Art Chansky

As a Duke fan myself, there was no doubt reading this book where the author's loyalties belong. A UNC guy, Chansky nonetheless presents as balanced a history of the rivalry between Duke and UNC men's basketball teams as a biased observer ever could, a tremendously difficult objective given the history of the teams. There is some very nice history here, especially from the early days of each team's ascent to greatness. Some of the recollections brought goosebumps as I remembered the events show more Chansky describes.

Later parts of the book feel rushed, and large chunks of seasons, and even Duke-UNC games, are simply whisked by at times. As another reviewer noted, there are many perspectives that are missed entirely, especially from players and fans as the later parts of the book turn a bit clinical. Numerous critiques of Coach K (an undeniably divisive individual) are not cleanly balanced by many of the critiques available to the author's crush, Dean Smith. Coach K is presented as a successful but wholely antagonistic coach whose actions are nearly always tinged with some objectionable traits, a telling sign of Chansky's loyalties.

That said, I did enjoy this book greatly and plan to reread chunks of it in the offseason when I'm jonesing for some Duke basketball. Three and one-half stars. You'll love the book if you are a UNC fan, and probably like it if you are a Duke or NCAA basketball fan. show less

I would have given this higher (4.5 stars), but Chansky shows an obvious UNC bias in many places in the book (he is a UNC alum.)