Sports Books

Green Streak is the second book in the Zeke Armstrong Mystery series. Fun, fast paced and just right for the 9-14 set, this book has it all...dangerous villains, an amateur sleuth, New York City, a damsel in distress, and of course in-line skating! Zeke Armstrong is off on another whirl-wind adventure...while visiting New York for the Big Apple In-Line Skate Off with his friend Pow Wow (and Pow Wow's Parents) the boys befriend an older woman at a refreshment stand and no sooner have they met her, she is being mugged and knocked out by a very strange in-line skater...dressed all in green! While Pow Wow stays with Mrs. Winthrop (his dad is a doctor after all), Zeke races off after the purse snatcher only to find that his is rather a strange purse snatcher after, he doesn't just take the money and ditch the purse...there is much more involved in all of this and Zeke has just taken his first steps (skates?) toward solving this mystery!

Overall, it's a very exciting, fast-paced mystery that has just the right mix of clues, action and danger that will keep you wanting to read until you reach the end...and even then you'll want more! I certainly found it hard to put down...in fact, I didn't. I read this in two hours and enjoyed it immensely (and I'm 37)! I feel that this book is ideally suited for middle-grade readers (3-6) and believe that it would also make a suitable for younger readers as a read aloud (provided they are able to enjoy a read aloud story without pictures), as the chapters are relatively short. I'm giving Green Streak five stars and two thumbs up, it's a traditional mystery in a modern wrapper that I think reads of all ages can enjoy! One final note: this second book in the series was published in 2004 and there have been no additional books published for this series since (that's 4 years) so my best guess is that there won't be any more and we are all very disappointed about that. We'd absolutely LOVE to read more of Zeke Armstrong's Adventures.

Reviewed by Brianne Plach (age 10) for Reader Views (1/08)

Zeke Armstrong and his friend Pow Wow Gao are happy to be chosen to go to New York City for the annual Big Apple Inline Skate-Off. But their happy trip is soon changed into a very frightening experience. They are witnesses to a mugging of a woman. If that isn't bad enough, it wasn't just any woman but it was someone who they had just met. Was it just a random mugging or is there more to it than that? Zeke Armstrong is an Encyclopedia Brown type kid who wants to get to the bottom of this mystery. Will the chance of competing and maybe winning the final competition be more important than solving this crime?

Mysteries for middle readers can sometimes lack suspense and a great adventure but "Green Streak" lacks neither of these. The pages of this book are action-packed with the two stories of competing in the skate-off and getting involved in helping solve this crime. Some of the clues given are obvious and I could figure them out. But just when I thought I had the mystery solved, there would be another twist in the story. Zeke is a typical kid who gets himself into some pretty scary situations but the ways he gets out of them are really funny.

The first Zeke Armstrong mystery, "Red Card" is an award winner, and "Green Streak" is sure to be a winner of an award too. With books like this, there is no reason why kids would not be able to find a book which they enjoy. I could see adults liking this book in addition to the kids.

My wife and I always check out the books we give our boys (ages 8 and 10). We grew up on the Hardy Boys and Nancy Drew, and we loved the pleasure those books brought us. Until recently, we'd been unable to find anything new on the market in the way of great mystery/adventure fiction. You know what I mean - pure, unadulterated, fast-paced fun. There are a lot of books out there about kids with "issues", which is fine - they're certainly needed. But if alot of the kids today are anything like my wife and I were when we were young, then there's a need for a modern Hardy Boys/Nancy Drew.

We'd all but given up on finding anything like that, until I noticed a teaser on an uncle/nephew mystery writing team in last week's Apple eNews email from Apple Computer. I checked out the full story on Daniel J. Hale and Matthew LaBrot on Apple.com's Pro site. I was intrigued. I ordered both books in the Zeke Armstrong series. I read both Red Card and Green Streak in a single day (when I should have been making sales calls). They blew me away. They took me back to my youth. I gave the books to my wife. She stayed up until 3 AM reading them. They blew her away. They took her back to her youth. We gave them to our boys. They devoured them. For the past two days, all they've been able to talk about is Zeke and Pow Wow, Zeke and Pow Wow, Zeke and Pow Wow. My wife and I have never seen them so excited about books.

At last! In Zeke Armstrong, we have a worthy successor to the Hardy Boys and Nancy Drew. Thanks to Apple Computer for bringing him to our attention.

This is the second Zeke Armstrong mystery, and I thoroughly enjoyed it. The characters are thoughtful and well-drawn; the mystery is well-conceived and there's lots of suspense. I'll be suggesting this book to a number of my middle grade readers. It's not to be missed.

The setting is New York City. A big race (in-line skating) is about to be held. A big crime is about to be committed. Naturally, Zeke Armstrong is involved in both. Hale and LaBrot do a wonderful job with this book: the plot is solid and fast-paced, the characters engaging, the scenes convincingly drawn. Although written for a younger audience, Green Streak never talks down to the reader; adults as well as adolescents will enjoy the mix of mystery solving and athletic endeavor. Red Card, The first installment in the Zeke Armstrong series, won the Agatha Award (deservedly so), and this is a better book. Read it.

A well put together effort. Surfing history has followed the icons of each era and the breaks they rode. Thru time, surfing has always respected the legends who scratched for the outside and rode big. Way to go guys, the most representative collection of surfing lore that I've seen. Thanks.

Tube Thug

Having attended Pier Avenue School..across the street from Noll's surf shop, I have followed surfing since my first time out at Paddle Board Cove, or "The Cove" many moons ago. Excellent book and photos for those who really want to see the changes in board design along with the historical milestones of the surfing history.

Surfing has changed alot since Noll's and Jacob's shop on Pacific Coast Hiway. Most of the original guys are now in surfing heaven riding the milelong rollers.

I enjoyed the book and pick it up frequently to remind me of surfing in California during the 1960 and early 1970's. Yes, there was a time you could have a wave to yourself at Malibu, Rincon or Leo Carrillo State Beach..or "Secos"..or stop off at that place just south of County Line for a great hamburger, fries and a coke for about 2 bucks. How things have changed...And, where did I just come back from...surfing the northern Spanish coast...where I now live..truly "bitchin"

An amazing book for those who really are in love with surfing : boards of legends, men of legends, pictures that make you dream about.
Everything is in there !

Like the surfboards depicted in this beautifuly illastrated book Greg Noll, the art of the surfboard reveal a finely and lovingly prouuced marster piece.
A must have for anyone facinated by the surf culture of today and days gone by.
There are demonstrations on board shaping.
Plus insghtful discutions on past board makers and surfboard collectors.
What realy stands this book apart from the rest is its lavish photography.

the best coffee table book that you can get for a surfer and a shaper. Great stories and pictures. Looks good too!

This book is great for someone turning 40, 50, 60, 70...
It is so inspiring to see images of happy, healthy, active seniors.
I guarantee this book to be a big hit.

This book is an inspiration to all! Great pictures of senor athletes who are in fabulous shape. If we all could look this great at advanced age!
Just goes to show that physical excercise can keep you young and fit!
Looved this book and think it's a great gift item.

A terrific follow up on the original book; "Growing Old is Not For Sissies" - highly recommend both

As a 50 year old runner and biker, I loved this book. I am now firmly entrenched in middle age and need the occasional inspiration to get out on the trails of Houston especially during the brutally hot summers. This book is full of what I need. A beautifully photographed and written book portraying active seniors competing and loving life, some well into their 90s. Truly amazing. The book is generally formatted with a picture and a few paragraphs written about and in some cases by these special people. By personal favorite is 83 year old surfer "Woody" Brown pictured with his 6 year old son Woody Jr. (Yep.... do the math) A copy of their picture is posted on my refrigerator for those days I hesitate to lace up the running shoes.

I have bought this book now as a birthday gift for my father, my husband and two of our friends (all of whom are athletes who are definitely NOT sissies!). It is such a beautiful testimony to the fact that age is just a number. I hope someday I might qualify to be in one of Etta Clark's future edition of this book.

I am not sure why some of the other reviewers look at this book as written only for BJJ fighters wanting to add judo into their game. It is expressly written equally for judo fighters wanting to add BJJ into their game. He quite rightly points out that both sports are excellent and devastatingly effective for fighting in their own way, and that at the intermediate level in both you can combine them together, winning judo tourneys with jiu-jitsu and jiu-jitsu tourneys with judo.
What this book does is select the moves that are equally effective in both combat sports. A great number of them are movements initiated standing up that become submissions as you hit the ground. Thus, throws to submissions and flying submissions are emphasized. But, also throws to pins are treated in some detail, and ways for a judo fighter to avoid a BJJ athlete's pulling guard, and for a BJJ fighter to handle a judoka's ultra-solid turtle defence.
The book is absolutely brilliant, and it is endorsed by quite a few big names in mixed martial arts and grappling. This brings me to another important point: the book is not only written for judoka and jiu-jitsu competitors, but equally for mixed martial artists. Dave Camarillo has trained 12 UFC victors. He knows what he is talking about.
Being a judo guy I like reading books that say good things about judo for MMA and grappling, but I actually have one small problem with the book from a club training perspective. The moves are so devastating that I can't imagine subjecting some of my less-competitive training friends at the club to them on a regular basis. Throwing someone to the ground while cracking on a submission hold is brutal! My friends would hate me. But I think this all goes only to show just how effective Dave's arsenal of killer moves is!
WOW! Great job! What an excellent fighting book!

Obviously David Camarillo is Bruce Lee on the mat and his moves are simple though different then the ordinary brazilian jiujitsu,

Wow,

I bought this book, not expecting the most out of it. Well I was wrong, I could not put this book down. Dave, ties all the transitions between the throw and ground. I would recommened this book to anyone who wants to greatly improve their BJJ game.

I first started training jiu jitsu at a Ralph Gracie school and even though Dave Camarillo had already been at AKA for several years the grizzled veterans still loved to swap stories about Camarillo's legendary jiu jitsu (even the newer students were well aware of his legendary exploits at the academy - I was once kicked in the face by a blue belt attempting to hit a flying triangle that he'd seen Camarillo pull off!). The introduction alone was practically worth the cover price for the detailed description of the BJJ scene in the Bay Area circa 1990s.

As for the content itself, Camarillo provides a great explanation of how the rules in judo and Brazilian jiu jitsu have lead the two arts to diverge to the point where one could train for several months in BJJ without learning basic forward rolls, throws, and breakfalls (as I did), or earn a black belt in judo and possess lesser ground skills than a BJJ blue belt (though of course many judokas have wicked ground games, albeit not necessarily ones well-suited to jiu jitsu). I agree with other reviewers that the book assumes some prior knowledge of BJJ. At the same time, it assumes virtually no knowledge of judo, which was perfect for me. The book became a great way to tighten up my technique on moves that I hadn't extensively drilled due to my BJJ-focused background. And by this I mean basic, basic things (forward rolls, grip fighting, ippon seioinage, osoto gari) that most judoka do in their sleep. Most of the introductory sections are essentially "judo for dummies," which was exactly what I needed to develop some semblance of a standup game in jiu jitsu.

My one caveat is that, though the book contains relatively few actual techniques, the level of assumed mastery increases fairly rapidly. For example, I have yet to read through the impact control section in great detail because at this point I am still trying to solidify my ability to establish basic grips and execute simple throws. Similarly, I imagine that the flying attacks section will be much more relevant once one has established a strong gripping/throwing game.

In sum, this book is a terrific resource for BJJ players who might need to fill in some gaps in their knowledge, as well as judokas looking for good ways to translate their skills into quick submissions in the context of BJJ. At the very least, you should develop some good alternatives to simply pulling guard every time you find yourself on your feet.

This book was put out by Victory Belt Publishing, which is fast becoming my favorite martial-arts publishing company. Dave Camarillo have been practicing Judo since before his teens, and is a world-class competitor. He combines years of experience in this sport with the techniques of BJJ, creating a system of gi-based grappling that is more than the sum of its parts.

The book begins with Camarillo sharing his philosophy of judo and BJJ, and giving a brief biography of events relavent to the creationg of Guerrilla Jiu-Jitsu. After that, he begins the technical work of the book, which is split up into three parts. The first part, "Incorporating Judo and Jiu-Jitsu", is by far the longest section. In itself, it might almost be a complete book of introductory judo. Dave starts by giving basic instruction on rolls and falls. Next he covers grips, both how to establish them and how to break the opponent's grip. The next bit is on the basic judo throws, such as Ouchi-Gari and Seoi-Nage. He finishes up the first part by showing how to mesh the standing techniques of judo and BJJ, and how to find opportunities for Judo throws in BJJ competitions.

The second part of the book is how to transition from throws to submissions. Dave first shows a series of drills to increase one's odds of tapping an opponent out after the throw. He then continues this section by showing the "impact control" possition and a number of variations. The chapter is rounded out by showing other throw-lock combinations.

The third part is on the very flashy flying attacks. This is Camarillo's specialty, and I can think of no one more qualified to write on them than him. Dave shows a number of flying attacks, including triangles, armbars, and omaplatas, and gives the reader options on how to defend against flying attacks.

I have two minor complaints about the book; both regard its readership. First, one must have a working knowledge of the ground game, because the basics are skipped over in this text. Second, I'm not certain how easy it would be to pull off some of these flying attacks against a trained opponent.

Overall, this is a very good book. The picture quality can't be beat, the subject matter is relavent to the competitions, and the reading style, like most books where Erich Krauss is author or co-author, is easy to read. This book was written so that BJJ students could incorporate judo into their arsenal. The section on grip-fighting is invaluable, and the way the author sets up his flying attacks gives these flashy moves a higher percentage of success. I'd recomend it mostly for BJJ competitors, but I'm sure Judo and Sambo competitors could learn from it, too.

We used the book on all our off-road trips around Moab, and discovered amazingly beautiful and interesting trails by following the book. We attempted only the "easy" trails as we were with an SUV (a new Toyota Land Cruiser) to which we did not want to cause any external damage. We found that the moderate trails would have very likely caused damage to our vehicle (very rocky). By the way - the book is available throughout Moab in almost every store, but you will pay close to $30 before tax.

Excellent book, great guide to follow, was very helpful on my ATV trip in and around Moab, UT. LOVED IT!!! Highly recommended.

I bought this book as a Christmas present for my significant other, so we can utilize it on an upcoming trip to Moab. He drives a Tacoma with 4WD and we're interested in knowing as much as about trails as possible. It looks like this book is going to come in handy. We plan on reading through it today. It's pretty detailed and has great maps inside of each trail. I would recommend it to someone who is a four wheeling nut and definitely to someone coming into Moab from out of town like us.

This is a very well written guide to Moab, UT. It has detailed instructions as well as GPS coordinates to all of the popular, and many not so popular trails. Excellent photography and super details to guide you through your adventure.

You will not go wrong purchasing this book if you like to spend any time in Moab. Again, Excellent Resource!

If your going to Moab you have to have this book! It was a great tool for finding trails, seeing the highlights, and judging how hard they may be. My take on the trail ratings... Level 1 is just dirt roads, 2 is a little hump and bump but can be done in most off roadish vehicles, 3s are for those who've been on trail rides and feel comfortable with their ride. I didn't do any 4s but I did some 3.5s and they had a few "tall" drop offs but again nothing a 3" lifted Jeep with 32" wheels could do.

Only think that could make this better is to be more up to date!

This is a story that is more frightening than anything Stephen King has ever writter. It's a realistic 'The Bad News Bears' that will make any reader with an ounce of empathy feel like crying. The harrowing life that the children of the Cabrini projects must endure in their day-to-day existence is a bleak background of violence, drugs, and society gone wrong. The fact that Little League baseball can serve as a beacon for these kids is almost as amazing that a society like ours can let projects like the one depicted in this book exist.

A powerful, important novel, and one that should be read by anyone interested in learning about the differences that exist in our society.

Coyle gave a great story. He was very descriptive. His writing had the affect to make me able to visualize every character and setting. I've spent time in the projects on many occasions' with friends who stay there and I see these things all the time, except children are growing more love for basketball and football. Yet they still show the heart on the court and gridiron as they did in this story in the diamond.

This book is such a great find. Unlike the movie, this is the non-fiction account of a group of volunteer's attempts to organize a little league team in Chigago's Cabrini Green project, possibly the most infamous in the country. Don't expect any Keanu Reeves ex-gambler coaches to show up. Do expect great candor from the kids and an unmistakable affection from the author (who never appears in the book) for the players. Despite all the news stories you'll ever hear about urban decay, public housing and gang violence, it will never have the impact that some of these stories do (3 players lose their fathers during the season, one's is incarcerated, others can identify a gun's calibre by sound.) This story isn't unremittingly grim though and never is it preachy. Coyle's gift is to just let the children and the coaches speak as the story of the Kikuyus journey to the championships unfolds. There are so many sweet funny moments in this book: Louis' Star Search audition, the trip to the Iowa baseball camp (where hillbillies are more terrifying that gang bangers), Jalen's "Rude Dude" bat. Despite the fact that there are no sudden changes of heart, the players never quite permanently comes together as a team, and the league's two founders end up as mortal enemies, this is nonetheless an uplifting story. Some of the kids have potential, some don't, the odds are against most. Maybe a summer of baseball can't save them but as one of the League's founders poignantly notes, "If we save one, then this League is a success."

The best news is that while Cabrini itself is being razed, the Near North League continues. It's a shame this book is out of print. It is definitely worth seeking out.

In my top 3 books, sometimes my favorite. I would like to know where the author was and want to find out what happened to each and every member the team. I know i can't write, but the author and I, think alike and you will enjoy seeing life through these kids eyes.

... should make this book available again now that the movie HARDBALL has hit the screens. I read this book about three years ago or so when it first came out and thought it was a great read. I gave it to a fellow baseball fan, who is a supervising probation officer in our county. For those who feel that youth baseball (and youth sports) can often be more than just a game, this book is for you. Watching the movie last week brought back thoughts of this book. The movie does some Hollywood license on the story line (they win the title in the film) but essentially is well done and gives the essential message the author sought to convey.

This book and the film should be required viewing for suburban Little League teams which have as "must have" items the latest version $250 bats, batting gloves and all the new fangled gear that passes for "essential" baseball equipment these days.

In the film one of the kids is asked by the coach character as the kid returns to his housing project home full of problems and malingerers "What do you do for fun?" The kid responds: "I plaky baseball for you....." Ain't baseball great. This book plus the a little too sappy film shows us all why.

Hit a Grand Slam is about Alex Rodriguez as a kid and growing up. It teaches you to be kind. I recommend it to people ages 7 and up, even if they don't like baseball. It's also a really good sports book for kids who like sports. It's one of the best sports books I ever read.

I loved this book because I got a chance to learn about Alex's life and how he handled his dad leaving. I like how he expresses his feelings and doesn't keep his feelings inside. I would recommend this book to people of all ages.

This book really affects kids in a positive way. It informs the reader "It's nice to be important, but it's important to be nice!" This having been said ever so elegantly by A-Rod himself.

Alex and his team did a great job of affluently connecting the pictures with his stories in such a way that it is one you won't want to put down until finished.

Alex is a great role model, and his book is an excellent reflection of him. His positive outlook shines throughout his book, which in turn inspires the reader, the kids.

Children are constantly searching for role models in the public spotlight. Alex Rodriguez's book introduces them to an outstanding human being who has experienced many of the obstacles in life that young children face today. Alex shares his memories of his past and the events that shaped his youth. Children will identify with his struggles and the concerns that he faced in his own childhood. Wonderful pictures fill the book and are sure to delight any fans of Alex. Most importantly the book carries the message to children that they CAN succeed with hard work, no matter what hurdles life throws at you!

This is a wonderful book. This Book shows how even through adversity you can still rise above, and achieve success. It is a book for all ages, Alex had difficult times, but he did not let it stop him..that is an inspiration.

I first read Hunter's book as a teenage boy and was transported by his stories of hunting dangerous game in the African bush. Hunter's influence was one of the reasons that I became a big game hunter, myself, hunting all over the world including much of Southern Africa and Ethiopia. Still, it is with regret that I couldn't see Africa in a more pristine age as did John Hunter.

It is pitiful that Kenya, the site of many of Hunter's adventures, subsequently banned big game hunting and the traditions of one of the greatest of all hunting nations have largely been lost. I keep hearing rumors that Kenya is "opening up", again. Let's hope so.

Ron Braithwaite author of novels--"Skull Rack" and "Hummingbird God"--on the Conquest of Mexico

This is the best book on African Dangerous Game Hunting that I have read to date. John Hunter (coincidence of name and profession) hunted in Africa (mostly Kenya) in the first half of the 20th century and with his 'cropping' activities for the Kenya Game Department shot staggering numbers of the 'big five'. His unassuming old world style is engaging and I found the book difficult to put down and was disappointed when I reached the end - I was left craving more. That he survived to write his books is testimony to his skill as a hunter.

A great book, one of the best on African hunting I have ever read. Hunter is right up there with Pondoro Taylor as knowledgeable yet entertaining as well.

This book is a timeless classic and definitely, definitely worth reading. If you are a big game hunter (or an aspiring big game hunter), this book is an essential addition to your library. This is quite possibly the best hunting book ever written. Better than Hemingway's accounts, in my opinion.

I first read "Hunter" when I was in college more than 40 years ago, and I can still remember J.A. Hunter's sadness and lament when he described his feelings upon the loss of his dog. In that instance he said "that you grow too fond of a dog. I sometimes wonder whether the pleasure in owning a dog is worth the misery caused by his death." An excellent book that I would recommend to all readers, but especially teenagers and young adults.

This is one of the best hunting books I've read. Dwight provides realistic information with good detail. He doesn't oversimplify things. He discusses various hunting situations that will face each hunter sooner or later. I'm now reading his book on early season elk hunting.

This is a very good book for anyone who is a beginning open country deer hunter. It is also a good book if you have hunted open country and want to compare your tactics to someone else. I know next season I will test some tactics found in this book to see if they work better than mine. I am also going to recommend this book to my hunting partners. It was written in the mid 80's so a lot of advice on optics, bows, and other accessories are dated. If you are looking for a system to hunt open country this book may be for you.

There are several very good "how to" books available about mule deer hunting but Dwight Schuh's book deserves a spot at the top. I have hunted mulies for many years and this is the one book that I always recommend to the first time mule deer hunter. What makes "Hunting Open Country Mule Deer" especially good is that it offers solid, practical advice on spotting and hunting deer that anyone from the novice to the seasoned hunter will find useful in pursuing the 'grey ghosts'. Schuh is right when he claims that you will become a successful mule deer hunter if you follow the advice in his book.

This is a good book for bowhunters that like to hunt in the early seasons. Doesnt go much into rifle hunting or rifle hunting seasons in which deer tend to be more in the timber. At least thats what I got out of it because he doesnt actually say so. He doesnt really say anything about the regular gun season. Most of his hunts are late summer. Not a bad book though easy to read and understand, just not what I was looking for.

I found this book very useful. The book is targeted toward bowhunting but the techniques are useful for any other hunting technology you'd care to apply to deer hunting. It does not try to cover all aspects of deer hunting (tracking, weapon choice and ballistics) what it covers is a technique for locating, spotting, stalking, and close approaching big bucks in wide open country. I found the style to be sort of down home but not in an irritating way. And his style does not get in the way of conveying the vital information in this book.

GARY SHEFFIELD DOES A GOOD JOB WITH THIS BOOK. INSIDE POWER IS ABOUT HIS LIFE AND CAREER. ONE THING I DID LIKE ABOUT THIS BOOK IS LITTLE IF ANY PROFANITIES. I CAN ALSO APPRECIATE HIS HONESTY ON MANY SUBJECTS AND AGREED WITH HIM ON MOST. I FOUND SHEFFIELD TO BE QUITE HUMAN WITH A BIG EGO AND A BIG MOUTH. I AM GLAD HE HAS FOUND A LOVING WIFE AND GOD, BUT HE IS STILL A PAIN TO DEAL WITH AND A MAJOR HEADACHE IF HE DOESN'T GET HIS WAY. I ADMIRE HIS TALENT AND HE WILL AND SHOULD BE IN THE HALL OF FAME SOME DAY. GROW UP GARY AND BE MORE LIKE YOUR WIFE. I RECOMMEND THIS FOR ALL BASEBALL FANS.

one of best books I have read. So many life lessons and intriguing story

If you like baseball, then read this book. This book describes most owners and GM's are just business men. It shows really how cruel the Yankees baseball staff is and how great the players. It shows how baseball is unfair to a lot of players and how it is becoming more of a racist sport. This book also shows inspiration and how money isn't everything. This book also shows that Barry Bonds is a really egotistical power-hungry maniac(no offense Giants fans). This is a great book. I picked it up and i didn't put it down until I finished it.

Gary Sheffield Is one of My Favorite Players and David Ritz is One of Favorite Writers as well. bring there two Worlds together and you have a strong Book. what I dig about Gary Sheffield is that He is One of the very Few true Soul Brothers around who speaks his mind. I miss that from so many cats who are only too happy to grin and get the Money and Be Bought off. Sheff stays on the real.I dug what he said about his Grandpa I can relate to that. Great mentions of his Uncle Dwight "Doc" Gooden. a Strong Book from a Strong Minded Soul Brother.

This is a very brief story about the earlier years of one of baseball's premier players, Gary Sheffield. It is written in very short chapters along the line of Jose Conseco's book, but is more about a maturing process than anything else. Dwight Gooden is Gary's uncle, and that must have been a riot growing up with a role model like that. Gary has alot of baggage he brings around that resembles a chip on his shoulder-- and seems to blame everyone else for any problem that comes along. Sometimes, you have to admit to yourself, that your life is better than most people's and let little things not bother you so much. Eventually, he learns this, and becomes a better person from the "inside". The Inside Power title is to signify his change into becoming a man from a kid. Gary Sheffield is/was one of the world's greatest hitters...when others talked of going 0 for 20, a bad streak for him was 0 for 3. It was an interesting book, but nothing really remarkable about it. You are not going to get any secret tips on how to bat or hit, but you will get a journey on how baseball will make you grow up or you will be very unhappy your entire career. How many people in this world would trade for a career like this guy instead of complaining about 90% of the time about trades and owners? The time he spent with Barry Bonds must have actually made him worse, and is interesting because it was at the wrong time in his career. When I think of Gary Sheffield, I think of a line drive double hit---HARD. guyairey