Book description
George Plimptons classic Paper Lion set the bar for participatory sports journalism, as the author shares his experiences in training camp, trying out as a quarterback for the NFLs Detroit Lions, and eventually, playing in a preseason exhibition game. Displaying his characteristic wit and insight, Paper Lion was met with…
Why read it?
1 author picked Paper Lion as one of their favorite books. Why do they recommend it?
Perpetual sports amateur Plimpton once said of golf, “The smaller the ball, the better the book,” but ironically wrote a terrific bestseller in 1966 that fed America’s new and insatiable appetite about the NFL when he talked his way onto the Detroit Lions as a rather elderly, Yale-educated rookie quarterback.
What began as a PR stunt turned into a moving appreciation of the men, coaches, and sport when the Lions decided to take him seriously—albeit only as far as the preseason.
From Don's list on football from a sportswriter.
If you love Paper Lion...
These Blue Mountains
A moving story of love, betrayal, and the enduring power of hope in the face of darkness.
German pianist Hedda Schlagel's world collapsed when her fiancé, Fritz, vanished after being sent to an enemy alien camp in the United States during the Great War. Fifteen years later, in 1932, Hedda…
Want books like Paper Lion?
Our community of 12,000+ authors has personally recommended 20 books like Paper Lion.
Share your top 3 reads of 2025!
And get a beautiful page showing off your 3 favorite reads.
1,340
readers submitted
so far, will you?
📚 If you like Paper Lion, you might also like...
Miami Beat
Jose Castillo is a cynical, wise-cracking Cuban-American who restores classic cars. He’s also a private eye whose sarcastic ways sometimes get him into trouble.
One day, in the process of installing a four-barrel carburetor on a 1965 Mustang, into his shop walks trouble—in the shape of a mysterious, beautiful woman…
Bruce Songs
Bruce Songs is an authoritative guide that offers an in-depth exploration of Bruce Springsteen's musical legacy. Covering Springsteen's entire discography, from "Greetings from Asbury Park, N.J." to "Only the Strong Survive", this unique book combines historical context, literary analysis, and meticulous research.
Unlike any other resource, it provides detailed analyses…
