"Do you have to be a male jock to talk like one?"

Witty, hilarious and packed full of sports trivia is how you would describe Teri burns book HOW TO BECOME AN ATHLETIC SUPPORTER: YOU DON'T HAVE TO WEAR A JOCK TO TALK LIKE ONE. In fact, Burns in several instances, could be compared to a stand up comic performing her "shtick." Based on the premise that the majority of men and women have diametrically different perceptions of viewing and participating in sports activities, Burns sets out to bridge the gap. Her major contention is that you don't have to be a male jock to talk like one. All you have to do is to know some sports' trivia and diplomatically throw it around, "ET VOILA" you are on your way. Concentrating on the big four, baseball, basketball, football and hockey, Burns gives her female readers a crash course in the fundamental intricacies of these popular viewer sports.

To keep you awake, humour is effectively blended in with tidbits pertaining to personal observations, statistics and other earth shattering sports' data. In Burns own words, "I think there is a wealth of material for those who wish to poke fun at professional sports, because ordinarily it's a subject that's taken waaaaay too seriously."

As she maintains in the book, you do realize that for the most part, male viewers are the phantom coaches. They have convinced themselves that they control the action. Without their yelling at the television screen "go team go" there is no way their team would have won.

When I asked Burns what was her objective in writing the book, she informed me that "she had set out to provide basic information to sports novices in as entertaining a way as possible. I want women to know that sports can be fun and not be intimidated by the lingo or the rules. It's just sports-it's not rocket science!"

Furthermore, "she hopes that the book will contribute to more couples spending time together on the weekend, even if it is in front of the TV, watching a game, eating popcorn! Women should read it if they want to learn more about their men's obsessions. And guys who want to learn more about the fascinating ways the female mind works should read it too."

If all of this sounds like an interesting read, it is, particularly for those women who would like to convince their male friends that they are "lady jocks." Incidentally, for you male sports enthusiasts, believe me, the author's knowledge of the subject matter is very impressive.

Reviewed by Norman Goldman
Posted November 7, 2002