Sports Books

I ENJOYED THE BOOK IMMENSELY.IT IS GREAT STORY OF A BOY GROWING UP AND HAVING ONLY GOLF AS THE ONLY POSITIVE THING IN HIS LIFE.
IT IS S STORY ABOUT GOLF, BUT ALSO ABOUT GROWING UP WITHOUT YOUR PARENTS LOVE.

Absolutely captivating story...loved the story of Bobby and Boy Lee. I highly recommend this book to anyone who loves the game. Share it with your friends.

The second book by the author I have read... sheds new light on Hogan and the game of Golf that we love... can hardly wait for his next book on Bobby Jones

This is the second book that I read from Bob Thomas. I enjoyed it very much. I found that I could not put it down. I enjoyed reading about golf in the 1950's; and how golf saved this boy's life. I also enjoyed the character Boylee, the elder caddie. I like Bob's writing. I look forward to his future novels.

Not understanding very much about golf I enjoyed the humane side
of "Golf Gave Me Something To Love".
It was interesting to read about how the experiences as caddies
when children shaped their futures and ideas as adults.
I also enjoyed the mischief they got into as children.

Reviewed by Conner (age 4) and Mom for Reader Views (04/08)

A boy remembers his visits to his Grandma with his other cousins when he was a "little bitty boy just off the floor." The best thing about the trip was her great big feather bed that he would have traded his whole family for.

"I love it all."
"Conner, do you think it was a fun bed?"
"It's a silly bed. I see piggies right there jumping up with the other dogs.
"Do you think you'd be able to sleep with 8 kids, pigs and 4 dogs in the same bed?"
"No."
"Would you like a feather bed?"
"No."
"Would you trade your family for a feather bed?"
"No."
"Why not?"
"Because I don't like feather beds and I don't have geese to build a feather bed."

Parent's Comment:

"Grandma's Feather Bed" is a fun tale with silly illustrations for every line of the lyrics. But I don't think that song lyrics make the best storybooks because of the repetition of the refrain makes story telling disjointed. I did appreciate the background annotation at the end with the sheet music for the song to give it more of a history, though my son didn't think that part was as interesting.

This is the 4th time I have purchased this same book for family members & myself. It is such an amazingly illustrated book. The song was written by an inspirational man who has captured the hearts of numerous generations of families. My husband & I, our daughter (who as a child got to sit on the stage with John & sing Grandma's Feather Bed with a few other children at one of his concerts),& now our grandchildren all truly enjoy John's heartwarming songs. His ability to reach feelings that remind us of how truly blessed we were to have his multitude of amazing songs & his one of a kind voice. Keep these books coming to us we need them to remind us of what we are missing with his passing. He would be so proud of the job that Christopher Canyon & Dawn Publishing did to bring his song to life.

The Mom's Choice Awards® honors excellence in family-friendly media, products and services. An esteemed panel of judges includes education, media and other experts as well as parents, children, librarians, performing artists, producers, medical and business professionals, authors, scientists and others. A sampling of the panel members includes: Dr. Twila C. Liggett, Ten-time Emmy-winner, professor and founder of Reading Rainbow; Julie Aigner-Clark, Creator of Baby Einstein and The Safe Side Project; Jodee Blanco, New York Times Best-Selling Author; LeAnn Thieman, Motivational speaker and coauthor of seven Chicken Soup For The Soul books; Tara Paterson, Certified Parent Coach, and founder of The Just For Mom Foundation(tm) and the Mom's Choice Awards®. Parents and educators look for the Mom's Choice Awards® seal in selecting quality materials and products for children and families. This book has been honored by this distinguished award.

I bought this because I've enjoyed John Denver since before I could read. This book was one of my nephew's favorites (the boy just turned 2 YO in early 2008). He would sit on my lap and look at the pictures for quite some time.
There is a lot to see in the pictures, there is a lot of fun in being able to read-sing the words to little ones. It's fun to play "i-spy" type games with the pictures.
Children love the rhyme, the repetition, the singing (should you choose to use the CD or sing it yourself), and the active pictures.

I bought this book thinking it was a read along book. It is just the song on the CD which is hard to follow for a 5 year old reading along. He does love the song and the book is beautiful and fun to look at. He had a fit of the giggles when we tried to turn the pages to keep up with the song, there is just too much to look at on each page to go so fast. We appreciate them seperately.

i agree with all the others who raved about the breadth of the coverage. i also agree that there is a wealth of information not available elsewhere, or at least not readily obtainable. unfortunately trivia is only really fun if the reader has some familiarity with the person whose identity he is trying to discover. a really large portion of the book is devoted to questions about players that even diehard baseball trivia buffs have never heard of. to me this is a fatal flaw, in spite of the many interesting facts that can be gleaned from the questions and hints. i think the book also suffers from the fact that the answer pages are not more easily accessed. if you are dying to know an answer to one of the many interesting questions you might very well get sidetracked before you ever find it. all in all i think the book is a good value, but just think buyers should be aware it is not quite so perfect as some of the other reviewers would have us believe.

This author has gone to a lot of trouble to put together lists of players who hold both important and somewhat trivial records. All are interesting, though, and some of his questions that come with his lists are dynamite. The really amazing thing is how many of them already have to be updated because of what happened in 1999. But you can do that on your own with a bottle of Whiteout. The chapter here on pinch hitting alone is worth getting this book for.

If you have a teenage son, as do I, I don't see how you can go wrong here if he likes baseball. My older son got this book for his birthday and that was the last we saw of him for about a week. He still loves it so much and is so possessive of it that I now have to get another copy to give my younger boy for Christmas. P.S. Their father might just wind up getting one too.

I have to take exception to the last reviewer even though I'm not really a big fan of the 19th century either. This book takes you on a complete journey throughout baseball history unlike most similar type books that would have you believe everything that happened before 1900 doesn't count. Sure it counts, and Nemec's book convinces you--okay, me anyway--that every player and record he cites in it is important from 1871 to the present. I will agree, though, that the answer section leaves something to be desired. My solution was to insert a kind of permanent bookmark so I could turn to it easily. Anyway, I really liked it a lot even if I too didn't exactly bat 1.000 on all the questions.

Here comes the stats lovers dream book. If you are into baseball, really into baseball, by the number you really need this book. Nemec's ability to bring out the true statistical breakdown of the National Pastime was amazing.

Every baseball fan should be asking for and buying this true work of art. The book, in quiz form, does give charts, pictures and short stories on every possible topic from singles hitting to the home run.

The book takes the reader from the early years of the game, right up to the modern day players. You are inundated with numbers, facts and figures that should keep your conversations going for years to come.

I wasn't able to find any category that wasn't covered in this book. The book even covered the not so good players, as well as the Negro leagues. The book is "The Ultimate Test for the Ultimate Fan". A great job and a great book.

I have only skimmed the book so far, but as a novice/intermediate fly fisherman I had hoped to learn more about catching fish. Good for the entomologist!

As a new fly tyer I find the book a terrific resourse for learning about the critters that trout daily feed on. The information has added a totally new dimension to my fly fishing.

This book is for the fisherman who wants to know what is going on underwater on trout waters. It details the life cycle of those insects that comprise the trouts diets and evolves a fly pattern to mimic each phase of insect development. This book is a must for anyone who fishes with flies.

Best book on fly fishing I have ever read. Wish someone had given me this book after I had been fishing for a year or so. Presents a lot of info in a well organized, manageable manner that is an enjoyable read. Give it to all of your fly fishing friends, but only if you want them to catch a lot more fish.

Dave Hughes has hit a homerun with this offering. Very informative! Good reading, as well as a great reference guide. I've been fly fishing for over 25 years and have accumilated quite a library of books that cover all aspects of the sport. Many books dredge over the same material over and over again. Handbook of Hatches gives a different perspective at choosing the best fly for a particular situation. Imitative vs. impressionistic. When and where to use each.
My copy stays in my Jeep, ready to be thumbed through during a break to help me solve any trout food issues that I may be encountering. It has proven to be a fine streamside guide that myself and my fellow fly fishermen have gone to many times.

This book is awesome, and simply the best as it pertains to condition, class, and form. A must have, will simply improve your handicapping skills by leaps and bounds.

As you can see from the others reviews; all positve, all five stars plus!!!

Essential to any bettor's library. This book has cut my handicapping time in half as I eliminate the absolute non contenders in minutes. Combined with form analysis, this book also points out the strong favorites and chalk in just a bit more time.

This is the most valuable book I own on horse racing. James Quinn writes so clear and knows so much about the sport. This books tells you all the different types of races and what horse is most qualified to win those races. It has helped me out so much. I don't bet, but I enter contest online and you have to be prepared for every type of race when you enter them. An excellent read for everyone.

I've read several books on handicapping and wagering on racing. Some have been very good and very helpful.
None were as helpful as this.
As a casual handicapper, you learn to look at speed figures and try to guess who's fastest. But the fastest horse doesn't always win. Class and form are sometimes overlooked.
This book taught me to look at who belongs and who doesn't. And who was meant to win this particular race.
After you read this book, you won't miss as much regarding class and form. This will likely lead you to more live horses at longer odds. Especially when so many others use speed as their primary criteria and create short prices for the horses with the highest Beyers.
And the appendicies are a tremendous tool for day-to-day handicapping. A must-read for any serious handicapper.

Quinn takes class evaluation of thoroughbreds to a new level and backs it all up with statistical data to prove which horses are best suited for each race and it's conditions. Quinn explains in exceptional detail how to seperate contenders from pretenders. I don't think you want to throw a true beginner into this, but novices can substantially improve their understanding and win percentages by mining this volume for ideas of what to look for. The Appendix summarizing what kind of horse to look for in each type of race is worth it's weight in gold and is something almost anyone with even limited experience can apply to their handicapping. I can honestly say that I believe my handicapping is going to a new level as I read and re-read this book to absorb the material.

I received this book when I was 7 (I'm now 23) years old before starting lessons for the first time. It has remained one of my most beloved childhood memories and favorite book. A MUST have for all young riders and those who are young at heart!

I am a beginning adult rider and I absolutely loved this book, it is funny and helpful on all levels for beginners. I think all new riders should read it!

My husband and I were referred to this book by our riding instructor. We are both grown adults, but have no real horse experience. Even though this book seems to be geared toward children, it is very helpful for the adults who may not want to admit how little they know!!! This book answere all those questions you think may be too silly to ask your teacher! It's great for all ages!

The name of the book is Happy Horsemanship by Dorothy Henderson Pinch. The book is about how horses behave, how to control a horse, how to trot, stop, canter, gallop, jump, the tools used for taking care of a horse, the materials, you need to ride a horse, the different kinds of reins, what not to do, and how to take care of a horse.

I think this book is great. I think this book would be great for a child that is learning how to ride.-Kristine

Having instructed students and trained horses for over 35 years, it's still tough to find books good enough to recommend to people trying to learn about them. THIS book does it with flying colors.

Everything is in here: safety, compassion, how-to handle a horse and ride, along with why things are done the way they are. Presented in a fun & light-hearted way from the horse's point of view. Very understandable.

Even though the book was written in '66 it is superior to and far more practical than the tomes being written today that confuse an experienced horseperson, let alone a novice. Whether riding English (as illustrated) or Western this book tells what needs to be known.

I bought it for my 13 yo niece just starting with horses & have recommended it to adults who have spent years with horses.

The book was in excellent condition and the delivery time was speedy.

This book discussed many strategies and skills that are very beneficial in playing the game of baseball.
I would recommend it to anyone

This book was recommended to me by Coach "Hutch" of the University of Michigan's Lady Wolverines, and I've not been disappointed. I highly recommend this book for both coaches and players (over 16).

Great read for any serious baseball player, coach or parent. One of the BESt books I have read on baseball.

I teach high school sports psychology and have used this book as a text on several occasions. I now make it mandatory for all of my softball and baseball players as additional reading. Their feedback has been nothing but positive regarding performance enhancement. I strongly recommend this user-friendly text for any sport!

I liked this book and enjoyed reading it -- it was sad and funny at the same time, and should serve as a strong warning to would-be martial arts students.

My only complaints (why I docked it 1 star):

* It is very poorly edited -- rife with typos and other minor bugaboos. A skilled editor could have improved this book considerably.

* I would have liked to see more names, facts (court dates, etc.) and resources (Web sites, links to articles, etc.) to support the claims and stories. (Not that I don't believe them, but hard evidence would further support the book).

Also, it would be interesting to know how the schools continue to operate today, now that Kim is out of prison.

I have spent thirteen years in this cult. The worst feeling that I have(in post moo) is that I allowed myself to be compromised by the nefarious deeds of a manical sociopath and his underbosses. I denied reality and distanced myself from my family because I "believed". This is a must read for those who are searching for [true] martial arts as well as a warning for parents who are looking for an activity for their children. Stay Away from oom yung doe. Joe Smith unveils the entire charade in his service with the moo; the truth/reality is twisted and a person's life is degraded to the point of unconditional surrender to an evil PIMP. Through Joe Smith's experiences, the only way out is for someone to simultaneously embrace the truth with the conscious mind and the heart.

Chris Carreon-PA

This book provides fascinating insight into the notorious Chung Moo Doe (a.k.a. Chung Moo Quan, Oom Yung Doe, etc.) martial arts cult founded by John C. Kim (a.k.a. Chull Kim, Jack Park, or "Iron" Kim). Although the group was exposed in the CBS investigative report The Cult and the Con in the late 1980s as well as in the article "Cult of the Quan" in Martial Arts Professional magazine, the organization still exists today. Having served time for tax evasion and conspiracy, the founder and thirteen members of his inner circle have already been released from prison. No doubt fearing repercussions, the author writes under the penname Joe Smith.

"Smith" explains how he was taken in by the "True, Right, and Correct" teachings of a narcissistic sociopath. He sold his new Oldsmobile Cutlass, drove away his friends, gave up on his college education, changed jobs, and ultimately spent tens of thousands of dollars to earn a nearly meaningless black belt and become an instructor in the cult's system. Eventually he became disillusioned with the group, developed the fortitude to pull himself away from their teachings, got his life in order, and wrote about his experiences.

While the author's writing is a bit uneven and (understandably) overly vitriolic at times, there is nothing a good editor couldn't fix straightaway. His story is interesting and important. Packed with riveting vignettes of cult life, this cautionary tale is one that all devoted martial artists and aspiring practitioners ought to read.

The book elucidates why otherwise intelligent people would join a cult. Often it's because the group fulfils and/or exploits deep-seated psychological needs that victims may not even be aware of. Aspiring martial artists can become particularly vulnerable to such manipulations, since they often approach the arts with little foreknowledge, save for the ubiquitous Hollywood fantasies they watch on the silver screen. Expecting to find mysterious Asian rituals, eager practitioners hear plausible legends and see bogus displays of fighting prowess. This chicanery reinforces their predispositions. Even legitimate martial artists wear distinctive uniforms, associate with like-minded individuals, and perform activities that are nearly unfathomable to the uninitiated. Cult leaders selfishly twist the conventions and hook victims with the promise of inimitability, status, and power, and the pull to join and stay in the cult becomes very strong indeed.

As the author so aptly states, it's a slow process, like the boiled frog analogy. Put a frog in warm water and he's happy. Increase the temperature slowly and he'll stay in, trying to continually adapt. Turn up the heat too high, throw too much cultness at him at once, however, and he'll hop out and leave, maybe telling other frogs not to go near the cult's pot. So the smart, effective cult leader slowly raises the temperature and waits until his victims have adjusted. Then, after the new norm has been established, he further refines the cognitive dissonance so it doesn't seem all that bad. What was once intolerable now becomes acceptable. Victims reinforce their new beliefs while the cult insidiously takes over their lives.

Lawrence Kane
Author of Surviving Armed Assaults and Martial Arts Instruction; co-author of The Way of Kata and The Way to Black Belt

Note: Originally reviewed for Clarion Reviews

I was a member of the inner circle of the Chung Moo Quan organization in the late 70's and early 80's. I found Herding the Moo to be an accurate account of the dynamics that exist at the top levels of the John C. Kim organization. These pages reveal the inner workings of the cult that are veiled from the public eye in a very calculated way. Former cult members will easily recognize the pattern of lies, deceit, and betrayal, as well as the subtle techniques of grooming that we fell prey to as loyal followers of John C. Kim.

I laughed at Joe Smith's antics which typify the ridiculous missions we were assigned. I wept when I discovered that women other than me had been sexually abused in this cult. I raged when I learned that this charismatic charlatan has continued to masquerade as a martial arts master for over 30 years.

For those currently involved in Oom Yung Doe, Herding the Moo will provide you with information to ponder. I hope that it will generate questions. Do not hesitate to pose those questions to your instructors. For parents with children in OYD, Herding the Moo is an essential read.

Kim Rieser; Helena, MT (formerly Naperville, IL)

I read this book cover to cover, and then read it again. I have to say it is a very accurate account of how the cult of Oom Yung Doe (Formerly Chung Moo Quan/Chung moo Doe), operates. It clearly shows step by step how a young beginner is slowly indoctrinated and brainwashed into the cult, and how their lives slowly decay a little at time until they have been totally swolloed up. You can see how bank accounts are drained step by step, and how lives are ruined, marriages destroyed, and ultimately how ones soul is blackend by the experience.

This is a good book not only for those who are in the cult of John C Kim, but also for those who have family members, or friends involved. Every martial arts school that is anywhere near an Oom Yung Doe school should have one as well.

It is a well written, and well chronicled book. I found it to be an enjoyable read, and the writer's sense of humor complements the all too real events that occurred in the story.

I have loved this book since a Kodiak fishermen gave it to me to read in 1995 (thanks Andy, sorry I wasn't able to return it!). Unlike Deadliest Catch, this book chronicles almost every kind of fishery in Alaska as Hank arrives as a wide eyed greenhorn in the 60's and then proceeds to try them all (halibut, crab, salmon, shrimp). Not only the fisheries but the canneries as well where he works his way up to manager before deciding to become a crab fisherman. The characters in this novel are rough, tough, and colorful and we steadily follow Hank's progress as he carves a life for himself in Alaska through hard work, suffering, and an insatiable love of the ocean. You will also learn about the politics behind fishing and how American fishermen had to compete angrily with the Russians and Japanese for the very same fishing grounds before 200 mile limits were imposed. McCloskey is not only a great educator but a great story teller as well. This is not just a text book, this is a gripping novel that you will simply not be able to put down. He will take you through the great Alaskan earthquake, the tsunami following it, and survival in a life raft in the frigid Bering Sea. If you love Alaskan commercial fishing, this is definitely the book for you. As McCloskey says, its the last true American frontier.

I enjoyed reading this book very much. I did find some of the details a bit tedious & boring...BUT the details really made the story SO realistic! I'll finish Breakers (#2 sequel) tonight & start Raiders (#3 sequel) immediately after. It is hard to believe that Hank & company are fictitious. If you enjoy watching "Deadliest Catch", (on the Discovery Channel), you'll love his books.

If you have watched and enjoyed the Discovery Channel series "The Deadliest Catch", this book is a must read.
William McCloskey uses the hero, Hank Crawford as a vehicle for telling the story of commercial fishing in Alaska. The author alternates chapters of fiction with chapters of fact.
If Hank Crawford goes `crabbing', the next chapter is filled with facts concerning the various species of crabs, their life cycle and of gear used to catch them. This is typical of Hank's work in a cannery, and fishing for various species of fish. These chapters are not dull, but just as well written as the fictional parts.
Did you know that one of a Halibut's eye moves from one side of the head to the other, and how this fish can wreck havoc on deck? It's just one of the many facts covered in this book.
Going back to the "Deadliest Catch" series; McCloskey's description of the Russian Orthodox Church, with its twin domes comes alive when you see it in the video. It's like this book was the screenplay for the series.

This is a great work of fiction by the author that follows the main character Hank Crawford who comes from college to go to work at a salmon cannery for Swede Scorden in kodiak with the story following along as hank moves from opportunity to opportunity on fishing boats that catch salmon king crab shrimp and hailbut this describes also many of the characters he works with and comes in contact with and even though this is fiction seems to be right with all info about commerical fishing compared to books i have read on the real thing. This is a great book and i definitely recommend its sequel Breakers.

I make my living teaching about commercial fishing. I am glad to see this book still in print so I can continue to recommend it to my students. It is, by far, the most entertaining and historically accurate account of Southwest Alaska and fishing from the 50's to the 70's. It should be required reading for anyone who fishes crab, salmon, and groundfish out there. Bill is a great writer, and this book is more or less his own experience. It is good for both its historical accuracy and the personal story of what is was like to see our fisheries develop to what they are today. He continues to come here and go out on boats to learn and write more. There is no else one who has the combination of great writing skill and experience in these fisheries, and this book is well worth reading. You will enjoy the story, you will learn something, and you will want to be Bill McCloskey (and live through it, like he did).

Crude, vulgar, rude and perfect !!! Great story about what really goes on behind the scenes of a professional sport. This is a book that can be enjoyed by men and women. Be sure to pick up Homering in the Clutch when you are done with this one. Brad knows how to leave you hanging and begging for more !!!

ok, now that i've caught your eye with that attention-getter title i can tell how superbly awesome this book is. Well, its not superbly awesome, but it sure is a good time. After spending the last 7 1/2 months sittin next to this guy at work, having him badger me over and over to buy his book, i finally did so. Now im not the type of guy go give praise where it isn't due, and Mr. Bauer knows this. What started out as a skeptical reading of a book for a friend soon became a thoroughly enjoyable experience. In no time i felt like i was a member of the Daimandbacks boy's club. The journal-esque style made it a quick and easy read that kept me wanting more(and also perfect bathroom reading, a #1 for a #2 so to speak.) By the end of the book i was riding the Clutch roller coaster. I am now eagerly awaiting the sequel...

This book is hilarious! I have not yet finished it, and I can already tell you I will buy every book Brad Bauer ever writes. Bauer is a cross between Dan Jenkins and Peter Gent. I reccommend this book to anyone who likes to laugh. This book is the funniest book I have read in at least five years. I cannot wait for Bauer's next book to come out.

Reviewed by Paige Lovitt for Reader Views (12/06)

I laughed my way through "Hitting in the Clutch." This is a story about baseball player Jack "Clutch" Thompson. He loves the game, playing pranks and monkeys (women). Jack is writing his own story as this story progresses. He hopes to publish an autobiography about his experiences in the game. Jack is most successful at playing ball when he is in clutch or pinch hit situations. However, he is always successful at playing pranks on people, especially the other players. I don't know if real baseball players are anything like Jack, but I suspect they are. That is a scary thought!

The author Brad Bauer does an excellent job of bringing this story to life. I could easily visualize everything that was happening. He easily conveys the emotions of the other characters, especially in regards to how they relate to Jack. He makes Jack a likeable person, someone that you would definitely want to be loyal to, because God help you if you aren't! I really enjoyed the other characters as they are played in this story. Some of the other interesting characters include: other players on the team, a team wife, a team [...] and Jack's family. Bauer also fills everything in around the story. He does not waste any space on the pages. There is always something happening. You can really tell that he loves the game.

This is a great book for baseball fans. They will really enjoy the story. This is definitely a great gift idea. I think that the next time I go to a baseball game I will look at things a little differently. In addition to the game, I will also be paying attention to what is happening around the dugout. Reading "Hitting in the Clutch" has me convinced that there has to be more going on than crotch scratching, tobacco spitting behavior. I hope so anyway!

It has a cover, pages, and typed words inside! it certainly qualifies as a book! Also this book is quite hillarious; Bauer(who i think infringes on the "24" copyright by using that name) makes you laugh with his quirky and lovable, yet outrageous characters. I aint gonna lie i actually had fun while reading this tale...which is more than I can say for most other books out there. Go out there give "Clutch" a read!