Paper lion is a 1968 sports comedy film starring alan alda as writer george plimpton, based on plimpton s 1966 nonfiction book of the same name depicting his tryout with the detroit lions of the national football league. He was married to sara whitehead dudley and freddy medora espy. Buy paper lion by george plimpton from waterstones today. George ames plimpton was born on march 18, 1927, in new york, the son of francis t. The fascinating story of george plimptons famous book. Sep 27, 2003 george ames plimpton was born on march 18, 1927, in new york, the son of francis t. George couple has been quarantined across the world from each other, with the wife remaining in japan and the husband returning to the u. There are worse ways of getting to know about a country than through its sports, and since americas two major national sports have been rejected by almost the whole of the rest of the world, they serve as an especially intriguing paradigm. George plimpton, a firststring writer tries out as a laststring quarterback for the detroit lions, the book was made into a movie in 1968 starring alan alda as plimpton. He was in norman mailers apartment the night the writer stabbed his wife. The book that made a legend and captures americas sport in detail thats never been matched, featuring a foreword by nicholas dawidoff and neverbeforeseen content from the plimpton archives. He wrote regularly for such magazines as sports illustrated and esquire, and he also appeared numerous times in.
The book that made a legend and captures americas sport in detail thats never been matched, featuring a foreword by nicholas. In 1960, plimpton, not an athlete, arranged to pitch to a lineup of professional baseball players in an allstar exhibition, presumably to answer the question, how would the average man off of the street fare in an attempt to compete with the stars of professional. He wrote regularly for such magazines as sports illustrated and esquire, and he also appeared numerous times in films and on television. The book that made a legendand captures americas sport in detail thats never been matched, now featuring an introduction by tom wolfe a and neverbeforeseen content from the plimpton archives. George plimpton books list of books by author george. With his characteristic wit, plimpton recounts his experiences in talking his way into training camp with the detroit lions, practicing with the team, and taking snaps behind center. Many journalists try to keep some distance between themselves and the story that they cover. Professional football as it looks to a first string writer trying out as a laststring quarterback. George plimpton has 127 books on goodreads with 37247 ratings. The book that made a legendand captures americas sport in detail thats never been matched, now featuring an introduction by tom wolfe and neverbeforeseen content from the plimpton archives. Nprs scott simon talks with sportscaster bob costas about. Reminisce magical christmas collection 12 x 12 double sided paper. George plimpton, who has died aged 76, became a bestselling author by not only writing about sporting heroes but by participating in those sports as well. Doodlebug design petite prints collection 6 x 6 paper pad gingham and linen.
George plimpton biography life, family, children, wife. George plimpton books list of books by author george plimpton. See all books authored by george plimpton, including edie. American crafts 12 x 12 cardstock pack 60 sheets earthtones. Even so, he managed to talk himself into the detroit lions preseason training camp and soaked up the experience, recording it in this book. Reminisce magical christmas collection 12 x 12 double sided paper christmas tree magic. Sep 24, 2009 george plimpton decided he wanted to play quarterback for an american football team. George plimpton audio books, best sellers, author bio. In 1960, plimpton, not an athlete, arranged to pitch to a lineup of professional.
Its the dream of many american kids, but plimpton was a journalist in his midthirties. Confessions of a laststring quarterback by george plimpton and a great selection of related books, art and collectibles available now at. He wrote regularly for such magazines as sports illustrated and esquire, and he appeared numerous times in films and on television. Aug 04, 2009 if you are a football fan, and especially a detroit lions supporter, george plimptons 1966 classic book paper lion is a must read, especially if you are looking for insight into what a football training camp is all about. He was also famous for participatory journalism which included competing in professional sporting events. George plimpton, who died last week at his town house, on east seventysecond street near the river, was a serious man of serious accomplishments who just happened to have more fun than a van full. George plimpton was born on march 18, 1927 in new york city, new york, usa as george ames plimpton. Paper lion is plimpton s account of his time as laststring quarterback for the 1963 detroit lions. Originally published in 1966 and today considered a classic, the book set the bar for participatory sports journalism, if not literature in general. In the mid60s, plimpton joined the detroit lions at their preseason camp as a 36yearold rookie. Confessions of a laststring quarterback, and more on. Blue cloth with silver helmet stamped on front cover, silver lion and lettering on spine. The book that made a legend, and a classic of sports writing george plimpton s paper lion is published in the uk on its 50th anniversary in the mid1960s, george plimpton talked his way into the detroit lions preseason training camp and in doing so set the bar for participatory sports journalism.
At least what it was like 36 years ago this summer. If you are a football fan, and especially a detroit lions supporter, george plimpton s 1966 classic book paper lion is a must read, especially if you are looking for insight into what a football training camp is all about. Based off the book that made a legend, paper lion captures americas sport in detail thats never been matched and now features an introduction by tom wolfe. No one is willing to allow a klutzy amateur to go on the field for fear hell kill himself. Paper lion, published in 1966, is a nonfiction book by prominent american writer george plimpton. There are worse ways of getting to know about a country than through its sports, and since americas two major national sports have been rejected by almost the whole of the rest of the.
Click and collect from your local waterstones or get free uk delivery on orders over. Paper lion, the movie, was a 1968 sports comedy film starring alan alda as plimpton, based on plimptons book. Born george ames plimpton, march 18, 1927, in new york, ny. George plimpton the best of plimpton part 1 youtube. Sep 29, 2003 george plimpton, who has died aged 76, became a bestselling author by not only writing about sporting heroes but by participating in those sports as well. Paper lion by george plimpton penguin books australia.
Apr 23, 2016 george plimpton reissues books that took us inside the game seven of the the late george plimpton s sports books are being rereleased. Plimpton was a writerraconteur and dilettante in the best sense of the word. He was at bobby kennedys assassination in 1968 and helped wrestle down the killer, sirhan sirhan. He described it as beautifully observed and incredibly conceived, which should be all the recommendation anyway needs, to be honest. The book that made a legend, and a classic of sports writing george plimptons paper lion is published in the uk on its 50th anniversary. Alex march writing credits in alphabetical order george plimpton. Jun 16, 2012 my fathers voice was like one of those supposedly extinct deepsea creatures that wash up on the shores of argentina every now and then. Now, he would like to try his hand at being the quarterback of a. George plimpton was perhaps best known for paper lion, the book that set th. Now this time we will hear more of george plimpton. Plimptons strength lies in his ability to connect the reader to any situation he presents. The fascinating story of george plimptons famous book, paper. Thirtyfive years ago, george plimpton profiled a cantmiss pitching prospect for the mets, who seemed almost too good to be true. After several teams turn him down, plimpton got the detroit lions to let him go to training camp.
In the mid60s, plimpton joined the detroit lions at their preseason ca. Paper lion, by george plimpton commentary magazine. George plimpton was perhaps best known for paper lion, the book that set the bar. If you are a football fan, and especially a detroit lions supporter, george plimptons 1966 classic book paper lion is a must read, especially if. He was an actor and writer, known for good will hunting 1997, nixon 1995 and l. George plimpton was perhaps best known for paper lion, the book that set the bar for participatory sports journalism.
He spends three weeks at training camp as one of the rookies, learning what life is like for the players, understanding the challenges of pro football and participating in the pranks and parties. The movie is an amiable fiction based on the real story, we are told. With his characteristic wit, plimpton recounts his experiences in talking his way into training camp with the detroit lions, practicing. Everyone has heard of george plimptonthat is if you read the articles in the sports. This first edition, signed by george plimpton is available at bauman rare books. George plimpton biography george plimpton biography and list of works george plimpton books. Browse george plimpton s bestselling audiobooks and newest titles. Paper lion by george plimpton is in the top ten books for your boyfriend. George ames plimpton was an american journalist, writer, editor, actor, and gamesman. Plimpton bids his wife and editor goodbye, goes to training camp, manages to fool the players for about 24 hours, lands in some bruising scrimmages, weathers the. George plimpton, author and editor, is dead at 76 the.
George plimpton wants to write a story for sports illustrated on what it is like to be a quarterback for an nfl team. George plimpton did join the lions, and wrote the most engaging sports book of recent years unless you can count that psychoanalytic study of bobby fischer. Sep 26, 2003 george plimpton, the new york aristocrat and literary journalist whose exploits in editing and writing seesawed between belles lettres and the witty accounts he wrote of his various madcap. Aug 04, 2016 the book that made a legend, and a classic of sports writing george plimptons paper lion is published in the uk on its 50th anniversary in the mid1960s, george plimpton talked his way into the detroit lions preseason training camp and in doing so set the bar for participatory sports journalism. In 1960, plimpton, not an athlete, arranged to pitch to a lineup of professional baseball players in an allstar exhibition, presumably to answer the question, how would the average man off of the street fare in an attempt to compete with the stars of professional sports. The book that made a legendand captures americas sport in detail thats never been matched, now featuring a foreword by nicholas dawidoff a and neverbeforeseen content from the plimpton archives. An author, journalist, editor, actor, and modernday renaissance man, george plimpton 19272003 was perhaps best known for paper lion. American writer and editor george plimpton was best known by the american public for his nonfiction books and articles that were the result of what he termed participatory journalism. Hes entered the ring with a professional boxer and pitched in the allstar game. Paper lion audiobook by george plimpton, nicholas dawidoff. George plimpton, author and editor, is dead at 76 the new. Paper lion by george plimpton and a great selection of related books, art and collectibles available now at. Sports writer george plimpton has made a name for himself by putting himself into the sports arena and then writing about his experience. Paper lion is a 1966 nonfiction book by american author george plimpton.
Remembering sidd finch, the mets prospect too good to be. Paper lion by george plimpton penguin books new zealand. Paper lion confessions of a last string quarterback. George plimpton reissues books that took us inside the game. Written in the mid1960s when professional football was only 40 years old and football organizations operated more loosely, paper lion is the story of george plimpton s excursion into the world of. George ames plimpton march 18, 1927 september 25, 2003 was an american journalist, writer, literary editor, actor and occasional amateur sportsman. Scrapbook customs burlap and lace collection 12 x 12 paper pack.
A classic of sport, and the first of george plimpton s remarkable forays into participatory journalism, out of my league chronicles with wit, charm, and grace what happens when a selfprofessed amateur wonders how he would fare on a baseball mound in a major league game. George plimpton seemed to be everywhere, doing everything, just at the right moment. Just send us an email and well put the best up on the site. In 1960, plimpton, not a professional athlete, arranged to pitch to a lineup of baseball stars in an allstar exhibition, presumably to answer the question, how would the average man off of the street fare in an attempt to compete with the stars of professional sports. George plimpton the best of plimpton part 4 duration. George plimpton, the new york aristocrat and literary journalist whose exploits in editing and writing seesawed between belles lettres and the witty accounts he wrote of his various madcap.
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