Recreation Books

The depth and breadth of this book are astonishing. I just started reading it seriously a few days ago, and rather like the car, it goes quickly. The tone is stiff-British and humorless, although I'm glad it avoids so many of the exclamations and hyperbole usually seen in books of this type.

Much of the text is made up of quotes from the main players involved with the F1 project, but Doug Nye adds much from his knowledge of racing and cars in general. Near the end the author wisely lets Rowan Atkinson, better known as Mr. Bean, give his impressions of the project. The hundreds of captioned pictures, sketches, and notes make for a revealing peek into the car's gestation. Many times I felt as if I were seeing privileged information, to be kept within the company, although its obviously not as sensitive as it once was.

If anything, this book outlines what a torturous and exhaustive process creating a road car from the ground up really is. So much has to come together to make the finished product, and not one of the problems presented an obvious solution. One bit of irony concerns how McLaren were searching for a specialized facility to construct prototypes. By coincidence, such a building was owned by Ferrari, who were looking to sell. McLaren boss Ron Dennis pounced on the deal, avoiding a delay of months or maybe years to the project. Ferrari were perhaps less than pleased by the acquisition... Other than that, there was no luck involved in the McLaren F1 process, just slavish testing, sleepless nights, and an obsessive refusal to compromise anything. The total budget is never given, but it's hard to believe the McLaren F1 ever made any money.

The book also includes a large poster/chart with the F1 GTR's full racing record, as well as the number and body color of each chassis. Not to be missed.

An excellent detailed review of how the McLaren F1 came about. From the basic concept test platforms to the engine design by BMW to the final long tailed race version. Gives a clear presentation of Gordon Murray's philosophies in putting this amazing vehicle together, even shows sketches that go back to his college years. The three seater concept with the driver in the middle was not new to Gordon's mind.

More than a decade have past since the McLaren F1 was on the street. No one has ever surpassed it. Not even themselves, with the new Mercedes SLR Mc Laren. So if you really want automotive history on your house, this is it

This book is a 'must have' for anyone interested in the McLaren road car. It is one the best books to cover a single model that I have ever read.

The 'insiders' view of documents and photographs could never be possible without the help given from the factory.

By reading the book, and seeing the photos, one can truely get into the mind of Gordon Murray and his team.

The comprehensibe book on the Mclaren F1 supercar in great detail.From the ideas,designs,testing right through to the racing models this book covers everything you wanted to know.
Colour photos,diagrams and a story of this unique car make this book everything enthusiasts want.A huge book that belongs on ever car lovers book shelf.

If you love the Mclaren F1 supercar this book is for you.

This is hands down, the best karate book I have ever had the pleasure of reading.

The photographs and diagrams are excellent. The text is clear and precise.

There is far less space wasted on karate "philosophy" than in many other books. I understand the importance of learning the philosophy behind karate, but there are plenty of other great books dedicated to understanding that area, and I don't need to read it over again ...

This book dedicated much more space to an in-depth analysis of karate *technique*, which is exactly what I was looking for.

Highly recommended.

This is an excellent reference book. It covers all the basic hand/arm and foot/leg techniques. The stop action photos are helpful in showing the complete movement of a technique. The text is written very clearly in easy to understand terms. That's one of the reasons I always recommend this book to my beginning adult (Shotokan)karate students. My students always tell me that they find it very helpful, especially when practicing at home and needing a reference to guide them. This is a "must have" book for any level karate student.

THE book on Shotokan Karate as taught by the Japan Karate Association. Besides having hundreds of pictures and explanations of techniques, it is filled with numerous action pictures of the Masters of The Japan Karate Association from the 1950's and 1960's era.

Simply put, a MUST have for all Shotokan Karate-ka!

Kicking Theory: Nakayama says, "If sufficiently mastered, kicking techniques can have a more powerful effect than attacks with the hands." "To counteract the shock of hitting with a foot strike, place the supporting foot firmly on the ground an fully tighten the ankle of the supporting leg." "Attempt to absorb the shock with ankle, knee, and hip of the supporting leg, and keep the upper body well balanced and perpendicular to the ground." "To achieve maximum effect, kick with the whole body instead of with the leg alone. Pushing the hips forward during the kick helps achieve this goal."

Punch theory: "Notice that the muscles at the front and side of the abdomen are strongly tensed, linking the chest and hipbones firmly together. When the hips are properly set and the body is correcly supportted by the thigh muscle, the standing position is firm and stable. This table foundation enables the power of the hps to flow to the chest, shoulder, and arm. Power can be concetrated only when the hips, chest, shoulders, arms, wrists, and fists are firmly linked, and all necessary muscle function fully."


1. R Punch: Step L 45, L inward block, R step forward into a horse, R chop to kidney, two hand grand to R shoulder, pivot and throw to ground, R knee ribs and R punch to face.
2. R Punch: Step R 45, into a Left cover, L knife block, R chop to neck, L bear claw to face, R upcut to solar plexus.
3. R Punch: From a L Cover, step back into a horse, Pivot to the right and lean to the R, L knife block and grab, pivot L and lean to the L, and R chop to the neck.
4. R punch: Step R 45, R chop to the temple, R knuckle down opponents lead arm, drop down into a low horse, and R hammer to groin.
5. R punch: Step back R cover, L outward block, L punch, and R reverse punch to face.
6. R punch: Step backward into a low R cover, L rise punch to chin deflect opponents R with L forearm during the lunge, R knife hand safety to your left side of head.
7. L punch: R cover, L upward block and grab, R invert knuckle punch behind L ear, and R wheel kick to ribs.
8. R punch: R cover, step L 45, R upward block and grab, R wheel kick to solar plexus.
9. L punch: R cover, R upward block, R downward backknuckle to face, R snap kick away.
10. L punch: L cover, R inward block, grab and pull, R side kick to the ribs
11. R punch: R cover, Step L 45, L inward block and R vertical finger to solar plexus or armpit.
12. R punch: R cover, upward X block, R grab, L chop to the throat
13. R punch: R cover, upward X block, L grab and pull down, R step in, R chop to the throat

In a skillful conceived layout, Masatoshi Nakayama's book, Dynamic Karate lacks nothing in providing teachers and students with the smallest of details needed to master Karate.

The author's credentials for presenting the basics for a wide variety of Karate techniques include being a student of master Funakoshi Gichin who took the foundations of "Chinese Hand Techniques" and built Karate-do (empty hand ways), which is the style presented in this book.

The first part of this enlightening book, which deals with the fundamentals in great detail, devotes considerable text and images to assure the reader understands the importance of stance and balance. The section on using the hands and feet as weapons, which shows alternate techniques as well as the currently preferred technique, is clearly written and diagramed. The fifty chapter, which is devoted to punching techniques, provides insight on theory and practice. This is followed by a related chapter on the theory and practice of striking techniques. Chapter 7, which is devoted to kicking techniques, includes some fantastic images of kicking dynamics. Placed as almost an after thought, Chapter 8 provides great text and images of blocking techniques. In this chapter, considerable effort is made to make the reader aware of the differences between proper and improper form.

In the final part of the book, the reader is treated to the applications of the techniques describe in all the previous chapters. The book ends with chapters on basic training, calisthenics and exercises. Note that there are no chapters on forms; Nakayama presents forms in separate publications.

There are other great books on Karate (Tae Kwon Do by Richard Chun) but there are none better than this. If I could only afford to buy one book on Karate, this would be my choice.

I just wanted to add another 5 star vote for this book: my wife and I spent a week in Death Valley at the beginning of April and this guide was invaluable!

While the focus of this book is on hiking, there is so much information on the history, geology, flora and fauna of the region that this served as the primary information source during our visit to Death Valley. Our only regret is that we didn't have far more time to explore. Fortunately, Digonnet's writing style is engaging and lucid enough to allow us to vicariously see areas that we didn't have time to physically visit.

The book eschews several popular road accessible visitor destinations. Most of the roads in the area are treated simply as access routes to the hikes even though there is much to be seen, especially along the 4WD routes. This is not to be taken as a criticism of the author. It simply is not Digonnet's focus.

The book is over 500 pages long. If you are planning your first visit to Death Valley, you would be best served by reading "Part I. A Few Basic Facts" plus the introductions to the remaining eight Parts. With this information you will be able to choose where to begin your exploration. With that settled, read the balance of the Part that covers you selected region and narrow down the trails that you want to travel. Unless you have months of time you will only scratch the surface in one visit.

I have just returned from Death Valley and this book was an excellent resource both before and during my trip. I found the author to be very straight forward about the information presented and very realistic about the wonders and realities of Death Valley. It's a truly amazing place and this book covers an incredible amount of information and detail that will serve me for years to come and many more visits!

This book is a great resource tool. A fairly inclusive area guide with historical, geological and physical details. More than adequate for most visitors to choose an advanced plan of daily activities. It is not attempting to be a USGS map nor a hikers bible. It is a fairly descriptive summary of things to see, do and where they are.

I purchased this book for helping us plan a 5 day stay in Stove Pipe Wells. Well worth the money spent.

A rare guide that is so complete i can stop looking further. I don't know how he has covered so much ground in one lifetime. Digonnet's love of Death Valley shines through. A pleasure to read but heavy for the backpack...i am ordering a fresh copy cuz the old one is beat up and has many pages torn out. Also, take care to assess your idea of strenuous against his to avoid finding yourself in over your head.

This book has got to be the best book I've ever read, I couldn't stop I read it in 6 hours continously! This is amazing for me because I'm usually the guy who never reads anything. I'm sure this book is a best buy and I can't wait for the second book to come out!!! For all you kids like me, pick up Hoopster today!

The book i read was 'The Hoopster" by Alan Lawrence Sitomer. My book was about a young African Amercin man named Andre. Andre is really good at basketball, maybe even good enough to play proffesional ball. His nickname is the Hoopster. His long life dream is to become a magazine writer. He is a vary talented writer but no one knew it yet. He worked at a magazine editorial, but he was just an errand boy for the writers. Until one day someone had seen an artical that he wrote just for fun and thought he could be good enough to write an article for them, so they offered him an oppertunity to write about racism. The article was spectacular. but not everyone liked it. A man kept herassing Andre, telling him to stop writing or else they would hurt him. Andre didn't listen so one day after work he was walking to his car and a van pulled up next to him. A group of white men came out and beat him, they also kept crushing his hand in a car door. i liked this book because it was about basketball, it also showed that racism is bad and still around. And you shouldn't let people bring you down.

THIS IS THE GREATEST BOOK EVER. i couldn't but it down til i finish it. i love how Alan kept us on the edge of our seat when Andre was getting beat up. i can't wait til the next book comes out.

This is the type of book one can never let go. It is an excellent book and I am 99.9% sure that teens will like it. Well, yeah good job Alan Sitomer. Buy. Read. Re-read. Enjoy. Don't bother me.... I'm reading.

The Hoopster


The Hoopster, by Alan Sitomer, is a compelling book that allows you to see arguably the toughest year of Andre's life. Things look good at first; he has a hot new girlfriend, Gwen, just received a promotion in his job working for a magazine, and is his usual dominant self on the basketball court. Andre's new assignment is to write each month an article about race. Since he is a very bright African-American, his input on the topic becomes meaningful to nearly all the subscribers. One group, however, does not think so highly of his writings. One night when Andre is leaving work, his life forever changes...
The Hoopster is the book for you if you enjoy fast-paced, action-packed, sports thrillers with many unexpected twists. This book is not for a sensitive reader and I would not recommend it to anyone below the middle school level, because the content is not always G or PG. Overall, I think anyone over 12 would truly enjoy this book, and it would open up anyone's eyes about and make the reader think twice before stereotyping another African American.

We have owned horse for many years. I used to think that there were good ones and bad ones, hated Arabs and didn't care for mares all that much. After I read Mark's books I changed my mind. Each book is a delightful story that teaches through example. One the points I learned that, though very simple, is that horses can and usually will do anything they are physically capable of if introduced to it properly. I highly recommend this series of books to anyone with horses, novice or seasoned veteran. You won't be disappointed unless you can't admit that you don't know it all.

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.

This is a great book to read. Colonel Edward James Corbett's narrative is a spensive true story about a man-eating leopard that terrorized 50,000 pilgrims in the Grawal District in India by killing over 125 people. For 18 years from 1918 until 1926 he stalked the hills of India. Unlike the other classics that Corbett wrote, this is only one story that is full of leopard information and it truly is a great man-eater story that is one of the best that we have to read. The book never ceases to amaze me when I read it. It is truly a page turner. Leopards are beautiful animals, but when they turn man-eater then it can be the worst and I think this book proves it.

Corbett's persistence pays off. It is a great read about hunting the most clever cats of the Indian jungle. Only Corbett can tell a predator hunting story like no other. Must read!!!

I love Jim Corbett, I don't know if any author is better at transporting you back in time & making you feel like you were there. A warning though, once you start reading a Jim Corbett book you will need to find more of his books they are addicting. Also you will be hard pressed to find stories as exciting. This book wasn't as good as Maneater's of Kumaon. If you haven't read any of his books start with that one.

Corbett is a natural writer and combines his knowledge of the jungle with uncanny hunting skills to give us one of the best Indian adventures ever written.

Reading his books is not just following a maneater with a gun - it is a journey into the days of the British Raj where you will be transported into the remote jungles of Northern India, read about the simple people and their unsophisticated lifestyle. There are no villians, no suspicious characters lurking around and nobody to provide humour. You just have village folk trying to eke out a living which is sometimes interrupted by a feline with a taste for humans.

This particular book is about one leopard which terrorised a large region for many years and claimed about 420 lives. To understand what these people must have felt, it must be noted that in those days there were no high security fences, no guns or any kind of technology to track the leopard. Yet the people had to enter the forest to earn their daily bread. There is an unforgettable chapter in the book titled 'Terror' which starts something like this:

'During the day, people went about their lives as usual. Trade and commerce, transport and all other transactions went about their normal way. But as evening approached, there was a marked change in their behaviour. Pilgrims rushed towards their night shelters, businessmen closed shops abruptly and people scurried towards their homes for relative safety. No curfew was more strictly imposed. No orders to remain indoors were observed as faithfully.'

This is one of the books which shows that for writing adventure you don't need weapons or FBI investigations. All you need is a writer with a big heart who loves what he is doing and knows what he is talking about.

If you like adventure literature, you should find this piece really wonderful. I read it while I was alone at home for a week and I started to "feel" leopards all aronud the house at night. Very well writen, hard to stop reading.

If you are interested in improving your odds of taking Trophy Bucks, I highly recommend this book! Whether or not you are familiar with reading Topography, aerial or plat maps, you will benefit greatly from Brad Herndon's easy to read book. Pro Tactics and High Percentage Stand Placement tips particularly in hilly terrain features such as saddles,funnels, points, converging hubs, inside corners, etc., etc., provide suggestions to maximize your time in the woods and increase the odds in your favor of getting a shot at that elusive Trophy Buck. I'm 48 yrs. old, been hunting over 40 yrs. This book is an eye opener, it could be used to help you study, reference, discover or re-discover your hunting land in more detail than you may ever have before! Looking forward to utilizing Brad's suggestions and ideas on stand placement this upcoming season!! I Love this Book and find it to be very interesting!!

I bought this book early this spring as I began scouting for next fall. As I've been mapping out deer trails, I see the correlation between my map and the experience the author has in their set-ups. It has a lot of usefull tips and is helping me be better prepared for next season.

This book could be a textbook for a master's degree in whitetail hunting. If it were, its course description would read something like this: "How to use topographic maps, aerial photos and plat books to develop a terrain strategy, giving consideration to wind and approach avenues, to find and predict when to use high-percentage stands for harvesting mature whitetail deer in forest and farmland." Since a master's degree in hunting mature whitetails isn't available, you can do no better than immerse yourself in this book.

According to the author, hunting mature bucks is all about terrain strategy and wind. If you don't handle these two things correctly, your success may be dependent on nothing more reliable than luck. He gives plenty of information, including case studies, to demonstrate how these two things interact and how you can use them to your advantage.

For about the price of a box of shells, Mapping Trophy Whitetails might be your best resource for positioning yourself within bow or gun range of a mature buck. Whether you're a trophy hunter or not, deer hunting is now more challenging than ever and the lessons here will aid your success.

THIS IS ONE OF THE BEST BOOKS I HAVE READ ON HOW TO AND WHERE TO HUNT BUCKS.
IF YOU CAN'T LEARN FROM THIS BOOK THAN YOUR EGO HAS GOTTEN IN THE WAY, BECAUSE I DON'T CARE IF YOUR A NOVICE OR SEASONED HUNTER YOU CAN DIFFENTLY PICK UP TACTICS ON WHERE TO HUNT IN THE WOODS BY READING THIS BOOK. A MUST HAVE IN YOUR COLLECTION

As a recently new hunter I found this book to contain quite a variety of useful information on using maps as they relate to whitetails. I wish there weren't so many full page pictures or stores about the author's hunts but all in all I am satisfied with my purchase.

Robney is clearly a very interesting guy, great stories about the glory days of skating, mixed with a insightful view into parenting styles of the 70s

I got this for my husband as a gift and he finished it in 2 days. He loves the old skool history of sk8ting and hearing about characters from daze past. He really seemed to enjoy it, as he didn't put it down until it was finished! ;-) I would say that puts it in the 'good read' category!

"The Mutt: How to Skateboard and Not Kill Yourself," by Rodney Mullen, is an honest, raw look into the life of one of skateboarding's patron figures and into the sport itself. Let me just say that if you don't know who Rodney Mullen is, just go to Google or YouTube and search his name. He is one of the most innovative pioneers of modern skateboarding. He's been skating professionally since the late 70's as a freestyler and many of the tricks he invented led to what modern street skaters are doing today. He continues to invent new tricks with his style of skating that is truly unique, a blend of technical and street style.

This book is his autobiography, a story which reveals so much more about the man who is responsible for more of modern skateboarding's development than most pro skaters involved in the sport today. It's also a very inspiring story about Mullen's own personal challenges with family, personality disorders and many challenges that helped to shape him into the man he became.

It was not long into reading that Rodney reveals himself to be the very intelligent but socially awkward person that initially led him to the skateboard culture as a kid. We also see how his character is shaped by the influence of a very driven and structurally rigid father who pushes him to excel in life to the point of eventually mandating Rodney's retirement from professional skateboarding at age 16 because he decides it's taking over too much of Rodney's life and doesn't hold a future for him. We read as Rodney learns how to cope with these and many other challenges and eventually becomes a multimillionaire through co-founding one of the most successful skateboard companies of the 90's and continues to cast an influence over the skateboarding industry well into the new millennium, a full 30 years after he first stepped foot on a skateboard.

"The Mutt" is a casual read and took me only three and a half weeks to complete, compared with a book of similar size that took me more than three months to finish before reading this one. Rodney clearly has the writing style of an analytical thinker, recounting vivid details of his life in a meaningful story telling fashion. At time I could barely put it down without reading three to four chapters at once.

As a high school teenager I remember being introduced to Rodney Mullen via pictures in skateboarding magazines. I'll never forget that one of my favorite skateboarding videos was the Rodney Mullen vs. Daewon Song video in late 90's. It was really exciting to dig back into so many memories of my own past as I read about someone who influenced my growing up in a small way. After reading his story, it became clear that his influence was actually not as small as I thought.

Particularly encouraging about this book is the way Mullen describes the learning process he's gone through in life with regard to dealing with problems, or more specifically learning to deal with them. I know that many young people in the skateboarding community use their sport as an outlet. While outlets can certainly be positive, they often serve instead as a way of not dealing with life problems. In this book Rodney shows how he had actually exhibited that same pattern, but over time began to learn how to deal with the many issues in his life rather than just avoiding them through skating.

I would very much recommend this book to anybody who's been involved with skateboarding in their lifetime as you will certainly appreciate the story of Rodney Mullen. I'd also recommend this as a good read for people who simply appreciate seeing how others resolve many of life's common struggles. You won't be able to put it down quickly.

Rockin' read, as a lifelong skateboarder it was great to hear some of the hidden details surrounding the life of a hero. While Rodney was a little short with words on some of the aspects of the "sport" and "industry" I would have liked to read about, the all around story of his life was pretty inspirational; his will to skate resounded well within my skate addicted brain. Mr Mullen showed himself to be far more human than skaters ever would have guessed if they only watched him in modern videos-having had the past honor of skating with the man it simply gave me perspective, but no skater/reader can ever deny what the man has done for us all; and seeing that he is just an outcast nerd like the rest of us makes him that much cooler.

Awsome book! dident know it existed, but now i have it and its super nice.

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!

Alois Podhajsky was head of the famed Spanish Riding School and the Royal Lipizzaner Stallions. He is author of several books and shows that his talent for writing is as great as his talent for riding and training horses.

This book is a collection of stories on how several of his horses has taught him valuable lessons in riding as well as in life. It is entertaining, humorous and, at time, poignant.

This book is valuable for anyone who rides -- particularly those who are interested in competing. I have found in my "adult amateur" experience that many riders view their horses as the key to their success. If they lose, the reason they lose is because the horse failed. When buying a horse, they consider whether the horse has the "talent".

Podhajsky teaches us that every horse -- regardless of talent, ability or training -- has something to teach us and something that can make us better riders and better people. You don't need a 30K warmblood in order to become a better rider.

Dressage is all about the relationship between horse and rider -- and about how that relationship makes each horse/rider better and reach a higher level of ability. And the symbiotic relationship between horses and riders is what makes riding so enjoyable. This is something that is true for all disciplines and life in general. This is true of life as well. We can always learn something from every experience and every person if we keep our mind open.

y Harvey Frommer, 1992, 219 pps, Harcourt Brace Jovanovich. At one time New York had three major league teams: the Yankees, Giants and Dodgers. What a time! In the days after World War II, some of the most heady times ever in the city, there was one incredible Baseball Decade. From 1946-57 the New York teams owned baseball. Relive the golden days of the 1950s in this amazing account. And loaded with photos and stats that fans love. Here's to you, Jackie Robinson and Joe DiMaggio.

"The fans and the fanfare, the talented stars and the unique rivalries, atmospheric stories and snappy prose.Vivid and evocative."

New York City Baseball tells about how the Dodgers, Giants and Yankees dominated the late 40's and early 50's baseball.
I really enjoyed the opening chapters discussing the reasons for the departure of the Giants and Dodgers to the west coast.
It made me feel really in on the move.
The rest of the books talks about the feuds, history and outcomes of the seasons metioned.
Frommer is a gifted writer and it was a pity that the book had to end.
There are some neat photos and I would reccommend this book right up there with Dynasty (about the Yankees).

Don't hesitate to buy this marvelous book. It told with an exact and actually atmosphere everything about NYC baseball... when the Giants were called 'Polo Grounders' and the Dodgers 'Da Bums'. The dramatic move also is well explained.

When the lights came on again after World War II, they illuminated a nation ready for heroes and a city --New York--eager for entertainment. Baseball provided the heroes, and the Yankees, the Giants, and the Dodgers--with their rivalries, their successes, their stars--provided the show. Oisk and Newk, Pee Wee and Skoonj, Ski, Campy, Preacher, Westy, Blacky, Whitey, Yogi, the Yankee Clipper, the Peepul's Cherce, the Old Reliable--New York City Baseball recaptures the golden decade of 1947-1957, when the three New York teams were the uncrowned kings of the city and the very embodiment of the national pastime for much of the U.S. In those ten years, Casey Stengel and his Bronx Bombers went to the World Series seven times; Joltin' Joe DiMaggio stepped gracefully aside to make room for a yong slugger named Mickey Mantle; one Bobby Thomson hit "the shot heard 'round the world"' and the Brooklyn (but not for much longer) Dodgers achieved the impossible by beating the Yankees in the 1955 World Series.