Sins of the Tribe offers an inside look at college football and the way it can become all-consuming for players, coaches, fans, and anyone it touches. It's difficult and moving, heartbreaking and yet somehow hopeful, and I loved the writing style.

This is an ARC that I got from @netgalley a long time ago, thank you to @netgalley and the publisher! It is about a boy who wants to play at an elite football program at a Southern school. His brother has undiagnosed special needs, but is an unbelievable kicker, so that is their ticket to the team. But the pressure and awful things that happen in this program are likely to pretty much break him. It is a coming of age story, but with way too much football detail for me. #sinsofthetribe #markasalter #bookstagram #booklover #reader #bookblog #lovetoread #fictionreader #bookreview #bookrecommendation #readersofinstagram #bookloversofinstagram #takeapagefrommybook #readallthebooks #booksbooksbooks #comingofage #footballstory #netgalley

4.5 stars, rounded up for fairness. Thank you to the author and NetGalley for an ARC of this book. All thoughts are my own.

A bit out of my wheelhouse but I love a good juicy coverup story. Sins of the Tribe starts out innocently enough, luring us into the collegiate football world of Bastille University, a top-tier program in both performance and morals. After some sudden misfortunes the programs takes a terribly sinister turn and the real demons come out.

I loved this book for so many reasons, the first of which being, I LOVE college football. College football has an atmosphere unlike any other spot, and the author does an amazing job of capturing this - this strange world where lines can blur a little bit all for the sake of a tribal victory.

I took a couple college courses with football players (D1 but not a major playoff threat), and I can confirm that the treatment these players receive is not only preferential, but permissible. I had countless interruptions from players who simply couldn’t be bothered to show the professor any common courtesy. I use this example because if something this base and annoying is happening at my alma mater, imagine what’s happening at the big schools.

This story has a few major elements that I love so much: hope and redemption. Despite all the muck and coverup and corruption, there’s a really powerful ending that I really enjoyed.

Some of the segments that were a little too wordy on game-time play could have been cut down or omitted in my opinion. I understand why they were there but, anyway. Also some sentences ran on for a bit too long, but they didn’t take away from the meat or context of the book.

Highly recommend.

I tried very hard, but this text was not my cup of tea. I am sure it will definitely be on someone else's list, but not mine

3.5/5. I really appreciated the use of football to illustrate some of the major systemic and psychosocial problems in higher education (and society more broadly). This story was well told with strong characters, although most of them were easily dichotomized into good/evil rather than nuanced shades of grey. By the same token, it feels like the author felt pressure to wrap things up a little too neatly at the end, which imho undermined the message re: the long term impact of these issues. Strong writing, but could have been even better if it weren’t trying to play it “safe”.

An interesting examination of the dark underbelly of college football, even for someone who isn’t a football fan. Salter uses real football rivalries as reference in the book, and it’s not hard to understand how schools can turn a blind eye to the behaviour of players, coaching staff, boosters, and everyone involved in college sports in order for their program to be the most successful - regardless of who gets hurt in the process.
I really really enjoyed Sins of the Tribe, although I’m disappointed that the ending felt rushed. There was so much buildup, for the ending the be a little…anticlimactic.
While the main theme is obviously football, the dynamic of the Professor and Wally’s relationship, and later Dion’s development, brings to light the problems associated with being part of a tribe and how the morals of a group can easily shift to justify the means if the end is in their favour. A very thought-provoking read in that respect. Overall definitely recommend.

Wally Hestia has dreamed of playing football at Bastille University and being a member of the Tribe for as long as he can remember, and his brother Henry may be the ticket he needs to get there. Henry is a kicking prodigy, possessing skills and a level of perfection all kickers would envy, but Henry is also mentally disabled and will only kick when Wally is the holder. As Wally lives out his dreams at Bastille University, he learns that perceptions can be deceiving, and this realization soon places himself and his brother in danger, forcing Wally to decide between living out his dreams or doing what is right. 

Sins of the Tribe is a novel full of serious themes and topics that I greatly enjoyed. While a story centered around a football team–sometimes there were large sections describing plays and games–this book is so much more, exploring the toxic and intense atmosphere and community that is (sometimes) college football, from sandals to cover ups to consequences, as well as tribal mindsets. The characters are honestly written and well-developed. The Professor is easily my favorite; he is a wise and compassionate individual and I feel as though he would be someone I could listen to for hours. This novel drew me in rather quickly and kept me interested throughout. 

Football fan or not, Sins of the Tribe is a novel anyone can enjoy; I highly recommend it. Thank you to Greenleaf Book Group Press, NetGalley and BookishFirst for gifting to me a copy of Sins of the Tribe, given in exchange for an honest review; all opinions are my own.

Because I'm a college football fan that wonders if we take it too seriously, I wanted to read this new novel by a former college football player Mark Salter.

Salter's story is about the fictional Bastille University Tribe football team. Wally Hestia is recruited to play for Bastille University because he is the sole holder for his fellow teammate and mentally disabled brother Henry, a natural kicking all-star.

All goes well until the team's coaching staff takes a turn for the worse, opening up Wally's eyes to the underside of rabid sports fandom and the multimillion dollar industry that it supports.

The novel calls into question how far we'll go to keep our team on top. At what point does morality draw a line? Or for some people, never come into play?

While the story is centered around sports tribalism, we could easily substitute other tribalisms as well: politics, country, religion, etc.

The novel's theme of tribalism sounds a dire warning: We need to check who we're giving our loyalty to.

My thanks to NetGalley for the review copy of this book.

This is closer to three and a half stars.
There’s a lot of football talk in this novel, so I wouldn’t recommend it to anyone who has zero interest in the sport. If I had picked it up a year ago, I probably wouldn’t have finished it, but since I’m currently trying to learn the game, I appreciated all of the play-by-play.
The story itself was a bit clichéd (corrupt programs, evil coaches, brutal practices, sexual assaults on campus, etc.) but seriously, clichés are clichés for a reason, right?
The ending was also a little too contrived for my taste, but the majority of the book was engaging enough that I’m willing to overlook it.
Thanks to #netgalley and #greenleafbookgroup for this #arc of #sinsofthetribe in exchange for an honest review.

A “ must read” for football fans, but a very good read for all readers.Salter examines tribalism, horrific child abuse and exploitation, and all of the seamier aspects of college football-the abuse of players, both physically and mentally, the hidden money payoffs, the total disregard for their physical and mental health and well being - in short all of the things the fans in the stands and those watching on tv are well aware of but don’t want to acknowledge.
A friend describes football as the modern day equivalent of the Roman gladiators. Frankly, as depicted here and verbalized by one character, it more closely resembles illegal dogfighting. Lots of football jargon, but you can know nothing about the game and love this book.

This was a book that captured your interest from the first page. It was thoughtful, entertaining and realistic.

I am a native Texan and love football so a novel about football is an easy choice for me. You don't need to be a football fan or part of a football program or support group. The book is a great story. At first I wasn't into it because the first chapter was a little hard to take. I decided to leave it awhile then I came back and got into the real story about Wally and Henry and their experiences as part the Bastille University football team, The Tribe, a six time national championship school in Florida.
We learn about the brothers' home life with The Minister who was strict with the boys. to the point of cruelty. One night at the barbecue restaurant where they worked, a coach from Bastille was having dinner. The owner Miss Diane encouraged Wally to go talk to him. The result eventually brought an offer for both Wally and Henry to join the Tribe. Henry, who has aundiagnosed mental issues was an amazing kicker was the coach's main interest with Wally holding The brothers discovered that while The Tribe had flashy exterior it was not ideal but that seems to be the way with many of our dreams and aspiration.. I followed along with them and the excitement, pain and tragedy. and moral, and ethical issues they faced every day. I knew it would be this way but hoped it wouldn't.

Author Mark A Salter had written a novel that is beautiful and tragic and believable. His characters are realistic too and I sm sorry to say, did not surprise me.
Thank you NetGalley,and Greenleaf Group Press and author Mark A Salter my free copy of the book. Very much appreciated and my opinion of The Sins Of The Tribe is my own..

As a sports fan generally, and the parent of a former college athlete, I was intrigued by the concept of "tribalism" as reflected by the game of football.

What I didn't expect was an ambitious and well crafted story about two young men, whose set up in the first chapter is a bit clunky, but is overcome by incredible storytelling for the rest of the book. What we experience through the eyes of a young man "almost" talented enough for college as a quarterback, as he become the holder for his more talented but on the autism spectrum step-brother (a kicker) is both emotionally crushing and enlightening in equal measure. The macro story about toxic cultures in college sports (which I have experienced first-hand) is artfully explored via the microcosm of a single, fictional football team in a way that is worth every page read.

I'm a fan of college and pro football which makes me feel guiltier every season. This book, while not exactly helping me feel better about my fandom, does explain it to me in a fictional way that sort of snuck up on me. I got lost in the storytelling, the football game descriptions, and especially the Professor character and before I knew it I was cheering for Wally and Henry, who move from abusive home lives straight into abusive situations, masquerading as "coaching." and "supporting the Tribe."

Football as an analogy for life has been done before, but never in such a thought-provoking or disturbing way. I thank Mr. Salter and the Professor for this explainer: "Tribalism is the strongest dynamic in humanity; stronger than morality, kindness, rationality, even sovereign constitutions – unless of course a nation defines its tribe by that constitution."

Many thanks to Netgalley for this review copy.

This was an interesting read, which used big-time college football as the backdrop for a thought-provoking discussion of tribalism in modern society. The story wasn't 100% believable, but it wasn't totally wacky. It held my attention to the end and was worth the time to read.

You know it's offseason when I'm reading about football and while there have been many books written about football, this fictional story had a unique slant. My father loved pro football, my mother despised it, along with most sports. At five I figured out if I wanted his attention during his rare down time, I needed to understand what he was watching. I made him explain every play as only a pesky child can. It was black and white, remotes weren't invented. Thus I've been addicted to the NFL a long time. That said, I know nothing about college sports, not offered where I was. The story gave a new perspective and detailed play by play of college football's toxic culture. None of the greed, violence, partying, drinking, drugs and sexual behavior was unexpected, yet it was eye opening. The primary characters were what set this story apart.
The setting in Florida describes the educational journey for Wally and his brother, Henry. Their father, the Minister, was a self serving and cruel man. Henry has an intellectual disability which Wally covers and compensates for. Their experiences at prestgious Bastille University are hearbreaking, heartwarming and thought provokingly realistic. The characters include students, teammates, coaches, reporters, media, alumni, family, and buddies. The academia world at a sports centered university is like it's own planet.
This story had characters that I cheered for, some broke my heart, some belong in jail, some failed and some suceeded, and a few will stay with me. The issues were compelling, relevant, timely and thought provoking. This was a new author for me. I would read his books again and highly recommend this one.
Thanks to NetGalley for the advance digital copy of “Sins of the Tribe” by Mark Salter, and to Greenleaf Book Group. These are my honest personal thoughts and opinions given vokuntarily.

I do not watch college or pro football and understand very little about the sport. HOWEVER, I could not put this book down! The reader will get a look behind the scenes of college football and the everything the author writes about - I know it happens in the real world - we the fans just don't see it. The characters are unforgettable and well developed. Truly an insightful book.

There are a few excerpts from the book that will stay with the reader long after reading the book and I feel it sums up the book perfectly:"

"Tribes are the source of all human power."
"Tribes can achieve anything and destroy everything."
"Tribes are impenetrable, immune to everything in their way, except one thing: lies."
"Exploitation is in plain sight...."

I'm intrigued by documentaries about football and the behind-the-scenes. Baller is actually one of my favorite shows. Reading this book was eye-opening and interesting. It's an intriguing page-turner. A must-read.

Sins of the Tribe
By Mark A. Salter

This book is ostensibly about college football and what harm can be done by a program which runs amok. But it is about much more than that – the football program at fictional Bastille University is a microcosm of society in general. That the team nickname – the Tribe – actually is part of the message here becomes evident early on. As the Professor explains to Wally: "Everything is tribal…tribalism is the strongest dynamic in humanity; stronger than morality, kindness, rationality, even sovereign constitutions – unless of course a nation defines its tribe by that constitution."

Wally is a young man from an abusive home who has spent his childhood trying to protect his brother, Henry, from their father's drunken abuse. He has followed the exploits of the Tribe under Coach Oldham, an honest and compassionate coach who builds his program to nurture the young men in his care. Wally's naïve belief is that this wonderful program can save him and his brother (who, though undiagnosed, seems to be autistic). Through a quirk of fate Wally and Henry manage to make the team – Henry as a phenomenal kicker and Wally as his holder. Their year with the Coach is a dream come true – though an eye opener for Wally in many ways.

Then things change and the heaven Wally and Henry enjoy turns into a hell on earth. The coaching staff becomes abusive, divisive – dishonest. Wally becomes more and more unsettled – not liking what he is experiencing but unable to leave because of Henry.

What happens from then on is shocking – until the reader sits back and really takes a look at the tribal mentality. What really is shocking is when the reader understands that the Tribe reflects what is going on in America – and the world – today.

Thanks to Mr. Salter for writing a real eye opener.

An immensely readable novel that digs at the corruption and hypocrisy in college football and pokes at the culpability of fans in the overall morass. I had the feeling that things get wrapped up too quickly and too easily; there is a version of this story that is more epic and probing, both of the system, and of the characters. Something is lost by switching narrators, especially at the end, and I wasn't always sure that Wally was the best central character (Samantha, the journalist, is the other obvious choice). These are debates about craft, however, from a reader who is also a writer with his own point of view. Most importantly, I enjoyed reading this story each night I returned to it, and the pages on my Kindle turned swiftly.

If you are a college football fan, this book is a must read, for sure. The story centers around two brothers, who are walk-ons to a powerhouse college football team. Of course, the powerhouse college has secrets of their own. Anyone part of the fandom, players, coaches, etc. can act however they want as long as the team wins. There are consequences if they lose.

I am a huge college football fan as well as diehard Chicago Bears fan, this book really caught my attention and I enjoyed it a lot. When reading this it really made me think of the pressures college athletes feel to perform their best especially when on a scholarship or have aspirations for professional sports. There are also hopes and pressures from family. I enjoyed how this book explored all these issues.

Highly recommended. It was intense and relatable.

Thanks to Netgalley, Mark A Salter and Greenleaf Book Group Press for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Available: 7/12/22