By Michael Holley, HarperCollins, October 2005

When Bill Belichick arrived in New England, the Patriots were a laughingstock, an organization with a losing record and a roster of overpaid, underperforming players. So how did a head coach with a questionable record transform this team, garner three Lombardi trophies in four years, and -- with the Pats' 2005 Super Bowl win over the Philadelphia Eagles -- cement the team's place as an NFL dynasty?

With unprecedented access granted by Belichick and his staff, author Michael Holley spent two years with the coach, his team, and his brain trust. Holley provides insights into how Belichick and his coaching cabinet prepare for opponents, evaluate talent, run the draft, and design their offensive and defensive schemes. Patriot Reign captures Belichick at his most candid, and what emerges is a portrait of a complicated man who is cerebral, yes, but also tough, demanding, stubborn, funny, profane, and a master strategist.

Frank, uncompromising, and stunning, Patriot Reign is required reading for football fans who want to understand what makes a champion tick.

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Book Review: Patriot Reign - by Michael Holley

In any other year, the New England Patriots' record-setting 21 straight wins would have been the top story across sports pages nationwide. Of course, 2004 wasn't any other--it was the year the Boston Red Sox won their first World Series in 86 years. Nonetheless, it remains a nearly inarguable fact that Bill Bellichick's Patriots are shaping up to be the first real dynasty of the millennium. What makes the success of the team even more amazing is that just four years ago, all of this would have been unthinkable.

In Patriot Reign, a surprisingly in-depth look at the three years in which Bellichick and New England captured two Lombardi trophies, veteran Boston Globe writer Michael Holley gives fans a behind-the-scenes peek at an amazing coach and an amazing team. Though Holley ostensibly doesn't pull any punches, exploring briefly the difficult years in which the franchise struggled under the guidance of Bill Parcells and the sidelining of star quarterback Drew Bledsoe in favor of sixth-round draft pick Tom Brady, the writer is clearly enamored of his subject matter. There is no moment at which Holley deigns not to praise Bellichick, who, though he may be considered the best coach in the NFL by some, is virtually canonized by Holley's glowing prose.

No one disputes that the Pats are Bellichick's team, so its not surprising that much of the book focuses on the head coach, both on and off the field. Since understanding Bellichick's approach to football necessitates understanding his approach to life, Holley delves into everything from the man's college years to his parenting skills.  Read More...

About the Author:

A former columnist for the Boston Globe, Michael Holley is one of the most respected voices in sports media. Holley gained national exposure on ESPN's Around the Horn and recently became a co-host of I, Max on Fox Sports. He divides his time between Boston and New York.

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