Scroll down four books and you’ll see Warren St. Johns clever book on fanaticism in the SEC, specifically among fans of the University of Alabama, even more specifically among the RV crowd. Gibbs did what evangelicals have been doing for decades…baptized the idea for the ‘Christian’ version. Remember those little helpful charts in Christian bookstores that would help you find a holy alternative to the secular bands you lived but felt so guilty about? “If you like Run-D.M.C., try D. C. Talk.” Well, that’s exactly what is going on here. If you like Rammer Jammer Yellow Hammer, but don’t want all the cursing and references to alcohol, then here’s the Christian alternative. Gibbs should send royalty checks to St. John. The only problem is his stories aren’t as good. I will say this, Gibbs is really funny. In fact, he’s funny enough I’d definitely pick up another book of his, provided it’s on sale for $4 on the clearance shelf like this one was. Seriously, his comedic skills kept me turning the pages.
What disappointed me most was the lack of depth regarding the balancing faith and football theme. He only skims the surface. He confesses his addiction to Auburn football, make that obsession, and takes the time to throw in a few guilty comments here and there, interviews fellow fans who struggle with this tension, even briefly describes attending church services in each of the cities visited. But the subtitle is deceptive; this is really a book about the SEC football fanaticism, not about faith.
**2 stars.
