The Program

The Program investigates the complex rise and fall of Penn State football coach Joe Paterno and the university's handling of the Jerry Sandusky scandal. Through interviews and extensive research, authors Benedict and Keteyian reconstruct the events and institutional dynamics that shaped this watershed moment in college sports history. The book examines Penn State's football culture and traces how Paterno built his program into a national powerhouse over five decades. It details the internal workings of the athletic department, university administration, and the relationships between key figures involved in the crisis. The authors present a timeline of decisions and actions taken by university officials, law enforcement, and others as the scandal emerged and escalated. Their reporting draws from court documents, witness testimonies, and conversations with people close to the investigation. This account raises questions about power, loyalty, and institutional accountability in major college athletics. The narrative demonstrates how an emphasis on protecting reputation and revenue can compromise moral judgment and public safety.

Readers view The Program as a thorough investigation of Penn State's football scandal, based on hundreds of interviews and documents. Reviews highlight the detailed reporting and balanced coverage of complex institutional failures. Liked: - Clear chronological structure that connects multiple storylines - Inclusion of previously unreported details and sources - Focus on systemic issues rather than sensationalism - Accessible writing style for a difficult subject Disliked: - Some found the extensive background information slowed the pace - A few readers wanted more focus on victims' perspectives - Occasional repetition of facts and events Ratings: Amazon: 4.5/5 (392 reviews) Goodreads: 4.1/5 (1,287 ratings) Reader quote: "Benedict and Keteyian succeed in showing how an entire system failed, not just individuals. The reporting lets readers draw their own conclusions rather than telling them what to think." - Amazon reviewer

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🏈 The book's subject, Bruce Feldman, was initially hesitant about the project and only agreed to participate after the authors spent considerable time building trust and demonstrating their commitment to accurate reporting. 📚 Authors Jeff Benedict and Armen Keteyian conducted over 240 interviews for the book, spanning two years of research and investigation. 🎓 Much of the book's revelatory content about college football came from unprecedented access to coaches' meetings, recruiting sessions, and private conversations that had never before been documented. 💰 The authors uncovered that during the period covered in the book, some top college football programs were generating annual revenues exceeding $100 million, while simultaneously claiming they couldn't afford to pay players. 🏆 Both authors had previously collaborated on the bestselling Tiger Woods biography, which was named one of the best books of 2018 by The New York Times, The Sunday Times of London, and Publishers Weekly.