Review 56: Everything They Had (David Halberstam)

At times the writing is pedestrian; also, this book is surprisingly short of engagaging insights; however, the essay on "Men w/o Women" is a pretty good defintion of what 'fellowship' truly means. The essay "Sports Can Distract" is a breath of fresh air, showing that Sports can't really heal us if our lives are already empty. An excerpt: "I am made uneasy by those who seem to need sports too much, these crazed superfans who bring such obsessive behavior to games where complete strangers compete. There is an equation at work here: The more obsessive they are as fans, the emptier I suspect their real lives are...after 9/11...let me suggest that we will do well in the current difficult crises not because the 49ers do well...but rather if we as a nation are strong, wise, and patient." Halberstam shows the best sports can do is distract -- but that is no small thing, and actually a good thing in its place.Also, I can't understand why Halberstam argued against Jordan coming out of retirment ("Say it Ain't So, Mike"). Is 'you will ruin your legacy' really a reason? Perhaps Jordan added to his legacy a rather unflattering chapter, but not becaue of his play, but because of his selfishness. Still, Halberstam's prediction that the Wizards would be dreadful was right on the money, and a much more substantive reason for Jordan to either a) stay retired, or b) go to another team (preferably a contender).