Book Review

What our Group thought of the book I Am Third:
The book I Am Third is very much a sports book. Our group overall didn't like the lack of emotion in the feeling of the book. We thought that he never felt passionate about anything but football. As we were discussing this our teacher told us Gale Sayers didn't write the book himself. This made the lack of emotion in the book make sense. If Gale is a quiet, shy, reserved man of course he isn't going to spill his deepest emotions to Al Silverman to be published all over the world. We have 3 girls in our group who love reading romatic, emotional books, so we didn't feel like this book was for us. The other 3 guys in our group like football but don't live it. We also felt that the book was a bit out of order chronologically. The connection between the author and the reader just wasn't there for any of us.

Who we would recommend this book to.....
We would recommend the book to anyone who loves football and understands the game. If you want a book about a man's struggle to work past an injury far deeper than just physical, and a determination to get back into the game of football, you would like this book.

Differences..
We read the book I Am Third and we also watched the movie Brian's Song. These are some of the differences we noticed...

• Brian's Song title vs. I am Third. We were glad they changed the title because the movie was only a few chapters of the book
• In Brian's Song, we saw Gale and Brians relationship develop. The book didn't explain much of this development which led us to questions of how they became such good friends.
• Linda and Gales relationship seemed meaningful and deep. When we read the book we felt that they had a shallow relationship that didn't have much value.
• We saw how Gale's personality really was in the movie, we saw his shyness come through.
• The movie was only a section of the book. Overall the book was about Gale's football carreer instead of the relationship between Gale and Brian.

I Am Third (Chapters 17-19)

Chapter Summary:
In the Final Chapters of I am Third, Gale and Linda have a discussion about what Gale and Linda agree/disagree about the many hours Gale spends sitting at home, listening to music and relaxing. Linda tells Gale that he worries to much and Gale always disagrees on these subjects. He has his own ways of thinking about things. An example of this is when he would call the doctor at any hour and ask about any pains or feelings he had with his injury. The doctor had inspired him by showing him the difference between an athlete and a Pro. Heart, motivation and to work past pains is what a Pro player consists of. Not only did Gale play football and take care of a family, he also wanted to get a stockbroker license. He worked very hard to achieve this and he ended up passing the test. Jesse Jackson and Gale developed a good relationship with each other and Gale was motivated by Jesse and all the charity work he had done. Gale helped in many organizations and to make better the lives of others. At the end of the book, Gale and Linda decide to adopt a wonderful child to better themselves, not only the adopted child.

Group Discussion Summary:
These are some topics we discussed this lit circle.....

• Gale's charactistics... Quiet.. Shy.. Nervous..
• Linda put up with a lot being married to a football player
• Caring for children
• Helping and dedicating time to charity work
• Having children with disabilities
• Not accepting others

....Thinking Question....

Gale Sayers became a big football star and donated to many charities. Do you think people donate just to say they could say they are generous? Would it be better for them not to donate time/money because its for the wrong reasons?

I am Third (Chapters 11-16)

Chapter Summary:
In the chapters we read Gale talks a lot about his college life, football, and his wife Linda. Gale felt as if his college was foreign to him, like he was too shy, and just not good enough to be there. He would often go home and visit his family and Linda and when he would return to the college he would start crying because it was so uncomforting for him to be there. Linda, his fiance, and eventually in the chapters, his wife, really helped Gale settle down and become more of a gentleman. Linda was a worrier and Gale was a boy. They balanced each other out. During his college carreer Gale gets noticed in many ways, both good and bad. Many people were very angry that Gale did not go to Nebraska University. They just loved watching him mess up and they made sure everyone knew when this happened. Many questions were asked to Gale like "Is this your greatest accomplishments Gale??" and he would simply just say "nope." He never held a certain moment as his greatest. We noticed, while reading these chapters Gale does have a good sense of loyality which is one of his best character traits. He promised the Chicago Bears that he would sign with him even when people kept offering him better deals. He would turn them down. To complete one of Gale's best football seasons, his daughter, Gale Lynn, was born.

Group Discussion Summary:
These are a few things we talked about this meeting....

• pros and cons for Gale to choose the Bears over Kanas City
• college was not his home...... Home was with Linda
• Gale made his first big mistake
• many people wanted to recruite him
• never getting a degree- good or bad thing?
• AFL or NFL?
• accoplishments.....6 touchdowns a game.....reached 2000 yards..
• Finally accepts defeats and moves on
• Takes Linda's view on things to acount
• being an optimistic person
• the relationship between him and Coach Halas- Father son relationship

....Thinking Question.....

Gale felt so alone at college. He felt like an outsider, or someone who doesn't belong. Have you ever felt that way? And if so, why? How do you get through that feeling?