Athletics Books

I am so glad I ordered this book. I have never ran nor did I like to run but way down deep inside I wanted to run a marathon. OK, I have had this book for two weeks and can not run four miles. That is four miles for someone who never ran anywhere. Great mental health.

I loved this book. It took a very practical approach to training. The training focused not only the physical aspects but also the psychological training. I would recommend this book to anyone considering training for a marathon.

So I decided I wanted to run a marathon. Was it really that crazy of an idea? I had not run more than 3 miles since high school - 15 years earlier!! I bought this book, started the training and two days ago I finished my first marathon! It was such a great experience. While I don't think I'll ever run another, I'm so glad and proud to say I have done it once. This is really a great book and does produce the results it claims to.

A few days ago, I finished my first marathon. I went from a couch potato to running 26.2 miles using nothing but this book as a guide. I spent 10 weeks doing the recommended pre-training before starting the 16-week plan. I altered the plan a little due to some minor injuries and scheduling problems, but stuck to it for the most part. I think the best part of this training is in building your confidence and giving you the mental strength to get through adversity. When I hit mile 20, my legs were aching real bad and I needed to use some of the mental techniques described in the book to will myself to the finish line. It's only been a few days, but I'm already planning my next one! If you've never run a marathon before, I would definitely recommend this book to help you through your first one.

Prior to training, I had run ONE 5k race (mostly walked), and never actually ran for excercise for more than 3 miles. I began this training wanting to see how far I'd get and the next thing I know I was 15-20 pounds lighter and crossing the tape at that Dallas WhiteRock marathon in 2003 at 4:18:13.

Don't get me wrong, I was in pain. It wasn't easy.

But as they say, the pain is temporary... I'll have that accomplishment with me forever. If you are considering a training regimen, I cannot suggest this book enough to you. Easy to read - chapters are all short and in a very creepy way INCREDIBLY accurate as to which week you begin feeling what pains in your legs/feet and how to combat.

People always ask me "was running the marathon hard?". My typical response is: "Not really, actually. There were about 3 miles that were very difficult but overall it was pretty easy. The real hard part is all the training. It's getting your butt out in the rain on a sunday night and making yourself run 12 miles even though you have to get up for work the next day. It was an exercise in willpower that gets you through the training, when no one would know if you skipped a run here and there. No accountability like there is in the marathon. So once you get through that, you become almost like a robot, a machine. After about 2/3 through it nothing on earth will stop you from accomplishing your run. Darkness? Cold? Snow? Rain? None of it matters.".

Buy the book and run.

This small book by one of the most renowned sports figures of all time has less to do with Coach Wooden's winning records as a player and coach as it does with his broader views on what defines a "winner" - in attitude, in action, and in thought. As applicable in the business world as it is for athletics, this book, reflecting the author's example, is deeply profound and profoundly modest. Highly recommended.

I felt that this was a nice "thought for a day" book. He offers some very sound and basic ways of living with values. It is a quick read and enjoyable.

I bought this book for my student/athlete son. I had him read the book and find five things that he could immediately apply to his life. The book is written in such a manner that the parallels between sports and life are seamlessly interwoven. By using sports as a platform of relativity, I feel I am raising my son to be a confident and responsible man. This is a must-read for fathers and sons.

This is one of my favorite books of tidbits. Basically coach Wooden gives his ideas on life, hard work, sports and manners. Through different stories of his life and experiences.

It really was a pleasure reading this book and I feel that the philosophy of coach wooden, based on hard work, trust, learning and being a good person is straight forward and a throw back to simpler values.

I have never heard of John Wooden until last Thursday. This book was recommended to me by two friends, as first I thought how is a retired basket coach going to give me some direction and clarity on life? WOW!!!!! Once I started reading it, I couldn't put it down! I took to every word and read it in one evening (not a long read, but it makes you ponder over each sentence) and I was really sad that the book was coming to an end. It's an amazing book, I HIGHLY RECOMMEND it anyone no matter where you're at in life. This is a book that I will refer back to time and time again throughout my life (I just know it!).

This I believe was Frost's 1st golf history book and previously all his other work had been fiction. Which explains the fictional feel of this book. Frost cites conversation and internal thoughts from the characters to an exent that he can't possibly know if that's what happened. In addition to compromising accuracy, it also makes for a book that's about 2x as long as it needs to be. I found myself often scanning large sections rather than reading every word.

Even with that flaw he still produced a must-read golf history book, that many non-golfers will also enjoy. He excels at putting things in historical and social context, and building fiction-like edge of your seat tension. He's also a master at researching the lives of the main characters, from their beginnings to their endings in the must-read "Afterward" section.

In this case the main characters are British legendary professional golfers Harry Vardon and Ted Ray, US amateur golfer Francis Quimet and his young caddie Eddie Lowery. Although Mr. Quimet's story is reasonably well known in golf circles, Eddie's isn't. And in some ways Eddie is actually the most interesting character, if not the most important. The story goes that young Eddie escaped the grade school truant officer every day so he could caddie for Quimet. And it was Eddie's inspiration, tenacity and timely advice that pushed the young unaccomplished amateur Quimet to an historic conquest over then golfing titans Vardon and Ray.

In Frost's 3rd golf book "The Match" released last year, Eddie would again enter the picture. Now a middle aged successful businessman, he sets up a historic match between the 2 best amateurs of the day (Ken Venturi and Harvey Ward) and the 2 best Pros (Ben Hogan and Byron Nelson). At stake is a presumed $10,000 personal bet (if not more) but even more importantly a seminal event in the future direction of American golf: would the essence of the game remain in the hands of high-minded amateurs who played for pride and honor, or pros who at the time carried the stigma that playing for money compromised their golfing integrity?

In this 2nd effort, Frost clearly refines his style by eliminating much of the characters' internal and external "filler" dialogue, and the result is a book with better momentum and few if any question marks on accuracy. Not coincidentally, "The Match" is about 1/2 the page count of "Greastest Game."

In any case, both of these books are clearly "can't miss" and go together like Godfather's I & II.

I found this incredible interview regarding how the game of Golf has changed over the years. You wouldn't believe the evolution! If you have any interest in the history of Golf, this is a must read. If you want to become even more knowledgeable on the subject, scroll to the bottom of the interview and get in touch with the author. After reading, I guarantee you will be able to lead the most interesting discussions and impress your friends!

http://www.golfclubatlas.com/interviewroden.html

I loved the movie so I thought I'd try the book. I was not disappointed. In fact, I believe a second movie based on this book, focussing on the early career and post "Greatest Game" highlights of Harry Vardon, would produce an excellent movie, as well.

My older brother recently retired. My gifts to him were a Caribbean Cruise and a copy of this book to read as he suns on the deck of the cruise ship. When presented with both (gifts), he noted that he too had seen the movie and seemed just as excited to have received a copy of the book, as he was the cruise.

This is a terrific book and I'm not even a golfer. I didn't care much for the movie; a buddy of mine recommended reading the book and WOW, it's so much better. I'm not sure who wrote the movie but Frost does a great job of telling the story and holding on to your interest. I loved the biographical background and personality insights he offers. He's a terrific writer.

Great detail is setting the stage of how society viewed golf and its champions and how this tournament took that to the next level in popularity. Gives great detail intothe lives of Vardon, Ray, Francis and even Walter Hagen at the beginning of his career. Great for anyone who loves the history of golf and a good old fashion underdog story.

This is an amazing and easy to use book that gives the experience of taking a workshop on how to sit, stand, bend sleep and walk correctly. It is beautifully written, has wonderful pictures and is a clear guide to a healthier way of living with your body. It requires some time and motivation but if you have that this book can help you to rethink all your movements. I am a Tai Chi Instructor and an ESL teacher. This book, and I've only had it for two weeks, has changed the way I walk, sit, stand and sleep. I am even changing some basic things in my Tai Chi set. I feel fortunate to have this book. I took one lesson with Esther in person and it helped tremendously, but only because I had studied her book so carefully before I went to see her. My presenting problem is pain in the heel of my right foot. I am very encouraged by all the exercises she presents as well as the new way to walk. Everything that is presented is not strenuous or complicated. It just takes practice. Ester's book provides a great service to modern man.

8 Steps to a Pain-Free Back: Natural Posture Solutions for Pain in the Back, Neck, Shoulder, Hip, Knee, and Foot (Remember When It Didn't Hurt)

Esther Gokhale uses ancient methods to treat a modern problem. Especially for people who spend a lot of time on the computer, back pain is a wide-spread problem. Esther's solution focuses on posture, taking cues from cultures that never experienced back pain. I first learned about her work when she exhibited her photographs of women in Africa, India, and elsewhere with the "right" posture in a gallery in Palo Alto. Her approach is unique and widely endorsed by orthopedic experts.

After reading this book and employing the techniques I am stronger, straighter, and healthier. If I start to experience back twinges I can track them to my poor posture (long airplane rides, sitting in overstuffed chairs, being in a hurry when I walk/hike and forgetting to pay attention to my shoulder & spine position, etc.). When I make a correction with the techniques described in this book, my pain disappears. Overall, it took less time than I would have thought to shift into good posture habits. The effect is very reinforcing and there is something intuitive about standing and sitting properly. It's as though my body takes over and remembers how it is supposed to be used.

This is an excellent book for learning how to avoid and alleviate chronic body pain, including back, neck, and knee pain. Gokhale's methods are based on scientific principles and anthropological studies -- and clearly a lot of research. The book provides a detailed description of ideal posture and gives in-depth instructions on proper techniques for standing, sitting, walking, bending, and sleeping to avoid pain. Exercises and stretches to facilitate the methods are included. The explanations are clear and concise and supplemented with numerous excellent photos and illustrations. I found Gokhale's teachings easy to follow and, most importantly, have been able to easily and consciously incorporate them into my daily life. These methods work! The book is beautifully presented and a joy to read. I highly recommend this book.

I think the book is based on solid theory, but it is very difficult to explain, even with numerous pictures, the proper postures in a book. This book is based on a hands-on class. It is like reading instructions on how to ride a bicycle.

great book! would buy if you never ran or walked or crawled a marathon

I finished this book the day after it arrived. So funny, so inspiring. This author freely admits that she was committed to laziness and yet finished a marathon. (albeit in pain!) This is truly more of a memoir than a training manual, but it should inspire you to get off your butt! Even if you have no intention of ever running a marathon, this book will convince you to set a goal and accomplish something that seems impossible. A truly enjoyable read.

Dawn Dais is hilarious! Get this book if you are even considering taking up running or starting a training routine for any length of race. It is more of a light read than a manual, but at the same time I find myself referring back to specific things in the book.

Perfect for any woman considering (or having committed to) the daunting task of moving your rear off the couch and on to the track! So funny, so honest, so motivational and realistic everyone who reads this book will finish it just as I did, totally inspired and ready to start the journey! I've already purchased my Water-Holder Butt Thingy and modeled it to the laughter of my family... Thanks Dawn for showing me I can actually do this!

I read the 10th spandex joke. Geez, the jokes were funny at first but by the time I made it not even halfway through the book they were SO annoying. She kept repeating the same things and about how much she HATES running. Enough already. I do not get the point of writing a running book if you hate running so much. I have run marathons before so I guess it is my fault for reading a non-runner's marathon book.
I just wanted something motivating to read. I did not realize she hated running though. I want to read Chipper Jen's journal. Now that would help me!
Yes, this book is definitely for beginner marathoners BUT definitely join a running group for your marathon training. My training schedules were completely different than the one's in her book so I do not care for those either. Jumping from week 5 at 60 mins to week 6 at 90 minutes is almost a 3 mile jump. How can that be right? For a newbie no less?
If you join a marathon training group for the first time and read this book you will probably find many similarities and enjoy the book.
OR if you HATE running and are running a marathon (which is pure stupidity to me--why torture yourself if you do not like running????) this book would be perfect for you.
For seasoned marathoners you might find the jokes stupid and annoying after awhile..

I started reading this book on a monday morning and finished it that night. I couldnt stop reading and Darcy Frey kept me at the edge of my seat. I couldnt wait to see what would happen to the three other players featured in this book besides Stephon Marbury. I recommend this book to ANY basketball fan or anyone intrested in the struggles of lower income neighborhoods.

This book was set in the early 90's in one of New York City's worst neighborhoods. The story is of the struggle that 3 friends (plus one genuine jerk) under go in their individual pursuits of college scholarships. The things that they see and experience are still the same type of challenges that face today's urban learners. I give Darvy Frey credit for bringing us in to their world in a way that very few authors can pull off. If you are considering buying this book do so you will not be dissapointed.

Coney Island the basketball playground of America is the setting for the Last Shot: City Streets and Basketball Dreams. 4 stories of H.S. basketball players who goto Abraham Lincoln H.S. and play for the might basketball team the Railsplitters (What a cool name). I mainly bought this book because Stephon Marbury is featured as one of the four people in it. I myself grew up in Brighton Beach one town away from Coney Island so I know how life is... This book is true and real and I recommend this book to any sports fan or anyone who is looking for a real treat.

A classic piece of sports writing, but for everyone. The author is a writer for the New York Times Magazine. In this book he writes about the lives of some high school basketball players/high school students (in that order).

Like the other posters have noted, it's not just for basketball freaks. It's a well written story about some kids in the 90's who live in the projects in Brooklyn, Coney Island for the most part, and how much basketball means to them. In the book it seems like basketball is their only path to success. But they are up against the recruiters, hustlers and the SATS (which they need to get a 700 on but that's just out of reach for most).

You get to meet the student athletes, Russell, Corey, Tchak, and Stephon, their parents, coaches, recruiters, local prophets, etc, and the author treats them all with a level of respect the New York Times Magazine accords the suit wearing sharks.

If you get this book, you won't have to read long before you're committed to reading the whole thing. It's a very rare book indeed that leaves me wanting more. I would have loved to read a sequel. Alas, we only get an afterward, but the story had to end somewhere and the afterward was, well, quite the shock.

If you like hoops you would love this story. Darcey frey the author who's also a sports writter follows the life of three young men who's dream is to become professional basketball players.Living in the Coney Island section of Brooklyn these three men are faced with durgs violence, and everything you see on the streets of Brooklyn. A very inspirational story, and a indepth look on the career of Stephon Marbury.This is a book you would want to share with a friend.

Pat Summits insights and coaching knowledge is the best. Better yet is her ability to tell a story. Great reading. Must read for all coaches.

Coach Summit is without a doubt the absolute best college basketball coach-male or female ever. And she doesn't even have to throw chairs. My hat's off to her and her program. Talk about integrity, work ethic and understanding of the game. Her book shines as a testament to her abilities. You have a lot to learn, Geno.

"Raise the Roof", along with "Reach for the Summitt", is a must read for anyone with an interest in collegiate sports, particularly women's basketball. It gives you an insight into the world of Lady Vol basketball and a deeper appreciation of why the Lady Vols phenomenon is more than just a team or a basketball program. It gives you an awareness of why Lady Vol basketball is more aptly described as a tradition. It also gives you a feel for why in Pat Summitt's world losing is rare, unacceptable, and necessary, all at the same time. The book is a testament to why her players adore her and why they choose the Tennessee way and tradition rather than play elsewhere. Candace Parker, arguably the best player to date to wear the orange, remarked recently, "I came to Tennessee because I was one of those people lining the court [for an autograph as a 7th grader] to see coach Summitt and the Lady Vols [during a Depaul-Tennessee game]... To be a fan of women's basketball is to be a fan of Tennessee. And that's a responsibility that we have to represent our school. It's something we don't take for granted." You get to feel why every loss by the Lady Vols is a grief session. You get to feel why Chamiqua Holdsclaw, arguably Tennessee all-time most prolific scorer, wept inconsolably after a loss in her last game in the orange. The book is also a monument to what one woman from a humble beginning with an unwavering passion to succeed has helped to guide a generation of women to excel as individuals while ultimately doing, in the Tennessee way, that which is for the greater good of the team and by extension preserve the Tennessee tradition. You will come away with a sense of why Pat Summitt is the ultimate motivator in women's basketball today.

Raise the roof is very good. i have read the book so many times that the front is about to come off. I love coach summitt and the lady vols. This is a book that i would like to be buried with. The stories are great and the season was the best i ever saw. GO LADY VOLS!!!!

Loved it! Loved it! Loved it! Pat Summitt is genuine, frank, and honest in her emotions and actions toward her life, her teams, and her family. What a ride!

I started training for my first triathlon in April (completed it in August) and I am still 30 lbs over my goal weight. I am so glad I didn't wait until my body was 'perfect' before taking the plunge. This book is the user guide for anyone wanting to do the same thing. It takes the perspective of the healthy curved woman, not the stick thing mega jock. The author is inspiring and hilarious! I highly recommend this book to any woman doing a tri for the first time, especially if you are bigger than the typical super thin endurance athlete

I loved this book. I had a hard time putting it down. It offers inspiration to all of us who are fat and slow or just new to triathlon, and want to compete. I bought this one and Triathlon Training in 4 Hrs. a week. They go well together.

I love this book!!! It's great for unsure beginners!! The author really helps you with even the smallest details you need to know. I was so afraid to enter the tri world b/c I thought it was so elite but the author made me realize that ANYONE can do it and so can you!! Buy this book if you are new to triathlons and unsure of yourself. You will feel like a winner even before you race!!

Great book. Couldn't put it down- its not really a training book but a "calm your nerves, here is what it is really like" if you are slow, fat and want to be a triathlete. Of course, it works too if your not a slow fat triathlete as well.

This is a solid book written for the tri newbie or anyone interested in learning more about the sport. Don't buy this book if you're looking for a training manual or trying to figure out what you need to do to get prepared for your first race. It's a solid book to kick you in the rear and lead you to that next step if you can get past all the cliches & attempts at humor. The Triathlete's Training Bible is a "must read" if you're serious about putting together a plan of attack.

This book not only contains all you need to know about running but also goes into great medical and scientific details. Dr. Tim Noakes is a true schollar of sports science and had managed to blend the experience of many elite athletes together with medical research and scientific fact into a compact journal - the true Runners Bible!

I bought this book because I'm told it has everything about running. It does, but, as a beginner, it's not what I was looking for. It doesn't advise so much as educate. I can now tell you all about pronation and the history of waffle treads, but I'm still not sure what my next pair of shoes should be.

Excellent and thorough book though. I've read much of it.

This is a broad, sweeping view of running, primarily from the marathon and up. Noakes covers history, physiology, current runners, ethnographic issues, and several other topics. It is very readable and each chapter is well edited, so that it can stand alone.

Noakes own views also comes through - over-training did in Bedford and Hill. My only comment is that over-training does in every runner, but perhaps this is the cost of burning brighter rahter than longer.

There are several other subjects that can be lumped into all the other various purveyors of training thought - Hadd, Lydiard, Daniels, Canova. They are all directly or indirectly addressed here.

This is the ONLY comprehensive text touching on virtually the entire spectrum of issues surrounding running which I have found. Noakes has his opinions, but this in no way detracts from this fine read.

VERY detailed and explains WHY certain training recommendations are made. I'm a physician and was surprised how technical this book was. If you are not scientifically minded, this is still a great reference, but do not plan to read this cover to cover unless you took a lot of biology in college. I have used this book for help with an injury and the recommendations and explanations seem very sound. If you are merely looking for training schedules, there are other places to find them, but this book has a wide variety of "formulas" for race preparation. For serious runners, this book is a bargain. Probably cheaper and more useful than any running shoes or other equipment you are putting on your wish list.

Noakes's book on the "Lore of Running" covers just about everything, from what happens inside your muscles to training plans for various races, from biographies of great runners to how to stretch. Noakes seems to be writing both for the runner who wants a deeper understanding of the sport, and for the runner's trainer.

Despite the specialized nature of some of the subject matter, Noakes's writing is quite readable. If you like endurance reading and endurance running, treat yourself to this book.

I love this book. It's like having a personal swimming coach in my gear bag. I'm a novice lap swimmer who wants to improve my skills in order to use swimming as my primary means of exercise, so I have found Part II ("Swimming the Right Way") to be extremely helpful. The emphasis on posture and balance in Chapter 4 has been particularly enlightening for me.

I am looking forward to starting the various workouts. The workouts are categorized into 6 levels, ranging from "Basic Skills Workouts" to "High-Intensity Workouts."

There are 60 workouts, 10 for each level:
Level 1: Basic Skills Workouts
Level 2: Skill Development Workouts
Level 3: Full-Stroke Swimming Workouts
Level 4: Lactate Threshold Workouts
Level 5: Speed Workouts
Level 6: High-Intensity Workouts

Part IV of the book is entitled "Training Over the Long Haul." Chapter 14 puts it all together in terms of scheduling your workouts with recommendations for swimming programs (for example: Level 1, workout 1 on Sunday; Level 1, workout 2 on Tuesday; etc.). These sample programs/schedules are presented in an easy-to-read chart form that you can jot down in your training notebook and adjust to fit your week.

Coach Hines writes in a conversational style, and the book contains many helpful illustrations. I have no doubt that incorporating this book into your swimming program will reap huge benefits for a swimmer at any skill level.

I am a semi novice swimmer, I found very important information on this book, and for the contents I think it has a lot of interesting info for advance swimmer. I would hightly recommend it.

Swimming is such a technique oriented sport and it is almost impossible to hone your technique without a coach. I have been fortunate to have been coached by Emmett for the past seven years and I find something to work on at each practice. This is an excellent book for swimmers who have the discipline to coach themselves. The second part, Swimming the Right Way describes the techniques to streamline your body and maximize your power. By integrating this technical information with the workouts in part three you can ultimately translate theory into body memory. This takes some discipline and the rewards will be worth it. All you need to swim like a fish is in here. Just do it.

I grew up swimming competitively. I was introduced to Emmett in my early thirties and began attending his master classes a few years ago. Emmett is a fabulous communicator, and the concepts that he teaches completely revolutionized my swimming. I am now able to swim longer, faster, and with much less energy than ever before. Just recently, I placed second in my age group in a 2.4 mile swim in Austin, TX, and it was Emmett's training that took me the entire way.

I was at first skeptical that a book format of these concepts would be possible or as good as swimming with him personally, but this book completely blew that notion out of the water (so to speak). As I read the text and studied the diagrams, I was completely impressed with his abilities to communicate via the written word. It is an easy read, and the ideas are explained clearly and woven together beautifully. Studying this book, applying the concepts, and following the workouts will take you from complete novice highly skilled and efficient swimmer. I keep a copy of it on my nightstand, and it will probably remain there for many years to come. This book is a must read for anyone who thinks he might be interested in learning to swim or improving their already advanced swimming skills.

I really enjoyed reading this book and wanted to take the time to reivew it. I am an experienced swimmer, swimming for many years, coaching age group and master's teams over the years. I have also taught swimming at many levels. I tried to look at this book from the eyes of a beginner and found it very helpful. The book covered such topics as how to pick out a suit and goggles all the way to pool etiquette. How glad I am that Emmett covered that! As an experienced swimmer I found the workout information invaluable. The workouts are very good and I found the workout schedule or cycle very apppicable to my level of swimming. The more competitive swim cycle or season information helped me map out a plan for the coming year. So I can confidently recommend this book to the beginning swimmer and the more competitive swimmer.