Best Book of 2014

It was a simple decision to chose the best book of 2014.  I chose to write about When the Game Stands Tall by Neil Hayes.  I decided which book to write about based on my strongest connections, feelings, and emotions on the book.

When the Game Stands Tall starts off as a very successful team that has been undefeated for 12 seasons.  The coach is worried because his players are not as skilled as teams he's had and do not have the work ethic that past teams have had.  He decides that if his team is going to do anything significant that year he is going to have to inspire them to work harder and improve their work ethic.  Also, it is about a young quarterback who is just starting his freshman year and is being looked at to lead on and off the field; verbally and by example.  This causes him to believe that since it is his first year he doesn't deserve this leadership role.

I specifically liked the way Hayes showed the importance of teamwork and the bond of a team.  He showed just how important it is to be able to depend your teammates through anything.  I also liked the way he showed the relationships between players and coaches, because it portrayed real relationships between coaches and players; this also helped understand what the players and coaches are going through because they trust one another so they tell each other their problems and help each other solve them like a team should.  The part of the book that I will remember next year is when the team helps the young quarterback overcome his uncertainty about leading the team and help him to lead the team which helps him clear his mind and become a better player because he is no longer worrying about how he is going to be able to lead the team and he focuses 100% on his play.