Book Review: Destiny's Team by Thomas A. Glessner
Bruce Collins
September 18, 2007
"Destiny's Team" by Thomas A. Glessner uses football to form a story that digs deep to expose much heavier issues of today.
The tale begins in the Pacific Northwest amidst the athletic frenzy of an NFL conference playoff game. Ready to attack on the gridiron are two important characters in "Destiny's Team", the Seahawks' young star quarterback, Jason O'Conner, and Seattle Head Coach, Paul Wagner.
Led by these two warriors of the game, the Seahawks cruised to a near perfect 15-1 record, guiding them to post season play. O'Conner, a rookie with an impressive short history, is the talk of the town and has the stressful role of providing leadership on the field.
After a rocky first half and a halftime tongue lashing, O'Conner leads his team with determined resolve. However, on the dramatic final play of the game, the youthful quarterback suffers a very serious injury.
This leaves a major question mark on the future ability of the Seahawks' gunslinger. Support for O'Conner surprisingly comes from the grizzled veteran, Zach Morrison, who was replaced by the young superstar. Morrison also has a few amazing secrets to divulge.
"Destiny's Team" starts to take a dark turn as NFL shortcuts and compromises are slowly displayed through off field antics and locker room dialogue (while still maintaining its' family friendly read). Also, at the heart of the Seahawks' bid for conquest are a string of team crippling cover ups on the heels of the greatest game of all.
The personal lives of these glory bound Knights unveils the emotional and spiritual scarring of their armor (or the lack thereof). All too familiar real life frailties of media exalted celebrities are apparent in "Destiny's Team." Glessner has penned a great sports novel that is deep in meaning on several levels.
"Destiny's Team" is not just about the game of football- it's about the game of life or, rather, about how society treats life as a game.
Characters are well developed and the sports atmosphere is very lifelike. The book reveals itself over a two week period, culminating in the excitement of the Super Bowl.
Glessner is obviously a well talented author and the action sometimes hits you off guard like a blindsided QB sack.
"Destiny's Team" is like NFL films in print as we look beyond the headlines of field goals and pigskin to see the athletes who confront issues that every reader has to face: life, temptation, sin and purpose. There is a great spiritual message here.
Thomas A. Glessner's "Destiny's Team" is a Heisman trophy winner of fiction with a very important story of redemption.
You'll love it.
The tale begins in the Pacific Northwest amidst the athletic frenzy of an NFL conference playoff game. Ready to attack on the gridiron are two important characters in "Destiny's Team", the Seahawks' young star quarterback, Jason O'Conner, and Seattle Head Coach, Paul Wagner.
Led by these two warriors of the game, the Seahawks cruised to a near perfect 15-1 record, guiding them to post season play. O'Conner, a rookie with an impressive short history, is the talk of the town and has the stressful role of providing leadership on the field.
After a rocky first half and a halftime tongue lashing, O'Conner leads his team with determined resolve. However, on the dramatic final play of the game, the youthful quarterback suffers a very serious injury.
This leaves a major question mark on the future ability of the Seahawks' gunslinger. Support for O'Conner surprisingly comes from the grizzled veteran, Zach Morrison, who was replaced by the young superstar. Morrison also has a few amazing secrets to divulge.
"Destiny's Team" starts to take a dark turn as NFL shortcuts and compromises are slowly displayed through off field antics and locker room dialogue (while still maintaining its' family friendly read). Also, at the heart of the Seahawks' bid for conquest are a string of team crippling cover ups on the heels of the greatest game of all.
The personal lives of these glory bound Knights unveils the emotional and spiritual scarring of their armor (or the lack thereof). All too familiar real life frailties of media exalted celebrities are apparent in "Destiny's Team." Glessner has penned a great sports novel that is deep in meaning on several levels.
"Destiny's Team" is not just about the game of football- it's about the game of life or, rather, about how society treats life as a game.
Characters are well developed and the sports atmosphere is very lifelike. The book reveals itself over a two week period, culminating in the excitement of the Super Bowl.
Glessner is obviously a well talented author and the action sometimes hits you off guard like a blindsided QB sack.
"Destiny's Team" is like NFL films in print as we look beyond the headlines of field goals and pigskin to see the athletes who confront issues that every reader has to face: life, temptation, sin and purpose. There is a great spiritual message here.
Thomas A. Glessner's "Destiny's Team" is a Heisman trophy winner of fiction with a very important story of redemption.
You'll love it.
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