📖 Overview
Dave Kindred is an American sportswriter and columnist who has covered major sporting events and personalities for over 50 years. His work has appeared in publications including The Washington Post, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, The National Sports Daily, and Sporting News.
Kindred is particularly known for his coverage of Muhammad Ali's career, having written extensively about the boxer for decades and authoring the book "Sound and Fury" which chronicled the relationship between Ali and Howard Cosell. He has also written notable books on basketball, including "Basketball: The Dream Game in Kentucky" and "Around the World in 18 Holes."
The author has received numerous prestigious awards including the Red Smith Award, the highest honor in sports journalism, and induction into the National Sportscasters and Sportswriters Association Hall of Fame. His columns have appeared in the Best American Sports Writing anthology multiple times.
Kindred's style combines detailed reporting with narrative storytelling, focusing on both the major events in sports and the human stories behind them. His work often explores themes of race, politics, and social change through the lens of athletics.
👀 Reviews
Readers praise Kindred's deep research and firsthand access to sources, particularly in his Muhammad Ali coverage. Many note his ability to capture both factual details and emotional depth in his sports narratives.
On "Sound and Fury," readers highlight Kindred's balanced portrayal of the Ali-Cosell relationship. One Amazon reviewer writes: "He shows both men's flaws and strengths without judgment." Several readers mention his clear, journalism-based writing style that avoids sensationalism.
Criticism focuses on what some readers see as too much personal commentary in his columns. A few reviews note that his basketball coverage can be Kentucky-centric.
Ratings across platforms:
- "Sound and Fury" - 4.5/5 on Amazon (83 reviews), 4.3/5 on Goodreads (156 reviews)
- "Around the World in 18 Holes" - 4.2/5 on Amazon (24 reviews)
- "Basketball: The Dream Game in Kentucky" - 4.4/5 on Amazon (31 reviews)
Overall review counts are relatively low compared to other sports writers, though ratings consistently range from 4.2-4.5 out of 5.
📚 Books by Dave Kindred
Sound and Fury
A biographical account exploring the complex relationship between Muhammad Ali and Howard Cosell, examining their public personas and behind-the-scenes interactions.
Morning Miracle A detailed chronicle of The Washington Post's efforts to survive in the digital age, documenting the paper's challenges from 2007 to 2009.
Around the World in 18 Days The story of the 1934 journey of Post and Gatty, who circled the globe in a single-engine aircraft.
Heroes, Fools and Other Dreamers A collection of sports journalism covering various athletes and sporting events from the 1970s and 1980s.
Basketball: The Dream Game in Kentucky An examination of Kentucky's passionate basketball culture and its impact on the state's identity.
Leave Out the Tragic Parts A personal memoir about the author's grandson's struggle with alcohol addiction and his eventual death while living as a train-hopping traveler.
Morning Miracle A detailed chronicle of The Washington Post's efforts to survive in the digital age, documenting the paper's challenges from 2007 to 2009.
Around the World in 18 Days The story of the 1934 journey of Post and Gatty, who circled the globe in a single-engine aircraft.
Heroes, Fools and Other Dreamers A collection of sports journalism covering various athletes and sporting events from the 1970s and 1980s.
Basketball: The Dream Game in Kentucky An examination of Kentucky's passionate basketball culture and its impact on the state's identity.
Leave Out the Tragic Parts A personal memoir about the author's grandson's struggle with alcohol addiction and his eventual death while living as a train-hopping traveler.
👥 Similar authors
Frank Deford covered sports with a narrative journalism style similar to Kindred, focusing on the human drama behind athletics. He wrote extensively about basketball, tennis and the evolution of American sports culture.
Roger Kahn specialized in baseball writing and storytelling that examined relationships between players, fans and society. His work shares Kindred's approach of using sports as a lens to explore deeper themes about American life.
John Feinstein produces detailed accounts of seasons, tournaments and athletic programs through immersive reporting methods. His books contain the same behind-the-scenes access and depth of coverage that characterizes Kindred's work.
David Halberstam wrote about sports within broader historical and cultural contexts, connecting athletic events to social movements and changes. His analytical approach mirrors Kindred's examination of how sports intersect with politics and society.
Rick Telander focuses on the personal stories and psychological aspects of athletes and sports culture. His narrative style incorporates the same mix of reporting and storytelling that defines Kindred's books.
Roger Kahn specialized in baseball writing and storytelling that examined relationships between players, fans and society. His work shares Kindred's approach of using sports as a lens to explore deeper themes about American life.
John Feinstein produces detailed accounts of seasons, tournaments and athletic programs through immersive reporting methods. His books contain the same behind-the-scenes access and depth of coverage that characterizes Kindred's work.
David Halberstam wrote about sports within broader historical and cultural contexts, connecting athletic events to social movements and changes. His analytical approach mirrors Kindred's examination of how sports intersect with politics and society.
Rick Telander focuses on the personal stories and psychological aspects of athletes and sports culture. His narrative style incorporates the same mix of reporting and storytelling that defines Kindred's books.