Reviews (7)

For a Few Dollars More....
Like Clint Eastwood's early "spaghetti westerns", Roberts's memoir is a too long, but generally fascinating narrative replete with seemingly numberless dead bodies, and one terribly misused girl, about whom the "hard man" protagonist shows remarkably little feeling.
Is it worth the risk
I'm a climber only in the sense that I have paid guides to lead me up big mountains, which in the climbing world doesn't count for much.But I have been cold and afraid in the mountains, enough to appreciate what Roberts is talking about.A few days before what was my biggest climb, I met a young Argentine who would die a few days later on Alpamayo.We heard the news on the radio our Peruvian porters listened to incessantly (yes, I used porters).Something that has always bothered me about real climbers is their attitude toward risk, which is a euphemism for death.The 'hard man' attitude that Roberts discusses is very real.It is just casually accepted that people die climbing, and that it is worth the risk.Roberts's unique honesty allows the reader to see where the hard man comes from.He does it by painting a fairly painfully unflattering portrait of himself.Maybe even more unflattering than he intended.I am not a very hard man, and I found his description of Ed's death on Mt. Huntington and the subsequent telling of his parents almost unbearably sad. As is his description of his disastrous high school love affair.Somehow, Roberts has managed to write a book that conveys the majesty of the grand ranges, and why climbing breeds obsession, without letting the tragedy, of which there is plenty, fade entirely into the background.He has also ruthlessly kept out the various hackneyed sentiments often found in mountaineering books.Not any Mark Twight type hard man preening here, and the brooding is more under control than in Joe Simpson's later books, though I like them as well.But,when the rat is gnawing, and you're wondering whether maybe your planned route is too ambitious, like maybe fatally so, this is not the book to read.Save it for a chair and a warm fire.

Inside an Adventurer's Soul
Wow! Having read many climbing narratives and essays, I was expecting more of the same--exciting adventure writing similar to war accounts. David Roberts' newest book has all the first-person nail-biting drama, of course, of putting up world-class routes in frozen wilderness, but the surprise here is the intelligent, unflinching inner dialogue off the mountain. Roberts has seen and experienced high risk, death and deprivation, has lost and gained much from his chosen battles, and has explored the consequences here in an amazingly conscious way. This rare book sheds a great deal of light on the reasons Roberts was drawn away from the safe, tame and mundane 'everydayness' of modern life, even as he fought the demons that drew him away from his quests, even as he became aware of the spreading ripples that emanated from his passion for the climbing life. Undoubtedly these internal struggles rage inside many who try to balance a burning love for earth's wild and dangerous places (climbers, explorers, kayakers, surfers...) against the tidal pull of human relations.
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Subjects:  1. 1943-    2. Biography    3. Biography & Autobiography    4. Biography/Autobiography    5. Mountain Climbing    6. Mountaineering    7. Mountaineers    8. Roberts, David,    9. Sports    10. Sports & Recreation    11. Sports - General    12. United States    13. Sports & Recreation / General   

Reviews (14)

A Baseball Storyteller
My thanks goes out to Bill Veeck for being one of the men that saved baseball on the South Side of Chicago.Even though it is not all included in his autobiography, he worked to keep the White Sox in Chicago multiple times.This is one of the reasons many people closely associate Veeck with the White Sox.
Should be required reading for baseball fans
I must preface this by saying that I read this book after it was reccomended to me by the sports editor of a local paper.
They broke the mold
They just don't make baseball owners like Bill Veeck anymore, and it is our loss. Maverick, visionary, and showman extraordinaire; Bill had a ball setting baseball's staid establishment on its ear with his unorthodox tactics, mischievous spirit, and wild promotions. He was an every-man who never lost the common touch, and believed that to be the secret of his success. His promotions and gimmicks bedeviled and enraged his fellow owners and the purists within the mort bound baseball establishment while they delighted the fans who Bill had a knack for attracting anywhere he went.
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Subjects:  1. Baseball - General    2. Baseball promoters    3. Baseball team owners    4. Biography    5. Biography & Autobiography    6. Biography / Autobiography    7. Biography/Autobiography    8. Sports - Baseball    9. Sports - General    10. United States    11. Veeck, Bill    12. Baseball    13. Biography: sport    14. Sports & Recreation / Baseball / General   

Reviews (70)

Bad Guys, Great Team
This book was fun and interesting.
Best Sports Book I Ever Read!
20 years after the 1986 Mets' miracle season, they're in contention again.And what better way to celebrate their 20 year anniversary than by reading The Bad Guys Won!Pearlman uses his words efficiently and effectively to illustrate the rowdiest and most exciting team to ever play in New York.This is a book you could read in one sitting - it's that good.And you could read it twice.If you watched the '86 Mets on the field, you'll want to read about their lives and relationships (some good, some downright brutal) off the field during that amazing 1986 season.

entertaining
This guys writes with a very unique style.He uses a lot of sarcasm and exageration.Sort of like the old saying "never let the truth get in the way of a good story".Well, this is a good story, never boring, but who knows how much of it is true.Each chapter 1) advances the overall story of the season, and 2) fleshes out a character.If you're interested in the '86 Mets, and you don't mind reading something mildly shocking, you'll enjoy this.It's fun to read an author as passionate about a subject as this guy is. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. (1986)    2. Baseball    3. Baseball - History    4. History    5. New York Mets (Baseball team)    6. Sports    7. Sports & Recreation    8. Sports - Baseball    9. World Series (Baseball)    10. Sports & Recreation / Baseball / History   

Reviews (1)

Follow Emmitt all the way to the Record
This is a great book that displays Emmitt Smith's life and football career and his pursuit of Walter Payton's rushing record.The pictures in this book are very good since they are contributed by an official Cowboys photographer.The book also shows another side of Emmitt, his family life, that you probably wouldn't know even if you have been a fan of his for many years.By reading this book you really get the sense that Emmitt is a good man as well as being an extraordinary running back.I would recommend this book to all Cowboys fans and Emmitt fans. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Biography & Autobiography    2. Biography / Autobiography    3. Football - General    4. History    5. People of Color    6. Sports    7. Sports - Football    8. Sports - General    9. American football    10. Biography: sport    11. Sports & Outdoor Recreation   

Reviews (35)

Not quite pure dynamite
Tom Billington, the Dynamite Kid, tells his story.It is the story of struggling, winning, enduring and surviving.Unfortunately, it is also a story of bitterness.Billington speaks out on many aspects (good and bad) of his career and wrestling in general.As a book independent from any current wrestling organization, this had the chance to be an in-depth look at everything.While Billington does give great details at times, he also comes across as too bitter at times.He does seem to have valid reasons for bitterness, but the book would have been much better if he would have concentrated less on this part of his great career.

Real Bulldog
This is the first and best book to really shoot on the wrestling world.Tom holds nothing back about drug use or who liked who.He sometimes makes some his friends sound a lot better than they were i.e. Danny Spivey.But so due many of the other books on wrestling that let friendship cloud their opinions.But if not for Tom the wrestling world would be a differt place.And it is a shame the way he has wound up.A great read for a fan of 80's wrestling.

A Dynamite Review
I have long been a fan of The British Bulldogs, and was eager to collect the original U.K. print of Dyanamite Kid's book, Pure Dynamite.A lot of people claimed the book was very negative, and that Dyanmite was bitter and crippled, and had little respect for anyone who was not a legit "tough guy" like Dyanmite, so I went into this book with a lot of curiosity.
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Subjects:  1. Biography / Autobiography    2. Sports    3. Sports & Recreation    4. Sports - General    5. Wrestling   

Reviews (2)

Inspiring role model
I love this book! It's a great story of how sports can shape your life in a positive way. Swimmers and non-swimmers alike will be inspired by Jenny's story. This great book is now available as an e-book for those of you who can't find a copy of the original printing. You can order here from amazon.com, the isbn is B0001GDOUQ.

How Jenny dealt with the negative peer pressure
Fast Lane To Victory is the third in Wish Publishing's outstanding "Anything You Can Do...New Sports Heroes For Girls" series and the story of swim champion Jenny Thompson. Swimming was what Jenny like best, but when her friends at school started to tease her and call her "tomboy" and "Too Tall Thompson", she felt the pressures placed on a lot of young girls to conform to social norms of what was "proper" for girls. Jenny dealt with the negative peer pressure and became so successful as an athlete that she came to be called the "Fastest Swimmer in the World". Also very highly recommended for school and community library collections are the first two volumes in this superbly presented and inspiring sports oriented series for girls: A Drive To Win: The Story Of Nancy Lieberman (40-8, ...) and Sword Of A Champion: The Story Of Sharon Monplaisir (39-4, ...). ... Read more

Subjects:  1. 1973-    2. Biography    3. Biography & Autobiography - Sports & Recreation    4. Biography / Autobiography    5. Children: Young Adult (Gr. 7-9)    6. Girls & Women    7. Juvenile Nonfiction    8. Sports & Recreation - Water Sports    9. Sports - General    10. Swimmers    11. Swimming    12. Thompson, Jenny,    13. United States    14. Women swimmers    15. Juvenile Biography    16. Sports   

Editorial Review

Not long before his death, Ty Cobb, as complex and haunted a human being as ever stepped onto a diamond, tapped a young writer named Al Stump to collaborate with him on his autobiography. The result,

Reviews (30)

Could not put this book down!Incredible book on one of the greatest!
"Cobb" by Al Stump: This is THE book that made me truly appreciate the game of baseball and Ty Cobb. I read all 400 plus pages in three days of reading and it was very difficult to put down at the end of the night. Do not confuse this book by Al Stump with the one he co-authored with Ty Cobb titled "Ty Cobb My Life in Baseball." That book was more of a PR campaign for Ty Cobb to help improve his image in the public eye. "Cobb" however is 100% pure, raw, and insane Ty Cobb. It is within this book that you will learn why so many people say that Ty Cobb still is the best that ever was in baseball. You will also learn why so many players and fans thought he was possessed with the "furies"; in fact many questioned his sanity. Ty Cobb hit .367 over 24 seasons, won over a dozen batting titles and was the first ball player to ever be elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame. I was surprised to learn that Ty Cobb had founded a hospital system, an educational foundation and helped down-and-out ballplayers. Truly one of the best baseball books I have ever read. Robert Pedersen www.fatherachildsright.org
Man is the Bastard
An amazing portrait of the greatest baseball player who ever lived. The movie with Tommy Lee Jones was good, but this is far more raw and riveting.

Good Book About a Great Ballplayer and a Terrible Man
Al Stump, who spent nearly a year with Ty Cobb near the end of Cobb's life and wrote My Life in Baseball:The True Record with him, is the natural choice as his biographer.He does a fine job here.While the earlier book is simply a narration of incidents whose narration is inevitably distorted in Cobb's favor, this book is an earnest attempt to present a fair picture of its subject.
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Subjects:  1. 1886-1961    2. Baseball    3. Baseball players    4. Biography    5. Biography & Autobiography    6. Biography / Autobiography    7. Biography/Autobiography    8. Cobb, Ty,    9. General    10. Sports - Baseball    11. United States    12. Biography: general   

Reviews (1)

An Ace!
For those of us who love golf and have children,George Peper's book, Playing Partners, is a must read.Golf, like children, is a life time endeavor, sometimes rewarding, often frustrating but deeply enjoyable.This book captures all the subtleties of these parallel pursuits and shows that there is no magic formula for success, just hard work and practice. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Biography / Autobiography    2. Fathers and sons    3. Golf    4. Golf - General    5. Parental Memoirs    6. Social Institutions    7. Sports    8. Sports & Recreation    9. Sports And Games    10. United States    11. Biography: sport    12. Marriage, family & other relationships    13. Sports & Recreation / Golf   

Subjects:  1. Biography & Autobiography    2. Biography / Autobiography    3. Biography/Autobiography    4. Football - General    5. General    6. Personal Memoirs    7. Sports - Football    8. Sports - General   

Reviews (18)

Great advice from a Greater man
You can't miss with Wooden's thoughts, words and advice.If you're coaching yong people, he hits home lessons that every player and coach should know and understand.Even if you're just a parent or someone's business supervisor, read this book to learn how to better deal with and motivate those who rely on you for leadership.Don't let the coach down and pass these wonerful skills on to the next generation.Wooden's vision will live long past his coaching days.Find out all about it right here.
A good text for leadership
I purchased this book as part of a Ph.D. level class as a lesson in leadership.Coach Wooden shows his ability to lead and educate through his expertise in the fundamentals and the basics.He demonstrates his ability to change tactics and styles with different individuals, which is essential in good,effective leaders.I would recommend this book on several levels.At face value, it is an exceptional story about an exceptional coach and man.At a deeper level, I think it portrays a good example of how to lead and and how to set an example for those you are trying to lead.

Of Broad Value
I coach volleyball and am not even particularly fond of basketball, but I found this book to be incredibly worth reading.Wooden may have coached athletics, but the lessons he shares from his own experiences trancend sports and touch on any undertaking.This book will be a permanent fixture in my library. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Basketball    2. Basketball - College    3. Basketball - General    4. Basketball coaches    5. Biography    6. Biography / Autobiography    7. Coaching    8. Sports    9. Sports & Recreation    10. Sports - Basketball    11. United States    12. University of California, Los    13. Wooden, John R    14. Biography: sport    15. Sports & Recreation / Basketball   

Reviews (4)

"Duke" : A great book
This book is a gem, a pithy, accessible and colourful distillation of a complex life and memory. It's beautifully written, designed and produced, with good use of rare photographs and images. The inclusion of endnotes, photo credits, further reading pointers and an index enhances the book, which has the distinction of appealing to both the lay reader as an introduction to 'the Duke' and to the historian who seeks a condensed reference to Kahanamoku's life and context. The book is a reminder of the need for a full biography that considers his continued importance and meaning along with his vita.
Hawaii's Sovereign Of The Seas Remembered
Until Joseph Brennan's Duke: The Life Story of Duke Kahanamoku (1994) is reprinted or another comparable book is made available, the sporting world's great interest in Duke Kahanamoku, Olympic star and the greatest surfing avatar of the 20th century, may be satisfied by Sandra Kimberley Hall's compact Duke: A Great Hawaiian (2004), a brief but beautifully illustrated overview of the champion's life.
Enduring Aloha
The Y2K millennial issue of Surfer magazine featured on its cover the formal portrait of a young Duke Kahanamoku with the caption "Surfer of the Century."Perhaps you've been to Kuhio beach at Waikiki and visited the Duke statue; maybe even left a flower lei draped on his arms.Most people also take a few minutes to consider the inscription that's written there, imagining what Aloha could mean if we each lived our life that way.
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Subjects:  1. Biography & Autobiography    2. Biography & Autobiography / Sports    3. Biography / Autobiography    4. Biography/Autobiography    5. Historical - U.S.    6. Political    7. Sports - General    8. Water Sports    9. 1890-1968    10. Hawaii    11. Kahanamoku, Duke    12. Surfers    13. Surfing    14. Swimmers   

Reviews (15)

A real insight to Trans-Am racing
I saw this book last weekend at a Vintage Race being held ther by HSR-West and figured it would be a great collectos item. But it is a lot more than that; it is a real insight to the trials and tribulations of racing and race car development. Donohuecomes out as a very humble driverand he is not afraid to admit his mistakes and thatof the team. This is a book that you don;t to put down but you also don;t want to be finished with it. I did see Mark Donohue at one of the Riverside Trans-Ams in 1968. I was always wondering what really happened at the end of the 69season to makePenske swith to that AMC junk and now I know.. Do not miss this book.

One of the great racing tomes
This book is easily one of the best narratives about racing I've ever come across.It is a personal and honest account of the late Mark Donahue's racing career from his impromptu start to the zenith of his career in Formula 1, Indy Racing, and Can Am to his retirement.
A Must-Own Classic
There are very few motorsports books extant that can be called true classics or world-changers. This is one of them, and it's one of the best on top of that. Mark Donahue was an extrordinary individual, not only a blindingly fast driver, but also a talented, disciplined, and most importantly, curious engineer.
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Subjects:  1. Automobile racing drivers    2. Automotive - General    3. Biography    4. Biography / Autobiography    5. Donohue, Mark    6. Motor Sports    7. Sports - General    8. Transportation    9. United States    10. Motor cars: general interest   

Reviews (12)

Beautiful Bit of Work!!!!!
Reading this captivating book was a pleasure!!!!! I feel as though I personally know this wonderful man now.SUCH AN AUTHOR to capture him!!!!!

Fasinating reading..........
The book was bought for my son-in-law, but I couldn't resist reading it first.I am truly glad that I did as it is sure to improve my skills with dealing with people as it will yours when you read it!

Inspiring!!!!!
Miss DeLoach truly got into the head of a truly remarkable man!The book has everything, facts, figures, sad and happy times - all laced with humor.Couldn't put it down! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Biography & Autobiography    2. Biography / Autobiography    3. Biography/Autobiography    4. Business    5. Lawyers & Judges    6. Motivational    7. Regional Subjects - South    8. Rich & Famous    9. Sports & Recreation / Golf   

Subjects:  1. 1977-    2. Biography    3. Biography / Autobiography    4. Brady, Tom,    5. Football - General    6. Football players    7. Sports    8. Sports & Recreation    9. Sports - Football    10. United States   

Reviews (1)

None of the other Robinson books are as good as this
This is the only Robinson biography I've read that tells me about the ballplayer and athlete - the others either try to turn him into a saint or a political figure.This book, while not ignoring his role or his image,places that in perspective and sticks with the story of what he actuallydid, rather than indulging in hagiography.And the revelations about whathe actually did are startling. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. African American baseball players    2. Baseball    3. Baseball players    4. Biography    5. Biography & Autobiography    6. Biography / Autobiography    7. Biography/Autobiography    8. Blacks And Sports    9. Ethnic Studies - African American Studies - General    10. People of Color    11. Sports - Baseball    12. Sports - General    13. United States    14. Biography: sport    15. Robinson, Jackie   

Editorial Review

An inspirational tale that was nearly buried beneath the detritus of time (namely floods and fires), Read more

Reviews (16)

Beautiful Jim Key
Entertaining and lively read--plus it is a true account of an amazing horse and trainer.

A wonderful book
This book is one of the most interesting that I have ever read.The story looks as if it is only the story of a very talented or possibly very intelligent horse (she leaves that distinction to the reader to decide for themselves)and teaches the reader much more than that.Underneath the story of Beautiful Jim Key is a true history lesson.Mim gives an in depth look at the evolution of the humane organizations as well as insight into life of during the period surrounding the Civil War.
Superb!
This was a nice break from my more scholarly reading, and yet I learned a LOT from it.
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Subjects:  1. 1833-1909    2. Beautiful Jim Key (Horse)    3. Biography / Autobiography    4. Case studies    5. Europe - Germany    6. Historical - U.S.    7. History    8. History: World    9. Horses    10. Humane education    11. Key, William,    12. Specific Groups - General    13. Sports - General    14. Training    15. United States    16. History / Germany   

Reviews (12)

Tris Speaker?
There is a lot of information here, about one of baseball's greatest
50 Doubles and 50 Steals
In the 20th century, only 2 players achieved the feat of hitting 50 doubles and stealing 50 bases in the same season.
Recognition justly deserved
This is a fine biography about great ballplayer unjustly neglected in baseball memory.Speaker was a contradictory figure, a son of the South, an unrecontructed reb in early 20th century Boston, who grew with the years.He was a KKK member, yet he eventually taught Negro League second baseman and pioneer American League African-American ballplayer Larry Doby the finer points of playing center field.His undoubted prejudices against Irish-Catholic teammates and Bostonians seemed to have been belied by his lifelong friendship with a Jewish merchant from his hometown of Hubbard, Texas, and his relationships with Catholic women.Speaker is not idealized in this study- he was on the fringes, and sometimes the center, of baseball scandals as troubling as the Black Sox episode.Yet he was a great ballplayer, and his name deserves mention in the same sentence with Cobb, Hornsby, Lajoie, and other stars of the ers.
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Subjects:  1. Baseball - General    2. Baseball players    3. Biography    4. General    5. Speaker, Tris    6. Sports    7. Sports & Recreation    8. United States    9. Baseball    10. Biography: sport   

Reviews (7)

Outstanding
If you are a striped bass fisherman, this book will not let you down.I read it in 2 days.Eccentrics like Billy make life interesting.On a sad note, I can't imagine what it must have been like to fish back in the 60's and 70's before we wiped out the majority of these monster bass.

Night Tides: More than just another fish tale
Michael Cinquemani's bio of striper fishing legend Billy "The Greek" Legakis is an engrossing story.Whether they are committed fisherman or not, readers are bound to recognize in BTG the rare combination of wits, will, and sheer tenacity that marks any person at the top of his or her field.Any die hard fishing fanatic will plow through Night Tides in a single sitting.Casual observers of the sport will love it too.Cinquemani's writing mixes humor and awe to create a realistic portrait of a unique character.The fishing community is lucky to have such a literate, and readable, storyteller!

Striper Madness!
Michael G. Cinquemani's, Night Tides, featuring striped bass legend, Billy (The Greek) Legakis, is as unique as the relationship between the two men; that is, teacher and student with their roles reversed.Cinquemani, an English teacher at the time their friendship was formed three and a half decades ago, was accosted by a fourteen year old cocky kid who was willing to impart his knowledge of striped bass fishing in exchange for a long ride to the beach that his minibike and gear proved challenging.Read more

Subjects:  1. Bass fishing    2. Biography & Autobiography    3. Biography & Autobiography / Sports    4. Fishing    5. Sports    6. Sports & Recreation    7. Sports & Recreation / Fishing    8. Striped bass    9. Striped bass fishing   

Features

• Box set

Reviews (8)

Worth every dollar and every minute
Simply put this is one of the best books about racing I have ever read.Smokey's stories are entertaining, hilarious, and insightful.His kind will not be by this way again!If you like racing of any kind, this book is a must read.It is well worth both the time and the money.

The Best Damn Book In Town!
Extremely fortunate to have worked with Smokey during our years at Circle Track Magazine and all his years at PRI (Performance Racing Industry).
Best Damn Garage in Town:The World According to Smokey
Excellent reading.Very informative and it kept me interested the entire time.I would recommend for anyone! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Biography & Autobiography    2. Biography / Autobiography    3. Biography/Autobiography    4. Motor Sports    5. Personal Memoirs    6. Sports - General    7. United States - 20th Century   

Editorial Review

The first thing you'll learn in this book, which details how Earl Woods raised his son, Tiger, to become probably the greatest golfer who ever lived, is that your child will never be another Tiger Woods. Tiger is a prodigy in the sense that Mozart was a prodigy. But even if your child has completely ordinary abilities, Read more

Reviews (7)

reply to reader with no brains from June 17th 2003
This moron is a jealous racist.Everything he said is wrong.He should know what he is talking about before he speaks.Earl never asked Tiger to go golfing with him.The only way he would take him is if Tiger asked to go.Tiger is Stanford educated, insanely rich, the best golfer in history, never been in trouble and calls his dad his best friend.I would give anything to be sure my kids were half the person Tiger is.If you read this book and got nothing from it I feel bad for your kids.By the way he is the best dressed person on tour!!

A plus book
This book is great!Anytime you can read about wonderful parenting, it is a highllight in your day.As the mother of 2 boys I can only hope to be so self sacrificing as Earl Woods.Whether you are into golf or not,all children could benefit from more attention from their parents. This book is about putting the child first and helping them make their dreams a reality.While so many children watch tv all day, it sure is refreshing to read about a parent who demonstrates the real meaning of parenting-take the time to train the children up right and they will end up as you trained them.Earl is truly an inspiration.Thank you for writing the book if you read this email Mr. Woods.

Good Book
In Pete McDaniel's, Training a Tiger,Tiger Woods shows you basics and in depth steps to golf. This book will show you how to start a your child in golf, equipment, putting, short game, driving, practicing, and in to mental mechanics. The authors purpose for writing this is to show young kids how to golf. It is worth reading if you want to improve your golf game or your childs. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Biography    2. Biography & Autobiography    3. Fathers and sons    4. Golf    5. Golf - General    6. Golfers    7. Sports    8. Sports & Recreation    9. Sports - General    10. Training    11. United States    12. Woods, Tiger    13. Sports & Recreation / Golf    14. Woods, Earl