Book review: Fanatic

Villanova alumnus and Sports Illustrated senior editor Jim Gorant was nice enough to send me a copy of his new book, Fanatic: 10 Things All Sports Fans Should Do Before They Die.

Gorant's premise was that while he had been a devoted sports fan his entire life, he had not attended some of the major events no true fan should miss.

He decided to go on a dream tour around the world of sports, attending 10 of its most iconic games, tournaments, and races. Gorant's road trip stopped at events like the Super Bowl, the Masters, Wimbledon, and, of course, the Final Four.

The results are a fascinating look at the current state of athletics, and what makes them an essential part of our collective lives.

Gorant has a knack for capturing the quintessence of each sporting event, blending the mundane with the fantastic to transport readers right into the bleachers alongside him.

Villanova fans will be particularly interested in the chapter on the Final Four. Ever wonder what it was like to live on campus the fall after Villanova's national championship? Gorant was there, a freshman, living amongst the ecstasy only an NCAA championship could bring to the Main Line.

Gorant also describes an interesting phenomenon I never considered: as a member of the class of 1989, he barely missed the crowning moment on April 1, 1985. That near-miss increasingly plagued his class as it moved up through the ranks and even after graduation.

Check out Fanatic on Amazon.com. It's a good read for any sports fan.