Subjects:  1. Activities    2. Family & Relationships    3. Family & Relationships / Parenting    4. Handbooks, manuals, etc    5. Parents    6. Sports & Recreation    7. Sports & Recreation / Tennis    8. Tennis    9. Tennis for children   

Reviews (5)

Too old style tennis
I am very dissappointed after receiving this book.
The BEST way to master tennis strokes.
John Yandell has pioneered a new, and shockingly simple, way of first understanding how tennis shots are actually hit, and second how to teach this complex information in the most effective way possible to students. Cheaper and better than a lesson!
Having played competitive tennis for many years, having taught tennis, and having competed for many years in sanctioned USTA Open level events, this book is worth every penny.For many years my achilles heel was my forehandvolley.No matter how many times I saw myself on video, how many volleylessons (at an average of $45 a lesson) I took, how much I competed insingles and doubles, how much tennis I saw, I could never hit a forehandvolley with consistency, acuracy, and confidence.After visually seeinghow to hit the volley and then practicing in front of a mirror as suggestedin the book, I was able to hit a forehand volley RIGHT AWAY!With detailedvisual cues to fall back on, I finally have a volley I can count on andkeep.Amazing!This book is well worth having.Having taught tennis, Itruly believe in the book's premise that we learn physical activitiesvisually and not cognitively: our minds which can constantly criticize andjudge our strokes can be our worst enemies on court (imagine trying to walkwhile TELLING yourself how to walk!); visual images are the best aids andthis books provides great visuals. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. General    2. Imagery (Psychology)    3. Psychological aspects    4. Sports    5. Sports & Recreation    6. Tennis    7. Visualization   

Reviews (3)

Good book for students of table tennis history
I checked this book out expecting it to be an instructional book of table tennis.Nevertheless, I proceeded to read beyond the first few pages of the book and was enveloped in a different side of table tennis that I have never looked into before. Dont let the title fool you
THIS BOOK DOES NOT TEACH ANY PING PONG PLAYING SKILLS.Do not buy this book if you want to know HOW to do Sizzling Chops and Devilish Spins. A Gem of a Book
Delving into this book is like opening the lid of a treasure chest.It's filled with gems of information about a forgotten era when ping-pong was in its heyday in the borough of Manhattan--at a spot called Lawrence's Broadway Courts.There played the biggest names in table tennis from around the world and produced such U.S. champions as Marty Reisman and Dick Miles.Read more

Subjects:  1. Essays    2. General    3. Sports    4. Sports & Recreation    5. Table Tennis   

Reviews (5)

A Great Read

North Am Squash
The title of the book is misleading - it is purely about North American squash history. Instant Classic of a Mine Unworked
This book, as the forward by the late George Plimpton indicates, is the first comprehensive history of American squash, and it is a hard act to follow.As such it is pretty much assured "instant classic" status.Read more

Subjects:  1. History    2. Racket Sports    3. Sports    4. Sports & Recreation    5. Sports And Games    6. Squash    7. Squash rackets (Game)    8. Sports & Recreation / General    9. Sports & Recreation / Squash    10. Sports & Recreation-History    11. Sports & Recreation-Racket Sports   

Subjects:  1. General    2. Golf - General    3. Personal Growth - Success    4. Psychological aspects    5. Sports    6. Sports & Recreation    7. Tennis    8. Sports & Recreation / Tennis   

Features

• Illustrated

Subjects:  1. General    2. History    3. Sports    4. Sports & Recreation    5. Tennis    6. History of specific subjects   

Reviews (3)

A dated, but interesting view of Martina's life
This book is an interesting (but dated) autobiography by Martina. She explains about her childhood in then Communist Czechoslovakia, talking about people who influenced her and shaped her tennis career, starting with her grandmother and first coach. We learn about friends like Chris Evert, Sandra Haynie, Nancy Liebermann, Billie Jean King, Renee Richards, and how they shaped her tennis career. We also read about her relationship with Rita Mae Brown, plus the showdown with her parents once they figured out she was gay. It's interesting to observe Martina's mindset at this time--in her book, she was still making a half-hearted attempt to convince the reader that she was bisexual and interested in men...she mentioned Wayne Gretzky and speculates what an amazing kid they'd produce. At the time this book was published, Martina was in the throes of passion with Judy Nelson, former Maid of Cotton with The Perfect Hair and future Martina nemesis. I'd really like to see Martina update this biography--it would interesting to hearher side of the Martina/Judy Galimony Fracas, as well as how she felt when she finally retired from tennis, plus what she sees herself doingin the years ahead. I'd like to learn more about what she thinks of today's tennis players and comment on past tennis players with successful, but brief careers.

Reads like a very well-read book report
Honestly, I purchased this book because key words "Rita MaeBrown" found it.Rita Mae is one of my very favorite authors, and Ifind that I have accidentally missed a few of her books.So... I wassearching... and found this. THE GREATEST SERVE AND VOLLYER EVER
THIS BOOK REVEALS HOW MARTINA DEALS WITH ADVERSITY AND STILL COMES OUT TO BE ONE OF THE GREATEST TENNIS PLAYERS EVER.HER RIVARY WITH CHRIS EVERT IS UNSURPASSED AS BEING THE GREATEST RIVARY IN THE HISTORY OF ANY SPORT. THE1984 US OPEN, 1985 FRENCH OPEN FINAL, 1986 FRENCH OPEN FINALS ALL AGAINSTCHRIS EVERT WAS THE GREATEST MOMENT IN TENNIS EVER. WHAT MAKES MARTINA SOGREAT WAS THAT SHE WAS FIGHTING THE FORCES OR NATURE1. CHRIS EVERT 2. THEFANS ROOTING FOR CHRIS 3. HER PRIVATE LIFE 4. TO BE ACCEPTED AS MARTINA AND THROUGH IT ALL SHE BECAME THE GREAT FEMALE TENNIS PLAYER.EMAILTIMTENNIS5@EXCITE.COM ... Read more

Subjects:  1. 1956-    2. Biography    3. Biography / Autobiography    4. Biography/Autobiography    5. General    6. Navratilova, Martina,    7. Tennis    8. Tennis players    9. United States    10. Biography: general    11. Non-Classifiable   

Reviews (2)

Go Play Tennis : Read It, Watch It, Do It (GO SERIES)
This is a well-written book with loads of cool pictures and a DVD, which follows the book. I found the book easy to read and follow and believe it carries out the feeling of true tennis throughout the book. I also think it can help a great deal with all those answered questions about the simple reasons why you might miss your forehand every time it's low to the ground or why you have problems with your backhand like myself.
Go Play Tennis : Read It, Watch It, Do It (GO SERIES)
Go Tennis by Rolf Flichtbeil is a marvellous book. I believe this book to be good for any one that wished to improve their tennis game (from beginner to advanced players). I found it to be very helpful towards improving my own game; the easy to follow step-by-step pictures of each stroke, stunning modern pictures and illustration, and easy to read text which contains very valuable information to improve your game made this the perfect tennis book for my own game.
Read more

Subjects:  1. Coaching - General    2. Sports    3. Sports & Recreation    4. Tennis    5. Sports & Recreation / Tennis   

Editorial Review

What is it about sports that makes some men wax as mystical as a Castanedan Yaqui? In the hands of writers such as David James Duncan and Norman Maclean, the simple, repetitive motions of baseball, fly-fishing, and golf have acquired almost numinous significance. In Read more

Reviews (53)

A portrait of the addicted person
My first up-close experience with drug addiction occurred several years ago at the hospital where I work. The scenario was remarkably similar to that described by Dr. Verghese. A bright, warm, wonderful nurse anesthetist succumbed to addiction despite having attended a rehabilitation program.
A satisfying read despite inherent flaws
Whether or not you have a background in medicine, this book will draw you in and keep you interested.The only parts that may seem a bit tedious to run through are some of the tennis sequences.This may seem odd coming from a tennis player, but reading about tennis is like watching grass grow.However, the sequences do bring other parts of the book together, and they are tolerable.
Recommended by my doctor
My doctor is an amazing person - not just a great doctor. We spend quite a bit of time talking about life, not just doing the clinical stuff. He recommended "The Tennis Partner" to me and I put it off for about a year before I dove into it. It's absolutely amazing. The depth of the writing is superb and the story captivates you from beginning to end. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Biography    2. Biography & Autobiography    3. Biography / Autobiography    4. Biography/Autobiography    5. El Paso    6. Internal medicine    7. Medical - General    8. Physicians    9. Study and teaching    10. Tennis    11. Texas    12. True Stories    13. Verghese, A    14. Reading Group Guide   

Reviews (2)

John Feinstein ... eatyour heart out!
If you are a lover of the short story, even perhaps, a storyteller or writer yourself -- AND -- you are nuts about the game of tennis, then this book is probably the equal of such pleasures as sex, good scotch, and cigars combined.
Usefull
I found this book, as an active tennis player, to be very insightfull and enightening. This book would be good for anyone tennis player or not. Lifes secrets are uncovered by using the maetaphor of tennis. All and all a very worth while book to read. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. American - General    2. American literature    3. Collected works    4. English literature    5. Literary collections    6. Special Subjects In Literature    7. Sports    8. Sports & Recreation    9. Tennis    10. Fiction / Anthologies (multiple authors)    11. Fiction anthologies & collections   

Reviews (4)

Tennis Injury Handbook
My son is a 13 year old tennis player that's moving up the rankings ladder by playing alot of matches and practice.With that comes many different injuries.This book has given him the information he needs and has helped him learn the exercises that will make him a stronger player and "hopefully" keep him injury free. He has taken a tremendous interest in "Tennis Injury Handbook".Anything that keeps him reading and playing is great in my eyes!

Jack of all Trades ...
This is a general book that attempts to cover all types of tennis ailments in about 180 pages.Needless to say, if you have a specific problem you'll find it wanting since it will devote only a few pages to your problem. Good Advice and Help with Tennis Injuries
I recently came back to tennis after years of not playing.When I played when I was younger, I never had any injuries and never really thought about it.Now, I'm over forty, playing regularly in a tennis league and all of asudden injuries are here to stay.Reading this book really helped me bothwith preparing before I play and dealing with those little aches and painsafterward. The book is easy to read and organized so that you can find whatyou're looking for quickly.Now I spend more time on warming up usingexercise suggestions from the book to avoid injury.But, if I do getinjured I know I can refer to the Tennis Injury Handbook for good advice tohelp get me back playing.I recommend this book for all tennis players,especially those weekend warriors and league players who want to stay fitand healthy to keep on playing. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Exercise    2. Handbooks, manuals, etc    3. Reference    4. Science/Mathematics    5. Sports & Recreation    6. Tennis    7. Tennis injuries    8. Health & Fitness / Exercise    9. Mathematics and Science    10. Reference works    11. Sports & Outdoor Recreation    12. Sports injuries & medicine   

Reviews (1)

A good baseline...
I was interested in a book to learn tennis basics to help my daughter the love of the game that my wife and I both have. This is the one! Not only were the tips helpful to my daughter but we also learned a few things aswell. This book should be in any tennis parents library. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Coaching    2. Sports    3. Sports & Recreation    4. Sports Medicine    5. Tennis    6. Tennis for children    7. Sports coaching   

Reviews (6)

Helpful for Intermediate even Advanced Players
If you're looking for a "Teach yourself Table Tennis 101" type of book, this is not the one. In fact, this book is targetting to most intermediate and advanced table tennis players, although it covers some basic materials and standard strokes in a couple of chapters.
Indispensable for TT players who really want to win.
This book is for players who already know how to play TT. It doesn't include the TT rules. Ideal for intermediate-level players who want to progress up to "professional" level. This book describes all the major strokes and footwork. It's the only book that describes the various services both forehand and backhand. (Table Tennis from A to Z by Messinis contains only a cursory and theoritical examination of the services.). But the best part about this book is the one about how to shape up yourself for the tournament. The warm-up/warm-down exercises are great. The chapter on nutrition is excellent. The chapter on strategy is brilliant. Furthermore, the "tone" of this book is quite reader-friendly: it's like hearing the author speaking by your ears. In short, buy this book and I guarantee you'll never regret it.

Great book to improve skills
As a new player this is the book to get. It does a great job describing the various skills of table tennis. It also tells you how to improve. Great book I am sure you will like if your serious about the game. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. General    2. Indoor Games    3. Sports    4. Sports & Recreation    5. Table Tennis   

Reviews (5)

Likely To Improve Your Game
This book offers a good deal of useful information to the beginner and intermediate racquetball player.Even if you have played racquetball for some time, this book should still offer you some practical advise and strategies to improve your skills.The book is logically organized around 18 "steps to success,"and there are instructions for specific drills to be carried out individually or with a partner to master each step.A number of figures complement the explanations throughout the book, though I wish the author had also included some real-life pictures to better illustrate some of the techniques. I have played racquetball intermittently for many years without much formal instruction, and this book, indeed, improved my game.All and all,this is a good source to read and refer to if you wish to develop as a racquetball player.

Be a better player, if you have not had other instruction.
This book was definitely designed for a beginner to low intermediate player that has not had any organized racquetball training.The six rules to a better game really have helped me, by teaching me winning strategy.The six rules are also not to overwhelming to stay focused on the techniques during my games. Good for Learning and Reference
This book has been a great source of information and has helped to improve my game.The author does a good job of identifying the different aspectsof the game and describes each well.The various shot drills and courtdiagrams are also a great learning tool.Anyone who wants to improve theirracquetball and follows this manual can't help but get better. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Racquetball    2. Sports    3. Sports & Recreation    4. Sports Medicine    5. Squash & rackets   

Reviews (3)

A great book on life, not only tennis
I think this book was named the best book on tennis by some or other panel.Though I have not read all that many books on the sport, I cannot imagine a better book on tennis, or any other sport for that matter.Forbes is a delightful author, writing with gentle wit and charm about his childhood on a farm in the Eastern Cape, his tennis career and his life after tennis.Reading the book it is impossible not to mourn the passing of an era when sport was played for the enjoyment thereof, and sports star were friends. Awriten account of tennis when the game was pure.
Gordon Forbes has captured the essence of what sport used to and should still be. From South African farmlands to the lawns of Wimbledon "Forbsie" paints a humorous picture of tennis in the fifties andsixtys.The cast of characters become personal friends and the author likea big brother.A Handful of Summers is among the classics on my bookshelf.

You don't need to be a tennis buff to find this hilarious!
This is a journey through one man's life in an era so different fromtoday.An insight into the world of 'amateur' tennis and its twists ofprofessionalism.An era when tennis was played for the joy of the game,travelling, a varied existence, and a lack of anything better to do! Read more

Subjects:  1. 1934-    2. Biography    3. Biography & Autobiography    4. Forbes, Gordon,    5. South Africa    6. Sports    7. Sports & Recreation    8. Sports - General    9. Tennis    10. Tennis players    11. Forbes, Gordon    12. Sports & Recreation / Tennis   

Reviews (8)

Information that is Very Valuable
One has to apply the information that has been read from this book and use it on the racquetball court. The information is very direct, and their is no mystery to it. One of the authors who contributed information on this book [Woody Clouse] emphasizes that one has to practice hitting alot ofballs on the court, lift weights, and run sprints in order to get better asa player-Male or Female.International Racquetball commissioner HankMarcus along with Irt player Jon Ellis give this book a very positiveevaluation. The book has many pictures illustrating situations where onehas too be hitting the ball away from the player, etc. The book has severalchapters that emphasize all the aspects of game-conditioning, nutrition.The book also has several pictures of players who play on the professionaltour. Cliff Swain, Andy Roberts, Mike Ray, Drew Kachtik , and RubenGonzales are some of the player photographs one will see in this book.Ihave to say that my play was really very limited and highly primitive. Ionly knew how toserve the most basic serve in racquetball and that wasthe drive, and that was the only shot I knew since the beginning. I wasvery fortunate that when I was playing the game I purchased this bookduring the time to help improve my play. It has been a couple of monthsnow, and my play is alot better. I can do a Z-serve, a left and right driveserve, and my lob is coming there. I also learned to hit the ball away frommy opponent and not to hit the ball to him or her but away from myopponent. Alot of patience is needed, and alot of practicing if one desiresto improve. So if your a racquetball player who is from Moscow, Russia, orTijuana ,Mexico, or from Houston Texas who wants to be more knowledgeableplaying the game, I highly recommend this book too you.

Not much solid information here.
I was disappointed by the lack of advanced instruction in this book.Winning Racquetball includes precious little information that an intermediate player wouldn't already know.It seems this book is mostlyfiller.I was expecting insight on advanced strategies and how to improveon fundamentals.Instead I found a lot of information on how I should eatand what I should wear.

Superb. This book taught me a lot about the game!
If you gotta have just one book to win in racquetball-- this is it!My friends (after being frustrated with my newfound techniques) were surprised about my transformation... from a novice player to a real good contenderwithin a month.I plan to join tournaments soon and win.Thanks to thisbook. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. General    2. Racket Sports    3. Racquetball    4. Sports    5. Sports & Recreation    6. Squash & rackets   

Subjects:  1. Sports    2. Sports & Recreation    3. Tennis   

Reviews (6)

Excellent Book
I found the book to be very helpful and informative.I have just begun playing competitively for the past year and found that the graphics/steps really have helped my game. I'd recommend this book to anyone who is just developing their game.I have bought other table tennis books, but they lacked the graphics this book has, so I am very happy with this purchase.

The Best Table Tennis Book For Beginners-Intermediates
This book is one of the best book on table tennis that I have ever read.The clear and concise text makes this book very readable.While you may not turn into a table tennis champion overnight, following the instructions by Mr. Hodges by disciplined practice, a newcomer to the sport can learn the game, but it can also be used as a reference for intermediate players to correct their stroke or to improve it. An excellent slient coach!
I highly recommend this book as a supplementary material for references as technique guidelines and theory support.In fact, I dont' think anyone can actually learn any sport from any book, however well-written the book may be.Table-tennis is no exception.As is indicated in the book, to learn to play the game, you need to practice.With this book, however, you can correct your weakness, look up for any question you gathered during the practice.The book covers almost all the basic drills in the modern table-tennis game.Read more

Subjects:  1. Coaching    2. General    3. Ping-pong    4. Racket Sports    5. Sports    6. Sports & Recreation    7. Table Tennis   

Reviews (2)

Good but not great
There are some good basic concepts and drills, but it doesn't go deep enough on many levels.And Braden constantly refers to things that the pros do in situations, and since the pros are not likely this book's audience, should give what club players should do as well.For example, he indicates that a club player could return the serve using a short angled slice ball, but that many pros use a hard top spin return.The pros don't use the slice ball that often as another pro could easily read it coming and make mince meat out of it, not so at the club level.This would have been a perfect opportunity to capitalize on the avg club players weaknesses while empowering the avg club return of serve and go into detail about the slice return and how useful it would be.He talks only superficially about defending against the lob and foot work--areas that should get more attention in a doubles book for club players.The black and white photos in the book could be better as well.Many of them showing partners out of position (return of serve partern at the net or not facing the net man, etc.)Perhap at the very beginner level, this book has a place.I do agree with the previous reviewer that he keeps things light and fun to read.

Excellent strategy tips.
My doubles partner and I read this book together and we won 30% more of our matches from then on.Also, Vic Braden's sense of humor makes the book a quick read and entertaining. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Doubles    2. Sports    3. Sports & Recreation    4. Tennis   

Features

• Illustrated

Subjects:  1. General    2. Sports    3. Sports & Recreation    4. Tennis    5. Biography: sport    6. Sports & Recreation / Tennis    7. WOMEN TENNIS PLAYERS