When the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor, college football was at the height of its popularity. As the nation geared up for total war, one branch of the service dominated the aspirations of college football stars: the United States Marine Corps. Which is why, on Christmas Eve of 1944, when the 4th and 29th Marine regiments found themselves in the middle of the Pacific Ocean training for what would be the bloodiest battle of the war, their ranks included one of the greatest pools of football talent ever assembled. The two regiments would play each other in a football game as close to the real thing as you could get in the dirt and coral of Guadalcanal. The bruising and bloody game that followed became known as “The Mosquito Bowl.”

The author of FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS journeys across the country and into the psyche of his son and traveling companion, where he finds not only the remarkable skills and debilities known as savantism, but a host of admirable qualities as well.

The author of FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS journeys across the country and into the psyche of his son and traveling companion, where he finds not only the remarkable skills and debilities known as savantism, but a host of admirable qualities as well.

Return once again to the enduring account of life in the Mojo lane, to the Permian Panthers of Odessa --- the winningest high school football team in Texas history. Odessa is not known to be a town big on dreams, but the Panthers help keep the hopes and dreams of this small, dusty town going.

Drawing on unprecedented access to major league manager Tony La Russa and his team, the St. Louis Cardinals, Buzz Bissinger brings a revelatory intimacy to baseball and offers some surprising observations.