June 23, 2008 - Nearly six weeks since Gotham Books officially launched the instant bestseller, Always By My Side: A Father's Grace and Sports Journey Unlike Any Other, by Jim Nantz with Eli Spielman, the book has climbed to #3 on the New York Times bestseller list making it the highest ranking achieved this year by a sports book on this bestseller list.

Ironically, while Always By My Side is set against a backdrop of sports and television, it is not a "sports book" in the traditional sense. Rather, it is an inspirational, heartwarming, and transcendent story that recounts a loving relationship between a father and his son, and how their common love of sports served as a primary vehicle for transmitting values from one generation to the next. The son in this case is CBS Sports' Jim Nantz, the 2007 National Sportscaster of the Year, whose beloved father has been inexorably descending into the neurological netherworld of Alzheimer's disease.

Nantz has received letters from across the country from readers who have expressed how much this book has inspired them to strengthen existing relationships with their parents or to re-connect where ties had been severed. Others have written that they relate to the pain and suffering that diseases such as Alzheimer's can inflict on the devoted caregivers, who often feel guilt and then experience burnout; these readers wrote that they found comfort in learning how the Nantz family triumphed over this adversity. For them, Always By My Side was a useful part of their ongoing healing process.

Nantz's extensive national book tour has included book appearances in twenty cities across the United States and over 75 radio interviews, including such major shows Rush Limbaugh and Imus. Nantz has also appeared on numerous TV programs, including CBS The Early Show, CBS Sunday Morning, The David Letterman Show, Larry King Live, NBC Today Show, and Charlie Rose. In addition, excerpts from Always By My Side were featured in the June issue of Golf Digest.

ALWAYS BY MY SIDE:

A Father's Grace and a Sports Journey Unlike Any Other

By Jim Nantz with Eli Spielman

Gotham Books

May 6, 2008

Abridged Audio Book available from Penguin Audio May 6, 2008

About the Authors

Jim Nantz, the 2007 Sportscaster of the Year, is the signature face and voice of CBS Sports. He has covered nearly every one of the network's sporting events since 1985. 

Eli Spielman is an award-winning marketing consultant and writer. He has won seven Emmys during his 25 years with CBS Sports.