Indeed, LITB had great writing, perspective and performances. Plus, it helped convince me that parents really had their shit together, even if that turned out to be kind of inaccurate.
I still well remember a sunny and crisp fall day (except that an account I just read said that it was cloudy and 60) in 63' at Wrigley when the Bears dominated (finally) the Packers, 26-7. And I forgot that Starr (the master of the 3rd/1 long pass) did not play; possibly a factor. :) But of course, the Packers went right back to dominating in the following years; always impressive watching that team, even as a kid.
Yes, Bill Wade was not a great passer and the Bears offense focused on running the ball with short passes. Interestingly, they ran a fair amount of designed Q.B. "sneaks"/draws up the middle, even though hitting the Q.B. was "okay" back then. He lived in a middle-class apartment about 4 blocks from me (his kid went to my grade school) and probably had an off-season job too.
I was at that 63' Championship game, bitter cold, a game the Bears won only because they beat the heck out of Tittle.
Later ...