The latest historical novel from Villhard (author of Company of Women) captivates with a Roarin’ Twenties journey through the leather-helmeted early days of American football. The legendary and charismatic real-life star Harold “Red“ Grange, with his red hair and dynamic playstyle, leaves an indelible mark on the game, symbolizing the era when the sport was raw and unpolished. Grange works as an ice man to build strength in the off-season, before big pro money and agents were the norm. His partnership with opportunist C.C. Pyle connects him with Marion Davies, William Randolph Hearst, and Charlie Chaplin, while two women, Polly and Helen, offer true insights into a man challenged by his overwhelming celebrity.

Sharply told, pulsing with energy, this meticulously crafted historical fiction celebrates the legends but also critically examines the complexities of football’s early years, exploring excessive violence, the financial struggles of teams, and the dawn of mass-media celebrity. For all the crisp excitement of the gridiron action, and the impassioned considerations of questions like who invented the idea of the “running game,” Villhard deftly dramatizes football as business and life, finding fruitful tension between the reputed purity of college football and the perceived greed of the professional ranks, when in truth the pro teams could barely pay players while college coaches and the NCAA profit with increased incomes, intense loyalty, and monumental stadiums.

Villhard’s portraits of legendary figures prove rousing, including George Halas, who builds the league with entrepreneurial ingenuity through his roles as a player, coach, and owner of the Chicago Bears. The era’s vigor fizzes in the storytelling, especially as Grange’s cultural impact, highlighted by his foray into movies, broadens his appeal beyond the gridiron, while iconic writers Grantland Rice and Walter Camp shape the public’s perception of the sport. Preserving the legacy of Red Grange for a new generation makes this a must-read for both football enthusiasts and history buffs.

Takeaway: Exciting novel of pro football’s origins and first superstar.

Comparable Titles: David Neil Drews’s Iron Tigers, James Whitehead’s Joiner.

Production grades
Cover: A
Design and typography: A
Illustrations: N/A
Editing: A
Marketing copy: A