Sports Books

Coach Summit is without a doubt the absolute best college basketball coach-male or female ever. And she doesn't even have to throw chairs. My hat's off to her and her program. Talk about integrity, work ethic and understanding of the game. Her book shines as a testament to her abilities. You have a lot to learn, Geno.

"Raise the Roof", along with "Reach for the Summitt", is a must read for anyone with an interest in collegiate sports, particularly women's basketball. It gives you an insight into the world of Lady Vol basketball and a deeper appreciation of why the Lady Vols phenomenon is more than just a team or a basketball program. It gives you an awareness of why Lady Vol basketball is more aptly described as a tradition. It also gives you a feel for why in Pat Summitt's world losing is rare, unacceptable, and necessary, all at the same time. The book is a testament to why her players adore her and why they choose the Tennessee way and tradition rather than play elsewhere. Candace Parker, arguably the best player to date to wear the orange, remarked recently, "I came to Tennessee because I was one of those people lining the court [for an autograph as a 7th grader] to see coach Summitt and the Lady Vols [during a Depaul-Tennessee game]... To be a fan of women's basketball is to be a fan of Tennessee. And that's a responsibility that we have to represent our school. It's something we don't take for granted." You get to feel why every loss by the Lady Vols is a grief session. You get to feel why Chamiqua Holdsclaw, arguably Tennessee all-time most prolific scorer, wept inconsolably after a loss in her last game in the orange. The book is also a monument to what one woman from a humble beginning with an unwavering passion to succeed has helped to guide a generation of women to excel as individuals while ultimately doing, in the Tennessee way, that which is for the greater good of the team and by extension preserve the Tennessee tradition. You will come away with a sense of why Pat Summitt is the ultimate motivator in women's basketball today.

Raise the roof is very good. i have read the book so many times that the front is about to come off. I love coach summitt and the lady vols. This is a book that i would like to be buried with. The stories are great and the season was the best i ever saw. GO LADY VOLS!!!!

Loved it! Loved it! Loved it! Pat Summitt is genuine, frank, and honest in her emotions and actions toward her life, her teams, and her family. What a ride!

Read about the 1997-98 basketball season when the lady Vols aimed for a three-peat. The history-making season comes to life in this book.

I bought this book prior to attending the Skip Barber Racing School, and it was the perfect preparation. The book goes into far more detail than the actual school has time for, so by internalizing it before attending the school, you are well prepared to put the theories into practice.

If the book has any flaw at all, it is that it treats race car driving like something that can be approached completely mathematically. When you're in a real car, instinct, courage, and judgment still count for a lot.

Going Faster is the recognized authority on the subject, and it might never be surpassed. It gets quite technical at times, and bears re-reading as one gains race experience. It is a bit too much for spectators, but for an ambitious racer, this book and seat time can take you to the winner's circle.

If I had one book about driving to recommend this would certainly be it. Skip Barber managed to cover pretty much every aspect of how to drive fast around a track in step-by-step, clear and easy to understand fashion. The book is well ilustrated and well structured.
I personaly haven't taken classes at his school, but I'm pretty shure that all the knowledge he tries to pass and his method are put down in words in this masterpiece. It's the closest from a racing driving class you can get without actually driving around a track with an instructor at your side.

From what I've read so far, it is a great book which covers the aspects of "Going Faster" (whad'ya know?) More theory, rather than dealing with the hands-on-at-the-track-i-need-to-make-sure-the-car-is-running-before-i-go-out, part. Great for people (like the book says) "who want to get into racing or want to appreciate more of what the pro's do when they're spectating from the stands. I haven't read Speed Secrets yet, but from what I read from the reviews, it should be similar.
Compared to Secrets of Solo Racing (which I have read), there's much more useful information for me, because it has more material covering driving rather than covering the entire autocrossing experience (volunteering, clean up, what to take to the track...you can get this from your close autocrossing friends. So focus on driving well with what you have).
All in all, main point is, great book if you want to learn how to drive fast.

My wife and I just completed our first high performance driver training event sponsored by our local Porsche Club of America chapter. The book was recommended by my driving instructor. It seems to be a very detailed version of the Skip Barber Racing School classroom material. Lots of photos and diagrams that make the concepts easy to understand. Reading the information is like listening to my driving instructor all over again. I've purchased two other books on the subject. One was so technical it was difficult to understand and the other was 98% the author telling how great he was during his racing career. This book is spot on. It is a must have for anyone who is about to attend a driving school or is a spirited driver.

I'm not much of a sports person and so, even though I really enjoyed Dice Angel, I didn't know if I would like this one as much. I couldn't put it down! Rouff's books are as much character studies as they are exciting stories. Just as in Dice Angel, I REALLY cared what happened to these people. I wanted to laugh when they laughed and cry when they cried, and when justice is served in the end, I sent up a cheer. Great book!

MoneyShot is an exciting book to read from start to finish. We follow extensive character development of Alan `Nick' Nichols as he goes through a mid life crisis.

MoneyShot is a demonstration of how a person's life can change unexpectedly for the better. We see Nick's transition from a boring and unfulfilled advertising executive, husband and father to an impulsive man gambling away his future a la Vegas style.

Very easy to read and with a witty dialogue, I couldn't put it down till I finished reading it. The only fault I found with the book was that it had to end. Write more Brian Rouff! I loved it.

I have had the good fortune of finding Brian Rouff completely by accident. I read "Dice Angel" first and fell in love with his writing style and his quirky characters (see my review).

When I received "Money Shot" I did not think I would like it nearly as much as "Dice Angel" -- I am not particularly a basketball fan -- But I thought a lot of Las Vegas was in it so it would be a good read from that perspective. Man, was I ever wrong!!

I LOVED "Money Shot" -- I fell in love with ALL the characters, Nick the hero of the story, a burned-out nine to fiver advertising exec drinks a soda and the bottle cap offers him the chance of a lifetime -- sink a three pointer at half-time during a championship game and win a million bucks -- Nick, being skeptical, lets the bottle cap drift aimlessly among the detritus of his car. Luckily, Jason, the young up and comer at the agency sees the cap and tells Nick it's the real thing -- the real deal and he had better call so he can win his million bucks.

From that point on, Rouff hooks the reader better than Hemingway hooked a fish -- You can't put the book down -- Nick is one of the funniest people in fiction -- his asides kept me in stitches -- as I turned every page of the novel dreading coming to the end of a GLORIOUS READ, I realized (after having devoured "Dice Angel" Mr Rouff's other novel) what a genius this writer is.

He seams the story effortlessly among his characters that live and breathe like humans -- but humans you want to know and get to know -- no card-board, stereo-typical archetypes in Mr. Rouff's writing -- He's a writer's writer and a great, great story teller.

His dialogue is brilliant as are his created characters. I read "Money Shot" in one sitting -- it's fast, complex, human, with more twists and turns than a New York pretzel -- And the surprise ending nearly makes you delirious -- Don't despair though -- Mr. Rouff's endings are one of his greatest fortes -- they do not disappoint!!

I highly recommend any novel Mr. Rouff writes -- You will not be despairing until you reach the last page where it says THE END.

A genuine delight to read, and sprinkled with humor throughout. You don't have to be a basketball "junkie" to enjoy this book. "Nick" Nichols, the main character, has some stellar non-basketball moments in the book with his wife (and his perceptions on married life); with his co-workers (both the good and the bad ones),and with his teenage daughter.

Brian Rouff has created a fantastic story illustrating how even the biggest skeptic can achieve his dreams. This book was fast-paced and a very comfortable and enjoyable read. It was refreshing to read a novel that engaged me yet did not weigh me down with material that was too dense.

I think this book is perfect for both the avid and casual sports fan based upon the subject matter involved. However, because of the sacrifices and the journey taken by the main character in the novel, even a non-sports fan will be captivated the idea of a person and his family taking a shot at a lifetime of financial security.

I am greatly anticipating Mr. Rouff's next book!

The absolutely best, most comprehensive reference for the serious fly tyer. It teaches you ALL the components of the artificial fly and 10 ways to tie each variation. No fly tyer should be without this incredible guide. Ted is the best in the business of writing about fly tying, fly fishing, equipment, etc... A consummate professional.

This is by far worth the money you pay for it. This book is mistitled however it should be the fly tier's bible. An absolute must for ANY fly tier rather they're new to the scene or been at for 50 years.

The fly tying bible! must I say more?

Very good and instructional fly tying book.
All aspects of fly tying techniques are covered and assisted with many pictures.

A must book for any fly tier. If you buy a book on fly tying this should be the one. Outstanding quality, and at Anazon price is a great buy.

As a new fly tier "The Fly Tier's Benchside Reference" has the information I was looking for. The text with the pictures makes learning new techniques fun. I would recommend this book to any one that want to learn fly tying.

I read The Promise and it was a baseball fans dream, full of Yankee anecdotes and the sharing of personalities such as the batboys Ralph and Joe, the clubhouse man Pete Sheehy, big pete little Pete, Al Rosens stolen bat, the great Rizzuto, Berra, the antics od Stengle and martin, and the GREAT JOE DIMAGGIO- I aM AFRAID THAT BEN CRAMER'S BOOK ON DIMAGGIO WILL TRANISH HIS MEMORY. i HOPE NOT. WE NEED HEROES AND TO ME DIMAGGIO WAS A BASEBALL HERE AND A MANS MAN--

If you like tradition and the history of the game read Searching For Heroes The Quest oF a YANKEE BATBOY . i LIKED THE BOOK BECAUSE IT WAS INFORMATIONAL AND INSPIRATIONAL- The Yankees of the fifties were team players who played for the love of the game---A GREAT BOOK.

I read The Promise and it was a baseball fans dream, full of Yankee anecdotes and the sharing of personalities such as the batboys Ralph and Joe, the clubhouse man Pete Sheehy, big pete little Pete, Al Rosens stolen bat, the great Rizzuto, Berra, the antics od Stengle and martin, and the GREAT JOE DIMAGGIO- I aM AFRAID THAT BEN CRAMER'S BOOK ON DIMAGGIO WILL TRANISH HIS MEMORY. i HOPE NOT. WE NEED HEROES AND TO ME DIMAGGIO WAS A BASEBALL HERE AND A MANS MAN--

my name is dean and i live in farmingdale---- about two months ago Mr. Carrieri appeared a Borders book store and spoke about his experiences as Yankee Batboy in the 50s---- his eperiences were fastinating. His hero was Joe Dimaggio wh kept his promise to young joe and Joe Carrieri kept his prmise to the reeaders who share his love of the game. Dimaggio may not have been a hero to everyone but he was a hero on the field and that was the focus of the story. The writing was clean and the read fast----I loved it.

I HAVE BEEN READING SOME NEGATIVE COMMENTS ABOUT DIMAGGIO AND THAT MAKES ME MAD. THESE INSIDE WRITINGS SHOULD BE BETTER LEFT UNSAID. WHAT RIGHT DOES A WRITER HAVE TO REVEAL THE INNER MOST SECRETS OF A PERSON BE HE BEGGAR KING. IT IS NOBODIES BUSINESS TO READ THAT DIMAGGIO WAS GREEDY OR CHEAP.THAT IS WHY I LIKED THE PROMISE. IT DESCRIBED A GREAT BASEBALL PLAYER WHO SYMBOLIZED GRACE AND STYLE-AN AGE OF INNOCENCE-WHEN PLAYERS PLAYED FOR THE FUN OF IT-

This guide gave our vacation itinerary a real boost. It has wonderful timeless images of places and people which simply exude calm, chill, beach culture latitude attitudes.

Photography is top notch and the information is partioned into sections so you can chew off each piece to explore at your leisure depending on how much time you've allowed for your vacation. Trailblazers do it good.

Lots of detailed info, good maps, great pics, best directions and extremely well laid out for picking out all the cool places everywhere on the island. We lucked out and got to see lava flowing down the mountain near the volcano. For driving directions and staying out of danger, it's full of dos and don'ts.

This was this best thing we took with us on our honeymoon. It's so well organized and we used it as a tool to plan our daily escapades. I highly recommend this book for travelers who haven't been before and are looking for ideas and advice from authors who tell it like it is.

Two years ago we took a cruise around the Hawaiian Islands. Unfortunately we were in port too short a time and only went on a few packaged bus tours. We returned to the island we liked the best (the Big Island) last month and fortunately had the Trailblazer along as our prime guide. We hiked to and swam in the Blue Lagoon which is on the cover: the highpoint of our vacation.

In the back of the book are hotel and restaurant suggestions from which we made our reservations and were quite pleased. For accuracy and good practical advice it's right on target.

Great book, I bought it after having figured out which islands to visit using the book by the same authors, no worries Hawaii, which is a must buy if you don't know where to go and what you want to do. Following input from the first book we picked 1 day Honlolu, 5 days big Island and 9 days Kauai.
The big island trailblazer is unique in that the information on trailheads and how to find them is really really accurate, if you have to follow a dirt road for 2 miles and then stop next to a hidden bridge then that information is there. You rarely spend hours searching for stuff, the detail on where to look for something once you get to the end of the trail is less good, but that is because in the islands appear not to go in for signposts in a big way, so we were often looking at something and wondering whether or not this is it. Best ofs were generally good, didn't understand focus on Hilo, we went there on a Sunday and it felt like a run down sad little town, but maybe on a weekday there is a different vibe. The only negative is that restaurants mentioned a little more information on them to help you chose would help unless you like the sticky table-top ketchup bottle and drip coffee atmosphere and generic grub, this is fine if it is what you want, but you don't need a guidebook to discover such places, of course to be fair the book doesn't target the foodie population nevertheless a little more selectivity would help though or just a little more text on the restaurants. From personal experience if you are staying in Kapaa on Big Island try the restaurant Rapanui, a small hole in the wall joint run by a saturnine chef from New Zealand and his partner, its location is not attractive (in a mall when you enter Kapaa on the coastal road from the north on the left after the bend in the first mall), and it is BYOB but the food is really, really well cooked, from a European stand point, fresh, flavourful, beef melts in your mouth, rice/coconut nuttily satisfying, great, cooked but crunchy veggies, freshly made sauces, not a bottle or deep fryer in sight. Another great place to eat is Jays on the road towards southpoint, before the turn-off to Puuhoonuau (I forget the spelling) national park, two step snorkeling and the painted church from Kappaa, it is described in the guidebook, really spectacular and don't be put off by the appearance of the kitchen/living area. Oh and for sandwiches, a satisfying stop is Choicemart on the Highway 19 approximately in the area of the Manago Hotel, Choicemart is on the left, there is a great Vegan Cafe next to Choicemart and the sandwiches sold there and in Choicemart are spectacular. The locals recommend Choicemarts plate lunch especially on Lau Lau Friday. We tried to get it on Sat and it was all sold out. And the snorkeling at two step was the best we had on the island. Ok after all that digressing: if it is culture/food you are after then you need an additional book or to do some food research ahead of time online, for hiking, biking, walking and general reliable information then the trailblazer is a great book. Another option is to get the No worries Hawaii that has almost all information on all islands best ofs etc and then supplement that with a more foodie cultural guide for the islands depending on what you want. We did this for Kauai, although Fodors Kauai while better on culture etc really did badly for hiking and trails and was way less reliable than the Sprouts books.

YOU WILL LOVE THIS BOOK. We have traveled to the big island many times, but still have not discovered or seen everything. This book reaches beyond of the general guide books and one of the other more popular reads about the island. Great for those who are into hiking and especailly for driving tours. Snorkelers will like some of the off the beaten path places to go.

After being frustrated with myself on the golf course during the past few months I was beginning to wonder if I might stop playing.I have a handicap of 19 and was really struggling to play to it.Once I had a bad hole I would get down on myself and the whole thing would snowball.
After reading Zen Golf and putting into practice some of the techniques I have played two lots of 9 hole stableford competitions and had 23+25 points.
I have played 2 rounds of 18 holes in competition.The first round of our club championship at 85-19-66 (par is 69).In our annual men's tournament 83-19-64.During these rounds I have only had one 7 and nothing higher.
Most importantly I have actually been enjoying myself.
I am certain this booked has really helped me and I will continue to use the techniques that I have learnt.I will probably read this book over and over when I need to as there are several more things I want to try.

I am a beginner golfer and this book is helpful for the mental part of golf! I would suggest it to anyone that plays golf. I gave to a friend that throws clubs in frustration and she played a round for the first time with no broken clubs and was relaxed, she says the book is helping her too

I loved this book! I learned more about the art of the mental game of golf in this thin volume than in a half dozen longer times (.e.: The Mental Games of Golf). I would put this up there with "See It Sink It" or "Every Shot Must Have a Purpose".

A must have for any serious golfer. I dare you to read the story about the golden statue and tell me that it didn't affect you!

Finally, a book that puts the mental game into sections that make sense. Told in a down-to-earth way, the examples and insights provided by "Zen Golf" really do pertain to the game we love. Understanding that the results of a swing are not necessarily the be-all and end-all is very powerful knowledge. Learning to breathe will apply to a myriad of endeavor, both athletic and personal. Ostensibly, it is a book about golf, but one that fills many gaps in all kinds of life situations. Dr. Parent is a born teacher.

Bottom Line . It took five strokes off my handicap.
Michael A. Epstein
Member KCC

I am a big fan of Beverly Jenkins books and I really in enjoyed this one!

This was the first book I read by Beverly Jenkins and I can honestly say that she has become one of my favorite authors. I read the book in two days. I could barely put the book down and when I did I couldn't stop thinking about what was going to happen next.

If you enjoy reading a good love story with some suspense and mystery you will truly enjoy this book.

Ms Jenkins once again writes a brilliant romantic suspense book. Its good to read a book where the dialogue is realistic, and the love scenes tho not very descriptive are erotic and hot! Love the fact there was no silly denial of the attraction from either side. I hate when both partes deny thieir feelings and play games and in this book that silly plot devise does not exist thankfully! So for all you first timers to Ms Jenkins work rush out now and buy all her historical books and modern romantic suspense books starting with Night Song you won't be disappointed.

I truly enjoyed this book. It had great character development and a strong plot. JT was not the typical female character from a romance novel. She was strong, independent and was not easily swooned. She was not some innocent, virginal, doe -eyed woman. Reese was confident without being a male chauvinist pig like many male characters. In addition to the love story there was a couple of great subplots. If you are looking for something a little deeper than the usual romance book, READ THIS.

This is an excellent book! Much enjoyable and emotional too. One will get totally immersed and that is a pleasure read. Thanks B.

Great book enjoyed much. Will read Power Golf for Women as well.

In another review I read that this is William Jefferson Clinton's favorite golf book. You know since he has left the presidency he has a pretty good swing. Though I feel sorry for the guy because no one believes his scores, as a result he will probably never be accepted as a credible golfer.

Now to this book. No I do not believe golf is a woman's game. It is no ones game. The game is equally brutal to us all. However, I do applaud the author for writing an excellent instructional manual that is also a very pleasant read.
The author believes golf is a woman's game because women (compared to men) lack physical strength so their bodies naturally accomodate for difference through the use of technique. She has a sub-chapter called the effiency ratio where she discusses the amount of physical strength vs distance and she explains that the swings efficacy not the distance the ball travels represents a good golf swing.
A very good book that reveals a lot of myths and one that is definitely worth reading.

And as for William Jefferson, I believe you and keep swinging... it's looking good.

I got this book thinking it would be good for a beginning golfer. I was very disappointed. The concepts were much too difficult for a beginning golfer or just not well written or communicated to the reader. The illustrations weren't helpful either. A much better book for beginners would be the Golf Handbook for Women by Vivien Saunders.

I've read this book twice and will read again. The instruction flows just like an enjoyable novel. Definitely a great book worth reading twice.

After reading Ms. Horn's Power Golf for Women I becamed hooked. I tend to slightly favor Golf is a Woman's Game however, it's a coin toss. You can't go wrong with either of these books and I will be looking for a third. Great reading, excellent instruction and tells it "like it is" for the female golfer. Five stars all the way.

This is the best waterfowl book that I have ever read. It was super!

I learned a lot from this book!

A lot of good stuff is in this book

I learned more from reading this book than from trying to learn by teaching myself the past 15 years. There was a lot of good stuff in this book. Thanks!

There was some great stuff in this book that made me a better goose hunter. The receipes chapter made my wife happy!