Sports Books

Robert Peterson (1925-2006) wrote this pioneering history in 1970 when many ex-players were living. Drawing on interviews, Peterson makes the Negro Leagues come to life. Readers learn of stars like Bullet Joe Rogan, Satchel Paige, Josh Gibson ("the black Babe Ruth"), Cool Papa Bell, Oscar Charleston, etc., and teams like the Kansas City Monarchs, Homestead Grays, Indianapolis Clowns, Chicago American Giants, etc. The Negro Leagues were one of the largest black-owned businesses, though a couple teams (Pittsburgh Crawfords) were run by racketeers. Readers learn about Rube Foster, who founded the Negro National League in 1920, the annual All-Star game in Chicago's Comiskey Park, barnstorming against white big leaguers, and travel conditions that ranged from decent to difficult and discriminatory. There is also an appendix with team rosters and yearly standings.

The Negro Leagues began to fade as Jackie Robinson joined the Dodgers in 1947, and folded completely in 1960 - a sad day signalling a better era. Then this book arrived to bring attention to the Leagues and its players. One, Ted "Double-Duty" Radcliffe (1902-2005), became a fixture at White Sox games, signing autographs, and throwing out the first ball on his 101st and 102nd birthdays.

Today fans can visit The Negro Leagues Baseball Museum in Kansas City, buy team merchandise, and enjoy several good books on the subject, including I WAS RIGHT ON TIME (by Buck O'Neil), BASEBALL'S GREAT EXPERIMENT and several others. Peterson deserves at least a little credit for this.

A scholarly effort by a great Negro Leagues historian, evidenced by Oxford University Press imprint. Highly informative, a tremendous read! Five-star plus*****

"Negro baseball," writes Robert W. Peterson, "was both a gladsome thing and a blot on America's conscience."

And in that one sentence, Peterson defines the glory of Negro Leagues baseball and how it also magnified the sordid race hatred of this nation, with the ramifications still being felt today.

When the book was published in 1970, the Negro Leagues was not really known by a whiter (oops, I mean "wider") audience. Peterson, who had a journalism background as an editor for the New York World-Telegram and The Sun, set out on this journey in 1966 by interviewing players, studying microfilm of black newspapers and delving into game accounts & features in sporting publications.

He traces the history of some of the greatest players and teams ever in the game from post-Civil War to 1947. Along with a history highlighted through extensive interviews are a recap of yearly standings and a register of players and league/team officials.

Names such as Cool Papa Bell, Judy Johnson, Buck Leonard and Rube Foster & teams like the Kansas City Monarchs, Cleveland Buckeyes and Pittsburgh Crawfords come to life and opened a door to a wealth of research into NLB that continues today.

Peterson, who passed away in February 2006 at the age of 80, was on a 2006 committee that selected players/executives from NLB and the pre-NLB era for baseball's Hall of Fame. His ballot was filled out before his death and used in the vote.

It can't be forgotten that NLB welcomed whites and women on the field of play, in the grandstands and in the front offices. Truly, Peterson shows in Only the Ball Was White that there were no rear entrances, separate facilities and racial hatred in Negro Leagues Baseball. The book will never lose its standing as a true beacon to a history that must never again be forgotten.

I consider myself a self-educated baseball historian, but had very little knowledge of the Negro Leagues - until I read this book. It's a wonderful introduction to the proud but sad history of the African American experience in baseball in the first half of the 20th century. I now have a strong working knowledge of the dominent personalities of the Negro Leagues and its many extraodinary athletes - many of whom would have been certain stars in the Majors.

As I read it, I kept thinking to myself what a tragedy it was that these great black ballplayers were barred from the Major Leagues. How different the game would have been. Cool Papa Bell - maybe the fastest man ever to play the game. Satchel Paige - one of the greatest pitchers of all time, black or white. Josh Gibson - the Babe Ruth of the Negro Leagues. Pop Lloyd - the Black Honus Wagner.

It's a overwhelmingly sad chapter in American history for sure; but it's also a compelling story of perseverence and dedication that allowed the Negro Leagues to succeed for so long in the face of incredible obstacles. If you love baseball history, do yourself a favor and read this book. Your baseball knowledge will not be complete without an understanding of the Negro Leagues.

Robert Peterson originally published this book in 1970 so it's really the original and standard history of the Negro Leagues. Peterson not only tells the history of these leagues and some of the great players, but also provides brief biographical sketches of dozens of players whose big league service would otherwise be lost to history. The book also has extensive appendices with annual standings and box scores of all-star games. The book gives us glimpses into Jim Crow America (and it was not just in the South).

Peterson portrays the often overlooked fact that the Negro Leagues were a business venture run almost exclusively by and for black people. And it was a tough business at that, but one that drew often sizeable crowds, especially on exciting and exhausting barnstorming tours. The Negro Leagues could not survive integration as its best players were siphoned off to the 'majors'. Despite the obvious benefits to those men who were finally broke through the wall of prejudice, the reader also understands that there was a sense of loss when the leagues shut down in 1960. More powerfully, the reader experiences the lost opportunities suffered by those players who never got the chance to play in the majors and make major league money, like Jimmie Crutchfield, the Black Lloyd Waner, who barely made a living on one side of Pittsburgh playing for the Crawfords while Waner hauled down $12,000 a year (a princely sum at the time) playing for the Pirates.

A must read for anyone interested in baseball, race relations, or American history.

This is all about the mental side of the golf game focusing on putting. It was easy to read and understand and perhaps it would have helped me more if I had read it again. Not my favorite golf book.

Trust your first instinct when you hit the green, and learn to keep those negative thoughts at bay. This mental and technical guide to putting will help you improve your form.

Very straightforward and comensensical. Seems everything we read these days is about positive thinking. And it does work along with a good basic set up. I especially like his instruction that once you are over the ball, don't wait there and let negative thoughts sneak in. Go ahead and hit the ball. He says to trust your first instinct when you read a putt and I have always found that to be true. Can't wait to put his recommendations into play.

Any golfer (including disc golfers) would benefit from this book. It's a very good book!

So much of golf and golf instruction is mechanical, and justly so. Technique is very important in a complex action such as the full swing, and improper form can lead to both bad shots and injury.

In contrast, we have putting. The action on the ball is so slight and simple, mechanics themselves are important only at a very rudimentary level. Technique has more to do with guaging individual variances for a particular situation than it does moving from positions A to B to C.

This is why putting is called the "game within a game". It resembles so little of the rest of golf. It also makes it one of the most difficult for the mechanics oriented golfer to master.

What Rotella has done here is to lay out his observations of what the best putters in the game think and do, not with their stroke, but with their minds. Using examples of unusual putters like Locke, he points out that it is not the stroke itself that counts, but your confidence in it. Locke believed he was hooking the ball into the hole, when this was likely not the case. Still, his stroke, which cut across the ball, made him one of the best putters ever because he believed in it.

Rotella goes further, discussing people with more "technically sound" strokes, such as Faxon and Crenshaw. Crenshaw, in particular, is an interesting case. Rotella introduces a story in which Crenshaw, in one sentence, completely turns putting instruction on its head, much to the horror of a professional golf instructor. Again, what is important is what was in his mind, not what a slow-motion camera might reveal.

People frustrated with their putting may find good, solid information here on how to improve. The biggest test will be trying to apply it, which may be harder than any swing change you could imagine.

I was laughing so hard reading this that my husband came in to check on me because he thought I was crying.
Having read all 3 of Joe's books, I was inspired to check out his website and find out what he is up to now (he is running Camp Creative to rescue America from the couch).
Cycling will save America, and these books are what will bring the rest of my family (somewhat taken aback by my recent cycling obsession) over to Our Side.
I'd recommend this one for the single cyclist, Metal Cowboy for anyone, and Momentum is Your Friend for the cylist with family.

Joes adventures are fantastic. The story telling is good and I like particular the mix between meeting people, funny situations, and the bicycling itself. That makes the book a great travel book, a great cyclo touring book and, just as important, a real funny book. Highly recommended!

I bought this book about 2 days after starting "Metal Cowboy." Joe Kurmaskie's storytelling makes something so foreign to most of us (bike touring in the extreme) seem so possible. Why not get on a bike and ride to the coast? Why not chase a bagpipe troupe across Ireland? Now, I'm not going to start wearing a "What Would Joe Do?" bracelet or sell my earthly possesions to take his message to the streets, but I am challenged to try something a little outside my everyday existence.

If you love biking adventures you will hate this book. I just rambles about with very little concerning biking of any kind. My trips as a preteen were were more interesting. Also, the author tries to hard to be witty.

[...]

A while back I reviewed Metal Cowboy by Joe Kurmaskie which I thoroughly enjoyed. Joe is an amazing writer with a flair for getting to the best of a situation or person and he always has a way of making me laugh out loud while reading his tales. After finishing Metal Cowboy I immediately went out and picked up the follow-up called Riding Outside the Lines.

In Riding Outside the Lines Joe tends to focus more on his international adventures which made for a nice change of pace coming off of the mostly U.S. centric Metal Cowboy. One line in and I knew I was hooked again. I wouldn't be able to put this book down until I finished it off.

The cast of characters this time around was impressive. I always wonder how he meets such interesting people time and time again. My favorite stories in Riding Outside the Lines took place in Ireland because I had spent a decent amount of time there and backpacked across the country with Laura (I hope to someday ride across Ireland but that's a whole other story).

Joe is a masterful storyteller and this book showcases that talent. His descriptions truly bring the people to life in your mind and you begin to feel like you are there with him every revolution of the pedals. In fact, I call Joe by his first name now as if I we were lifetime friends. It's pretty crazy!

From his run-in with the local lifeguard trainees in New Zealand to the the brush with death in Ireland that lead him to the best impromptu B&B in the country to the mountain biking trip that ends the journey in Mexico Joe shows us what it means to be alive and that people, while they have their problems, are generally good and kind. The book is a great read for cyclists and non-cyclists alike and I guarantee you'll become engrossed in Joe's stories within a page or two.

Needless to say I have since purchased Joe's most recent and third book called Momentum is Your Friend and am eager to read it. In Momentum Joe takes along his two young sons on the journey which should yield some interesting stories.

Why am I not jumping into that book right away you ask? Well, I picked up Miles from Nowhere by Barbara Savage which I am going to read first. I actually got the name of the book from the chapter in Riding Outside the Lines where Joe nominates people for cycling sainthood. Barbara is one of the nominees and in the paragraph about her Joe calls Miles from Nowhere the cyclists bible. After that kind of recommendation how could I not read it?

Please go check out Metal Cowboy and Riding Outside the Lines when you have a chance. They are top notch reads and will really get you thinking about what you want out of life. Ride on!

I enjoy this book it help a lot understand in and out of rod building from start to the finish stage i also score it 10/10. I say good for beginner to understand want fishing rod needs to make it and good fishing rods.

I recently bought a copy of the book and loved it. I even bought a copy for my friend for Christmas. Very clear instructions and commentary that is useful. The author even offers his email address if you have questions.

I purchased "Rod Building Guide: Fly, Spinning, Casting, Trolling. The book is excellent, shipping was fast and the packaging was very good.

I just bought this book and I cant wait to build a rod! It has clear insturctions along with great pictures to help you see what you should be doing and what to expect. I really am enjoying all the information in this book. It is not a big book, but has all sort of info for a person who is just starting out!

This book is indispensable to anyone wanting to build their own fishing rod. A basic primer with helpful hints of what pitfalls will truly be encountered and how best to avoid them.

A year after Bob and Phil's excellent adventure, I had the extreme pleasure of roadtripping from Charlottesville, Virginia (Where Waldo was holed-up putting the finishing touches on the book) to New Orleans to see Florida State University and The University of Florida play in the Sugar Bowl. It was by far one of the most memorable experiences of my life. (Notwithstanding Waldo's penchant for singing Bruce Springstien songs (badly I might add)at the top of his lungs.) Waldo showed me firsthand what it was like to be completely insane, and introduced me to the heaven on earth that goes by the name of "Dreamland." Has a better book on sports ever been written? Probably! Are there better ribs in the world than those at Dreamland in Tuscaloosa, Alabama? I don't think so. Has anyone ever put the two together in the same place in such a unique and creative way? Most definitely not! Bob and Phil, You really put it through the uprights with this one! (Waldo, I'll roadtrip with you anytime)

Buy a well-worn Cadillac, chuck your jobs, drive around the country to watch rivalry games in the meccas of college football. What a great plan and what a great book. This is among my candidates for best sports books ever, along with Loose Balls and Ball Four. Saturday Afternoon Madness captures the essence of college football from the point of view of fans of the game. They did drive all over the country attending the biggest games the sport has to offer, but college football is much more than just the actual game on the field. There's a great culture around all the best football programs and this book relates that better than any football book I've read.

The bulk of the book actually is more about the football culture at each location. The authors plunged into the world of that game, getting to know the fans, participating in the pre and post-game rituals for each school, sampling local cuisine and tailgates all over America. The book is neutral, written from the perspective of fans of the sport rather fans of particular schools and picked a first-rate list of rivalry games to attend. These guys lived what the late Adrian Karsten used to give glimpses of on ESPN, with each game and college having particular traditions and rhythms on gameday that make it so colorful and addictive. NASCAR is the only other sport in which the activities around the arena are as important to the fans as the actual event and this book gives the reader a good feel as to why.

Saturday Afternoon Madness is hilarious, thoughtful and respectful of what makes college football such a wonderful spectator sport. College football fans should definitely read it and if you're not really into college football yet but wonder what all the fuss is about, Saturday Afternoon Madness will tell you. Any football fan who also collects books should have this on their shelf.

The definitive book for the FUN-loving college football fan, this book details in a hysterical manner the great and wierdest and most FUN traditions in college football, at the best football schools in the country including my Alma Mater the U. of Alabama, where I got my autographed copy. The book details the best places to eat-(the most important thing of all) places like Dreamland Barbecue and the Pinecrest Lodge, the great players and coaches and games, and the bands, rituals, rivalries, crazy incidents, and fans that makes college football the TRUE American pastime and the greatest game in the Land. Bob and Phil are American originals and write some of the funniest stuff you'll ever read. If you love the game-you'll love this book.

From out of the blue, these two unknowns have written what is quite possibly the best sports book ever. The perfect combination of humor and in-depth reporting.

For a shoeless, candy eating, office leeching guy, Bob Waldstein is an am amazing author. I was absolutely amazed by how well these two authors both wrote an excellent depiction of their journeys across the country and made fun of themselves at the same time. I do not beleive anyone could have "hit the nail on the head" any better than these two have. I would like to meet these two great men at some point in my life. These men truly are college football gods. I can't wait to read the sequel. I would love to have a college basketball madness book in my library.

In his book Ed takes us along on his journey to Everest. Along the way, there are lessons to be learned. Mostly about respect. Respect for other people, respect for things that are greater than you and most of all respect for the most precious gift of all... life itself!
His words and photos place you beside him as he faces, and overcomes, his fears .

A superb narrative interspersed with excellent photography.

This is not a book for mountaineers alone, but relays a vivid and descriptive tale of the experiences of life when following a chosen, committed path.

The narrative conveys a real sense of tension and emotion which draws the reader into the story.

Strongly recommend.

What a great book! Ed Webster is a gifted writer with an engaging and powerful story. He is also a gifted photographer who includes fascinating photos of his expeditions and some never published photos from other sources. The foreward and introductions by John Hunt and Tom Hornbein are excellent. The story is uplifting and makes you marvel at the courage and tenacity of humans. I highly recommend this book.

I met Ed Webster on a field trip with my daughter's grade 5 class to DeLorme Map in Yarmouth, ME, home of Eartha, the world's largest rotating globe. He held the class spellbound, especially when he told us of Everest. I bought a copy of SNOW IN THE KINGDOM, and read it into the wee hours, which is saying a lot since I'm not ordinarily a night owl. It was so exciting, I could hardly put it down! But much more than the excitement, I especially appreciated Ed's sensitivity and respect toward peoples of other cultures, keen insight into human nature, and careful explanation of what life is like in the Himalayan regions. Months later, I saw an Omni theater presentation entitled EVEREST at the Boston Museum of Science. I could appreciate it so much more by knowing the names of the people and places from Ed's book. Ed Webster has created a legacy in laboring over a decade on his fine book, for it will enrich the understanding of generations of people. Allow yourself the privilege of being one of them (and visit Ed in person at DeLorme Map in Maine if you get the chance)!

Here's the perfect weekend: a great book, a great subject and the company of great men and women...
Put this on your short list of essential adventure classics: fine writing, wonderful photography (and more of than you'd ever thought possible on a climb of this sort), profound emotion and the ultimate challenge...
I loved this book!
Thank God he survived to tell the tale...

Enjoyable reading and often could not put it down. Humorous in many places. Worth reading if you are thinking of going full-time or just want a good book to read.

I don't ever expect to RV full-time, but I still thoroughly enjoyed reading this book. Adding Cleo's (the dog) thoughts was a nice touch. Reading the book (published in 2002) made me wonder if the family was still on the road. The website listed on the back of the book didn't work for me and I wondered if there's a follow-up book.

Every single other reviewer gave this book five stars and I am no exception. I have read most of the books on full time RVing and this is the best one I have read. It is very well written, is both amusing and informative. The Steele's take you through how they decided to quit their jobs, buy an RV and see the country along with their dog Cleo. They include mistakes they made along the way. I am reading this book a second time and find it just as enjoyable as the first time I read it.
What I liked most about this book was that the Steele's chose a 5th wheel trailer as their means of travel and why they chose it. My wife and I are planing to do the same thing as they did, except in a Class A motorhome. Some of the the other books I have read were very prejudiced against Class A's, however the Steele's choice of a 5th wheel was because that is what they thought worked best for them. They did give the pro's and con's for both, and unlike some other authors who gave only the pro's for 5th wheels and the con's for motorhomes.
Probably the the only negative thing I would say is they started out with more then your average full timer is going to have availble to them. Mrs. Steele retired early from here job at age 55 with a $3000 a month pension plus full medical coverage for the rest of her life. Most pensions in the private sector have been replaced by 401k plans which can't be used without penalty until age 59 1/2 plus no medical until Medicare takesover at age 65.
This is an excellent read, this book along with the Moller's book "Full time RVing" are the two books to read if you are contemplating this lifestyle.

This book is very out of date. They go on and on about the need to find pay phone booths and the quality of them when found. Completely useless, is todays world. Even their own website is no longer in service. They brag about covertly dumping their pick-up tail gate (after they ruin it) in a construction companies dumpster--illegal. And they need to find a larger vocabulary. They use the word 'insanely' so often, I felt like I was playing a college drinking game. A waste of money.

As one of the millions who has always entertained a fantasy about hitting the road in an RV someday, this book was one of many I've read -- but by far the best. The Steeles divulge every imaginable aspect of their lifestyle: financial realities, decisions about RV types, married life in a small amount of space, and even the daunting necessity of hooking up one's plumbing each night. While the book is absolutely chockful of valuable information, it is written in a light, friendly, down-to-earth style that any reader can enjoy. Even the dog writes well!

My first copy was pretty worn, so I decided to buy this edition. Really interesting new stories, not only from the Pardeys expereinces in storms, but also from others. I liked the deductions made by folks from both ends of the experience spectrum, one a real novice, others all along the expereince wave, they all add to the information Lin and Larry share in a very understandable manner. I still think this book is really important. And this edition is definitely easier to navigate. I have the Storm tactics DVD and like it. The two work well together.

The authors give their opinion. It can be discussed but they support it by many examples. I was convinced by the interest of heaving to in bad weather or just to wait and rest at sea. Now, I am buying a parachute anchor...

In my humble opinion this is the Pardey's best book to date. The techniques they present are life savers have no doubt.
M. Bertsche

My wife and I spent four years living on our sailboat (55ft) voyaging from Calif. to the east coast and read every book I could find on heavy weather sailing. About half-way through I came across Pardey's book. I think it's far and away the best volume out there on the subject. Even if you pass on the parachute angle and just plan on heaving-to in a tough situation. Should be in every crusing boat's library, and read and implemented by the skipper.

After reading this book you will know a lot of theory about when and how to heave to. Diagrams and well-written explanations describe methods and techniques of survival during a storm at sea. Also consider "Heavy Weather Sailing" (revised edition) as an excellent source of information on storm tactics and heavy weather sailing. It describes the yacht's stability in more detail.

I must say that I really enjoy this book. It is well written and provides alot of very good information. It is a good resource book to keep in your RV. I am planning to go full time RVing in the next couple of months and this book helped me to make that important decision. Read and enjoy folks!

We found this book a very valuable resource for planning on our eventual fulltiming phase of life. It is a very easy read, but it also has the information you need. It's very well laid out! Thanks for a great book!

Support Your RV Lifestyle: An Insider's Guide to Working on the Road (Second Edition)
is a wonderful resource -- it's well-written, filled with great information, and is inspirational and encouraging, as well. Jaimie Hall is knowledgeable and enthusiastic about her topic. It's obvious that she's a seasoned traveler -- and has been both working on the road and talking to many other RVers who have worked while enjoying their travels.

The book summarizes over 350 jobs (in categories like work at rv parks and resorts, christmas tree farms, state parks and national forest areas, concessions, seasonal jobs, sales of rv related products, crafts, writing and consulting). Details like how to handle resumes, long-distance job interviews, contact information and communication while traveling, and the right questions to ask about jobs are also covered. In addition to the many options it lists, it points out possible problems and challenges one may encounter on the road while trying to find a job or while working.

If you (like us) are thinking about traveling in an RV, this is the book to have in the planning stage -- and I assume it will also be helpful when on the road.
Also check out the author's website and enewsletter.

My husband was intrigued by the idea of full-timing in an RV. This book gives you ideas of working while moving around in your RV. Maybe working a seasonal job in a theme park or with a tour group, on a guest ranch or in a national park appeals to you. Some jobs offer free campsites.
Ultimately I chickened out on the idea, but if you think the open road is for you and want to make some money along the way, be sure to read this book.
It includes a ton of info in the appendix: including contact information for state tourist bureaus, state parks, state revenue offices and state motor vehicle and licensing bureaus and more, plus an additional 32 pages of resources.

Many people who contemplate living the RV lifestyle probably equate it with a leisurely retirement. But what if you combine RVing with a lucrative work life? You may discover that you can hit the road at a younger age and reap more rewards.
Support Your RV Lifestyle spells out in great detail exactly how to live this dream life. Jaimie Hall speaks from her own experience and culls information from a wealth of other sources to create a comprehensive tool for planning to live and work on the road.
Just as you wouldn't set out on a trip without a road map, you would be miles ahead by consulting this guide before embarking on this life journey. There's a lot more to consider than where to park your vehicle each night. Don't assume you'll just "find a job" when you reach your destination. There are many considerations, from tying your marketable skills to a job on the road, to balancing work and fun, to tax implications. Because Ms. Hall is so thorough with her guidance, you will be well-equipped to make decisions about how to combine work with pleasure.
It is likely that some of her 100-plus pages of worksheets and resource lists would assist travelers in general, not only those traveling and working out of an RV. You'll recoup the price of this travel guide many times if you choose to follow its course for living and working on the road

It's hard to find the "right" words to describe this book and how it made me feel. The story was absolutely gripping and I could not put it down the night I started it so I stayed up all night to finish it. I truly find Judy an amazing person and an excellent role model for how resilient we are and how we go on living our lives. She and her family will never be forgotten in the lives of those who read this book. The writing by Hester is superb, no one could have done better. This would make an excellent book for any bookclub.

A wonderful look at someone surviving and overcoming an overwhelming tragedy. Thank you Hester for telling the Sleavin story so well.

Riveting--couldn't put it down. Heartfelt and respectfully written. How can you not live each day on this planet as if it were your last after reading Judy's story?

According to Virginia Woolf, "A masterpiece is something said once and for all, stated, finished, so that it's there complete in the mind, if only at the back." Initially I was hesitant to read this book thinking I might not be able to enjoy it (based on the subject matter). However, the book proved to be nothing of the sort. Let it be known that Dr. Hester has crafted a masterpiece here, expertly weaving the details of Judy Sleavin's story into a captivating, awe-inspiring and significant read that offers as much in content as it does a message about life.

Ten Degrees of Reckoning by Hester Rumberg is a haunting yet heartwarming book that is difficult to put down while you are reading it and even more difficult to forget once you have finished the last page. The injustice of the events pervades your very being and yet Judy Sleavin's persistence in living demonstrates the power that love can have one one's life. A must read.
Sondra Pearlman