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Stick a Fork in Me
Praise for the work of Dan Jenkins:
"...the best sportswriter in America." --Larry King
"Dan Jenkins is the nearest thing to Ring Lardner this generation has ever seen. No one has captured the essential lunacy of the twentieth-century sports (and TV) scene as accurately and hilariously as this." --Los Angeles Times
"Dan Jenkins is a comic genius." --Don Imus
"Dan Jenkins has been among America's best and funniest sportswriters for more than six decades." --The New York Times
"Jenkins is hilarious, providing more laughs per page than any other writer in the 'bidness.'" --People
Pete Wallace, a good old boy from Texas, paid his dues coaching football on obscure campuses in the boondocks of America until he landed the athletic director's job at Western Ohio University. For 15 years, he has steadily and skillfully guided the school into the high society of major college sports.
But now Pete, fed up with politically correct campus culture and babysitting fragile egos, is retiring from the "arms race." As he waits for the university's board of trustees to act on his early retirement package, he reflects on his career, the people he's come across, and what life will be like in retirement.
Pete's story is told in Jenkins's unmistakable, raucous, old-school style, and it's full of colorful, absurd, and downright crazy characters--from clueless trustees and busybody protestors to prima donna football coaches and booster club pests. Stick a Fork in Me is a rollicking, no-holds-barred tour of the world of big-time college sports.
"...the best sportswriter in America." --Larry King
"Dan Jenkins is the nearest thing to Ring Lardner this generation has ever seen. No one has captured the essential lunacy of the twentieth-century sports (and TV) scene as accurately and hilariously as this." --Los Angeles Times
"Dan Jenkins is a comic genius." --Don Imus
"Dan Jenkins has been among America's best and funniest sportswriters for more than six decades." --The New York Times
"Jenkins is hilarious, providing more laughs per page than any other writer in the 'bidness.'" --People
Pete Wallace, a good old boy from Texas, paid his dues coaching football on obscure campuses in the boondocks of America until he landed the athletic director's job at Western Ohio University. For 15 years, he has steadily and skillfully guided the school into the high society of major college sports.
But now Pete, fed up with politically correct campus culture and babysitting fragile egos, is retiring from the "arms race." As he waits for the university's board of trustees to act on his early retirement package, he reflects on his career, the people he's come across, and what life will be like in retirement.
Pete's story is told in Jenkins's unmistakable, raucous, old-school style, and it's full of colorful, absurd, and downright crazy characters--from clueless trustees and busybody protestors to prima donna football coaches and booster club pests. Stick a Fork in Me is a rollicking, no-holds-barred tour of the world of big-time college sports.
225 pages, Kindle Edition
Published January 1, 2017
72 people are currently reading
391 people want to read
About the author
Dan Jenkins
79 books52 followersDan Jenkins was an American author and sportswriter, most notably for Sports Illustrated.
Jenkins was born and raised in Fort Worth, Texas, where he attended R.L. Paschal High School and Texas Christian University (TCU), where he played on the varsity golf team. Jenkins worked for many publications including the Fort Worth Press, Dallas Times Herald, Playboy, and Sports Illustrated. In 1985 he retired from Sports Illustrated and began writing books full-time and maintained a monthly column in Golf Digest magazine.
Larry King called Jenkins "the quintessential Sports Illustrated writer" and "the best sportswriter in America." Jenkins authored numerous works and over 500 articles for Sports Illustrated. In 1972, Jenkins wrote his first novel, Semi-Tough.
His daughter, Sally Jenkins, is a sports columnist for the Washington Post.
Jenkins was born and raised in Fort Worth, Texas, where he attended R.L. Paschal High School and Texas Christian University (TCU), where he played on the varsity golf team. Jenkins worked for many publications including the Fort Worth Press, Dallas Times Herald, Playboy, and Sports Illustrated. In 1985 he retired from Sports Illustrated and began writing books full-time and maintained a monthly column in Golf Digest magazine.
Larry King called Jenkins "the quintessential Sports Illustrated writer" and "the best sportswriter in America." Jenkins authored numerous works and over 500 articles for Sports Illustrated. In 1972, Jenkins wrote his first novel, Semi-Tough.
His daughter, Sally Jenkins, is a sports columnist for the Washington Post.
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Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
April 2, 2017
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an Advanced Reader Copy in exchange for an honest review.
I'm a little biased because I love college football, please keep that in mind, as I graduated from Texas A&M in 1997 during the time before Johnny Manziel was both the hero and the embarrassment of the campus. We never ran up the score on our opponents, we always deferred to the second half, we never ever booed and we certainly never lost a game. If we didn't come out on top, it was because we ran out of time or were "outscored." ;)
So when I saw this book by Dan Jenkins starring an Athletic Director of a fictional NCAA powerhouse, I figured it was up my alley. In truth, it was very funny but also very stereotypical. There wasn't an overarching plot as much as small chapters including various scenes involving the AD. The characters were pretty entertaining but again, rather 2-dimensional.
The football fan in your family will probably enjoy this novel as a quick read, but if you are looking for some literary depth, you may want to take a look at *Billy Lynn's Long Half-Time Walk.*
I'm a little biased because I love college football, please keep that in mind, as I graduated from Texas A&M in 1997 during the time before Johnny Manziel was both the hero and the embarrassment of the campus. We never ran up the score on our opponents, we always deferred to the second half, we never ever booed and we certainly never lost a game. If we didn't come out on top, it was because we ran out of time or were "outscored." ;)
So when I saw this book by Dan Jenkins starring an Athletic Director of a fictional NCAA powerhouse, I figured it was up my alley. In truth, it was very funny but also very stereotypical. There wasn't an overarching plot as much as small chapters including various scenes involving the AD. The characters were pretty entertaining but again, rather 2-dimensional.
The football fan in your family will probably enjoy this novel as a quick read, but if you are looking for some literary depth, you may want to take a look at *Billy Lynn's Long Half-Time Walk.*
April 10, 2017
I won this book in a giveaway and really enjoyed it. It was funny, I even laughed out loud. The author made the main character Pete Wallace someone I would love to meet at a dinner party! His remarks, stories and comments would make any party more exciting not to mention his wife's sarcastic comebacks.
July 31, 2017
This was a great book. It kinda reminded me of Grisham's Bleachers but this was funnier. A narrator that is anything but PC makes the book enjoyable in my opinion.
October 25, 2017
While Dan Jenkins book has been available for a while, nothing is more timely at this time of a FBI and Department of Justice investigation into big time college basketball than a wildly funny, broadly satirical look at the world of big time college athletics from a master like Mr. Jenkins.While the real news will make you alternately ready to cry in frustration and anger one day and deep sadness the next, you will be laughing out loud on almost every page of this book.
Pete Wallace, a Texas good ole boy like Dan Jenkins, is about to retire as athletic director of fictional Western Ohio University, a new member of the decidedly non-fictional Big Ten Conference, one of the richest, most powerful athletic conferences in these United States. Pete is expecting a serious retirement bonus as a result of getting WOU into the Big Ten. He talks about writing a book about his experiences as he is writing one.
In this book, the one we are reading, he tell of all the institutions he served on his way to Western Ohio, his golf coach wife who loves golf probably more than anything in life including Pete and his gorgeous assistant athletic director. Needless to say, the two women form a personal subplot of the book resolved at it very end.
As has been pointed out, a highlight of any Dan Jenkins novel is the names of his many over the top characters and he does not let us down here. Pete is able to regale us with stories featuring a cast of characters at home in any Texas tale with names that you cannot say out loud without laughing - in a good way. Jenkins is a master comedic story teller and he does his work well here. He give Pete ample opportunity to spin yarns that are too fantastic to be believed and too funny to not have the ring of truth.
As I said in the beginning, this book arrived in the right year. College athletics will be held up for all the world to see just how corrupt and dirty it can be and usually is when played at the highest level. What Dan Jenkins has done is allowed a brief moment to laugh at those folks who cause it be that way - the administrators, faculty, boosters, shoe companies,fans and, yes, students. It is welcome relief and I am indebted to Dan for it.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
Pete Wallace, a Texas good ole boy like Dan Jenkins, is about to retire as athletic director of fictional Western Ohio University, a new member of the decidedly non-fictional Big Ten Conference, one of the richest, most powerful athletic conferences in these United States. Pete is expecting a serious retirement bonus as a result of getting WOU into the Big Ten. He talks about writing a book about his experiences as he is writing one.
In this book, the one we are reading, he tell of all the institutions he served on his way to Western Ohio, his golf coach wife who loves golf probably more than anything in life including Pete and his gorgeous assistant athletic director. Needless to say, the two women form a personal subplot of the book resolved at it very end.
As has been pointed out, a highlight of any Dan Jenkins novel is the names of his many over the top characters and he does not let us down here. Pete is able to regale us with stories featuring a cast of characters at home in any Texas tale with names that you cannot say out loud without laughing - in a good way. Jenkins is a master comedic story teller and he does his work well here. He give Pete ample opportunity to spin yarns that are too fantastic to be believed and too funny to not have the ring of truth.
As I said in the beginning, this book arrived in the right year. College athletics will be held up for all the world to see just how corrupt and dirty it can be and usually is when played at the highest level. What Dan Jenkins has done is allowed a brief moment to laugh at those folks who cause it be that way - the administrators, faculty, boosters, shoe companies,fans and, yes, students. It is welcome relief and I am indebted to Dan for it.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
November 17, 2018
This is without a doubt the worst book I have ever read. I wanted to finish the book so I could write a negative review.
Where to begin. The author goes out of his way to demonstrate how he is not politically correct and make fun of various people and groups on the left. The problem: nothing he writes is in the least bit amusing. I have not read any of this author's other books but I hope that this book is an aberration.
The author also just seems to be desperately trying to get enough pages to come up with a book that can be released. There is no plot, there is no point. At one point he introduces a character who is an old time baseball coach at the college. The only point: so the author can ramble on for five pages about baseball and its place in America, and its decline, and, well who knows what else.
There are no insightful points, there is no humor, there are no stories of any interest. What a terrible book.
Where to begin. The author goes out of his way to demonstrate how he is not politically correct and make fun of various people and groups on the left. The problem: nothing he writes is in the least bit amusing. I have not read any of this author's other books but I hope that this book is an aberration.
The author also just seems to be desperately trying to get enough pages to come up with a book that can be released. There is no plot, there is no point. At one point he introduces a character who is an old time baseball coach at the college. The only point: so the author can ramble on for five pages about baseball and its place in America, and its decline, and, well who knows what else.
There are no insightful points, there is no humor, there are no stories of any interest. What a terrible book.
September 1, 2019
Stick a Fork in Me is another wonderful book by Dan Jenkins, especially this day and age of constant political correctness. This time the book is about an Athletic Director on the eve of his retirement as he recounts all that he has had to endure dealing with the sports programs at a medium size university.
The book says it’s fiction but you know at least half of it is likely true.
Dan Jenkins was an amazing writer of fiction books about his two favorite subjects football especially college, and Gold, was well as an excellent sports column writer, mostly at Sports Illustrated.
His books are always full of laughs.
The book says it’s fiction but you know at least half of it is likely true.
Dan Jenkins was an amazing writer of fiction books about his two favorite subjects football especially college, and Gold, was well as an excellent sports column writer, mostly at Sports Illustrated.
His books are always full of laughs.
December 9, 2018
I found Jenkins' book amusing, informative and an easy read. There is probably a lot of truth and fact in this work of fiction. I bet a lot of athletic directors would enjoy and identify with this book. There are so many challenges for ADs, spoiled athletes, spoiled coaches, grumbling alumni, a critical press and dealing with the NCAA, College Board of Directors, interest groups etc.
Even Pete Wallace's personal life is a challenge with a wife who is never satisfied. But he finds a happy ending in this part of his life...
Easy read. Slow in some parts but an entertaining sports book.
Even Pete Wallace's personal life is a challenge with a wife who is never satisfied. But he finds a happy ending in this part of his life...
Easy read. Slow in some parts but an entertaining sports book.
August 30, 2023
Jenkins is a laugh riot... But?
If you asked me who is the funniest writer about sports anywhere, it's Dan Jenkins by a country Mile. If you asked Dan Jenkins (RIP) to write a novel without the same Texas/Fort Worth characters or their absolute cousins, he couldn't. Stick a Fork in Me is a laugh riot, but it's only a re hash of the characters and stories of his other novels. Funny yes, different no. Read Jenkins on real golf to see his real brilliance.
If you asked me who is the funniest writer about sports anywhere, it's Dan Jenkins by a country Mile. If you asked Dan Jenkins (RIP) to write a novel without the same Texas/Fort Worth characters or their absolute cousins, he couldn't. Stick a Fork in Me is a laugh riot, but it's only a re hash of the characters and stories of his other novels. Funny yes, different no. Read Jenkins on real golf to see his real brilliance.
February 7, 2021
Irreverent Tale of College Sports and Life
A hilarious tale of the business of college athletics and the people that deal with its operation. Told in a light, breezy, and humorous manner, but allows the reader to reflect on how college sports has at times become the theater of the absurd! A fun and easy read!!
A hilarious tale of the business of college athletics and the people that deal with its operation. Told in a light, breezy, and humorous manner, but allows the reader to reflect on how college sports has at times become the theater of the absurd! A fun and easy read!!
February 18, 2019
This was a very funny and interesting book. Mr. Jenkins takes many shots at political correctness. I felt like I was reading a book by Earl Pitts. I have not laughed from a sports book since Fatso. I highly recommend this book.
May 6, 2017
Stick a Fork in Me is hilarious. It is an entertaining read about the life of a college athletic director and college sports. Thanks to the Goodreads giveaway for introducing me to Dan Jenkins.
June 21, 2017
Another fun frolic into sorts management from an insider. The humor was ok, not LOL kind of stuff but witty. Grounded, genuine USA college sports experience. Fun vacation read.
March 25, 2018
Refreshing and entertaining as one would expect from a Dan Jenkins novel. A wonderful respite from scandal, vitriol, and hysterical political correctness.
May 16, 2018
Meh. This book was funny in some spots, but overall just ok. The characters were a bit flat and too predictable. 5/10
December 21, 2018
This book made me laugh and cringe at various points. Overall, I think it's a fun read.
June 1, 2019
A fun romp through college athletics (and other topics). Very irreverent, but with some carefully captured insights. Not for the extreme politically correct crowd or those who are easily offended.
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March 17, 2020Great read. Love all Dan Jenkins books
June 20, 2017
Welp. This was a disappointment. Mr. Jenkins has never been politically correct, but he used to be funny enough that I thought of him as a favorite author. This book doesn't have a plot, per se; just a vague story line that allows the author to complain about all the things that annoy him as an old white guy from Texas, not necessarily in an amusing way. I added a star for the names he gave the college bowl games.
May 12, 2019
Stick a fork in this book...it's Jenkins's worst novel. It's a final, rambling piece of semi-fiction from a dedicated and rabid right-winger, which explains why it was never published nationally by a major publisher. Can't believe the writer of Semi-Tough wrote this semi-novel without much of a plot and designed to alienate anyone under the age of 60.
January 20, 2017
Fun book.
May 7, 2017
I thought I had ordered a novel, but instead this book is nothing but a series of generally unconnected, fictitious anecdotes. Some are amusing, but the lack of coherence left me cold.
April 7, 2017
I received this book from Goodreads Giveaway. I have to say I know nothing about football, never watched a game, however this book kept me interested and was very entertaining.
Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews