky presents Cosell's life as part of an American panorama, examining racism, anti-Semitism, and alcoholism, among other sensitive themes. Cosell's endless complexities are brilliantly explored in this haunting work that reveals as much about the explosive commercialization of sports as it does about a much-neglected media giant.

©2012 Mark Ribowsky (P)2013 Audible, Inc.

Long and lots of Air

Could of been done much better. Way to long with many details that were not interesting.
Skip this one.

An amazing look at a broadcasting icon

He may have been a polarizing character, but love him or hate him, you can not deny the legendary career of Howard Cosell. For being the man that told it like it is, Cosell received death threats and at times, required armed guards for protection. He was labeled as transformative and subversive, and undeniably, changed the face of sports on television. He was destined, and achieved his goal of bringing journalism to sports broadcasting.

Thanks to his vigorous research, Ribowsky guides us through the branches of Cosell's complex story, and sheds light on the complicated man behind the microphone. He was often imitated but certainly never duplicated. The television icon may have sported an enormousness ego, but he never shied away from giving his audience to the true story as he perceived it. He even lobbied against Major League Baseball's dreaded reserve clause.

The author shares the story of Cosell's first meeting with Frank Gifford. Gifford expected Cosell to ask him easy questions, but as he would often do, Cosell flipped the script. Gifford would attempt to steer clear of the outspoken announcer over the years, but of course, their paths were destined to cross again when a fledgling network wanted to find out if the public would watch professional football on Monday nights. Cosell was instrumental in the shows instant success, helping make it must see television.

In addition to Monday Night Football, Cosell gave us some of the most iconic calls of the Olympics, and many of the Muhammad Ali boxing matches. Cosell gave us "Down goes Frazier, down goes Frazier, down goes Frazier" during a Joe Frazier vs. George Foreman showdown. Cosell also broke the news of the shooting of John Lennon during a MNF broadcast. He was truly one of a kind, and Ribowsky shares his fascinating story.