cover image Mountain of God

Mountain of God

Rizzoli, Anati, Emmanuel Anati. Rizzoli International Publications, $75 (360pp) ISBN 978-0-8478-0723-9

Klein, a business tycoon who loves football, realized an ambition when he bought the San Diego Chargers in 1966. Here, with the aid of Fisher, who has coauthored books with umpire Ron Luciano and Dodger manager Tommy Lasorda, he takes a lighthearted, frequently wry, look at his years as an NFL owner. In the early days of his regime, his team went nowhere; then he hired coach Don Coryell, and San Diego was transformed from one of the worst to one of the best. Along the way were adventures with the first psychologist ever hired to minister to a pro football squad, the first major drug scandal in the sport, annual meetings of NFL owners (which sound chaotic) and a running battle with L.A. Raiders owner Al Davis. An amusing read. Photos not seen by PW. 100,000 first printing. (January 10)