Fading Echoes
A True Story of Rivalry and Brotherhood from the Football Field to the Fields of Honor
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4.2 • 6 Ratings
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- $12.99
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- $12.99
Publisher Description
Now in paperback-a true story of hometown heroes.
In a state that prides itself on hard-hitting gridiron epics, Doylestown, Pennsylvania, was home to the greatest high school football rivalry: the Central Bucks West, captained by senior fullback/linebacker Bryan Buckley, versus the Central Bucks East, led by senior lineman Colby Umbrell.
Bryan and Colby would meet each other as opponents on the game field, but their dreams and devotion to their country led each of them to the conflict in the Middle East-Colby as an Army Ranger, and Bryan as a Marine.
Only one would make it back to Doylestown. And nothing about them, their families, or their hometown's connection to football would ever be the same
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
With the biggest high school football rivalry in Pennsylvania as his backdrop, Sielski tells the tale of two opposing Doylestown, Penn. players who each abandoned gridiron dreams to fight in Operation Iraqi Freedom. Central Bucks West senior captain Bryan Buckley and Central Bucks East senior Colby Umbrell, two standout players, graduated in 1999 to pursue collegiate (and possibly professional) ball careers. After Sept. 11, 2001, they were both inspired to abandon sports and serve their country, Buckley with the Marines and Umbrell with the Army Rangers. Both deployed to the Middle East in 2006, but only one survived, a tragedy that shook the idyllic Philadelphia suburb to its core. Local sportswriter Sielski (How to Be Like Jackie Robinson) recreates prep football games, military training and war-time battles in rich detail, based on dozens of interviews, letters and e-mail correspondence. Leagues deeper than most sports stories, this Friday-night-lights tale unfolds into a moving study of war's transforming effect on individuals, families and communities.
Customer Reviews
great book
This is a fantastic story of two guys who didn't have to go to war but did. If this generation has more men like Colby and Bryan than we will be fine as a nation.
Fantastic read
This book really hits home. Literally. I grew up in Doylestown with the two main subjects of the book and was close friends with each throughout various years of schooling and growing up together. Sielski, a local sports writer, does a great job of captivating the reader with his thoughtfully worded writing style. To say that this book conjured up nostalgia for me is an understatement. The author does a great job of highlighting the heroics of Umbrell and Buckley while maintaining their humanity throughout the book.
The only negative is that the decision to omit the photos from the ebook is puzzling! This is being viewed on an iPad, with a beautiful screen! Why not include them?
Despite my intimate connection to the book's subjects and locale, I highly recommend this book to anyone who has an interest in small town heroes, the sacrifices they make for our country, and learning how they developed their leadership skills. Congratulations Mike on a fine piece of literature.
Colby, you are missed and loved.