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Book Reviews:

Patriot Reign - Bill Belichick, the Coaches, and the Players Who Built a Champion 

By Michael Holley

Harper Collins - 2005
ISBN 978-0-06-075795-3
$13.95, 240 pages

The New England Patriots have been without question the most successful NFL team over the past ten years. Every season it seems as though they are competing for the league's best record.  As you know, last year the Patriots went undefeated during the regular season, losing only in the Super Bowl to the New York Giants.

This book was written before last season but is equally compelling as it exposes the foundation this team has been built and what makes the Patriots a winner year in and year out.

Michael Holley has done a wonderful job of balancing all the components that include the owners, coaching staff and players.  He gets down to the nitty gritty and tells it like it is.

Bill Belichick's success has been admired or hated by many people.  You can't deny the achievements he's made with his football teams.  Holley goes all the way back to the beginning of the head coach to tell his life story.  Holley gathers what made Belechick the ruthless leader, who's been in the headlines for "Spygate" almost as much as his team Super Bowl victories and 18-1 season.

The chapters that document particular seasons leading up to Super Bowl appearances are intense, even though I already knew the outcome before hand.  This is a credit to Michael Holley's writing and ability as a journalist. 

I also give credit to Bill Belichick and the New England Patriots organization to allow this fascinating story to be told.

www.harpercollins.com