Recreation Books

Whoa, if you can't learn something from this book you must be the greatest bass fisherman alive.

Not only is Roland Martin an incomparable bassing legend--he gives his advice and tells his story without the sanctimonious edge (sugary religious and family anecdotes) that other tournament pros feel compelled to include in their books these days.

If you want to buy only one book on bass fishing, this is the one. More then 25 years later, this book is still up-to-date. The lures described are still around and catch good bass. Whether you like fishing with heavy tackle, ultra-light or even fly fishing, this book covers it.

I picked up little, but it was entertaining and potentially a great resource for an emerging bass fisherman.

Roland Martin has always been my favorite bass pro. He exudes a love of the sport and has an unquenchable thirst for fishing knowledge. And he shares it all in this book.

It is packed with the bass patterns that Roland has learned throughout his career. He explains which lure works best under a given situation and why. He covers shallow, heavy cover situations to deep structure, live bait to lures to fly fishing. If you love fishing for bass, buy this book!

I got a hold of this book when I was still wet behind the ears as far as bass fishing goes. I'm not a huge reader, but I couldn't put this book down. Roland talks about how to be observant and pick a pattern apart, including everything from lure color to presentation speeds. He really reveals it all when he's talking about these patterns. He gives the time of year, water temp, clarity, etc.

I gained a tremendous amount of confidence from reading this, as these are some of the patterns that earned him 9 B.A.S.S. Angler of the Year titles.

I've only been seriously fishing for about a year and there's no telling how many of these patterns I've used. I did skip over the parts on trolling and live bait, as they are not allowed in tournaments.

But an excellent book, as I refer to it over and over.

Roller Coaster is colorful and informative history of roller coasters by Robert Coker covers early models in an introductory chapter than focuses on the heart of the topic: innovations in roller coaster models and modern coaster innovations. The colorful coverage provides a solid, appealing leisure read which should attract a wide audience of those young at heart.

This book is basically another in a long line of coaster thrill books designed to prolong the excitement of riding these amusement park behemoths. This latest book is tastefully done and includes the requisite history with lots of familiar and some rediscovered photos and prints of old timers. A few of the newer beasts are included with enticing views of riders being turned in spine tingling directions. Coker's text is well written. This book has enough new stuff to warrant it's inclusion in your coaster book library.

This book is great.It tells really well about the rollercoaster itself and great pictures.(TWO THUMBS UP)

When was the last time you had so much fun screaming? Probably last time you were on a roller coaster, your hair tingling, your eyeballs popping, and your stomach churning. Robert Coker, a talented journalist, has been everywhere you've been and more, and he describes the different rides he's been on, whether wooden or steel, coaster or twister, with a different appropriate writing style that will make you feel you're in the same box, hurtling hundreds of feet downwards after a longslow climb.

Maybe the best part is Coker's sneak preview of coming attractions, rides they're building out there that we may not get to stand on line for just yet. But, a boy can dream, can't he?

This is a great book for anyone who is interested in roller coasters. It includes history of roller coasters, wooden roller coasters, steel roller coasters, and extreme machienes. It also has great pictures. Take my advice, this book is great!

Cache Lake Country stands up to the test of time. Out of print now, it is still as relevant and beautiful a testament to the outdoor experience of Rowlands, Kane, and Chief Tibeash as it was in the 50's. If you love nature and the solitary experiences of the wilderness then you'll love this book.

Rowlands is a marvelous writer, for sure, but I was totally smitten with the outstanding black-and-white illustrations of the highly talented illustrator, Henry B. Kane, who brought, humor, fine draughtsmanship, art, and passion together for this book. It's reminiscent in some ways of Joseph Wood Krutch's "The Voice of the Desert" and Abby's "Desert Solitaire" but it takes place in the North Woods (some say Quebec, others say Ontario). I liked this book even better than the two aforementioned because of the great teamwork of Rowlands and Kane.

I reviewed this book several years ago, and after accidently stumbling upon my review, the same images, smells, and excitement still come to mind. I just purchased an old copy at many times the original price, and I can't wait to read it again after more than thirty years. It still amazes me to thnk that a simple diary of life in a bygone distant frontier could elicit such a Technicolor panorama in the mind of the reader. Everyone should read this book. It's good for the soul.

Don't we all wish we knew someone like J.J. Rowlands. What a life! He should have been a father; what a wealth of information he might have imparted... ...and what delivery! Couldn't put it down. Thank goodness he left us his book.

Back in the prehistoric days of the 1970's, I found this small book in my school library. Despite it's small size, it became, and has always been a bible of life in the northwoods. No politics, no social agenda, just a detailed blueprint of the pleasures and perils of living far from the city. The book covers the basics of shelter and winter warmth. It instructs the reader in a variety of skills ( from keeping oatmeal warm until breakfast, to making snowshoes to get along in mid-winter). All in all, I recall it as the first docu-drama that I ever had the pleasure to read. Though it can be labeled as non fiction (of the instructive kind), it has the ability to build endles dreams of pioneer life in the mind of most any reader.

I can only echo the other reviewers to date: this is simply the finest and most memorable book from my youth. The painstaking black and white line drawings embellish a story of life in the Canadian backwoods. The author was well aware that his was a disappearing way of life, when he spent time as a timber overseer on a remote Canadian lake, and his obvious care in crafting his recollections shows his love for that life. I was fortunate enough in my youth to have a chance to canoe 200 miles of Canada not all that far from Cache Lake country - and can only say that Rowland's account rings true. I have made some of the recipies, perched on rock shores above sparkling Canadian waters. I can only add that in a world of quick fixes and patent falsehoods, Cache Lake Country is a collection of truths. If books can truly be friends, this is a best friend.

The author has created a gorgeous book by simply capturing racetrack life as it happens. She gingerly sprinkles quotes throughout to accentuate her beautiful photographs. A must for your coffee table!

A friend purchased this book for me as a surprise. I was so excited! It is truly a work of art. So beautiful. What a joy!

I don't usually do my Christmas shopping in April, but this was just too easy! This will be THE book on everybody's coffee table this year; I bought one for every friend who loves horses, sunrise, or beautiful photography. Gorgeous!

Astounding! This *is* a rhapsody! She has written a whole piano concerto while the rest of us are doing finger exercises ... produced a Raphael while we are finger painting. The rest of us run around snapping pictures but she has given birth to art. Those of us not endowed with such gifts wonder in awe. It is an intimate creation, even for those who don't know the place. Of the highest standard throughout. A masterpiece!

Davis is a genius with a camera. Her book consistently takes your breath away. Passionate, dramatic, and purely gorgeous, with each turned page your eyes widen and you say "Wow!" Women weep. Men get goose bumps. I've watched people. A photographic page-turner! Many horse photos are beautiful but can seem "staged" and artificial. Davis's photos make you feel like you're standing right there. They're alive. Vibrant. And suddenly so are you. But the whole book is a work of genius. From the magnificent sunrise cover, past the stunning and stormy inside front, you're drawn into the private world of morning thoroughbred training at Santa Anita racetrack ... starting in the dark, full moon setting over silent paddock, walking to the back side, looking down a predawn shedrow, horses hungry, fed and saddled, off to the track in mysterious fog, sun rising over galloping steeds, horses getting loose, caught, walked, bathed, and brushed. Bunnies, goats, and cats keep them company. Horses are magnificent animals most would agree, but Davis reveals so many personality traits. Mischievous, stubborn, frightened, trusting, gentle, bored, as playful as a child. We see everything, in a setting so real you smell the hay and want to peel a paint chip off the barn, and drop your jaw at the glorious mountain surroundings. Davis's composition in a photo is perfection, but the order of photos equally captures you, as does the ingenious design ... not just a photo per stark white page, but riders chasing loose horses across two pages; arresting scenes laid against backdrops of *other* photos or pieces of photos enlarged to bring out remarkable detail; a center gatefold that leaves you gasping. Incredible! And just when it couldn't get any better, some of the most evocative lines of Shakespeare---about horses---send chills through you. All professionals aspire to images that leave the clinical, two-dimensional realm and achieve art. Davis succeeds. Sheer genius. Sweet perfection. Passion. They're within her, in her heart and eye. Included are the praises of over a dozen famous jockeys, trainers, artists (practically unheard of in a first edition)! This book puts other horse and track, and many plain old photography, books to shame.

John Lull is an excellent paddler and teacher, a combination that doesn't occur often. As the only core member of the Tsunami Rangers that paddles a decked(true)kayak, he lends a real, practical level of expertise to the science and execution of safety practices and rescue procedures. Unlike many other treatments of this subject, Lull looks at the big picture of hazards and conditions that can complicate recovery and rescue, rather than looking at the practices in a vacuum. Great photos give a real sense of progression to the rescue and recovery methods presented. These photographs are backed with well-written explanations that help paddlers choose and apply methods that appeal and apply to them. A really concise book that packs Lull's extensive experience and knowledge into a portable format, this is required reading for anyone venturing into water in a kayak.

This is the premier book on kayak safety for those venturing to the outer coast -- in my case for Alaska and BC coasts. It deals with rescues, rock gardens, breaking waves, surf landings etc. To the best of my knowledge, this book is the best of its kind.

Although there are a few similar books that focus on Sea Kayaking safety; this author's approach is my favorite. He approaches the subject from the perspective of managing risk rather than "being safe". In other words, he takes a real world approach to being out on the water where things are rarely "cut-and-dry". There are plenty of introductory level books, some with useful information for intermediate paddlers willing to look for it. Lull's work is clearly intended for the paddler who wants to develop their skills and "sea sense". I recommend this book to any intermediate sea kayaker.

A great comprehensive book about the skills required to safely Sea Kayak in just about any conditions. Well written, easy to follow explanations and pictures on the skills of rescues, rolling, strokes, "reading" the water and Weather, essential equipment....basically everything every kayaker needs to be safe on the water.

Novices and experienced kayakers will find valuable information in this book. Read through it in a few hours and can't wait to get out and practice!!

I am a new to kayaking with only beginning classes under my belt and 12 hours on mostly flat water. Living is the SF Bay area there is lots of water close at hand. Plenty of afternoon wind as well. As a newbie John Lull's book has been great. I really like how John breaks the water down into domains. As he goes through the characteristics of each domain he lists the "Skills Needed" to be successful in that domain. His first chapter "Building A Safety Foundation" has a great section on managing fear. I would recommend this book to anyone thinking about the sport of sea kayaking. It is a must read. It's an enjoyable read as well.

Good illustration, reader kindly explaining of its theory based on Physics, and informartive examples from famous skiers.

This book shows a set of technical skills that is based on the mechanics of skiing. I find them useful to incorporate into my skiing -- I find myself practicing one technique or another on some runs, and you can feel the difference.

This is a great book for the seasoned skier wanting to understand more on how the body-skis-works together on snow when applying different movements, pressure and so on. Good insights comparing racing techniques to recreational skiing. As a ski instructor I can use this book as a reference guide.

This is a cool book for skiing that takes an approach similar to the way the Dave Pelz books do with golf. It explains the science and mechanics of the sport. It's hard to argue with the laws of physics, and I especially like the diagrams showing the exact forces at work (gravity, centrifugal force, friction, etc.) that can make your edges hold (or slip). I wouldn't say the material is too hard for the average person to grasp, but it's not a book you can just skim through either. There will be some thinking involved. There are other good ski instruction books out there that can tell you HOW you should make things happen, but this one also helps you understand WHY. If you like having that knowledge, then this book is for you.

As everybody who wrote review here, I think this is a great book for who go skiing in a little bit "theoretical" way. Some of your tips that helped you as a quick learner in the first week may hold you back from becoming a professional-looking skier. The author of this book is trying to convince you by providing solid physical principle.

Also, the illustrations are carefully selected to demonstrate the arguments. Many of them are taken from real competition and show the movement in a sequence.

Even you have figured out most of the principles taught in this book, I believe there are still some paragraphs flashing here and there will push you downhill little faster.

I Love this writer. There is nothing dated about these absorbing tales from one of the English language's greatest adventure writers, regardless of Hollywood's love of his fictative works; and regardless of the time and venue in which men were men and heroes were conquerers of the elements.: M. Gann's achievement has been to see himself, daringly or humbly pick his way up the ladder of seamanship, and evoke,with humour and narrative storytelling, among the fleet of all us fellow lovers of the sea and ships, delightful fascination for the vessels of a now-passing era.

I read as many sea and sailing stories as I can get my hands on. This is one of the best. Read the other rave reviews here of this book--they pretty much say it all.

I would just emphasize that this is one of the few contemporary sailing books that has a lot about sailing square rigged boats.

Also an interesting twist is that Gann's Albatros is the boat that Sheldon lost in White Squall.

Ernest Gann has written a memoir of what happens when you hear the Sirens singing and follow them. I loved this book as the sea-going counterpart to his marvelous memoir of flight, Fate Is the Hunter; there's the same wrily witty, compassionate observations on the vicissitudes of the sea and those who sail upon it, particularly himself, the same amused humility in the face of the perversities and miracles of chance, whether they be a failing engine at the height of a tempest, intransigent bureaucrats of the Panama Canal, a balsa raft costing less than sixteen dollars which can leave a scientifically designed catamaran in its wake, or a wild voice singing in the Greek Islands. Whether recounting desperation in a great storm off the Oregon coast, or the nostalgic reminiscenses of his earlier sailing boats and shipmates, or the languid monotony of a long tropical ocean passage, or the nature and the workings of what he terms the 'Dock Committee' (which has membership worldwide), even the time he was masterfully conned by a crafty old sailor on the wharves of New York, Gann maintains a close and humorously affectionate eye on the sometimes clear, sometimes problematical, but always interesting relationships between the mundane acts of everyday and the greater universe which lurks behind every common act and thought.

Above all, there is in Sirens, as in all his books whether fic or nonfic, a love of the sea, of boats, of living fully in and of the world and of us frail, fallible and funny humans in it. In Fate Is the Hunter, it is the world of the air and those who fly; in Song of the Sirens, the sea. A wonderful read.

I've read several book by Ernie Gann and being a pilot I was in awe of Mr. Gann's story telling ability in "Fate is the Hunter" and thought this is surely the best autobiography ever written. Now having read "Song of Sirens" I have to re-evaluate this opinion. It makes you want to run out and buy a boat!

Ernest K. Gann is, quite simply, a great writer. In Song of the Sirens he writes about his adventures aboard the many ships he has owned. His writing skill takes the reader, even a landlubber like me, along with him to experience what it is like to ride out a storm 50 miles off the coast of Oregon in a fishing trawler or to sail across the Atlantic Ocean with an old, rusty, leaky training boat with a suspect engine. The book is slanted more for the boating afficionado. While he does explain some of the technical terms, a lot of them are obviously for someone who knows sailboats. There are no pictures, either. Pictures of the ships (not boats because, as he explains in the book, a boat is carried by a ship)would have been helpful. All in all, though, this book will greatly appeal to Ernest K. Gann fans, those who enjoy adventure stories, and those who enjoy sailing stories.

This book is like a personal trainer for inline (roller skating). I started reading this book in July 2006 and by August 2006 I was so much faster in inline skating. This is from someone who has never taken any lessons and started to skate on his own. I did the Northshore Inline (Duluth) half marathon later in Sept 2006 in 1 hour 6 mts (pretty impressive by my own standards). I keep referrring to it once in a while to keep up my training and speed.

This book is thorugh and even those of us that are completely uneducated about athletics and how to improve in them can understand clearly what is written in this book. I was afraid it would be too technical but it caters to all levels of knowledge. I am very impressed. I plan to start impleting these practices very soon.

A must have. Loaded with information and great pictures. Also very technical training schedules for the serious skaters. Not too much for short trackers but still alot of useful skating information.

From the background I had during my competitive years in the sport of inline speedskating, I believe the book is a complete and technical guide to the basic terminology, strategy, and mechanics that are involved with speedskating; both on ice and inline skates. There is heavy usage on photographs to show you the correct way to skate to reach your potential but to achieve what is seen in the picture typically takes years of training with coaches to show you the ways to train your body to achieve the form and stride of an effecient inline skater.

I also believe that some of the material is dated regarding the current face of the sport but the book is a staple in the sport and is a worthy look for outsiders and internally at the facets of the sport of inline and ice speedskating. For anyone interested in speedskating either on ice skates or inline skates, this book is the most comprehensive guide from a champion speedskater that covers most facets of the sport.

This is a great book for anyone involved in in-line or ice speedskating. Being a speedskater myself, I have had much success using the book. It is great for novice and elite skaters. The book offers a lot of information regarding techinique and training. I hope others have or will have as much success using this book as I have.

A MUST-HAVE FOR ANY SPEEDSKATERS LIBRARY!!!

I don't even fish, and I really liked the book. Partly it's because he writes so well about the places where fishing goes on and partly it's because of a delightful sense of humor. The essays create a sense of the man, too, so that you meet an interesting new character

There are authors you just have to read if you love fly fishing. Anything that comes out by John Gierach or Nick Lyons or Bill Tapply just has to be read. It's not as great as landing a lunker trout, but it's the next best thing.

John writes so well that it seems as if he just stumbles across his words of wisdom, comic relief, and society commentary. You find yourself thinking, "yeah, I've said that myself", although you probably haven't! There's storytelling which flows quickly, and there are those passages that you just know took time to craft. I appreciate that.

How does John Gierach do it? This flyfishing legend keeps on writing and entertaining like no other. This book is to be read and enjoyed by all flyfishermen.

I've said for a few years now that John Geirach is a genius. He has that rare ability to make you feel that you are standing in the stream next to him wetting a line. Still Life with Brook Trout continues this tradition. Every time I pick up one of John's books, it's just like being on vacation. I would heartily reccommend this book and all of his others to anyone who enjoys flyfishing or those who might like to try it. He's not only a great writer, but also a great educator.

Books with serious data on old Karate-do Masters' biography are not common, unfortunately. This one comes right to hit this spot. Learning Karate-do is far from being only punching and kicking. We need to learn and exercise other aspects, as already said by the Masters Nagamine presents in this book: philosophical, moral and historical aspects. Knowing the history, you know better your Karate-do. In addition, this book presents some peculiar aspects of Okinawan history and tradition (dance, Tegumi wrestling, etc.) and Nagamine's view of "Karate and Zen as one", presenting Zazen theory and exercises to complete the book in great style.

This book is a great read.

Valuable information on the early pioneers of karate, and important insights into their lives. This book is well written and exciting to read. I would say it is like reading fiction, but that belittles the historical accuracy of many of the accounts.

This book written by one of Okinawas legendary Masters and translated by one of Karate's leading authors is simply a masterpiece of writing. It gives detailed accounts of Okinawas early Te-Tode-Tuite Masters many of whom have never been written about before. It's a much more indepth account than Richard Kims Weaponless Warriors, not to knock Kim, and well worth the price. Lots of pictures and lots of info.

I highly recommend this book to all practioners of the Martial Art of Karate. Exploring not only his personal lineage but that of all the original styles of karate founded and developed on Okinawa, Shoshin Nagamine provides a great work and a first hand account of many of the mentioned Masters.
It is nice to know that historically correct information is starting to come out about the true origins of karate and of its' founders. It is also nice that a little bit of myth also surrounds those same founders. Shoshin Nagamine does well to dispell those myths.
By knowing and understanding truth from the past we grow today and prepare for the future. This reviewer is glad that Patrick McCarthy translated this work for the world to read.
Buy the book.

Shoshin Nagamine (1907 - 1997) was the founder of Matsubayashi-Ryu Karate-Do. He wrote The Essence of Okinawan Karate-Do, another valuable tome, in addition to this book. Practicing his art for more than 70 years, he achieved the rank of Hanshi (10th dan black belt) in karate and also earned black belts in judo, kendo, and sumo. He was president of the Okinawan Police Station, served as police chief of Naha City, and as an instructor of police judo teams in Okinawa, Japan. The guy not only knew his stuff, but was one heck of a good researcher. His insight into the titans of Okinawan martial arts is fascinating, a "must read" for any serious martial artist. Patrick McCarthy's translations are extraordinary. The book is a quick, easy read, coming across as if it had been written by a native English speaker. McCarthy even translates haiku into poetic, user-friendly English.

Nagamine Sensei spent a lifetime researching the budoka covered in his book. He trained and/or talked with some of them personally, interviewing the relatives and students of those who have passed on. He artfully portrays the exploits of Tode Sakugawa, Sokon Matsumura, Kosaku Matsumora, Anko Itosu, Gichin Funakoshi, Chotoku Kyan, Choki Motobu, Kanryo Higaonna and Ankichi Arakaki, to name a few, cutting through the fables and exaggerated legends to get to the truth.

The only drawback is that it does not include a glossary or index, so you will probably want to take notes as you peruse it. My copy is battered, dog-eared, and covered with sticky notes. An extraordinary tome, I cannot recommend this book highly enough.


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