Beyond the Final Score: There's More to Life Than the Game

By Tom Osborne

Book Overview

From the vast farmlands of Nebraska to the halls of Congress to the Green Zone in Iraq, Tom Osborne has become a legend by serving those around him and by always putting his God first. Perhaps no college football program in history has seen as much success as Osborne's did under his watch (255 wins in 25 seasons). But there is much more to Tom Osborne." Beyond the Final Score "chronicles his years as a congressman, educator, family man, mentor, and now athletic director. It reveals the character, values, and faith that have grounded him throughout his incredible journey. Like a good memoir, "Beyond the Final Score" goes right to the heart of a true American legend. It takes the reader on a walk trough surprising moments (such as the day he began training Iraqi women on how to change their nation), profound insights (there is more prayer in Washington than one might think), and many less-than-serious moments (such as the day he thought he was going to teach his wife how to fish). A rare book in which an American legend brings wisdom, sensibility, dignity, and spirituality to culture, worldview, politics, leadership, and what really matters in everyday life.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0764215280
• ISBN13: 9780764215285
• Release Date: August 2009
• Publisher: Bethany House Publishers
• Length: 256 Pages
• Weight: 1.08 lbs.
• Dimensions: 9.0" x 1.0" x 5.9"

Customer Reviews

There is more to life than the game.

A personal testimony from a man who backs it up with character and a strong faith. Beyond The Final Score by Tom Osborne is a must read book.

Tricky Title, Useful Book

This is a tricky title - like Faith in the Game - it has a double meaning. You might think it means "What is important in football besides the final score" and that would be partially right. But more importantly it means (I think) "What I have been doing since the last (final) time that an Osborne-coached team scored." In some sense, it is an update or extension of Dr. Osborne's previous books - More Than Winning, On Solid Ground, and Faith In The Game. The book is divided into short (one to four page) essays. At times the essays are closely related to develop an integrated story, and sometimes they are more stand-alone. The first two chapters are a review of his principles of integrity, honesty, doing things the right way, selflessness, the need to have a purpose in life, the importance of process, his spiritual journey as a Christian, and the Christian world view in contrast to other world views. The remaining chapters deal with Dr Osborne's service as a U. S. Congressman, his unsuccessful run for governor, leadership, his mentoring organization, his hobbies, and serving. Most of these chapters left me wanting more depth and breadth on the topic. Dr. Osborne has taught college courses in leadership, and I think he could write a book on leadership. Such a book could have wide appeal to anyone who wants to be a better leader. As it is, Beyond the Final Score has somewhat limited appeal to people who are not fans of either the Cornhuskers or Dr. Osborne. You might think it is egotistical to conclude the chapter on leadership with 13 pages containing 18 testimonies, from football players, coaches, and congressional staffers on Dr. Osborne's leadership. But the purpose of these testimonies is to show that the transformational leadership style that Dr. Osborne advocates can be highly effective and to encourage others to adopt this style.

Huskers

Tom Osborne is a "class act". I would expect nothing less with a Book written by him.

Another great volume by a great man

Former Nebraska football coach and one of the few useful Congressmen in the last 15 years has written a book that should provide spiritual and professional direction to all who care to read it. I have read each and every book Dr. Tom has written and never come away disappointed.