Sports Books

I've used this book so much over the past 2 years I may need to replace it soon. While the rating system took me a little while to figure out (the numbers do NOT represent the ranking, just the location on the map), the book is very user-friendly. In addition to giving accurate directions to each campground, it directs you to the correct page and area in both the Colorado Atlas & Gazetteer and Colorado Recreational Road Atlas. By rating Scenery, RVs, Tents, Shade, and Privacy, the book helps you locate the campgrounds based on what is important to you. The elevation info is great if you have young children who might not appreciate waking up in the snow and I love that the book tells you which tent sites are the most popular since we tend to reserve campsites well in advance of trips. This is a great book.

The book is a very good reference on a large number of campgrounds. It has a strength in that it provides pictures, unlike for instance the Moon guide. In my opinion, the book would be better if it covered the CGs more evenly: the authors' choices of "best" very often coincide with "most popular" (read: "most crowded") and the quieter campgrounds do not get the coverage that may be of interest to readers.
Another annoyance I found is numbering of campgrounds. They are not numbered and listed in a logical order that would allow reading about closely located ones in a sequence. Instead, you can read on one and the adjacent one on the map is fife pages down, yet the next one in the text is 50 miles away. This makes one go back and forth between the map and the text if you are trying to get impression on CGs in a certain area.
However, all this notwithstanding, I think this book is well worth having.

We have camped in Colorado for years, but this guide gave us new campgrounds to explore and try. We like the idea that the author includes ratings on both tent and RV "friendly" places, as well as including shade and sun, spacing and privacy aspects.
Love the pictures!
We find the format easy to use and the organization by regions is good, too, although the San Luis Valley should be kept separate from the Eastern slope.
This is the first summer we've used the guide, but will keep it in use for many years.

I do not own an RV, but noticed that the book is full of campsite info from all around the state, and includes whether the sites allow RV's, tents, pets, if they have hook-ups, ect.

We used this book to determine every campground we'll stay at in CO.
The pictures were wonderful and the ratings were very useful. We are tent camping so it was nice to find a book that not only catered to the RV campers but the tent campers as well.

I live in Bishop, CA which is a flyfishers paradise. This book made flyfishing simple, easy to understand and is the best single work on the topic ever written. I say that while adimiting that I was a friend of the late, great Sheridan Mullholland Andreas Anderson and I miss him. Don't miss this book. I have just ordered a copy for a flyfisher beginer.

I am a newbie at the sport and bought this after seeing it highly recommended on several group discussions. But I was disappointed. The book is very short. It is written in comic book style. I don't have a problem with this, but I thought it was limiting.

Unless you are a extreme newbie, I can't recommend it. And if you are, go with LL Bean's book by Dave Whitlock.

Older book timeless in its message and written in a style that makes flyfishing easy for anyone who want to pursue the sport.

Hi Folks,

If I had a case of these to give away, it wouldn't be too much.

I think that you will love this book a bunch.

-clark

Great summary of fly fishing. Easy to read and reread. Excellant ideas that can easily be put into practice

I loved this story! One, it was about a girl. Two, it made me feel as if I were actually in the story myself. It reminded me of my life and people telling me I couldn't be a swimmer in college. The Games is great!

The games has it all in suspense , drama ,passion , cold war politics ,family bonds loveand the great human stuggle .Achieving greatness and living your dreams ! no matter what the odds .This book is a must for every american family > Jeff schnieder makes you feel as though this was not a fiction story it feels very real , it's real as it's gets .I've read jeff's last book the Fix witch I thought was the best book I've read in years , so I'am not surprised by the amazing writtng talents of the author .This is simply a great american author with anthor amazing book .Can't wait to see the movie .
John Grisiam beware ! youhave been passed up!
Frank karaglanis

Great page turner I couldn't put down! Gold, silver and bronze! The Russians never knew how tough an American girl can be. Loved Dee Dee!

Magnificent read! He signed at Barnes and Noble in Louisville and once I opened it, couldn't stop. Schneider is an upcoming superstar! The Games is a perfect story for girls to read.

I've never been to Utah, but I want to go now. The Games made me feel as if I were on skis, the snow tickling my face. Few writers have ever made me feel like I was actually there, but this author did. Wow, this might be the best book I've ever picked up.

I just bought this book based on the reviews and will be returning it. We live in Sausalito and the Marin Headlands are essentially our backyard. I bought the book to find new areas in the Golden Gate area to explore but when I looked at the area I know well, the Marin Headlands, the information ( map and route description ) were inaccurate and misleading.

This book is excellent but readers should know the authors have recently revised it for 2004/2005. They've added more maps and photos and a section for family outings. The easiest way to find the new edition is to click on the authors name. Note the title has changed slightly too. It's now Golden Gate Trailblazer: where to hike, walk, bike in San Francisco and Marin.

My vacation to San Francisco lasted three weeks. I bought Golden Gate Trailblazer when I arrived and walked many miles with it as my guide. Treasured memories are Limantour and McClures beaches at Point Reyes National Seashore which I never would have found on my own. There's so much more to the Bay Area than Fisherman's Wharf and the cable cars and traffic. This book excels when it comes to organization with maps in every section and a very detailed index. I highly recommend it to hikers and walkers who have never visited this part of California's coast. Like me, you'll probably be surprised at all the places these local authors have packed inside.

San Francisco was only a brief stopover and this book opened up all the possibilities. It turned my vacation upside down with all its trail recommendations. The book is so well written and well researched. I've loved using it and recommend it to anyone who wants a bit of history along with their exercise. The restaurant recommendations were too cool. These guys are real pros.

Simply said . . . wow. What a find! High on my list for seeing all the offbeat and major sites around the City and along Marin's rugged coast and bay wetlands. For years I've been the chauffer when guests come and stay. Now I just hand my friends a copy of Trailblazer and tell them to begin at trail #1, The City. For trails in the Golden Gate National Recreation area and Mt. Tamalpais, this is the most detailed book. You really get a feel for northern California and its history by reading it. Maps are A+ too.

Thomas Henderson tells it straight up . If you want to know how a man can right himself after falling from grace then you need to read this book . From the top of the mountain , fame , money , prestige , all pro line backer with the Cowboys to a destitute , strung out crack head . Want to learn how this man dealt with his demons ? He takes one day at a time , just like the rest of us . But Thomas makes a pledge to take one day at a time " sober " . It's an option , you gotta suit up every day !

God bless you Thomas . Keep fighting the good fight

I Really enjoyed reading In Control, Years ago I read Thomas's other book Out of Control and while I enjoyed it also. This one is different -- his first one told how he got sober, but this new one tells HOW TO STAY SOBER!!! While he tells us how to stay sober he also entertains the heck out of the reader. It is a book I am going to find myself rereading every couple years or so, and there are not very many books that are like that for me.

This book really made me re-think about my sobriety.Thomas Henderson helped me understand better about the 12-steps.About being able to better my life while dealing with my addictions.I really recommend this book for anybody who is going through a recovery process or knows somebody who is,to help them understand what that person is going through in their head.

This book is the straightforward, easy to read, incredible story of one mans trip to hell and back. Cowboy fans and anyone interested in reading a testimony to the human spirit will enjoy In Control. It is also an excellent heads-up to anyone thinking of dabbling in the world of alcohol and drugs. For those who can identify with Thomases plight, it is an excellent companion to the Big Book of A.A. For those who cant, let it serve as a warning to any who think addiction is a problem "other people" have to worry about.

I just spent the weekend reading this book and couldn't put it down.

Thomas Henderson has written a book about addiction and recovery, but his message is actually a universal statement of how to identify challenges, find solutions, produce results and to live a more meaningful life. I think its message has meaning to everyone.

If you (or a family member, friend, or associate) is challenged by addiction, you will learn and find inspiration.

If you are concerned about public policy issues and the burdens of our criminal justice system, you should read this book to understand more about addiction as a foundational problem that produces crime and recidivism.

If you are the leader of a company, of your household, of your kids, or of your peers, this book has important messages that can help you look at problems differently, consider new solutions, and to make better decisions.

While the narrative involves the recovery of Thomas Henderson, reading this book will help you be a more effective CEO, a better parent, or a more enlightened leader. Every thinking adult should read this book.

While I have not finished this book, yet, it seems to be
a good addition to the JKD arsenal. Some spellings are
different, but no big deal! Good job! Thanks

This book was simply amazing to read and to follow along on the different techniques, exercises, and drills. I have a question: Is this book supposed to be in color photos or just black and white? I got mine in black and white so I just wanted to know. This book goes through the 5 ways of attack in JKD, wooden dummy, sticky hands, energy drills, kicking drills, 1 inch punch/kick, and much much more! I am glad that I purchased this book and it is one of the best books of JKD on the market.

This DVD is a complete and comprehensive course in JKD presented in a structured way for effective learning and practice. If you can't get to or don't want to enroll in JKD school then buy this DVD. Just get a friend and practice or you can practice much of it on your own. The discussion and use of the By-Jon stance alone is worth the price.

Best condensation from allot of various knowledge but with allot of creative license. He needs to pay for a bunch more time training under Guru Dan.
This author is not certified from the original lineage (Guru Dan) only person in U.S. originally with permission, by Bruce, to teach Jun Fan Jeet Kune Do in the U.S. and thus makes some serious mistakes in punch integration in the book. Also, a big 0 in focus pad drills that only Guru Dan had directly from Bruce. (Focus pads was one of Bruce's favorite training methods.) Also, much creative license is taken with Wing Chun and Chinese names for things. This is a good book if you can get it cheap for some of the Wing Chun portions etc. but, Kevin Seaman's book is much better for real authentic JKD. Also, since there are so many less than original JKD books out there best to get either Dan Inosanto's DVDs on JKD. Or his son in law's Ron Balicki's DVDs or Paul Vunak's DVDs.
The author is obviously sincere and very studiously trained in things he could such as The Tao Of Jeet Kune Do. (Btw, unfinished massive collection of Bruce's notes he never meant for publication)
But, for the wing chun a good supplement try Yip Chuns book on Wing Chun or many other resources. (note you cannot get chi sao from a book either)
JKD was meant to be a creative process to take what you need and add what is specifically your own with what works best for you, BUT not to disregard the essentials. So, stick with originals is probably the best advice.

Don't get me wrong, this is by far the most complete,up to date, accurate and full of photographs JKD book in the market ! Everything, and I mean really everything of this art is covered with an astonishing amount of pictures. I have never seen a book so loaded with pictures, describing every angle and each and every movement in JKD.
So I will not repeat the positive qualities of this book, already very much described in other reviews.
On the negative side: complement this book with a more streetfighting oriented book. This book is also very much focused on trapping, tunneling, and related drills which have limited use in real world experience (unless you spend years daily training with them).
So, for the phisical preparation, and training, all of these drills are veru useful, but, I would use it only for training purposes.

I enjoyed the book very much but not as much as my 18 month old grandson whould have if he could read. He is all Jeff even looks like him. This is not only my opinion but a lot of other people as well. Everything in his room is Jeff Gordan. He even has a Jeff uniform and wore it for hallowween. Took Third. If I had an address I would send a picture of my grandson Levi. He watches just about all your races with his mother as he doesn't have a male role model, just me. A race car enthusiast from Sioux Falls, SD

This is a great book not only for the pictures but the text is also very great. It's just an all around great book!

this was one of the best books that i have read on Jeff and i'm reading it over and over. I only wish it was bigger and that i was in it.

I am a big fan of Gordon i have mostly ever thing of Gordon. If you are a racing fan these sould be your first book!

I am a huge Jeff Gordon fan and I will be the first to tell you that this is a wonderful book! I have been a fan for a little over 4 years and this book goes into detail about everything that you would ever want to know! Very well written...if you are a Jeff Gordon fan this is the book for you!

Very clear and easy to understand. Covers odds and house advantage of various casino games. If you want to understand the math and odds the book gives good examples that are clear. You don't need to be a rocket scientist to understand this book. Got a copy for my retired uncle and he loves it for his casino trips. Clearly explains the house has an advantage, but teaches you how to minimize that so your money and free drinks last longer.

This book will explain to you, in no uncertain terms, exactly why you can't win at most games. However, it will give you tips on how to win more often. And, it will show you a few games where you actually have a chance to beat the house.

for anyone that spends any time or money gambling, you really ought to read this book.

...but, if you do make a trip to Vegas and lose, you'll know you did your very best and not be filled with complete regret about placing sucker and egotistical bets and getting taken in by the atmosphere in general. The author talks in detail about the emotional roller-coaster that is casino gambling, and this book will help you smooth out those bumps in the roller coaster.

Brisman is also very clear that no matter how skilled your decisions, the odds WILL remain in favor of the house at all times.

I'm not a particularly serious gambler - I go to casinos maybe 2-3 times a year. I bought this book several years ago before my first trip to vegas and read it on the plane on my way out (and have gone back and consulted it countless times since), and I'm very happy with it.

The book contains a few introductory chapters followed by 12 chapters devoted to common casino games (followed by a few misc. chapters at the end). It's very straightforward and takes a no-nonsense approach, backed by statistics/probability, to disect each game. For each casino game, the book tells you what the odds are if you play 'by the book', and describes various strategies for playing. In my opinion, this book (or a similar work) is a MUST if you are a beginning gambler and will probably be very useful if you are an intermediate level gambler. It's easy to understand, but at the same time it isn't dumbed down, so should remain a useful reference for all but the most serious/knowledgable gamblers.

I purchased this book primarily to learn blackjack, and specifically to learn basic strategy. The Blackjack chapter is very well laid out and should allow a beginner to learn basic strategy in a fairly short period of time, as it did in my case. If you play blackjack (or plan to play) and don't know basic strategy (or worse - don't know what basic strategy is!) then this book is an absolute must. I feel like I got my money's worth out of the blackjack chapter alone, with the rest of the book a very much appreciated added bonus.

The book has 16 chapters, 2 of which are introductory, and 13 are dedicated to the games themselves. If you've ever visited a casino, you know how easy it is to get overwhelmed by flashing lights and sounds of coins falling everywhere, and then perhaps make an errant decision about playing a slot game or joining a roulette table.

This book does a good job on teaching the fundamentals and rules of each game, and it goes further to tell you why the game is profitable for the casino and how fast you should expect to lose money on it. Since the only game that might possibly be played to the player's advantage is blackjack, Chapter 3, which deals with blackjack, is one of the largest in the book. The author also discusses popular "winning" systems and with mathematical detail displays their faults.

It's an excellent guide to all the games and casino business in general. However, the book serves a dual purpose - after I learned about the odds and the house edge in each game, it's unlikely I will ever gamble at a casino again.

Before reading Scratch, you really should read the 2 previous books by this author. He has a way of making your golf fun, while teaching you that you really are your own worst enemy on the course. I enjoyed every minute of this book, and hope the author will continue with more of Eddy's adventures.

I picked this book up on sale at a bookstore, pretty much blindly. What a fabulous read! Eddie Caminetti is flawless! You know you wish you were a little more like him: smooth, calculated, really smart, honest and quite successful to boot - but never boring. The whole book is engaging and I've never set foot on a golf course. It's funny and insightful and makes (intelligent) light of something that people tend to take very seriously - golf equipment. I recommend it to anyone!

If you play golf, it's a must read. If you don't, you will still enjoy it very much.

Troon takes a shot at how we golfer's feel so insecure that we spend crazy amount of money for an edge that isn't there. If you have a Callaway or any other expensive club in your bag, it will cut you up like a surgeon's scalpel and expose how vain you really are.

Worthy every penny! Pick it up!

The truth hurts. Yesterday I was told that a big name sports reporter bought a new set of clubs after every bad round of golf. I am going to send him this book. I will buy the bargain balls from now on.

Another enjoyable Eddie Camminetti read, but not as much fun as "The Green" or "The Foursome." As always, Troon McAllister has an interesting take on the game, and in this case, equipment manufacturers.

Although this book is titled Self-Massage for Athletes, it's ideal for anyone who wants to learn to incorporate self-massage as a component of their fitness program, or even those who simply would just like to use self-massage to foster greater relaxation. In Part 1 of this book, "Why Every Athlete Needs Massage," the authors spend quite a bit of time (over 60 pages) detailing the advantages and benefits of self-massage; they also go into some of the effects of sports massage, how it releases endorphins, and how it benefits the muscles.

Part 2, "Learning Self-Massage," introduces the 7 simple massage strokes: 1) gliding, 2) squeezing, 3) squeezing & rolling, 4) pressing, 5) pressing & rolling, 6) drumming, 7) rock & rolling. As the names suggest, there is much overlap between each technique, but the user has a chance to practice all of the strokes togheter in a sample full body massage: each body part is broken down in turn, and various strokes are recommended for that area. There is also a discussion of when to use self-massage.

The final section of this book is called "Going Deeper--Getting More from Your Massage," and it branches out into different but related techniques such as accupuncture and trigger points. Unfortunately, these complicated topics were at best given only perfuctuary treatment here. Other issues addressed in this final segment included choosing things like massage tools, coaches, and personal trainers.

Although this was a nice introduction to the basics of self-massage, given that I already exercise and practice yoga regularly, I didn't really feel like there was much here that I didn't already know. Like another reviewer mentioned, I walked away with a bit of a "that's it?" feeling, especially given the oversized nature of this book, the large print, and the overabundance of white space. There is some useful information here for those who have truly had not exposure to this kind of information before, and my overall rating would be about 3 1/2 stars.

I'm a landscaper, and I can tell you, at the end of the day I am pretty wiped. I didn't think I'd have the energy to massage myself - even if it feels good and helps my body, it's hard to find time to do one more thing.

But the beauty of self-massage is its simplicity - you have everything you need right there with you and you can do it anytime. When I am stuck at a red light, I can massage my arms or upper legs, when I am watching TV or waiting for the toaster, I can massage myself then too.

It's amazing how much just a little bit of attention to my body increases my awareness and helps me avoid injuries. I've been using this book for a couple months now and I am totally impressed. It isn't hard to learn the techniques and in just a few minutes of reading, you get some tips and tools to begin.

I am definitely going to recommend this to my gardener friends, and I hope anyone who is on the fence about buying this will go ahead. It's really written for everyone and is easy to understand and do, yet complex enough that I really did learn a lot that I wouldn't have figured out on my own.

Self-Massage for Athletes was a surprise. I was hesitant to read this book since I probably would no longer be considered an athlete. The one trait I do share with the more athletic is a propensity towards aches and pains. A nagging neck ache (from too many 12 hour days at the hospital) finally prompted me to open this book. Easy to read, easy to access, and very hands on (no pun intended), Self-Massage for Athletes delves not only into massage techniques for aches and pains, it illustrates techniques to prepare and recover from exercise and sport, and to encourage the natural release of endorphins. Each technique is well illustrated with photos and each section is broken down into steps and explanations. No special equipment is necessary, though there is mention of several tools (inexpensive) that can be used, including a sock, tennis ball massage tool that can be made at home. Many of the exercises can be done almost anywhere. The tone of the book is inclusive, proactive and informative, not overwhelming. I took this into work and it was off my desk in a second, several of my coworkers were trying some of the techniques. The physical therapists that work my area (a step down ICU unit) also took a look at the book, and pointed out some exercises that would be beneficial for the chronic low back pain that accompanies bedside nursing. They were impressed by the readability and straightforward nature of the text.

Self-Massage for Athletes is a great book for athletes, any level. It should be part of any trainers' bookshelf, and should be part of any training regimen. Rich Poley has produced a well laid out book. One of the great strengths of this book is the easy to look up and read format. I was encouraged by the inclusiveness of the book, it can be used by the non athletic as well as the serious athlete. Self-massage for Athletes will be beneficial for anyone looking for proactive approach to the strain of everyday life and the stress we put on our bodies. As I incorporate these techniques, I find myself becoming more mindful of my physical body and wanting to take better care of myself. I'm just sorry I didn't read it earlier!

I've lifted weights for decades and only recently did I experience an injury to my shoulder. I'm a firm believer in self-massage and doing all I can on my own. I know how to deal with injury and only seek professional help when absolutely necessary. I've found they do no more for me than I can do for myself --- much cheaper and conveniently.

I don't mean to imply you shouldn't see a professional. They certainly have their place and there are times when we need them. But we can do a lot for ourselves and self-massage is one of those things.

I know when one of those leg cramps from hell hits me in the middle of the night, I grab the leg and begin the massage. I often stand up and begin to put pressure on the leg. Often the leg will have some residual mild pain for one or two days afterwards. Again, self-massage will help. But usually if I massage it immediately and thoroughly, I won't have the pain for long.

At any rate, I followed the neck and shoulder self-massage in the book and got instant relief from pain. And with each massage, the injury improved. My mobility improved. Of course, I also did some light weight lifting and light exercises for the shoulder too.

You don't have to be an athlete to get full benefit of self-massage. Fact is, the easy-to-follow self-massages in this book will be valuable to anyone, of any age.

Highly recommended.

-Susanna K. Hutcheson

I am an amateur of fitness rather than an athlete, but my husband has a long history as a field and track athlete. Now, in our thirties, we more and more feel the aches and pains connected with intense training. Rich Poley's book "Self-Massage for Athletes" offers a great alternative to, often expensive, professional massage sessions, when it comes to relieving the soreness, relaxation and help with elasticity and, in consequence, improve performance.

The first of the three parts of the book deals with the theory of massage - reviewing its, known for centuries, benefits for the body, the advantages of self-application of the massage, activation of the happiness hormones - endorphins, and introduction to the muscle groups, naming the individual muscles on the photos.

The second part is concerned with the basic techniques of massage. Seven basic stroke types are introduced and the sample massage of particular body parts is shown. I should mention that the photographs in the sample massage (although they are very nice and add to the aesthetic value of the book) could also be more instructive (like the ones showing the strokes, which are very helpful), perhaps in series showing the moves. This is the only flaw I could think about though...

The third and last part shows the wide array of additional applications, which expand the plethora of possibilities initiated by self-massage and round up the practice. I especially appreciate the rules of safety, which are especially important in the home setting.

This book is a useful addition to the library of anyone with an active lifestyle, and repeated use is guaranteed!