Rammer Jammer Yellow Hammer: A Journey Into the Heart of Fan Mania

I don't watch a lot of sports, and especially not football, but I thoroughly enjoyed this book.

This book is laid out as a documentary in which the author spends a season following the fans of the Alabama Crimson Tide football team. It is very well-written. The author does a fantastic job of painting the picture in your mind. The narrator does a brilliant job of bringing it to life, with good inflection and a talent for replicating deep southern accents.

Despite what the Publisher's Review says, this book is only sprinkled superficially with anthopological and psychological analyses of fan-mania. Those looking for an in-depth study will want to look elsewhere, but there's enough insight to give die-hard fans some pause to reflect on their behavioural habits.

4-Stars because it was very enjoyable. Not 5-stars, as those are reserved for classic must-reads, which this is not.

Marvelously funny and absolutely true to life. One of the most enjoyable books I've listened to. I'm making a bore of myself repeating some of the funnier passages at lunches and dinners.

The first half of the book 'rolls.' I laughed outloud several times and enjoyed many aspects of his analysis. I'd highly recommend it for 'Bama fans because of the detail it goes into the football season, the team, the history and the fans- wow- the fans. But I'd only 'just recommend' it for other college football fans because the second half of the book drones on a bit too much about the motor homes and a few other things I can't remember.

After listening for about an hour or two, I found myself routing for the Tide, hoping that they'd win every game he described. And he does describe every game. I would probably have given this book 5 stars if it was exactly the same but focused on Texas football instead. And I'm not even much of a fan anymore. Used to be though, and it goes to show just as he says in his book- the team is basically family in some weird way even though I don't know a single player and they don't know me.

If you're a college football fan, get it. If you're a 'Bama football fan, Roll Tide.

Say what you want about this being one-sided, that is what college sports and fandom is all about. If there is a current book out that better describes what it is truly like to be part of a passionate fan base, I don't know of it. For anyone who loves college athletics, this is a must listen. Don't be surprised to see a bit of yourself in it.

As a fan of College football I enjoyed the book. The book has many untrue details. I have gone back and looked them myself. I have also been to all the places he went to. I am an alumnis of the school he is writting about and still only give it a C"