Book Review: Now I Can Die in Peace

I've talked about Bill Simmons on this site before. I've linked to his site. I've even ripped off his running diary format a few times (just don't tell him). If you've read any of his columns, you realize that he is a huge Red Sox fan and that the fortunes of the team tend to define him and his writing.

After the Sox won the World Series last year, Simmons collected many of his Red Sox columns written for ESPN as well as those he wrote for the website he ran before joining ESPN. These collected columns came together (along with a few new thoughts) in his new book, Now I Can Die in Peace.

While the book itself draws from his past work to show the path of Red Sox fan from desolation to destination, it mirrors the travails of any fan who throws himself wholeheartedly into his team and feels the exaltation and exasperation of their ups and downs. As with most of Simmons writing, the references to the specific events he is discussing are equaled (if not exceeded) by references to pop culture and historical sporting events. For those without a good basic knowledge of pop culture, it would often be useful to consult a concordance along with his work. Fortunately, Simmons provides us with that as well as a guide to his thought process in the form of footnotes. Clocking in at just over 350 pages, Now I Can Die in Peace has well over 400 footnotes including, at one point, a footnote to a footnote. (This probably explains why I liked the book so much.)

An emotional rollercoaster of fandom (or perhaps even fanaticism) with strong writing and amusing wit and with a healthy serving of pop culture references on top like so much Reddi-Whip, Now I Can Die in Peace speaks to more than just Red Sox fans but to the inner fan in all of us.

Did I like it? Of course. Is it for everyone? No. Simmons is pretty polarizing. Either you like him and find him hilarious or you find his refusal to take himself too seriously disrespectful. If you like the Sports Guy, check out the book. You won't be disappointed.

Until later...