Sports Books

If you have ever wondered what it was like growing up in the basketball-crazy Hoosier state during the heydays of the 50s and 60s, Dr. Norman Jones provides that opportunity in Growing Up in Indiana: The Culture & Hoosier Hysteria Revisited. Jones was one of those players, and he had the inevitable task of guarding the likes of Bobby Plump (Milan Miracle) as well as the incomparable Big O. In an era when basketball players were equals only on the court, Jones goes on to describe the inequities imposed on the black players off the court.

I thank Norm Jones for giving us the meticulous chronicling of his youth as a Hoosier. Through his descriptive writing and stellar story-telling ability, Jones allows us to vicariously experience his adventures on the court. Anyone who has ever aspired to make his high school basketball team will enjoy this realistic look back to the glory days of Hoosier basketball.
Chic Hess, Author of Prof Blood and the Wonder Teams: The true Story of Basketball's First Great Coach

While I found this book to be an interesting read and perhaps captures what it was like for a typical young man to grow up in Indiana (like I did) and be a basketball player (like I wasn't), it wasn't what I was expecting when I bought it. The title led me to believe I would read more about the Big Picture -- what Hoosier Hysteria was (is) and how it has affected the Indiana population as a whole over the years. Instead it was mainly about the author and his personal journey playing high school and college basketball. I enjoy memoirs, but I think the word "memoir" in the title or subtitle would have helped me understand what I was ordering. I do praise the author for his insight into racism in the state -- and in Hoosier basketball in particular; I learned a lot from this book about that sorry history. Those who like this book might also enjoy reading "Getting Open" by Tom Graham.

The way Dr. Jones integrated his basketball chapters showed the cultural and racial history that many kids may had lived in those days but really didn't understand what was happening behind the scenes and off the court, in regards to treating each other fairly with equality in life.The good and the bad of Growing Up a Hoosier could be a reality book in school classrooms to discuss how far Hoosiers and basketball together have changed through the years.

I am not an avid reader and when I picked up this book I could not wait to get back to it. This author's accounts of his childhood basketball experiences had me turning the pages as quickly as I could read them. Throwing in his memories of his adolescent relationships as he balanced his romances with his athletics brought me back to my own youthful experiences where, as a boy, the "love of the game" often won over the "love of the girl".

Norm Jones colorfully details this time and place in Indiana where basketball was "King", where every young boy in Indiana had dreams of playing on "the starting five" in front of the large crowds, getting a college scholarship and making it to the pros. The author's life takes you through a journey of childhood memories, where friends don't make the cuts, new relationships are made on the court, and discrimination against African-Americans challenged this new generation of young men growing up in Indiana.

"There is no greater impact on what Indiana basketball means to a kid 'GROWING UP IN INDIANA' than this book by Dr. Jones. Although I played, coached,and refereed basketball at all levels, this book gives a perspective that can only be (italics) imagined - unless you lived it like Norm did. A fun and easy read.

Jim Tunney. Ed.D
Former NFL Referee, educator and author of "It's the Will, Not the Skill"

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Good memories are refreshed if you grew up in Indiana through the book by Norm. Jones. "Growing Up In Indiana" is entertaining even for those who hail from different states. Norm"s memory is unusual and sharp and he has been on the cutting edge of some spectacular events in Indiana basketball history. I share his memory of several of these events and sports fans will enjoy the many stories he tells. I enjoyed the opportunity to work closely with Norm and have always appreciated his work ethic and his devotion to high principles. Enjoy this book---it will provide great entertainment.

Jack L. Davidson
Tyler Texas

I love this book. I have read some of the chapters two-three times now and get something more each time. As an amateur woodworker, I don't fully understand what each tool can do yet dream of outcomes that the masters create. This book explains in simple terms the what, how and what should be for each tool, be it a hand plane, chisel, hammer, etc. Most of my other woodworking books that speak of tools only touch on how to sharpen and maybe adjust but not the how it does it and how it should perform. This book heads to the top of my stack to reach for when I need some tutoring on a particular hand tool.

This is a beautiful book, the moment I read the first chapter I was wishing I'd bought the hard copy so I could put it in pride of place on my bookshelf.
I loved the illustrations, which are on almost every page and give exactly the right amount of detail in a way that photos can't. But the best part is the author's wonderful writing style, which really conveyed a sense of the timeliness and pleasure of woodworking. Even when describing such mundane things as taking measurements, the author has a great knack of focussing on the human aspect of the process, the decisions that need to be made and the emotions that the wrong and the right decision evoke. This, to me, is the reason working with handtools it is such a satisfying pastime, and this book wraps up all of those experiences in a really beautiful way. Top marks.

Just beginning my adventure in woodworking, this book has done exactly as it claims in the back cover. It feels like I have a readily available experience woodworker in my pocket whenever I have a question about a tool. The explanation is clear like a craftsman would teach his apprentice, and because of this, the obvious question of what tool should I get first and what tool should be my next purchase is easily answered, without actually saying. The drawings make the book almost timeless, not dated by photos, and the diagrams are reminiscent of the technical sketch you may see on a drafting table. I purchased other books along with this, but keep referencing back to this book to answer my questions about what tool do I need for the next part of the job. The writing is easily explanatory and conversational at once, and is quite enjoyable to read. You can either read it in a linear fashion, from front to back, or you can choose the tool you have questions about (from the Table of Contents) and move directly to it to have your question answered.

Free bench plans if you've never built a workbench, are included. This is a book that could sell itself if you had a chance to open it up.

I don't gush over books very often but this is one of the best investments I have ever made. The illustrations are startling and the writing is clear and unadorned.

What Watson does very well is assume nothing with regard to his reader. He neither panders to the "old pro" nor is condescending to the "rank amateur." He just talks about how to use hand tools, how to think about hand tools and how to appreciate hand tools. I don't think there is a person doing wood working today who would not find something in here that makes them say "Oh, yeah..., that's a good idea."

I have spent quite a lot of money on the Taunton woodworking library and I value them highly. They are good books. But this one is the first one I pick up when I am just spending a few minutes sitting down or before drifting off to sleep.

One caution - this book is about "hand tools" and does include chapters on tools like "hand augurs" which very few of us use, however I have to admit I am tempted to buy one just because of the obvious pleasure this guy has in them. One of my quirks I suppose.

Watson has written a clear and concise user's manual for woodworking hand tools. He includes many of the basic hand tools that are overlooked (such as the brace and drawknife) in other hand tool books. I got more information out of Watson's clear drawings than I did from the beautiful photographs in Garrett Hack's "Classic Hand Tools" book. This book is meant to be kept in your workshop instead of on the coffeetable.

Dr. Davis's book is an excellent tool for personal and professional use. With managed care limits on sessions, I am utilizing this book in both my private and State EAP (employee assistance program) practices as a means to "cut to the chase" for clients. The book provides a framework for self improvement based on cognitive psychology theory, and fits beautifully in my coaching model of services. I highly recommend this book to individuals seeking positive changes in their lives, as well as to professionals as an enhancement tool for coaching and/or therapy. Terri Gorman, LCSW

I 100% reccomend this book. It is extremely helpful for a healthy mind and life in competitive sports, as well as every day life. It is very well written and is excellent for teens and adults!

Just what you need to start with this way of thinking.

All of the points are not new, but the experience and the cleariness
make the book a great and enjoyable starting point.

Another plus: it is short enough that you'll be sure to... finish it

Wow! What a terrific book! As a Figure Skater, I gained tremendous strength from Dr. Davis' words and I was amazed at how simple it was to understand her "filing system". After reading this book, I cannot wait to compete in my next championship.

High Performance Thinking is an excellent source for anyone who wants to start using their thoughts to create success in any area of their life. It is was so easy to read, I felt as if Dr. Davis was speaking to me in a casual conversation. If you want to think your way to success, this is the book for you!

I have so many wonderful things to say about this book and yet none of them do it justice. I've been a rider my entire life, mostly riding dressage, and this book really brought it all together for me. If you want a deeper relationship with your horse, and by that, I mean you really want to put in the mindfulness and discipline to really see what an amazing relationship you can have, then get this book. Now. Mark, with his wonderful story telling ability, takes us through a journey that I think many of us can apply to our own lives. He has so many important things to say. While he can help people with techniques, perhaps his greatest gift is in going farther, deeper, in expressing those concepts that can not only change a person's relationship with his/her horse, but can change his/her life as well.

In our frenetic world, with so many showy horsepeople who don't truly know horses at all, it's good to know that Mark is sharing his wisdom. He is such a gift to horses - and humans - and every person owes it to his or her horse to go out and get this book and really learn from it.

I am very pleased with this book and all the others I have read by Mark Rashid. He writes in a manner that is very easy to read. He has a lovely way of sharing information with the reader without it feeling like a text book. I would highly recommend his books to anyone who loves horses and wants to learn more about them.

I was introduced to Mark's works several years ago by a friend who said our lives were very similiar. I have read all of Mark's books and highly recommend them. As I found out, Mark's writing is simple in it's common sense approach for achievement, will more than likely stimulate your memory for pleasurable moments, and put quite a few smiles on your face as you read. You will learn a lot about horses, a lot about life and a major key ingredient for success in both: Patience. Patience breeds success and I doubt there are many, if any, horseman with more patience than Mark. I recommend Kathleen Lindley's book "In the Company of Horses" as well.

Having been a student of Natural Horsemanship, and and avid reader, few trainers have made more sense to me...and my horse...than Mark Rashid. His work is highly approachable, very no-nonsense, and very empowering.

Horsemanship Through Life provided a unique opportunity to see inside a strong transition in Mark's career which occurred when he became a student of another art. Learning how to learn is a respectible, and difficult, process. Giving yourself permission to be a 'beginner' again is not easy in our culture of instant gratification, but this book illustrates how valuable it can truly be.

Awesome book. Goes straight to the heart of Rashid's teachings. I loved it and will pass it on to someone else to share as good books don't sit on shelves!

my son is 7 months old and when i got a book version of twinkle twinkle little star, he loved it! when i found this book at the bookstore, it reminded me of my sesame street days! he loves the song and the pictures and now we'll both have grown up with this song!

What a wonderful book based on the great Sesame Street song! My twins love the song and book!! Beautiful pictures and easy to follow for toddlers.Pricey, yeah.... But well worth the money!!!Best money I spent in a long time!!!

We have enjoyed singing this song to our son almost since he was born, and when we got the book recently, it was an instant hit with him! It makes a wonderful bedtime story. I wish we had known about it a long time ago! Great gift idea, too.

My 22 month old loves this book, as do I. We sing it together every night, and she loves to see her friends Ernie and Bert in the beautifully illustrated pages. Its a wonderful song, and a lovely story about taking adventures but always coming home.

I can't read this book to my children without singing. The song is a lovely little lullaby we heard on Sesame Street, sung once by Aaron Neville. It is so beautiful, if you buy this book and don't know the tune, do yourself a favor and get a CD, too! You'll want to "sing" this book! It doesn't matter if you think you don't sing well -- the tune is so simple and your toddler loves your singing voice, anyway.

Even if you don't know the tune, don't sing the song, and don't ever care to "sing" a book with your baby, this little board book catches a lovely, lilting rythym (even without music) that's perfect for bedtime. Read softly with lots of cuddling. The point of the story is that "home" is the best place to live, and other spots are great "just for visiting."

I chose this amazing book for our couples book club--it's one of the few books we've read that was equally loved by both the men and the women. It tells the adventures of one man and his family of five daughters in the rough, watery terrain of Eastern Canada.

Unlike typical nature writing that tells stories of lone men wandering the wilderness (zzzzz), this story mingles the hilarious antics of a rich family life with good friends and bizarre acquaintances. The amazing nature tales are a bonus!

We are serious readers (Steinbeck, Dickens, Twain), and we all agreed that this is one of our favorites.

Happy reading!

As the title of the book says, it's a series of chronicles about events that occurred on the Kipawa or around, as seen by Scott Sorensen, the owner of country cottages at the bottom of the Kipawa.

The book is interesting for paddlers, but most chronicles are not related to whitewater.

Scott Sorensen's narrative beautifully dovetails his family'snorthwoods triumphs & tribulations of the past quarter centurywith the present showdown involving Hydro-Quebec - North America'slargest power-generating company, and it's attempts to dam-up theKipawa River in Northwest Quebec. This book wonderfully illustratesthe power of Mother Nature and Man's (HQ's) relentless attempts toharness it in the name of "progress" and profit.

Bravoto Scott for his efforts to bring this gross act to the forefront ofpublic attention! As this chapter of the story remains unresolved, Ipray Hydro-Quebec's progress be halted in order to protect thisnatural wonder from destruction and ensure the continuity of thosecountless ecosystems which depend on it.

Upon reading about"Ham the Cat," one must wonder why "Ham" shouldn'tjust outright attack'em!!

My family has been traveling to the Kipawa region for 4 decades and spanning 4 generations. I read this book nearly non-stop. Scott Sorenson has really put a face to the name 'Kipawa'. The author, in telling how his life has been affected by the lands surrounding the Kipawa River, instills in the reader a better understanding of the natural forces that constitute the heartbeat of this region. The book covers many topics from the history of the region to wilderness survival. I'd recommend it to anyone who has contemplated life in the north woods, or to those like me who are simply grateful for each and every visit to the land and waters that are Kipawa.

For those who love the wilderness this book is a mixture of history, excitement and reality. This grouping of personal and historic stories of life in the wilderness of Canada is a pleasure to read. With it's regular reality checks that show you the modern day struggle that occurs in every wilderness area as man tries to balance his need for more with his love of unspoiled beauty this book shows us what challenges we must overcome to preserve what is left of the wilderness. Read it and rise to that challenge. Over the past thirty years I have spent many weeks in the Kipawa area. It is a joy to see and experience. Scott's stories give you a picture what it is to live in and experience these wild places. Life is to short to see them all but our challenge as Scott demonstrates in this book is to preserve them for our children and the many generations that follow. Read this book and you will be moved by the experience.

what a marvelous book. more than any book i have read on fishing or outdoors, this one is well written. it captures the feelings of the changing of seasons and the hope and dread of how things will be that day. are there fish still in area or have they moved out. what will today bring. one learns a lot about fishing and life and the passion one can have for something. at same time it is not obvious or heavy-handed with some zen philosophy or fishing as allegory. ultimately it is about the love of fishing with a fly rod and sharing that with a few other friends who have the same feelings. while reading this gem of a book, one learns a lot about fishing. i live on the east end of long island but i didnt really know the areas he talked about and the history of some of them. the author really makes the region and the people come alive. it is like you are having breakfast in the local "greasy spoon" with the guys who fish and talk about it. you can see the guys with the bedraggled looks while they try to glean some info on where action is without giving away any of their own secrets. you can see the birds working the water and feel the hard tug. you can also feel the days where nothing working/nothing happening but it isnt dissappointing. the possibilty is almost enough ....but not quite. i have only fished for stripers once with a fly rod but after i read this book i made arrangements to go out to montauk area to try it. if it is 1/4 quarter as good as the author makes it out to be, it will be well worth it.

The Moon Pulled Up An Acre Of Bass

Fishing, cooking, and having a good time with your friends at your favorite vacation house, what could get better than that? That's the "good life" described by Peter Kaminsky in his nonfiction novel The Moon Pulled Up An Acre Of Bass.
Kaminsky shared his humorous fishing stories in October 2000 throughout the whole book. He picked the month of October because of the great fishing experiences he had with bass fishing and many other fish. One of his memorable moments was when he termed the expression "The moon pulled up an acre of bass." He used this term when he stood in amazement and shock while gazing at the water with what he called an "Acre" of bass while the moon glared at his face. Beside being a great fisherman and having a love of fishing, Kaminsky loved other things.
One of the things he loved to do was he loved to cook. He would love to catch fish, have friends over and then cook the fish in his kitchen that he loved. He said the kitchen had "Acres of counter space." Also what he liked to do was to spend time with his friends onshore and offshore. When he was with his friends he became a great fisherman. This happened because all his good fisherman friends gave him all various kinds of advice, which added up to him being a great fisherman. For example, one of his friends taught him how to cast under the wind on a windy day. This was great for him because then he could basically fish whenever he wanted since gusty weather wouldn't make it difficult for him.
Overall I really liked this book because I could connect to it so much. I could do this because I also have a love of fishing and the book takes place on Long Island. I have much background information of Long Island because I live there. As you can see, this book was mainly about Peter Kaminsky and his love of fishing with his friends. Since he and his friends were hilarious, this book turned out to be filled with humor. I really liked this book and I would recommend this book to anyone who loves fishing, comedy, and nonfiction novels.

Reading his first hand account of 30 straight days tracking the Montauk striper, I found ambitious reason to visit the East End for the first time myself. Not only did I meet one of the colorful characters Peter describes, but I romanticized what it'll be like out there in another month as the fall blitz approaches, with Peter's account coloring every image. A superb read for anyone who finds comfort in the flex of a flyrod, and a fantastic primer to anyone who endeavors to interrupt, albeit mildly and temporarily, one of nature's greatest migration of life: the fall blitz off Montauk.

I enjoyed the book and the concept, but the fawning treatment of certain guides (that probably gave Kaminisky free rides) read too much like promotional materials.

The author gives us a great look into not only the stiper fishng world, but the culture and heritage of the east coast. A pleasure to read, cover to cover. Even for those of us that may never see stripers in the salt, this is defintely a worthwhile read.

This book is a great read for anyone interested in climbing Mt. Rainier. It seems targeted for beginner to mid-level climbers, as safety is plainly paramount. Let's not forget, Mike Gauthier is the Head Climbing Ranger at Mt. Rainier. When individuals get in trouble at Mt. Rainier, he very likely will be involved in their rescue.

The first part of the book is information about the mountain and the park. It is well written and easy to read. Even non-climbers will likely find this interesting. The latter part of the book is the actual route decriptions. They are properly brief, but descript enough to make sure the reader will be able to find their way.

This book is unique because the author approaches it as not just someone who has climbed all these routes, but more importantly someone who has been involved in years of rescues. Gauthier obviously has first hand experience climbing routes of all difficulty at Mt. Rainier, but his more valuable lessons have come from the years of rescuing. He has witnessed the mistakes climbers have made, and wisdom from those mistakes is clearly more valueable than uneventful ascents, regardless of how impressive. His writing very much encourages a trip to The Mountain, but at the same time he makes the dangers clear.

This book covers everything from routes (with maps, elevation gain, difficulty) to permit regulations, information on guide services and common mountain practices/courtesy. Definitely recommended, a quick read.

Read the reviews, perused the book and decided to buy 3, one for each of our cabins at Mt. Rainier. We get a lot of climbers, scramblers and hikers to our cabins near Ashford and they love the armchair reading.

I summitted Mt. Rainier in July, 2002, and bought this book beforehand. Pretty good book if you're looking to climb multiple routes on Rainier. Very imformative, and very well written. If you're heading out there to climb this beast, I'd definately recommend this book.

I'm not much of a mountain climber at all...Mount Rainier is one of the very few mountains I've ever stepped foot on. Mike's book was still highly entertaining to read for stories or general infactuation with climbing.

I'd sit on a high ridge somewhere in the park ([First] Borroughs Mountain and Plummer/Pinnacle Peaks are great places for that...) and just compare the pictures with the mountain...the routes are clearly marked and explained including all access trails and possible dangers. It's got a lot of personal and relative stories that, once more, amuse more than climbers alone.

The new edition also covers glaciers by Paul Kennard, the regional fluvial geomorphologist of that area. More medical advice and guide advice too--it covers a good range of Mount Rainier necessary information. It's one of the most (if not the top) personal books on climbing Rainier I've found.

Excellent. Having come from the 'nat.' horsemanship clinicianss, I found I was ready to know even more. Through the help of a new instructor who is 4th generation N. Calif. ranch (used to the vaquero ways) and who became appreciative of the Masters, I am starting a whole new exposure. It is wonderful! She rec'd this book and will add more as I go along. I am halfway into this book and already am realizing how much we can learn from our horses if we just slow down and pay attention to them and each one of their particular personalities and behaviours. It is teaching me even more respect. This instructor appreciates Ray Hunt but also the Masters and I'm not sure but I think she considers Ray Hunt up there in that category as well as Tom Dorrance (who was a neighbor when she was younger and a person whom she learned from as well.). I reccommend this book to every horse lover and rider. It to me is right up there in the classics for an adult just like the Black Stallion, Walter Farley books were right up there when I was a child. It is not as exciting as the Walter Farley books because it is not fiction, but it is a very worthy read. ~ Copperhorse 4 Fun

This is Colonel Podhajsky's story of his life, told in context of his relationships with his horses. Sometimes people tend to think that some of the currently popular "natural horsemandship" principles are either new, or apply only to western riding. However, Colonel Podhajsky talks in terms of true partnership and understanding with your horse from the perspective of classical European Dressage, and of course pre-dates the current popular "methods." Don't get me wrong, I am a fan of Pat and Linda Parelli, and feel that they, and others who are popular today, have done a lot to improve the lot of horses. They have also found a way to help the rest of us learn how to achieve the sort of relationships with our horses that Colonel Podhajsky describes in this book. This book is the story of a true master in every sense of the word. Don't miss it!!

This inspirational book is truly a classic, as are all of Podhajsky's writings. A timeless, enlightening book which should be read not only by dressage enthusiasts, but by all who are interested in the partnership between horse and rider.

Confused by all the hoopla around the "Natural Horsemanship" gurus these days? Find out what is the real thing by reading Alois Podhajsky's "My Horses, My Teachers." In fact, this book could be a sourcebook in Human Relationship, or Self-Help categories as well as any equine category. AP writes passionately about his relationships with his own gurus, the many horses who were lucky enough to cross paths with this kind, gentle, patient master of horsemanship. Reading this book one feels as if these stories are being told face to face with this beacon of horsemasters, sitting in his living room on comfortable couches. This is a must read for ANY horse enthusiast!

This is a intriguing book. An insight into to the man who managed to keep the Spanish Riding School going during World War II and convinve Patton to save the breeder stock at the end of the war. He speaks of the horses that he has riden and trained and what they have taught him! I have enjoyed the book, but some may find it a bit too intellectual. Those who ride, love horses or are interested in the behavior of horses will find this an most intersting and entertaining read!

I was raised in Southern California and now reside in Indiana. I could not be happier that Coach Wooden also called both places his home. Though he clearly is a midwesterner at heart---as am I now---his legend truly grew in Los Angeles.

As my title indicates, we need more coaches like John Wooden here in 2008. Can you imagine what the current crop of college ballers would be like if they had a mentor and role model like Wooden? He had depth, insight, was spiritual, a reader, a thinker, etc. This was not required, but he knew all these attributes were necessary to grow "student athletes" into successful players and adults. Even a hippie like Bill Walton, the antithesis to a noble, mature person like Wooden---respects and admires "Coach." Wooden knew how to reach all. His quotes---taken from other coaches, his father and his own mind---are ones to heed. I have the Pyramid of Success on my wall at work.

He hated dunking, showboating, selfishness, hedonism, etc. He'd loathe the brainwashing and lack of civility rampant on today's college and high school campuses.

This bio spans a wonderful, rich life, leaving no stone or thought unturned; no mind or theory unchallenged or ungrown.

A remarkbale living legend, G-d bless Mr. Wooden (who is still alive at the age of 97) and all he has done for the game and collegians everywhere.

John Wooden has figured out some of the secrets of life. And he passes them on directly, in a way that can be transformational for a reader.

John Wooden is a hero of mine. His own heroes include Abraham Lincoln and Mother Theresa. Like them, he is a treasure for all of us because his life and lessons demonstrate what it means to live to "our personal best" in a way that is simple, profound and so clear.

This book should be required reading in "Human Being 101".

We grow up hearing about the importance of developing " good character", not always knowing what it is, or just how to obtain it. All of Wooden's books give his personal guidelines for developing character and living a decent life, whether we are athletes, musicians, teachers, or anything else.
Wooden's teachings have stood the test of time. His life and those he has influenced are proof of that.
I use his wisdom for myself, and I pass it on to all my students. They all know who John Wooden is. His life blesses us all.

This is a great book to help any coach of any sport get a good feel for the right way to coach young players. Teach them good life lessons and skills. It gives an insight into a great coach and even greater man.

John Wooden is one of my heroes. When I was growing up, his teams were dominant, but more importantly, they made the game beautiful to watch. After he retired at the peak of his game, he quietly stepped off the stage. With the rush of books on leadership in the 1990's through the present, it was inevitable, and overdue, that folks take time to examine Coach Wooden's approach to leadership. This has led to a cottage industry in Wooden books.

This book is short, personal and focuses on life lessons learned from the narrative of Coach's life. It doesn't attempt to be weighty, just a good read, that imparts wisdom without hitting you over the head with it. It touches on each chapter of Coach Wooden's life, and particularly shows the infuence of his father, his high school and college coaches and his growth thru experience

This is a fun, easy read that leaves the reader wiser. Highly recommend