There aren’t many American football books published in the UK. The few that are mostly come from Pitch Publishing – a specialist sports publisher, founded in 2002, with an excellent range of titles. This is one from their stable, part of a series of sports photography books from author Matthew Bazell. Others include collections on boxing, rugby union and English football (soccer).
This is the NFL title and it collects hundreds of colour and black-and-white photos spanning a century of the league’s history. As you would expect, there are photos of major stars, from Jim Brown to Tom Brady, as well as top coaches, such as Sid Gillman, John Madden, and Bill Walsh. There are plenty of big-game photos from Super Bowls and other historic match-ups, but quieter moments are sprinkled in too, with players on the sidelines preparing for action or taking a breather.
The book also includes write-ups on each of the NFL’s current 32 teams. These are grouped by division, with each group spread throughout the book. They’re fairly basic but, with the book’s UK origin in mind, serve as a good introduction for newcomers to the sport.
Title: Power & Glory
Author: Matthew Bazell
First published: Pitch Publishing, 2022
Buy the Book: Amazon US | Amazon UK
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Smaller than the typical coffee table book, The Power and the Glory contains plenty of action photos and joins a growing list of titles bringing American football to a British audience.
THE AUTHOR
Matthew Bazell is the author of several books, including Soul & Glory: English Football 1950-1989 and Wars of the Ring: Boxing Classics.
REVIEWS
There are some excellent photographs in Power & Glory, with moments that vividly capture the drama of the sport. One highlight is a head-on shot of Devin Hester returning a kickoff for a touchdown in Super Bowl XLI, with a lunging Adam Vinatieri sprawled at his feet. Other striking images include a blood-covered JJ Watt, and a shot of Alex Smith, under centre for the Chiefs, shrouded in sheets of rain during a game against the Raiders.
However, not all the choices are as effective. The book includes a photo of Odell Beckham Jr’s iconic one-handed catch against the Cowboys but not the instantly recognisable shot. Bazell’s choice is busier, showing Beckham in mid-air between two defenders as a referee tosses a flag in the background. It captures the moment, but not the magic.
A few reproduction issues also detract from the impact. Some images are printed at larger-than-ideal sizes, softening the clarity. And there’s at least one noticeable error: a Bears–Packers game is misidentified as an Eagles–Packers matchup. While Power & Glory is an engaging introduction with plenty to enjoy, it’s not the strongest photographic collection on the NFL bookshelf.
Shane Richmond, Pigskin Books
