A Season on the Mat: Dan Gable and the Pursuit of Perfection

Nolan is an excellent writer that captured the genius of a true American hero.

A Season on the Mat is a story with three main characters: 1) Dan Gable, 2) The University of Iowa wrestling team, and 3) The team's varsity starters. The book is written in a compelling manner with excellent character development. I found myself cheering (sometimes almost out loud) when reading of the success of the team and the team's key athletes. Similarly, I found myself sorrowful when reading about their rare moments of failure.Nevertheless, the key character within the book is wrestling icon Dan Gable. Zavoral does an excellent job of providing an objective portrayal of Gable that should satisfy both the amateur wrestling aficionado and the uninitiated. I enjoyed reading about the life of Dan Gable; his relationship with his parents, his wife, his children, the state of Iowa, the University of Iowa administration, his assistant coaches, and his wrestlers; and the two key life moments that motivated him to worker harder than anyone else to reach the pinnacle as a wrestler and coach. Moreover, whereas most Gable biographies are written by sycophants who communicate only Gable's venerable qualities, Zavoral is equitable in also discussing Gable's eccentricities.Most reviewers have written favorably (and I would say accurately) regarding A Season on the Mat. Yet, a minority of reviewers have stated that the book lacks "justice," is "cheerless," and is "shallow." To this specious minority I say, "We must not have been reading the same book." The book provides justice in its balanced and detailed depiction of Dan Gable. Furthermore, I found myself almost cheering out loud when Gable's athletes overcame adversity via sweat and hard work to finally reach the podium at the culmination of a long and arduous season.Yes, the book is a little "shallow" when detailing the histories and experiences of the team's varsity starters or when describing the rigors of weight cutting or a Dan Gable practice. However, the book is not intended to be a 900 page tome that provides each character the same importance and coverage as the title character, Dan Gable. Nor is the book intended to be an encyclopedia of everything one needs to do to succeed at wrestling. Rather, the book is intended as a chronicle of the trials, tribulations, travails and outcomes relative to Gable's last season as Head Coach of the University of Iowa wrestling program. Therein, the book is highly successful as a quick, entertaining, page turner that tells a meritorious story of personal and athletic achievement.

I'm old enough to remember when the only way to see NCAA wrestling was on Wide World of Sports. Which is where I was introduced to Dan Gable. Undefeated through HS and College wrestling! All he had to do was beat Larry Owings of Washington (Who!) exactly. Black and White television, most dramatic thing I'd ever seen. Gable, inexplicably, loses! WW of Sports sputters, we can't believe this! By Gable's own words, the loss caused him to go on dominate AAU and Olympics in a way that has only been duplicated by Cael Sanderson (now, head coach of Pennsylvania). Wrestling is the ultimate combat sport and Dan Gable is its god. Buy and Read

Dan Gable is the face of wrestling. This book takes you through a championship season.

I have not read the book - it was a birthday gift for my 14-year-old grandson, who is a wrestler in Greenwood IN. I felt that Joelwould enjoy the book, not only for its content, but the lessons he can learn from Dan Gable, lessons about his life now and lessons about his future.

Entertainment

Best book on wrestling I've read and one of my favorite sports books - right up there with Friday Night Lights, Among the Thugs, and Whore of Akron.

Dan Gable is a beast