Sports Books

Yessiree, I give it 5 stars as a running book. I was finding I was docking some books and CDs; because I approached it like, is it perfect enough to get the highest rating like a Shakespeare play or a symphony?

I go with the genre it belongs too; and too, I'd say those who have had substance abuse/alcohol problems would find it inspiring too; cause Dick became addicted to pain killers; and did some things; that were indeed wrong.

It's a good book for athletes, cause Dick's body did start to break down some; even away from his being prone to some bad accidents. It makes me ponder, we hear about so many athletes who later end up being not in the best shape because of their sports career, say like Larry Bird. It makes you think, it's great to run that great Boston Marathon in '82; but is it worth it in the long run.

I agree, the book may have minor blemishes, might be choppy in parts in the latter half of the book, but it shouldn't keep anyone from reading it, indeed, some of this could have been expanded on.

It's a good book, kind of for your couples too; I mean, I admire his wife, Maureen, for staying with Dick; for her care, love and also standing up to him some.

I definitely, would like to read "Duel in the Sun" to continue reading on Mr. Beardsley, really, along with his rival at the Boston Marathon, Alberto Salazar and along with "Pre" Prefontaine himself; there certainly is more to read on these famous track runners from America.

As Dean Karnazes' book UltraMarathon Man is getting to be compulsory reading for Greeks (but not only them of course), I think Minnesotans and those from the surrounding areas should read this one, especially if they are interested in the sport.

Beardsley reminds me a bit of the great American cyclist from the turn of the century (meaning near 1900) Major Taylor, in that his glory descended into lows.

After going through this book, I am still contemplating parts of it and how we and history will see Dick, but I definitely would wish him and his family the best. Some parts of it, really are astonishing; and it is astonishing as a whole. He certainly has given a lot to the Marathon.

I have heard Dick Beardsley speak and he is awesome. I purchased his book to give for gifts at Christmas time. He has persevered through the toughest of obstacles and is still standing with his wife by his side!

My husband is a marathon runner & enjoys reading. We have met Dick Bearsley when we ran the Detroit Lakes Half marathon. My husband really enjoyed this book. He learned alot about Dick Beardsley & his marathons.

Very well written book! It shows the high and low of Dick Beardsley's running career and life. It is a very quick read, with no slow sections. It might be the best book about running that I have read.

This book is about the life of a runner named Dick Beardsley. It talks about his life goals in running and how he got into a bad habbit of using pain killers. The book takes place in the mainland, and not in a certain place because he traveled a lot to race. See i am a runner so i like the book because it gave me the motivation to go on when the going gets tough. If i compare this book to other book i would say it is not the best running book i have read but, it is better than the other types of books i have read. I think if you are a runner you will really like the book cause it teaches you to be tough in a race and some pointers on how to run marathons. If you do not run i dont think you will have a strong liking with this book. It can get kind of boring a some parts, but the parts that tell about his races really made me want to read on, so if you are a runner i think this book is better for you than if you are not a runner. So be a runner!

Warning - contains spoiler.
Kate Angell, one of my favourite authors is getting better and better. Her last book "Strike Zone" of the boys of summer series is just perfect. Although it's part of a series you can read it without knowing "Squeeze Play" and "Curveball" but I recommend you to read these books because they are so good.
Back to "Strike Zone", it's about Taylor Hannah and Brek Stryker. Three years ago Taylor left Brek at the day of their wedding (literally in front of the altar), but never stopped loving him. Then she felt pressured to marry him only months after her parents died and needed some time alone to deal with it. So the last three years she worked as an adventure guide and had no contact with Brek but is still shocked to read that he is planning to marry again.
Feeling that she has to finally solve the situation with Brek she comes back to Richmond. Brek is absolutly not interested in hearing anything Taylor has to say, but when Taylor is forced to stay longer than planed because of a knee injury he can't avoid her and his feelings any longer. When Brek is severly hurt too while playing ball and Taylor is there for him they both have to handle their feelings and finally the past.
Kate Angell gives us another love story involving Eve, Taylors sister, and Sloan, a pitcher on Breks team. Taylor doesn't trust the arrogant Sloan and thinks he only wants to play with her and Sloan realizes that Eve is perfect for him and that he has to stop being a player to have a chance with her.
Both love stories are great and I only wished the book had way more pages because I enjoyed it so much.
IMO this is a must read, so if you are a romance fan buy yourself a copy immediately, enjoy reading it and then start waiting for Angells next book of the series hopefully with more of Kason (a new dark, bad boy on the team).
Enjoy
S.M.

I liked this book, although I think I liked the secondary story of Taylor's sister Eve and baseball player Sloan better than the main story. This author has done this before and I wish each story had their own book. I would have loved a separate book of Eve and Sloan's story. As usual this author has great dialogue and the book just zips along and before you know it you've read the whole thing. Also, I prefer it when the hero/heroine have never met and meet for the first time in the book. In this book the heroine left the hero at the altar. It still works but I think these type of books lose something when the 2 people already have a past. I love that moment in a book when the couple first meet. All in all this was a good read and I look forward to more books by Kate Angell. Love those baseball players!!

This is my first book by Ms. Angell. It was a fun, breezy bit of fluff. And if you take it at that - it's wonderful. It's a great book when you don't want anything too deep.

However, the reasons for only 3 stars are: it was totally predicatable (as are all romaces, I suppose, but this really had no surprises.) Some of the baseball stuff was silly (5 Cy Youngs and I forget how many golden gloves for Brek -come on!) And, last but not least, the cutesy names. Sorry, but this drives me nuts. A pitcher named Stryker???

To keep with the baseball theme, this story is a homerun (as are Squeeze Play and Curveball). The character are fun and there interactions will make you laugh out loud.

Brek Stryker is having the year of his life. He is in position to break all of his father's pitching records, and he is engaged to marry the mayor of the town. Not only is he engaged, but his fiancée is nothing like his last one (Taylor) and he thinks that this is just what he needs.

Taylor is stunned when her sister Eve lets her know Brek is getting married. She has always thought she would be able to talk with him about why she left him at the alter all those years ago. Now she might not get the chance. So she actually bangs up her knee while skiing and comes back to Richmond to make amends. The problem is that instead of making amends, she ends up making things worse. She realizes she is still in love with Brek who wants nothing to do with her. Additionally, Brek's relief pitcher (Sloan) seems to be hitting on her when he really is attracted to her sister Eve. Will Sloan and Eve get together? Or will he live up to his love`em and leave`em reputation.

Suddenly things don't seem to be as good in Brek's life as in the past. He is still drawn to Taylor, his fiancée is trying to keep a distance that he doesn't like, and there is a rumor that his batting nemesis might be traded to his team. When Taylor ends up in the hospital from her knee injury, he decides that he will be the friend she needs to get better. Will the rest of his life straighten out? Will they acknowledge the flames that are still between them?

Taylor and Brek were the main characters of Strike Zone, but I almost liked the secondary story between Eve and Sloan better. But then again, that is like choosing between chocolate and oh, chocolate, as all four characters are written so well that it was easy to become involved in their lives. Strike Zone is the latest in the Boys of Summer series and Ms. Angell just might convert me to baseball after all. I enjoy reading about the lives and times of characters we have met in the past and their interactions with the new ones. I also want to point out that you do not need to read the series in order, though if you start with Strike Zone, you will find yourself hunting for the others. I have to say that if there is any complaint I have with Strike Zone, it is that I will have to wait another year to read the next in the series. It is with great pleasure that I am Joyfully Recommending Strike Zone.

Tanya
reviewed for Joyfully Reviewed

Striking It Rich is my bed-sided book. I used to live in Phnom Penh for a few years and understand the people as well as their culture. A society in which the power is Gun and Money. I really admire Doctor Sheftall because he dared to risk his life by playing golf with those military generals. The author is a super intelligent, talent and funny person. Through the very incredible, amazing golf stories and other ones in his life in Southeast Asia, Doctor Sheftall shared his life experiences in a very funny way but he really means it: My eyes darted between my beautiful angel, her husband, the AK-47, her nipple pressing against the front of her pajamas, the door, her husband, the AK-47, her nipples, the door... Then a strange calm came over me......

I couldn't help laughing with the way he wrote the stories. You will enjoy it. I would recommend to anyone to this book and of course to the golf players.

Rein Forest

Reid Sheftall, an American doctor who specializes in burn and reconstructive surgery lives and practices medicine in Cambodia, a country in which feuds are sometimes settled by splashing acid on one's enemy.

At 46, Dr. Sheftall wondered if he, a practicing surgeon, could return to the game of golf and play respectably on the professional tour, while keeping his day job. He had been a promising junior some 28 years ago when he quit playing golf to pursue other sports. It wouldn't be easy to qualify for the Malaysian Pro Golf Tour, but the temptation lingered. While running a medical center in Phnom Penh and treating children of unfortunate acid attacks, he practiced his swing by hitting balls at ships cruising by on the Mekong River.

How he became part of that pro tour is revealed in his recent memoir, Striking it Rich: Golf in the Kingdom with Generals, Patients and Pros. Sheftall utilizes his golfing adventure as the framework to chronicle his work as a surgeon, as well as the joys and pitfalls of being a 46-year-old bachelor living in Cambodia.

For instance, when he played in his second pro tournament, the Chevrolet Open, Dr. Sheftall was concerned about his travel expenses to and in Pattaya, Thailand, where the tournament was being played. An expensive hotel in a Thai beach resort could be a budget-buster for the third world surgeon. So, he found an inexpensive hotel - a real bargain at only $[...] per night - even if it was located down a dark alley. It did not occur to Sheftall that this was a house of ill repute until the all- female "bell-hop" staff appeared dressed in string bikinis. All night, he heard banging on doors and giggling girls running in the corridors. Due to the commotion and lack of sleep, he nearly missed his tee time the next day.

Striking it Rich includes numerous entertaining experiences and tips that are appropriate for golfers and non-golfers. What appears to be a story about a middle-aged fellow and his quest to become a professional golfer after years away from the game, morphs into a collection of stories of unexpected humor and heart-touching encounters. The reader is treated to a peek into the life of a struggling golfer on the pro circuit who is also a doctor that continues to treat patients. Dr. Sheftall must also learn dating etiquette in a foreign country. This is one of those rare books this reader hated to finish, knowing the story continues as the doctor continues to golf his way across Southeast Asia.

I recommend this inspirational book to anyone looking for more than mere entertainment in their leisure reading. Striking It Rich opened up new areas of interest for me, including a fascination for life in a part of the world I knew little about prior to reading this book. Dr. Sheftall's story inspired me to face new challenges in middle age and to provide assistance and awareness for the unfortunate victims of acid attacks in Cambodia.

Half the profits of the $19.95 book go to Operation Kids, a charity founded by Dr. Sheftall in 2001, to provide free surgery for burned and disfigured children of the developing world who otherwise can not afford treatment.



A native of Jacksonville, Florida, Reid Sheftall graduated with a physics degree from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. When he was only 21, he became a member of the University of Southern California faculty. Later, after a brief stint as a card counter in Nevada, he went to medical school. He completed his surgery residency and a fellowship in pediatric burn reconstruction. Dr. Sheftall currently lives in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, where he serves Director of the American Medical Center, Phnom Penh.

Dr. Sheftall is also the author of The Tour Player's Handbook: Strategic Decisions Under Pressure in Tournament Golf. Readers may email him with questions or comments at [...].

This is a fantastic book which combines a unique golf odyssey with some fascinating cultural insights on southeast asian culture. For a full review, please see my article on thesandtrap.com, at [..]If you aren't intrigued enough by the story line to buy the book, remember that half of all proceeds from sales go to fund Dr. Sheftall's charitable efforts in Cambodia. Happy reading!

What an incredible book. While there are a lot of Golf stories in this book it really is about so much more and can be applied to any sport or business venture. I couldn't put it down.I learned a lot about the importance of the mental aspect of the game/sports and how you must play it one shot at a time and forget the bad ones as well as the good ( something I had never thought of). I laughed out loud and was amazed at the incredibly awkward situations the author was capable of getting himself into ( over and over and I laughed harder each time). He must be brilliant, scoring 800 on the SAT Math, Physics degree from MIT, Med School and Re-constructive Surgical training and then decides at age 46 that he wants to become a PGA
golfer ....all while doing recontructive surgery on children in Cambodia.
I am making my kids read this book ....there is so much to learn here.
You owe it to yourself to read this one...you won't regret it.

I first noticed this book while looking for something new to read about Cambodia which is the birthplace of my adopted daughter. Being the father of an avid junior golfer myself, I figured this book would be a great change of pace from the usual geopolitical issues which plague this poor nation. The fact that the photographer who took the cover photo was a college friend of my wife's and that Dr. Sheftall practices both golf and medicine at the hotel where my only Cambodian friend is employed as a bellman made the book irresistable. I was not dissappointed.

This book is about golf and much more. It is about a man who has made the most of his talents both on and off the course. It is about taking a healthy attitude toward golf and life, about being part of something bigger than yourself and recognizing both the obligation and reward of giving back to others. Perhaps most importantly, Dr. Sheftall shows that it is possible to have a heck of a good time along the way and this is how you'll feel as you read this book. Sure, both life and golf can be really bad at times, but if you, like this truly gifted man, really want to be a player in both, you can have a grand time.

So pick up this book and have a better time than you probably will out on the golf course. The author is one of the good guys in the world and I hope he takes the time to write a sequel. With or without golf, this is one fascinating life.

I remember Ralph Miller's Oregon State teams while growing up in the Midwest. I rarely got to see them play on Television(no cable), but when I did, there was something about the way they played that made me want to play like them. As I grew up, I realized it was the fundamentals, limited turnovers, uptempo transition game with a disciplined offense that were the keys. They played the game the way it should be played. When I came across Mr. Seidler's book/tape, I just had to see what Ralph Miller's "secrets" were. As I read and watched the tape, I soon found out that it was the system that made the difference. Not one or two things that a coach plucks out of the book. That was engrained into my head by numerous e-mails with Mr. Seidler. He kept telling me to re-read and continue to watch the tapes. As I did, things became clearer and I began to see how the whole system worked. I began to see a little of what Coach Miller had spent 40 years working to perfect. Now I'm starting to teach it to my players and were getting results. It's simple, fundamental and proven. I'd highly recommend this to ANY coach at ANY level. And use Mr. Seidler as a resource. He's very gracious and has "lived it" while assisting Coach Miller.

I too am a girls' basketball coach for a northeastern US High school at the JV level. I want to begin by saying that I wish I had found Steve Seidler's book when it was first published. It is THE single best resource for total implementation of a sound basketball system.

For years I had been scouring the many basketball publishing catalogs looking for just the right mix of titles to build my team system. I was searching for a full court defense that would recover into a ball pressuring half court defense. In addition I did not want a rote pattern offense but instead was interested in a ball control offense which allowed the players to learn basketball and react to what the defense gave them (after trying to secure an easy fast break basket). After having spent hundreds of dollars, if not more, in an attempt to find all the ingredients I needed to implement a successful basketball system, I finally found it all in one neat package. I had stumbled upon some of the important aspects of "Cappy" Miller's scheme with my investments, but it would have taken years to figure out which variables were contributing to the varying degrees of success I had achieved. This book and video package is exactly what I have been looking for as Coach Seidler has quite ably conveyed the 38 years of experience Ralph Miller had already accumulated. Not to mention coach Miller's relationship to Naismith and Phog Allen as incredible resources and connections to the history and development of the sport.

Now that the varsity coach would like to implement Miller's 1-4 offense after the JV's succesful deployment - I can better understand the purpose behind the 7 drills Coach Seidler outlines. The offense is difficult to run successfully without using each drill (my able, and very successful in his own right, colleague does not yet see the value in the split post drill, for example). This was evident as I struggled implementing the scheme in our summer league without fully understanding the drills. In other words, Coach Seidler is correct. It is true that one may find it difficult to implement pieces of the system without the 7 drills. The video is a must watch for one to understand how the 7 drills are to be implemented.

I highly recommend purchasing this set. I look forward to finding out how well it works with a 13u AAU girls' team as well!

Well, where do you go when you are asked to coach your daughters sixth grade team and you have limited coaching experience. I grew up watching Ralph Millers teams and went to OSU so I do have a bias toward his ideas. Finding a book (the only book?) about his systems was a godsend. The ideas were exactly what we needed, a simple plan that they (and I) could learn thru repetition. We started out looking like the bad news bears in shorts. By the start of the seasons they could handle the ball reasonably well and run a rudimentry offense. Our defense became very good in a short period of time. When we reached the mid-point of the season they could set up the backdoor and executed it very well. Hearing the parents in the stands become more excited and cheer as the play was set up and then executed was very rewarding. I know the girls derived much satisfaction from playing as a team. We went thru the regular season undefeated and won the City championship. This year we have the same 10 girls from the same middle school that can now compete with the "A" and "Select" teams at tournaments. This is not due to my coaching ability but to drills and ideas outlined in this book. This does not mean its easy, it takes a lot of work and thought to implement the ideas, but it does show you how to do it. In my opinion you need the video also. Not for the kids to see but for you to visualize what is discussed in the book. All in all, the best money I could have spent.

I grew up in Corvallis as a rabid Oregon State University Beavers basketball fan, and I was in my mid twenties when Coach Seidler was an assistant to Ralph Miller. "The Orange Express" was by far the best coached team I have ever seen, and, as Sports Illustrated noted in 1980, those players "could pass a pumpkin through an inner tube!"
Coach Seidler has taken a personal interest in the growth of my team, as he communicates the details of this system to me by email and by phone.
This system is exciting to coach, and my team has improved a great deal in a short period of time because of our coaching staff's committment to the 1-4 offense, and to the pressure defense techniques that are outlined, in great detail, in this book.
This book clearly explains this system in a user friendly fashion.
I am currently coaching at a new high school in Oregon, with a team comprised of only freshmen and sophomores. We are competing against some of the best teams in the State of Oregon.
To see the growth of the players, and the joy that they have in creating turnovers and backdoor opportunities against much more experienced teams has made our committment to this system worth far more than the relatively small price of this book.
I am proud to be developing a program that honors the memory of Coach Miller.

I have over 50 books and videos relating to baksetball coaching. Some deal with certain aspects of the game, others deal with a system. A System of Game Execution is by far the best coaching book I have ever seen. It tells of the history of basketball, how that history is related to the system, the philosophy of the system, drills for the system, and how everything within the system ties together. The book is written by Steve Seidler and explains in detail the system used by the late Ralph Miller at Oregon State University. Steve was an assistant to Ralph at OSU. Steve also provides his e-mail address and is very good about replying to e-mails. The system is sound and easy to teach and learn. The drills help the players to teach themselves the system. The system is based on team concept and pressure on the opponent at all times. I feel every basketball coach on any level should have this in their library. It is a book you can read again and again and learn something more each time.

I really don't care of teletubbies. But boy did both of my kids. They loved this book because they ask questions like who's hiding behind the tree and the kids would flip it up or down and find who it was. They were anxious. A very enjoyable book to read and fun!

It's a great book for older kids. My daughter tore all the pop up parts out of the book so now we pretend that it's peek-a-boo.

This pop-up book asks you who's hiding behind different things, with the Teletubbies being behind the first four hiding places. Then comes Noo-noo & finally all the Teletubbies are hidden. While 1 or 2 year olds who like the show will probably get some giggles out of it, the book's art work is lacking. It's pretty stale fare, especially the sky. Couldn't they have put at least one bird, or maybe the sun with the baby's face in it up there? This seems to be a rush-job to capitalize on the popularity of the tv show. Looks like it worked - the copy we have is a 5th edition. There's many other pop-up books out there that are done much better, but if your little kiddies love the Tubbies, I'm sure they'll dig this.

I know most parents cringe at the thought of the Teletubbies,me too, but my one year old loves them. In "Teletubbies Play Hide and Seek" little ones are asked to find the Teletubbies under the flaps. After just a couple of readings she understood how to wait until mommy reads the words before she lifts the flap. She also learned the word boo. It's a little word, but it's a start. You might not enjoy the Teletubbies, but it's worth it to watch your child's face light up.

My 8-month old daughter LOVES this book! It makes her laugh out loud and she already has figured out how to lift the flaps on her own when we read it! It's a cute little book for babies and toddlers. I don't mind the Teletubbies so much anymore! :-)

Mike Shanahan shows how people can learn from mistakes, be flexible, and organize a team (business or sports).
Much can be learned from this book and help one form good habits for success.

In review of the autobiography I read, Think Like a Champion: Building Success One Victory at a Time by Mike Shanahan, I learned a great deal about succeeding on the football field. But more importantly, I learned about succeeding in life.

The book begins with Shanahan in college at Eastern Illinois University. Shanahan played quarterback on the Eastern Illinois football team and was routinely tackled during games. However, after being fiercely tackled during one particular game, Shanahan was rushed to the emergency room. Within hours Shanahan had undergone surgery to remove a badly ruptured kidney, and was soon told he could never play football again.

Wanting to remain close to the game he loved, Shanahan decided to try his hand at coaching. His first coaching stop was in Oklahoma as a part-time assistant coach for the University of Oklahoma Sooners. That year the Sooners won the National College Football Championship, and Shanahan was soon offered coaching jobs at other universities. He was an assistant coach at his alma mater, Eastern Illinois University, and at the University of Florida before moving to the professional ranks. As a professional football coach, Shanahan coached teams like the San Francisco 49ers and the Denver Broncos. Under Shanahan's direction, both of these teams won Super Bowl Championships.

Throughout the book, Shanahan states that he has learned something from every step he has taken in his coaching career. He notes that coaching football was not what he had wanted to do with his life; he wanted to play the game. But he acknowledges that he would probably never have made the pros as a player and would never have had the opportunities he had experienced as a coach.

In the book, Shanahan identifies a few key things he says are critical for success on and off the football field; preparing, sacrificing, competing, and persevering. Without any one of these items, success would not be possible. Shanahan also says that life may take you a direction you weren't planning to go, but that it is important to do your best, no matter what life has to offer.

After reading this book, I have a new perspective on coaching, and a new outlook on life. Hearing that perspective shared by a future Hall of Fame candidate, like Mike Shanahan, makes it even more powerful. Think Like a Champion: Building Success One Victory at a Time was more than a book about coaching the game of football. It was about being in, and succeeding at the game of life.

Straight-forward, crisply articulated and with practically no unnecessary fluff, Mike Shanahan's book, "Think Like a Champion," compellingly argues that the game of life is basically won or lost before the "players" take the field. Shanahan asserts his point of view over sixteen easy-to-digest chapters (each about ten pages or less) on the diffent tenets of becoming the best at what you do.

What I liked about this book is that while the author culls specific examples from his football career, the "moral of the story" is clearly applicable to ANYONE seeking to become the best in any endeavor. Offering an excellent, enjoyable read to both sports enthusiasts and non enthusiasts alike, the author's writing style is to neither excessively arm-wave nor make unsupported generalizations.

In fact, part of the Shanahan's credibility here is in his willingness to name names when providing examples of people living up to a credo espoused in a given chapter or more dramatically, falling short.

Written with humility, Shanahan's book leaves the reader feeling that there is nothing magical to becoming a huge success -- other than having a plan and putting in the blood, sweat and tears required to make that plan a success. Or as the author concludes, citing legendary coach Vince Lombardi, "Your quality of life is in direct proportion to your commitment to excellence." So true.

A die-hard Broncos fan from the days dying watching those ridiculous striped socks and watching Fran Tripuka get killed, what a job Shanahan did turning it around into two Super Bowls in a row.

Learning of his background and his principles makes me now not only a more avid Bronco fan, but also a Shanahan fan as well. His perseverance from the days of his kidney injury to how he became part of Sooner coaching staff till today is truly one of principles of success through hard work, not gifts or who you know or any of the other myths most people who never get anywhere fall for and are unmotivated. Most of them just don't ever want to work hard at anything, but have it handed to them. Shanahan disproves all that bunk and shows how it came to be. Unbelievable that when given the Raiders head-job, didn't even have the downpayment for a house.

This guy is very endearing to so many of us who never had the backgrounds for those connections, but wanting something bad enough, and always believing it, achieve it one goal at a time.

Great advice, especially appreciate his concern for balance.

Excellent read. Thanks, Mike, from a new fan and admirer.

I have heard this advice before: If you want to be successful
at something, find the most successful person you can in that area, listen to what they say, and try to follow it. Well, its hard to imagine a football coach more sucessful than Mike Shanahan. Here's a guy who started with a dream: to be a head football coach, started as an unpaid volunteer for a college team, and worked his way to be one of the best, most respected, coaches in the NFL (winning 2 consecutive Superbowls) at a young age.

The great thing is, he has written a book that is designed to help people win beyond football, in any area of life. Shanahan breaks it down for you: the way he prepares, some struggles he's had, some ways he motivates people (including the little things that we learn are so critical), very good wisdom concerning life, and a lot more. Also very critical is the fact that this book is very easy to read and understand.

You even get a bonus section in each chapter written by some of the greatest people and minds in football: Paul Tagliabue, Jerry Rice, Bill Walsh, John Elway, Deion Sanders, Steve Young, George Seifert, Joe Montana, Marcus Allen, Al Michaels, and more. They give their own take on the subject being discussed in the chapter, which is not only informative, but like the book itself, filled with wisdom.

The chapters consist of 16 basic areas to focus on to become successful, things like: Preparing (all of life is preparation, and not preparing is preparing to fail), Sacrificing (don't expect to get anything good done without sacrifice, if it was easy, everyone would do it), Learning (without learning, you will be hopelessly stuck where you are), Detailing (the devil is definitely in the details and that's where things often break down). This is just a taste of the wisdom in this book. Highly recommended for people looking to improve themselves.

I'm a snd Dan Black Belt in Tae-Kwan-Do I read this book for several reasons:
1) It has very good informatio about the differnt types of students and how they learn (some by sight, some by sound etc) It was facinating to see what type of student I was and how I could have learned things quicker. That section really has helped me in my teaching.
2) I am looking to try other martial art styles but have been procrastinating for months. MOving from one Martial art to another is actually like starting from scratch again. So this book is really useful in that area. Probably more so for a Student starting out I would say.
3)Nostaglia: Looking back over my training and then reading how to go about it was facinating. If I had read this book 10 years ago I would never have choosen my Dojo or even TKD! At the ned of the book is a section describing all the Martial arts and what they are about.

With the help of this book I choose Kenpo as my next martial art and am just about to do my first belt test.

WC

It is rare indeed to read so many glowing reviews and as of this date, all reviews are five stars. I am adding to that equation. I read the reviews and thought others have said it all better; however, I would like to point our one addition that has been somewhat neglected. The title of the book suggests it is directed towards novices or inquires into karate. This is true, but the authors have written a book that can be applied by seasoned black belts as well.

This book belongs to a brown belt student and he loaned it to me for a couple of days. I was impressed on how the book is about a journey and if one reads beyond the text, these examples, suggestions, and narratives can be used beyond training toward the goal of black belt. After all, many schools promote almost everyone to black belt eventually anyway, creating paper dragons. These authors, Kane and Wilder, provide a service beyond self-help martial arts style, but real examples to follow and techniques to persevere. The book serves to yes, help one attain the goal of black belt, but more importantly, to help individuals becomes good martial artist - for the long haul. After many years of teaching and training, I highly recommend this text.

I read the book very quickly, so the more detailed reviews here on Amazon will provide much needed information in helping one decide to purchase this fine book. I hope I have added something worthwhile to help these authors sell this very well written text.

The Way to Black Belt is very comprehensive but also clearly written. What I found very informative were the sections entitled "Advice for New Students." The appendices and other end-of-book information are helpful as well. This book is a very complete reference and guide especially for current practitioners whose goal is to earn a Black Belt!

excellent- covered things that took me years to learn. Great for students of any level.I recomend it my students.

Let me begin by stating that I have been disappointed in one way or another with nearly every martial arts book I've read over the years: unclear instruction, unworkable techniques, too basic, too advanced, too much reliance upon foreign words and phrases, too much space devoted to katas, and a myriad of similar complaints -- this was not the case with THE WAY TO BLACK BELT by Kane and Wilder.

The front cover says, "A Comprehensive Guide to Rapid, Rock-Solid Results", and the back cover proclaims, "Cut to the very core of what it means to be successful in the martial arts" -- and to my surprise and pleasure this book delivers what has been promised.

There are no kata to be memorized here. No questionable responses to knife attacks. And no need to learn a bizarre vocabulary in order to understand the lessons. Indeed, atypical of most martial art books, very little time is spent addressing things like technique, terminology, or tactics. This book's focus is on training and mindset, which is far more valuable for the beginner to learn.

The authors have each spent a lifetime practicing the martial arts, and the chapters have introductions, excerpts, and commentary by over a dozen highly respected martial art instructors and authors. These folks have learned the hard way what works and what doesn't, and are willing to share these priceless insights with you the reader.

Outstanding advice on important subjects like: overcoming negative thinking, weeding out potential instructors who are not right for you, improving your technique, being a good student, dealing with injuries through common sense and pererverance, training aids, self study, and LOTS more. Best of all, this fine text does not limit itself to any particular style and can be implemented by practitioners of any martial art regardless of their age, ability, or rank.

This book NEEDS TO BE READ by all martial art students, and is quite possibly the BEST MARTIAL ART BOOK available at this time. I highly recommend purchasing this text as a gift for friends whom you know are students of any martial art . . . they will thank you for it, and refer to it for years to come. Destined to be a classic textbook for students of all styles.

First off, this is a great book. If anyone thinks this is just a glorified first-aid book, think again. Dr. Forgey's is quick to point out that some medical emergencies are best treated at a hospital by professionals, having said that he plays a "what if" game where evac is not possible and then provides detailed treatment strategies based on your level of skills and supplies on hand. It's a clever approach where plan A is better than plan B which is better than plan C which is better than plan D. Although, he'll point out that plan D is better than doing nothing. His sense of humor is not lost in this book which makes for a compelling read. It's a must have for laymen or practicing pro new to wilderness medicine. I couldn't recommend this book enough. My only complaint, if it qualifies as a complaint is that there isn't a 6th Edition with the latest in medical technology represented. Having said that, if a technique worked in 1999 it should still work in 2009 or 2019!

Favorite excerp from the book: "Red-hot branding irons and pouring gun powder into a wound and lighting it, while effective in killing germs and among Rambo's favorite techniques, also destroy good tissue." (Chapter 3 p.93 paragraph 2)

This one is a keeper, and at the current price, you should buy one for anyone that travels a lot...anywhere!


J.D.

I found this book to be of outstanding usefulness. The book is designed for a person with advanced medical skill. It is not a first aid book. It is what the title says "Beyond First Aid". The writer displays his knowledge of care from his own experience as an outdoors man and lays out and describes in detail what is needed under various adverese circumstances.
Mingmei Jiang [BVocEd&Train(C.Sturt)]

The book was a bit too basic for my taste. I understand that the layperson doesn't have access to many things that a doctor does. But to me, the book was more about band-aids than it is about stitches. I think it could have been a little meatier.
Due to the limited availability of many medicines to the average Joe (or Jane), I suppose the writer couldn't put in a lot of information on how to treat as a doctor would. But I was actually hoping for more of that kind of information.

It's no surprise that every reviewer has given this excellent and comprehensive book five stars.

Written by William Forgey, MD, former president of the Wilderness Medicine Society it goes beyond first aid, dealing with situations where you cannot merely administer initial care and then count on a rapid evacuation. Forgey writes with a light hand; he avoids jargon and has a dry sense of humor. For example (p. 157): "How do you calm a person who's just been bitten by a snake? Not surprisingly, just telling him to remain calm won't work."

There are seven chapters, beginning with assessment and stabilization, and going through body system disease symptoms, injuries, bites and stings, infectious diseases, and environmental injuries. There is an excellent appendix for putting together wilderness first aid/medical kits, both with prescription, and non-prescription meds, and with a bandaging module.

You don't have to be physician, nurse, or EMT to benefit from the book. All the information, is practical and hands-on; of value to the layperson who is interested in first aid and emergency medical situations. After an initial reading, Wilderness Medicine is a fine reference work.


A related website is: [...].

Living out in the wild, in the wilderness, is a contest with Nature. Most of the time, man wins the contest, but sometimes ... stuff happens.

Chapter One is about Assessment and starts with that key question: scene safe? Then Dr Forgey takes his reader through the ABCD's, vital signs, levels of consciousness, head to toe examination, shock, respiration rates, heart rates, and CPR. (The numbers for chest compressions and breaths has been changed by the AHA since Dr Forgey updated this book, but that is a minor issue.)

Chapter Two is about body system management. The focus of this chapter is on the systems in the head but the abdomen and reproductive system are given sections as well. There is also a very good, short section on poisoning from food poisoning to shellfish poisoning.

Chapter Three covers soft tissue wounds and treatments ... and suturing and stapling.

Chapter Four covers orthopedic injuries from head to foot.

Chapter Five covers bites and stings and anaphylactic shock. Interest-ingly Dr Forgey finds that rubber suction cups are as worthless as mouth suction. His lone endorsement is the Sawyer Extractor (which is available from Amazon.com).

Chapter Six is on infectious disease. Dr Forgey lists the most signif-icant *wilderness* diseases for North America and the world should one be contesting Nature abroad.

Chapter Seven's environmental injuries include hypothermia, heat stress, high altitude related illnesses, and ... being struck by lightning. Step current is caused when lightning hass struck and the current spreads out like a wave across the ground and the victim's feet are different distances from the strike point. Since the body has less resistance than the ground, a circuit is completed.

There are two useful appendices at the end of the book.

I am EMS certified and as a BLS instructor. I had a few quibbles with Dr Forgey such as his choice of prescription medications to list in one of the appendices. However I had no major disagreements and found the book to be more easily readable than any EMS book I have read. Lots of nuts and bolts and no fluff.

Also as I write this review, I am preparing a first aid segment for a TCLEOSE course on mantracking. Dr Forgey's book provided me with a lot of detail and anecdotes to include. However just as the title says this book is about wilderness medicine *beyond* first aid.

This book is crammed full of good survival and outdoor information. Its also full of awesome drawings. This is one of my favorite outdoor books and has been for many years, i find myself coming back to it again and again. Buy it, you wont regret it.

A great book with much of interest to anyone interested in outdoor skills and woodsman ship in an age that has mostly vanished. The illustrations are great and some are humorous as well.

All outdoorsmen should own a copy of this book. Highly entertaining and a wealth of knowledge.

THE BEST OUTDOOR/SURVIVAL BOOK I HAVE EVER READ. LOADED WITH INFORMATION, AND AT A GIVE AWAY PRICE OF ABOUT 10 BUCKS. ITS A NO BRAINER, BUY THIS BOOK.

I first read this book in my High School Library in 1955.
The best outdoor survival book ever.
Buy it at least a month before you go camping.
Must read for campers.

Your Performing Edge, the new 4th edition is absolutely the best resource I've ever come across for creating success in my personal and professional life. I use it for my sports training and for my professional development in my business. I also use the Your Performing Edge Comprehensive Learning System, a 12-CD set, which is a great companion to the book, with visualization exercises, a workbook, and hundreds of tools for performing my best.
I love the Free ,Mini Ecourse that Dr. JoAnn created on her website,
www.sports-psych.com
Lots of great tools, insights and ideas for my training - a great resource that I use every day. Thanks.

If you improve your mental performance, you will improve your physical performance, This book will show you how to start with your mental outlook and go from there.

This is one of the best books I have read. It is a psychology book with a sports theme. Loved it!!!

Your Performing Edge is quite simply the best book i have ever read on the subject of improving mental performance. I am a keen amateur golfer with a 4 handicap and a great natural athelete. Like everyone, i was searching for that "miracle" to help me break through the next barrier - my mind. I have read and studied a number of other books and programs about improving mental performance. While many gave you the answers to "what" you need to do, none gave you the answers to "how" to improve. Dr. JoAnn Dalkoetters insights, lessons and tips are the most valuable resource ever produced on the subject. Combine this book with her Personal Coaching Program and you have, what i consider to be, the most powerful program available. I am now playing the golf i have always dreamed of. Your Performing Edge is a must read for anyone seriously considering improving their mental approach to atheletics, life, business or otherwise.

This Audio CD is a Companion to the the "YOUR PERFORMING EDGE book. It contains four guided visualization exercises that helped me to practice what I was learning in the book.
The exercises guided me with:

Energizing my mind and body
Building new confidence and motivation
Focusing and performing my best
Healing and recovering completely

I found this program really works for improving performance in all parts of my life - professionally and personally.
Dr. Dahlkoetter's training exercises on this CD helped me learn to focus on my goals and visualize the results I was looking for. Now that I can see a clear picture of what I want in my life, I am moving forward and making real progress in fitness, personal productivity, and peak performance.

I highly recommend this CD to anyone who wants excellence in all aspects of life.