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Forever Crazy About the Cats: An Improbable Journey of a Kentucky Sportswriter Overcoming Adversity (Book No. 6)

Jamie H. Vaught's sixth book on UK Basketball became available in December 2022 (hardcover) and September 2023 (paperback). Forever Crazy About the Cats: An Improbable Journey of a Kentucky Sportswriter Overcoming Adversity is currently on sale at Amazon.com. The 408-page hardcover is also available at selected retail locations, including Joseph-Beth Booksellers and Kentucky Branded stores, both in Lexington. You can also contact the author for a signed copy via email (ForeverCrazyCatsBook@gmail.com) or social media.

EDITORIAL REVIEWS

"I have finished the book and really enjoyed it. I found it really entertaining with the sidebar stories about a number of individuals associated with UK. Jamie is a superstar in how he has overcome adversity in doing such a great job on this book. Congratulations!"
— Jim Host, member of the National College Basketball Hall of Fame and Sports Marketing pioneer
 
"Despite his lofty accomplishments as the author of six books, Jamie Vaught remains one of the nicest guys on the UK media beat. In Forever Crazy About The Cats, we get a candid glimpse of not only why he's so passionate about Kentucky Basketball but also why he's such an inspiration to so many. It's a book worth reading and a story you don't want to miss." 

— Dr. John Huang, award-winning author of Kentucky Passion. 

"If you are a University of Kentucky sports fan, then longtime sportswriter Jamie Vaught has another book about UK basketball that I think you will enjoy. He shares stories about Adolph Rupp, Joe Hall, Cawood Ledford, Dan Issel, Fran Curci, Mark Stoops, Maci Morris, Oscar Tshiebwe and others. I loved the book!"
— Larry Vaught, Kentucky sportswriter


"I have truly enjoyed reading Jamie Vaught's articles and books that he has written over the years. When it comes to the University of Kentucky basketball, his insights have been remarkable as well as informative and entertaining. But even more important, however, is the friendship I have enjoyed with Jamie over the many years he covered my career and the interviews I have done with him. As I looked through the table of contents, I can't wait to read every chapter in Jamie's new book."
— Jack Givens, former Kentucky Wildcat star and current TV broadcaster

"Jamie's latest book goes beyond the ordinary and includes personal experiences to go along with his love for the Wildcats. It really puts into perspective Jamie's ability to overcome his hearing loss and achieve his goals without seeking self-pity. It's a must read and will keep you engaged from the first to the last page. Well-done and perhaps one of his best projects to date."
— Keith Taylor, Kentucky Today 

 

''As usual, Jamie Vaught has provided special insight into Kentucky basketball through the eyes of individuals who have had special access to this storied program over the years; and this volume also includes rare snippets about the football program as well. However, the thing that sets ‘Forever Crazy About the Cats’ apart is the behind the scenes view that the author provides about his struggles – since birth – to overcome a hearing disability that left him near deaf. … An inspirational story.''

Dr. W. Bruce Ayers, retired college president

"If you're a UK sports fan—and nearly everyone in Kentucky is—then you'll want to get your hands on sportswriter Jamie Vaught's newest book. Yes, it's about sports, but it's also about the author's personal journey in overcoming a severe disability to pursue his dream. Somerset Community College is proud to have been a part of making his dream come true. Great read with some unexpected twists. Roberto Clemente? Wow!" 
Stuart Simpson, professor, Somerset Community College


"Who could possibly find and share so many Kentucky Wildcat basketball stories as famed sportswriter Jamie Vaught? This one is his best of many great ones. In this latest work, we finally get to know the miracle man who 'listens' with his heart."
Bill Cunningham, retired Kentucky Supreme Court Justice and author

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Partial reviews or coverage about Forever Crazy About the Cats in Kentucky (where available).  Click on the underlined media outlet for coverage.

Lexington's NewsRadio 630 WLAP (Dick Gabriel) (Jan. 13, 2023)

Lexington's ESPN Sports Radio 1300AM/92.5FM (Alan Cutler) (Feb. 3, 2023)

Chasing the Cats: A Kentucky Basketball Journey (Book No. 5)

Jamie H. Vaught's fifth book on UK Basketball became available in 2020.  Chasing the Cats: A Kentucky Basketball Journey is on sale at AcclaimPress.com, Amazon.com, BN.com (Barnes & Noble), Walmart.com and BooksAMillion.com as well as major bookstores in Kentucky.

Advance Praise

 

"No one knows Kentucky basketball better than Jamie Vaught. He has communicated his passion for UK basketball to me by email and clippings for years. The Wildcats and John Calipari are lucky to have him tell the story of UK basketball."
--Jim O'Brien, the U.S. Basketball Writers Hall of Fame (2003 Class).

"This is an absolutely wonderful book and a must read for any Kentucky fan. Jamie Vaught displays in Chasing the Cats a brilliant insight to UK basketball and a beautiful writing style sure to please basketball fans everywhere. I don't remember a book I have enjoyed more. Just a rich and riveting read."

--Paul Finebaum, SEC Network/ESPN

"Jamie has put together again another terrific composite of UK history. You have to have a special love for Kentucky hoops to assemble these stories. Enjoy!"

--Mike Pratt, ex-Kentucky Wildcat standout and current UK broadcaster

"Jamie Vaught has spent his career covering the Kentucky Wildcats as thoroughly as anyone and he knows the stories behind some of the biggest names in the history of the program. By introducing us to their stories, Jamie takes us along on his Kentucky basketball journey with him and it is a great ride with a tremendous human being."

--Matt Jones, founder of Kentucky Sports Radio

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Reviews or coverage about "Chasing the Cats" book in Kentucky (where available). Click on the underlined media outlet for coverage.

Lexington Herald-Leader by Mark Story on new UK basketball books (Dec. 5, 2021)

Harlan Enterprise, Pineville Sun & Other Outlets about author's book signing at Kentucky Mountain Laurel Festival on May 29.

Syndicated Sports Column by Larry Vaught appearing in numerous Kentucky newspapers and outlets during March 2021.

Cameron Mills Radio  by Cameron Mills (aired on March 21, 2021 on Lexington's WLAP,  Louisville's WKJK and numerous Kentucky affiliates)

BBN Tonight by Keith Farmer (aired on Nov. 18, 2020 on Lexington's WLEX-TV; Segment 3)

The Leach Report by Tom Leach (aired on Oct. 20, 2020 on Lexington's WLAP, Louisville's WKJK and numerous Kentucky affiliates)

Big Blue Insider with Dick Gabriel (aired on Oct. 8, 2020 on Lexington's NewsRadio 630 WLAP) 

Somerset Commonwealth Journal (Jamie Vaught on Coach Adolph Rupp and the Rupp Arena Controversy)
 
Ashland Daily Independent  (Author Takes Readers to Court: Basketball in Blood of Folks throughout Bluegrass State)
 
Middlesboro Daily News (Southeast Professor Pens Fifth Book About UK Basketball)

Kentucky Sports Radio ('Chasing the Cats' Book Signings Confirmed for Lexington and Somerset)

Somerset Commonwealth Journal (Pulaski Native Vaught Knows UK Basketball)

Northern Kentucky Tribune & KyForward (Nobody is ‘crazier about the ‘Cats’ than long-time sportswriter Jamie Vaught)
 
Newscast on WYMT (CBS), Hazard, Ky. (Local Author Publishes Fifth Book Highlighting UK Basketball) ​

Southeast Kentucky Community & Technical College and other Kentucky outlets (Longtime Sports Columnist Jamie Vaught Set To Release Book Spotlighting UK Basketball Feb. 22)
 
VaughtsViews - Danville, Ky. (Professor/UK Fan Writes Fifth Book About UK Basketball)
 
KySportsStyle.com Magazine (Joe Cox: Q & A Interview with Author of 'Chasing the Cats')

From Twitter (Mark Story of Lexington Herald-Leader)
You also can find sports columnist Jamie H. Vaught's other books (out-of-print) about University of Kentucky basketball on many Web sites, including Amazon & eBay.
--Crazy About The Cats: From Rupp To Pitino (1991)
--Still Crazy About The Cats (1995)
--Cats Up Close: Champions of Kentucky Basketball (1998)
--Krazy About Kentucky: Big Blue Hoops (2003)
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