Athletics Books

I collect football books. As an historian, I look for books that cover the glorious tradition and history of the game. This book is perfect if you're looking for that theme. First of all, check out the cover. The cover tells the story of this book. It takes you back to a different era.

I love this book. It is one of my favorites. It covers everything and makes for a great coffee table book. I highly recommend this book if you enjoy college football.

I really enjoyed this book as the companion to the ESPN series of the same name. It's a must read for any college football fan!

An indispensable book, a real bible for all who love the american football and his history in the colleges across America.

The writer has given us a panoramic view of college football. The book covers the great coaches, teams and rivalries of the past 100 years. There are a number of wonderful photos sprinkled through the book as well. The writing touches on a number of subjects in brief articles, so don't look for any in depth stories about one particular program, coach or player. This is not a complaint, merely an observation. My only real complaint is the errors I found. Some photos misidentified players and bits of information were incorrect (minor errors, but annoying none the less). Overall, this is a great book for any college football fan.

As a fan of the country's best football conference, I highly recommend this book! Great images and the prose is solid...you really get a feel for the game. If you're an SEC freak like me check out "A Tailgater's Guide to SEC Football". It has a great history of college football in the South in there. A good read overall. Thumbs up! Roll Tide!

If you are a runner for nontrivial amount of time, you are very likely to experience some sort of injury already. I did. And I hope I could have bought and read this book before I started running.

The book covers many common forms of injuries experienced by runners, and gives several treatments you can practice in home. Even if you do see a doctor later, the book is an excellent introduction to what happens to your injury so you can coordinate with your doctor in a more helpful way.

The book is written in a very plain and easy to follow way which is a big plus for non-medical background person like me.

I recommend this book to any runner. If you just start running or plan to run, buy and read this book. You won't regret it and could avoid many possible painful results.

If you run fewer than 30 miles a week, have never uttered the words "my coach" or "my physiotherapist," have never won more than a goodie bag at a 10k... in short, if you are a committed, non-elite, non-professional runner, this book is a must.

This is not to say that professionals won't benefit - they will. But for those of us who don't receive regular training-level medical attention, the great value of this book lies in its ability to clearly distinguish nagging pains that you can often home-treat from those that - even from the first twinge - signal something more serious. Add it to your running library.

I am only a recreational runner, but this book certainly applied to me as well as the active competitor. It hleps you understand when you should see a health care practitioner, or when you might be able to alter a factor of your regimen to solve some of your own problems. Even in the event that you must see a physician, the book helps you understand the type of information you should share with your provider to be a partner in your own treatment...not to mention how to be a good consumer of healthcare. One aspect I found irritating was the authors several references to his days in Medical school. With DPM after his name, I would think he went through the rigors of a school of Podiatry rather than Medical school. It's just a semantic, but irritates me.

I find that this book has been very helpful in my running and triathlon training. The first few chapters are very good, replete with some basic theory about running and remaining injury free.
The second third of the book is very informative regarding injuries and their treatment.
The last part of the book has great stretching exercises, and good information about how to stay injury free.
My only criticism of the book is based on a comment that my physical therapist had. I've recently had big problems with sprained ankles in both feet and receive physical therapy from a PT specializing in runners. I discussed the book and the chapter on ankles with her and she mentioned that the chapter only describes the author's success and that for every successful treatment outcome, there are lots of not-so-total successes. It would be helpful to understand both.
But overall, a worthy book to buy and read and re-read as the need arises.

Not only did this book manage to supply the info I needed in enough detail to be meaningful, particularly with the case studies, it was actually an entertaining page-turner. The author had such a human voice and managed to entirely avoid the tone of smarmy condescension that seems to be rampant in books of this sort. I was particularly won over by his willingness to even poke fun at himself as a case study. I certainly came away with a new respect for the field of podiatry in sports medicine.

I heard this guy on a local radio station in Atlanta (96Rock) and so I ordered a copy. It was so hysterical I almost messed myself.

This book is hilarious. I heard Jefarrius promote it on 96Rock, a radio station in Atlanta, and ducked out of work to buy a copy. It was totally worth it!

I have often noticed the names of some of the Superstar athletes in all the sports and wondered about the origin, what the parents were thinking when they gave the child that particular name, and if the athlete changed his own name to one of those mentioned in this great book, why did he do so? Now I have the reason.....the parents, any parents, want the best for their child, and the athlete sees it as a no-brainer issue: To succeed on the playing field, you need a Superstar Name! I highly reccommend this book not only to expectant parents, but for anyone sitting around the television watching sports! I haven't laughed so hard in a long time. The book is well written and well documented by the writer!

This book was so funny. So much more than just a book of names. Great for sports fans and expectant families too. I am giving this as a stocking stuffer for all of my friends.

I gave the book to a pregnant couple and they loved it. It is so funny how many crazy names are out there. Enjoy!

This is a magnificent work, weaving the history of the Phillies and A's through the socioeconomic changes in Philadelphia during the tenure of Shibe Park/Connie Mack Stadium. Although I am not a Phila. native nor am I a Phillies fan, I found this work fascinating, and could not put it down! An absolute must for any library of information about historic stadiums - WELL WORTH THE MONEY AND TIME!

The author did an outstanding job in writing this book. I've visited Philly several times on business. The nature of my business took me to the distressed areas of North & West Philadelphia. I visited 21st & Lehigh where Shibe Park formerly took & now has the church covering part of the grounds. I only wished that I could have seen the park during its existence. I had the opportunity visiting Philly on a weekend pass when some Army buddies back in 1968, but unfortunately we didn't think about attending a ballgame at Connie Mack Stadium. My loss.

If your a native Philadelphian, Phillies, or a baseball fan you must read this book. It talks about not only the A's, but the Phillies, and even the Eagles and their ownerss. It talks extensively about the immediate neighborhood, North Philly, and the problems that both Connie Mack & the Carpenters faced owning the stadium. I didn't think the book would be as near as enjoyable as it proved to be. The Amazon reader's star ratings are usually grossly over graded, but not in this instance.

The best baseball books earn their sentiment. Bruce Kulkick's book does just that. It is a grown-up story written with passion and anger and affection. The author knows the game, knows that IT IS a game and does a balancing act that should satisfy fans of Big League ball, 20th century American history, and any city planning student around. Baseball is said to be a perfect game in its dimensions; if the distance between bases were any shorter, far too many hits would be produced, if the distance were longer, nobody would ever get aboard. Kuklick is a writer who carries off the same tricky balance. Elegaic and important.

THIS BOOK GIVES A VERY NOSTALGIC AND DETAILED LOOK AT THE HISTORY OF SHIBE PARK AND THE SURROUNDING NEIGHBORHOOD. MUCH DETAIL AND DRAMA IS GIVEN TO THE EVENTS THAT GRACED THIS GREAT PARK. ALSO COVERED IN DETAIL ARE THE SHORT STAY OF THE EAGLES, THE RIVALTY OF THE A'S AND PHILLIES. THE BUNGLING AND MISMANEGMENT OF THE MACK FAMILY AND OF THE CARPENTERS IS ALSO VERY WELL DOCUMENTED AND WELL DESCRIBED. THE TRANSPORTATION PROBLEM SURROUNDING THE JOUNEY TO AND FROM SHIBE PARK AND THE DETERIORATING NEIGHBORHOOD ARE ALSO A VERY WELL COVERED PART OF THIS MUST READ NOVEL. I REALLY LOVED THIS BOOK. I HAVE NEVER BEEN TO PHILADELPHIA, BUT THE AUTHOR MAKES THIS HISTORIC PARK INTO A STAPLE IN BASEBALL HISTORY. VERY RECOMMENDED.

University of Pennsylvania historian Bruce Kuklick has written with "To Every Thing a Season" a masterful analysis of the role of the relationship of Major League Baseball (MLB) to the city of Philadelphia and its culture in the twentieth century. He takes as his nexus one of the most significant of the concrete-and-steel stadiums built by various teams in the first part of the century, Shibe Park, home to both the National League Phillies and the American League Athletics--A's for short--for much of its history. Shibe Park, built by Connie Mack and others for $301,000, opened its doors in 1909. It was the home of the Athletics until they departed the city for Kansas City in 1954 and the Phillies between 1938 and 1970 when they moved to Veteran's Stadium.

This is sophisticated history, not the once-over-lightly narratives of many baseball histories. Kuklick emphasizes the interrelations of the A's, the Phillies, and the residents of Philadelphia with Shibe Park as the point of convergence. Connie Mack, the owner of the A's, provides the human face of much of the description in the book and his successes and numerous failings on and off the field give "To Every Thing a Seasons" much of its dramatic power. Mack built two great baseball powerhouses with the A's, the first time in the years surrounding 1910 and again in the years around 1930. In both cases he dismantled those teams and sold the players to other Major League Baseball (MLB) franchises. The Phillies had far fewer good years than the A's, but did manage to win a National League pennant in 1950, and came close in 1964 when a late season collapse allowed the St. Louis Cardinals to take the pennant.

Kuklick does not recite too much of the on-field activities of the Phillies and A's, but instead focuses on the role of Shibe Park, and by extension its occupants, in the life of the Philadelphia. As such "To Every Thing a Season" is quite excellent urban history, and at some level also business and economic and social history, rather than sports or baseball history. Kuklick is correct to conclude, and this very fine book emphasizes it: "Part of the story of Shibe Park is one of proprietorial rapacity, cynicism, and the limitations of even admirable people in an industrial society" (p. 190). Kuklick's epilogue is a superb contemplation of the social function of MLB teams and their home cities, using Philadelphia as a model. It helped generate a shared identity and taught camaraderie and patience and acceptance of the world and its fortunes. In the end, Shibe Park served as a collector of memories for the city, of both good and bad events. It became, over time, the city's equivalent of the family kitchen table.

There is no question but that any reader will learn quite a lot from this book, and I recommend it as the starting point for serious investigation of MLB and its relation to the homes of its various franchises.

I thought this book was great for coaching athletes and putting together specific groupings of exercises to work on specific skills. The challenge though was that I bought it for myself and thought it would help me design something to help my triathlon speed. I'm thinking it requires a higher degree of background knowledge than I have at this point.

Exactly what I was looking for.
Some brilliant drills in here.
I was hoping for more speed ladder stuff, but the amount of different stuff in here is great.

It's nicely organized with some good text.

A few descriptions were not so great.

Definitely recommended.

This book is packed with so many drills, you'll be able to do different combinations each time as you work on your speed and agility.

brilliant book. packed with more drills than youd be able to do so each training session can be as different as you want. good dvd to show you how to do the drills aswell. youd feel quicker just lookin at the book

This book and companion DVD are fabulous training tools for any sport requiring speed, quickness and agility. The materials are well organized and very illustrative, allowing you to customize a program for your individual needs. I've read other books like this and have been left wondering sometimes what to do, but these materials are clear and easy to utilize. Whether you're an athlete or a coach, this small investment will pay big dividends.

If you have kids and they play sports, you've got to read this book. Sports appear to be the 'best' way to help develop strong, intelligent, independent kids. But sports become complicated and messy when parents get too involved. This is a great book to help give any parent the insight and perspective they need to help themselves and their kids, whether they coach or not. Enjoy!

An interesting and dynamic book. A must read for every parent especially as their kids get more and more involved in all kinds of sports. Understanding what is right for the parent and what is right for the kid is critical for overall success and happiness.

I thought the book was insightful even for 'non coaches' like myself. It's applicable to anyone in any type of leadership position. Aberman and Anderson use terrific examples to demonstrate important facets of strong leadership. Through their 'stories' you see the significance of knowing who you are before you can effectively lead others.

If you have kids and they play sports, you've got to read this book. Sports appear to be the 'best' way to help develop strong, intelligent, independent kids. But sports become complicated and messy when parents get too involved. This is a great book to help give any parent the insight and perspective they need to help themselves and their kids, whether they coach or not. Enjoy!

As a leader in a corporate environment, I found the book inspiring. It explains how important working with 'emotional intelligence' is for yourself and those around you. Whether you are a coach, a parent, an athlete, or a leader such as myself, you are always dealing with more than what you 'signed up for'. Figuring out "The Other Stuff", is critical for success.

I recently had a knee replacement. My doctor suggested water therapy.

This book yeilded several specific therapies to improve the flex in my knee.

The best parts of this book are the detailed photographs of all the exercises, included in both a large format (one per page) and a small format (so that you can see many exercises per page). The only thing that would make the book even better would be if the small photographs were offered separately on water-resistant material, so that you could bring 'em into the pool. I'll probably photocopy those pages, and laminate them, so that I can do that.

The book has a helpful appendix of commercial resources with products such as an in-pool exercise station, and Aqua Tunes. Some of the companies appear to have gone out of business in the 11 years since the book was first published--to be expected.

By the way, the average rating here would be 5, but one reviewer apparently forgot to add the star rating, while still offering the book a glowing review.

I had a devastating knee injury about five and one half months ago (the doctor stated that I may never be able to obtain my pre-injury range of motion)The traditional rehab was going very slowly and very painfully. I asked my physician if I could exercise in the water, and after his approval, I started with the workouts in this book along with my prescribed rehab. I have gained 80% of my pre-injury range of motion and on a good start with my strength and balance with VERY little pain!! My physical therapist said I started improving much more rapidly after starting the water workouts and I have already exceeded the expected post-operative range of motion. I could not have done it without the water workouts!!

This guide is helpful for persons with physical limitations and provide safe non-impact exercises. It would be helpful if the guide would inform the purchaser that assistive devices would aid with the routines.

I was in a bed for 9 weeks with a herniated disc. My wife found this book in the library. I happen to live in Florida and was able to use this book to keep myself somewhat active and not become a cripple because of the pain I was in on land. 15 years later I am in great shape at 50 love the water and this book, and still read in now and then to remind me of the form to use and the benifits.I need a new one becaus eits been so used.

I borrowed this book from my cousin when I watched him run the Boston Marathon last month. I read the book needing some advice for a marathon I plan to run in October. It made me want to go running as I was reading it. Rather than make copies of lots of pages, I just decided to buy another book for my cousin so I can keep the old one.

Great strategies and tips for training and nutrition. Although I have yet to put the book's method to the true test (by actaully completing a marathon), the training is going very well and I feel confident about my race this spring.

I started running consistantly about 1 1/2 yrs ago (37yrs old). I set a goal of running a 15k race which I did in about 1:20. I wanted to improve my time as well as attempt some longer runs so I read a few other books / magazines before buying this one. Most of the others I read seemed to be more geared to the "elite" runners which I am definetly not. I appreciate Tom's knowledge and his ability to help the novice as well as the experienced runner. I also like Tom's approach to overall fitness, recovery and avoiding injuries. I have had the book for a couple of months and I have improved my time slightly but the greatest benefit for me has been helping me run further (I ran my first 14miler averaging 9min miles - which I am happy with) This is a great book for someone wanting to go to the next level.

I originally got turned onto Tom Holland at his Nantucket Beach Boot Camp. I really liked his style. During the hour long session he gives great advice in an easy going manner. His workouts are tough, but they are full of variety and full of fun.
I sat down with this book, expecting it to be like a text book- tons of information to be learned and studied. I had my highlighter in hand and paper on the desk to take notes. MARATHON METHOD is so much more than that! Tom shares his knowlege of exercise combined with nutrition in a very clever manner. His expertise of the sport paired with a great sense of humor made this a pleasure to read. I stayed up late to finish it because it was that good!
I have a good base to start training for the Paris Marathon!

I'm a 42 year old father of 2. Mid-July I decided to run the Long Beach Marathon with my best friend, who had run 2 marathons previously. It would be my first; I had done a little bit of running, but didn't even own running shoes. I bought Tom Holland's book "The Marathon Method", then I bought shoes.

To make a long story short, using only this book as a training guide, 12 weeks after buying shoes and taking up running, I ran the Long Beach Marathon last Sunday in 3:59:12, beating my friend by 6 minutes. My time would have been even better if I'd not ignored one of Tom's marathon "commandments" about staying hydrated (I didn't like energy drink provided at the race). Bottom line is, Tom Holland's training marathon training methods, in my opinion, have you running just enough miles to properly prepare you for the race while still keeping running pleasurable!! I enjoyed and looked forward to all my training runs and definitely got benefits from the strength training in between runs. Additionally, the other race preparation advice (mental strategies, diet, supplements, equipment, etc.) were extremely helpful. I highly reccomend this book.

All I can say is, this book is amazing. I loved it so much. I cannot wait for Kelly's next book.

I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book. While Moose Krause isn't the most recognizable figure in Notre Dame sports history, his story certainly makes him one of the most interesting. Congrats to Mr. Kelly for his enthusiastic, page-turning masterpiece!

This is an absolutely wonderful accounting of a man who had a vision of the proper place of athletics in American life. By the end, I had a tear in my eye, even though I have no direct connection to ND.

as a teacher, i will encourage all my students to read this book. through this marvelous book, i began to appreciate the character of this man called "moose." aside from being a fine athlete and coach, kraus lived his life the way to which we should all aspire. whether or not you're a notre dame fan, this is a great read.

I am not a Notre Dame fan, but my husband is and he strongly urged me to read this book. I couldn't be more thrilled that I did! It was enjoyable throughout and I was sad when it ended. Everyone should read this- sports fan or not, Notre Dame fan or not.

As a big fan of The Onion style humor, this book really delivered for me. Its sports spoofs are right on and completely hilarious. The photos and ads make the parodies look so real, adding to the fun absurdity of the book. I loved it! If you're a big sports humor guy like I am, I would also recommend Robert Gussin's TRASH TALK. It's a pretty new and really funny fiction book that imagines an accidental pairing up professional athletes and environmentalists. Sounds wacky - and it is. In the best way possible! Check it out.

When I saw that this book had come out, I immediately thought, "Ooh, Leyritz!" Unfortunately there were no appearances from the lovable bald catcher, but there are plenty of humorous stories to both make you laugh and provoke fond memories of your favorite sports memories. It's a perfect blend of sports-insider humor and witty comments on society at large (see the guest appearances from Noam Chomsky and Joyce Carol Oates and the frequent "corrections"). Definitely buy this book -- you won't regret it!

This book is very cleverly done. It's very accessible to sports fans and even if you're not, the snippets are hilarious. My wife sometimes scoffs at my obsession with sports but when I read her some of the pieces aloud, she was cracking up. The book reminds me of the various sports "Hall of Shame" series I read as a child and hopefully these guys will follow suit. I enjoyed this one and look forward to more!

From the title itself to all of the content, this book is thoroughly entertaining and very humorous. I enjoyed all the spoofs on sports metaphors, the swimsuit issue, the interviews with fake sports celebrities, and all the little jokes woven throughout the book. There are many clever and witty gags that any sports fan would surely relish. I definitely recommend this title!

Hilarious! Hard to read the articles because the next headline is so funny. But stick it out-- these guys don't overcook the roastbeef. Some morsels:

"Rocky VIII: Rocky vs. Bullwinkle"
"NASCAR Rookie Asked to Stop Using Turn Signals"
"Woeful Season Blamed on Liberal Media"
"Nike Signs Spelling Bee Champ to LIfetie Non-Endorsement Deal:$4.3 Million Agreement Ensures Gawky 8th Grader Will Never Wear Company Apparel"

Really more of an investment in humor than a purchase...