Iron in the Blood - by Jay Busbee (Hardcover)

About the Book

"Yahoo! Sports senior writer Jay Busbee traces the perpetual impact of football in Alabama, from the days of Reconstruction all the way to the hyper partisan battles of 2020 and beyond. From the Kick Six to the poisoned oaks at Toomer's Corners, Iron in the Blood revels in the victories of both schools and examines the iconic figures connected with both programs, as well as their unprecedented impact on football and social justice alike, all while paying homage to the beating heart of the Alabama-Auburn rivalry: the dedicated fanbase"-- Provided by publisher.

Book Synopsis

"Tells the story of college football in the South in the best way it can be told: through the annual exercise of pleasure and pain." --Wall Street Journal

"A football history that's both detailed and panoramic. As expected for a football book, Busbee offers a generous serving of play-by-play, game-by-game, fight song, and mascot details, but in a well-organized structure and smoothly flowing text." --Booklist

The story of college football in Alabama is the story of the South itself. This behind-the-scenes account of the Alabama vs. Auburn rivalry, one of the fiercest in American sports, details its rich history, celebrates the triumphs of both teams, and showcases the larger-than-life power of football to break down barriers and shape an entire culture.

For Alabama and Auburn, football isn't life. It's much more important than that. Their rivalry is a multigenerational one, fueled by rage and redemption, and they clash every autumn with ferocity and defiance. But the shockwaves of their feud have transcended the football field, entering into politics, advancing civil rights, energizing millions, and opening up eyes and hearts in a way even religion never could.

Yahoo Sports senior writer Jay Busbee traces the perpetual impact of football in Alabama, from the days of Reconstruction, through the Civil Rights era, to the hyper-partisan climate of the 2020s. From Bear to Bo, from Cam to Nick, from Toomer's Corner to Denny Chimes, Iron in the Blood revels in the victories of both schools and dives deep into the iconic figures connected with both programs.

Iron in the Blood is an up-close look at one of America's most colorful sports rivalries, but it's also a glimpse into the joy and agony of being a die-hard football fan. It's the dramatic history of how football has defined a state, inside and outside its stadiums. And it's the story of how Alabama understands that football is both a magnificent way to celebrate its brightest days and a welcome path to climb out of its darkest ones.

Review Quotes

"One of America's great writers tackles one of America's great rivalries, a combination as perfect as Denny Chimes and Toomer's Corner. Auburn-Alabama is more than a football game. It's a cultural phenomenon, equal parts colorful and historic, fascinating and fun."

--Dan Wetzel, New York Times Bestselling Author, Resilience and ESPN National Columnist

"Jay Busbee has brought the rich history, tradition, and passion of Alabama-Auburn to life in this book--from the early days to their biggest moments, larger-than-life coaches, rivalry-defining plays, and everything in between."

--Andrea Adelson, ESPN College Football Senior Writer

"Deeply reported, lyrical, moving, poignant, and at times side-splittingly funny, Busbee has delivered the authoritative book on the only rivalry in the world that people plan weddings around, delay funerals for, and, once upon a time, killed some sacred trees over."

--Lars Anderson, New York Times Bestselling Author, The Mannings

"Jay Busbee looks under every scrap of iron in the yard to discover the roots of college football's most ridiculously passionate rivalry."

--Ryan McGee, New York Times Bestselling Coauthor, Racing to the Finish and ESPN College Football Reporter

"Iron in the Blood is a wonderful tribute to one of college football's most storied rivalries. Jay Busbee brings the passion, history, and electric atmosphere that define the annual clash to the page in a way that kept me from putting it down."

--Tom Fornelli, CBS Sports College Football Reporter

"Iron in the Blood takes us into one of the most hate-filled rivalries in college football. Jay gives us readers a fascinating, detailed look into the longtime football war between Auburn and Alabama. With so many colorful coaches, rabid fans, and involved politicians, Jay brings to light why the Iron Bowl is so much more than just a series of games."

--Ross Dellenger, Yahoo Sports College Football Reporter

About the Author

Jay Busbee is a senior writer for Yahoo Sports, where he's covered the Olympics, the Super Bowl, the World Series, the Masters, the Daytona 500, the Kentucky Derby and, of course, the Iron Bowl. He is also the host of NASCAR Studios' "Home Turn" travel/history show, and he writes a weekly Southern culture Substack newsletter, Flashlight & A Biscuit. Jay's work has been honored by Best American Sports Writing and his book Earnhardt Nation, a biography of NASCAR's Earnhardt family, won praise from both Kirkus and Publishers Weekly for its in-depth research and narrative scope. He lives in Atlanta with his family and worships at the church of SEC football.