Sorry for the delay!<br /><br />1. The relationship with Rockne is important, I agree, but too much too soon can overshadow Gene, and the book as is struggles a bit in making him (Gene) the center of gravity.&nbsp;<br /><br />2. I like the xenophobia in general, if it can be tied to an overall sense of a 'nation at the crossroads,' which can be a great way of contextualizing Gene. The dust-up between the KKK and the ND can be a great, dramatic scene with the right kind of build-up.<br /><br />3. I'm uncertain about the past connecting to the present. At times, it can be illuminating (like the details about how many people would die playing football because of the equipment or even the multitude of positions one could play on a team). If possible, any such comparisons should be made in such a way that a sense of wonder (and even admiration) should be evoked for the time past, not merely a sense of difference (if this makes sense).&nbsp;<br /><br />4. I like the 'men of steel' but it was repeated too often. It could just be a style thing, so I could be way off (reading for editing and reading for pleasure are different experiences, I suppose).&nbsp;