Recreation Books

"To appreciate any sport, you must learn about its entire histroy. And you can't truly appreciate baseball without learning about the Negro Leagues. Begin with this book."

-Sports Columnist, Kansas City Star

"The food industry has Emeril, the political pundits have O'Reilly and the Negro Leagues has Holway. Artfully wrote by the premier expert on Negro Leagues history."

-President, Legends of Sports

". . . statistics that prove the greatness of the Negro League players. Now, we can truly call baseball the National Pastime."

"To appreciate any sport, you must learn about its entire history. And you can't truly appreciate baseball without learning about the Negro Leagues. Begin with this book."

As submitted to Hasting House on Dec. 10, 2001 via e-mail

This is a fine overview of the contributions made by black ball players from the mid 19th Century to the more well known players of the 20th. I judge baseball books on how they contribute to the overall understanding of their subject matter. This book stands among the others, including Only the Ball Was White and Larry Lester's pictorials on the Negro Leagues in Chicago, Kansas City, and Pittsburgh.

The Utah atlas is very detailed and through the only thing I wish it had the milage on the highways like the New Mexico and Arizona do.

I own both the Delorme Utah Atlas & Gazetteer and the Benchmark Utah Road & Recreation Atlas and the Benchmark Atlas seems to have a lot less clutter when trying to find something. The roads stand out a lot better as do the terrain features due do the shading almost giving a 3D effect. This is why I use the Benchmark Atlas when traveling to Utah. I also have the Benchmark New Mexico R & C Atlas and it is also excellent in my opinion. I do, however always have Delorme Topo 6 running on a laptop computer and it is indispensable on road trips.

If you haven't been to UT, you need to go. Colorado seems to get all the hype when it comes to mountains, but UT is better for an assortment of scenery and things to do in the mountains. Benchmark Atlases are the benchmark from which all other road atlases are measured. My GPS nav system, as well as Google maps, will direct me to take dirt roads as part of a 'shortest route.' This is not an acceptable route on my Goldwing. These detailed maps clearly and precisely show the type of road from interstate to 4-wheel drive. It has helped me avoid bad routes numerous times.

If your're going to Utah and plan on doing any driving there,whether your're staying on the main roads or driving on the back roads,Benchmark Road and Recreation Atlas is the book to buy.It lists the scenic byways,the backways and points of interest along the way.This book covers just about any recreational activity you can think of,from amusement parks to fishing,boating,sking,rafting and lots more.It's also very good for finding many of the hiking trailheads in Utah.I find it very informative,well oganized and easy to read.Well worth the money.A great book!!!!I highly recommend it!!!!

Benchmark are absolutely the best road atlases out there. I have the AZ, UT, OR, and CA maps that I have purchased for trips (I use my CA one all the time, but I live here) and find them invaluable. I can always find my way when lost, and they really do a great job of showing detail that you wouldn't expect, even in metro areas. They show the most random and remote Forest Service or BLM roads, and points of interest on those roads that you would otherwise need specialty maps to see. If there's a dirt road or otherwise going there, these maps show it. Highly recommended!

i think its also so good book but i dont know how bought this book. its for your information i am a black belt of martialarts. i cose so diffrent style of martial arts its use only in tis time Pakisatn but future its must be te king style of the world.

i think its also so good book but i dont know how bought this book

Excellent book. Those that do not have an instructor close by can learn the details of the katas from this book.

I have been practicing Shotokan karate for 10 years now. Even though I attend regular classes and seminars, as well as working out with very qualified karate-ka, I still find myself coming back to Master Nakayma's work in this very fine series of books. Of all the books on kata I have these books are superior.

The instruction is straight forward and to the point. Tips are given to avoid common mistakes. Under the many pictures illustrating the kata is a stance diagram and short concise sentences to describe each move.

Extremely well done by one of the finest karate masters.

I bought three books out of the "Best Karate" series and the two books about katas are simply outstanding. I use another book which describes the movements in words but it's just too hard to figure it out for some of the tricky movements. The "Best Karate" series has photo series for all katas plus additional information about what people should take care of for the individual katas (for instance, stance changes for Heian Shodan). That way, it's really "easy" to learn a kata on your own, just from the book.

This is another book that I read over and over again. It always has something new to say to me depending on where I am when I read it. It covers the blossoming of a master in the martial arts from overbearing neophyte to true master. It explores the Tao and proper principles in training, and contains one of my favorite quotes. "Your quest is not for quantity of production. Your quest, my quest, the martial-arts quest is for quality of experience."

This short read, told as a fable, is broken down into chapters, each expounding on an idea the book wishes to delve into with greater detail. The relationship between a martial arts master and his student is one of the most profound possible, and this book guides the reader/student into a more profound understanding of the teacher/student dynamic. The end result is, or should be, that the student becomes the master, and that the cycle of learning and growth between master and student is eternal and self-renewing.

There is one narrative quirk that should not affect the power of the lessons contained herein, but does weaken the book a bit from a writer's point of view. Otherwise, this is a valuable book, one that addresses the key relationship between master & student. In the West, it is common for students to not take their masters as seriously as they should, and for masters to occaisonally show less responsibility and accountability than they should. This short volume shows what a balanced, committed disciple/master relationship might look like.

Recommended.

Master Tri was one of the kindest living beings that I've ever known...a true Master with timeless wisdom found in his words/sharings. He will always be greatly remembered and missed. I've done a painting in memory of him and all of the other Great Masters before him, that I've titled "Spirit of Shaolin" which can be seen at one of my online galleries at: DaelArt.com Dael

I got this book a few years ago and didn't think much of it because I couldn't understand it. Now, after a few years of Tai Chi and meditation, I'm starting to understand it. A great book, indeed! I'm planning to read his next book.

5 stars isnt enough.

This is one of those rare books that you can read 1000 times and on the 1001st read you would still get more out of it.

This book can easily be used as a pocket companion throughout your entire life to help you in more ways than i have room to write in a little review.

Also, this book has really helped me to see more clearly as to what my purpose in life is.

I hope it will do the same for you. Na Mo A Mi To Fo

The Big Drop is by John Log. This book is a wonderful surfing book full of very colorful stories told by the people that had surfed the waves, or were there at the moment if the person had died. The way the people tell the stories make it feel like you are there feeling their pain. If you do not feel like reading the book then you might just want to get the movie Riding Giants. About fifty percent of the movie Riding Giants is in the book. In the book there is a colorful picture almost every chapter of the people riding the wave. I would defiantly recommend the book to anyone, especially if you like to surf. The book also teaches you a lot about surfing vocabulary and even has a couple pages at the end that are the glossary, in case you don't know the terms of surfing. The Big Drop shows the dangers of surfing and makes you wonder why people even risk their life just for a little thrill. I would give this book 9 out of 10, because there are some stories in there that aren't very interesting compared to others in the book. There is only a couple of the stories that are not as interesting, so it does not take away from the book at all.

Provides great insight on the pioneers of the sport, but doesn't come across like a history lesson. It makes you understand the ballz it takes to paddle into a wave the size of an apartment building, along with the consequences those guys have faced.

Thoroughly enjoyable for non-surfers too. My dad has never been on a board and he couldn't put the book down.

I am a grom, at the age of 17 right now, and I rarely read a book cover to cover.I've always been interested in big wave surfing, but never the old timer stuff. This book has revealed the truth about riding big waves in and interesting perspective to the new generation such as myself, and I will never forget some of the stories in here. I reccomend that if you're a surfer, and are even remotely interested in attempting to tackle large surf, that you pick up this book. It will give you second thoughts about venturing out at places like Mavericks, Waimaii Bay, and Todos Santos.

Not just a surfing book but focusing on the Big Wave surfing crew, that elite group of athletes that live to challenge the ocean's fury. This is a collection of short stories but it does a great job of covering the total history of Big Wave surfing, particularly paying attention to the heroes of the 50s and 60s the water skills necessary to challenge large waves. With complete coverage and analysis of all big wave sites and legends, I can't imagine what it left unturned.

This exciting sport has elevated itself recently with "ski in" surfing and these stories do a great job of covering the controversy of this sport's growth and it's trailblazer, Laird Hamilton.

I strongly recommend this book if you like surfing or are enthralled by the culture of these people who devote their lives to the ocean.

...of Big Wave surfing - many of the stories are haunting and memorable. It was hard putting the book down once I started reading. I actually found it more interesting and insightful than watching film of surfers going over the edge - you actually get into their excitement, awe, and fear of what they've gotten themselves into - not only when they've caught the waves, but gut-wrenching accounts of what they were thinking and feeling when driven under (or saw their friends driven under) by these monsters.

This is as close as you're going to get, short of paddling out yourself! BTW, I just finished reading "Caught Inside" before "The Big Drop" and reading these stories made reading CI seem like a waste of time.

You won't regret reading this one - highly recommended!!!

If you have ever read any of Travis Pastrana's articles written in the old Racer X column he had, you would know of his ability to make you feel as though you are right in the heart of the story being told. The same holds true with this book. He brings you right in with vivid descriptions and details that are easily understood by the average everyday person and yet belies an attention the to english language that is quite comprehensive. I thoroughly enjoyed this book as well as my husband, his riding buddies and racing buddies and the kids in our family as well. I would definitly give it to anyone considering riding/racing or any other adventure. It's not about the sport/adventure it about taking the chance!!

I sat down and read the book cover to cover. It's a great read for every age.

I purchased this for my son who is a freestyler, and not one to read books, but he enjoyed (and read) the book cover to cover. Great photography, interesting text, and a fantastic insight into Travis Pastrana.

This book was amazing, very well written and i didnt put it down after i picked it up! I read the entire thing in a night, it was a very good read, but i felt like there werer parts when he was braggin about himself. But all in all i strongly recommend this book to anyone who likes motocross or xtreme sports.

This book is written very much in Pastrana's own voice, which leads it to be not only personal at times, but also hilarious. Actually some of my favorite parts of the book were the little notes on the side either from Travis himself or his friends/colleagues/parents. It gives readers a view of what its like living his life, something I certainly don't envy.

He covers everything from his beginnings in racing, his schooling, his injuries, the many wild stunts he has done and more. If you are a fan its a must read, even if you're not its entertainment value makes it worthwhile.

This is a great book for all basketball fans and all Kentuckians. For those who do not understand Kentucky, or who do not understand basketball, this book will make both of them much more understandable. Truly, there is nothing on Earth like the subculture of Kentucky basketball.

This book puts in perspective the "official" religion of the Commonwealth of Kentucky. As a UK student last year during the 1998 National Championship run I never would have guessed the ammount of media attention the CATS draw...can you picture your local TV stations having live feeds when the team plane lands at the local airport...that is just a small glance to the fever that overtakes KY during March. This book puts you into the heart of KY. I met the author at Joseph-Beth Booksellers last year in Lexington as he signed the book...there was not a large crowd there during the signing...the CATS were on TV.

This is a great book for all basketball fans and all Kentuckians. For those who do not understand Kentucky, or who do not understand basketball, this book will make both of them much more understandable. Truly, there is nothing on Earth like the subculture of Kentucky basketball.

What a great book exploring the UK basketball phenomenon! Anyone who questions the importance of this program to its fans should read this book! You may not come away a fan, but you'll certainly understand those who do! WOW!

...and then I had to read this book after losing a bet (on the 1999 UK/Indiana game, which Kentucky won). As a hoosier fan, it pains me to say that I actually loved this book, and any book that can take the arch enemy of a program and make him/her see the light is a remarkable work. Reading through this book, I actually realized that there were tears in my eyes on several occasions. How could this be? I'm a hoosier--a sworn enemy of the Kentucky Wildcats--and yet, after reading this book, I found myself actually (choke!) liking them! My congratulations to Lonnie Wheeler on an unbelievably good book, and my hat's off to the Kentucky Wildcats--the best program in college basketball!

In "Breakthrough Swimming", Cecil Colwin has done a fantastic job in bringing together the thoughts, techniques and advice of many famous and successful coaches and their swimmers from all over the world. Of particular interest are the changes in techniques over the years and the preparation of today's star swimmers. Also of great interest was the comparison and use of scientific principles in assisting in streamlining the body and optimising the use of energy and strength to gain more speed.
As a past competitive swimmer, this book is a "must" for anyone with an interest in this great sport. It is a book where you need to have your own copy so you can read and re-read it from time to time as well as use it as a reference guide.
A real "winner" from Cecil Colwin !

The average swimming book prescribes stroke techniques, then offers a sample training routine. In 'Breakthrough Swimming', Cecil Colwin sets his stroke and training advice amid much firm background and some speculative discussion. Coach Colwin covers three subjects: History, Hydrodynamics and Training.

The history is broken into two parts which begin and end the book. The first is a history of swim technique (sidestroke, trudgen, overarm, etc.) which leads to a description of the four current strokes. As in Swimming Dynamics, he illustrates a "typical" way of swimming each stroke even though he admits a wide range of technique possibilities. (Colwin is an excellent draughtsman, but there seems to be a drawing error: In the text and in his side view drawings of the crawl, he describes a full body rotation of 35 - 45 degrees each way as desirable. His front view, however, shows the swimmer almost dead flat throughout the crawl.)

Continuing the exploration of hydrodynamics that he began in Swimming Dynamics, Colwin discusses the bow wave, lift, his vortex-shedding theories of propulsion, strategies of streamlining, using the hands to direct the water and many other ideas.

In covering training, Colwin (and Pyne) offer the usual ideas of aerobic vs anaerobic, interval vs distance, etc. I find myself thinking of his section, "Development of the Will to Overcome Fatigue," as I swim. I realize that I have rarely reached Hurt, much less Agony or Pain since high school (at least not in the pool).

The book ends with a history of competition that discusses rule changes, better pools, the World Cup tour (he's not impressed), national team vs club-based coaching, a chronicle of doping, fistgloves, the problems with bodysuits, a ranking of the stars of the 20th century and a look forward.

I definitely found the book worth reading.

I am one of those swimmers Mr Colwin talks about; natural, skilled, elite. Call it what you will, I swim easily and fast. Fast enough to win the Olympics (Tokyo, 1964, 400 IM)

This book is astounding in its breadth and depth of knowledge. If you are at all serious about swimming for speed or enjoyment you need to read this work. The first and second chapters on stroke development and recent breakthroughs would be enough to make this book a classic,

The fluid dynamics section is excellent, a good thing to know in your mind. But far more valuable to me is the chapter about feeling the water. Here we dive into the heart of the matter. The more talented swimmers feel the water more. You can swim most efficiently when you can tell when the water is most ready to pull against. I stand in awe of Colvin's ability to explain an intuitive process that leaves me blubbering for words.

All of us who love the water owe Cecil Colwin a deep and sincere thank you.

This book is a must for all coaches and swimmers.

After having read through the book, it dawned on me that much of the information included in the pages contains facts that I have had to learn through numerous years of being coached, training and competing.

Even though there are numerous things that we only learn when we are actually faced with them personally, this book will help expedite the learning curve for swimmers and coaches at all levels as well as give coaches some insight into some of the fundamentals of our highly intense sport.

A big thank you to Cecil Colwin for not only an enjoyable read, but for a starter, main-course as well as dessert - all in one book.

This is a really wonderful book with an in-depth insight into the latest techniques and training methods, encompassing a collection of successful techniques from numerous very famous coaches from all over the world. Some of the most fascinating aspects of this book are the application of modern day scientific principles to make swimmers go faster and become more streamlined and effective in the water. Not only is this an excellent read, but it is a book to be kept and re-read from time to time by anyone interested in swimming. As a former competitive swimmer, this is certainly the best ever book I have read on a great sport. You definitely need your own copy !

I've played pool most of my adult(and teenage) life. I've spent time on several tours and am always looking to learn something new. Byrne covers an amazing array of pool and billiard situations and does an outstanding job of diagraming and explaining the physics involved(Robert would insist that I give credit to Bob Jewett for this). If you think there's nothing in this book that's new to you you're most likely mistaken. Byrne's other books are outstanding as well. By the way, Bob...you've got the eight and one going to 7, bet high.:-)

I had been playing pool for approximately 10 years before i read this book, 3 of the 10 years were in "a" leagues and competitive nine and eight ball tournaments. before i read this book, i was able to run one rack out of every ten, after reading this book my game improved 500 percent. i was able to consistently run 5 racks out of every 10. the book has very explicit instructions and absolutely superb illustrations and examples of several methods of setting up shots. i expecially liked the procedure for running a table, it has some very good advice and if anyone follows it and can shoot just a little bit they will be able to run racks. i can't say enough about the benefits this book has had for my game. in my opinion robert byrnes, is the best teacher of the game of pool bar none! i read this book in about eight hours. it's a page turner if you want to improve your game or even are thinking about learning how to play the game, this is the book for ! you.

I have read just about every book on this subject, there is no better book than this one! In fact, I recommend all of Robert Byrne's Pool & Billiards books and videos. He is an accomplished player, teacher and author.

This book will meet and exceeds everyones expectations on the subject!

I just learned about this NEW publication, which is a revision of the one I read "Byrne's Standard Book of Pool and Billiards", Copyright © 1987, 1978 by the same author Robert Byrne. I have read just about every book on this subject, and there is no better book than this one! In fact, I recommend all of Robert Byrne's Pool & Billiards books and videos. He is an accomplished player, teacher and author.

I have no doubts that this book will meet and exceeds everyone's expectations on the subject!

Outstanding information on basic and advanced technique.It tells you about draw and follow shots, and also english.It also gives you information on straight pool, eight-ball, and many other pool games.This is in my opinion, the only book on pool and billiards you will ever need. Robert Byrne has really outdone himself by creating this masterpiece. This book should be on the shelves of every pool and billiards player. This is by far the best book on pool and billiards ever written.

This book lives up to its title. Some of the tips are fascinating, although as a "car camper" I may never utilize them (for example, despite the book's recommendations, a Eureka dome tent is more convenient and practical for my family then, say, a hand-fashioned shelther of canvas and rope, or pine boughs). Nevertheless, even the information that I may never utilize myself is fascinating to read, and the book is otherwise full of "smaller scale" tips and tricks (e.g., cooking, tools, hiking and orienteering, etc.) that are useful to all levels of campers.

With this book, Mr. Jacobson has compiled some of the best tips and ideas for camping out of doors. From winter camping to knot-tying, it is a VERY helpful resource for the beginning/intermediate camper. The book is easy to read and easy to reference with subjects listed in alphabetical order. He covers almost anything you could think you want to know about camping, with very good information on canoeing as well. Read this book before you go!

Cliff Jacobson is in my opinion the best canoe-camping-outdoor equipment-how-to guy writing today. And this book is very good, full of wonderful tips and advice laid out in far greater detail than most any of his competitors can muster.

Since I enjoy this author so much, I didn't even mind that the organization of "Camping Tips only the Experts Know" is a little haphazard, using the letters of the alphabet. Nor did I mind that most of the camping tips presented I'd already come across in Cliff's other outdoor books, including his masterpiece, "Expedition Canoeing." However, there were just enough brand new tips to keep me turning pages. And the occasional re-tooled old tip explained in even greater and more helpful detail.

My advice would be, if you're interested in camping, especially canoe camping, then buy everything this author has ever written. You'll be more comfortable and efficient in the great outdoors -- and appreciative of it -- than ever before. But if you can only get one or two of his books, then choose between "Expedition Canoeing" and/or "Canoeing and Camping, Beyond the Basics." They are extraordinary.

Cliff Jacobson is one of the authors of a great series of camping books called the "Basic Essentials". He is popular because he writes in a homey accessible style that gets you interested in the subject and teaches you in simple terms anyone can grasp. In the series are books on camping basics, cooking outdoors, map and compass, shelter, weather, canoeing, fishing, first aid, and more. They are great little library to have but if you can't afford them all, buy this one for all the basics. Cliff has put together a book that has information from all of these and a little more. Some of his "secrets" are really helpful tips you may have heard before if you are an experianced camper, but you can bet there will be some new ones too. An all around great resource for the experianced or rookie camper, I highly reccommend.

Wow.
There was a lot of stuff I didn't know. Twenty five years of camping on the average of once a month and I got a lot out of this book. Jacobsen's advice on pitching tarps alone is worth the price of the book. There is a minimal amount of old chestnuts aand lots of really useful information.