Sports Books

The Soul of Baseball illuminates what life can be. It would help anyone get past their bitterness and see that life is about what I can do today and not what happened yesterday or what will happen tomorrow.

Poz is one of the best writers in the business. Thanks for writing a really great book about a great baseball man. Buck's is a great American story and the way it's written makes you feel like you're on the road trip with them.

This book got to me, in a very good way.

Buck's stories are funny and poignant, and we as readers definitely learn some history if we pay attention. But even more than that we can learn from Buck O'Neil's outlook on life. He was patient, caring, outspoken in an articulate and positive way (something our politicians should learn how to do), and he had grace. More than anything else reading about Buck O'Neil was a lesson on how to live with grace.

I want to tell you the last words of the book, but I won't.

If you like baseball, people or life you will like this book.

Highly recommended!!

Sometimes a great author writes a 5-star book, and sometimes he must only get out of the way and let 5-star material shine through. "The Soul of Baseball" is one of the latter. This isn't a knock on Joe Posnanski. The decision to tell the story by reporting on a year in O'Neil's life, rather than interpreting O'Neil's history, was a brilliant judgment. The reader benefits from Posnanski's willingness to set his writer's ego aside.

Another good Posnanski decision was reporting O'Neil's occasional querulousness. Rather than seeing O'Neil as a mindless happy face, the reader sees O'Neil as someone who must work to maintain his positive approach. The occasional lapses serve to highlight the effort that O'Neil makes to bring the light into the lives of those around him.

But ultimately, the star of the book is Buck O'Neil. Not because he was a great ballplayer or manager. But because he was a decent, good-hearted human being whose attitude toward life is worthy of emulation.

I give few 5-star rankings, but this book deserves it several times over.

My son, Jeremy, always gives me good books. He doesn't just pick up the latest best-seller, but takes the time to choose something special just for me. He hit a home run with The Soul of Baseball by Joe Posnanski. It's the story of an extended road trip Posnanski took with legendary Negro League player and manager Buck O'Neil. The lessons learned along the way are great ones for sons and fathers to share.

Posnanski, an award-winning sports columnist for the Kansas City Star, chose not to write a biography of the irrepressible O'Neil, even though the story could bear to be told over and over again. Instead, he penned a moving memoir of the year he spent with the then-93-year-old O'Neil as he toured the country promoting the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum in Kansas City and the memory of those men who played the game in the days before whites and blacks could share the field. The trip takes them everywhere from Nicodemus, Kansas, to New York, New York, and O'Neil has a fascinating story to tell at every stop.

He talks about Satchel Paige, Willie Mays, and Josh Gibson, names that will always be enshrined in baseball's collective memory. But he also tells the tales of forgotten men like Dan Bankhead, the first black pitcher in the major leagues, who would have been a great hurler if he hadn't been afraid to pitch fastballs inside against white batters.

The key theme of the book is Buck O'Neil's spirit-lifting embrace of the best in every person he met. Despite years of back-breaking struggle, O'Neil never turned bitter, never condemned anyone for their prejudice, never had a bad word to say about the often ugly conditions the black ball players endured. Even when he failed to be elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame, Buck O'Neil refused to be angry about it. To make up for the egregious mistake, the Hall awarded him a Lifetime Achievement Award after his death.

The lessons Posnanski drew from his experiences with O'Neil are well worth telling and the book he created from them is well worth reading.

Dave Donelson, author of Heart of Diamonds: A Novel of Scandal, Love and Death in the Congo

All About Braising: The Art of Uncomplicated Cooking

This is a must have for anyone who likes to cook. I wasn't sure how much difference braising would make but figured I'd try it. Wow! once you try it you will never want to cook chiken or roasts any other way.

I already owned a copy of this book. My brother was home and borrowed it to make osso bucco. He is a chef and was thoroughly impressed with Ms. Stevens' book. I just ordered another copy to have sent to him for his birthday. I've only had rave reviews from food I prepared out of this book. I think it should be on everyone's bookshelf.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0393052303/ref=cm_cr_rev_prod_title

I'm just an amateur, but this book seems to be the most comprehensive braising cookbook. Look at all the all-star chefs she has consulted. She explains the steps necessary to get a tender, flavorful braise and tells you why they are necessary. Loads of good recipes.
If you don't braise--you should--it makes the best dishes and is convenient for a group since you can do it ahead of time.
If you are going to braise, I think you could be wasting a lot of time and effort and missing out on wonderful meals if you don't have this book.

This is a superb book. Very well written thorough in its explanations and recipes with many varied recipes to choose from. Missed having lush photography to entice me more to cook, but a small omission in an overall impressive cookbook.

I never knew what braising was when I bought this book. It caught my eye because it was so thick, and I thought "How can there be that much on braising?" Well, I have to say, buying this book has been the nicest surprise in my cooking. I have made the absolute best pot roast ever (I never liked pot roast until I cooked it following Molly's recipes). She does such a terrific job of not only presenting the recipes in this book, but EDUCATING you on what makes a good cut of meat, how to buy fish, what to look for when selecting vegetables, etc. You will learn a lot from Molly if you read the book.
Note that there are very little pictures in the book, which usually renders a cookbook useless for me. However, the way she has described and categorized the recipes, I have never once yearned for a picture to know if something will be good. I just read through the title and recipe and think "Yum, that sounds great!" She's really a great cook and teacher. Kudos to you Molly!!! I love your book!

Buy it. You will be a better cook if you read the first couple chapters and make sure you spend the money and buy a good pot. You won't be sorry.

As for the two star review, I'm certain that their version of the crock-pot pot roast is the reason I never liked pot roast in the first place (you probably need half a bottle of ketchup to stomach it). Pay no attention to that review.

I can't tell you how much I love this book!!! If you like chicken, the chicken fricassee is the best. Also, her pork chops are to die for!

Update: I've been cooking from this book going on three years now and I am still in love with it. One of the great things is not only the recipes and education she gives you, but just about every recipe she recomends a side-dish and a wine. How great is that!? You don't even have to think about your menu. She also starts each recipe with a story about how she came across the recipe, which really gives it meaning and makes me appreciate how wonderful good cooking is. Great job Molly!

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.

A big sucess. We had a family reunion and it kept 6 boys happy for many hours in addition to tiring them out as they ran up and down the stairs from a loft area. Good instructions plus the proper paper.

interesting and fun for kids that love hands-on activities; easy and challenging at the same time...

I am a Science teacher I designed a Science Camp for the school district I work for. One of the days was devoted to the science of flight and we used paper airplanes as models. Originally, I had purchased 4 different paper airplane books (including this one). But, when the time came around and it was 'Paper Airplane Day' during our camp, this was the book I used.

The other books were ok, but many of the planes seemed to be very complex to make, many also involving irregular sizes of paper. I also try to keep my Science lessons simple - I wanted something the students could take home and start making right away. Not only did the Klutz book offer great, easy to make airplanes, but it also contained easy to understand explanations of the principles of flight (as well as some group games to play with paper airplanes.

I HIGHLY recommend this book and I give it a solid teacher endorsement!

Great product. Kids have fun making special paper airplanes. Especilly good for kids who have enjoyed putting Lego together.

This book is awesome. I never have been able to fold paper airplanes before that actually flew. With this book, it is so easy and they really fly. I now buy this book for my girls to give as birthday presents. Awesome find.

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!

My 8-yr old daughter just loves this fashion design kit. This is her 2nd one... she received the fancy party dress kit last year for Christmas. She entertains herself for hours & comes up with the most creative designs. It is wonderful for ideas, creativity, motor skills, patience. Highly recommend it.

Got this for my 11 yr old daughter and she has really enjoyed making outfits and putting them on the hangers. We found scrapbook paper to make even more outfits. We love Klutz.

So cool !!! Great for fashion divas in the making. A great creative gift for girls ages 9-12.

I highly reccomend this item! I am a paper crafter, and I love using these paper fashions to make quick stylish cards. I love this item because unlike some paper fashion books, it offers paper and templates, not precut paper or stickers. This is a great product for scrapbookers and cardmakers, and for all girls big and small. Also, there are miniature hangers included that add an extra touch to my cards, and I even hung ties on them to make a father's day card.

We bought this for our 10 year old granddaughter and she was delighted with the kit. It's simple to use, everything is included and it gave hours of fashion fun for a young girl. These kits as a whole are very appealing to preteen girls.

We bought this and "New York Yankees: an Illustrared History,"for a Yankee fan. He keeps them on a table next to his favorite chair and each time we visit, there are more little bookmarks and notes. He had told us how much he was enjoying them, but the sight of that well used books showed us that we chose a perfect gift.

The Olympian

A Yankee Century" ($16, Berkley). Baseball's spring training does not truly reside in the deserts of Arizona or near the sands and swamps of Florida. It resides in the hearts and minds of children-turned-adults, who carry with them years of baseball lore and feelings (rational or not) of intense rivalry.

So the paperback version of "A Yankee Century" is just the ticket for warming up to the first crack of the bat. As one raised on the Baltimore Orioles, I can do nothing else but hate (rationally or not) the Yankees.

That said, 100 years of Yankee baseball is a walk through much of baseball history. Harvey Frommer's book covers so many of the details that fans love to savor that it's irresistible.

Frommer stays out of the statistic pit (although there are plenty of numbers), instead making a winning delivery out of stories and quotes that will help baseball fans stay sane on a rainy late-January afternoon.

The Olympian, Olympia Washington

This N' That with Tony Mack:
BLACK ATHLETE SPORTS NETWORK

BOOK REVIEW: A YANKEE CENTURY\\
***************************************************************

BRISTOL, CONN---Earlier this year, you may have read a book review I wrote on the historic relationship between Branch Rickey and Jackie Robinson. That book was penned by noted baseball writer and historian Harvey Frommer.

Prof. Frommer has since come out with another historic baseball book, this time about the sport's most celebrated franchise.

Frommer, who authored "The New York Yankee Encloypedia", has now penned "A Yankee Century: A Celebration of the First 100 Years of Baseball's Greatest Team".

Not only does Frommer give an oral history of the Pinstripes, but there are several rare photos of Yankee greats past and present.

From Babe Ruth to Derek Jeter, Lou Gehrig to Reggie Jackson, and all those in between, "A Yankee Century" is keepsake dream for fans of the Bronx Bombers and a nightmare for Yankee haters all over.

Even though this review is being written by a lifelong Met fan, I found this to be a very entertaining read.

One of the things that was enjoyable about the book is how Frommer has separate "Yankee Stories" on the well-known and lesser known ex-Yankees.

A humble Chris Chambliss talks about coming over from the lowly Cleveland Indians in a 1975 and then winning the pennant with a dramatic homer in the 1976 ALCS against the Royals.

Frommer also writes about the plight of Elston Howard, the first Black to play for the Yankees. His struggles on and off the field are chronicled along with a review of his very understated career as a player and coach.

The breathtaking and sometimes tumulous career of Reggie Jackson in pinstripes is also well chronicled. "Mr. October" had one of the greatest moments in Yankee history when he hit three homers in Game 6 of the 1977 World Series.

At the time, it gave the Yanks their first World Series title in 13 seasons and he would help them go back to the next season.

Among some of the other African American players that are featured in Prof. Frommer's book are Jeter, current third base coach and ex-captain Willie Randolph, Bernie Williams, and Hall of Famer Dave Winfield.

The book also includes a comprehensive trivia quiz, quotes, anecdotes, and other entertaining features for all baseball fans, Yankee or otherwise.

If you know a true Yankee fan, it's a great addition to their library.

If you know a true Yankee hater, this will be a best way to start an arguement.

BOOK REVIEW: A YANKEE CENTURY
By Tony McClean
BLACK ATHLETE SPORTS NETWORK

BRISTOL, CONN---Earlier this year, you may have read a book review I wrote on the historic relationship between Branch Rickey and Jackie Robinson. That book was penned by noted baseball writer and historian Harvey Frommer.

Prof. Frommer has since come out with another historic baseball book, this time about the sport's most celebrated franchise.

Frommer, who authored "The New York Yankee Encloypedia", has now penned "A Yankee Century: A Celebration of the First 100 Years of Baseball's Greatest Team".

Not only does Frommer give an oral history of the Pinstripes, but there are several rare photos of Yankee greats past and present.

From Babe Ruth to Derek Jeter, Lou Gehrig to Reggie Jackson, and all those in between, "A Yankee Century" is keepsake dream for fans of the Bronx Bombers and a nightmare for Yankee haters all over.

Even though this review is being written by a lifelong Met fan, I found this to be a very entertaining read.

One of the things that was enjoyable about the book is how Frommer has separate "Yankee Stories" on the well-known and lesser known ex-Yankees.

A humble Chris Chambliss talks about coming over from the lowly Cleveland Indians in a 1975 and then winning the pennant with a dramatic homer in the 1976 ALCS against the Royals.

Frommer also writes about the plight of Elston Howard, the first Black to play for the Yankees. His struggles on and off the field are chronicled along with a review of his very understated career as a player and coach.

The breathtaking and sometimes tumulous career of Reggie Jackson in pinstripes is also well chronicled. "Mr. October" had one of the greatest moments in Yankee history when he hit three homers in Game 6 of the 1977 World Series.

At the time, it gave the Yanks their first World Series title in 13 seasons and he would help them go back to the next season.

Among some of the other African American players that are featured in Prof. Frommer's book are Jeter, current third base coach and ex-captain Willie Randolph, Bernie Williams, and Hall of Famer Dave Winfield.

The book also includes a comprehensive trivia quiz, quotes, anecdotes, and other entertaining features for all baseball fans, Yankee or otherwise.

If you know a true Yankee fan, it's a great addition to their library.

If you know a true Yankee hater, this will be a best way to start an arguement.

In the northeast, the winter of 2003-2004 will be remembered as one of the snowiest, iciest, coldest and dreariest in recent memory. A YANKEE CENTURY was the perfect cure for those miserable days. Filled with the baseball history that took place on the sun-drenched field of Yankee Stadium, Harvey Frommer has provided us Yankee [and most baseball] fans with a warm nostalgia and a good feeling for the springs and summers to come.

With equal parts statistics and anecdote, the book is a well-balanced exploration into the most successful sports franchise in history. Peppered with wonderful photos (some that I had never seen before), this 400+ page book moves swiftly. The writing is respectful without becoming sentimental. And Paul O'Neill, who I will always remember as our favorite water-cooler kicking hothead, proves to be a sensitive and articulate commentator. Congratulations to both writers.

A YANKEE CENTURY is a great exploration into the Bronx Bombers, and by extension, to the history of 20th century baseball itself.

you can get the book from SRIS that is Steve Reeves website for a lot less than Amazon

I would highly recommend this book for anyone,wanting to build their body the natural way! Written by Steve " Hercules " Reeves himself,the information is invaluable! Reeves built his body,and kept it in excellent condition with 3 workouts a week,total body! It has everything one would need to just stay in shape,or train for any sport,including bodybuilding..True,you won't be Ron Coleman or Jay Cutler,Mr Olympia winners,but you could be a Frank Zane,a three time Olympia winner and still look like a human being. I feel this is the best bodybuilding the natural waybook,ever done and again I highly recommend it!

I read all type of training and fitness books and this one is a classic.It is timeless, if you're 21 or 58 (which I am) you can use the information and the routines to get where you want to go providing you do the work. When you view the pictures of Steve you will say I would like to look like that. Broad shoulders, big chest, very tampered waist, good legs, symmetry , his physique truly is a classic that any man would like to have. Routines, working out around injuries, nutrition, power walking ,
and many frequently asked questions all of us have. After you buy and read the book put it up for sale on Amazon and recoup your investment .
You will be glad you obtained the book ,the Best I've read... you'll see!

This is a book you have to own. I looked on this site and the only copies are used. Everyone thinks it is out of print, but it is NOT out of print. Google the Steve Reeves International Society. You can buy the book brand new from here. I bought this book and the second book of Steve Reeves. You can get each for $25.

Too bad this great book is out of print, and therefore so expensive. Fans of classical bodybuilding will admire the great photographs of Steve in his prime, and will find much to admire in this practical, logical, and inspirational guide to getting in shape. Hardcore enthusiasts and fans of monsters like Dorian Yates may think the approach (and Reeves' physique) almost quaint, but the author's proportions were classical and his look is still stunningly impressive: what used to be considered in saner times "the Olympic Ideal". The book is worth a look, if you can find it, and bound to be a collector's item very soon.

The Business Playbook: Leadership Lessons from the World of Sports by Brandon Steiner does a tremendous job of explaining why it is important for one to set goals, as well as telling you what steps you can take to help you in achieving your goals. The book is well written, with a good amount of actual sports stories featuring some of the biggest names in sports. One downside is that many of the athletes discussed in the book play or played on teams based in New York. I would assume that is because the Steiner's business is located in New York and therefore these are the athletes he has the most contact with. The stories that he does tell about the athletes, however, are closely related to the lessons he is trying to teach in his book. Seeing the success that these athletes have had is a great motivator for the reader to try to accomplish much the same success in business instead of on a playing field.

The book is broken down into chapters, and each chapter essentially highlights a different principle that one can use on the road to success. Within each chapter every principle is broken down even further into various sub-topics. Although some of the sub-topics may not flow together as well as they could have, this style made the book very easy to read as well as understand. None of the information in the book is too complicated for the average reader to comprehend, and all of the information is explained very well.

By associating success in business with success in sports Steiner does a tremendous job in offering a book that is fun to read as well as a book that offers real lessons in business and leadership. Everyone who is at least in part a fan of sports and works in a business field should take the time to read this motivational book. By reading this book you will be able to tie aspects of sports into your business career in ways you may have never even felt were possible.

The Business Playbook is hands down the best motivational book I have ever read! Anyone who reads this book will take at least one valuable lesson that they could use in both their business and personal life! Mr. Steiner has a true sports marketing mind, and in my opinion is the best in the business! Keep up the good work!!!!!!!

I thought this book was very intuitive. It really made think about my future goals, and how I should approach them. It is a good reading for anybody who wants to be successful in what ever they want to do. Being that I am a big sports fan I really appreciated the sport figures and events that brandon used as analogies. It should be required reading for buisness students and for anybody who wants to move forward in life. Great book!

This book does a nice job of motivating you toward your leadership aspirations, but many times I felt like I was back in Jr. High school and was listening to my teacher tell me stories of when he was growing up. With all the author's experience and interaction with such high-profile icons of this generation (and a few past), I would think he could have transferred his leadership skills in a more adult and interesting way. Overall, the book was OK.

I was lucky enough to read this book after the CEO of my company asked me to purchase it and write him up a quick synopis. It was a quick but powerful read and by the end of that same weekend my senses were ablaze with newly kindled hope and inspiration!

Brandon Steiner has a great sense of motivational ability, and unlike some who give advice with an heir of condescension, he has an amazing ability to strike a chord with the reader through highly assimilable, digestible prose and imagery. He presents a theme and then illustrates it anecdotally. In his line of business one can only imagine the stories you'd have after working so closely with such colorful clientele. At the end of each chapter there is a summary and a closing paragraph or two which ties all the subject matter together.

The book is divided into key principles: "Start with a road map; Find your niche; Wake up nervous!; Know your purpose; Go the extra mile; You never know; Get focused!; Nothing changes if nothing changes; It's not what happens, it's what you do with what happens; and finally, See success as a habit." I saw so many points therein which had immediate relevance to my life and my future goals.

I am very glad to have read "The Business Playbook" and strongly advocate to anyone who reads this to pick yourself up a copy. You'll be glad you did.

Michael G.
NY, NY

When you read a good book, it should change your way of thinking or your way of viewing things. When I read Dream Real, it changed my life! This book made me realize some of the mistakes I was making with school. This book made me realize some of the mistakes I was making with sports. I was putting sports before my school work. Now, I realize that school is more important then sports. If I do well in school, that can take me just as far as doing well on the basketball court or the football field. My dream was to play pro basketball in the NBA. Now, I also want to be a doctor if I don't make it to the NBA. In order to become a doctor, school must come first. I never looked at it that way before I read Dream Real. Now, I know that school must come first and basketball comes second. Reading Dream Real, changed my life.

Paul Burns, 8th grade student, New York

My name is Mark Tomblum. I am in the 7th. grade. I live in a small town 5 miles outside of Dallas, Tx. I never really liked reading books and writing to much. I do like school but not reading or really writing. I go to an after school program and one of my teachers had this Dream Real book. She read a few pages to me. I wanted to read the book myself. My teacher let me take the book home. After reading this book I must say that it made me like reading. I really liked this book. I can say it changed my life. Football is big in the state of Texas. I want to be a success in life. I want to move on and play college football. Now I know that I must do good in my studies if I want to play football in high school and in college. I am using Dream Real for my book report.

Adults always say things like this or that book changed my life. I just thought it was there way of tricking us into reading because I never picked up a book "that I could not put down".

That changed when I borrowed this book. This book made me see alot of things more clear. Like how I really do not have a "game plan". I am "only" 13 but I am very very different now that I have a game plan in sports and life.

"Big L"

I love to read all kinds of books. My middle school teacher just gave me this book, Dream Real. I just completed reading it. I really loved this book. I can tell that Mr. Napoleon wrote this book from the heart. It takes a special person to share your personal experiences with the world. Mr. Napoleon is a special person, this is why his book is a great book to read. If you read it, you will learn something from it!!!

T.J. 8th. grade, The ATL

I play Pop Warner football in Newark, N.J. My coach gave this book Dream Real to my mother during the football season. I just got the chance to read it. Once I started reading it, I did not want to put the book down. I started to dream about playing football at the professional level. I really love playing football. My mother always talks about me doing well in school. After reading this book, I know how important school is to my future. Growing up in Newark is hard. I understand what Mr. Napoleon is talking about in his book. Growing up in the city is hard. Now when I think about sports, I will also think about school. I will work on doing better in school. I need to be smart to get what I want in life in the future.

Jamal grade 8 QB