Few sports fans would argue that we needed yet another book about the “Ten Year War” – the intense rivalry between the University of Michigan and Ohio State football teams and their iconic coaches Woody Hayes and Bo Schembechler. The subject has been covered voluminously in books, magazines, newspapers, and videos (I have reviewed a few myself).
So I have to credit Michael Rosenberg for coming up with a new angle to approach this classic subject. His book, War As They Knew It: Woody Hayes, Bo Schembechler, and America in a Time of Unrest
This allows him to portray the players and coaches as human beings with opinions and emotions beyond the football field while reminding the reader that the university, and the surrounding community, obviously had to deal with a lot more than just the success of the football team.
But while this background is interesting – the different levels of political agitation on the Ohio State versus Michigan campus for example – what really makes the book shine is Rosenberg’s portrait of Woody Hayes.
By placing Hayes in this historical context and by connecting his work as a coach with his unique personality and background – his inspirations, dreams and deep seated beliefs – Rosenberg captures Hayes as a multidimensional person rather than simply as an icon or caricature.
