Athletics Books

Kindle Version only: I ended up buying this book in print after I found that many of the charts were impossible to read on the Kindle. This is just one of the reasons I have been disappointed with the Kindle.

I have read some running books. This one provides more general information. If you are a novice trying to improve, this book is highly recommended. It also includes the official NYC marathon guide.

This book has an extensive amount of information, race charts, pacing charts, training guides for runners of various levels and for various events (5K, 10K, half-marathon and marathon). Special chapters on marathon recovery, mental aspects of running, racing strategy, and so on. I've had this book for over a year and find myself turning back to it again and again. Well organized and easy to flip through and find the information that I need (sometimes with the use of the very handy index).

I absolutely loved this book. After reading it I felt that I was far more prepared to both physically and mentally take on a marathon. I highly recommend this book to anyone that is starting to run and wants to get ready for any length of race.

Be aware that this is not a comprehensive guide, you should look elsewhere for information on nutrition or lifting. But if you are looking for a solid running guide, this is the right book for.

When I bought this book I was just starting to run longer distances and hadn't been in any races, so I wasn't the target audience. If you are like me. you'll be a little unsure what your 10K pace is, for example, because you may never have run one. But if you think you're going to be in races and care about your time, I would suggest that this book is worth buying and reading even if those are still in your future.

The book is also kind of old-fashioned, based on what I've picked up elsewhere. It focuses on total weekly mileage more than seems to be in fashion these days, for example, and that approach may not work for those like me who are getting into this at an older age (I'm 46). It also talks about calling race organizers on the phone rather than looking at the race's website, which seems kind of quaint in 2007.

What's really good about it is that it covers so much. It gave me a lot of good tips for little things to remember before my first race (the San Francisco Half Marathon). It gives guidance for many different lengths of races. It talks about injuries and other issues that may come up. It even talks about balancing running with the rest of your life.

With a good update this would be a 5 star book, and even as it is, it's well worth your time.

The seller described the book accurately except for the smell. Someone at some point in time had marked out something on the inside cover with one of those industrial-strength black permanent markers (the ones that are one step above a Sharpie). It stank to high heaven. I had to get a razor blade and cut a rectangle of the paperback cover out because the smell was so bad. But otherwise the book was in fine condition.

A friend at work recommended this book and I have already learned so much from it. It is just a terrific resource from a novice to a more advanced runner. highly recommended, an easy read.

I was very disappointed with this book. The information was outdated and the section on women's running was inaccurate.

Great stuff - a workable, practical guide that will suit beginners and seasoned runners alike. A really worthwhile purchase and I'd recommend it to anyone who wants to improve their running experience and remain injury-free.

Love Jeff Galloway's approach to training injury free. This book is great for all levels of running. I refer to it often.

Whether you're a football fan or not, John Feinstein's story about the 1995 season and the history and tradition of the Army and Navy rivalry is a good one. After reading it, I could not help but feel a sense of pride and respect for all the fine men and women who serve our country. Having been to an Airforce/Army game, I can vouch for the excitement of watching the Black Knights play at West Point. During the game, I had a chance to chat with an Army football fan. I vividly remember him telling me that "If you think this is exciting, you should see this place during an Army/Navy game! Thanks to this book, I now have a better sense of understanding and newfound appreciation for the importance of this particular game. I will definitely be tuned in for this year's broadcasting of the event. As for this book, it is a definite must-read!

This book takes its place as one of John Feinsten's best books, along with a book about basketball in the Patriot League (The Last Amateurs) and two golfing books (A Good Walk Spoiled and The Majors). In all of these books, he takes the reader through a season with the athletes, giving fascinating insights into "their world". Feinsten seems to have empathy for athletes who are not in big-time programs, and it shows in his writing.

I found the descriptions of life and academics in the service academies to be fascinating. It is amazing how the regular students and the players live and practice, compared to students and athletes at most other colleges. And when they're done, they serve in the military for 4 or 5 more years. When you see what these players go through for the chance to play I-A football, it makes the argument for paying major college players - besides providing them a free education, meals, housing, and tutoring - seem lame.

Army-Navy is certainly an under-appreciated game. At least it has been by me. I love college football. Not only that, I have an uncle who went to West Point and another uncle who went to Annapolis and I *still* didn't care about this game!

It is because I just didn't know.

I am not a big John Feinstein fan in general. I like his writing best when he is just covering facts. If he tries to think, he gets in trouble. He is sometimes not a particularly sharp guy: "Tom Cruise in Top Gun was the greatest recruiter Air Force had. Come to Air Force, fly superfast jets, and hang out with Kelly McGillis when you're on the ground"

Then he further alienates those hands that fed him as he did the book with the moronic and trite "John Graves got the most oxymoronic assignment the army can offer: miltary intelligence"

Turn-offs, to be sure, but not material to the subject at hand. I also respect the chances Feinstein takes when he commits to following a team, knowing that at the end of the day (or the season) it's possible that nothing "magical" actually happens.

In this case, the magic is throughout, and the whole endeavor adds up to one big inspiration. I can't wait to see the Army-Navy game this fall.

I picked up this book at a library sale, and I was prepared to dislike it because John Feinstein is such a pretentious boob. I've tried to fight my way through his tedious basketball books about Duke Univ., Bobby Knight, etc., and I figured this was more of the same. I realize that Feinstein has a special ability to get sports figures to share off-field stories about their histories, hopes and dreams. Most sports figures are self-absorbed fools, and they wouldn't be worth spending the day with. Feinstein somehow brings out the best of what they have to offer. Yet, usually the people are so despicable that you don't care anyway.

This book is different. The anecdotes shine because the people are really challenged in multiple arenas -- on the field, in the classroom, and perhaps someday in battle. The fate that they face gives this book a gravitas that's absent from Feinstein's books about guys with hoop dreams or golf visions.

Be warned, however, that the book is repetitive, as if Feinstein thinks that his readers are too stupid to remember something he wrote earlier in the book.

I really enjoyed reading this book. It was a magnificant journey through the 1995 season with 2 of the most prestigious football programs in the country. We get a first hand view of what it is like to go to a military school first of all, but to also play football while at that military school. We also get a glimpse of what it was like when the 2 programs were in their hayday and people actually wanted to play at these schools. There was once a time where they dominated and all of the great players went to the military academies. Today, with high salaries and mandatory service, it is unlikely for an all american to attend one of these schools. The cadets know that the end of their football career comes with the end of their college schooling, and that makes the losses hurt that much more. Follow the players through their push through the season against some of the nation's powerhouses. You won't be sorry.

I've had this book since it came out and I am still recommending it to people. The work-outs can be adjusted for different fitness levels but they will take you as far as you want to go. You can't really outgrow this book.
I like the way it is broken up into phases- strength, cardio- this is better than doing the same mix throughout the year. Stretching and flexibility are not forgotten either.
My beginner friends liked the introduction to pyramiding reps (a good trick to increase puul-up/push-up reps)and the fact that you don't need to be in a gym every day. Quite a lot can be done outdoors or at home.

I run across very few other work out schedules that can be used for such a range of fitness levels. It isn't gimicky or sport specific, it's for all around fitness.

The workout plans in this book are incredible. I am not too far into the first 13 week workout plan but I can definitely see that you have no choice but to get in shape if you follow the workouts the best you can. I will definitely look into Stew Smith's other workout books.

This is a great book with workouts which definitely do challenge you. The program uses a broad range of different exercises to help you become fit, as well as a good stretching routine to help you become more flexible. It also features a section on nutrition as well, to help you orient your eating habits to acheive your fitness goals.

It features workout charts which are set up to give you a routine to follow which switches every couple of weeks, so you don't get bored with your workout. The program is a year-round program, and the workout charts are set up accordingly, so you know what you are supposed to be doing on which days.

The reason I gave it a 4-star rating was for two reasons. (1) The workout charts seem as though they weren't edited very well, and can sometimes be confusing. (2) People with very hectic schedules might find it hard to fit this workout into their lives. The book does provide a few faster workouts, in case you're traveling and need something on the go which will still push you; however, I think this book was written for people who are serious about getting fit and are committed to dedicating time to get there.

Don't be fooled by the title. This book is a great all-around fitness manual. Anyone entering the Army will want to check out this program.

This book covers everything,weights,cardio,flexibility,cycling and combat conditioning.If you want a book that covers all around fitness written by a guy that "knows a thing or two" about fitness,you won't be disappointed.Mr. Smith takes the best of all workouts and puts it into one book.Maximum Fitness should be in everyone's fitness library.

It's obvious that this book is cobbled together from drafts of several authors with different writing styles which isn't all that annoying in itself. However, the chronic repetition of the same information is. That said it's still worth finishing the read. It's certainly a sad indictment on the media industry and justice system in the USA.

Even though I had followed the case at the time, I still read this in two nights flat - it's that good. This is an important book, heck it's an important story, particularly for "white people". I write that with hesitation, but heck that's the truth. How come "white" has almost become a term of abuse? "White boy" certainly has. And that's just it. They only reason this tall tale, this ridiculous hoax, went this far, affected so many lives, pushed so many people to the edge of their existence (could you post a $400, 000 bond for your son, whilst your wife is having a nervous breakdown) is that these were "white boys". Thus it was open season. Read with horror as these boys, because of making one mistake, one error of judgement, inviting a stripper to perform a private function in their home, lost their coach, their season, their house (many slept in their cars), were hounded off campus or formally expelled, threatened both verbally and by mail - all this after fully cooperating with the police, turning over all the physical evidence in their house without question, voluntarily took DNA tests - and it still took months and months, hundreds of thousands of dollars, perhaps millions (the lawyer fees of the indicted three estimated at $100,000 a month), an extraordinary display of loyalty and togetherness between their teamates, their relatives and neighbors and some great lawyers (their lawyers are to me, all heroes - one, Kirk Osborn, sadly died of a heart attack during the ordeal) to finally shake off the blatantly false allegation of a mentally unstable criminal supported by a madman whose daytime job was District Attorney. So we both cheer when they are finally vindicated by then wonder - is America crazy right now or what? What is this war on "white men" by the feminists, the race hustlers, the homosexuals, the Latinos and everybody else. I remember reading a post on a blog after this arose from a white male: "All the more reason just to keep your head down, get your sh** done in the daytime, and retire for the evening behind a locked door" - this is the reality for countless "privileged white males" in many parts of America today.

I couldn't recommend this book highly enough. If you have teenage sons or daughters preparing to go to college, they need to read this book.

This is a real page turner of a book. I was familiar with the work of Don Yaeger since he used to write for Sports Illustrated. He does not disappoint! I thought I knew the story but I wasn't even close to knowing the full story. He really brings it home and you feel like you know the person he writes about.

Mike Pressler, the coach who lost his job, gives a first person account of the events that took place and is fascinating. You will enjoy this book, trust me!! GO DUKE!

Gerard Zemek (husband of author of "My Funny Dad, Harry")

Exceedingly well written book. I have not stopped talking about it. This is not just a simple story of a high profile case. It focuses on how innocent people were directly affected in their every day lives by scandalous lies. The media never revealed this side of the story. It's unimaginable how this horrific mess could've happened. You can't stop but think what you would do had this happened to you. I was paralyzed reading what these people went through. You will truly be shocked, in disbelief to no end. I commend all the people who courageously stuck by and weathered the storm with all those who were unfortuneatly (directly and indirectly) involved. How utterly defiant, inexplicably brave. It just goes to show you the truth will always prevail. "It's Not About the Truth: The Untold Story of the Duke Lacrosse Case and the Lives It Shattered", is inspirationally AMAZING!!!

Coach Mike Pressler knows better than most of us how it feels to be in the center of a raging inferno of politically correct rage--where truth and justice have no place.

In 2006, he was abruptly fired from his job as coach of Duke University's lacrosse team after three of his players were accused by a demented black female stripper of gang rape. These charges fed perfectly into a fanatically obsessed scenario found at most universities of white male treachery, black victomhood and feminist paranoia.

Duke President Richard Brodhead, his motor-mouth assistant, John Burness and board chairman, Bob Steele, quickly jumped on the politically correct bandwagon and let the public know that they were throwing the players into the raging inferno.

The administration refused to look at any of the exonerating proof of innocence of the accused that was continually offered to them by the defense attorneys.

The administration instead threw its support behind the psychopathic District Attorney Mike Nifong who knew early on that the rape charges were a hoax. The stripper, Crystal Mangum, had made the identical charges three years before against another group of men, but these, too, proved to be false.

The raging storm against the trio of young men grew stronger when the usual anti-white racists came out of the woodwork. Like the NC Chapter of the NAACP, the New Black Panthers Party, the local Pot Bangers group, made up of left-wing faculty and students. Racial arsonists like Al Sharpton and Jesse Jackson flew down to Durham, NC, to scream about white racist rapists and poor defenseless black women.

This reminded many of us ironically that Al Sharpton engineered an identical hoax in l986 when he spent a year pushing the notorious Tawana Brawley rape hoax in New York state. She accused a gang of white men of raping her. A grand jury said the charges were totally fabricated but in the meantime, Sharpton and Jackson had destroyed lives right and left. Brawley was never charged for her crimes. Sharpton received a slap on the wrist and has never apologized.

The authors reveal how corrupt members of the Durham police department, the district attorneys office, judges and many members of the black community of the city pushed their goal of railroading the trio of boys into prison for life. To hell with the truth.

The media coverage was so vicious, especially the New York Times, that it often felt as if all the news reports were being written by Mike Nifong and Al Sharpton.

At Duke, a gang of 88 faculty members (or a gang of 88 bigots) took out a full-page ad praising the protestors and urging them to "turn up the volume." Many of the teachers had lacrosse players in their classes and openly taunted them into admitting their guilt. None of the teachers ever apologized for their actions. Many were actually promoted, along with black activist students who had sent threatening e-mail to Coach Pressler.
President Brodhead was just recently lavishly praised by his board of directors for his handling of the rape hoax--and for for his unwavering support of the demented Mike Nifong.

When Pressler begged the administration to wait for the truth to come out before firing him and cancelling any appearances of the lacrosse team for a whole year, Duke's Athletic director, Joe Alleva told Pressler: "It's not about the truth." In those four words, you have revealed the heart of the people heading Duke University. And of all the other criminals who passionately pursued imprisonment for life for three young men who just happened to be white.

This is a very good inspirational book about an underdog inner city basketball team rising up to be the best, coached by Bob Hurley--best high school coach in small, broken down parochial school. Kids all had problems and he taught character and perseverance as well as basketball. It's tells how the coach motivated and taught his players. Parts moved a bit slow but it's definitely worth your time reading this one!

Coaching (and teaching) tips I got out of it included the following:

*Always keep the bar high and require respect.
*Never let anyone slide--keep on them all the time.
*Coach all the players, not just the best.
*Make kids earn your respect and ignore them until they do.
*Give everyone a role--even those on the bench.
*Use drastic measures (wrestling practice) to punish sloppy playing.
*Use the drastic measure practice for motivating in the future.
*Let the players experience the glory, keep low profile as coach.
*Help players make good decisions concerning their futures.

Karen Arlettaz Zemek, author of "My Funny Dad, Harry"

What a great, inspirational book. On top of that, it was only $5 when I purchased it, so you can't go wrong there. If you enjoy basketball, I strongly suggest you read this book!

I read this a few years back and I really enjoyed it. I have always found books about geniuses within their little realm fascinating. Bob Hurley's success is not attributed to a new revolutionary school of coaching thought, but rather basic hard work, discipline and commitment.

Despite its small enrollment, St. Anthony's teams have been pretty stacked over the years. That is why I always thought the St. Anthony's mystique (i.e. Poor little Catholic school in Jersey City) was overblown a bit. Give anyone an MacDonald all-american and a couple of All-NYC type players and you'll have success at the HS level. But this particular season, the players at St. Anthony's were something a bit less. Good players, certainly, but not the highly recruited types that usually populate the top HS Programs in the country. Hurley guiding this ragtag bunch of ballers to the heights of success says alot about the guys ability to coach and motivate. Its a great story that would have been something less if it chronicled one of the other St. Anthony's seasons.

Indeed, Hurley is a tough coach that borders on verbally absuive. But in this day and age of coddled athletes, he's refreshing. He's unambigious about what his expectations are and kids respond to his style. He's not a mean, cruel guy he just wants to get the most out of his players.

It would be a good read for coaches of youngsters through teenagers.

If you're a coach this is for you. If you're a sports fan this is for you. I loved it so much I bought a book for my entire coaching staff. And we are a hockey team! There are a lot lessons and values that Coach Hurley teaches. More importantly it's about life. He never let up on these kids and pushed them to success. Challenged them to succeed. At that age level they need guidance, they need someone to sponsor them. Then its up to them to follow the path Coach Hurley gives them. It's amazing how a time tested path still can't lead some kids. It's a struggle between the kids backgrounds and the future they can have
Wow what a great book. What I liked is that these kids are now in college so we can follow their careers.
The one player that sticks out to me is Sean McCready. Great talent, bad guidance (family). Now he is sitting out the 2008 season because he transferred. Coach Hurley was right!

I also loved the fact that he sweeps the floor. That's his time, and we all need our own time. But coach is dedicated to a school that is struggling. There is no way a school like this should be on the verge of bankruptcy. Coach could leave and make millions, but he doesn't. Because if he does the school will close.
BUY THE BOOK

Adrian Wojnarowski's "The Miracle of St. Anthony: A Season with Coach Bob Hurley and Basketball's Most Improbable Dynasty" is one of the best sports and leadership books I have read this past year.

St. Anthony's is a private Catholic High School in Jersey City, NJ, with 230 students (120 boys). Students come from an area where 16% pass the HS proficiency test and where the local drug-infested, back-sliding culture has a hold on the kids. Despite its size and location, St. Anthony's basketball teams have gone undefeated four times, have won two USA Today national titles, and 24 New Jersey Parochial state championships. The basketball program has developed 200 college players, including 5 who went on to the National Basketball Association.

St. Anthony's is a special and safe place under Srs. Felicia and Alan and legendary Coach, Bob Hurley - the streets stop here. Their focus in athletics and academics has been to help kids get to the finish line. They share a collective value that there is no shortcut to success.

While Sister Felicia and Sister Alan play prominent roles in the success of St. Anthony's, "The Miracle of St. Anthony" is mostly about Bob Hurley and the class of 2004 - the most athletically and socially underachieving team in St. Anthony's history. Yet, under Hurley's coaching leadership, the team went undefeated, winning the NJ State Championship and was named by USA Today as the top high school team of the year.

Hurley struggles with the problems of the inner city and sees the potential in these kids that they do not see in themselves. He has always been a disciple of John Wooden... fundamentals, well-conditioned, team play, and defense...and he has always been a no-nonsense driver.

He creates an expectation of performance and accountability that the kids will not find anywhere else in their lives, and helps them out the door to life with values and a voice to become the best they can. And despite his daunting ways, the kids respect Hurley and when returning after graduation, they always come home to the warm embrace of family. The relationship changes from tough task master to a friend.

"St. Anthony's" covers the entire basketball year from pre-season preparations to the championship game. Wojnarowski provides the ups and downs of the season - injuries, players leaving the team, tough wins, and all the key relationships that makes St. Anthony's the special place it is.

This is a great read for anyone interested in coaching, leadership, and basketball.

Training Plans for Multisport Athletes: Your Essential Guide to Triathlon, Duathlon, XTERRA, Ironman, and Endurance Racing
This is an awesome book! It's exactly what I have been looking for. The training schedules are easy to follow. It also has all the information one would need regarding fueling etc. I love it! Denise, Vernon, B.C. Canada

This book has everything for the multi-sport athlete. I like how this book could help a person grow from a sprint to ironman triathlete. I have used this book to help make plans for friends who want to do duathlons and for myself to prepare for a series of olympic distance triathlons and one 70.3. I found her workout plans are a great guide post to building an individualized plan (gives a good base of what and how much I should be doing). If schedules permit, her workouts straight out of the book are wonderful! I really like how the workouts are rated not just by time, but by effort and I notice a steady build with more or less recovery weeks every 3-4 weeks---just like I've read a person should do to train. This has become my personal traithlon training bible complete with sticky-note tabs all through it for quick reference. I don't know how I ever prepared for a multisport without it!

This is a wonderful book for triathletes of all levels. Gale is both a gifted athlete and a talented writer. She presents the facts without getting overly complicated or high tech. She acknowledges the need for super effective time management without "dumbing down". I have been a fan of Gale's for many years due to her column in Triathlon Life magazine. This book expands on some of the concepts in her column and spells out succinctly how you can make your own plans happen.

She comes across as approachable without talking down. Yet Gale is one of the most accomplished coaches in the country, currently getting Team USA ready for Beijing. All that said, I do believe this book is best utilized by beginners....Still, it is a wonderful resource for the tri community - grab it and use it! And, enjoy.

I have looked at many books on multisport and have found this one to apply to a wide range of athletic abilities. Whether you want to do your first sprint triathlon or an Ironman, this book provides the tools to acheive results. Since I am not sure if I will be able to get into a 1/2 ironman in 2008, the book still gives me workouts that I can use for shorter distances. The plans in the book are realistic for mortals that have families and jobs that need some attention to.

My USAT coach recommneded this book after she found out that I really wanted not only how to finish a triatlhon race, but to learn how to create any kind of multi sport program in future instead of having a coach or web page making it for me (that saved me money too!).
I finished my very first racing season based on this book program and finished in a period of 8 months: 4 sprint Tri, 1 off road tri, and 2 olimpic distance tri, with no injuries and always improving my goals and times. Not bad for a beginer!
The book is full of codes and times that will lead you into a never-bored universe of drills and new stuff that will really improve your performance while having fun. It has programs for sprints, olimpic, half and Iroman, as well as year long training plans or only for a couple of months for those that are not sure if triathlons is for them. It appears to satisfy any lifestyle and is really great for beginers. Don't know about the pros, but I really enjoyed it.
Now I can taylor my own program that fits into my life style and race type, and always look for my coach supervision and make sure I'm in the right path.
I strongly recommend it!

All in all, I think this is a really nice intro, especially if you are new to triathlons. Nice overview of all the events, and good snip-its of advice on a training program and how to balance working on all 3 sports.

Just a slight nit with the swimming section where Terry Laughlin pretty much tells you not to spend any time on developing swimming endurance or much time in the water other than to do some drills. If you are a swimmer from the start, this is ridiculous. If you are new or less comfortable with swimming, this is also ridiculous because time in the water (and a modicum of endurance) will go a long way towards giving you the comfort level you need in the swim. "Relaxing" is a great bit of advice, but you can relax even better if you've built up some endurance along with an efficient technique. At a minimum, get used to swimming your race distance in a pool (even if it's breastroke or side-stroke) and better yet, try some open water swimming if you can. Swimming is do-able, swimming right is even do-able. Don't let the negative comments in the swim section of this book discourage you. Do the drills, but don't be afraid to follow them up with a little swimming!

If you have significant experience in any one of the sports, it may be of less use, but overall a very good basic resource. It has some training tables, offers insights into the difference between races with different lengths. I liked the explanation of triathlon rules and essential gear required.

I found this book to be very informative. The workout suggestions have been helpful especially the swim drills. I highly recommend this book for the tri newby.

This was the first book on Triathlon racing and training that I bought - several years ago. Its a well-written introduction to the sport and to training. An easy read, it covers all the basics - swim technique, biking mileage and the ever popular run.

I think any beginner should start with this book for the sections on nutrition, staying healthy and race preparation. Some of the best advice you can get - aside from fellow triathletes - is in this book about race day prep, things to know and do, etc.

Excellent beginners books for those preparing to enter this sport. This book is just what i was looking for, given all the questions I had surrounding Triathlon training. The input given in the book on the equipment recommendations proved useful in pointing me in the right direction. A great buy.

Will Blythe has crafted a must read book with this one!I laughed through it as I recognized myself in the obsessed Carolina fan self portrait Blythe paints. It simply is the best book on Carolina basketball ever written. The one on one conversations with Coach K, Coach Smith, and even Crazy Towel Guy are all must reads. Most remarkable is the way he ties family, religion, class struggles, and basketball all into one probing question ... IS IT ALRIGHT TO HATE YOUR RIVAL LIKE THIS?

This is a must read for anyone seeking to understand the trible mindset that is sports fanaticism. Those willing to laugh at themselves will enjoy it the most.

Even Duke fans won't be able to put down this entertaining analysis of the Duke-Carolina rivalry. Find out what's behind the bad blood between the two schools.

Great book, great price, great shipping.

I actually bought this book as a Christmas present for my husband who is a big Duke fan. I am the Tar Heel fan in the family and thus you see the method in my madness. However, he started reading it on Christmas day before all the wrapping paper was cleaned up and could not put it down for hours. He did make a number of comments disagreeing with various premises of the book, but it certainly kept his attention. I've just started the book and particularly enjoy the references to the author's family (I knew his father years ago) but it does bog down a bit in detailing the games during the season. Still, for any of us who have lived in Chapel Hill and been infected with the Tar Heel "bug" it is a 'must read.'

I don't give a d*mn about Duke University
'Cause I'm from Car-o-lina!

Ah, if only the song were true. What a salutary effect it would have on my blood pressure if it were! But, like nearly every other North Carolina fan in the world, I do give a damn about Duke University. I give a damn frequently, vociferously, and ferociously. I often give quite a bit worse than a damn when the rodenty visage of Coach K appears on my television. Where does such vituperation come from? Why should a smallish Southern research university inspire such hatred in me and my fellow members of Tar Heel nation?

These are the questions that Will Blythe explores in To Hate Like This Is to Be Happy Forever, his thoroughly biased account of the UNC/Duke basketball rivalry from a fan's perspective. Blythe is clever and self-deprecating, and the book is fun to read, but I suspect that my enjoyment stemmed mainly from the fact that Blythe falls on the same side of this rivalry that I do. Blythe was born and raised in Chapel Hill, NC, and is a passionate and knowledgeable lover of Tar Heel basketball. He makes no secret of the fact that he lives and dies by Heels, and I couldn't help liking someone who shares my feelings in that regard. Blythe is also a good play-by-play writer; his accounts of specific games were gripping and suspenseful even though I remembered the results of most of them. I'm sure it doesn't hurt that the games he describes took place during Carolina's run to the national championship in March of 2005. Blythe's narrative gave me a great opportunity to relive my favorite moments of the season--Remember that torturous loss to Duke on the last possession? Remember that nerve-wracking game against Villanova in the Sweet Sixteen?--and to remember how much I miss Ray Felton, Sean May, and the other stars of the championship team.

But the book is not only about basketball. Blythe spends some time talking about his father's recent death and analyzing his relationship with his dad. He also occasionally gets sidetracked into philosophical discussions about the nature of hatred and its role in the life of the modern sports fan. Perhaps it's just the rabid fan in me, but I found these sections of the book to be less successful. I might even go so far as to say they were a bit boring. Forget your family, man, forget your philosophizing, and give me the basketball! Blythe is much more entertaining when he's indulging his hatred of Duke than when he's probing its depths.

This was a fun read, peppered with clever digs at the Duke students, players, and coaches, but I can't imagine that it would be very interesting for anyone who's not a partisan in the war between the Tar Heels and the Blue Devils. It would probably even be somewhat insufferable to that portion of the population who feel that this rivalry is already over-hyped by the media.

I'm training for my first marathon and was given this book by my cousin who has run multiple marathons. I should say that I am in college and have been distance running since I was around 13. I run for fun, not really for competition and the idea of a marathon intimidated me because it seemed like such a far leap from what I am used to.

This book provides a lot of motivation but in ways I did not expect. I didn't realize upon getting this book that it was not only targeted to first time marathoners but also to people who really don't run. I found the provided training schedules to be a bad fit for my personal fitness. The novice schedules were too slow to start, and the advanced schedules were too intense. I also come from running 6, sometimes 7, days a week so only running 4 days is a problem for me.

Ultimately, this book is a great marathon book and I really enjoyed reading it. However, I do think it is targeted to the non-runner and wish it was a little bit more advanced.

Hal Higdon is one of the first names I heard when I started running. He's a true expert in a sport that can benefit anyone-no matter who you are.

I'm a pretty slow runner, but I like this book because it's welcoming. Higdon has helped thousands of people finish their first marathon and this book is putting years of experience on paper.

It's friendly even to beginners, and presents very specific ways to train for a marathon. It's idiot-proof and very, very forgiving.

This book is also a big shot of motivation, as well! Every time you pick it up it makes you want to go for a run-work toward that goal. I'd recommend this book to anyone. Not just people who want to run marathons, either-because it gives tips helpful for any runner from nutrition to clothing to pace and keeping yourself mentally in the game.

Sat and read this book all the way through in a sitting. Lots of fantastic practical tidbits for the first time marathoner, as well as those who have not quite qualified for Boston (yet). The August injury chapter was a favorite. Those sub 3 hour folks are probably reading something else anyways. His website is also quite good. Nice job, Hal!

Tons of great tips make this reference guide a must-have for marathon runners. There are also inspirational tidbits to get you back on the track.

Hal Higdon writes well and clearly has a lot of experience to draw on. He touches on all of the main points that you need to know about when training for a marathon. I have used it in my preparation as a reference and for motiviation.
When you read the book or use it for reference, keep in mind that Higdon is just giving you his advice and opinion based on experience. It may not work for you to eat as him before a marathon or run the distances he recommends, and you may need to try something different or get advise from other sources. Said I still read in the book from time to time as he is clearly a very competent gentleman.