Competitions Books

A wonderful book for the newcomer to dressage. Everything you always wondered about is covered in detail. A great way to get started.

I am an adult rider who is new to the art of dressage and found this book to be a valuable resource. Not only does it discuss the basics of dressage tests and levels, but great tips on getting ready for the show--for both the rider and the horse. I would recommend this book the any beginner who wants a broader picture of dressage.

Deserves more than five stars! It covers everything that will benefit everyone from the new rider to the avid dressage competitor. Excellent!!! No horse lover's bookshelf should be without it, in my opinion! You definately get the bang for your buck on this one!

I have been a Western rider for over 20 years. I recently decided to try English riding, and have purchased many books regarding the subject. This is the first book that has been clear and easy to understand for a beginner. Topics include proper attire, English saddle fit, dressage scoring, proper grooming, mental and physical preparation, and the basics the horse and rider need to know to compete. This book explained a lot of the terms (like half-halt) that were not familiar to me. It even addressed the similarities between Western and Dressage rider position. After reading this book, other books I have purchased on English riding and Dressage make a lot more sense! Highly recommended for the "new to English" folks out there.

This book really covers a lot of topics that new dressage riders and potential showers want to know about. It is aimed at the training level rider who is considering competition or has perhaps done a little showing. It has a very common sense approach and deals with topics such as how to memorize tests, how to come up with warmup routines, how to handle nerves, etc. The author seems to have thought of all the little questions that new riders would come up with, but more advanced riders would have forgotten that they didn't know (if that makes sense!) The book is not totally about showing though, and has good advice on schooling, and what the horse's frame should be at different levels. It also deals with more advanced topics such as confirmation of dressage horses (for those people considering purchasing a more advanced horse than the one they start with) and quadrille, musical freestyle programs etc. A worthwhile book with a wealth of information for the novice rider.

I first ordered this book for my son-in-law, because he is such a Charlie Daniels fan. I then ordered a copy for a friend of mine who is going through a rough time in her life right now. Before giving it away, I flipped through the pages, and read the story by Jonny Lang. I am a 61 yr. old grandmother, but I have albums by him. I was just blown away, and had to order a copy for myself.

In the book, How Do You Know He's Real, you'll get an inside look into the spiritual lives of 34 celebrities. Hagberg has compiled testimonies ranging from Kirk Cameron to Rudy Sarzo (former bass player for Ozzy Osbourne). Each story is remarkably different and it's amazing to read how God has worked in the lives of each of these well-known people.

The author has collected very readable stories telling how celebrities have become Christians, and they share their low points and their joys here. This is a welcome peek into the lives of well known people who typically are more secretive.
Ricky Skaggs, Kirk Cameron, Gloria Gaynor, Bethel Johnson (34 people in all) tell about their struggles and their early days as new Christians.
Billy Ray Cyrus tells of singing in his grandpa's Pentecostal church when he was 4, and includes the touching lyrics to the song he wrote "The other side."
Jackie (Jacklyn) Zeman, star of General Hospital, advises that when you are at a crossroads "cry out to God and ask for His guidance."
Al Kasha's story resonated with me; this Academy Award winning songwriter overcame agoraphobia, and talks about how Hollywood is a tough place for a Jew who came to Christ, and how he started a Hollywood Bible study group.
There are stories here for anyone to enjoy and find spirit lifting.

(Hagberg has written a companion book with the same title, subtitled God Unplugged)

How Do You Know He's Real? is a collection of celebrity essays about God acting in their lives. The contributors include athletes, musicians, and actors. Their stories often follow a familiar pattern of fame leading to drugs and alcohol before hitting bottom and being turned around by an encounter with God. That's not to say the accounts are all stock and cliched, but rather that God meets each person in their need--and for celebrities that need will be similar. And many of the tales include growing up in stable Christian homes, but still needing to make personal decisions about God and Christ and how that decision impacted their careers.

The stories are collected alphabetically but Hagberg has provided a topic finder so a reader battling discouragement or frustration can find offerings from Billy Ray Cyrus, Nancy Stafford, Zorro, Gary Burghoff or John Schneider.

Each essay begins with a picture and short biography of the contributor, listing their accomplishments. Following the selection is God's Road Map, a few sentences about the issues raised by the author, with Bible verses for teaching and encouragement.

The essays themselves are as varied as the contributors. Some of them read as if they were written to be given as speeches. Several sound like the writer could be sitting at your kitchen table, chatting over the coffee pot. All of them are honest and share from their heart how God has acted in their life and how they know He's real.

Reading the accounts of God acting in both miraculous and mundane ways reminds us that no matter what a person does for a living, each of us are created beings who need a loving Savior and merciful God.

Armchair Interviews says: Up close and personal stories from celebrities.

I received this book as a gift and once I started, I couldn't put it down. Ms Hagberg has captured the beliefs of these well known and respected celebrities, sports figures, and musicians. I'm anxiously awaiting the next book in the series and can't wait to give copies of this one to all my friends. Order 2!

I recently read this book that I issued from Chicago Public Library. I am a management graduate & have read lot of books. Though I read management/sales books, I hate them as I find them very generic. So, I picked up this book just for the heck of it. I generally finish books in 3-4 hours but this book is just so different. It made me think & rethink what I am doing as a sales person. It was quite an eye opener. I have been buying things online for the last 6 years but this is the first time when I really felt like buying a bought online. This book is a must READ. I would recommend it to all sales people irrespective of how many years of sales experience you have. Happy reading... Brajesh (brajesh2@yahoo.com)

Have you been wondering why your competition continues to outsell you or you can't seem to hit your numbers consistently? Perhaps you're not researching your prospect well enough or positioning your product properly. The first step to fixing that is to completely understand your existing and potential customer base and realize it's all about how you can either make them money, reduce their expenses, or minimize risks. If you are "in it" for anything else, your chances at success are greatly diminished. By shifting your focus to conjoin the customer's, you'll have the foundation of future success.

Be sure to take an honest and objective inventory of what you do well and what you don't. Figure out ways you can capitalize on your strengths and minimize your weaknesses.

Engage yourself in the customer's business to where you take pride in how they perform--your customer will notice and reward you with a solid stream of business.

Some of the methodologies outlined in this book may seem like common sense to many, but they bear repeating especially if you're not selling as well as you desire.

I'd highly recommend this book primarily for the "solution selling" type of rep.

I love Dave Stein's style. His 21 proven strategies are to the point and broken into manageable pieces. The only gripe I had was with the section on available research tools. The point is well taken that one must spend time researching a company for a sales call, but I felt too much space was given to something so basic. Maybe it's just me because I work in the technology sector, but I was surprised that the company research tools and techniques Dave mentioned are not common knowledge to almost everyone of working age.

One section of the book I find useful over and over again is the Review (Summary) section. Before going on a coaching sales call with a Rep, I sometimes review parts of this section (what parts depends on the Rep's strengths and weaknesses) and find that it can really improve performance.

The new second edition of "How Winners Sell: 21 Proven Strategies to Outsell Your Competition & Win the Big Sale" is exceptional in both its clarity and ease of use. I am a former Fortune 50 marketing/sales executive who now teaches professional selling at the University of Central Florida. Our university enjoys an international reputation for its strength in sales training. Dave Stein's book is REQUIRED READING for the students in our Advanced Professional Selling course. Moreover, Dave now assists in coaching our nationally-famous collegiate sales competition teams. Our teaching philosophy is that 'sales is not a performance; it is a response.' Further, we see sales as much as an 'art as it is a science.' Dave Stein's book is fully compatible with our philosophy. It moves the reader to an even better understanding of the entire sales process. They [good sales guides] don't get any better than this.

Selling is a combination of the tried and true with what's happening in our society today. The world has changed since 911 and the collapse of companies like Enron, Global Crossing, et al. Selling hasn't gotten any easier, and you need to remember the basics once in a while.

This book gives you a good overview of the basics, but also brings out some new points that I hadn't considered in my own selling. It's also a rather easy read. There are 21 'strategies' or things you need to keep in mind during the sales cycle. And the points he brings up are good. When I've lost a sale and do a post mortem later, I find that I've usually skipped one or more of these points.

Not a big book at a little over 200 pages, it is well worth the time if it helps you on one big sale.

This is a great collection of IMO problems, but I am disappointed by the authors' command of English and sloppiness, especially since they have rewritten the problem statements to save space, often leading to unclear or even incorrect statements. For example, problem 4, IMO 1965 is incorrectly stated as: "Find four real numbers x1,x2,x3,x4 such that the sum of any of the numbers and the product of other three is equal to 2." The statement is not as clear as the original one found on the IMO website, the last four words can be replaced with the two words "equals 2" to save space, and the article "the" is missing (a typical native Slavic language speaker grammar error in English). Much more serious is that this formulation has the trivial answer 1,1,1,1 while the original question was to find all solutions, not just a single one. An error in problem statement is the worst mistake possible in a problem book, even worse than a solution error, and it is even worse here as it is for an original IMO problem, not the long or shortlisted one where this could have been understandable due to the large number of problems and the lesser attention given to them over the years. I just got the book yesterday, so have not checked it out thoroughly, but I expect to find many more inaccuracies and mistakes. For me this is not such a problem and I even find it motivating to look for errors, but it can be a serious problem for students using the book to learn about doing IMO problems.

This is the most comprehensive book on the IMO that I know. It includes all the problems suggested for the IMO from 1959 to 2004. What is more, it has solutions for the so-called 864 shortlist problems. Another 1036 longlist problems (without solutions) are also included. It also includes a detailed listing of definitions, concepts and theorems of analysis, algebra, geometry, combinatorics and number theory needed for solving the problems. Browsing through this book is like taking a journey back in time whereby you can compare and contrast the types of problems of recent vintage to the earlier era where the East Bloc was dominant. If you are a mathematics aficionado, then this book should be in your collection.

A problem book written for the not so ordinary mortal mathematicians. A problem book for the above ordinary students and teachers as well. I like this book and I would treasure this book in my lectures. Similar books like this is what I like to pass on to my wards. Many thanks and more power to you! Do email me on books of similar content. An extra-ordinary book containing jewels of mathematical thoughts for students and teachers alike. I love this book.

This book contains roughly 1900 problems in 45 years of IMO history. Most of the problems are accompanied with a solution. This is an excellent resource for anyone preparing for a high calibre math contest such as olympiads or the William Lowell Putnam Mathematical Competition.

This book also has an extremely comprehensive collection of definitions and theorems which span from analysis to algebra to combinatorics in the first part of the book, which is a nice summary of tools useable on math contests and in math courses.

46-year compendium of all the IMO shortlist and longlist problems. This is a rare book as none of the other IMO problem books so far covers both long and short-list problems.

The book has a complete listing of all long and short list problems but only provides solutions to shortlist problems as the book is already thick enough as it is. Would be great if the authors could expand the book or have a sequel to cover the other equally interesting longlist problems.

As expected, this is a very expensive Springer-Verlag book. Highly recommended though.

For any player who wants to improve or enjoy the game more, Jak's book is a must.It offers many practical tips for singles and doubles. The sections on developing topsin,effective breathing during a match, club competition doubles strategies and practice routines are alone worth the price.

I have played for more than 30 yrs, have had many lessons and gone to tennis camps from Vermont to Florida. Jak's book has given me more stuff to work on, and to look forward to using in a match, than a lot of these other instructions.

We all pretty much know what we want to accomplish on the court. More Than Just The Strokes however, teaches you how really "seeing it" leads to "doing it". Whether you're battling a small technical glitch, self induced demons on your court, or an ineffective strategy, Jak's professional experience and insight teaches you how to strike the perfect merger between a technical mind set and mindful technique. The result: winning play instead of playing to win. The content is easy to understand and a welcome alternative to the traditional just hitting yet another thousand balls to maybe get the same result. Your time on the court will never feel more satisfying. A delightful, inspiring "must read" for all levels of players.

More Than Just The Stokes Is absolutely the best tennis insructional book I have ever read.It is not a fancy book in terms of glossy and impressive pictures but the "meat and potatoes" of tennis instruction is there in SPADES!

I particularly enjoyed and my game has benefited from the areas of the book covering volleys,singles strategy and watching the ball.

This book is an absolute must read for anyone trying to improve their game. I believe that tennis instuctors would benefit from buying this book in bulk for their students.

Give it a try.You won't be disapointed!

Barrie Cox

4.0 Toronto,Canada

I started playing tennis 10 years ago after a lifetime of playing "other" sports, including competing at the collegiate level in football and wrestling. I am currently a 4.5 NTRP level player. I have become addicted to tennis, probably as a result of the marked need for contrasting physical and mental perspectives which I find so challenging and (potentially) rewarding. This book addresses that contrast more vividly than any book on sports to which I have ever been exposed. The ongoing internal battle to control your emotions in tennis is, in my opinion, the most difficult struggle one encounters on the court. Beardsworth is the Zen master of tennis, as he helps all us warriors become more focused and masterful on the courts. This book is worth every penny for those who are interested in improving the satisfaction they get from the sport (and it will generate a lot more wins as well!). It is chock full of specific tips that I have been using again and again on the road to improvement. I highly recommend it!

I've been playing tennis my whole life and have read over 30 tennis books. I can say with absolute confidence that this book is the most user-friendly, concise, readable tennis guide I have ever read. Beardsworth makes the painfully abstract elements of stroke mechanics easy to visualize. [I should add that I own nearly every technique manual on the market and have never been inspired to write a review].

The author does not stop at stroke production, he has a remarkable ability to unpack the mental elements of the game and he provides entertaining information about the current tennis culture (at the club and pro level).

What makes this book truly unique, however, is the author's voice. He has a charismatic, snappy prose that makes for effortless reading. One can tell that this guy has been in the tennis business forever (he has seen it all). His anecdotes and insights are priceless; his understanding of the game -- the whole game -- is remarkable. Buy this book.

It is the story of a great race told by a sailor. Any person who knows about ocean racing cannot but enjoy this book. My only observation is about the edition, I would love to have some more pictures (better if in color)

An entire sailing subculture exists whose entire purpose is to see how far and how fast they can push a sailboat and her crew. This book chronicles the ultimate push, called The Race. The object of this race is to be the fastest boat to sail around the world without stopping.

Zimmerman first tells us the fascinating history of fast sailboats and their owner's constant quest for greater speed and longer distances. At first the quest was for commercial reasons. Eventually it became sport. The boats described in this book are its ultimate manifistation.

This is a wonderful book about tough determined people racing extreme boats in extreme seas. A blast from start to finish.

The Race acccurately describes the complex human dynamics, emotional tension, technological achievments, and capricious play of fortune that combined in the world's first non-stop around the world sailboat race. Beginning with a fascinating and sympathetic account of the early pioneers of round the world sailboat racing, Zimmermann then details the technological conundrums and challenges confronting the computer-aided designers of the Race's catamarans and explains the rationale for, and consequences of, the decisions they made. His account of the Race itself is a skillful blend of analysis and story telling that touches on all the factors that shaped the outcome of the contest, technology, tactical decision-making, human dynamics, and most of all, mother nature, in the form of wind and current. Throughout the book, the author provides just the right amount of technical detail and analysis without overwhelming the non sailor (or weatherman). More important, Zimmermann captures, in terms I believe accessible to the non sailing professional, a sense of the excitement, danger, and spiritual satisfaction that draws men to challenge the sea at her most fearsome. Very few of us can circumnavigate the world non stop in a catamaran, but The Race provides the closest substitute for that experience this side of Cape Horn and the roaring forties.

Although I am not a hard core sailor, I picked up this book because I love adventure. I was glad I did because I discovered a world of eccentric and entertaining characters who kept me engaged and amused as I clipped along with this well-written, fast-paced narrative. I loved the concise history of round the world racing and the crazy characters who got it started--like Blondie Hasler who believed sailors should "die like gentelmen" instead of calling for rescue and endangering the lives of the rescuers. The Race itself was run by the world's best sailors, but it was the hi-tech boats, the tactics and the challenge of the Southern Ocean that really hooked me. A great read for anyone who loves the oceans and extreme adventure.

The Race delivers on the promise of an intensely educational and suspenseful read. I learned much more than I expected to about multihull design, sailing history, and the characters involved in circumnavigation adventures, but I was also viscerally "there" during the more stressful parts of the Race itself. Zimmerman provides exceptional context as well as insight into what makes these men and their sailing machines run. I'd highly recommend this book to anyone curious about the quest for speed across the waves.

This is a (very brief) review of four different skateboard magazines. To make sure that previous experience was not biasing my opinion (too much), I got four issues that were out at the same time. The magazines are Transworld Skateboarding (TS), Thrasher Magazine (TM), Skateboarder (SM) and SBC Skateboard (SS).

For photography, TS probably takes the lead. For the skateboard lifestyle, the edge goes to TM. For those who like to read text, SM has the most. Surprisingly, the best is probably SS, which is a balanced combination of all three styles.

Before spending too much on any one magazine, I suggest you try the same so that you get THE magazine you want.

the magizine is very thick but a lot of it is adds. The adds have good pictures of skaters doing tricks and stuff though. It also has cool interveiws and stuff. It is the only magizine i get. If you like to skate buy this magizeine.

Transworld is worth the Money! It's the price of a regular magazine, but 3 times as thick! Sure there are a lot of adds in it, but hey, they're all just pictures of skaters doing tricks! Also, there are cool articles, interviews, and coverage of tours. Any skater with {money} should buy this. SKATEBOARDNG IS NOT A SPORT!!!!!!!!

I bought this mag at a grocery store. I'm fascinated with skateboarding. It's a really thick magazine. Probably because nearly everything in it are ads. That's annoying. Good pictures, though. Anyway, it's pretty nice. I'd recommend looking around at other magazines like "Thrasher", "Skateboarding", etc. Enjoy!

The amount of skateboarding fans are increasing rapidly in the United States. If you are one of those fans, like myself, I highly suggest this magazine. It is well worth the cost. It covers everything such as pro spotlights, action shots, ads, trick tips and more. I have been reading this magazing for quite a while now, and plan on continuing my love for skateboarding. Subscribe now, you WILL be satisfied!

In the genre of motivational books, this one really hits the nail on the head.

What everyone needs to know for success put succinctly, honestly and encouragingly. A quick read with substance.

A quick and entertaining read, this book has some great advice that I was able to put to use right away. My family, friends and co-workers have already started to notice a difference.

I learned more important things from this book than I did from my own Mother.

Nicki Joy writes a powerful, prescriptive motivational book that shows you how to win, how to get to the top and how to stay there. This book has a quick and fun tone, making it an easy, enjoyable read. I recommend this book to anyone who feels that they need a push in the right direction to get their lives back on track!

I thought it was really funny and great. I love it so much. I even bought it for my class

If you're looking for a book your kids will love, this is it. Actually all three Stinky Boys books will be like a magnet. That's great if you hope your kids will read. My ten year old needs to hear about powerful girls and the boys and girls in this book are all strong and audacious kids. I think the authors are kid geniuses. I hope there is more to come.

This book was such fun, we read it together, and when we finished, we read it again. We could not get enough of it!

A MUST BUY

My six year old couldn't wait to share what he heard in this book with all his friends!He says everyone should hear it read. I enjoy reading it to him each night, and hearing about it the next day. Everyone should have a copy!

...all of my son's time, that is! My almost 7 year old son has been reading for a few years but never on his own... until now. He woke up early on a weekend morning and literally devoured this book from cover to cover and absoutely loved it. When he came in at 10:00am (yippee,, this was a first!) to wake me, we read it again together. I concur--- the Stinky Boys Club series is a must-read for all kids, stinky or otherwise, especially those with a great sense of humor.

An excellent source of information regarding trading fundamentals in global markets, especially for beginning FOREX traders. The information provided in the text enables the reader to grasp the main subjects of investment and world trade in a simplified manner. The only short coming is that the information regarding global economic statistics is dated to pre-1997 and it would be great if the authors provided an updated edition

Brian Quinlan, son of Joeseph P. Quinlan, is a funny boy who gives interesting speeches and has the best basement and television set in the world. We like to call him TW for terrific warrior. He is a big fan of Doug Flutie and Zack Debolt and you should beware of the "elbow".

I can't tell you how many times I have referred to this book for my investment descisions. It's an accurate and clear portrayal of what goes on in the global market. My returns are increasing more and more everyday!

The Export Institute deals with brand new to highly experienced international traders. Many of them already know that the old adage "follow the money" is especially true in foreign commerce. Smart exporters are continually monitoring the activities of global investors and financial institutions.

This book will open your mind to various aspects of the global economy. Any serious investor would be doing him/herself a great favor by picking up this book...it is written in a very organized manner wherein coverage of each topic is short, concise, and each has it's own accompanying graphs/charts/statistics page. A perfect reference.