I would like a copy of this book, The Now Revolution by Jay Baer and Amber Naslund so I can write a full review of it on this site, and  for BlogConsulting.com.

I am also a big fan of how Chris Moody set up a social media contest to give away the same title on his blog. Some people just get it. Check out the comments I wrote on his site and how quickly he responded. Very nice.

In 2006, a good friend of mine, Ried Holien, wrote a book called “Purple People.” The fun thing about this? It featured some of the stories from my childhood, and evolving passion for the Minnesota Vikings.

Since 1997, I have been tailgating with the coolest people in the NFL; Vikings fans. I was honored to be one of the subjects in this book, along with many other Vikings fans Read on…

The following is a review of the book “PURPLE PEOPLE”  written after it’s release in 2006. The book chronicles the story of ‘the best fans in the NFL, and the review was written by Jean Lundquist, The Free Press.

Many a book has been written about sports figures and teams, but “Purple People” is the first to be devoted to a team’s fans. The Purple People Ried Holien refers to are, of course, Minnesota Vikings fans.

Holien calls Vikings fans “the best fans in the NFL” and sets off to prove it in “Purple People”.

Although the book is humorous, “It’s not a fluff piece”, he explains, “though it is a positive take on Viking fans.”

The idea for the book came to him in 2002. He traveled from his home in South Dakota to take in a game and arrived a couple of hours early. He entertained himself by walking through the tailgating parking lots, watching the fans partying.

“The Vikes were two and five that season, and about to fall to two and six,” he says.

“Yet the lots were packed, and the fans were in a good mood.” As Holien thought about it, he realized the Vikings had a bad year the year before, and in fact, had a string of four to five years without much success.

He realized, he says, that “these people had built a culture above and beyond the team. The Vikes gave people an excuse to get together and have a good time anyway.”

“If you’re a Vikings fan,” Holien says, “you’ve had your heart ripped out a number of times.”

Holien says there are three different camps of fans. One group just plain loves to party. They are the ones most likely to be tailgating. A second group has a rich history with the Vikings. They are the ones most likely to watch games with family members. Holien lumps himself into the third group of fans.

“I have friends who are Vikings fans,” he says.

Last Sunday after the Vikings unexpectedly routed the Giants 41-17, Holien called co-author Steve Belatti in Oregon and talked about the game.

“Would we be friends without the Vikings?” he said. “Probably.” But he says that having the link of being Vikings fans adds a depth to their friendship.

Richard Lustberg is a renowned sports psychologist Holien went to when seeking validation for his claim that Vikings fans are the best. He says that Lustberg, when asked which football team has the best fans, immediately named the Vikings.

Vikings fans are the best, according to Lustberg, based on “loyalty, perseverance, and what they have had to go through.”

Holien adds that television ratings are high, the arena is usually sold out, and the Vikings have a nationwide fan base.

“You can’t say just because the team loses they have great fans,” he says. He admits the Vikings have had some black eyes for on and off the field behaviors.

Former Viking Randy Moss had run-ins with the law. There was that “love boat sex scandal” thing where a handful of Vikings faced criminal charges. Criminal charges came out of the Winter Blast fundraiser. And last year, Koren Robinson’s attempt to outrun police earned a year’s worth of legal hassles and court appearances.

“It’s been pretty hard to be a Vikings fan,” he says.

And yet, fans always show up.

Of the fans, Holien says, “They don’t have to be ashamed. It’s about who they are, not about the team.”

Growing up and living his entire life in South Dakota, Holien could have attached his loyalty to just about any team. Even a winning team. Though he has many relatives and friends in Minnesota, and considers himself to be “30 percent Minnesotan,” his loyalty is not based on geography.

“Playing football outside, with friends, boys always have to pick who they want to be,” he explains. Holien picked 1980s-era quarterback Tommy Kramer.

He started watching Kramer and the whole team. As a result, he has been a season ticket holder for the last 25 years.

Holien has been researching “Purple People” since his walk among tailgate parties in 2002. “I wanted the book to come out in a year when the Vikings were doing good, but I realized I could die before that happens.”

“Purple People” features interviews with former Vikings players and broadcasters. It also provides insider tales of training camps in Mankato, favorite haunts of players and fans, and stories from myriad fans.

I love reading baseball books. Ever since I was a kid, my favorite additional pastime  has been to pick up a book about the sport I love and read it. Of late, I have enjoyed going to garage sales, library scale down events, and even used book shops  in the Twin Cities to buy baseball books.

My wife thinks I am crazy to have so many books in the office, and  believes that they just collect dust and take up space. But, over the years, I have read almost every book that I have found. I will review each of these books soon, but thought I would share a partial list of a few of my favorite Twins books.  Most of these re available via eBay, or Amazon.

Cool Of The Evening: The 1965 Minnesota Twins (Perfect Paperback) by Jim Thielman (Author)
In 1965, the Minnesota Twins were an endless surprise. Baseball was the nation’s sport, and it gave people a little break from the world. The Minnesota Twins’ powerful lineup drew huge crowds in cities such as New York, Boston, and Los Angeles.

The Minnesota Twins (Team Spirit) (Library Binding)
Kids book, ages 9-12, 48 pages.

Kent Hrbek’s Tales from the Minnesota Twins Dugout (Tales) [ILLUSTRATED] (Hardcover) by Kent Hrbek (Author), Dennis Brackin (Author), Kent Hrbek (Author), Dennis Bracken. In his Minnesota Twins career, Kent Hrbek hit 293 home runs and helped his team to two World Series titles. But fans remember the hulking first baseman for much more than his solid play. Hrbek is a Twin Cities lifer, starring at Kennedy High School in nearby Bloomington, Minnesota before signing with the Twins.

Season of Dreams: The Minnesota Twins’ Drive to the 1991 World Championship (Hardcover) by Tom Kelly (Author), Ted Robinson (Author) This book depicts the opinions and experiences of the Minnesota Twins greatest manager, TK, during the magical 1991 World Champion season

Minnesota Twins Baseball Book (Baseball Newspaper Books, Volume 14) (Hardcover) by US HISTORIC (Author) A unique gift idea that will take the baseball fan back through the moments that made history!

Minnesota Twins Memo Book (6 Pack)
Product Description Whether you are at home, school, or work you can show your team pride with this MLB Minnesota Twins Memo Book. This is a 3″ x 5″ top opening (6 pack) of MLB Minnesota Twins Team Memo Books that contain 50 sheets of paper per Memo Book.

Be the Best You Can Be (Hardcover) by Kirby Puckett (Author)
Grade 2-4-A picture-book autobiography of the late Hall of Fame of the Minnesota Twins. Puckett describes highlights of his career and simultaneously admonishes readers to believe in themselves; be good people; and stay away from troublemakers, drugs, and tobacco.

Kirby Puckett’s Baseball Games (Paperback) by Kirby Puckett (Author), Andrew Gutelle (Author), Paul Meisel (Illustrator) Illustrated by Paul Meisel. With his solid work ethic, knowledge of baseball, and contagious enthusiasm, Kirby Puckett’s an inspiration to everyone on his team–a team that’s just been expanded to include every six- to nine-year-old who plays the game. Kerby Puckett s Baseball Games is an illustrated book about learning and improving basic baseball skills through 34 great games

I Love This Game!: My Life and Baseball (Paperback) by Kirby Puckett
In a style reflective of his engaging disposition, Puckett relives the events that led to his rise as one of baseball’s most proficient and popular players. As the title indicates, the star of the Minnesota Twins harbors a deep respect for the game, a conviction that governs his approach to matters on and off the field

Puck! Kirby Puckett: Baseball’s Last Warrior (Hardcover) by Chuck Carlson (Author)
This is the story of Kirby Puckett and his remarkable journey from the projects of the south. Chuck Carlson is author of Titletown Again, The Super Bowl Season of the 1996 Green Bay Packers and True Brew, the 25th anniversary commemorative book of the Milwaukee Brewers.

Rod Carew’s Art and Science of Hitting (Paperback) by Rod Carew, with Ian Ketey, and Pace after 19 seasons and 3000 major-league hits Carew has written an excellent book on “the single most difficult thing to do in sport.” Suitable for little leaguers on up to the professional ranks, the book outlines the fundamentals of hittingchoosing bats, the swing, the stancewith detail and clarity. The advanced aspects of hittinge.g., reading spin, situational hitting, and buntingreceive thorough treatment too.

Carew (Hardcover) by Rod Carew & Ira Berkow (Author) This is the story of former great Rod Carew from the Minnesota Twins adn California Angels. He tells us the story from a child in Panama to his Hall of Fame career. On the way, he marries a white woman, must deal with the results and insults from society. His wife is jewish and his telling of his acceptance and cultural shock is a must read.

Kirby Puckett. Approximately 32 pages. Author: James R. Rothaus. Publisher: The Child’s World, 1991

Tony O!: The trials and triumphs of Tony Oliva, by Tony Oliva (Author)

Youth League Hitting: Like a Champ (Youth League) (Paperback) by Tony Oliva (Author), Jack Clary (Author)

Harmon Killebrew, Baseball’s Superstar (Unknown Binding) by Wayne J Anderson (Author)

Cheaters BBQ Results:

Finally the moment had come. Time to serve the meal and hear the reviews. The first person who get a serving was the baby, who had just turned 1 year 3 months old. We chopped out the turkey breast for her and put it on the tray.

“Mmmmmmmmmm,” she mumbled, signalling for more.

“Well I am one for one!, ” I proclaimed proudly, knowing that she pretty much says the same thing for any meat or poultry we serve up to her.

Next, came the 5-year old mite hockey player. He is bit more finicky, and has not ever been a fan of poultry or pork. This would be a tough sell.

I cut off a few slices, and put them on his plate. He ate, smiled and said, “I like it daddy, I like it better than anything mommy has cooked, EVER!”

Now, that’s a loyal son, but I really think he was exaggerating. My wife is a fantastic cook, and actually could be a professional chef if she wanted. The woman does recipes from America’s Test Kitchen, and has a collection of cook books that rival my collection of Vikings games on DVD. I mean, if there was ever an expert of fine cooking, I am proud to say, that it would be her.

“So…. what do you think?” I asked her, expecting a direct and poignant critique.

“Well, honestly, it is really good. The breast is a little dry, but most turkey breast is hard to keep completely moist, and that is not the recipe’s fault. I think you did well, and the taste is very good. You could do this again, and try some other rubs with it too to keep it different. I am impressed that you could pull this off with just a crock pot, and basic preparations. Good job.”

So, there you have it. One recipe, one random attempt, and plenty of left overs later, I am very proud of my first achievement with the help of this book. I would strongly recommend this resource for those who need to impress a hearty lot of tailgaters from the lot, a first date, or those with no cooking experience at all (like me).

I know I will be using this book more in the future, as I try to become a better cook for my family.

Cheater BBQ is less than $20, and You can buy at Amazon.com. You won’t get a better bargain for such a great assortment of tailgating recipes!!!

Is Cheater Barbecue good? It’s fantastic. Does it taste like barbecue? Yes, it does. In test after test around the kitchen table, Cheater Pulled Pork and Cheater Ribs disappeared just as fast as Memphis’ Corky’s, Nashville’s Witt’s and even backyard-smoked pork and ribs.

It’s simple. Live, love, cheat.

Read Part 1