Drive for Five: The Remarkable Run of the 2016 Patriots - Hardcover

Price, Christopher

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 1250167051 ISBN 13: 9781250167057

Publisher: St. Martin's Press, 2017

Synopsis

Foreword by Patriots safety Devin McCourty
Afterword by Patriots wide receiver Matthew Slater

A behind-the-scenes look at the legendary 2016 New England Patriots season from the rocky start to the superbowl finish by award-winning sportswriter Christopher Price.

There are certain moments that simply transcend sports. They become larger than life and bigger than anyone ever thought possible, leaping off the field, the court, or the diamond and into the annals of not only history, but the very fabric of the American milieu. We all just witnessed such a moment on February 5th, 2017, when the New England Patriots battled back from the largest deficit in Super Bowl history to once again become world champions and secure Tom Brady’s legacy as the greatest quarterback of all time.

Amid a season of controversy, turmoil, and the most tumultuous political climate of our lifetime, the Patriots won. In spite of becoming entangled in the national spotlight on several occasions, the Patriots won. And in spite of being faced with any number of circumstances that would sink almost every other franchise in the NFL, the Patriots won.

The season began with the fallout around Deflategate and losing their MVP-caliber quarterback for the first four games of the season, but honestly, the Deflategate saga was just a small part of it all.

This is the story of how the Patriots rallied together as a team to surpass their obstacles on and off the football field and how that led to a remarkable run to the title – and the biggest comeback in Super Bowl history.

Complete with player interviews, behind-the-scenes stories never told before, and content provided by Patriots players themselves, Drive for Five provides a unique level of insight and access to the story behind the legendary New England Patriots’ 2016 season.

About this title

About the Author

Christopher Price is an award-winning sportswriter who has worked as a contributor to ESPN.com, SI.com, WEEI.com, and Baseball America, as well as The Boston Globe, The Washington Post, The Miami Herald and The Cape Cod Times. He’s the author of New England Patriots: The Complete Illustrated History, Baseball by the Beach and The Blueprint: How the New England Patriots Beat the System to Create the Last Great NFL Superpower. He lives outside of Boston with his wife Kate, his son Noah and their cat Stretch.

Review

"True believers across Patriot Nation will be gratified..." ―Kirkus Reviews

"Breaking into the inner sanctuary of the New England Patriots is about as easy as breaking out of Leavenworth. Yet somehow Chris Price not only sneaks in, but takes us along on an up-close-and-personal tour of the magnificent 2016 season. Price's reporting is impeccable, his attention to detail unrivaled. This is a terrific football book." ―Jeff Pearlman, New York Times bestselling author of Gunslinger

"For more than a decade, Chris has had an inside-the-ropes seat for the Patriots dynasty. He’s told the biggest stories and those just off the radar in a way that fully serves the true Patriots fan. Drive for Five is a perfect example of that. In one of the franchise’s biggest moments, the epic Super Bowl comeback and culmination of a season’s work, Chris is right there telling you more than you knew before. When you flip the final page, you’ll be fully educated and entertained―ready to see if New England can make it six.” ―Ian Rapoport, NFL Network

"The 2016 Patriots weren't just about the Tom Brady Revenge Tour. There are a ton of stories revolving around that team: Bill Parcells' quarterback protege, the cornerback the Eagles gave up on, and the Black Unicorn, for example. Christopher Price knows the Patriots inside and out, from the locker room to the field, and can take you in-depth into that triumphant Super Bowl season." ―Aaron Schatz, Editor-In-Chief, Football Outsiders

“If someone turned in a Hollywood script that turned out to be the actual 2016 Patriots season, it might have been returned because it was too hard to believe. There were so many compelling stories within the overall story that made this one of the unforgettable, historic seasons in Patriots and NFL history. Chris was there every step of the way –watching on the hill at training camp, in the press box at games and in the locker room each day. He has a unique viewpoint to share, which is why Drive for Five is a must-have on a Patriots fan’s bookshelf.” ―Mike Reiss, ESPN

“While the Patriots‘ improbable comeback against the Falcons began in the third quarter of Super Bowl LI, it was born of toughness and togetherness forged in the earliest hours of training camp. Those traits revealed themselves from the season’s first four games sans Tom Brady through its climactic score by James White. Along the way -- all the way -- Chris Price continued to probe well beyond the box scores, driven by an insatiable curiosity about each individual’s story. In Drive For Five, you’ll gain insight into what defined the 2016 Patriots, as well as what makes Chris one of the most respected reporters on New England’s football beat.” ―Bob Socci, Patriots Broadcaster, 98.5 The Sports Hub

"Chris has a keen eye, a deft touch and that reporter's knack to know when to look left when everyone else is looking right. Drive For Five is not just a firsthand recap of the New England Patriots' wild and unbelievable season; it's a sluicing and gold panning for what really is the most fascinating team in the NFL today. Bill Belichick might not be the most revealing coach, but Chris has always done a terrific job of tapping into what makes the most brilliant leader in the NFL tick. This is a well-crafted, fascinating look at the most prosperous football ecology in this generation, or perhaps any the NFL has seen." ―Eric Edholm

Praise for The Blueprint:
"An excellent modern day history of the New England Patriots franchise.... This is a book that Patriots fans, and football fans in general, should greatly enjoy." ―The Bleacher Report

"A solid addition to the growing shelf of books on a remarkable team." ―Kirkus Reviews

"[Price] delivers a brisk narrative... and a thorough examination." ―New York Times

"Football fans who can't seem to get enough of the game will enjoy this profile." ―Booklist

"A highly diverting read." ―Publishers Weekly

"A Moneyball-like look at how coach Bill Belichick and personnel man Scott Pioli built the New England Patriots dynasty." ―Sports Illustrated

“Price’s research is thorough, and his storytelling shows a creative flair....It has to be considered a winner.” ―The Boston Globe

"A fascinating book" ―Philadelphia Daily News

About this edition

• Publisher: St. Martin's Press
• Publication date: 2017
• ISBN 10: 1250167051
• ISBN 13: 9781250167057
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 320