Dr. Z, Paul Zimmerman
Dr. Z, Paul Zimmerman
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Dr. Z
The Lost Memoirs of an Irreverent Football Writer

Author: Paul Zimmerman, Peter King

Narrator: Barry Abrams

Unabridged: 12 hr 51 min

Format: Digital Audiobook Download

Publisher: Tantor Media

Published: 11/20/2018


Synopsis

During his nearly fifty years of sportswriting, including twenty-eight at Sports Illustrated, readers of Dr. Z came to expect a certain alchemical, trademark blend: words which were caustic and wry, at times self-deprecating or even puzzling, but always devilishly smart with arresting honesty. A complex package, that's the Doctor.

The one-time sparring partner of Ernest Hemingway, Paul Zimmerman is one of the modern era's groundbreaking football minds, a man who methodically charted every play while generating copious notes, a human precursor to the data analytics websites of today. In 2008, Zimmerman had nearly completed work on his personal memoirs when a series of strokes left him largely unable to speak, read, or write. Compiled and edited by longtime SI colleague Peter King, these are the stories he still wants to see told.

Dr. Z's memoir is a rich package of personalities, stories never shared about such characters as Vince Lombardi, Walter Payton, Lawrence Taylor, and Johnny Unitas. Even Joe Namath, with whom Zimmerman had a legendary and well-documented twenty-three-year feud, saw fit to eventually unburden himself to the remarkable scribe.

About Paul Zimmerman

Paul Zimmerman, known to generations of readers as "Dr. Z," was a sports writer for five decades, including nearly thirty years at Sports Illustrated, before being stricken by a series of strokes in 2008. His 1970 book The Thinking Man's Guide to Pro Football is regarded as an essential read for serious football fans.


Reviews

Goodreads review by Terry on September 18, 2017

To sort of paraphrase Forest Gump, "This book is like a box of chocolates". Each chapter different from the others, yet still full of tasty goodness. Some places in the book may not be easy for the younger non Football historian. But that is more than made up for with little gems spread throughout......more

Goodreads review by Anthony on August 21, 2017

For those who may remember Dr. Z's incisive and witty Sports Illustrated columns, ended by a stroke in 2008, this autobiography is a welcome reunion with an old friend. Zimmerman is full of fantastic stories about the early days of his sportswriting career, including boxing with Earnest Hemingway an......more

Goodreads review by RICK "SHAQ" on April 06, 2023

RICK “SHAQ” GOLDSTEIN SAYS: SAD SITUATION OF LIFE FOR DR Z… BUT AFTER YOUR PRAYERS… A BIBLE OF SPORTS & FOOTBALL WRITING ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Dr. Z … Paul Zimmerman… was (you’ll understand the “was” shortly… as he is still with us) a sportswrit......more

Goodreads review by Josh on August 28, 2022

I was always a fan of Paul Zimmerman at Sports Illustrated, and when he began doing more personal writing for SI Online I began really enjoying his work even more. His was a master of the mailbag, an irascible crank who was never afraid to let his opinions fly...but always had pretty damn good reaso......more

Goodreads review by Bret on January 14, 2020

Thank God for memoirs and e-collections. We can still have the scribbles and posts from Dr. Z. It's painful to see what could have been with his memoirs, but I'll take it. I challenge any sports fan to find a better football mind and writer who can nail tone, character, with a deft style like Paul Z......more