Al Davis: Behind the Raiders Shield

By: Bruce Kebric, Jon Kingdon, Steve Corkran

Narrated by: Scott O'Dell

Length: 11 hrs and 22 mins

Publisher's summary

Al Davis was such a polarizing figure that people either admired or despised him. Most cared about what Davis thought on any issue, and he was captivating before an audience. Yet Davis rarely revealed much about himself, his philosophy and decision-making. Everyone knew of Davis and his catchy slogans, especially "Just Win, Baby". But no one knew much about the man. Everyone, it seemed, had a strong opinion about Davis, but precious few had enough information about Davis to proffer an informed description.

For the first time, people will receive an accurate, detailed portrayal of a man in the pantheon of notable sports figures of the 20th century, in a book chock-full of firsthand accounts from those who were present and played a role in many of the seminal moments in Davis illustrious career as the patriarch of the Raiders. Seldom is so much revealed about someone who went to such great lengths to perpetuate an aura of mystery, and control the nature and volume of information disseminated.

Bruce Kebric and Jon Kingdon have teamed with Steve Corkran to take listeners to a place long thought to be forbidden: Behind the Raiders Shield, for an unvarnished look at what it was like working for Al Davis.

©2017 Rather Be Feared Publishing Bruce Kebric, Jon Kingdon and Steve Corkran (P)2017 Rather Be Feared Publishing Bruce Kebric, Jon Kingdon and Steve Corkran

Great book for any true Raider fan

Some great untold stories of the Legend that is Al Davis! Some old and some never heard before definitely answer some questions over the last 10 years of the Raiders under Al Davis.

A MUST LISTEN FOR RAIDERNATION

Great insight and stories from decades of behind the scene events. Amazing narrated by Scott O’Dell!

Once A Raider Always A Raider

Just amazing, the Raiders have always been my team. Just hearing about the players the team could have had is just crazy. Nonetheless I’m a R4L...What a great read.

Must Read for every Raider Fan!

Grew up loving the Raiders since witnessing Marcus Allen's remarkable 74-yard reverse run in Super Bowl XVIII. I was 5 years old and it was the first football game I recall watching as a kid....I've been a die-hard fan ever since.

The insider accounts detailed by Kebric, Kingdon, and Corkran gives all true Raider fans a glimpse of how it was to work with Mr. Davis- a true renegade, pioneer, and football legend that paved his own path to greatness. Firsthand accounts portray Mr. Davis' keen knack for talent, his success during his glory years, his ego, regrets, and weakness that saw the organization struggle years after SB XXXVII. If you ever asked yourself how and, more importantly, why decisions on personnel and club decisions were made...read this book as it may very well give you the peace you've always needed.

A great must-read for every Raider Fan!

Great insights.

Lots of great insights. Revealed the strengths and flaws of one of the greatest coaches and owners in the NFL. I would have preferred the story to take a more chronological approach. It jumped around a lot across the decades. But still very enjoyable.

Just Listen Baby!

Al Davis: Behind the Raiders Shield represents the best time I've ever had reliving painful memories. Being born in 1981 means that most of my life as a Raiders fan has been filled with disappointment. I can't recall their last Super Bowl win from memory but remember well their last Super Bowl loss.

If Al Davis isn't the most fascinating individual personality in the history of the National Football League, then he's at least in the conversation and this book gives plenty of reasons why.

The story is not told in a linear fashion, the chapters and stories are grouped together more by related themes or events. I was most fascinated by the Lane Kiffin chapter. Some of the book's revelations made me laugh, some made me want to cry and others had me thinking of what could have been.

I've been reading Steve Corkran's Raiders work since I first got online at college in 1999 and could follow the Raiders closely for the first time in my life.

As for the narration, I particularly enjoyed Scott O'Dell's portrayal of Al Davis. Being a fan himself he obviously heard Al Davis speak several times and did an excellent job handling the voice. I would call it more an affectation than an impression.

If you are a Raiders fan you will want to listen to this book. If you are a football fan and enjoy the history of the game you will enjoy this book. If you're not a Raiders fan and don't care much for football but you do like reading about incredibly interesting people then I doubt you'll be disappointed.

just win baby

I was born in Oakland as was my father and his father. we are all Raiders in my family. been following the Raiders as far back as I could remember and I think this was the best book on AL and HIS Raiders I've ever heard.

Always a Raider

Great read on Al Davis. Made mistakes, but has to be considered an all time legend.

Fascinating Insider Stories

The three authors are two longtime pro football scouts and a seasoned sports writer that give readers an inside peak at working with Al Davis and various NFL players, coaches and staff. I thoroughly enjoyed listening to each author's anecdotes during my long commute. Highly recommend!

Great Insight and Highly informative

Al Davis was a genius- he also had to
Always be right. As his health deteriorated his team suffered. Trading Gruden was the worst mistake of his entire career. Let’s hope Mark will not make the mistakes of his father.