A New York Times and Boston Globe bestseller! A gift for every fan: The definitive narrative history of the New England Patriots, illustrated with more than 200 photographs and including original sidebars and essays by Patriots chroniclers Leigh Montville, Upton Bell, Howard Bryant, Lesley Visser, and more. The New England Patriots have become a dynasty, though it didn’t begin that way. Love ’em, hate ’em, the Pats have captured this country’s attention like no other franchise. From two award-winning authors this is the first complete story of a legendary team and its five trophies. In the tradition of their celebrated illustrated histories of some of sports’ most iconic franchises, Stout and Johnson tell the history in full and in colorful detail. This is a lavishly illustrated tale full of larger-than-life characters – from founding owner Billy Sullivan, early stars like Syracuse running back Jim Nance and beloved wide receiver turned broadcaster Gino Cappeletti, to Hall of Famers and stars like John Hannah, Russ Francis, and Steve Grogan through to present-day stars like Tom Brady and Bill Belichick and owner Bob Kraft. Featuring essays by Richard Johnson, Upton Bell, Leigh Montville, Lesley Visser, Howard Bryant, Ron Borges, and more, The Pats is a must-have gift for fans, old and new, and an indelible portrait of the most talked about team in NFL history.