Recreation Books

it covers every aspect of swimming in great depth, such as hydrodynamics, stroke techniques, nutrition, weight training, starts and turns and much more.

high recommended for all fitness and competitive swimmers.

I've readed a lot of books about swimming and I must declare that this one is probably the best.
It analise every aspect of this sport and supported by an impressionant bibliography it can separate facts from suppositions and errors.
This book has helped me to understand the deepest aspect of training and swim propulsion in the four strokes, and it can be well used in addiction with other manuals.
I'm emotionally waiting for Maglischo next work.

This is the best swimming book I have ever read. Everything a swimmer or coach needs: training principles, swimming technique, and mental aspects of the sport. It covers everything even how you should split your race. Lots of drills for every stroke.

This book has served me well as a coach for many years, and I have given it as a gift to several coaches and top swimmers. Whether or not you care to get lost in the endless debate over Bernoulli versus Newton, this book has much more to offer. I trained under Ernie Maglischo and this book has served as the marvelous manifestation of his patient and persistent work on deck. I recommend it without reservation.

I'm primarily a rower, so I can't speak about the swimming-specific sections of this book. But I can rave about the more generally applicable sections. I've used this book for several years to design training programs for various rowing events, from 500 meters (about 1.5-2 minutes) to 2,000 meters (about 7-8 minutes) to head races (20 minutes and longer). Maglischo's explanations of how to balance the levels of effort in a training program for sprint or endurance events is tremendously helpful, as are the explanations of how to periodize training programs and create daily, weekly, monthly, and yearly programs.

The only tiny criticism I have of this book is that I would find it slightly more useful if the swimming distances included approximate times for the events. That way, it would make transferring the principles to comparable events in different sports more straightforward.

I recommend this book to any coach or athlete of any racing sport. You'll find not only physiological issues addressed, but also issues concerning pacing and race strategy -- a must for anyone desiring an internal focus during racing.

This is a wonderful book but it is most suited for serious practitioners who already know the CORRECT Yang 103 empty hand form. This book will truly motivate you to become a better Tai Chi Player.

If it is your intention to figure out what Yang Luchan could put into practice, you know that all we have are hints. A written hint here. An oral hint there. A rediscovery from this person. An oral tradition from that person. In other words, you know how hard it is to stay on the path. Well, here is a book that is chock full of hints, a veritable roadmap of them. If taijiquan is for you a "martial" art, why don't you own this book?

Here's a statement issued by the Yang family (Yeung is Cantonese for
Yang

-----
Yeung Family's Tai Chi Chuan

The Yeung family's style of Tai Chi Chuan is unique to the Yeung
family.

It was started by Great Master, Yeung Lu Chan, who was born over two
hundred years ago, and has been passed down to family members,
generation after generation to the present day. The lineage under
discussion is that of Mr Yeung Sau Chung, the eldest son of Mr Yeung
Ching Po. Mr Yeung Sau Chung moved to Hong Kong with his family in
1949, and continued to dedicate his life to practicing and teaching Tai Chi Chuan until his death in 1985. Since then his family has devoted
themselves to practicing and teaching Tai Chi Chuan.

Mr Yeung had taught for over fifty years, and his daughter Ms Yeung Ma Lee, taught for over twenty years. Over these seventy years, they both have taught many students. Their method of teaching is personal and individualized. Through this methodology, they have employed various teaching approaches that take into consideration an individual's learning level, capabilities and physique.

It is important to clearly define the different categories of learning
more fully:

Category one is family. Yeung family members are taught the complete
body of knowledge. In the family, the methods and formulas are observed
most strictly, and the teaching methods employed are quite severe.
While all family members learn, not all like teaching and not all take
disciples.

Category two is disciple. Generally, a student is required to spend a
specific amount of time studying with the teacher before being
considered for discipleship. Students are accepted as disciples based
on several criteria. The disciples must have aptitude and possess virtues
such as honesty, kindness and loyalty to the Yeung's family. Once
accepted, they would acquire from the Master skills that lead to a
level of comprehension that far exceeds that of the students so that they can help the Master to spread the Yeung Family's Tai Chi Chuan.

A disciple is allowed to use the Yeung family's name when teaching.
Disciples can choose to take their own disciples. All disciples are
listed in the chart of School of Yeung's style of Tai Chi Chuan but not
in the Yeung's family lineage despite the fact that some people
shamefully promote themselves this way.

Category three is student. With permission from the Yeung's family
students could teach using the Yeung's family name.

The family itself has published books about Tai Chi Chuan. One must
understand that books only serve as a guide; you could only learn the
art well with instructions from the Yeung family. Recently a movie of
Mr Yeung Sau Chung surfaced on the internet (without family permission).
The same principle applies. It may be the best form one has ever seen,
but without the underlying formula, it is impossible to learn from it.

There are a lot of claims by some people saying they are practicing the
"real" Yeung style, or they possess the "forgotten secrets" etc. It is
absolutely important that the followers should exercise the utmost
caution to discern the authenticity of these claims and whether the
martial art is appropriate for their physique, otherwise it is not only
a waste of time and money but also it might cause serious injury. Yeung
style Tai Chi Chuan is both an extraordinary defensive art as well as
an unparalleled health maintenance exercise. The principles and
applications are only as valuable and effective as the source from
which they spring.

Know your source.
-----------------------

Not my words, but the words of the Yeung family. There are a lot of taichi chuan masters teaching terrible and innacurate form. Buyer Beware!

It is a very interesting approach to Tai Chi. It explains the philosophy and the basic. It is good for people that are starting with the study of Tai Chi.

Though "secret transmissions" is somewhat of a misnomer, what the author presents is a collection of early published taiji material--mostly by Yang Cheng Fu, though there is one work
indirectly attributed to Yang Ban Hou.

These early works are not a step-by-step manual, but guides to the practicing student to help gain insight into what they're practicing. What any reader should immediately pick-up, however, is that these guides were written for someone learning how to fight.

Though much of the material is by (and thus, oriented towards) a Yang-stylist, the fundamental principles of taiji remain the same in all styles, so there is enough material that all taiji practitioners can benefit by. In fact, this book was recommended to me by a Chen-style practitioner.

The other part of this book, the author's foreword, gives the colorful (and sometimes conflicting) historical background and accounts of the Yang family, which is in of itself a fascinating read.

This book is definitely recommended for any serious taiji student.

This book is one of the best hiking books I have ever bought. I would recommend it to anyone!!!

We spent a week in the Yellowstone and hike everyday - this guide helps us as a lot to find what is the best for each day. We easily found the way how to get to the trails and we never lost our way. This book is definitely very useful for everybody going to the Yellowstone (or Grand Teton) not to stay on road but enjoy hiking.

very helpful

I won't be traveling out west until this summer. I think this book does an excellent job in reviewing the trials in short order, from an experienced hiker. It gives you all of the information you need to decide on which trails you should plan on hiking if you do not know the area. Allows you to plan your trip for maximum effect.

The elevation guides and ratings guide allow you to make reasonable decisions about setting out on a hike based not only on mileage but also on the difficulty you can expect and practical decisions about parking and taking kids along.

I think it it will be very useful.

First of all, this is a GREAT book.

I just want other readers to know that 3/4's of this book, if not more, is on Yellowstone hikes. I would have loved more hikes on Tetons - at least half and half...which is what I was expecting when buying this book.

This was a fine book. It tells tales from the origins of Okinawan martial arts. It reflects an extremely positive philosophy for karate specifically and martial arts in general. It's well written and entertaining.
Unfortunately, as history, it's quite weak. The almost utter lack of dates & times and something less than a linear chronology just take away from this aspect of the work.
I do recommend it, but be aware that while it tells wonderful and fascinating stories and contains a powerful and compelling point of view, it just is not a good reference book for any sort of history of Okinawan karate.

Kims book provides the reader with some very colorful tales and great historical background on Okinawan karate and its earliest fighters. The book is well written and well sourced. IT's not so deep that you get lost between the pages, although another chapter or two would have been nice. Kim provides some great insights into karate's ethics and philosophys, which many could learn from today. Although first published almost 30 years ago the information is still a reliable source for todays karate-ka.

I enjoy Sensei Kim's wiritngs. This as a matter of fact, was the first book I had ever read by him and to this day I still enjoy reading it again and again from time to time.

This is a great book if you want to hear the tales of the founders of karate. If you are looking to this book however to be a fact based history book then this is not for you.

This book is truly a great insight into the philosophy and ethics of the true karate-ka. Too bad Mr. Kim did not write this book himself. Shame on you Mr. Kim for not following the path of truth and honesty. For taking Eizo Shimabukuro Senei's journal and notes you have dishonered yourself and your family.

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

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

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

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

This book was my introduction to outdoor skills. I thought I'd order myself a copy after all these years for sentimental reasons, for some reason I remembered it being kinda hokey.

Well I got it and it isn't hokey at all. I love this book. Taught me many things back when, taught me more things just now.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

As a competitive distance runner for the last 25 years, I've focused mainly on the physical aspects of training. Then I came across Dr. Dahlkoetter's book on the mental aspects of training and living. After reading it, I have nothing but praise for this book. It provided a whole new stimulus for my training and life. Helpful mental training exercises are provided along with straight forward information and interviews with champion athletes. I highly recommend this book for everyone, athlete or not.

I needed to read this book. I am in the process of pursuing a private pilots license and this was so beneficial to me to be able to read a book that answered those questions I would have never thought to ask.

I must agree with every positive thing said about this work. It has really inspired and carried me through into actually taking action. Like having a friend by your side, giving advice.

Very well written introduction for anyone considering becoming a pilot. This book provides a short, but thorough, analysis of just about all that being a pilot involves - from initial training to life as a General Aviation pilot. Finally - a book well worth the money!

Your Pilot's License provides a simple, concise guide to getting your license to fly. Eichenberger describes both how to actually fly a plane as well as the process by which one learns how and is licensed to do so. Eichenberger's experience as a flight instructor (CFI) clearly shows, as much of the book reads like a flight lesson.

The book is a must-read for anyone thinking about taking up flying or who has just started taking lessons. Not only does is summarize what to expect, it also provides a wealth of knowledge that should help make your lessons more effective. Eichenberger explains complicated concepts in simple English. Particularly helpful to the beginning pilot will be his explanations of how lift works and how to "fly the box" taking wind into account.

For those who have been flying for a period of time, the book offers very little (other than perhaps nostalgia about those first flights). If you don't already know what is covered in this book (and in some areas, significantly more than is covered) you really shouldn't be flying a plane.

For those looking to get their flight instructor certificate, this book holds particular value as it will help you learn how to teach your students! It is also very helpful in remaining us how if felt "from the other side."

I am a CFI (Certificated Flight Instructor) and have read several popular 'Private Pilot Training' manuals. Many of them are expensive, and very thick. I don't use them though...I use THIS book. It covers 90% of what I want covered in ground school, and I augment it with other materials as I see fit. It is quite inexpensive, and it is very well-written. I highly recommend this book to prospective pilots, to student pilots, and to certificated pilots as a handy 'quick refresher'. If you have ever considered becoming a pilot (trust me, it is worth every penny), this this book gives you a great overview of what flying is about.

ESPN always puts out a good almanac, and this is of the same quality of years past. It provides data for the past year for all of the major sports (baseball, football - college/pro, basketball - college/pro, hockey), plus racing, soccer, amateur sports, world sports, and some business information, too. It's nice that it provides a lot of historical data, too, single-season and career records. It's probably not the guide if you want all of the historical baseball information ever (or something like that for any other sport), but it's authoritative in its scope of all sports.

Like any almanac, the yearly data quickly ages. I suppose I would rather them carry data for the 2000-01 NFL season, for example, rather than the 1999-2000 season, but I suppose that given the continuous nature of the sport seasons, they have to make a trade-off for one sport.

It's very good; I highly recommend it for any sports fan with a knack for trivia or who frequently finds themselves asking (or arguing) about records and statistics and superlatives.

This is the best sports almanac you'll ever find! It is full of interesting facts about every sport and all the information you'll ever want to know. I highly reccomend this book to anyone who likes sports.

When it comes to sports, the letters that come to most people's mind are ESPN. Those letters have stood for sports for the last two decades. And the Sports Almanac delivers, every year.

This book is for everyone from the casual sports fan to the stats geek. It covers all sports. (At least every one I could think of!) For the amount of content and the price, you can't beat it!

I own a world almanac for knick-knack arguments and discussions, but I have found that when I am locked up in a heated sports debate, there is NO SUBSTITUTE for this book! It's the best! It's easy to read, and it has info on all of the sports that I care about (and even on some sports I could care less about!). It not only covers the pure stats of the games, but it also covers some facts about the arenas in which they are played! That, coupled with the in depth and far reaching historical material that it houses make this indespensible for the avid sports nut!

ESPN has shown the world once more that it is the beginning and end of sports information. Every sports fan should have this reference, as even the most avid fan will marvel at the breadth of knowledge contained in this must have publication.

The author and illustrator know lots about the backcountry and provide tons of useful information on winter skiing. Even if you've spent much time yourself skiing in the backcountry, you'll find tips here that will make you wonder why you hadn't been doing things that way all along.

This book combines some great humor and excellent line drawings with some great wilderness and backcountry wisdom. All the tips and tricks one picks up over the years are in this book and it is highly recommended reading for newcomers and those already involved.

There are two types of winter campers: those who have this book and those who need it. Perhaps if you are very very experienced you don't need it but otherwise, get it! Allen wrote a short, but information full book, that is easy and fun to read quickly and jamn packed with a mix of basic functional knowledge, extra tidbits that are good to know, and all kinds of little tricks he has discovered over the years.

it is awesome! these guys are nols instructors. one guy provides the incredibly helpful commentary while the other guy provides the humorous illustrations. you will be howling with laughter as you read this great book. my bet is that humor/laughter aids the memorization process. that is key in this case because there are some truly essential tips in this book! not to be without! can't wait to wintercamp this year. they also have a telemark tips book which is very good too...

Well, I just panned a different book and said don't waste your money so now its time to even the score.

This book is great fun. I have lots of winter camping books and do a fair amount of winter camping. Other books may have more information, but none covers all of the basics with as much humor as this one. I do alpine skiing and snowshoeing so the coverage of tele skiing wasn't of particular interest...but I still really enjoyed reading those sections, too.

It is hard to describe the authors' irreverent approach while dealing with serious (life and death) topics, but they somehow pull it off. This is really a great book to engage someone who isn't already a hard-core winter camper...so if you are, buy it for your significant other (assuming you haven't been able to get them enthused about spending a winter weekend outdoors.) If they don't enjoy this book, you may officially give up on them.

Whether you're just becoming interested in backpacking, or you've been backpacking all of your life, this book is a great addition. When researching a reliable book for the outdoors, I was concerned with whether or not this book addressed survival adequately. Well, it pretty much covers everything. Seriously, anywhere from feminine hygiene problems while backpacking to creating a watch out of a compass. It also address any preperation questions you may have as far as buying gear or planning your trip. Great book, I can't put it down.

This book is good for someone that wanted to get started hiking and backpacking. I feel that it has good source of information for starting out.

Simply put, the first edition was great and the revise editions just keeps everything up to date. This is a great book, a must for any serious backpacker or wilderness leader. Highly Recommended!

This is a great book for anyone looking to get into backpacking or as a reference is the field for the seasoned trekker. The book contains plenty of up to date information covering almost everything you would need to know. The reason I gave this book 4 stars instead of 5 is that it is just stacked full of spelling mistakes and grammatical errors. A couple even in sections giving you numeric statistics and info. Apart from that... awesome book!

This book was written by Rick Curtis, director of the Outdoor Action Program at Princeton University, one of the most succesful college outdoor programs around. It's not the kind of book you sit down and read, rather it's a good reference to keep handy when you have questions about things. Here's a bit of what it covers:

-backpacking equipment
-cooking and nutrition
-hygiene and water purification
-"leave-no-trace" hiking and camping
-weather
-safety and emergency procedures
-first aid
-trip planning

Every backpacker knows that space is limited and you can only carry the essentials- which definitely includes this book. In 10 chapters, a mid-size font, and 440 pages, it covers it all and will be the only backpacking guide you'll ever need. Hikers suffering with plantar fasciitis might also be interested in The 5-Minute Plantar Fasciitis Solution.