DIXIELAND DELIGHT

This is the book that forever entwined "Bama Bangs" into the colloquial jargon of college football. That fact alone should forever enshrine this work as the Moby Dick of college football books (written about road trips to every single SEC stadium in the year of 2006). Not only that, but the man actually uses "bicurious" as an adjective in a literary work he was paid real money to compose. Mark Twain would be obscenely jealous. Clay is an incredibly hilarious purveyor of the written word, and anyone who is a fan of his "Outkick the Coverage" website should absolutely read this book. For that matter, even if you have never heard of OKTC or Clay's former CBS Sportline column, but you are a fan of college football, then you should still absolutely read this book (which will in turn probably make you a converted follower of his OKTC website and Nashville based sports talk radio show). Mr. Travis has a way of discussing sports that makes him unique in the monotone world of sports journalism. I agree with another reviewer's assessment that Clay's writing is a bit like having (a PG-13 version of) Tucker Maxx write a college football book. Clay's personality makes his writing easily relatable, colorful, and entertaining. It is almost like your college buddies got together and penned a book about football road trip weekends (that is, if I had college buddies that were moderately literate). I share the same allegiance as Mr. Travis as fans of the University of Tennessee (my Alma Mater), and being the same age as Clay I have had much of the same fan experiences he discusses, so for me the book really was like reading something a friend wrote. In fact, I was surprised at how often Clay's descriptions and experiences at campuses across the SEC mirrored many of our own road game trips. For example, Clay was right on the money with his description of the weather in Lexington, KY (apparently some unknown El Nino phenomenon strikes Lexington every November and transforms it on Saturdays into the Green Bay of the southeast - even if the thermometer shows 50 degrees somehow it will feel like 30 below zero inside Commonwealth Stadium). And anyone who has ever driven between the University of Arkansas and the famous Wal-Mart Airport in Bentonville could immediately recognize the subject at hand without being told the topic of discussion - it's like a 20 mile drive that seems to take just over six and a half hours, and is probably one of the few roads in America where you can see 10,000 sq ft multi-million dollar Tuscan-style mansions adjacent to house trailers with a yard full of fighting roosters and/or nervous goats. Moreover, Clay is certainly not the first person to heap praise upon the blessed soul that had the foresight to invent red and black sundresses for those glorious creatures down in Athens, or note that Baton Rouge is that rare place on the planet where Mardi Gras beads and Albino Boa Constrictors seem like perfectly normal Saturday attire. Clay Travis is both a gentleman and a scholar, and I applaud him for a job well done. In summary, if you took the time to read this review you could have already read the book, so pull the trigger you cheap SOB. (Disclaimers - I am afflicted with a rare grammatical allergy, and cannot be held responsible for my flagrant misuse of commas, parenthesis, and/or hyphens. Also, I am not an employee or affiliate of Clay Travis, and have in no way benefited financially or otherwise from this glowing review, but that is not to insinuate that I would be opposed to such things). By the way, I am very glad the book was written at the time it was so that the Mike Shula era at Alabama is forever preserved within the pages of this literary masterpiece (Tennessee and Auburn fans owe you a great debt of gratitude, CT).

Why Auburn, of course. And that's from a USC grad/former PAC10 guy, who has tried to remain neutral throughout the book. It's indeed unfortunate that page count constrajnts and mere words are unable to capture the true essence of Tiger football, Jordan-Hare on a great late September game, or the verisimilitude of the college town of all time. Thanks for helping with this candid assessment to develop!

I love this book and quote from it often! I bought my first copy years ago in a store. Travis is an avid UT fan, but he doesn’t let that get in the way of a larger love for the SEC. I’m a die-hard Gators fan, and I bought this for my UT-rabid dentist. It gives such a great picture of storied rivalries between SEC schools, and fascinating details about each one. I also love the “top 12 list” on different topics. Who knew that one state-Mississippi-could have both the most beautiful co-eds (Ole Miss, duh!) and the least beautiful (MSU)? Travis’s humor is legendary and leaps out in every chapter. Love this book and I recommend it often; especially for those trying to understand the mystery of our wonderful, unrivaled, SEC!

This book was an absolute pleasure to read. Clay's historical references (football and non-football related) are hilarious and on-point. I read this book on my commute to and from work and found myself almost missing my stop several times as I wanted to continue reading. Great book with great insights into SEC Fandom and everything that it entails. I would highly recommend this book to anyone who is not just an SEC football fan, but a fan of college football in general. Great book, can't wait to get my next book written by Clay Travis!

Ok maybe that is a bit of hyperbole but each year before football season I like to read this book. the book is now nine years old, some schools have risen while others have fallen, but the culture that is SEC football remains unchanged. So while there are no wars save those fought on the gridiron or whales save those men on the O and D line, Dixieland Delight is timeless. The humor still makes me laugh. Clay's insight, both serious and not so serious is spot on. A must read for any fan that loves college football and more importantly any fan that loves or hates the SEC.

I am not a clay Travis column fan; I think he reads a little petulant and his fervent attacks of FSU's Jameis Winston failed to tell both sides of that story. Still, as a southerner who loves college football, I loved this book. I think I would have given it one fewer star without the seamless blending in of his grandfather's story. But that added a very meaningful if brief portion.I would also suggest Rose Bowl Dreams. That is a very fine book indeed.

Don't wait around for the Pulitzer prize to be bestowed on this travelogue through a season of Southeastern Conference football, but also don't discount the fun factor. Clay Travis has an engaging and lighthearted writing style and it's an engaging and fun read. Sure you'd rather watch your calories and keep down the cholesterol, but sometimes nothing beats a good chili dog. Dig in, take a big bite and enjoy the smile on your face going from stadium to stadium during a season-long trip through all the SEC schools.

The 2014 college football season is approaching and I feel more prepared having completed reading about Clay's DDT. Although I live up nort' in Big Ten territory, I see a ton of SEC games nationally televised. I'm looking forward to these games more now that I'll have a greater sense of what is going on beyond what the broadcast shows. Thanks Clay!

Great book, offbeat sense of humour adds even more colour to the fans of the SEC. Some hilarious anecdotes that could be enjoyed by any reader, not just college football nerds.

Para quem gosta de futebol americano universitário o livro é obrigatório. Conhecer a SEC profundamente como Clay Travis fez é um sonho para muitos.

Must read if you want to travel to any SEC football games!