My new book, IRON IN THE BLOOD, hits in August! Buy it!

Alabama. Auburn. Football. Southern culture. Pure goodness in book form.

Mar 22, 2025

Hey, so this is fun. I’ve got a new book coming out this summer! It’s called IRON IN THE BLOOD, it’s published by BenBella / Simon & Schuster, it’s all about the entire history of the Alabama-Auburn football rivalry, and it’s a 400-page deep dive into a whole lot of things I love dearly — college football, Southern history, blood feuds, things like that. But this isn’t just a bunch of game recaps; the focus here is how these two schools shaped, and were shaped by, Southern culture and history. It’s a big ol’ sweeping narrative, an epic that involves century-old rivals beating the hell out of each other every Thanksgiving weekend.

Or, as the promo copy goes …

The story of college football in Alabama is the story of the South itself. This behind-the-scenes account of the Alabama vs. Auburn rivalry, one of the fiercest in American sports, details its rich history, celebrates the triumphs of both teams, and showcases the larger-than-life power of football to break down barriers and shape an entire culture.

For Alabama and Auburn, football isn’t life. It’s much more important than that. Their rivalry is a multigenerational one, fueled by rage and redemption, and they clash every autumn with ferocity and defiance. But the shockwaves of their feud have transcended the football field, entering into politics, advancing civil rights, energizing millions, and opening up eyes and hearts in a way even religion never could.

Yahoo Sports senior writer Jay Busbee traces the perpetual impact of football in Alabama, from the days of Reconstruction, through the Civil Rights era, to the hyper-partisan climate of the 2020s. From Bear to Bo, from Cam to Nick, from Toomer’s Corners to Denny Chimes, Iron in the Blood revels in the victories of both schools and dives deep into the iconic figures connected with both programs.

Iron in the Blood is an up-close look at one of America’s most colorful sports rivalries, but it’s also a glimpse into the joy and agony of being a die-hard football fan. It’s the dramatic history of how football has defined a state, inside and outside its stadiums. And it’s the story of how Alabama understands that football is both a magnificent way to celebrate its brightest days and a welcome path to climb out of its darkest ones.

Damn! That sounds good! If I hadn’t written it, I’d want to read it. (And I have read it, about 15 times now.)

So here’s where you come in. I would love for you to PREORDER THIS BOOK, please and thank you. The Amazon link is right here, and if you prefer to go indie, the Bookshop link is right here. Every preorder counts toward the Week 1 sales, and that’s what puts books on the bestseller list. And bestseller lists are what allow me to write more books, so … win-win.

As an incentive, if you preorder and send me a copy of your receipt, I’ll send you a shiny new signed bookmark, to be used in the unlikely event you don’t finish the book in one sitting. Message me right here:

(An aside: If you happen to be a writer/podcaster/content creator and you want some free Auburn/Alabama/college football-related content, hit me up.)

Anyway, I’m thrilled as hell with this book and can’t wait for it to get in your hands. I’ve spent nearly three years working on this one, and I think you’ll really enjoy it. Much more to come on this, including some behind-the-scenes tales, early previews, on-site video and much, much more. This is going to be a good time.

Next week, we’ll get back to our regular programming with the most fearsome two words any Georgian can hear. It’s almost time for … The Pollening.

See you then, friends. Til then, War Eagle and Roll Tide —

—Jay
Land Cat, Georgia