In Blue Blood, Matt Lester delivers a deeply personal account of one of college football’s most storied programs, culminating in the University of Michigan’s historic 2023 season. Part sports history, part firsthand chronicle, the book examines the relationships, traditions, and principles that have shaped generations of Wolverines. Lester brings an unusual perspective to the subject. A lifelong Michigan fan, successful businessman, major university benefactor, and trusted confidant of head coach Jim Harbaugh, he gained access to the football program that few people outside its coaching staff and players have experienced. His account draws on decades of personal memories and close relationships, giving readers an intimate look at the people and decisions behind Michigan football. With a foreword by Harbaugh, the book establishes its central theme early: Michigan’s identity is rooted in a commitment to collective success, embodied by the enduring philosophy of “the team, the team, the team.”
Lester begins by tracing his devotion to Michigan football through his childhood and his relationship with his father, Mel Lester, a physician whose enthusiasm for the Wolverines helped shape his son’s understanding of competition, loyalty, and sportsmanship. These early recollections provide an engaging foundation for the broader historical narrative, which explores the influence of legendary coaches, memorable players, significant rivalries, and the program’s changing fortunes. Lester’s remarkable familiarity with Michigan football history is evident in his detailed descriptions of individual performances, coaching philosophies, and defining moments. His admiration for Bo Schembechler and Jim Harbaugh provides a connecting thread between different eras, particularly in his discussion of their shared emphasis on discipline, preparation, and player development. The historical material is especially effective when Lester connects events on the field to his own experiences in the stands, illustrating how a family’s attachment to a football program can develop into a lifelong source of meaning and purpose.
The book becomes particularly compelling when Lester recounts his growing involvement with Harbaugh’s program and the relationships he developed with players, coaches, and university officials. His descriptions of practices, team meetings, travel, fundraising, and informal gatherings offer revealing glimpses into the daily operations of an elite college football team. Among the most memorable sections are those concerning the team-building retreats at Lester’s northern Michigan property and his efforts to help players prepare for careers beyond football. These experiences reinforce his belief that championship-level performance depends on trust, accountability, and continuous improvement. As Lester tells the players, “You’re either getting better or you’re getting worse.” His coverage of the 2023 season combines tactical observations with personal anecdotes, capturing the intensity of competition and the complicated pressures surrounding a nationally prominent program. His treatment of controversies involving Harbaugh reflects his close allegiance to the coach, giving these passages a distinctly supportive perspective.
Throughout Blue Blood, Lester writes with the enthusiasm of a devoted fan and the confidence of someone who has spent years observing the program from privileged vantage points. His conversational style makes the personal stories accessible, while his extensive discussions of football history, strategy, and individual players offer considerable substance for knowledgeable readers. The appendices, featuring coaching comparisons, historical player rankings, and information about members of the 2023 team, add further value as reference material. At times, the abundance of names, statistics, and game details slows the narrative, but these elements also demonstrate the depth of Lester’s knowledge and his commitment to documenting Michigan’s legacy. The book’s strongest quality is its attention to the human relationships behind an extraordinarily successful football program. Blue Blood is a passionate, detailed celebration of Michigan football that will particularly resonate with Wolverines supporters while offering other college football enthusiasts an informative perspective on leadership, mentorship, tradition, and the culture of a championship team.
The Legend of Harry Gardner follows a Harvard student journalist, his connection with a football star, and the consequences of a life-changing injury. Where did the idea for this novel come from?
Although I’ve spent most of my writing life in the world of history and biography, I’ve always dreamed of writing a novel, especially one about college football in the 1920’s. The Legend of Harry Gardner is the result of that dream. The inspiration for the major character in the book is the celebrated sports figure, Hobey Baker, who is still considered one of the greatest American college athletes of all time – a star in football and hockey at Princeton. But it wasn’t just his sports heroics on the field that intrigued me, but his sense of character, humility, and sportsmanship, a trait I tried to instill in Harry. The “life-changing injury” incident came from a real Harvard football game in 1909, when Harvard Captain Hamilton Fish hit an opposing player so hard (not maliciously) that the player died the next day. Fish missed several games as a result, but then rejoined the team. As to “Peabo” Elliott, I guess I loosely based him on George Plimpton, the famous “participatory journalist” of modern times, who was from a well-to-do family, dabbled in sports, and was a keen observer of sports heroes.
Is there anything pulled from your own experiences included in Peabo or Harry’s storylines?
Playing high school football helped me get a sense of the sights and sounds and chaos of an actual game from ground level. Attending graduate school at Harvard (and attending several Harvard-Yale games) gave me a sense of place and the color and excitement of a college football game and the look and feel of the stadium.
What research did you do for this novel to get it right?
I read newspaper accounts – both in the Harvard Crimson and New York Times – of old college football games; read several books about Hobey Baker; re-read F. Scott Fitzgerald’s This Side of Paradise (a fictional character named Allenby is based on Hobey Baker); and read everything George Plimpton ever wrote.
Can we look forward to more work from you soon? What are you currently working on?
Yes, I am currently at work on a non-fiction book titled, Harvard Boys, about the intersecting lives of several extraordinary characters as they navigate – both personally and professionally – many of the most important events of the twentieth century: Revolutionary John Reed; columnist Walter Lippmann; World War I poet Alan Seeger; “Putzi” Hanfstaengl, Adolph Hitler’s favorite piano player; and artist Waldo Peirce. I’m also at work on a humorous collection of fictional short stories called Cat Bubbles, Roadsters, and Other Peculiar College Tales, about the adventures and misadventures of a colorful cast of college sports jocks, social gadflies, scoundrels, eccentrics, and one or two kind-hearted souls.
Written in the hero-driven tradition of popular 1920’s sports novels, THE LEGEND OF HARRY GARDNER, is a tale about the friendship between two college friends: Harry Gardner, a celebrated football hero with a mysterious past and Peabo Elliott, a shy, non-athletic, aspiring sports writer. This absorbing novella is packed with plenty of old-time gridiron heroics along with a series of surprising twists and turns in their deep and touching personal friendship.
The Legend of Harry Gardner by Michael Hill is a nostalgic sports tale wrapped in friendship and moral weight. The book follows Peabo Elliott, a shy but gifted student journalist at Harvard, and his bond with football star Harry Gardner during a high-stakes season in the 1920s. It centers on one brutal game, the fallout from a life-changing injury, and the pressure placed on young men to be heroes. The story moves from the roar of the stadium to quiet dorm rooms and ends with a deeply personal Christmas that reframes what winning really means.
What struck me first was the tone. It is earnest to the core. The writing wears its heart on its sleeve and does not apologize for it. At times, it feels old-fashioned, and that feels intentional. I liked that. The dialogue is simple and clear. But it fits the era and the mood. I found myself slowing down, which I enjoyed. The football scenes are vivid and physical. You feel the mud and the hits and the fear. I could picture the field and hear the crowd.
This is not really a sports story. It is about guilt, loyalty, and the cost of being put on a pedestal. Harry’s struggle after injuring another player felt honest and sad. I found it thought-provoking as well as emotional. I also appreciated how Peabo is not just a sidekick. His voice matters. His writing shapes events. That theme felt quietly powerful. Words have weight. Friendship has weight. Even kindness has consequences.
I would recommend The Legend of Harry Gardner to readers who enjoy character-driven stories and classic sports narratives with a moral center. It is great for fans of old college football, but also for anyone who likes stories about friendship and conscience. If you want heart, atmosphere, and a gentle reminder that decency matters, this book is worth your time. I think readers who enjoy the reflective sports writing and character-driven storytelling of Friday Night Lights by Buzz Bissinger will find The Legend of Harry Gardner a satisfying read, especially if they like sports stories that care more about the people than the scoreboard.
Unrivaled: Sewanee 1899 tells the story of a football team from a small college in post-Civil War Tennessee and their incredible accomplishments. What inspired you to share this story with readers?
I was a student at Sewanee in the 1970’s. Everyone there hears about this team. It’s a truly amazing story. Over the years, I kept thinking someone would do a documentary film about this team, but one never appeared. So, my classmate, David Crews and I decided to do it ourselves. Later, after the film came out, I realized we had a lot of original paintings and a unique music score, as well as a great deal of archival information. We decided this should also be preserved in a high quality coffee table book.
How much and what kind of research went into putting this book together?
We spent almost 5 years researching this story and doing interviews. This involved hours in the Sewanee Archives, as well as meeting with people who knew about the story, and doing research online as well. It also involved contacting the schools Sewanee played that year to see what information they had. Then, my co-author, Karin Fecteau, and I spent another two years creating this beautiful book to further preserve the history of this incredible accomplishment.
Did you learn anything surprising during your research process?
Yes, we thought we knew the story, but it was far richer and more layered than we ever imagined. We also uncovered materials and photos no one had discovered before, which was exciting. Finally, we thought we’d mainly explore the lore of the 1899 team, but what we learned was that the facts were even better than the lore.
Can we look forward to more history selections from you in the future? What are you currently working on?
Would love to but right now I’m focused on selling these books.
Unrivaled, by Norman Jetmundsen and Karin Fecteau, chronicles the legendary 1899 Sewanee Tigers football season, a feat of athleticism and endurance unmatched in sports history. This small Southern college’s team embarked on a grueling journey of 12 games in six weeks, including an astonishing streak of five games in six days across 2,500 miles. They remained undefeated, outscoring opponents 322-10. The book dives deep into this epic season, providing a vivid portrayal of the players, the societal context, and the sheer grit required to achieve such greatness.
From the moment I started reading, I was hooked by the palpable passion and depth of historical detail. The writing brings the era alive, especially when describing how the players contended with brutal physical conditions. Chapter 7, “The Season,” is a highlight, vividly illustrating the no-huddle, non-stop nature of football in 1899. The way the players managed to triumph despite minimal protective gear and relentless injuries is simply inspiring. It gave me chills to imagine men like Henry “Ditty” Seibels and Ormond Simkins pushing through bone-deep exhaustion with an unshakable will.
The book also does a fantastic job of weaving in broader cultural narratives. For example, the chapter on the societal ties between the Civil War and Southern football traditions was eye-opening. Jetmundsen shows how the region’s pride and resilience were mirrored on the gridiron. This made the Tigers’ victories feel even more monumental.
What stood out most to me, though, were the unsung heroes. The chapter on Cal Burrows, the team’s African-American rubdown man, was incredibly moving. It underscored the invisible labor that made the team’s success possible. It’s humbling to think about how much these contributions mattered, even though they’ve often been overlooked in the broader story.
Jetmundsen and Fecteau’s Unrivaled is a testament to the human spirit. I’d recommend this book to anyone who loves sports history, particularly those who appreciate a good underdog tale. Whether you’re a fan of football or simply someone who enjoys tales of resilience, this book will stick with you.
Unrivaled by Norman Jetmundsen and Karin Fecteau is one of those books that makes history feel alive. It’s all about the incredible 1899 Sewanee football team, a scrappy underdog group from a small Tennessee college that defied every odd to dominate the season. They played five games in six days, traveling 2,500 miles by train, and they never lost. They outscored opponents 322-10 that season! It’s a wild mix of perseverance, teamwork, and sheer grit, set against the backdrop of a South still recovering from the Civil War.
The historical context of Jetmundsen’s work reeled me in. Jetmundsen does a fantastic job describing what life was like back then—horses and buggies, no forward passes in football, and players tackling in wool uniforms. The connection to broader Southern culture was fascinating, too. Football wasn’t just a game it was like a stand-in for battlefield glory. That kind of emotional weight gave the story so much depth.
What I liked most were the characters. The players felt real, even heroic. Ditty Seibels, the halfback who bulldozed through defenses, and “Wild Bill” Claiborne, with his pirate-like eye patch antics, were larger than life. I also loved reading about Luke Lea, the 20-year-old manager who orchestrated the whole season with nothing but a telegraph and sheer willpower. That’s the kind of quirky determination that feels cinematic.
Some parts of the book flow like a gripping documentary, while others are somewhat heavy with details. Jetmundsen’s admiration for the team is palpable. There are golden moments of vivid storytelling, like descriptions of the brutal conditions or the camaraderie among the players, and I’d be hooked again.
Would I recommend Unrivaled? Absolutely. If you’re a history nerd like me, you’ll adore the rich cultural context and the underdog story. Sports lovers will eat up the football lore. Anyone who values stories about resilience and teamwork will find something to admire here. It’s a reminder of what people can achieve when they set their minds (and muscles) to it, and honestly, it left me inspired.
Play For Her presents an intimate portrait of Melissa Strother, a gallant warrior in professional American football. The narrative captures her audacious journey through myriad challenges, vividly depicting a life characterized by relentless training, the paradox of having to pay to pursue her passion, and the formidable struggle against the disorganization plaguing the women’s league. Amidst the backdrop of an unpredictable global pandemic and mounting political tensions, Melissa’s unyielding resolve shines bright, a testament to her love for the sport, her teammates, the aspiring young athletes who idolize her, and the unquenchable spirit of the young girl within, who refuses to relinquish her dreams.
Regardless of one’s affinity for American football, Melissa Strother’s saga is a potent infusion of inspiration and motivation. She imparts valuable insights on harnessing the power of the present moment and fostering personal growth. Her words resonate with unfiltered joy as she vividly recounts her immersive state and absolute concentration on the game. This enthusiasm transforms into fiery indignation when she touches upon the haphazard way the league acted. Initial impressions may suggest a bitter woman venting, but as readers delve deeper, they discover a brave character who candidly articulates her sentiments and, notably, channels her emotions into actions.
Play For Her boasts a captivating writing style in which Melissa pens each chapter in real-time and retrospects on prior sections, lending the book an unparalleled sense of authenticity and intimacy. Including photographs of Melissa and her matches adds a delightful personal touch. However, a comprehensive explanation of the technical terminology would be beneficial for readers less acquainted with American football. Nevertheless, I wholeheartedly endorse this empowering narrative to all, especially women who have experienced feelings of inadequacy or discouragement in pursuing their objectives.
Mumentous is a fascinating book about the history and the culture surrounding homecoming mums. Where did the idea for this book come from?
Thank you!
Before I decided to write a book, I was first drawn to homecoming mums as a subject matter to photograph. They are, after all, visually stunning! But I really just wanted to understand why without judgement, and I think the only way to do that is to be quiet and pay attention. The camera lens helps me be present in this way. I can hone in on details I might never have otherwise noticed, zoom out and take in relevant context, and begin to discern what is tertiary or immaterial. Another way of saying this is that when I decide to take a photograph, I’m making a promise to look for the story inside the story.
As I mention in the book, it all began when I asked a good friend if I could join her at a mum-making session hosted by a local high school marching band booster club. The club was selling mums as a fundraiser for the band in which her daughter was a member. I helped cut ribbons, but mostly I took photos and listened to the group, all women, whose camaraderie and work ethic were equally palpable. It was like I had discovered a secret quilting bee, which completely surprised and enchanted me. I realized then that I not only needed my camera to fully unpack the tradition but it would take lots of conversations and research, too.
In terms of taking a creative direction, I made one decision early on that made all the difference. If you search the internet for images of people wearing homecoming mums, you will only see one kind of photo: kids in mums standing still and smiling for the camera. A homecoming mum is many things, but it is not still. From the beginning, I avoided depicting a mum as a “still life”, trying instead to capture it as the fully animated expression that it is. That decision drove me to be thorough, which led me to so many wonderful and unexpected discoveries.
How much research did you undertake for this book and how much time did it take to put it all together?
I’ve been shooting photos, collecting personal stories, and conducting research on the tradition since 2016, but only during fall football season.
Should you want more detail:
Those photo sessions with the booster club took place in Fall 2016. In Fall 2017 and 2018, I shot photos at several different locations. I conducted considerable online research on the historical evolution of mums in Fall 2018 and 2019 while also interviewing people across the state, which validated the online research and vice versa.
In the second half of 2019, I served as the inaugural Artist-in-Residence at the Arlington Museum of Art in Arlington, TX, a position which allowed me to broaden my reach considerably and create an exhibition of my work to date. There’s a chapter in my book which goes into detail about the exhibit and how I turned it into an opportunity for the community to participate. It was during that time I decided Mumentous needed to become a book.
In Fall 2020 and 2021, I watched the tradition refuse to yield to Covid, then I wrote about it and shot a few more photos. By early 2022, my research wasn’t yielding any new revelations, which told me it was time to write “The End” and seek a publisher. The book is being released by Atmosphere Press on April 25, 2023, just as “mumtrepreneurs” across and beyond Texas are ramping up for the 2023 football season.
I joke with friends that if universities gave out degrees in “mumology,” I’d be ready to defend my dissertation.
Did you find anything in your research of this story that surprised you?
Yes. In the first half of the 20th century, throughout the United States, it was common practice for a boy to give his date a chrysanthemum corsage before the annual high school or college homecoming football game. I find it fascinating that this tradition has all but vanished, except in Texas (and a few adjacent states) where it not only held fast but evolved into a version of itself that would be unrecognizable to its originators.
What is one thing that you hope reader take away from Mumentous?
As readers dig deeply inside the very unique tradition of homecoming mums, I hope they will discover that like so many traditions, its driving force is utterly universal: women.
The closest you’ll ever get to seeing someone actually wear their hearts on their sleeves is in Texas, every fall, at the local high school homecoming game.
They’re called homecoming mums. They are as bodacious as football, as irresistible as a juicy rumor, and as deep as a momma’s love. Over a hundred years ago when the custom began, mum was short for chrysanthemum, a typical corsage that boys gave to girls before taking them to the big football game. But through the decades, mum went from a simple abbreviation to a complicated shorthand for an eye-popping tradition that’s as ingrained in the culture as it is confounding to outsiders.
Through her original photography and collection of stories from across and beyond the Lone Star State, Amy J. Schultz takes us deep in the heart of mum country. You’ll meet kids who wear them, parents who buy them, and critics who decry them as just another example of consumerism gone wild. But mostly, you’ll discover that just like every ritual which stands the test of time, someone is keeping the tradition alive. Someone like Mom.
