Mark Kriegel

Mark Kriegel is an American journalist, author, and television commentator known for his biographical works on sports figures. His books include bestselling titles such as "Namath: A Biography," "Pistol: The Life of Pete Maravich," and "The Good Son: The Life of Ray 'Boom Boom' Mancini." Kriegel's career spans decades of sports journalism, including roles at the New York Daily News, FOX Sports, and currently as an analyst for NFL Network. His writing style combines deep research and emotional storytelling, particularly focusing on father-son relationships and the personal struggles behind public athletic success. His 2007 work "Pistol" earned significant acclaim for its portrayal of basketball legend Pete Maravich and was named a New York Times Notable Book of the Year. The book "The Good Son" was adapted into a documentary film, demonstrating Kriegel's ability to translate complex sporting narratives to different media formats. Throughout his career, Kriegel has maintained dual roles as both an author of long-form biographical works and as a regular presence in sports media, providing commentary and analysis on boxing and football. His work consistently examines the intersection of sports, family dynamics, and American culture.

Readers appreciate Kriegel's depth of research and ability to weave personal stories into broader cultural narratives, particularly in his sports biographies. His books "Namath" and "Pistol" receive regular mentions for uncovering new details about their subjects through extensive interviews and document analysis. Multiple readers note Kriegel's writing style can be dense and occasionally meander from the main narrative. Some reviews criticize his tendency to include lengthy backstories of peripheral characters. From Goodreads: "Namath" - 3.9/5 (2,000+ ratings) "Pistol" - 4.1/5 (900+ ratings) "Pitching in the Promised Land" - 3.7/5 (100+ ratings) From Amazon: "Namath" - 4.4/5 "Pistol" - 4.5/5 Common positive comments focus on Kriegel's journalistic thoroughness. Critical reviews often mention pacing issues, with one reader noting "takes too many detours before getting to the heart of the story."

Namath: A Biography (2004) A detailed biography of NFL quarterback Joe Namath, covering his career, cultural impact, and personal life.

Pistol: The Life of Pete Maravich (2007) A biography examining basketball player Pete Maravich's life, focusing on his relationship with his father and his innovative playing style.

The Good Son: The Life of Ray "Boom Boom" Mancini (2012) A biographical account of boxer Ray Mancini's career and the tragic 1982 fight that resulted in the death of Duk Koo Kim.

Flying High: How JetBlue Founder and CEO David Neeleman Beats the Competition... Even in the World's Most Turbulent Industry (2004) A business biography detailing JetBlue Airways' creation and David Neeleman's leadership methods.