Sports Books

I've never hunted before - game or fowl. I grew up in the city, and have never held a shotgun in my 40 years. I had no understanding of hunting - it's potential for beauty and forging a connection with nature - until I read Dan O'Brien's Equinox.

Dan's connection with nature through falconry is moving, and at times tangible throughout Equinox. He reveals hunting as a truly noble sport - if approached with reverence for nature and respect for predator and prey.

Dan's prose is straightforward, without frills or fancy, well-suited to the rustic life he describes, stalking grouse on the South Dakota plains with bird and dog.

I think most people will enjoy Equinox, regardless of background, but I especially recommend it to people who have negative feelings about hunting but are open to thinking about it in a new way.

I just finished reading the book in two settings, spending most of a Sunday afternoon and Monday evening enjoying this excellent novel. I was captivated by the people, dogs, birds, and environment. This is a must read. I loved it.

I liked this book. At times, there may have been too much emphasis on the dogs, or too much on just falcons (red-tailed hawk coverage would have been great, but the author caters to peregrine falcons, so it is obviously his choice). Regardless, the amount of detailed coverage is impressive and written very well. Fortunately, the author eases you into the detail and doesn't toss it in your lap like some books. Whenever a new falconry term is mentioned in the text, there is a small side-bar definition of that term.

Some have said that the author's attitude gets in the way. When I read the few pages from the website, I also got a little of that. However, when I read the rest of the book, I did not get that at all. Often, appearances can be deceiving.

I was surprised at how good this book was. I expected it to be a primer for my interest in falconry but found it to be so much more. It is a fantastic account of the training of a raptor and the relationship between man and bird. Obviously passionate about his undertaking the author describes the training process in vivid detail making a compelling story to the end. With an equally interesting personal story that parallels his bird of prey adventure this book makes for a very enjoyable read.

Having begun working with birds of prey (in a rehabilitation center) in the last couple of years I have searched for books that gave more personal insights into the practice of falconry. Mr.O'Brien certainly knows his subject and does a fine job of describing the sport and the birds themselves. His accounts of hacking (early training) young peregrines in particular are excellent. I found his descriptions of what can go wrong, as well as right, in the caring and training of these birds quite illuminating and engrossing. His use of falconers-speak is well balanced with the story and the annotations quite helpful for those unfamiliar with the sport.
I unfortunately found the overall concept of a man in midlife attempting to convince the reader that he is on a quest for some sort of middle age epiphany a bit trying. His relationship with his wife - an anesthesiologist who spends the majority of her time in a sleep deprived state, taking hospital call, and generally supporting his rather indulgent and self-centered lifestyle- frustrated me and was distracting from an otherwise interesting story about the training of a gifted young peregrine falcon.
I give much credit to Mr. O'Brien for being a man in touch with nature and clearly environmentally sensitive and conservation oriented. But, as my wife said after finishing the book, he comes across as something of a jerk in his personal life. Given that Mr. O'Brien's skills in describing the beauty of the land he lives on and the animals he has the great privilege of interacting with are most enviable, it's a shame that this aspect diminishes an otherwise excellent story.

Explore your mind and become truly aware of yourself with these golf tips to help you open up your game. There are also great exercises to help you relax.

Excellent mind training for golf and applicable to other aspects of life as well.

This is likely the best book I have read about the sport of Golf so far.
A great book, that is well worth the money (and time reading it more than once). The excercises in the book are great and easy to follow with amazing effects.

Although I see several different philosophies woven into the authors work, what you call it doesn't matter. Reading this book is an essential for any golfer. You will learn things about yourself you didn't know, why you play golf....and, it will be an aid to improving your game. I have not practiced all the exercises, but just by reading the book, my swing and thought process has changed. My swing is more free, my thoughts are more free, and I am free from worrying about the result. I can't wait to read "Extraordinary Golf" next.

Awareness. It is something I never really experienced before playing golf. Being in the now and enjoying the sensations of the game will definitely be my goals for the upcoming season. Reading this book is like having a hypnotic session. You can start to see inside and outside of yourself and become amazed at how you work. I only wish that I was taught these things 20 years ago when I first started playing.

At one time or another we've all been "In the Zone". Dr. Lardon's insightful book helps us get in the Zone more often and also helps us stay there longer once we've found it. Citing his own personal experiences that range from Dr. Jonas Salk to John McEnroe to Eric Heiden this book holds your interest from start to finish.

Finding Your Zone isn't just for athletes either. Dr. Lardon's concepts apply to business executives, students and weekend warriors. Yesterday I was even able to get in the Zone while fly fishing! This book is a must read for anyone in pursuit of peak performance at work, at school or at play.

Dr Lardon concisely describes what it takes to focus on a goal and improve one's chances of achieving it. This easy reader is a great way to get started on the path to athletic or personal success. The book is filled with great anecdotes from the sporting world but the lessons can be applied to many other facets of life where concentration and commitment are required.

Finally, an Author with true knowledge of a subject that has been "used" by others who wish they had Dr. Lardon's unique credentials. A quiet, unassuming fellow with massive intellect and personal experience has found the time to share his techniques with us---not just world-class athletes. "You've read the the rest, now read the best"!

As an avid athlete and physician/psychiatrist myself, I found Dr. Lardon's book not only academically precise and professionally sound, but on a personal note, quite inspirational. The wealth of clinical experience he brings to his work with athletes lends a legitimacy that other so-called 'zone coaches' cannot claim. 'Finding Your Zone' is written in an easy, yet inspiring manner that will aid both the amateur and professional athlete alike, as well as anyone who cares about bringing to life their true best self. I have read much of the sport literature, and this book stands above the rest for its accessibility, its beautiful and relevant real-world examples, and Dr. Lardon's passion for his craft, which is evident from page one.

An elite athlete himself, Dr.Lardon's interest in achieving peak performance was formulated as a teenager on the world table tennis circuit. Fast forward several years and we find Dr. Lardon has finished medical school and undertaken a residency in psychiatry. His special interest...studying elite athletes and what separates the great ones from the rest of the field. From his 20 years of working closely with top athletes, Dr. Lardon has put together a book of relevant and fascinating observations. I particularly like the concept of "instant amnesia".

He has a perfect way of helping sales people seeing selling as a gentle conversation in the world and what they do that scares people and causes them to hide from us. He demonstrates that selling is not a killer sport... it's not about pushing and shoving people

You don't have to have the title of "salesperson" to get a lot out of this book. Anyone who has business development as a part of their job will find the techniques helpful. I'm a woodworker, but I still have to find and win new clients. This book has given me some great ideas that I'm already putting into practice. It also taught me quite a bit about fishing. It's a fast, fun read, but packed with helpful ideas and tips.

Joe DiMisa marries two age-old activities, sales and fishing, to come up with a guide that appeals to every person who makes their living by selling. Mr. DiMisa uses "life" advice from his successful fishing father-in-law to walk the reader through concepts from prospecting to closing. The Captain's Logs are successfully interjected throughout the guide to tie the two topics, sales and fishing together. By the end of the book, the readers wish they all had a Tarpon Willie to guide their boat and guide their lives. In addition, Mr. DiMisa calls on past experiences as a successful sales consultant in side-bars titled "This ain't no fish tale!" These anecdotes and examples are real-life experiences that allow the reader to match the concepts to reality.

Whether the readers are fishermen are not, each person will be able to take away several ideas to propel them in their sales career. Mr. DiMisa's guide should be required reading for companies that survive on sales and customer experience.

The book gives incredible insight into the importance of really understanding your customers and their needs. All managers and their staff should utilize this book as a fun and breakthrough way to better interact with clients.

As a sales director you sometimes can become removed from your front line sales reps. Reading Joe's book forced me to re-examine the traits of an effective sales rep and an in-effective rep. It helped me understand some things I could do in order to break down barriers for my sales staff so they could more easily "catch" new customers. I've made it required reading for my sales managers so that they can use some of Joe's experiences to better their sales staff. I've already seen great results!

Bobby Rice
Advertising Director

This is an excellent product I purchased the Saltwater edition for 1 tackle box and the Freshwater edition for my other, it's an excellent reference. The plastic coating makes it waterproof,cleanable and durable.
Thank You

This is a great starter to intermediate knot tying manual. 'Ultimate' might be stretching it but it's close. Definitely adequate! You would 'the man' if you mastered every knot in this manual! The envy of every other deckhand for sure! ciao, Scott

Buy it, use it, love it; enough said.

Fisherman's Ultimate Knot Guide is a great little guide worth the money takes up very little room and keeps the rust out when it's been awhile since you tied those knots.

I have used the tool and find it very helpful. Good price. Fast shipping.

I am very happy with this book. It tells me about all the fishing lures made back when adam was a boy....

We are generally disappointed in sequels but this 2nd edition IS AN EXCEPTION. The hobby's rarest and unusual Lures are pictured in vivid color with a short history. Set this one on your coffee table and your guests are instantly "hooked". If you are a collector or simply enjoy angling history, this one is definitly a "MUST HAVE"...

This book is really gorgeous on the outside and even more so on the inside. It has in depth descriptions of the different types of lures and their parts and gives great incite on how to date such lures and parts. The print is is large and bold and the color pictures are stunningly printed on heavy bond glossy paper. There are pictures throughout the book of just about every lure imaginable. I promise you will not be disappointed.

This reference has been a great tool for us. We collect antique lures and have learned what to look for and what it's worth. We have found just about every lure in our collection in this book. Would reccomend to anyone with the hobby!

Well done! I use this book constantly. Well illustrated and good discriptions.

As a strength and conditioning professional and avid snowboarder I would give Rocky Snyder's "Fit to Snowboard and Ski" a solid "5 Star" rating. He has laid out functional progressions that will take a novice through expert rider/skier and develop the whole body for the demands of the sport.
The descriptions and pictures are easy to follow making this a very practical self-help guide. You can have lots of desire to improve but if you don't have the strength and stability behind it you will never reach your full potential.

I left New England in '98 because it was too cold and because I never learned to ski. In college, everyone came back from the slopes with broken parts and not just on their skis. After reading this book, I am glad to know that there are slopes on the West Coast because I'm giving this thing a shot. Snyder makes skiing and boarding sound not only fun and good for your health but necessary. His writing style is as free- flowing and easy as a trip down the bunny slopes. His encouragement is like having an instructor by your side cheering you on. I'm going to add his regimen to my fitness activities because he is so thorough, positive, and knowledgable. Thanks Mr. Snyder. Can't wait to see what's next in store for us!

Getting ready for this years ski season, I found this book to give me an excellent foundation in getting ready to hit the slopes. Mr. Snyder, made it simple to understand and follow, and I recommend this reading for all skiers/snowboarders.

As a practicing chiropractor for 25 years I have seen all of what can happen when you don't have a reference like Fit to Ski and Snowboard in your library. Rocky Snyder is a master at translating a no-nonsense training protocol into pure joy in skiing and snowboarding. Rocky's book will help prevent injury and inspire more charging and fun. What's not to like about a book like that?

Dr. Herby Bell
Capitola, CA

As an avid skier, I have personal experience with Rocky's books and his fitness/training regimine. What I have found most helpful about this book for ski/snowboard training is that it has a variety of exercises that will keep you busy throughout the off-season and keep you tuned during the season. If you get too familiar with an exercise you can easily find other exercises that will challenge you. Rocky's proven exercises really do work in keeping that edge to edge fitness and quickness required for skiing and snowboarding. The pictures and instruction make it easy to follow. The added bonus is that many of these exercises can be transfered to other sports. Every skier and snowboarder should have this book on his/her shelf. You'll use it often.

Tragedy separates two women destined to be together, only to bring them back around once again to each others' arms.

To want to marry your best friend at age 6. And the day you propose, your Dad has had too much to drink and drags you away from your friend's home kicking and screaming. Then moves you away from her.

Not knowing why they can't see each other growing up, Dana fulfills her promise to Keri's mom (Moms) to always take care of Keri.

An accident brings them together again in their early 20s...Keri is such a spoiled bitch and it angers Dana so much, but still she can't let go.

Finally, another bad time brings them together for the final time to take their stand with each other against the evils in their world.

I enjoyed this book and found my eyes tearing many times.

What an absolute joy it is to pick up a book from a first-time published author, especially when the book is a good as `Forever Found.' With many new authors, the writing can be immature and somewhat disjointed. However, Meyer delivers a quality of writing one would expect from a seasoned professional and I ever so excited by it.

Dana Ryan and Keri Flemons were close childhood friends who planned to get married when they turned 20. That is until the day Dana's father permanently separated the eight-year-old girls. As time passed, they led very different lives and became very different people.

Dana grew up with a mentally abusive father and pursued a career in professional soccer. However due to a debilitating car accident, Dana's soccer career was cut short and her father was killed. Almost a twist of fate, Keri was the driver of the other car. After a brief, yet anticlimactic meeting in the presence of attorneys, Dana moves on with her life and strikes out with a career as a sports photographer.

Keri grew up hating her mother and living with her wealthy father. Allowed to run amok, Keri had a well-earned reputation as a spoiled brat. When her father dies, Keri is wrought with grief. After several months, she begins to rejoin civilization and is a changed woman. Discovering her father's football team has been mismanaged, she decides to retake control. Being the only woman in a man's world, she devises a plan to gain an ally by hiring a photographer to chronicle her first year on the job. The problem is the photographer she wants is Dana Ryan. Dana reluctantly accepts the job and the two women ultimately discover their mutual attraction is one of the few things that haven't changed.

If she keeps it up, JLee Meyer could easily become one of my favorite authors. Dana and Keri are spectacular characters whose trials and tribulations tug on the reader's heartstrings from the first page to the last. What a ride... Cheers to JLee and here's hoping for more from this great new author!

Do you believe in soulmates? Two young children did.

Dana Ryan, once a professional soccer player til fate dealt her a bad hand, is now a sports photographer with a fledgling business. Professional football team owner Keri Flemons was once Dana's childhood friend. Tragedy forced them apart, tragedy brings them back together.

Convinced she should hire a photographer to "document" a year in the life of a woman owner, Keri is sent random photos from candidates seeking the job. Imagine her surprise when the owner of the selected pictures is the one person she didn't think would ever forgive her for what happened to derail their career...Dana Ryan.

Despite her misgivings, Dana decides to accept the job and sets off to "document" Keri's every move. Little do they know that trouble is headed their way. Trouble in the form of someone who thinks a woman has no place running a team...but not for the reason one might think.

Grudgingly setting aside their differences, a tentative friendship is formed. However, one soon finds that they would like to take it further and one's convinced that they don't. Once bound to each other as children, will a bond ever get the chance to be formed again? Will a troubled past be too much to overcome to even consider a future?

JLee Meyer's debut novel is a terrific story of tragic loss, recovery and renewed faith. Her second novel, First Instinct shows this author has certainly displayed a gift of the written word. There is a saying...Things Come In Threes...JLee's upcoming novel, Rising Storm, to be released August 2007, will certainly show that at least good things do.

... and leaves you with a tear in your eye (in happiness, sadness and finally delight) for the last 60 pages.

Dana suffers troubles that rival the biblical Job and yet remains true to herself and her dreams. She has my total admiration and you are pulling for her wishes to be realized the whole novel.

From the publisher's website -

When fate takes a wrong turn, even a romance written in the stars can be destroyed.

Soul mates from preschool, Dana Ryan and Keri Flemons are separated by tragedy when they are eight years old. Twenty years later, fate throws them together again. Dana is a retired pro-soccer player and a rookie sports photographer, and Keri has reluctantly assumed control of a professional football team after her father's untimely death. When Keri offers Dana a position as a photographer for a team project, an opportunity that would make her career, Dana is faced with the challenge of working with the woman whom she holds personally responsible for most of the heartbreak in her life. Despite their rocky history, as time passes their attraction grows until the past resurfaces to threaten the shape of their future.

What a great way to learn the rules of golf and etiuqette! I appreciated the golf etiquette tips and terminology that you may not find in other books or fellow golfers may be hesistant to tell you. A must read for all women golfers!

Reviewed by Susan Pettrone for Reader Views (7/07)

"From the Red Tees" is one of those books that every golfer needs. It is small, only 256 pages, but it is filled to capacity with common-sense knowledge, reminders and advice that even the most seasoned of golfers can take to heart and learn from. From the very beginning, "From the Red Tees" addresses the problems and important information female golfers need to know to play a round of golf and enjoy the experience as well. With lighthearted humor intermixed with information and tips for women golfers, this book proves from page one that it is a hit for women golfers of all ages.

Addressing preparedness is one of the chapter focus' within this book. From the first sentence of this chapter, it is made evident through storyline and easy-to-understand information that being prepared is essential to any golfer's game and something women in particular need to think about. Covering "what to wear," "sun protection" and much more, this is a chapter that even long-time golfers can benefit from, with its gentle reminders of essentials for the game. And on goes this fascinating book for women about the sport of golf.

Being somewhat of a novice myself in a family of avid golfers, I especially found chapter 4, "Fried Eggs and the Dance Floor," to be one of the best chapters in the book. With its explanations of the acronyms so often heard in golf, basic information on equipment and places, and of course, phrases heard on the golf course itself, this was a great way for me to study up on my terminology and jolt my memory with the terms used on the course without feeling as if I were playing `catch up' when I next visit the green. With its' somewhat confusing phrases for the new golfer such as "the beach," another way to say "sand trap," "choke down," a term used to describe moving ones hands further down on the club and "scramble," when everyone hits and you choose the next shot to be hit from the best shot in the group. I found this chapter to be exceptionally beneficial.

As this book goes along, the reader discovers a chapter entitled "How to succeed as a Mom and a golfer." I saw all too clearly the problems many women face when they have to choose between being a mother and a golfer. That is not to say that men don't have the same problems but let's be honest here; it is usually Mom who sacrifices her round of golf to play "mommy"" and rarely does Dad do the same. Being a mom and a golfer demands a certain amount of finesse, planning, and, of course, adaptability, in order to make the mix work. In this chapter, the reader can see a new way of looking at this problem and how to mix motherhood and sport, so that each works out fine.

I found "From the Red Tees" to be, not just informational, but entertaining as well, with its light-hearted humor inserted within the pages, and its basics of golf presented in a new way. This book would make an excellent choice for any and all the female golfers on your list. It seems to me that with all the high school golf teams in the country, this would also be a great gift for the younger female golfer in your life. She would benefit from the facts and from the perspective the author gives when discussing the game of golf and how it fits within a woman's life.

I have been an avid golfer for over 15 years now and for the first time, feel like I understand the dynamics at hand for womens golf. I have previously tried to bring my wife and sister along into the sport, but have failed miserably. This book would have been a perfect introduction for both me, and the women I was trying to teach.

This is a humorous and witty book for woman golfers. The authour shares stories we can all relate to and laugh at. The etiquette and terminology that is explained is helpful and can help beginner golfers feel confident on the course. It is also a great motivator for those of us who can't find the time to golf.

This is a fun & easy read! Palermo educates the novice golfer about proper course etiquette & terminology, and peppers her not-so-technical golf "manual" with humorous anecdotes. I highly reccomend Red Tees to any woman hesitant to brave the links - it will provide knowledge, confidence, and some laughs!

This book has been the best I bought about sailing so far. I was looking for a book that would give me some guidance on how to start sailing and get my family into it. This book is so nicely written that it's inspirational. Don't expect sailing lessons on how improve your sailing performance from this book. Instead, you will find a passionate author that will tell you how to enjoy a small sailboat with your family. Based on this book and others we bought a West Wight Potter 15 and we are enjoying it every minute. My wife also loved the book because it explains how to get the kids involved so that we all enjoy the adventure. If you like family adventures or if you had your adventures when you were a teen, then you would like the author's approach and he might get you into trying them again but this time with your family. Love it!

Love this book. He also published "Sailing on a Micro-Budget" which is basically the same book but available used at a fraction of the cost.
Larry also wrote "Sailing America" which is in the same vein and an excellent read.

That book is the best antidote against the well known cabin envy syndrome. Read it and start spending your money on your house where headroom is really needed. Learn to enjoy your small sailboat or get one and sail away.

THis is a wonderful book for anyone contemplating small or medium boat sailing. Filled with lots of info. and written in the right spirit- fun! Try to find it at your local library or sailing club though...cause spending $35+ on a used book IS NOT FRUGAL!

This book should really be called "Why small boats are more fun!" Brown sagely observes that (1) most sailboats are daysailed, which means most of the sailor's time is spent in the cockpit; (2) a trailerable boat costs a lot less over the years than a boat in a slip, and (3) the simpler a boat is to rig and miantain, the more time you spend actually sailing.

Any sailor is familiar with the typical marina scene: Big boats tied up at the dock, being used as a floating picnic table, as the owner doesn't have the motivation or the crew to actually take her out for a real sail. Or the boat that's motored out of the harbor, parked a mile off shore for use as a swimming and drinking patform, and then motored back in. Or the boat that can only bve sailed from one expensive blue water marina to another becuse of its deep draft.

Brown likes small, shallow-draft boats that can be hauled up on a beach, or at a minimum, anchored near enough for the crew to wade in. He likes gunkholing- lazily exploring little inlets and estuaries where the big boats can't go. And most of all he likes the West Wight Potter, a 14' mini-cruiser that he and his young family sailed for many years. Brown has probably done more for that boat than all the advertising the company has done over the years.

Now there are plenty of people who can buy a 31' boat and afford the slip fees without a second thought, and who don't mind paying someone else to do the maintenance. But there are a lot more people who'd like to sail, but who can't afford paying as much for a boat as they did for the last two family cars. If you're at all interested in sailing, but think you need a big boat with 4 berths, a head, and a galley to enjoy time on the water, read this book; it'll be a revelation.