cover image THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO ESPN: Saints, Saviors & Sinners

THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO ESPN: Saints, Saviors & Sinners

, , intro. by Hunter S. Thompson. . Hyperion, $40 (244pp) ISBN 978-0-7868-6754-7

This illustrated collection of essays offers profiles of leading sports figures from players to coaches, representing the eponymous saints, saviors and sinners. With an introduction by Thompson, the book features essays by Robert Lipsyte, George Plimpton, Ralph Wiley, Le Anne Schreiber and Peter Carlson along with many photographs. While some of those profiled—Billie Jean King, Muhammad Ali, Tiger Woods and Babe Ruth—have already been extensively written about, here is a fresh perspective. Each piece profiles the person not only in terms of his or her individual achievements but in light of their respective sport, as well as world events at the time. The photographs are also not simply standard glamour shots; they're more unusual, including several police mug shots. The entertaining trivia sidebars will appeal to sports fans: for instance, the section on Mark "The Bird" Fidrych, the one-time Detroit Tiger pitcher, is accompanied by a list of others who were also "one season" wonders, such as boxer Buster Douglas, who defeated Mike Tyson. (Nov.)

Forecast:With a planned $500,000 marketing campaign, this book—ideal for more serious sports fans—should be very visible during the holiday season.