The Mannings

The Fall and Rise of a Football Family

By: Lars Anderson

Narrated by: Ian Alan Carlsen

Length: 9 hrs and 48 mins

Publisher's summary

From New York Times best-selling author Lars Anderson comes a revealing portrait of the first family of American sports. What the Kennedys are to politics, the Mannings are to football. Two generations have produced three NFL superstars: Archie Manning, the Ole Miss hero-turned-New Orleans Saint; his son Peyton, widely considered one of the greatest quarterbacks ever to play the game; and Peyton's younger brother, Eli, who won two Super Bowl rings of his own. And the oldest Manning child, Cooper - who was forced to quit playing sports after he was diagnosed at age 18 with a rare spinal condition - might have been the most talented of them all.

In The Mannings, longtime Sports Illustrated writer Lars Anderson gives us, for the first time, the never-before-told story of this singular athletic dynasty - a story that shows us how finding strength in the face of catastrophe can be the key to success on and off the playing field. Growing up, the three Manning brothers dream of playing side by side on the gridiron at Ole Miss. But with Cooper forced to the bench before his prime, Peyton must fight to win glory for them both. Meanwhile, Eli is challenged by his college coach to stop trailing in the footsteps of others and forge his own path. With Archie's achievements looming over them, the brothers begin the climb to football history. From the Manning family backyard to the bright lights of Super Bowl 50, The Mannings is an epic, inspiring saga of a family of tenacious competitors who have transfixed a nation.

©2016 Lars Anderson (P)2016 Audible, Inc.

Critic reviews

“This is one of the most beautifully written and memorable books I’ve read in years - stunningly spectacular. I couldn’t put it down. The Mannings is an absolute masterpiece.” (Paul Finebaum, ESPN college football analyst and New York Times best-selling author of My Conference Can Beat Your Conference)

“Lars Anderson drills to the core of the Manning family. I love this book because it’s not just about football; it’s about how to raise a family.” (Bruce Arians, head coach of the Arizona Cardinals)

“Anderson’s yarn never wobbles....A winner for fans of modern football.” ( Kirkus Reviews)

The first family of football

If you ever where a fan of football then you will love this book. It goes into detail about each Manning and show how they really are the first family of football and the picture of the gentle southern family. Overall it’s a great book

a Must for all Dads! Written very well and spoken

Loved it. soaks the reader in football culture of the South while recognizing the solid principles of what is important in being a supportive dad!

loved it but where's the rest?

Only received part 1. Anticipating the rest of the story as part 1 scratches the surface.

Heavy focus on Archie

I loved the book. It does have a heavy focus on Archie before getting into the kids. Great insight!

Another sports book read by someone who doesn’t know how to pronounce names.

Excellent!

A father-son book as much as it is the story of a dynasty! Play descriptions so good that you can visualize them. Great story well told.