Sports Books


Books-Under-Review-->Arts-->Genres-->Sports-->82
Related Subjects:
More Pages: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50 51 52 53 54 55 56 57 58 59 60 61 62 63 64 65 66 67 68 69 70 71 72 73 74 75 76 77 78 79 80 81 82 83 84 85 86 87 88 89 90 91 92 93 94 95 96 97 98 99 100 101 102 103 104 105 106 107 108 109 110 111 112 113 114 115 116 117 118 119 120 121 122 123 124 125 126 127 128 129 130 131 132 133 134 135 136 137 138 139 140 141 142 143 144 145 146 147 148 149 150 151 152 153 154 155 156 157 158 159 160 161 162 163 164 165 166 167 168 169 170 171 172 173 174 175 176 177 178 179 180 181 182 183 184 185 186 187 188 189 190 191 192 193 194 195 196 197 198 199 200 201 202 203 204 205 206 207 208 209 210 211 212 213 214 215 216 217 218 219 220 221 222 223 224 225 226 227 228 229 230 231 232 233 234 235 236 237 238 239 240 241 242 243 244 245 246 247 248 249 250
Sports Books sorted by Average customer review: high to low .

Sports
Karate the Art of "Empty-Hand" Fighting
Published in Paperback by Tuttle Publishing (1990-11-15)
Authors: Hidetaka Nishiyama and Richard C. Brown
List price: $19.95
New price: $10.95
Used price: $2.71
Collectible price: $19.95

Average review score:

comperhensive
Helpful Votes: 1 out of 2 total.
Review Date: 2006-04-27
i had this book for three years , still can not find a single book that even comes close to it.
excellent book. more than enough illustrations, simple and straight forward to the point yet suffeciently explained, specially workouts, stances ,basic and advanced techniques.
if you are looking for a book that saves you time , money and the effort of going through many other books i strongly recommend that you get "Karate: The Art of Empty-Hand Fighting
by Hidetaka Nishiyama
" the best single Karate book ever written

Fundamental Shotokan Karate
Helpful Votes: 11 out of 11 total.
Review Date: 2002-03-17
Karate: the Art of "Empty Hand" Fighting by Hidetaka Nishiyama and Richard C. Brown is the perfect starter book for any one wishing to learn Shotokan Karate. It describes all the stances, punches, strikes, blocks, and kicks. An explanation of the application of Karate techniques in self-defense situations is given. Briefly outlined is the history and principles of the art but what is indispensable in the book are the recommended schedules for the different training situations which make this book a perfect guide for the student and helpful manual for the instructor. After learning what is in this book I would suggest moving on to one of the books by Robin L. Rielly; either Complete Shotokan Karate, ISBN 0-8048-2108-9, or The Secrets of Shotokan Karate, ISBN 0-8048-3229-3. My only wish is that the chapters on Kumite and Kata would be expanded but that is why I recommend the two books above as well.

Early work but still great
Helpful Votes: 12 out of 13 total.
Review Date: 2000-10-06
Considering this book came out originally in 1960 and was the first large-format book on Karate I had seen up to that point, it is remarkable that it has rarely been exceeded in the all time since. The photos of the basic techniques are very clear. The applications sections are generous with good coverage of sparring and self-defense.

I have a personal story about Nishiyama, although I didn't study with him myself, but someone I know did. Nishiyama was in Los Angelos for some time back in the 60's and he was conducting a training session. One of the students, a guy by the name of Ray Dalke, who later led the U.C. Riverside Shotokan club to the national championship title, was in the class. I met Dalke when I was a doctoral student at UCR back in the early 80's, but I actually heard this from one of his students. Ray had never been very loose in the legs, especially the groin stretch, where you sit on the ground in a quasi-lotus position and bounce your knees up and down and try to get them all the way to the ground.

Anyway, Nishiyama came around to Dalke, and noticed his problem. He says to Dalke, "You want to have loose lap?" (Sometimes Nishiyama's English was a bit rough, but the meaning came through loud and clear). Dalke says, "yes, Master, I do." Nishiyama says again, "Are you sure you want to have loose lap?" Dalke says, "Yes, yes, Master, I want it more than anything!" At that moment Nishiyama jumps up into the air and comes down with both feet planted squarely on Dalke's knees, driving them all the way to the floor.

Well, he said Dalke's scream of agony could be heard for two city blocks. They had to get an ambulance and take Dalke away. But he survived and was back later after he healed with the "loosest lap" you've ever seen. I hope Ray doesn't mind my telling his story. Like I said, I met Ray in about 1980 when he was the faculty karate instructor at UC Riverside and he was really a pretty cool guy, as well as an excellent instructor. He loved the Shotokan katas and I recall having an enjoyable discussion with him about some of the more advanced forms.

Anyway, Nishiyama is one of the greats of the Shotokan style and this book is still one of the finest books on the subject. I will say one more thing about Nishiyama, which is that he has the most vicious-looking front kick I've ever seen. I've tried to emulate his style on this one but he's basically got the patent on it.

I knew Nishiyama and this book is Nishiyama
Helpful Votes: 2 out of 2 total.
Review Date: 2007-01-11
I bought this book written by Hidetaka Nishiyama because I wanted to relearn his style of Karate after some 35 years away from the art. This book teaches one the basic Karate moves and accompanying philosophy the old fashioned way. Like learning the abc's one must start at the beginning and learn through repetition, building on a firm foundation and hard work. The illustrations are clear and straight-forward, the explanations are as clear as you can get in a written format. The progression of the student cannot fail to receive a good start with this manual.

A must for all serious practioner of Karate
Helpful Votes: 2 out of 2 total.
Review Date: 2001-05-09
This book should be considered a bible to all martial artist and students who are serious about studying the Japanese Style karate. It is very informative and still up to date. As an Instructor I find this book as a great source of reference.

Sports
Ken Schultz's Fishing Encyclopedia
Published in Hardcover by Wiley (1999-11-01)
Author: Ken Schultz
List price: $60.00
New price: $41.28
Used price: $35.99
Collectible price: $95.00

Average review score:

Sea bream or river bream
Helpful Votes: 10 out of 36 total.
Review Date: 2001-03-11
It's a great encyclopedia, very good, but about photos or pics that identified the fish is 2 stars, it is correct because that is not a fish encyclopedia but a fishing encyclopedia, and I ask where are the photos of rods, reels, lines, baits etc., they are there but very few, in suma to much to read. e.g. The cantonense name "HAK LAP" (page 245 - The river bream (Acanthopagrus berda) is a prominent...) is only one of a kind that we have here, and translated to english means BLACK BREAM, and it is a black bream but fished at the river, but this is only the common name, so I don't know the correct name of HAK LAP is ACANTHOPAGRUS BERBA (river bream)or ACANTHOPAGRUS BUTCHERI (black bream). Anyway they are a big family, like HAK LAP(balck bream), WONG KEOK LAP (Yellowfin bream), PAK LAP (silver bream), KAM SI LAP, KAI KONG LAP, HAK SA LAP,(the last 3 are only from this region) this are the most common fish (breams) that I saw around here. So this book is not enough for me. About the book I thing all people that like to fish must have it, because no one can tell you more than the book, and all the book are your best friend, it will not say NO to you when you like to read it, right!

This man knows what he's talking about
Helpful Votes: 10 out of 11 total.
Review Date: 2000-12-05
Ken Schultz knows sportfishing. Anyone who reads this book will agree that he is truly an authority on the subject. His carefully organized listings, from A to Z, complete with beautiful artwork and enticing photographs, shines among all books in the outdoor category. Schultz must have spent years compiling this information, and I cannot imagine how he organized it so well. Whether I'm looking for a fishing destination, for information on equipment, or a description of a species of fish, it's all here. I read that he is the long-time fishing editor of Field & Stream, a magazine known for its great prose, and it is obvious that he is best in his class among fishing journalists.

The Only Fishing Encyclopedia You'll Ever Need
Helpful Votes: 13 out of 15 total.
Review Date: 2000-12-06
This book has everything there is to know about fresh or saltwater fishing. A must gift for the angler in your family. Schultz is the man! He obviously spent a lot of time researching his topic, and in case the excellent prose isn't sufficient, the illustrations make every point that much clearer. A perfect gift for the expert angler, or a young one wanting to learn from the best!

Everything You Want To Know. And Much Much More
Helpful Votes: 4 out of 5 total.
Review Date: 2002-07-24
I found this book extremely useful and entertaining. It doesn't speak down to you or use terms that I wouldn't use. It's not a cheap book,but once you purchase it you find that you got what you paid for! Great for people just getting started as well as the hardcore fisherman.Buy this book for yourself or as a present and you will be glad you did.
Oh yeah,I like the authors name too! ( no relation,really,I swear! )

This book is the best
Helpful Votes: 4 out of 5 total.
Review Date: 2002-06-23
The book 'Fishing Encyclopedia'by Ken Schultz is the best around. Globally the information can be used to learn many things that Anglers ought to know. This is the best book I have ever read. Must read for anyone interested in fishing

Sports
A Kind of Grace: The Autobiography of the World's Greatest Female Athlete
Published in Audio Cassette by Warner Adult (1997-11-01)
Author: Sonja Steptoe
List price: $17.98
New price: $0.01
Used price: $0.01
Collectible price: $17.98

Average review score:

A Heart-filled Story of Triumph
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2001-05-22
Jackie Joyner-Kersee elaborately describes the struggles and obstacles that she had to overcome to become a successful and outstanding athlete and person. Her book is filled with emotions that the reader can intially relate to. Her life was filled with adversity and proves that a strong and self-determined person can triumph regardless of depressing and self-destructing obstacles that may stand in your way. Jackie, who is portrayed through the media to be "Superwoman" is really more human and down to the earth than most of the world. Life for Jackie was not always "peaches and cream." She was born and raised in East St. Louis, which was not known as a very safe place at the time. A reporter once suggested to Jackie that she should not tell people where she was from cause it might destroy her image. This event, however, made Jackie appreciate her hometown even more. You cannot put into words why this woman is thought of as superb. She went from rock bottom to soaring to the unlimited top. With the help of this book, Jackie's title as "The World's Greatest Female Athlete" has been justified.

A Heart-filled Story of Triumph
Helpful Votes: 1 out of 1 total.
Review Date: 2001-05-22
Jackie Joyner-Kersee elaborately describes the struggles and obstacles that she had to overcome to become a successful and outstanding athlete and person. Her book is filled with emotions that the reader can intially relate to. Her life was filled with adversity and proves that a strong and self-determined person can triumph regardless of depressing and self-destructing obstacles that may stand in your way. Jackie, who is portrayed through the media to be "Superwoman" is really more human and down to the earth than most of the world. Life for Jackie was not always "peaches and cream." She was born and raised in East St. Louis, which was not known as a very safe place at the time. A reporter once suggested to Jackie that she should not tell people where she was from cause it might destroy her image. This event, however, made Jackie appreciate her hometown even more. You cannot put into words why this woman is thought of as superb. She went from rock bottom to soaring to the unlimited top. With the help of this book, Jackie's title as "The World's Greatest Female Athlete" has been justified.

A Heart-filled Story of Triumph
Helpful Votes: 1 out of 1 total.
Review Date: 2001-05-22
Jackie Joyner-Kersee elaborately describes the struggles and obstacles that she had to overcome to become a successful and outstanding athlete and person. Her book is filled with emotions that the reader can intially relate to. Her life was filled with adversity and proves that a strong and self-determined person can triumph regardless of depressing and self-destructing obstacles that may stand in your way. Jackie, who is portrayed through the media to be "Superwoman" is really more human and down to the earth than most of the world. Life for Jackie was not always "peaches and cream." She was born and raised in East St. Louis, which was not known as a very safe place at the time. A reporter once suggested to Jackie that she should not tell people where she was from cause it might destroy her image. This event, however, made Jackie appreciate her hometown even more. You cannot put into words why this woman is thought of as superb. She went from rock bottom to soaring to the unlimited top. With the help of this book, Jackie's title as "The World's Greatest Female Athlete" has been justified.

well-written, entertaining, and deeply moving
Helpful Votes: 1 out of 1 total.
Review Date: 1999-06-04
Jackie Joyner-Kersee's autobiography is everything a biography should be, well-written, entertaining, and deeply moving. Unlike many celebrity bios that center around events, primarily ones that reflect well on the author, Jackie's book is people-centered and equally honest about her struggles as well as her triumphs. She writes with love and admiration about many people who have touched her life both in big and small ways. It is not hard to see why Jackie became the woman and athlete that she is. This book could have just as easily been titled "The World's Greatest Role Model for Young People."

~TOTALLY AN INSPIRATION, PERFECT ROLE MODEL~
Helpful Votes: 3 out of 3 total.
Review Date: 1999-07-17
A Kind of Grace is an excellent book. I think everyone should read it. It gave me a whole new look on life and how to appreciate everything I have. It also gave me inspiration to work hard at track. Now I have the heart and determination to train, lift weights, and practice, practice, practice. So everyone please buy and read this wonderful book, A Kind of Grace.

Sports
Last Team Standing: How the Steelers and the Eagles--"The Steagles"--Saved Pro Football During World War II
Published in Kindle Edition by Da Capo Press (2006-09-30)
Author: Matthew Algeo
List price: $26.00
New price: $6.29

Average review score:

It's a touchdown
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2008-06-07
The Philadelphia Eagles and the Pittsburgh Steelers merged in June 1943 in an effort to keep the Steelers (who only had seven players under contract) alive during World War II.

The team was sometimes referred to as The Steagles. That name, however, was never official. The NFL referred to them as the Phil-Pitt entry.

Author Matt Algeo describes the Steagles as "thrown together by necessity and chance, they were a motley bunch, the unwanted remnants of two mediocre teams, with a host of ailments: ulcers, perforated ear drums and trick knees."

Fifteen of the 24 players who appeared in five or more games for the Steagles were military rejects. Chicago Bears quarterback Sid Luckman said, "The game slid backwards 10 years in 1943."

Algeo does an excellent job of chronicling the team's challenges (co-coaches that didn't get along, every player being required to work a full-time job in the defense industry and a number of injuries) as well as what the times were like. He also offers an interesting look at the early days of professional football.

Surprisingly, the Steagles had a decent season, and an outside chance to win the Eastern Division late in the season.

Any football fan should find this book worth their time.






The Pennsylvania solution to WWII
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2007-01-08
After hearing a review of this book on a morning talk show, I ran to Amazon and was amazed to find it. My children in Pittsburgh and Steeler fans and us in Philadelphia and Eagle fans, this book made for a fun holiday gift. I never knew the story before. It was a hit!

People you relate to playing a game for the game itself
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2007-01-05
The players and the coaches of this era are your next door neighbors. They hold "real" jobs. Go to work on the bus. Balance their lives with their game. And with a grace and humility greatly missing in today's professional athlete, makes one yearn for a different time. Throw in the early history of the NFL and life on the home front during the Second World War, combines to make this a very enjoyable read.

Great Read
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2006-11-10
Great book if you're a football fan or history buff. I originally bought this book because I am a fan of the Eagles and Steelers, however I think I would have liked it even if i wasn't! It taught me a lot about the early days of football and especially how the season unfolded during the troubling time of War.

A Treasure Of Lost History From The NFL
Helpful Votes: 1 out of 1 total.
Review Date: 2006-10-31
The year is 1943 and the NFL is at a crossroads. With WWII raging, teams are losing players, coaches and owners to the various military branches. One of the 10 teams had suspended operations and there are questions if the league should follow that lead.

The remaining league members elect to conduct a 10-game season with a twist, the Pittsburgh Steelers and Philadelphia Eagles will merge for the year.

That is where Matthew Algeo picks up the story with the world at war and the attempt to maintain athletic entertainment on the homefront. The "Steagles" had a roster of players who washed-out of the military, former stars who had little to nothing left for the gridiron and those waiting for their call-ups.

And unlike some players on other clubs who had pro football listed as their main occupation - which granted them an exemption of working in a war-related industry during the season - every Steagle worked full-time during the day and practiced at night.

Algeo artfully utilizes the history of the time, comments from players & coaches and game stats for the season that nearly found the hybrid club with two homes on top of the league standings. A forgotten piece of early NFL lore, it took 60 years for the story to be grandly presented to fans, as a ceremony honoring the team was held in the Steelers' Heinz Field.

It is a must read for football fans or those interested in the homefront during WW II.

Sports
Laura Stamm's Power Skating
Published in Paperback by Human Kinetics Publishers (2001-09)
Author: Laura Stamm
List price: $19.95
New price: $11.95
Used price: $8.26

Average review score:

Crucial resource for developing proper skating technique
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2008-06-24
At the time of this review, I am 31 years old and preparing for my first season of adult hockey. I had almost zero skating experience (aside from maybe three public skating sessions when I was 12 or so years old) when I decided I wanted to play hockey. Before I started taking skating seriously, I would just go out an mess around on the ice for a half hour at a time. All that did was breed bad habits and frustration. Then, I purchased this book: I can't stress to you just how much the descriptions in this book helped form good skating habits while avoiding/undoing the bad ones. Remember, I am a self-taught skater and by no means perfect, but this book solidifed the fundamentals and spelled out the execution necessary to maximize my power. In just three months of practice patterned after the excercises in this book, I feel like a totally different individual than the unbalanced, directionless clown I was when I started out. Consider this book a must-read if you're looking to get into hockey.

The best book
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2008-04-27
You must buy it if you found Laura's DVD is the best skating instructional DVD.

Great book for the beginner hockey skater!
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2006-11-10
This book has helped me out tremendously! I have an instructor, when he shows me something, and i still don't understand it, i flip this book open, it gives you step by step what you should do and it usually works..

Even on things my instructor does not go over because it's for more advanced than i am currently, this book helps you understand how to at least attempt to do it, and usually it works if you do what the book says..

I would definitely recommend this book to anyone who is just start to play ice hockey.. it has helped me out a lot!

great book
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2006-03-09
great book but more for beginners. great drills to help build edge control

Just what I was looking for!
Helpful Votes: 4 out of 5 total.
Review Date: 2005-02-21
I was searching for a book or video that would teach me all I needed to know about skating so I could get into inline hockey. This book delivered beyond my expectations! Not only has it allowed me to get all of the basics quickly, it taught me the all important lesson of what to focus on when I'm practicing these skills. I will be using this book for many years to help me continually refine my technique. Although there are some differences between ice and inline skating, all of the techniques covered in this book relate directly.

This book is priceless!!!!!

Sports
Legends: Outstanding Quarter Horse Stallions and Mares
Published in Paperback by Western Horseman (2002-07-01)
Author: Diane Simmons
List price: $14.95
New price: $7.98
Used price: $6.18
Collectible price: $24.94

Average review score:

Great reference for horse lines
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2007-08-04
I purchased this for my own reference. A friend already has it and I wanted one for myself.

Excellent!
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2007-07-23
Great detailed information and great pictures. Learned a lot about the old breed. Thanks.

LEGENDS:OUTSTANDING QUARTER HORSE STALLIONS AND MARES
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2006-09-12
THIS IS THE FIRST OF THE LEGENDS SERIES THAT I PURCHASED.
IT IS EXCELLENT! I HAVE COLLECTED ALL OF THE LEGEND BOOKS AVAILABLE AND LOOK FORWARD TO NEW ONES. ALL VERY USEFUL INFORMATION AND MAKES FOR SOME GREAT CONVERSATIONS WITH OTHERS WHO HAVE BEEN AROUND THE QUARTER HORSE SINCE THE BEGINNING OF AQHA.

Outstanding Quarter Horse Stallions & Mares
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 1 total.
Review Date: 2002-06-19
IT WOULD LIKE TO KNOW IF IT HAS INFORMATION OF HORSE MR CONCLUSION IN THIS BOOK

Trace the ancestry of your horse
Helpful Votes: 9 out of 9 total.
Review Date: 2000-08-19
This book provided the ancestry of the horses that started the American Quarterhorse breed. It was fun to take my horses' lineage and be able to trace it all the way back to the original King Ranch horses. I found out why my horse has such hard feet, why she likes to run so much, and found that she is the spitting image of one of her ancestors. I could hear the stories of her great grandsires and great granddams, the lives that they led, the places they lived, their temperaments, their quirks of behavior. I feel that I know my own horse better after seeing where she came from. I highly recommend this and the other volumnes of this series.

Sports
Life on Tilt: Confessions of a Poker Dad
Published in Hardcover by AuthorHouse (2008-04-16)
Author: John Blowers
List price: $28.95
New price: $27.00

Average review score:

Now I get it; poker is not just a game, but neither is life Johnnoe
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2008-06-18
For some of us, playing cards is a form of recreation; but after reading this book, I see it is a life changing passion for others! I also know why 20 years ago, I could never beat John at pinochle! If you want to learn to play poker, buy Poker for Dummies, but if you want to read a book full of quick wit, interesting turns of events, and learn 14 Life Lessons along the way, (my favorite is #12), buy this book! Have you ever watched a movie where you tell the main character not to go there, don't do that? Well, I wanted to tell the main character in this book those same things!

Its a book about life, with a little poker thrown in.
Helpful Votes: 1 out of 1 total.
Review Date: 2008-06-02
I have never been a poker player, but I've always been curious what the whole attraction was behind the recent explosion in interest in Texas Hold'em and other poker games. I figured I would slog my way through this book and perhaps gain an appreciation for the game. But what I found in the pages of this book was so much more than a book about poker. This was a unique insight into the mind and heart of an every-day man facing his own demons in the backdrop of the worlds greatest poker event. This is one of those books that offers more than just a compelling story. You come away actually feeling that you've been a part of the story; that you've experienced a piece of the life of the main character. Along the way, I even managed to learn a bit about poker. I read a lot of books but I rarely find one that I know I will read again. This book is one of those rare exceptions.

Ever dream about being a great poker player?
Helpful Votes: 2 out of 2 total.
Review Date: 2008-05-26
Wow. For the average-Joe poker player (or below average, in my case) who has ever dreamed of the excitement and winnings possible in high stakes poker, this is a must read. Circle the drain without putting your own family life at risk, in a story that seems all too real. And learn a bit about the game in the process. This book might keep you from ditching your day job, or suggest a possible dark side if you pursue poker beyond recreation. Either way, it's wonderfully escapist.

Read 'em and weep
Helpful Votes: 3 out of 3 total.
Review Date: 2008-05-04
Unlike some recent autobiographies that were painfully revealed to be fiction, Life on Tilt is a fast thinking piece of fiction that reads as achingly autobiographical. The first person narration pulls you inescapably along, a voyeur, challenging you to keep up but leaving you with the feeling of watching a train wreck unfold with no ability to stop it. This is a book about compulsion in many forms and how the struggle between individual identity and social expectations can take extraordinary turns when mixed with pocket aces. Whether you are a poker dad, a poker widow, a poker wannabee or just curious about those who play poker, Life on Tilt will give you thoughtful new insights - to poker and, maybe, to yourself. Read 'em and weep, as they might say.

Love or knowledge of poker not required!
Helpful Votes: 3 out of 4 total.
Review Date: 2008-05-02
I don't play poker. I have never played a hand. Even my husband doesn't play poker, but that was not a prerequisite for thoroughly enjoying this book. This book was a page-turner for me because it spoke of the challenges and demons we face in any relationship. John Blowers paints a wonderful tapestry that directly speaks to the reader about the obligations of balancing a life, career, marriage and family with the temptations of an interest that could potentially jeopardize that idyllic American dream. If you aren't a poker player and have passed on this book, take a second look. Do not deprive yourself of this great read. It is the book you have been craving. It is the one where you regret to see the end of the book near because it means that the end is coming. One where you miss the characters as soon as it is over and keep thinking of the story long after it is finished. My advice is to read it with a friend so you can extend the experience by conversations afterward.

Sports
The Long Season
Published in Paperback by Ivan R. Dee, Publisher (2002-03-25)
Author: Jim Brosnan
List price: $16.95
New price: $8.34
Used price: $7.00
Collectible price: $16.95

Average review score:

Good, but a little slow
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2008-05-24
I enjoyed Jim Brosnan's The Long Season. I didn't think that the book was quite as good as its reputation, however.

It is easy to see why The Long Season made such a strong impression when it was published in 1960. Brosnan's account of the 1959 baseball season was one of the first books that didn't "sugarcoat" the professional athlete's life. Brosnan is very opinionated about baseball and the characters in the baseball world.

I don't think that the book has aged that well, however. It doesn't have the irreverence or gossipy tone of books that followed, such as Ball Four. I found, therefore, that the book could be slow going in places. You do get an excellent view of the 1959-era baseball world, however.

In summary, The Long Season is a good read for those who want to know more about baseball 50 years ago. If you aren't a hardcore fan, however, you probably will want to look elsewhere.

GREAT
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2007-07-23
wonderful baseball expose of the era. fascinating, riveting and, best of all - true! not some Bernard Malamud fictional account, this author was a major league pitcher for 9 season. Not a great pitcher, but an average one. Fortunately, he's a great author.

This is flat out the best baseball book I have ever read.

I also enjoyed Ball Four. Ball Four

Superlative First-Person Baseball Narrative
Helpful Votes: 1 out of 1 total.
Review Date: 2006-08-14
This labor of love takes you inside major-league baseball clubhouses and dugouts. Jim Brosnan was a competent major-league pitcher and is an even better writer. You'll see how baseball players really feel about their teammates, managers, contracts, winning, losing, being traded, strategy, et cetera. (Some of this is known by now but was a revelation when the book was first published.) Brosnan's literate, well-written book captures the flavor of the dugout without using vulgarity or crudity (a problem I had with Jim Bouton's Ball Four, though I know not all will agree). If you're solely interested in the modern era, this book may not be for you. But if you want to know what it feels like to be a major-league baseball player and enjoy good writing for its own sake, The Long Season is a must. (P.S.: Brosnan's sequel, Pennant Race, is almost as good.)

REAL!!
Helpful Votes: 2 out of 4 total.
Review Date: 2005-01-27
"Twist, belly-button, block." A major league relief pitcher taught me how to hit a baseball. An excellent book during an excellent time in Baseball.

An excellent book, not a stone left unturned
Helpful Votes: 6 out of 6 total.
Review Date: 2005-05-18
While Brosnan ruffled some feathers with this book, it isn't anywhere near as controversial or raunchy as Jim Bouton's "Ball Four." Brosnan does mention his difficult contract negotiation, but it's not as bitter as Bouton discussing contracts. Brosnan has an elephant-like memory for conversations and the batting history of every hitter he faces. You get to see every aspect of a game, from the pitchers discussing how to pitch to a batter to who's got the best pitch to the manager's pep talks before the game. Brosnan has an excellent grasp of the language and even perplexes some of his not as scholarly teammates with some of his words. Overall, a great read from a talented pitcher and author. I look forward to reading "Pennant Race."

Sports
Love of Labs: The Ultimate Tribute to Labrador Retrievers (Country Sports)
Published in Hardcover by Voyageur Press (MN) (1997-10)
Author:
List price: $29.95
New price: $12.24
Used price: $0.28

Average review score:

This Book Flushed out Memories of the Love of My Lab
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 2 total.
Review Date: 2006-02-07
I had this book for sometime, it was a gift. I didn't really know what a great book I had until I actually read it. Looking at the pictures was great, until I lost my own Chocolate Lab, "Roxie". The memories she and I made, were flushed out as I read the happiness of other inspired Lab Lovers. I though no one else can love a dog as much as I loved mine. There are so many people blessed with Labs that don't realize what a gift a Lab is. They are the best all around dog, that I fell in love with at the age of 18 or so. Now 33 I'm searching for another Lab puppy to love again. This book allowed me to see the other stories, people shared and flushed stories from my own heart that had been forgotten as time has a way of covering the memories that are made in the life of a Lab, if only for a short while I have the memories of my Lab and others, uncovered.

A lab is pure love
Helpful Votes: 10 out of 11 total.
Review Date: 2000-09-13
I have only had the priviledge of owning our adopted black lab, Abbott (rescued by Southern California Labrador Retriever Rescue) for about 4 months. I can not tell you how incredible these dogs are!! The family loyalty is palpable. The intense devotion these dogs display to their family is remarkable. The absolute joy this dog has brought to us is a gift that is compounded daily. How can one really describe a lab's love for their family? (and the family for them) I was so happy to see a book that comes close to trying to express this.

Quite simply, the stories and pictures are beautiful. Share this book with anyone that loves these dogs for it is a pure delight just to turn the pages and look at the pictures! We feel so lucky to live with the real thing!

Another Wonderful Book On The Wonders Of Labs!
Helpful Votes: 11 out of 11 total.
Review Date: 2004-01-08
Here is another attractive entry by naturalist author Todd Berger, one that takes a truly loving look at America's singular and by far most popular wonder dog, the Labrador Retriever. As Berger points out so well, there are few other animals who draw such love from humans as a dog, and surely the Lab is the most loveable of the breeds. Here he presents the Labrador Retriever in all its wonder and does a yeoman service to the rest of us by enumerating all of the superb qualities the dog has to offer potential human enthusiasts. They are by reputation excellent working dogs, both as field dogs and as guide dogs for the disabled. They are also incredibly loyal, and the news services are often filled with wonderful and heartwarming stories of Labs crawling out on the ice to save their masters, often at considerable danger to themselves. Nonetheless, they stand by our sides.

Therefore, this book, "The Love Of Labs', is the ultimate tribute to the breed, and is chock-full with stories and photos that actively serve to substantiate what might otherwise seem as idle boasts and overethusiastic praise. In fact, for anyone who spends any time around Labs, like me, it is hard nto to use superlatives when describing them. More than one of the stories herein will bring a smile to your face, a tear to your eye, and the idea in your noggin perhaps it is time to consider getting one of these incredible creatures into you rlife, and that of your extended family. they boost the energy level in any room they enter, are incredible chick-magnets, and have been shown to reduce high blood pressure and dissipate depression through their mere presence. This is a wonderful book about what I believe to be the world's most nearly perfect living creature, the Labrador Retriever! Enjoy!

Good story book, beautiful photos
Helpful Votes: 11 out of 15 total.
Review Date: 2000-10-18
This is a story book. The stories narrated in the book show the really nice characteristics of this excellent dogs. The photographs are beautiful. It's a nice tribute to the Labrador. Only downside is that all, and I do mean all, the stories are hunting stories. I believe these dogs have much more to say in other aspects of life. For all of you who hunt with a Lab, you will really love this book. Those of you who don't hunt but are really fond to this breed, you will like it very much, myself included. For those of you looking for information on the breed, not recomended.

A lab is pure love
Helpful Votes: 4 out of 5 total.
Review Date: 2000-09-13
I have only had the priviledge of owning our adopted black lab, Abbott (rescued by Southern California Labrador Retriever Rescue) for about 4 months. I can not tell you how incredible these dogs are!! The family loyalty is palpable. The intense devotion these dogs display to their family is remarkable. The absolute joy this dog has brought to us is a gift that is compounded daily. How can one really describe a lab's love for their family? (and the family for them) I was so happy to see a book that comes close to trying to express this.

Quite simply, the stories and pictures are beautiful. Share this book with anyone that loves these dogs for it is a pure delight just to turn the pages and look at the pictures! We feel so lucky to live with the real thing!

Sports
Luna Bay #1: Pier Pressure: A Roxy Girl Series (Luna Bay)
Published in Mass Market Paperback by HarperEntertainment (2003-06-01)
Author: Francess Lantz
List price: $4.99
New price: $1.92
Used price: $0.21

Average review score:

Luna Bay, Pire Pressure review By, Shenae
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2007-05-26
In the beginning of Pier Pressure, there are five best friends, Luna, Kanani, Cricket, Rae, and Isobel that live in Cresent Cove. Luna's parents run a surfing camp and Luna and her friends help them. The first day of the surfing camp Luna sees a guy and they indroduce themselves.
Next, Luna and the guy named David sort of become friends. However, David sort of has an attitude and couldn't surf at all, but was in the intermediant class.
Finally, David let Luna teach him how to surf. Thats not all Luna was thinking about. She remembered that The Western Championship surf competition was coming up and her mom is a pro surfer. Luna thought that she had to live up to her moms reputation. Now only with three weeks left until the surf competitionand until David has to go back to his dads, she has to try to train and stay away from David for awhile. Which of course Luna doesn't want to do. Finally, she starts training while also making a little time for David. It finally comes to the competition and she surfs with her heart and ends up, well you'll have to read the rest to find out if Luna and David ever become serious or say good bye and sort of stay in touch.

Luna Bay
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2005-10-28
Genre: Fiction
Three sentence summary: Luna is a camp councelor at a surf camp. While there she meets a boy. They begin dating but many things go wrong.
What I liked most about the book: What I liked most about the book was how it has real life problems that you, the reader can relate to.
What I didn't like and why: I didn't like how it skipped around from person to person. It confused me.
My favorite character and why: My favorite character is Luna because she is so down to earth and knows wrong from right.
The scene, line, or passage that meant something to me and why: David and her are in the ocean playing when he grabs her hand. It's just so sweet and really grabs your attention and makes you wanting to keep reading to see where it leads.
What I would say about this book to someone else: I would say if you like romantic and adventurous books then read this because it's all about two surfers who fall in love.
One question I have after reading this book: One question I have is how old was David. They never said in the book but he semmed younger than Luna.
My strongest reason for recommending this book: I recommend this book because it catches your attention and really puts a good meaning on life.

If you like surfing you will like to read this book
Helpful Votes: 1 out of 1 total.
Review Date: 2004-11-08
The main chacters in Luna Bay are Luna, Rae, Kanani, Cricket, and Isobel. The setting is at North Beach in Crescent Cove. Luna's parents have a surf camp. Luna saw a boy at the surf camp that she thought looked good. But the boy really doesn't like surfing. His grandparents sent him there so he would not be board while he was at their house. The conflict is that David does not like surfing and Luna does. The lesson to be learned is that you don't have to like the samething as someone else to be there friend. The ending was really. I would not change the ending at all. I would recommend this book to pre-teen girls. I would recommend it to all my friends. I really enjoyed the book. I encourage all girls to read this book. The best part of the book was its ending. The first two chapters were really good too. I hope that all the people that read this book will enjoy it; the title of the book is LUNA BAY.

Surf City!!
Helpful Votes: 2 out of 2 total.
Review Date: 2004-03-12
I read the book ýLuna Bay.ý I thought it was a outstanding book. I would recommend this book to people who surf, and that live in California. I would recommend this book to people that surf and live in California because itýs all about surfing and a little bit of horse riding. It would be a fun book for surfer girls to read.

I really liked it because I like surfing even though, I donýt surf. I watch surfing competitions on television and it looks like fun. Iýve always wanted to know how to surf and I think that I would be good at it because, I snowboard and there both almost alike. I also like it because it takes place by the ocean, and I love the ocean. When I think about the ocean it makes me feel cheerful and cool.

ýLuna Bayý is about five best friends, Rae, Luna, Cricket, Kanani, and Isobel. They all love surfing together. They are all counselors of Lunaýs parents, Tuck and Cateýs, surfing camp. At surf camp Luna meets a kid David she falls in love with, and they start dating, but her parents donýt want her hanging out with him because it will interfere with her training for the contest, but Luna still hangs out with him. At night when she goes out to train she doesnýt, she goes to meet David, and teaches him how to surf. On the nights she does go training she lifts weights and jogs. David doesnýt know how to surf because he lives in Florida and his dad sends him to see his grandparents for a month, and his dad signs him up to learn how to surf. Luna is so happy because she just found out that she qualified for the ASA ( Amateur Surfing Association Western Championship) at Cresent Cove right down the street from her. Her mom was the three-time champion in th world, and she wants Luna to win. Luna is very pressured about winning, so she can make her mom proud of her daughter. If Luna wins the contest the SG Magazine will have her in the magazine, but she doesnýt think sheýll win because some of the best surfers are coming to town to be in the contest.

Overall, I think this book was really good. Read the book and find out if Luna wins or if she loses the championship.

SWEET!!
Helpful Votes: 2 out of 3 total.
Review Date: 2003-10-15
I am probably waaaaaaaaaaaay too old to even pick up this book, but since my adage is "you're never too old to read" I picked it up anyway. And even though the writing is a bit slow (but then again I'm not exactly the target-group of this book) it's pretty interesting and, parents, it is safe. No full frontal snogging here...
The parts where the author describes the surfing itself are on the other hand so interesting that I would really like to go out there and start surfing myself!!!
I can also fully underscribe the sideline-message: treat your planet with respect!
So all in all: I'd say 4 stars!! (that and I'll probably buy the next Luna bay novels)


Books-Under-Review-->Arts-->Genres-->Sports-->82
Related Subjects:
More Pages: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50 51 52 53 54 55 56 57 58 59 60 61 62 63 64 65 66 67 68 69 70 71 72 73 74 75 76 77 78 79 80 81 82 83 84 85 86 87 88 89 90 91 92 93 94 95 96 97 98 99 100 101 102 103 104 105 106 107 108 109 110 111 112 113 114 115 116 117 118 119 120 121 122 123 124 125 126 127 128 129 130 131 132 133 134 135 136 137 138 139 140 141 142 143 144 145 146 147 148 149 150 151 152 153 154 155 156 157 158 159 160 161 162 163 164 165 166 167 168 169 170 171 172 173 174 175 176 177 178 179 180 181 182 183 184 185 186 187 188 189 190 191 192 193 194 195 196 197 198 199 200 201 202 203 204 205 206 207 208 209 210 211 212 213 214 215 216 217 218 219 220 221 222 223 224 225 226 227 228 229 230 231 232 233 234 235 236 237 238 239 240 241 242 243 244 245 246 247 248 249 250