John Feinstein
...l in his own life. Books are primarily read for entertainment purposes, not reflective ones. However, The Last Amateurs led me to examine my long held beliefs. Since I was young, I have always exhibited a preference for sports over any other type of activity. I have eagerly participated in basketball, baseball, and soccer since grade school. Until high school, sports were a way to use my talents in addition to a welcomed break from the everyday demands of school. However, I quickly realized that athletics at the high school level were much different. Coaches became much more selective, players were stronger and smarter, and the expectations were higher. As I was quickly frustrated by the systematic way that teams were run, sports became more of an after-school occupation than a relaxing resort. The Last Amateurs, by John Feinstein, documents one season of NCAA basketball. An avid fan of the game himself, Feinstein seeks to find "the beloved amateur sport it was in the past" as opposed to the more notable "division of the NBA" of today's game. He finds this type of basketball in the underrated, unfamiliar Patriot League. Through examples, Feinstein demonstrates the values of playing for "glory and hono...