If you’d guess that Yale or Harvard ruled the college gridiron in 1911 and 1912, you’d be wrong. The most popular team belonged to an institution called the Carlisle Indian Industrial School. Its story begins with Lt. Col. Richard Henry Pratt, a fierce abolitionist who believed that Native Americans deserved a place in American society. In 1879, Pratt made a treacherous journey to the Dakota Territory to recruit Carlisle’s first students. Years later, three students approached Pratt with the notion of forming a football team. Pratt liked the idea, and in less than twenty years the Carlisle football team was defeating their Ivy League opponents and in the process changing the way the game was played. THE REAL ALL AMERICANS is about the end of a culture and the birth of a game that has thrilled Americans for generations. It is an inspiring reminder of the extraordinary things that can be achieved when we set aside our differences and embrace a common purpose.
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"Interesting story about the origins of college football, through the eyes of the Native Americans brought to the Carlisle School to learn the ways of the white man. Especially of interest is to realize that while the Native Americans of Carlisle were fighting the cadets of West Point on the gridiron in football, it was their fathers who fought in a very different way in the Indian wars of the Plains. The football stories also point out just how unregulated, and just how brutal the game was during those formative years." — Ray (4 out of 5 stars)
"Interesting story about the origins of college football, through the eyes of the Native Americans brought to the Carlisle School to learn the ways of the white man. Especially of interest is to realize that while the Native Americans of Carlisle were fighting the cadets of West Point on the gridiron in football, it was their fathers who fought in a very different way in the Indian wars of the Plains. The football stories also point out just how unregulated, and just how brutal the game was during those formative years."
" Great football book that mostly isn't about football, but guys will still like it. "
" This was an excellent read historically., sports,, story line. "
" Great book, intriguing story, very much a history rather than sports book. Understand a lot more about this historical event. recommend this highly "
" A classic example of the sports book that is not at all of sports book. This tells one of the most remarkable stories I have ever read... and I have no idea why it took so long for someone to tell it. And it is told masterfully. "
" Wonderful history of Carlisle Indian School and how their football team, literally, changed the rules of American Football. "
" A must read for football lovers. Not an easy read but a very interesting perspective on the history of American Indians and their influence on football. I enjoyed it. "
" Fantastic Book. A true Eye Opener for any football/History fan. I have a new found respect for all the individuals in this book. "
" Interesting enough to make me want to learn more about both subjects (Native American/Early US history and history of the game of "American" football). At times it reads like a research paper, but it's an easy read. "
" Full of late 19th/early 20th century Native American history and the early years of American football. Interesting, but not necessarily topics I'm most interested in (it was a gift for my husband and I hadn't been to the library in awhile so I picked it up). "
" An eye-opening story from a part of American history that I didn't know much about. Recommended. "
" If you like football, and history, this is the book for you. Fascinating, uplifting, depressing, but ultimately an insightful account of the development of a sport and a country. "
" Great book, when I could get past all the historical background. "
" Not being a sports fan, I really enjoyed this book. History of how Native Americans were forced in to schools such as the Carlisle school. Also interesting football history. "
" This is a very interesting and fun book to read. You learn about the Olympic great Jim Thorpe, Pop Warner and the native americans and how they changed the game of football against all odds. "
" This isn't just about football- this is a history lesson of the authentic journey of the Native American into contemporary American culture. Amazing- reads like a novel!!! "
" Very interesting book. A departure from her usual Lance books. More intelligently written than her Washington Post columns. "
" A very worthy book telling the story of the football team of the Carlyle Indian School and their contributions to the game of football and their continual efforts to be respected. It is just too long by half. "
Sally Jenkins is an award-winning journalist for the Washington Post and is the co-author of the bestsellers It’s Not About the Bike and Every Second Counts, written with Lance Armstrong. She lives in New York.
Don Leslie has appeared on Broadway, off Broadway, and in regional theaters throughout the country. He has been heard in thousands of commercials, promos for all the broadcast networks and most cable stations, political campaigns, movie trailers, and over fifty audiobooks.
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