Quarterback

From legendary sportswriter and #1 New York Times bestselling author John Feinstein, a deep dive into the most coveted and hallowed position in the NFL.

"Another must-read from a master of long-form sports journalism."--Booklist, starred review

In the mighty National Football League, one player becomes the face of a franchise, one player receives all the accolades and all the blame, and one player's hand will guide the rise or fall of an entire team's season--and the dreams of millions of fans. There are thirty-two starting quarterbacks in the NFL, and their lives are built around pressure, stardom, and incredible talent. In his most insightful book yet, John Feinstein shows readers what it's really like to play the glory position and to live that life--mapping out a journey that runs from college stardom to the NFL draft to taking command of the huddle and marching a team down the field with a nation of fans cheering.

Centering on five NFL starting quarterbacks--Alex Smith, Andrew Luck, Joe Flacco, Ryan Fitzpatrick, and Doug Williams--Quarterback provides readers with incredible inside access to the locker room, huddle, and heat of battle. Through spectacular moments and embarrassing defeats, this is as close as most of us will ever come to experiencing life in the most glamorous position in America's greatest game.

Standard and Primary covers are widely available through general retailers. They often have higher print runs and can be cheaper, especially during sales.

In contrast, Direct Market (DM) and variant covers are primarily sold in comic shops. DM editions tend to have more limited availability and may be more valuable to collectors.

The main differences lie in artwork style, availability, price, and collector appeal. Ultimately, the choice between standard and variant covers depends on personal preference, budget, and individual collecting goals.

Comic book enthusiasts have various formats to choose from when collecting their favorite stories.
Here's a brief overview of the main types:

Omnibus

• Large, hardcover collections
• Usually contain complete runs or extensive story arcs
• Typically 800-1000+ pages
• Higher price point, often €100-€150

Oversized Hardcover (OHC)

• Similar dimensions to omnibus, but thinner
• Collect shorter runs or story arcs
• Usually 300-600 pages
• Priced between €30-€50

Hardcover (HC)

• Standard-sized hardcover books
• Collect 6-12 issues typically
• Similar dimensions to single issues, but with a hard cover
• Priced around €25-€35

Trade Paperback (TP)

• Softcover collections
• Standard comic book size
• Usually collect 4-6 issues
• Most affordable option, typically €15-€25

Other Formats

• Absolute Editions: Oversized, deluxe hardcovers (mainly DC Comics)
• Compendiums: Massive paperback collections
• Graphic Novels (OGN/GN): Original stories not previously released as single issues

The choice between these formats often depends on personal preference, budget, and collecting goals. Omnibus and OHC editions offer larger artwork and more content but at a higher price, while TPs provide a more affordable way to collect complete story arcs