Athletics Books

This book is about more than just the obstacles and victories in sports; it gives insight into how players can get the most out of their sports career and LIFE. It is a WONDERFUL book that high school and college students and their parents should read. My 3 children who are in Middle School and High School read it and loved it.

If you have children participating in athletics, this book is a must for their reading list. I couldn't put it down. Read it from cover to cover in one night and then went back and re-read it to appreciate it further. Just when you think that the trials and tribulations in your life are all encompassing, you realize that life is suddenly much better than you imagined it to be. Wonderful read.

I did get the book and I must say that I can't put it down. Just tonight I read another chapter with my pen and highlighter by my side. It is so cool to see athletes with the same dreams, beliefs, problems, and aspirations. I have told my friends about the book, and there is a line to get it after I have finished it. Thanks again for providing a book that can reach, teach, and motivate an athlete

What I found so interesting and worthwhile about this book was the author's unfliching and focused desire to let people see and feel the emotions an athlete lives in the world of sports. You hear the fear of "what if I'm not good enough to make it afterall" and "do I really want to go further". What if that person is injured...have their dreams and aspirations become nightmares? I really liked the idea that someone saw a way to let other atheletes express their feelings and put that together so that they had a voice. Katie could do that because she has felt those same emotions because she too is an athlete. Neat twist and good prespective and talented too.

As any fan of the USC Trojans knows, the football program has a very long and storied history. No college football fan would deny that USC has a place among college football royalty, alongside the likes of Notre Dame, Oklahoma, Alabama, Miami, Michigan, Ohio State, Nebraska and Texas. Of course, getting to that level involved winning games - lots of them - and important ones at that. But of USC's hundreds of victories, which were the most important in contributing to USC's status as a former and current powerhouse?

In this book, Barry LeBrock examines ten of the most momentous victories in USC football history. From the early days in the 1920's when Howard Jones' Thundering Herd took on Knute Rockne's Notre Dame teams and forged a tremendous rivalry that has produced some of the greatest players and plays in all of college football history, to the modern day, when Pete Carroll forged his reputation as the most gifted USC coach since John McKay - the top 10 greatest victories in USC history are included. Of course, there might be some controversy involving the ten games included, but I think almost all USC fans would agree that the ten that are listed in the book are indeed milestones in Trojan history. For instance, USC's 2001 victory over UCLA (a 27-0 shutout) is a curious inclusion, given that USC's 2001 season was a mediocre campaign, with only 6 wins against 6 losses, but it was this game that really set the bar in Los Angeles that USC was back, and UCLA was no longer the big dog in town.

Each of the ten chapters involves a description of the game itself, but with ample background information so the reader can understand what was going on in the world of college football at that point in time, and what the stakes involved in the game were. The descriptions of the players and coaches and atmosphere of the game are truly engrossing. This is a wonderful, enjoyable read for any Trojan fan (or for those who just want to know what USC football is all about) and I would highly recommend it.

I have been following USC football for about twenty years and I thought I knew most of the stories about the Trojans. But this book was full of stories that I had never heard before. He quotes everybody -- from guys who played in the 1920's to OJ to Garrett, from Marcus to McKay, and Leinart and Carroll.
Definietly worth reading if you are a Trojan backer. Excellent.

While Barry LeBrock's "The Trojan Ten," as the title suggests, focuses on what he considers to be the ten most significant victories in the long and celebrated history of USC football, the book is actually an historical compendium of a program that stands at the top of the gridiron pedestal alongside Notre Dame, USC's oldest and most competitive rival.

Currently the Trojans and Irish have each secured 11 national championships. They are also even in the Heisman Trophy department with each school boasting 7 winners.

LeBrock explains how graduate manager Gwynn Wilson of USC, realizing that legendary playing Notre Dame under famed coach Knute Rockne could be the springboard toward a Trojan surge into the top ranks of collegiate gridiron teams, was able, with the assistance of his wife doing a good sales job on Mrs. Rockne, to get the famous Notre Dame to okay the series.

LeBrock also reveals how, when USC fired football coach Gloomy Gus Henderson, Rockne lent the Trojans a helping hand in recommending that they consider hiring Iowa's coach Howard Jones. It was a 16-14 come from behind victory by USC over Notre Dame at South Bend in 1931 with Jones as coach that prompted the school from the West to catapult into the same elite circle with ND. This, understandably, was LeBrock's first choice as he chronologically presented his choices of the ten most significant victories in the school's history.

Two other victories over Notre Dame also fell into the elite ten category, the others being 1964 with a 20-17 upset over the number one ranked Irish and the benumbing 55-24 victory over the Irish after the men of Troy overcame a 24-0 deficit and appeared ready to sustain a humiliating defeat.

While the title scheme and a certain amount of emphasis on LeBrock's part extend to the ten victories selected, the book has much more. He leads into those classic games by giving shape and perspective to the Trojan program during the periods in question before and after the classic victories then reveals the aftermath of the impact on the school's overall program.

For instance, in analyzing the great 1931 triumph solid emphasis is given to the winning mentality developed by Howard Jones in establishing a juggernaut that provided national titles in 1928, 1931, 1932 and 1939.

We then see a passing of the dynastic baton almost one generation after Jones's death from a heart attack following his final season in 1940 to the advent of witty and jovial John McKay, the architect of the 1964 and 1974 storybook wins over the Fighting Irish and the molder of four USC national champions in 1962, 1967, 1972 and 1974.

Another game put in LeBrock's top ten was one of the most memorable of McKay's career, when USC battled crosstown rival UCLA for the 1967 national championship. The Bruins featured the quarterback who would win the Heisman Trophy that season in Gary Beban. The game's deciding touchdown in USC's exciting 21-20 win was scored on a 64-yard romp by O.J. Simpson, the Heisman winner to be in 1968.

Once that the McKay years are completed LeBrock segues to the era of Pete Carroll, the next and current USC dynasty coach. His first top ten selection concerning Carroll was a 27-0 shutout of UCLA in 2001 in what he sees as a milestone game in which the Trojans made significant inroads into the future and the recruiting war with the Bruins.

One of my favorite elements of this book is the way that the author explores the USC winning tradition based on the productive careers of three coaches, providing an important insight into winning psychology. Given that there are a lot more people to interview concerning the McKay and Carroll dynasties, this psychological element involving a dynastic football program can be explored at greater detail than in the case of Jones, the great coach who built an impressive Trojan foundation in the twenties and thirties.

Current USC athletic director plays a major role in the development of this book. In addition to writing the foreword, he was recruited by McKay and became USC's first Heisman winner in 1965. As athletic director he was responsible for hiring Carroll over the vociferous objections of many L.A. sports media figures and prominent school alumni, who were proven wrong by Carroll's enormous success.

I began this book with some trepidation as Yogi has always been looked upon as somewhat of a clown. Someone to be enjoyed, yet not one to be taken too seriously. This book proved my expectations to be far from the truth. Although he is a member of the Baseball Hall of Fame and utilizes the sport as a metaphor to represent life, it goes into various aspects of Sports and shows how they are applicable in daily life. He writes about issues such as ones attitude, charisma as well as the ability to work together as a team. Much of what is written in this little "gem" of a book is applicable to the business setting and appears to come out of Business 101. When he writes about the effect of Parents upon Children, this hits Home and this is a superbly done book.

This little book is a great read and full of down to earth ideas that will be usefulto the readers in their everyday lives.We have all heard of the one-liners attributed to Yogi.Even if you are still up in the air whether he actually said all these things;you'll really see the thoughts behind these statements.
It's hard to believe that there was ever any other Baseball player who had more love for the game,and that was from the days when he and Joe Garagolia played pick-up ball as kids in St.Louis,all the way through the major leagues,and now in his retirement years.Not only that,you'll see from this book that nobody appreciated more the privilege he had to make a wonderful life and living "playing a kids game".
Yogi tells us the things that helped him through life and he explains the principles as well as any professionally trained person could do.
Most of all,he doesn't preach. he just tells us what has worked for him and should work for anyone ,through his years of observing life.In his own words,he sums it all up with:
"You can observe a lot by watching."
Thanks,Yogi,for all the enjoyment and fun you have given so many of over the years;and also for putting your thoughts in this terrific little book.

I still dont know what inspired me to buy this book, but after every page, I was glad I did. This book was a very unique combination of philosophy, self-help, humor, historical sports and general good writing. I had never been familiar with Yogi Berra other than some of his more famous quote but I understand his way of thinking now and I believe some of the secrets to life lie between the covers of this book.

The book never gets dry, points arent beaten to death and he doesn't try to cram his personal way of thinking down your throat. I like that and really was able to take more out of this book because it approaches everything in a very level-headed and laid back way. There were a lot of interesting stories that presented a nice way to explain a situation. I also appreciated the fact that there were references to very recent happenings as of 2002. There were also some comical and cartoonish illustrations that started off or ended each chapter and the chapter names were "Yogi-isms" which was also a nice touch.

The only problem I had with this book was that I ended up reading it too fast because I couldn't put the thing down. I was very impressed with Yogi Berra, he is truly the man, the myth, the legend that people have made him out to be and I believe that meeting him one day has just been put on my to-do list. As far as the book goes, I highly recommend it. It is a smooth reading book that you will enjoy and recall upon in the future. As I stated, I only like books I'm going to like, and this was one of them.

Read and enjoyed Yogi Berra's WHAT TIME IS IT? YOU MEAN
NOW? . . . the book, written with Dave Kaplan, is subtitled
ADVICE FOR LIFE FROM THE ZENNEST MASTER OF THEM
ALL . . . it contains 26 chapters, one for each letter from A
to Z, that has me believing that Berra was not only a great
baseball player--he's also quite a guy.

Although I have my doubts as to what he wrote vs. what
Kaplan did, I nevertheless enjoyed the thoughts on such
varied topics as family, competition and living in New York City.

Naturally, I also chuckled at a bunch of quotes that have
been attributed to Berra--although he admits that he did not
say them all . . . among them:
Little League is good because it keeps parents off the
streets and the kids out of the house.

It's so crowded nobody goes there.

If you ask me questions I don't know, I'm not going to answer.

You saw DR. ZHIVARGO? Why? Aren't you feeling well?

There were several other parts of the book that I liked; most notably:

I'm Lucky that Carm is a very upbeat, positive person and doesn't dwell on this stuff either. One time, though she did ask me where I should be buried. Our families are from St. Louis, where I grew up; my career was in New York; we live in New Jersey. I told Carm, "I don't know, just surprise me."

If I'm buying a car, I'll leave my wallet home the first time and just ask questions. What are the payments? What kind of warranty? What's the downside of the car? The right questions can help you make the right decisions.

It's no big secret-winning makes you feel better about everything, and losing doesn't. Everybody wants to win, who doesn't? Winning is important, that's why you keep score, but I think maybe overall it's gotten too much so, especially in kids' sports where there's too much stress on winning and not enough fun. I guess that's what's happened as sports have gotten so big in our country. Instead of asking their kids after a soccer or a Little League game, "Did you win?"
maybe the parents should ask, "Did you give it your best?" or
"Did you have fun?"

When it comes to the wit and wisdom of Yogi Berra you have to realize that are two types of Berraisms that you have to keep separate. First there are his classic examples of logic, where they sound wrong but they make sense, such as "Ninety percent of this game is mental and the other half is physical" and "It ain't over `till its over." For example, the latter works because "over" has two different meanings in that sentence, which reflects the fact that baseball does not have a clock. Second there are those that are simply the man misspeaking, such as "I want to thank everybody for making this night necessary" and "You saw Dr. Zhivago? Why? Aren't you feeling well?" Do not mistake the two forms because there is a major difference. The first category is the important one because it proves that while he was uneducated Lawrence Peter Berra was one of the smartest people to ever walk on a baseball diamond. You be sure to distinguish between the two types of sayings that serve as the basis for this book "What Time Is it? You Mean Now?: Advice for Life from the Zennest Master of Them All." (The title would fall in the second category for my money.)

All of this, of course, assumes that Yogi actually did say any particular comment in the first place (we give the man the benefit of the doubt although he admits he did not say everything he has said). There are twenty-six of these sayings, arranged in alphabetical order using the most liberal of standards¸ each with a black and white illustration by Alan Dingman. We are then provided with several pages of reflections and commentary by Yogi, which work in stories from his family life and baseball career. I wonder whether Yogi was actually given these sayings and then proceeded to hold forth on this thoughts or whether Dave Kaplan interviewed the Hall of Fame catcher and then cut and pasted them into this volume. Not that it makes much of a difference, but I am curious. The main thing here is not the recycled sayings, most of which I have heard before in my consumption of all things Yogi (in the fourth grade there were three of us with the same name and I had a catcher's mitt so I was actually called "Yogi" for a year), but to hear what he has to say about the mysteries of time, the meaning of community, and the omnipresence of hope in the direst circumstances (and you thought this would just be light reading). Smart move of Yao Ming in one of his first commercial to team up with Yogi, the most loved and loveable sports figure in the United States today.

This is a great book about BYU football. One of the best things is that it was published after the 1996 season, so it includes highlights from one of the greatest seasons in school history. In 1996, BYU became the first school ever to win 14 games in a season. This book is a must for any BYU football fan.

This is a great book filled with history and photos. It is well presented and makes a nice display book. It praises the program for the great things it has done, but also comments on mistakes that have been made. It does tend to focus a little too much on the "Cotton Bowl" season. The only other drawbacks are too many black and white photos, too many "crowd celebration" shots and not enough "behind the scenes" type shots including the locker rooms, team meetings, weight room etc. Overall though, this is a great book and worth the price.

This book is a must for the true blue Cougar football fanatic! Filled with photos, stats, and stories, the history of BYU football is chronicled from its beginnings to the present. And at a great price!

This book was renamed to "Wild Blue Yonder" before printing, and the correct authors are Dick Harmon and Steve Cameron. It's a beautiful coffee-table-style book, filled with photos, stories, statistics, history - all the stuff a dedicated fan will love. Well worth the price

I stumbled upon this gem while compiling my "Authoritative Encyclopedia of Scientific Wrestling". Some of the material might be a little dated but it is truly a great book. I sincerely cannot recommend it highly enough.

I don't know when my parents bought the Wrestling Physical Conditioning Encyclopedia, but it was long before I could ever understand it. I remember thinking that the pictures of the old-time wrestlers was cool but that it would be too much work to read. So, for at least 20 years it sat on a bookshelf collecting dust. Last year, while visting my parents I happened to look at it. I was amazed at the great information it contains. It has hundreds of ideas on getting into better condition. I kept thinking if I had only known this stuff when I wrestled in high school and college what a difference it would have made. I have incorporated a lot of the information it contains in my workouts and have had a lot of success with it. It really reconfirms the notion that "new" is not always better, and gave me a "fresh" perspective on conditioning that can help you too.

A must-have for any beginning wrestler. step by step guidelines to important principles of amateur wrestling. Basic skills and principles to the sport are taught. Lists many helpful body exercises to improve wrestling skills. Also contains brief biographies of pioneers in the sport here in America, such as Gotch, Hackenschmidt, and Gable. Has pictures of different variations of wrestling, such as NCAA tournaments and Indian wrestling to belt wrsetling and Greco-Roman meets.

I honestly don't know why this book is out of print. I suppose everyone bought a copy shortly after it was released--it HAS been out a while. The truth is, I bought two copies just before it was "phased out", and in short order resold the second copy on eBay (for profit, I believe.) Everyone I've come across in the wrestling community who has seen the book simply raves about it. I've even had friends of mine read it (not all were wrestlers) and not one didn't get anything out of it.

The book is thick, and full of info. Yes, it has old photos of wrestlers and styles from history and around the world. Yes, it has tips and recommendations on weight lifting. Yes, it addresses diet and nutrition. Yes, it delves into physiology and the basis behind much of its suggestions. (Key example: getting stronger increases your conditioning. You can wrestle a 150-lbs. opponent harder and longer than a 175-lbs. opponent. So if the 175-lbs. opponent *feels* like a 150-lbs. opponent, you've indirectly extended your conditioning.) If you don't feel you need all that the book offers, that's certainly no reason not to acquire it; simply save the unwanted portions for later (and if you're active in the sport, eventually you'll need most of what's in here.)

This book is a classic, and upon reading it you quickly understand why the training methods it teaches work. "They don't make them like they used to" certainly applies here.

Five stars for historical value, detail, sound methodology, and abundance of useful material on numerous aspects of training.

Before this excellent book came out, very few people knew how strong and athletic Coach Davies is. Now everyone will know! The drills in this book are both unique and I have no doubt that they will be very beneficial to extreme athletes. Naysayers will say that many of the exercises in the book are not practical and will not carry over to extreme sports. Ask them how long they have been surfing, skateboarding, and snowboarding. Furthermore, ask them how many extreme athletes they have trained.

It is clear that every exercise in this book is well thought out and has been tested in the lab. In addition to being a manual of killer exercises, Coach Davies reveals several programs so that you have a clear idea of how to put all of the intense exercises together. Whether you are an extreme athletic or someone who simply wants to take his or her training up a huge notch, get this book.

Coach Davies takes extreme sports conditioning to the next level in this book. He introduces techniques that even the pros can't do on their first *100* tries! Coach Davies excites the reader to start training by introducing a program that defies all preconceived ideas of working out.
The content of the book is laid out very lucidly, and the multitude of pictures show even the newest grom how to work out 'Renegade Style'.
Coach Davies walks you through every exercise, then gives a recommended training program, which, instead of vaguely laying out "this many reps on this day of the week," details SIX WEEKS of specific daily workouts. This takes the book to a higher level than most fitness books that give you a general idea of how to work out, but don't suggest a workout plan.

This is not only the book for getting better at surfing, snowboarding, wakeboarding, or skateboarding, but it is a book for anyone who wants to get better balance and feel healthier!

This book is the first of it's kind as it addresses the needs of ahtletes in extreme sports. Coach DAvies presents his material in an excellnet progressive manner as he describes the motor qualitites that are necessary in regards to being a successful extreme athlete. All athletes can benefit from this book as it details the importance of agility, range of motion, dynamic and static balance, explosive strength etc...

Davies also presents a sample workout program at the end of the book. If you are serious about your conditioning levels the investment that is required for this book is simply a giveway.

thank you
Coach Jamie Hale
www.maxcondition.com

The stuff Coach Davies does in this book is awful. I mean I cried I was so mad. How in the world can he do close grip snatches on a stability ball when I can barely stand up for prolonged periods of time? This book is a huge ego-checker. If you are into extreme sports and serious about your training, this book is a must have.

If you've read a lot of Coach Wooden's books, you may be familiar with his wisdom, maxims and his wonderful pyramid of success; this book studies the methodology of his teaching and how he applied his wisdom to the successful transfer of knowledge and skills. If you're a teacher, buy this book!

Any coach should take the philosophies of John Wooden to heart, they work! Using his teachings you can win games and the players have a heck of a lot better experience. After a dismal record in only my 2nd season fresh out of college I started researching his work, and applying it - only to have one losing season over the next 7. Started to get away from his teachings recently making my frustration levels go through the roof so bought this book as a refresher, it helped and recommend it to all coaches.

Ron Gallimore and Swen Nater combine their incredible knowledge about teaching and basketball to deliver a new and insightful look at the teaching practice of John Wooden. The book is a wonderful balance of personal stories from Nater and insights about teaching and learning from Gallimore that demonstrate just how incredibly wise, intentional, and gifted The Coach was and is. This book demonstrates the hard work, preparation, courage, and commitment to continuous learning that defines quality teaching. A must read for every teacher and coach.

Swen Nater knows John Wooden - that much is clear. Clear too, is what a great teacher John Wooden was and, continues to be. This is a book any teacher can learn from. Sure it is great for coaches, but when a teacher is looking for guidance on how to handle varying student potential within their class, is it better to treat everyone the same - or to treat each individual differently, according to their personality, talent, ability, commitment etc. as Wooden did? Swen does a great job of interjecting his own life's experience into the priniciples Wooden taught. And he uses those of "Alcindor", Wicks, Walton, Allen and others to make the stories fit the lesson. This is textbook material, or should be required reading for aspiring or experienced teachers - 5 Stars plus!

Finally information you can trust! This is the best personal trainer-consumer book I have ever come across. It provides the perfect balance of science and practicality, written in an easy to read personable style.

One of the big bonuses of this book are Brooks's top 15 strength and stretch exercises. They are worth the price of the book alone.

This is also a great book to begin your studies to become a personal trainer. As an exercise physiologist, this is the first book I reach for as a reference in the development of handouts for my individual and corporate clients.

You can't miss with this one!!

This is the best book I have read on this subject. It is especially motivating for the person who is just starting out and does not really know how to begin an excercise program. It is very clearly written and covers every aspect of the workout. The pictures are great! The models look like normal people, so one doesn't feel overwhelmed by bodybuilders upon opening the book. I have been working out for a year now and would like to say "Thank you Douglas Brooks for keeping me motivated"

This is a must-read for someone just starting out in a fitness program of any type. Comprehensive information is presented in a logical way with enough details to satisfy more informed readers. Highly recommended.

Great book. I used to work out with my personal trainer in NYC Joe DiAngelo www.musclebomb.com and he recommended me this book.
Great!

The drills in this book are well organized and laid out so that the beginning coach can use them from the 6 year old beginning player up to championship caliber high school squads. I have been coaching youth basketball for over 23 years and this is one of the best instruction manuals I have used. Outstanding.

I've coached my son's team for three years as a dedicated parent, but my b-ball drills have been re-treads of my old Jr. & Sr. High drills. I looked for a book for awhile before finding this one; it has given me many fun & challenging drills easy enough for 9 - 11 year old boys with variations that expand as their skill level increases. I'd think that this book would be adequate at least through Middle School age. Perhaps the only caution is that this book assumes that the reader--if not the players--knows the game well. In other words, it is not a book to teach the coach the game.

I was new to coaching youth basketball and needed ideas for drills. This book was helpful with drills as well as good diagrams and explanations.

This book is an excellent resourse for any coach. There is a chapter for each fundamental of the game. Each chaper has a nice progression of drills and a purpose behind each. Each individual drill has a referenced prerequisite section, a detailed break-down and diagram of the drill, and crucial teaching points as a ruberic. It also has a section to help you plan your practices for the entire season.

I have read many books on basketball instruction and this one is a must have.

Great book, especially for those who have run a marathon and can appreciate first hand the highs and lows involved every step of the way. Couldn't put it down.

As a recreational but devoted marathoner, (currently training for #9), this was an obvious must-have for me. Most books published under the Rodale title are generally just rehashes of old RUNNERS WORLD magazine articles, but this is definitely not the case here.

This handsome coffee table book is beautifully designed and offers not only inspiring passages we've come to expect in the world of the long distance runner, but breathtaking photography and insight into the minds, passions and heartaches associated with the sport. It fairly examines the good and the bad throughout the long history of "Marathon;" from ancient Greece to contemporary pop culture.

Divided into 26.2 chapters, it is a wonderful book for both the devoted runner and interested spectator as well. Would make a great gift.

I actually had an emotional reaction by the time I got to "the Finish Line." Just like in real-life! So this book willl definitely be a treasured addition to my library.

I'm a "senior", "middle-of-the-pack" runner and been at this for 30 yrs, completed 7 marathons and read most of the books concerning the subject, but found this one to be truly original. Running is basically a simplistic sport but to extend oneself to the extent to complete a marathon requires a special effort which this book manages to capture better than any other I've read so far. A must for anyone interested in running or those trying to figure out what makes people do this crazy stuff. Easy reading and wonderful photography!