Recreation Books

all of my rocket scientist friends (literally rocket scientists!) say this is the best, bar none, intro to Aero book on the planet.

This is a very good read, for an engineering textbook. It uses a rare combination of technical and historical explanations that holds the reader's interest enough to effectively provide him/her with the basic concepts of the subject it teaches.

This book is definitely for serious aero engineering students. Very in-depth, very detailed. Don't expect light material for those who are with no background in some physics, statics and dynamics. Wish it had more examples for working on to better understand concepts, and more illustrations. Interesting book nonetheless.

5 Stars.

Introduction to Flight, by John D. Anderson, is the ultimate introduction to flight mechanics and aircraft performance for engineers. Much of the content is also applicable to pilots, although some may find the math to be excessive at some points.

Anderson's writing reflects an excellent grasp of the subject matter, as well as an obvious talent for teaching complex content to those new to the field. Whether you're using this book as a primary or secondary text, for self-instruction, or as a professional reference, you'll find it up to the task.

Also recommended are Dr. Anderson's other titles, including:

- Fundamentals of Aerodynamics

- Modern Compressible Flow with a Historical Perspective

- Introduction to Computational Fluid Dynamics

"Introduction to Flight" is an excellent book on the fundamentals of aerodynamics, and the history of flight. The book gives a comprehensive coverage of a wide range of topics including aerodynamics, aircraft design, aircraft control, propulsion systems, supersonic and hypersonic flight as well as structures and materials.

The author did a good job of taking the otherwise complex subject of flight into a clearly explained and illustrated subject making it interesting and easy to follow by anyone with a high school level of knowledge of physics and mathematics. The book is well written with easy to follow explanations and worked examples. The reader will find the book simple to understand due to the author's generous use of diagrams and graphs.

The book is recommended reading for aeronautical engineering students, flight enthusiasts and pilots.

If your planing to run a marathon is would be one of the best books you'll read for training. Training is very important because with out training what would be the point of running. This book will give u tips on running, eating, keeping track of your running, how to set little goals, and how impotant it is to finish. A marathon is not some thing you do when you wake up in the morning. You have to training consistently.

The concept of this book was very appealing to me. Not only does the book take you through a very simple approach to fitness for "busy" people, it seems to be a perfect program for the average person who doesn't enjoy "working out". What can be easier than a program that teaches you to run, but if you are too tired; walk! This program teaches you to be the judge of your own progress. I liked the way author, Sue Ward, told some success stories of "average" people who followed the program and what a thrill it was for them to achieve their goals. The section on stretching and exercising was very easy to follow with just the right combination of pictures and words. This book combines a total fitness guideline (including eating) that I belive is simple to follow and easy to stick with. Especially, for someone who isn't a "super" athlete.

Sue Ward has written a book that can get anyone up off the couch and out the door to get active. Age doesn't matter. Whether a person wants to develop his or her own walking program, or whether someone wants to become a marathon runner, this book works equally well. "Just Cruising--Simple Fitness for Busy People" is the best motivator and guideline for fitness that we have seen.

Sue Ward's philosophy of exercise and healthy eating mirror our own. In our cookbook, we teach people how to eat healthy food and how to get active. There are no "magic bullets" that will make someone healthy; it's up to the individual to take action. That doesn't mean that exercise and healthy cooking need to be difficult chores. "Just Cruising" shows people the easy way to get fit. Thanks, Sue.

This is a very well written approach to the common sense of staying fit. Not only did it give me a simple and efffective program to follow but, Sue wrote it in a way that made me feel like she was right there with me. Whenever I needed a lift , I just went back to chapter 1 and "Joyce". The pressure is off! Enjoy this book.

This book is truly inspiring. I am an avid exerciser but never ran a marathon. I have cycled done step aerobics, weight trained,and swam at my health club. This book has gotten me to hit the pavement outside and enjoy another form of exercise. All of the warm up exercises can be used for any form of exercises even walking.

This is a great book on kayaking. William Nealy does a great job of explaining basic and advanced techniques through a combination of words and illustrations. He does all of this while adding a great dose of humor at the same time. Even though this book is a few years old, it is the best book I have found at explaining how rivers work and what is going on under the surface of the water. William Nealy explains how to roll, brace, self-rescue, and rescue others. He explains many concepts that are difficult to explain. As someone just starting to kayak, I have found this book an invaluable asset to have in my aresenal. If you find this book available - get it - you will not regret your purchase.

Great book! The best book I have found for those looking to understand whitewater.

Most introductory paddling books begin with equipment and clothing, run through basic strokes and present a couple of simple moves, eddying out and peeling out, for example, with some fundamental river information thrown in at the end. The assumption is that you will learn what you need to know on the water.

This book is different. It may very well be the best introduction to flowing water on the market. Though it is supposed to be for advanced paddlers, the information and techniques it imparts are useful to boaters of all skill levels. It teaches you to approach a rapid and to figure out how it works, and what it will do to you when you get into it. Nealy's cartoons are humorous and engaging, and offer him a visual means of explaining a sport that doesn't generally translate well into print.

I generally re-read my copy a couple of times a year.

For ANYBODY interested in Kayaking ... this is THE book!

I found it very informative, while also being highly amusing. The illustrations in this book are very entertaining.

Nealy does a great job of conveying his to-the-point descriptions in terminology that even the most novice of paddler can understand. Keep in mind that this book is geared towards the paddler that has been in the water a few times, but it is still a great book if you have never even sat in a kayak. As far as a read, it is great. This is a real page turner with tons of diagrams. I had absolutly no question about what the author was trying to say. Overall, it is an excellent book and well worth the money

This noevl The Kid from Tomkinsville, is a very interesting book. The author John R. Tunis tells us about Roy Tucker, a young man from Conneticut trying out to play for the Dodgers.

When I was in junior high, I was addicted to reading juvenile sports fiction. Shortly after beginning seventh grade, I went to the alphabetical beginning of the fiction section in the school library and began moving down the alphabet. As I went, I examined the books and read all that were sports related. In a little over two years, I had read every sports fiction book in the collection. Of all those books, the Kid From Tomkinsville was one of the most memorable.
While the background of the 1940's made the presentation difficult for someone in their early teens in the 1960’s, the descriptions of baseball more than made up for it. Roy Tucker is the title character and an excellent pitcher. However, immediately after one of his best games, he slips and cracks his pitching elbow. This finishes him as a pitcher and the main theme becomes his quest to come back as an outfielder.
He is initially very effective and believes success is assured. However, he soon begins to struggle and doubts creep in. The description of all of this is a combination of one of the best baseball stories as well as one of triumph as a combination of talent, hard work and persistence lead to his success. I still remember the scene where his manager comes to his room and tells him the problem is that he is playing for himself and not for his team.
John Tunis is one of the best writers of sports fiction that has ever lived. He makes baseball exciting, even when all the action is taking place off the field. While our society has moved on to a point quite different from the time period of the story, baseball is still a game where strategy, preparation and dedication can triumph over athletic ability. That has not changed, and the descriptions in this book will continue to keep the attention of baseball fans for decades to come.

Like another reviewer, I fell in love with John R. Tunis as a kid. Tunis has great characters and great stories. Perfect for the kid who loves baseball.

I was hardly a baseball fan at all when I began this book. Now baseball is one of my greatest loves. This book is terrific! Whether you love baseball or not you'll be pulled in as Roy-the main character-tries to overcome a freak injury and rejoin the Brooklyn Dodgers.

I read this book the first time back in the mid-80's in high school. I had a burgeoning love of baseball and fell deeply in love with Tunis' works. The point I got from this story is that there is always another door to get to your dream.

Any parent or coach who is serious about teaching his/her child or players how to hit *MUST* read these 3-books in order:

1. Charlie Lau Jr's "Lau's Laws on Hitting"
2. Charlie Lau Sr's "The Art of Hitting .300"
3. Ted Williams "The Science of Hitting".

Charlie Jr's book explains the mechanics of the hitting technique his father created in a very clear and easy to follow way. If this is the only book you read on hitting you will be able to provide your child/player with a solid foundation from which they will no doubt experience great success based on this technique.

Through countless hours of video study, the Lau's have isolated common traits of a successful swing among the game's greatest hitters and are now sharing their discoveries in their books. The individual elements of this technique are referred to as "Absolutes".

Once you know what to look for it's easy to identify a swing based on the Lau technique. Unfortunately, the Lau's are not getting the proper credit for the technique they created, the same technique that is currently used by approximately 70% of all major leaguers today.

The technique teaches how to create the most energy each individual batter's body can create, to control the flow of that energy without releasing any prematurely and ultimately releasing it in a controlled way at the point of contact. In otherwords, how to hit the $*#^ out of the ball.

Jr's book does a great job of asking and answering the following:

*What is the difference and importance of static and dynamic balance?
*Why does the batter's weight HAVE to shift backward before going forward?
*What are several ways to get weight back?
*Why is it important to stride with a closed toe?
*Why is it important for the back leg foot to face downward with the laces facing the pitcher?
*Why do we want to create backspin vs. topspin?
*Why do we want to release the top hand off the bat after contact?
*Why do we need to finish the swing with a high finish?

These are just a few of the many questions associated with the technique that Jr. answers in a way everybody can easily understand.

Jr's book should be considered a cheat sheet to his father's hitting technique and as such should be read before Sr's book. Reading Jr's book more quickly puts the pieces in place to build a foundation based on this hitting technique.

Sr's book on the other hand is much more comprehensive and technical. It explores more and in greater detail. You'll want to read Sr's book to complete your knowledge of this hitting technique.

Consider Jr's book on this technique as hitting-101/201 and Charlie Sr's book as hitting-401.

Lastly, you'll also want to read Ted William's book not from the vantage point of how to swing a bat but moreso from the vantage point of wanting to learn the mental approach to hitting.

William's actual hitting technique directly contrasts the Lau's technique and as such should not be practiced if you've chosen to subscribe to the Lau's technique which I highly recommend.

However, hitting succesfully is more than walking up to the plate and swinging a bat and Williams does a superb job of teaching the batter how to mentally approach hitting, teaches the student how to think and what to look for.

Now, what the Lau's do not tell you is to be prepared for the amount of resistence and interference you as a parent will encounter by teaching your child this hitting technique.

Most baseball coaches are well meaning parents who haven't studied hitting. They are only teaching what they learned over the years. EVERY one of my son's coaches have tried to change his technique because they are unfamiliar with it and don't understand it. For most of us, what we don't understand we reject.

His most recent coach was a former high school baseball coach who, when he saw my son lift his front leg to shift his weight back said, "That's the worst thing you can do".

Instead of asking, "Why are you doing that?" or to take the time to learn about the technique most coaches would rather teach what they know. Unfortunately, they are teaching a flawed hitting technique that will limit your child's or player's abilities.

The good news is that usually by mid-season they leave my son alone because by then he's already shown that he can consistently drive the ball with authority to all fields and at that point they no longer want to mess with something that's obviously working.

Anticipating this to be an ongoing problem, I've taken the time to teach my son what each absolute of the technique is, the purpose it serves and why it's important to the whole of the technique. My son now has a comprehensive understanding of the technique and is able to explain what he's doing and why it's important at any point of the technique.

In fact, at one practice this past season he got into a debate with the former high school coach about backspin vs. topspin. The coach wanted my son to keep both hands on the bat, and like so many other coaches, to roll his top wrist over.

My son told him, "If I do that I'll create topspin and I want to create backspin so the ball will carry". The coach just dropped his jaw because he wasn't anticipating such a solid and fact based response from a then 7-year old.

In summary, all three of the above mentioned books serve a purpose and are necessary for anyone serious about teaching their child or players how to hit.

Jr's book is the shortcut to perfoming the technique. Sr's book is more comprehensive and offers more information on the technique. Ted Williams book lays the foundation for the mental aspect to hitting.

Hoped this review helps you and your child and as Charlie Jr. says, "Sweet Swings!"

I don't know Mr. Lau but he knows what he's talking about. The first game I applied these laws and I went 5 for 5. The next I went for my old ways I went 1 for 4. Luck? I don't think so. These laws are simple and comprehensive. Even teaching them to youngsters is easy and giving them tips which give immediate results just gives them an incredible boost. Keep up the good work Mr. Lau and my next hope is to get to the Lau trainig facilities to get hands on coaching to the next level.

This book is a must read for parents and coaches who want to help their kids develop a solid, repeatable swing. I played for a high school coach who was a huge Charley Sr. advocate and I think Sr.'s book is tremendous. Charley Jr. covers a lot of the same ground but focuses on certain principles, such as getting full extension by releasing the top hand and hitting the ball with backspin, that weren't covered in as much detail by his father. Charley Jr. also includes a series of drills that can help baseball players of all ages. Sr.'s book is not a good source for drills. Charley Jr. also includes a series of photos of the top major leaguers which validates the "laws" he advocates. He also picks apart a lot of the generic old school hitting philosophy which simply hasn't stood the test of time and isn't practiced by the top hitters in MLB but is still taught by many little league and high school coaches.

Charlie Lau, Jr. takes up whether his famous father left. His instructions are great, as are most of the illustrations and photos. The book gives you a very good guide as to the types of swings you should have to be successful in hitting. I would not calls his techniques "Lau's laws" because by nature, the choices and styles of most people vary, if only slightly. However, the regimen outlined in the book is excellent and a must read for every serious coach and student of the game. He needs to mention that baseball, though mental enough, involves many nuances which we cannot control. I don't believe any one person revolutionized baseball more than the VCR did years ago. Highly recommend this book!!

I have been a high school baseball coach for the last 15 years. In the early 90's, I tried to use Lau, sr.'s mechanics, but I didn't fully understand the "why" of Lau, sr. Charley Lau, jr. "filled in the gaps" for me. When I first read Lau, jr.'s theories on hitting a baseball with backspin vs. topspin, I thought that there would be no way that high school kids could be taught this. He proved me wrong. Employing his drills to the max to accomplish this, my team last season went from hitting 0 home runs and .280 in a summer league to 35 home runs and .350 during the spring season (2001) smashing our way to the regional finals. We actually had to get away from intrasquad scrimmages because our infielders were not getting enough work. Our hitters were constantly driving the ball to the outfield either over the fence or in the gaps as Lau, jr. claims you will do in his book. Our players and I swear by the techniques Lau, jr. stresses in this book. It is by far the best book on hitting that I have ever read and that includes The Art of Hitting by Ted Williams.

Ordinarily, I'm not a big fan of the management genre. More aphorisms than pages is not a good combo.

Tim Warneka's *Leading People the Black Belt Way* takes its time to do the job right. Not surprising, perhaps, given how Aikido -- the martial art that provides this book's philosophical center -- rewards patience. Yes, the author provides schemas to help us remember key points, but he never races through them as if prepping Intro to Management students for an upcoming quiz. His goal for his readers is genuine understanding, not rote memorization of bullet points.

Tim's prose is extremely accessible. He talks of problems that managers and their teams actually face. When he introduces concepts from the management canon, he defines them in phrases that don't demand an MBA.

Each chapter begins with a brief "story" that illustrates the upcoming topic. Don't be surprised to find that you've stopped to reflect for a few minutes before you move on. It is the nature of stories to invite readers to contemplate meaning. Far better that you start to grasp these principles organically, rather than have the author bludgeon you over the head.

Tim brings a truly fresh perspective to the management text. I honestly believe that his mission is not simply to make managers get more from their workforce, but to actually improve the world. It's not just that happy workers are more productive workers, but that happy workers are happy. So are happy managers. What's refreshing is that he doesn't consider this naive. It's a worthy common cause.

Perhaps most indicative of Tim's take on both management and the world is his assessment of Ebeneezer Scrooge. We've heard this one so often we can recite it by heart: warm and fuzzy Bob Cratchit, good; cold and calculating Ebeneezer Scrooge, bad. What a refreshing take to see Warneka focus upon Scrooge's redemption. How the Scrooge at the *end* of The Christmas Carol literally embodies the managerial lessons that Tim tries to teach throughout *his* book. We should all be like Scrooge in the end: a good man and a good manager too.

Full disclosure: I have worked with Tim on a business project and know him to be the real deal. But so is his book. Stop enumerating habits and move your darned cheese -- *this* book can teach you a lot.

Leaders must tap into the tremendous emotional power of those they lead. Yes! In a field crowded with many good books on leadership, Tim Warneka has authored one that is fresh, unique and valuable. He dips his consultant and writer's ladle deeply into pools of both leadership and Aikido wisdom, with wonderful results. Having worked as an organizational change strategist and coach for two decades myself and having practiced the Japanese martial art of Aikido for over half that period, I can tell you that you're in for many surprises and bonuses in this book. By this I mean you will come away from your reading investment with many inspiring new ideas and lots of practical tools you can immediately put to work.

Dale Biron
Principal
Core Action Assoc., Inc.
Mill Valley, CA 94941

Leaders are sometimes hard to find. Sure, there's loads of folks that have been to leadership workshops and programs to be indoctrinated with yet another leadership system. But as Warneka points out, "The world does not need one more leadership system. What the world does need is great leadership that draws on the wisdom of the body and recognizes the treasury of emotions waiting to be tapped within every organization."

Using references to the lovely and efficient Japanese martial art of Aikido, Warneka shows us the importance of the above statement. In a text that flows much like a well trained martial artist, we receive epigrams from a well known swordsman, the Tao, today's best and brightest leadership coaches and the ever important thoughts of Ghandi and Einstein. Along with all that we get examples of Warneka's tried and try methods, his well thought out "learning experiments", helpful Author's notes and an extensive bibliography/webography. And while you'll have loads of folks you'll want to buy a copy for, this book could stay in your briefcase or backpack for months and in your library indefinitely.

I could list the 5 core problems that face leaders today, the 4 tools of conflict management or the 7 solutions of black belt leadership that Warneka expounds on and offers solutions to, or I could tell you this:

Whether you're the president of your garden club developing your next fundraiser, a teacher dealing with stubborn union issues, or a Fortune 500 CEO, this book can help.

Heck, it can be helpful in issues that arise every minute of every day in every country on this planet. Working together and living together is what we do as a species, using techniques that borrow from the philosophy of yin/yang, the Gestalt Cycle of Experience, and the teachings of Joseph Campbell, just may help us become those leaders we so desperately need.

If you're looking for a goldmine of timeless leadership treasures, you'll want to add Leading People The Black Belt Way to your collection. This book is unique because Warneka weaves his vast knowledge of eastern philosophy through the basic principles of emotional intelligence. It's thought provoking and loaded with plenty gems of wisdom. He highlights key points with bolding, for easy reference later. Each chapter ends with a summary and a learning experiment to help you implement the key concepts.

The book's content is written around the framework of The Seven Solutions of Black Belt Leadership:
1. Know the Five Core Problems of Leadership
2. Understand Leadership as a Relational Process
3. Seek Harmony in Leadership
4. Lead People Rather than Pushing or Pulling Them
5. Cultivate Emotional Engagement
6. Practice Embodied Leadership
7. Follow The Black Belt Cycle of Leading People

Don't worry if you don't really understand the meaning from this list. Warneka thoroughly defines "what is meant" at the beginning of each chapter.

This book is a great investment because it's jam packed with hidden gems. It's so content rich that he could have easily broken it down to several smaller, simpler books. Warneka clearly put his heart and soul into this piece of work.

I'm an avid business book reader and I have to say that I found it to be on the difficult side to read. Each chapter is prefaced with an eastern philosophy based story, which I personally found a bit distracting. If you're going to read it cover to cover, consider taking it in bite-sized chunks to maximize the benefits. Read one chapter every 2 - 4 weeks, complete the experiments at the end, and give your self plenty of time to sift, sort, and learn from the material.

If you couldn't put down Daniel Goleman's books on emotional intelligence, you're likely to be thrilled with this book. On the other hand, if you found Goleman's books to be great reference material versus engaging and inspirational, you'll likely feel the same way about this one.

Regardless, it's a great addition to your business book library.

So begins Tim Warneka's excellent book on leadership. As a practitioner and teacher of aikido, I appreciate Tim's use of aikido as a metaphor and teaching tool. How can we acknowledge and make use of emotional energy? As leaders, we can no longer afford to ignore this question. In "Leading People the Black Belt Way," you will learn core problems facing today's leaders and how to engage and manage them. Through theory, parable, learning experiments, and real life examples, this book offers easily grasped, yet innovative concepts. Read, learn, and enjoy!

this is a fantastic read, if you have ever climbed any mountain this would probably interest you

I'm not sure, but I may have been one of the pilots on the C-130 that helped to coordinate the rescue of the team off of Mt. McKinley. Rescue 489 sounds like one of the 17th Troop Carrier Squadron's aircraft. And, I recall dropping (parachuting) a couple of radios on the emergency frequency to a climbing team that we helped rescue. The aircraft commander and I are discussing this particular rescue as "I speak."

As I recall, the person from the expedition that was talking to me was very very reluctant to leave the climb, finally asking what it would cost. When the team was assured that there would be "no cost," things did change... :-)

On the rescue that I'm describing, perhaps the one covered in this book, the Army Huey helicopter had difficulty landing at such a high elevation, and carrying out such a load. I watched as the helicopter lifted off, and it had to dive down toward the base of the mountain to get into more dense air, and to gain associated lift. On the way back to the airport, we slowed the C-130 down, and lowered the flaps, so the Huey helicopters could fly on each wing tip...

I loved how suspenseful it is when they are trapped in the snow cave for a week. I would definetly recommend this book to anyone about the age of 12. It is kind of challenging.

this was an awesome book. it was so suspensful i couldnt put it down it was like my fingers and eyes were glued to the book.i had a great time reading it.the people in this book went through alot of bad luck.im not going to describe it though for those of you review readers who havent read the book.this book was the complete oppisite of a waste of time and i highly recommend reading it because there is so many bad things happening like death, frostbite, and wind speeds i didnt even know were possible that its amazing anyone could have survived a adventure such as that.this was a good book i highly recommened it for anyone looking for a good time , or anyone who hasnt read a good book lately, or ,OH THE HELL WITH IT! I recommened this book to anyone, anywhere, anytime!

This book is incredible. You cannot put it down. A great gripping TRUE story!

I love this book! I don't know how many times I've re-read my copy but I find new ideas every time I do. Here is tradition and the real spirit of the martial arts. No matter what martial art you practice, GET THIS BOOK!

Lowry's book, a collection of his articles, is surprisingly consistent in theme. His outlook reminds of Merzel's "Beyond Sanity and Madness" for his fairly stern reminders that the Path lies within simplicity and that the early lessons in any of the martial arts (and many other Eastern disciplines such as Qigong and Zen) contain the essence that you, as a beginner, are unfortunately unlikely to recognize for a long time.

I also enjoy his viewpoint regarding the the 'need' for less ego and posturing; instead he consistently points out that 'Master' depends upon what is deep inside and is displayed through consistent behaviour at all times. Certainly this viewpoint is sorely lacking in many so-called 'Masters' at this time.

Lowry also gives some valuable insight into aspects of Japanese culture that are quite fascinating including Noh and the tea ceremony. He also includes many tidbits about visiting Masters that I found very informative.

Even if you are not that interested in martial arts I believe there are many lessons in this book that make it worthwhile to read.

Written by a Westerner with a Japanese mind. I have followed Dave Lowry's column, The Karate Way in Black Belt magazine for years. Some issues I purchased just for his work. This delightful book is a collection of his best stuff. It is an insightful look at Zen, the martial ways, the mindset necessary to truly master a Japanese art, and the implications thereof in Western society. He is clear, articulate, and never preachy. I liked it a lot.

Lawrence Kane
Author of Surviving Armed Assaults, The Way of Kata, and Martial Arts Instruction

This books brings together a number of Lowry's columns over the years on Zen and the martial arts, and you can learn a lot that is worthwhile about Zen and how a Zen master would apply these principles in everyday life from reading this book. There is no doubt in my mind that many martial artists and westerners in general could benefit from adopting certain Zen principles in their lives, especially in regard to the West's dysfunctional obsession with the individual ego and individual consciousness.

That having been said, I have a problem with books like this. The problem is the same one I had with Alan Watts's famous work, The Book, On the Taboo Against Knowing Who You Are, back in the 60's and 70's, which I saw as catering to that segment of the western readership who are perennially eastern-obsessed and therefore too naive and uncritical of their philosophy. Back then, there were just too many young people, who, having rejected whatever western culture they were brought up in, simply accepted, lock, stock, and barrel, Zen, Tao, Vedanta, and/or Buddhism after having read one or two books and therefore having finally discovered "the truth."

Well, looking back, that is perhaps too harsh an assessment, and as I said, you can learn a lot that is important and worthwhile from reading Lowry's books about Zen and eastern philosophy. But having studied many of the world's philosophies and religions, I would have to point out that no one philosophy, whether eastern or western, has a monopoly on the truth. They all have their strengths and weaknesses, and no one philosophy or system has all the answers. But overall, I think Lowry has done an important service by writing so clearly and articulately for the westerner who may be at a loss for how to approach a subject as esoteric as Zen philosophy.

I had one more comment, by way of leaving you with a little more perspective perhaps on the relationship between east and west. The great philosopher of history and culture, Frederick Northrop, in his comparison of eastern and western modes of thinking, once pointed out that at the highest levels western epistemology and Zen both become theories of perception, although they take different approaches. The western approach is to look "hard" at something, trying to analyze every possible facet of the perceived object. The Zen master's approach is just the opposite. His approach is more passive, but also more reflective and receptive. He sees more by "looking softer," and letting the object reflect its qualities to him by emptying his mind of all preconceived thoughts. This is the principle of "mind like the moon," and it is one of the most interesting Zen principles, and a useful one for the martial artist too (at least Mas Oyama thought so, which is good enough for me). Lowry discusses many other Zen principles in his book and how a true master might apply them in his everyday life, and that you may also find useful in your own life.

If you study martial arts to become mentally strong and approach that "zen" state, this is the book for you. The chapters are like short lessons; each can be read independently and out of sequence. David Lowry does a great job emphasising martial arts is not about being better than everyone in your dojo or becoming an ultimate fighter, there is an art and a "way" to be gained by studying martial arts.

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

If your a fan of Rodney Mullen this book is a must own, as soon as it came in i couldn't put it down me being a Skater and a fan of Rodney this was a real treat. The book talks about Rodney's early life, the beginning of his career and his rise to fame, and with all the drama along the way.

Obviously, this is an important book to just about any skateboarder, myself being one. However, I'd like to reiterate that this story is universal and can be inspirational to anyone of any lifestyle. The overall theme of this book is different from many other "overcomming the odds" style of autobiographies. Although Rodney's achievements in life are truely astounding, the true message throughout the book is that self-expression and self-acceptance are two of the most important things you can ever achieve in life. At least that's my take on the whole story.
I would recomend this book to anyone struggling to find themselves in life. This book, disguised as a simple skateboarder's autogiography, might just be the eye opener you've been waiting for.

I'm 27 years old and grew up watching all the legends like Rodney, Tony Hawk, Stacy Peralta, Tony Alva, etc. This is an amazing book not just because of it's relation to skateboarding, but because it tells a story of what it's like to sacrifice everything for what you love. If you are passionate about anything in your life and especially if you are young, facing opposition, reading this book may inspire you to follow your heart and what you believe.

I can relate to this book a lot because my father and Rodney's were of the same batch. I also felt that we had similar struggles as misfits in life. I highly recommend this book to anyone. It's an interesting read and a great story of someone who succeeded in life.

Possibly the best book I ever read. Although the history of skating through Rodney's eyes is fascinating, the true treasure of this book is seeing the world through Rodney's eyes. It is a beautifully told story with generous honesty. Being a skater is irrelevant to liking this book. If you've ever been young and had dreams, then you should be reading it.

From Ali to Sugar Ray, this is the inside scoop from Angelo Dundee.
Great memories from the 60's, 70's & 80's. Don't miss this one!

Anyone who even considers buying or reading this will agree that Dundee is one of the most interesting of all boxing figures and his lead fighters (Ali, to name just one), are enough to make this a compelling read. Bert Sugar, who wrote much of the book with Dundee's cooperation, proved to be the book's strength. In the same vein as boxing's greatests writers, Plimpton and Mailer, this book is in the same league. It's a literary masterpiece, which surprised me. If you like reading and love boxing, this will be one of the best books you've ever read.

A very entertaining read. I highly recommend this to anyone who has been or is a fan of boxing. If my son were a boxer I would want him to be associated with Angelo Dundee. He is a wonderful man who can really tell an interesting story about the legends of boxing he has worked with. It is far more than a boxing book. A behind the scenes look at all time greats Muhammad Ali, Sugar Ray Leonard, George Foreman and others. I couldn't put it down and I was sad when it ended. I relived some very exciting times and came away with new insights.

As a guy who likes sports history, this book is well written and moves like a well trained fighter...brisk, sharp and pulls no punches. Bert Sugar has written a terrific biography about Angelo Dundee, the premier fight trainer for Mohammed Ali, Sugar Ray Robinson and George Foreman and describes the times,characters, good and bad during the most exciting time in boxing history. This book should be in every sports fans collection.

The best thing about pro boxing - besides two grown
men beating the bejeebers out of each other - is the
wonderful cast of colorful characters involved.
Angelo Dundee's "My View from the Corner" does not
disappoint in delivering numerous anecdotes that
illustrate just how interesting these folks are. He
tells stories that go back to the turn of the century,
each describing the unique pro boxing fraternity.
Also, he details the strategies deployed to win bouts:
Some require hard work, others trickery. The book is
well written and edited, which combined with Dundee's
insight, makes it a pleasure to read.