“One of America’s great writers tackles one of America’s great rivalries, a combination as perfect as Denny Chimes and Toomer’s Corner … You’ll love this book.”
—Dan Wetzel, New York Times bestselling author and ESPN national columnist
“Deeply reported, lyrical, moving, poignant and at times side-splitting funny, Busbee has delivered the authoritative book on the only rivalry in the world that people plan weddings around, delay funerals for, and once upon time, killed some sacred trees over. A masterful account.”
—Lars Anderson, NYT best-selling author
Iron in the Blood
How the Alabama vs. Auburn Rivalry Shaped the Soul of the South
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 Corner 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.
Published By BenBella Books
Distributed by Simon & Schuster
On sale August 26, 2025
“A complicated family. A Paul Bunyan-like legend. A nation in mourning. A sport in transition. Chronicling any one of those topics by itself would be like trying to run Talladega in a minivan. But Jay Busbee steers us through it all like an Earnhardt racing in the draft.”
—Ryan McGee, ESPN.com senior writer
“Whether you loved Dale Earnhardt S. like a hero or pulled against him, Earnhardt Nation is an absolute must-read! Like so many others in this sport, I have lived this book, yet it still opened my eyes and ears to stories I’d never seen or heard before.”
—Larry McReynolds, Fox Sports NASCAR analyst and Dale Sr.’s Daytona 500-winning crew chief
Earnhardt Nation
The Full-Throttle Saga of NASCAR's First Family
A colorful, fearless portrait of the larger-than-life first family of NASCAR, the Earnhardts, and the rise of the world’s fastest stock car racing organization.
More than sixty years ago, Ralph Earnhardt toiled in a cotton mill in his native North Carolina to support his growing family. Weekends he could be found going pedal to the metal at the dirt tracks, taking on the competition in the early days of box car racing and becoming one of the best short-track drivers in the state. His son, Dale Earnhardt Sr., would become one of the greatest drivers of all time, and his grandson Dale Jr, would become NASCAR’s most popular driver of the 2000s. From a simple backyard garage, the Earnhardts reached the highest echelons of professional stock car racing and became the stuff of myth for fans.
Earnhardt Nation is the story of this car racing dynasty and the business that would make them rich and famous—and nearly tear them apart. Covering all the white-knuckle races, including the final lap at the Daytona 500 that claimed the life of the Intimidator, Earnhardt Nation goes deep into the fast-paced world of NASCAR, its royal family’s obsession with speed, and their struggle with celebrity. Jay Busbee takes us deep inside the lives of these men and women who shaped NASCAR. He delves into their personal and professional lives, from failed marriages to rivalries large and small to complex and competitive father-son relationships that have reverberated through generations, and explores the legacy the Earnhardts struggle to uphold.
Published By HarperCollins
Now on sale