Endzone

The Rise, Fall, and Return of Michigan Football

By: John U. Bacon

Narrated by: Johnny Heller

Length: 16 hrs and 32 mins

Publisher's summary

Endzone tells the story of how college football's most successful and respected program nearly lost it all in less than a decade and entirely of its own doing. It is a story of hubris, greed, and betrayal, a tale more suited to Wall Street than the world's top public university. Author John U. Bacon takes you inside the offices, the boardrooms, and the locker rooms of the University of Michigan to see what happened and why, with countless eye-opening, head-shaking scenes of conflict and conquest.

But Endzone is also an inspiring story of redemption and revival. When those who loved Michigan football the most recognized that it was being attacked from within, they rallied to reclaim the values that had made it great for over a century. The list of heroes includes players, students, lettermen, fans, and faculty - and the leaders who had the courage to listen to them. Their unprecedented uprising produced a new athletic director and a new coach who vindicated the fans' faith when he turned down more money and fame to return to the place he loved most: Michigan.

©2015 John U. Bacon, LLC (P)2015 Tantor

Critic reviews

"John Bacon has fast become the preeminent documentarian of all things Michigan football and this is just the latest in a long line of must-read material." (Rich Eisen, author of Total Access)

AD is the villain, punter the hero.

Experienced 1st hand the student view of my daughter during the Brandon years. The book is spot on. Though a little to rough on the popular President Mary Sue.

Behind the scenes

If you love Michigan you will love this behind the scenes look into the program.

great listen

I really enjoyed learning the behind the scenes intrigue that comes from running a powerhouse university...especially as it relates to athletics. more importantly, I learned a number of the reasons why one of my favorite teams imploded.

Fantastic!

As an alum of the Univ of Michigan, I'm admittedly biased. However, wonderful insight during an interesting period of a very storied program. Well done Mr. Bacon.

GO BLUE

This book is not just a football book. It details the rise fall and rebirth of a set of values worthy of attempting to maintain.
This book spends a long time detailing the decline of the teams fortune but it needed to.
It makes the beginning of the rebirth sweeter. I am not Michigan fan. I am supporter of the ethos the team embraces.
The narration of this book was perfect . If your a fan of collage football or well written journalism this is worth buying.

to much fall not enough rise

it was frustrating to hear all bad through out the whole book and then the very last chapter was the good. if you invest that much time in a listing to a book you want some kind of closure. its 23 hours of problems and the book ended with very little light shed on if they were solved or not

Outstanding!

Endzone is a great read/listen. John Bacon has told a fascinating story covering all the angles. A must read for anyone who follows the University of Michigan football and loves it's time honored tradition. Highly recommend this book.

Great book with tremendous insights!!

John Bacon clearly has a strong background in Michigan and Michigan football. I didn't exp Ct some of the great side stories and insights connecting all the Michigan men. Great read/listen!

I wish John narrated

This is my 2nd time listening to it. I needed something to pass the time dealing with this sign-gate saga and I love John’s style and his love of our home town and University. The narrator is great and I enjoy him, but would have loved hearing John narrate himself. Please write about what’s happening now. Only John can do it justice.

THE BOOK! THE BOOK! THE BOOK!

This book is required reading for those who call themselves fans of the most storied college of all time, the University of Michigan. As much a blueprint of what not to do as an athletic program as it is what to do about it, there is history blended with colorful characters of the past; with just enough intrigue with unintentional dastardly deeds to make the reader feel like a member of THE TEAM! THE TEAM!! THE TEAM!!! by books end. Bravo!