Kurt Warner book: This is the stuff of dreams

The last time Rich Wolfe's name appeared on these pages, he was owner of the Cedar Rapids Sharpshooters, a member of the short-lived Global Basketball Association.

Wolfe is back in the local news because he has written, or rather compiled, a book on Kurt Warner, the former Cedar Rapids prep-turned NFL hero for the St. Louis Rams.

Warner's rags-to-riches story deserves a lot of attention. For those who slept through the NFL season, the one-time NFL-castoff and Arena Football League star earned a starting spot because of injury and quarterbacked the Rams to a Super Bowl title.

He was the NFL's MVP. He was the Super Bowl MVP.

Publication Date: 05/21/2000

This is the stuff of dreams.

Wolfe's book - "Kurt Warner: And the last shall be first" - captures Warner from the points of view of those who knew Warner. His family, teachers and former coaches are among the subjects.

This isn't a biography. There is nothing shocking in the 287 pages.

Wolfe spent months talking with folks who knew Warner when he was student and athlete at All Saints, Regis and Northern Iowa.

This is their behind the scenes story about the Warner.

"I'm not a writer," Wolfe notes. "I'm a sports fan."

Although the book could have used a little tighter editing, it is an interesting compilation of stories about Warner. His mother, grade school teachers and high school coaches talk about the boy who would be MVP.

It's fun reading.

Wolfe thinks it's a book that will sell well across the country. It has a strong Iowa flavor, however. People like Regis coaches Dick Breitbach, Jim Padlock and Gaylord Hauschildt are interviewed along with KWWL's Rick Coleman and this scribe.

"Anytime you're talking about an incredible rags-to-riches story, it's a national story," Wolfe said. "I think if you're an Iowa person, you'll enjoy it. I hope if you're anyone, you'll enjoy it."

Wolfe has a history with these types of books. He's compiled similar books about Mike Ditka ("Da Coach") and Harry Caray ("I remember Harry Caray"). He's wrapping up a book on Terry Bradshaw called "Git Yerself Outta Here," which is due out by the end of the year.

But this book is special to Wolfe, who grew up in Lost Nation. He got the idea while visiting his dentist, Bob Margeas, who shares writing credit.

"This is, I think, the greatest story in the history of sports," he said.

Wolfe isn't selling the book in bookstores right now.

"I feel a bookstore is the worst place to sell a book," he said, noting his would be one of 150,000 books in some stores. "I don't like the odds ... I'm not that good of a

writer."

He's offering the book through mail-order at a reduced price. When the book does hit the bookstores in the fall, it will cost $24.95. But anyone can order it now for $14.95 by sending a check to Time Check Inc., P.O. Box 10874, Cedar Rapids, Iowa, 52410-0874.

He's also offering the book for group sales. Any organization can order any amount of the book and share in the profits.

"I'd rather see the money go to youth groups or good fund-raisers than bookstores," he said.

Give the book a look. If nothing else, it's got a wonderful glossy cover shot of Warner.