Sports Books

This is just spot on. When I meet anyone on Denali who hasn't read this I just shake my head.

I ordered the book about climbing Mt. McKinley for my son, as it is his dream. The book came quickly, it was brand new and everything worked out perfectly. I couldn't have asked for a better experience. Thank you for making things run smoothly in December!!! That doesn't happen every time, but this was super. I was very pleased.

I've just received it and haven't had the chance to really "get into it". BUT ... the little I've read it seems to be just what I was wanting.

Very detailed description of the classic route.
The very accurate photos are good complements to the map (not included with the book)

This is one of only two books I would trust for reliable information about the West Buttress route of Denali. Very informative and practical!

I am a huge fan of Derek Jeter's. That's why I chose this book. I gave it five stars because Matt Christopher described every part of Derek's life accurately. I had already read Derek's autobiography and in that book I learned that his Dad made him sign contracts. In these contracts with his father, Derek had to promise to get good grades -- or else he didn't get to play in any All Star games or anything. Later, dude!

This series in general, and the Jeter book in particular, are great for a 5-10 year old sports nut. I read this with our 6 year old, a chapter a night for a couple weeks.

It's well written and moves quickly.

It makes reading fun by being about something a sports fan kid will really enjoy.

And Jeter in particular is a good story because he's such an great role model for kids -- he crosses racial divides, espouses the virtue of hard work, respect and not taking anything for granted.

Highly recommended

It's a grand slam! Baby. If you like nod slam Yeah baseball you are going to love this book. It's called on the Field with Derek Jeter. It's about a boy who has a fantasy to become the greatest short stop for the New York Yankees. His dreams come true. This book is cool and it is for all Ages. You will like this book but baseball Fans will love this book at One point in he book I all most cried I
recommend this book to you because I am a big baseball fan.

On the Field with Derek Jeter

On the Field with Derek Jeter is my favorite book because it is about my favorite player dreaming to be the player he is today! The setting is mostly on the baseball field. This biography is written by Matt Christopher and he has lots of good biographies. Derek Jeter is the main character and there are lots of people that helped him make his dream come true, like his dad! My favorite part is when he is assigned to the Minor Leagues! The book starts when his mom and dad meet. The theme of the book would be Derek Jeter's comes true. The book starts very exciting even thow it is very serious.
And I think anyone who is a baseball fan or a Yankees fan will love this book!
- Natatlie,9

The book I'm reviewing is At the Plate with Derek Jeter by Matt Christopher. I think this book deserves five stars. This book is a Derek Jeter biography. A problem that occurs in this story is when he's in high school. He almost gets cut from the team. This tells you how Derek Jeter became a pro baseball player. I would recommend this book to anybody.

Emerson N.J. fifth grade student

I became aware of this book from footnotes of another book I recently read. Mr. Kwitney also wrote the Introduction to "The Hoffa Wars" which was authored by his friend Dan Moldea.

"Endless Enemies" was printed in 1984, but remains very relevant to U.S. foreign policy yet today.
The fiascoes examined in this book are a matter of history repeating itself today, only with some new characters in the cast.

"The corruption of foreigners cannot be accomplished without the corruption of Americans." That quote from page 94 all too often accurately depicts the results of foreign policy.

Jonathan Kwitney exposes how Exxon, Mobil, and British Petroleum(Known than as Anglo-Iranian Oil) in collusion affected the overthrow of Iran's Premier in 1953 and what the motive really was. He got ahold of "journalist" Kenneth Love's correspondence with Allen Dulles regarding his involvement in the action.

He examines the power and influence of major oil companies dating back to pre-WWII agreements between Exxon and I.G.Farben. He details how oil companies in particular have set the agenda for U.S policy abroad often at the expanse of the taxpayer. That brought to mind the secret meetings between Cheney and the energy companies early in Bush's first term.

I found his investigating of the heroin sources and C.I.A.(Air America) transportation of it fascinating.

He used the Dulles brothers as prime examples of the allegiances of international businesses, large law firms like Sullivan & Cromwell, and the C.I.A. in setting foreign policy and covert actions.

"Endless Enemies" is a revealing, critical look at U.S. foreign policy in several countries covering many administrations. This is one of the more impressive books on the subject, I would put it in the same league as Chalmers Johnson's books. It's great as a history of this subject.

This book was published in 1984, and it's no longer in print, although there are plenty of used copies available. It deserves at least one new review every year. It appears as though I will be the first for 2008.

I agree with the first Amazon reviewer of this book (Marion Delgado in 2002) that reading it will increase your IQ significantly in any discussion of world events. That is even truer today than it was when the book was first published. It's that good. If there were only one book I would make required reading for every United States citizen, this would be the book. It has the advantage of being written and published before the occurrence of the absurdly extreme political polarization of our two party system. That's not to say that republicans and democrats weren't quarreling in 1984, they were. But they're not quarrelling today, they're demonizing their opponents and expressing desires to execute them for treason. That's a big change in just 25 years.

Unfortunately, this book demonstrates clearly and succinctly why today the United States is in extreme decline, and why it is probably too late to effect much reversal of fortune. Mr. Kwitny's concept of the United States is essentially the same one I learned growing up - that our country is fundamentally sound and noble, that it is fundamentally free and open, that it is fundamentally a beacon of hope for the rest of the world. Our strength and nobility derive from the fact that our government and culture are based on basic principles of freedom and democracy as stated in our Constitution and Bill of Rights. And from that basic concept, Mr. Kwitny demonstrates, with astonishing insight, understanding and documentation, how the US has almost systematically deviated from those principles since the Second World War with regard to foreign policy, substituting instead an extreme fear and hatred of communism. This displacement of our basic principles in favor of a shortsighted (indeed blind) conflict-by-conflict struggle against a largely mythologized enemy (the USSR), has slowly converted the world neighborhood into a very distrusting and sometimes even hostile planet. Our values, principles and way of life, rather than being well served by this deviation, have been severely damaged, with direct consequences (both political and economic) to the American people. Our foreign policy has been a total failure not only in terms of the harm it has done to the rest of the world, but also equally in terms of the harm we have done to ourselves. And world events since the time of first publication have shown dramatically how true that was then, and still is today.

What is frightening however, is that Mr. Kwitny showed us all this in 1984, when it still appeared possible to mend our ways and find our way back to our founding principles. Since then, US foreign policy has evolved from awful to terrifying. The evils perpetrated then as a result of a culturally ignorant, misguided and narrow-minded government, are being perpetrated today by willful greed, lust for power, and a completely conscious disrespect (bordering on contempt) for the very principles that Mr. Kwitny (and millions of Americans) hold out as our only hope.

The world today was eminently foreseeable in 1984. "Endless Enemies" saw it all too clearly, even predicting (unknowingly) very specific world events that actually unfolded (Afghanistan > the mujahadeen > 9/11). I recommend this book wholeheartedly to anyone with one caveat - reading it may induce a profound sense of loss, sadness and nostalgia for an American zeitgeist that was still present in 1984. The world that "Endless Enemies" warned us was coming if we did not rectify our foreign policy is upon us. But I don't think Mr. Kwitny is shaking his finger at us from the far side of the grave and mumbling "I told you so". I think he is weeping, as many Americans are, for the great light and hope in the world that has been extinguished.

One of the best books written about the true nature of US foreign policy. BUT if you are going to buy it get the first printing of the hardcover edition. The Rockefeller family got a judge to act as post publication editor and force the removal of a number of sections related to their activities in Iran in later editions.

As indicated in the other reviews, this book is superb. Do try to get the original Congdon & Weed print.

I met Kwitny at a book signing for the Penguin version. He explained why the book had a rather large number of blank pages. In 1953, Kennett Love was the New York Times's man in Tehran during the CIA-orchestrated overthrow of Mossadegh. Preparing for the book, Kwitny had obtained Love's notes on the event, which were archived at Princeton under the control of a former CIA officer. In his notes, Love had somewhat gleefully described his friendly advice to an anti-Mossadegh tank crew that was sitting on its collective thumbs at the height of the attack on Mossadegh's compound. Love also recounted his cooperation in distributing anti-Mossadegh "firmans" on the street.

Love sued Kwitny and the publisher for infringement of copyright. The Penguin edition came out during the lawsuit, and one condition was that any references to Love would be whited out. Kwitny had some remainders of the original edition, and for $10, I was able to get one from him. Kwitny made no mention of involvement by the Rockefellers, but this of course does not mean that they might not have been operating behind the scenes. The lawsuit was finally settled in Kwitny's favor, but I think by then Congdon & Weed had gone belly-up.
Somebody needs to reprint the original version.

I hate not being able to finish a book.

Jonathan Kwitny, a former NYT reporter, describes in excruciating detail U.S. foreign policy disasters in Zaire, Angola, Iran, Afghanistan, Guatemala, Cuba, The Philippines, China, Lebanon, El Salvador, Vietnam, Korea, Ethiopia and elsewhere -- and frankly after a couple hundred pages of this I was simply too dispirited to continue reading.

I'm probably naive or idealistic or both, but I want to believe my country stands for the principles expounded in our Declaration of Independence. Reading this exhaustive, carefully-researched, emotionally-detached and factual account to the contrary turned out to be painful and destructive to my civic pride.

Kwitny's book, written at the end of Reagan's first term, makes it clear that economic meddling has been going on at least since WWII, and so I guess it should come as no surprise that it's in full swing again, as detailed by John Perkins' "Confessions of an Economic Hitman." Stephen Kinzer's "All The Shah's Men" tells more of the story of Iran (which is heavily censored here due to lawsuits at the time of publishing).

One lesson taken from this book is that it's not just the conservative Republican administrations which have sent troops to further the economic interests of financial contributors. Apparently ALL politics is infected with the virus of economic imperialism -- a sad truth I'd rather not have learned.

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.

This book is a gem. In "Finding Your Zone" Dr. Michael Lardon uses clear and concise language to articulate ten lessons that when practiced together lead to peak performance and a successful life. The principles that Dr. Lardon articulates are simple and ring true.
Dr Lardon, a sports psychiatrist, has for many years studied a state of being that he calls the "Zone" or "timeless time". These are the moments in life when we achieve complete synchronicity between thoughts and actions and perform at our highest level. Dr. Lardon writes that in this state we can accomplish great physical feats yet the mind, paradoxically, remains empty and still.
"Finding Your Zone" identifies ten life lessons that allow us to achieve this optimum state. Dr. Lardon illustrates each lesson with colorful examples that he has observed both in his clinical psychiatric practice and as a sports psychologist to top-level athletes. His firsthand stories about PGA golfers will delight any sports fan. He brings each lesson home to the reader by providing simple yet profound exercises that give the reader a direct experience of the lesson at issue.
Finding Your Zone has inspired me to reach for my highest potential. It has also provided me with effective tools to reach that potential. I whole-heartedly recommend "Finding Your Zone" to anyone who wants to achieve their life goals.

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.

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.