Reviews (10)

Beyond the Game of Football
As both an avid sports fan and reader of sports literature I found this to be by far the most outstanding sports related book I've ever read. (I've read lots of them)
Notfootball's Moneyball, but a great read nonetheless..
If you are looking for the football version of Moneyball you might be a bit disppointed by Blind Side. It's not really that kind of book. (Indeed, there are few books that completely alter one's view of a subject the way Moneyball did)There are some interesting chapters about Bill Walsh and the innovations he brought to the offensive side of football, but Blind Side is much more of a human interest story. It's a highly readable and engaging story and it will surely make you pay more attention next time an Ole Miss game is on TV. I highly recommend it.

You Will Enjoy It Even If You Don't Love Football
Of course, I do love football, and my young son plays on offensive and defensive lines, so the description of the book and its high ranking on the Top 100 list motivated me to purchase and read.
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Subjects:  1. Biography    2. Biography & Autobiography    3. Biography/Autobiography    4. College sports    5. Football - General    6. Football - Professional    7. Football players    8. Oher, Michael    9. Sports & Recreation    10. Sports - General    11. United States    12. Soccer (Association football)    13. Social history    14. Sports & Recreation / Football   

Editorial Review

In 2001, the 50th-anniversary year of "The Shot Heard 'Round the World," Bobby Thomson's pennant-winning home run against the Dodgers that is almost unanimously considered the greatest moment in baseball history, Joshua Prager broke the story in Read more

Reviews (3)

This should have been a much better book
This should have been a great book.It deals with an absolutely fascinating subject, the intersection between the Bobby Thomson home run to win the National League pennant in 1951 and how that home run resonated in American culture and the effect of the home run both on the hitter and the pitcher Ralph Branca.There is much amazing research and some very powerful sections of the book.
The Giants DID steal the 1951 pennant !!!
In 1951, the New York Giants beat the Brooklyn Dodgers to win the National League pennant when Bobby Thomson hit a home run off Brooklyn pitcher Ralph Branca in the Giant's home park to end the third game of a three-game playoff series. I was a very small child growing up in Brooklyn then.To this day, I find it astonishing that I did not know of the event when it happened. Perhaps, it was because adults shielded children from the tragedy and did not discuss it in their presence.
Incredibly researched!
I couldn't put this book down. I was born in 1966 so I don't know much about the "Shot Heard Round the World." I am a baseball fanatic but even if I wasn't, this book develops the characters of two people who were drawn to each other for a lifetime because of one simple moment that was so important for so many. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. 1923-    2. 20th century    3. Baseball    4. Baseball - History    5. History    6. New York    7. New York (State)    8. New York Giants (Baseball team)    9. Sports    10. Sports & Recreation    11. Thomson, Bobby,    12. Sports & Recreation / Baseball / History   

Reviews (1)

No Excuses: Read this book
Let's first be clear: I am not a Notre Dame, New England Patriot, or for that matter a Charlie Weis fan. However, after reading this book, you can cross off the Charlie Weis part, I am now quite an admirer of his. This book, in short order, chronicles Coach Weis'time from his own high school football and college days, through his coaching career from the high school to his current job as head coach of the Fighting Irish. Citing his high school coach as his first ideological hero, through South Carolina's Joe Morrison and the two Bills (Parcells and Belicheck), Coach Weis offers insight into each of their philosophies and motivation techniques and how he incorporated each of their styles into his own coaching. Lastly, he chronicles his first year at Notre Dame and how he approached changing the team's attitude to a winning formula as last season's record indicates.
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Subjects:  1. Biography & Autobiography    2. Biography / Autobiography    3. Biography/Autobiography    4. Collegiate Athletic Programs    5. Football    6. Football - General    7. Personal Memoirs    8. Sports - Football    9. Sports - General    10. Biography & Autobiography / Sports   

Editorial Review

Do yourself a favor: if you own a boat, you should also own theRead more

Reviews (27)

Indespensible boat manual
I'm not talking about yachting type books. I have owned and operated commercial fishing boats in Alaska, for over 30 years.And this book demystifies bonding, grounding, AC boat wiring, lightning protection, a whole chapter just on batteries, and that's just the electrical part of the book. If your unsure about some aspect of your boat's electrical system or machinery, and are walking the docks trying to find out something about them, GET THIS BOOK. Some of that BS one hears on the dock can sink you.

a very usefull manual
covers many important areas where problems usually arise. easily understood explanations and instructions to find and resolve problems. great resource to keep on the boat.

excellent book
i am a marine student in nz, i was doing a assigment of boat battery. i went to libarary for this book and i read through the first chapter of the book which gives me from basic to depth ideas about battery. it's worth to own a book like this if you are a real boatie. perticularly for trouble shooting. cheers, enjoy ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Boating - General    2. Boats and boating    3. Electric equipment    4. Handbooks, manuals, etc    5. Maintenance and repair    6. Ships & Shipbuilding - Engineering    7. Sports    8. Sports & Recreation    9. Sports & Recreation / Boating   

Reviews (1)

Lou's not just for ND fans
In this autobiography we come to understand the making of a champion.
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Subjects:  1. Biography    2. Coaching    3. Collegiate Athletic Programs    4. Football - General    5. Football coaches    6. Holtz, Lou    7. Sports    8. Sports & Recreation    9. Sports - General    10. United States    11. Sports & Recreation / Football   

Reviews (4)

All in all, it's worth a read
Eric Bischoff: Controversy Creates Cash is the autobiography of Eric Bischoff, who rightfully self boasts himself as the second most influential man in professional wrestling history, behind Vince McMahon. In his autobiography, he attempts to cover his side of the things. Although he does tell an interesting story, some things just seem to be missing.
Bischoff doesn't tell all
I was expecting to read about Bischoff criticizing many WCW and WWE wrestlers because, if you've ever seen WWE Raw during a commercial break, Bischoff runs down a list of people in the wrestling industry who he believes will be angry with him when these certain people read his book.I don't think so.His opinions on the wrestlers are pretty brief and he doesn't do much in the way of putting down anyone.Disappointing.
Well Written Read With A Lot Of Information
You learn a lot about Eric Bischoff and what has driven him.This book shows the side of him that we don't see in front of the camera.The information about the wrestling industy and the politics of it were very fascinating to someone who has been a fan for many years (particularly a fan of WCW).
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Subjects:  1. Biography & Autobiography    2. Biography / Autobiography    3. Biography/Autobiography    4. Education    5. History    6. Sports - General    7. Sports Economics    8. World Championship Wrestling, Inc.    9. World Wrestling Entertainment, Inc.    10. Wrestling    11. Biography & Autobiography / Sports    12. Biography: sport   

Reviews (1)

Sports Illustrated: The Baseball Book
A must for any Baseball fan. The photos in this book are simply amazing. It will make you fall in love again with the game you grew up on. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Baseball    2. Baseball - Essays & Writings    3. Baseball - General    4. Baseball - History    5. Baseball players    6. Biography    7. Essays    8. History    9. Sports    10. Sports & Recreation    11. Subjects & Themes - General    12. United States    13. Sports & Recreation / Baseball / General   

Reviews (44)

Good inspirational book
I purchased this for my grandson' birthday and read it before i gave it to him.I am not very sports minded but it was a well written biography of a spectacular human being who is doing a good job of showing young men what makes a great man in God's eyes.

Molding Americas Youth
A must read for all public and private school athletic coaches. This excellent book epitomizes the characteristics deemed necessary to assist and mold America's young people.

Amazing
I played college football and pro baseball.I have very vivid memories of my coaches since childhood.I had a coach in high school, Larry Book, who made a big impression on me.He was great and I remember him fondly, though I liked him more after I left than I did when I played for him.As good as he was, we never talked about life things, real important things.Joe Ehrman's coaching style I've never really heard of or come across.He explains what it means to be a man, to love, to give, in words that I never really heard before, certainly not from a football coach.Even if you've never played football, this true story is one you'll want to read and share with others.I have multiple copies. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. 1962-    2. Baltimore    3. Biography    4. Christianity - Christian Life - Men's Issues    5. Ehrmann, Joe    6. Football - General    7. Football coaches    8. Inspirational    9. Inspirational - General    10. Marx, Jeffrey,    11. Maryland    12. Men's Studies - General    13. Religion    14. Sports    15. Sports & Recreation    16. Sports & Recreation / General   

Reviews (18)

A great inspiration for any coach
I am a first year basketball coach and found this book very inspirational.It makes me want to work even harder than I have and set higher standards for myself.Pat Riley is an excellent motivator and role model.I like any coach who is willing to write about his major losses in his career as well as greatest triumphs.A must read for any coach.However, he needs to write a sequel since he won his new title this summer.Go Heat!

Doesn't make the playoffs.
Of the over fifty books on leadership/coaching that I've read, this is by far the least useful.There are anecdotes for basketball fans, but as far as useful ideas on success and leadership there are few.It is the most useless book I've read in the coaching/leadership field (even worse than Coach K's or Dean Smith's).

A Very Wise Man
You go Pat!!!! Testify!!! This man speaks the truth, ya dig? True like buttah in yo popcorn and just as salty. Diggety bing! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Basketball - General    2. Business / Economics / Finance    3. Business Life - Inspirational    4. Cooperativeness    5. Sports    6. Sports & Recreation    7. Teamwork (Sports)    8. Work groups    9. Advice on careers & achieving success    10. Fiction / Historical   

Reviews (2)

Coach K throws a 3-pointer with this book!
Coach K knows more than what it takes to win on the court. He also knows the power of publicity and the critical role it plays in the success of all players -- regardless of the game. Leadership, accountability, responsibility, and academics are all factors in success -- regardless of what game we play in life. Individuals in various businesses may define success differently. But one fact remains the same:If we want people to value our skills, we must first show that we value ourselves. If we want people to buy from us, trust us and invest in our companies, or even to vote for us, they have to know who we are, what we have accomplished, and why they should believe in us! Thanks Coach K for reminding folks that success means more than scoring a basket -- it is a life strategy. (Marion E. Gold is author of "Personal Publicity Planner: A Guide to Marketing YOU," and "Top Cops: Profiles of Women in Command.")

A Marketing Challenge
Unfortunately, marketing this book to the general public will prove to be a challenge since, due to FCC regulations, most of "Coach K's Keywords for Success" can't be used on television or radio. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Basketball    2. Basketball - General    3. Collegiate Athletic Programs    4. Essays    5. Sports    6. Sports & Recreation    7. Sports & Recreation / Essays   

Subjects:  1. 1955-    2. Automobile Racing    3. Automobile racing drivers    4. Biography    5. Biography & Autobiography    6. Biography / Autobiography    7. Biography/Autobiography    8. Elliott, Bill,    9. Motor Sports    10. Personal Memoirs    11. Sports - General    12. United States    13. Biography & Autobiography / Sports   

Reviews (13)

Wow!
I had heard of Bowerman from the Nike brand of shoes I've worn and from the Pre movie "Without Limits".I had no idea what an amazingly big life Dave Bowerman had.The major events in his family's and his own history make for a good read.Kenny Moore is an able writer and you can tell he's spent time with the familly and friends to come up with this history of the father of the modern day running shoe.But he shows him to be more than a shoemaker.His experiences during WWII, the various Olympics (including Munich), founding and running BRS/Nike, and his battles against the Bhagwan (!) were a surprise that filled out my knowledge of the man and the Men of Oregon.Worth reading esp. if you love anything about running and track and field competition.

Great read!
Kenny Moore writes as only Kenny Moore can in this wonderful account of Bill Bowerman and the history of running at Oregon. Great book!Thanks Kenny!

Comprehensive Portrait of a Coaching Legend
Well-written and researched, this biography paints virtually every facet of Bill Bowerman's life and character across a canvas as broad as the Western skyline.From Bill's adventurous ancestors' settlement in Oregon, to his fatherless upbringing, to his high school sports and military successes, to his coaching, and finally to his entrepreneurial undertakings as a Nike founder, the narrative progresses in a logical, well-organized fashion.Even knowing that Kenny Moore, as one of Bill's unwavering supporters over the years, must have skewed this character study a bit toward the positive, I turned the last page convinced that Bill Bowerman was a multi-talented man of high principle and inquisitive Promethean temperament, who left the sport much better than he found it.
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Subjects:  1. Biography    2. Biography / Autobiography    3. Bowerman, William J    4. Business    5. Business History    6. Corporate & Business History - General    7. Running    8. Running & Jogging    9. Sports    10. Sports & Recreation    11. Sports - General    12. Track and field    13. Track and field coaches    14. United States    15. University of Oregon    16. Sports & Recreation / Running & Jogging   

Reviews (49)

Finally, Injury Free Running for the Masses
ChiRunning was the first running technique book I'd ever read. I found it because of a silly injury that wouldn't go away and the "injury free" on the cover dragged me in.
Interesting technique, but less the expected
A decent book with some interesting ideas, but little to do with anything "Chi," which was a little disappointing.
Truly Revolutionary Running
This book is easy to read and packed with lots of valuable information.I am training for my first marathon and have used this book to help me with this process.It has given me a new way of running without injury and helped improve my overall running efficiency.I am very thankful to have come across this book at this important time in my training. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. General    2. Health & Fitness    3. Health/Fitness    4. Martial Arts - Taichi    5. Prevention    6. Running    7. Running & Jogging    8. Sports & Recreation    9. Sports injuries    10. Tai chi    11. Training    12. Family & Health    13. Popular medicine    14. Sports & Recreation / General    15. Sports training & coaching    16. Track & field sports, athletics   

Reviews (39)

service
The item is fine, however, Amazon's shipping procedures are very slow, and inadequet. I paid for an upgrade in shipping, and the item was two days late, with no explanation from Amazon.I will remember this the next time I need to order.

Blue Book of Gun Values, 27th Edition
Excellent and very comprehensive Gun Value Book covering numerous Mfgs.

Revised
The "Blue Book of Gun Values" 27th ed. is a great buy.Retail is around $40, and well worth it, but for almost half the price on amazon, an excellent deal.With updated values, this edition will surpass the previous especially with current events involving Winchester.Buy it for an accurate "Blue Book" price on guns. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Antiques    2. Antiques & Collectibles    3. Antiques / Collectibles    4. Antiques/Collectibles    5. Books    6. Catalogs    7. Collectors and collecting    8. Consumer Guides    9. Firearms    10. Firearms & Weapons    11. Firearms And Gunsmithing    12. Prices    13. Reference    14. Reference - Price Guides    15. Shooting   

Reviews (2)

A MUST FOR DISNEY VACATIONERS
Birmbaums is the most comprehensive disney guide there is. Its a fun way to plan your trip. Though not as detailed as some its a very lively look at all that is disney. A great book to get you excited about your trip to the happiest place on earth.

The Official Book of Disney World
My husband, son, and I just got back from Disney World a few weeks ago. We planned the trip in just a month's time, and WDW guides were very helpful!
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Subjects:  1. Children's 4-8 - Travel - General    2. Parks & Campgrounds    3. Special Interest - Family    4. Travel    5. Travel - United States    6. Travel Guides - U.S.    7. United States - General    8. United States - South Atlantic - Florida    9. Juvenile Nonfiction / Travel    10. Travel & holiday guides    11. USA   

Reviews (56)

Plane truth
This book gives you a clear understanding of two different methods of swinging a club. Decide on one or the other and stick with the drills appropriate to that particular swing plane and you will see a definite improvement.

Best instruction book for all golfers
This is the book that will answer the question of why you struggle with your golf swing and what to do about it.Discover what kind of swing, one plane or two plane, best fits your strength, flexibility, and timing then follow the proper fundamentals.

Wonderful
This is an excellent book. Like many of the reviewers, I have been frustrated over the years by the contradictory recommendations of the various teachers, teaching methods and authors. Nicklaus and Hogan say keep the ball in the same position off your left instep for all clubs. Harvey Penick, Tommy Armour (and Jim Hardy) say move it back as you go from driver to the short irons. Byron Nelson and Harvey Penick say you should stand as close to the ball as possible. A recent instructor told me to stand further away and lean over more. What's going on? Now I know. Different types of swings have different requirements. I quickly realized that I had been wandering back and forth between the two types of swings, sometimes hitting good shots and having a good round, sometimes even a good week, but soon losing it. Jim Hardy gives advice that is specific to the two types of swing. My only complaint is that there is not enough information to determine what type of swing would work best for me, but I was so impressed by the book that I bought the tapes. He must have realized that this was a weakness of the book. In the first tape, Hardy has Tom Pernice, Jr. demonstrate the amount of shoulder turn necessary for the one plane swing: the left shoulder has to be able to turn right under the chin, the right shoulder pointing up at the sky. I'm afraid that I'm just not this limber (I could never do yoga with my friends who are into it). So my decision seems to be made. This didn't surprise me too much, because in the past couple of weeks, I've been trying both types of swing, and while I never slice with the one plane and I've hit some great shots, I don't seem to hit it quite as far (and I've hit a few vicious hooks with it). The two plane swing it will have to be. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Golf    2. Golf - General    3. Golf - Instruction    4. Handbooks, manuals, etc    5. Sports    6. Sports & Recreation    7. Swing (Golf)    8. Sports & Recreation / Golf   

Reviews (17)

Very Good
This book was definitely a good buy.Great sections on the theory of stretching and flexibility, and a good section on kinesiology.Lots of great stretches and it was great that they told you which stretches would benefit a certain muscle group.I was also really excited to find a section on improving kick height (the main reason I bought the book).Towards the end it gives lists of stretches the are good for certain kinds of martial arts (light-contact, full-contact, grappling, weapons, MMA, boxing, nd the author's favorites).Overall this book is very good.

Tae Kwon Do Flexibility
This is a geat book to improve your flexibility.Master Kim is a TKD master but the book would be great for any martial artist.I needed to improve my flexibility but too many of the book were too technical without a direct understanding of why and how.Kim does a good job of showing and explaining how things neeed to be done.I am not quite to the ground with my splits but am quickly getting there.

good but not great book
this was a good book, but many of the stretches are just basic stretching that we already know, but there are some that are new, and there are a lot of photos, which makes it very easy to see how to do certain things.good book for very beginners, but not that great if you are already doing stretching excercises, it is probably just a repeat of what you are already doing. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Martial Arts & Self-Defense    2. Martial Arts - Tai Kwon Do    3. Martial arts    4. Sports    5. Sports & Recreation    6. Stretching exercises    7. Training    8. Oriental martial arts   

Reviews (10)

JOHN UNITAS NOT "JOHNNY UNITAS"

Baltimore's Proud Football History
Although I no longer follow professional football the names of the players of the 1950's and 1960's are very familiar to me.Yes, this is a book that has several anecdotes about men who played for the Colts during the time period when number 19 led the team that eventually had several Hall of Fame players.Author Tom Callahan provides insight into John's relationship with his first wife Dorothy, Don Shula, and others in addition to Lenny Moore's frustration in not being able to establish a friendship with Unitas.I have always felt a good biography about John Unitas was overdue, and I appreciated having the many anecdotes in the book to enable me to get to know many of his teammates such as Alan Ameche, Gion Marchetti, Eugene "Big Daddy" Lipscomb, Jim Parker, Art Donovan, John Mackey, Tom Matte, and several others.You don't need to be a football fan to enjoy the book, but at least in my case, being familiar with the many players who made up the Baltimore Colts during this time period helped a lot.This book should be a keeper in your library.

A book full of gaps
Aside from the 1958 Championship Game and the 1968 Super Bowl, the actual football games got very short shrift. The 1964 Championship Game didn't even get a MENTION! Whole years are virtually ignored. Very, very little discussion of Unitas' career and his impact on the game: mostly just anecdotes about family, friends, and teammates, and way too much space devoted to post-mortem comments from same. I think I learned way more about Johnny Sample and Gino Marchetti and Jim Parker from this book than I learned about Unitas. And that's not saying much. There's a lot of padding in this book but precious little information. And a lot of the anecdotes will be familiar if you're a football fan. Wait for the paperback if you're a Unitas devotee; otherwise don't bother.
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Subjects:  1. 1933-    2. Biography    3. Biography & Autobiography    4. Biography / Autobiography    5. Biography And Autobiography    6. Biography/Autobiography    7. Football    8. Football - General    9. Football players    10. Sports - Football    11. Sports - General    12. Unitas, Johnny,    13. United States    14. Biography & Autobiography / Sports   

Reviews (5)

Absolutely Awesome!
This is the best book I have ever seen on the National Parks. The photography alone is worth the price. It gives very comprehensive advice on each park, and you can tell by the way it is written that these people have actually been to, and spent time, in each park. I love the way it breaks down each park into suggested amounts of time so that you can better plan your trip. There are maps for each park, and in the maps is my only complaint. Most of the maps cover more than one page and because there is very little page border down the center, it can make it difficult to see the center of the maps. Other than that, it truly is an awesome book, whether you actually get to travel to the parks or not.

National Parks Guide does its job.
If you are visiting National Parks and want a useful guide to help plan your day(s) this book should be on your list.It goes beyond the quick synopsis you get in AAA guides and describes worthwhile stops and hikes at all the National Parks in the U.S.

A handy reference to supplement (or start) Web research
I just bought the 2006 version of this useful resource to replace my trusty 1989 (!!) original. The new one includes up-to-date content (e.g., Joshua Tree is now a National Park, no longer a National Monument tucked away in the "Excursions" section) but I have two major gripes:
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Subjects:  1. Guidebooks    2. National parks and reserves    3. North America    4. Parks    5. Parks & Campgrounds    6. Travel    7. Travel - United States    8. Travel Guides - U.S.    9. United States    10. United States - General    11. Travel & holiday guides    12. Travel / North America    13. USA   

Reviews (136)

An excellent strength training reference manual
I work out regularly, and when doing strength training, I frequently have questions about which muscles I am working, whether I am performing the moves with correct form, etc.I decided to read this book after reading the author's companion work, Women's Strength Training Anatomy, which focuses on lower body only, whereas this volume offers a full-body review.
Strength Training Anatomy
Excellent strength training manual. I actually own the original version, but just had to buy the revised one as well. Do not regret the decision. This a clear, concise, well-laid out guide to weight training. I've been lifting for 9 years so I'm pretty advanced. Since I need to change my routines every 4-6 weeks, I always look to this handy book to put together new ones.

AWESOME!!
I use this book when I strength train and absolutely love it!! Recommend it to anyone. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Anatomy    2. Bodybuilding & Weight Training    3. Muscle strength    4. Muscles    5. Sports    6. Sports & Recreation    7. Weight training    8. Fitness training