"Just Win, Baby, the Al Davis Story," is A Poor Account of the Life of Davis, by Mark Schurr

"Just Win, Baby, the Al Davis Story," by Murray Olderman released in August, 2012 is a fun read if you’re a die-hard Oakland Raider fan, but if your not a Raider enthusiast this book is a one star read.

Olderman, an award winning journalist has co-written one other book, a biography about Bart Starr; "My Life in Football," with Starr, the heralded quarterback of the Green Bay Packers in the 60s.

"The History of the American Football League, Featuring the Oakland Raiders," would have been a much better title for "Just Win, Baby, the Al Davis Story." Olderman only talked to Davis for a few hours and nobody else to write this novel.

Despite Olderman's inept research and misleading title, as a Raider aficionado I found it fascinating that Gene Upshaw, a hall of fame offensive lineman for the Raiders claims the Raiders would have appeared in three more Super Bowls had the NFL used instant replay in the 60s and 70s.

"Just Win Baby...," states bad calls kept the Raiders from beating the New York Jets in the 1969 AFL title game, the Pittsburgh Steelers in the AFC championship game in 1975 and the Denver Bronco's in the AFC title game in 1977. Factor in the immaculate reception by Franco Harris in 1972 and the bogus tuck rule made up in the 2001 AFC title game giving the New England Patriots and not the Raiders the win, the Raiders should have appeared in ten Super Bowls as opposed to five.

Olderman's novel, aside from its maladroit research occasionally strikes a cerebral cord of interest and relevancy to Davis's life. Former player and coach for the Raiders Tom Flores gave Davis the book, "The Art of War," a 2000 year-old book written by Sun Tzu. Davis used this book among others, especially novels about World War II for strategies in football which ultimately amassed three Super Bowl wins for the silver and black attack.

Anyone interested in detailed facts about the beginning and end of the AFL and many of its star players, Olderman's novel is a four star read. For those who want an in-depth look into the life and times of Davis, it's a one star read.

Olderman interviewed Davis for only two days to write about the man's life story. If Davis had been an intriguing 15-year-old, this little bit or research would have been sufficient. Davis who lived to the age of 82 was an iconic figure that coached and was a General Manager in professional football for more than 45 years. Olderman’s blundering research and exhaustive facts about AFL players who had nothing to do with Davis or the Raiders launched the book into sea of futility.

If Olderman is indeed a renowned journalist, why didn't he interview Mark Davis, Al's only child? Why didn't he talk with hall of fame Raider running back Marcus Allen who never resolved his feud with Davis? Olderman should have interviewed several players and coaches who both loved and loathed Davis for a true account of Davis's life.

The book is mostly about the Raiders, its players and the history of the now defunct AFL. The few times the novel mentions Davis, it's mostly things that could be found on the internet. If you want detailed facts about Davis, just don't read this book, if you like or love the Raiders it's a must read.