Athletics Books

Dean was an unbelievable coach who was able to participate in an incredibly competitive arena, yet make consistent decisions with his values and beliefs, never compromising those ideals, even in the heat of battle. The way he created the Carolina family, always remembering everybody who ever played, managed and worked with the team is truly amazing. Keep this book by your bedside and refer to it often.

I like this new book about Dean Smith a lot. Smith was famous in his press conferences for rambling on and on and not saying much of anything quotable, but the author (David Scott) has painstakingly culled Smith down to a point where the excellent coach sounds funnier, blunter and more insightful than he is often given credit for. This book would be a superb addition to a Carolina fan's library, and Lord knows there are a few of them out there.

This book helps teachers understand why it is important that all students should benefit from a Physical Education program- not just the natural athletes. It also gives concrete ideas on how to incorporate this philosophy into a lesson. Easy-to-understand lesson plans are given as well.

John Hichwa provides the physical education teacher with practical, ready to use activities in the areas of dance, problem solving activities and basic manipulative skills. He prefrences the book with appropriate theory which should be digested by the "new" as well as the "veteran" p.e. teacher. I highly recommend his book and attending a confrence where John presents his activities.

While looking for the book Mysterious Persons In History by Minnesota lawyer Fred Neff at a bookstore, I happened upon Running Is For Me. This is another book by Fred Neff, who is a lawyer from Edina, Minnesota which I thought my niece might enjoy. This book on running sends all the right messages to the reader. It tells the story of a young boy and girl who are friends and practice running together. Their mentors are a grown man and woman. The four share their running adventures together. The theme and composition of this story by author Fred Neff is excellent. Here we see both genders getting along well as equals and sharing experiences as they grow in skill and friendship. It also shows how children and adults from different genders can share fun activities like running together. I really like the interplay between the characters of the story. This same wholesomeness is reminescent of what I have read in other books by attorney Fred Neff of Minnesota. This Minnesota lawyer Fred Neff adds a human touch to his books that shows great sensitivity. Reading many of author Fred Neff's books led me to want to find out more about him. Fred Neff, who is an attorney in Edina, Minnesota has written books that at times have a unique mix of humanism, logic, justice orientation, law, physical culture, philosopy and martial arts. It is true that sometimes an author reveals much about his own background in his writing; author Fred Neff has been a secondary teacher in a public school system in the twin cities of Minnesota and an instructor at a number of colleges such as the University of Minnesota, University of Wisconsin, Hamline University and Inver Hills College. Later Fred Neff attorney acted as a prosecutor and then a criminal defense counsel. Fred Neff lawyer of Edina, Minnesota has handled discrimination and fraud cases. In addition, Fred Neff was on the board of directors of an insurance company. Edina Minnesota lawyer Fred Neff has experience in criminal and civil litigation. What I read about Fred Neff showed me that the breadth of his experience comes through in the humanism and desire for justice and fair play reflected in his writings. Gender equality and respect for others shines through in Running Is For Me and makes it a book that can be enjoyed by male and female readers. This book by Fred Neff is so good that I plan on buying another copy to give as a gift to my nephew.

In high school and in college I participated in running events. I have continued to run almost daily since graduating from college. Up until recently, neither my boy nor girl showed any interest in sports and refused to take a run with me. While rummaging through some books that were for sale, I happened upon two storybooks for children by Fred Neff. One was the story of a mother and daughter who shared an interest in running and the other is about a girl who takes Karate lessons. The storybook entitled Running Is For Me was intriguing. I bought that book for my children to see if it would make one or both of them willing to try running. They thoroughly enjoyed reading the book. I was delighted when at dinner they discussed taking a run with me. Since then, we take short runs as a family. My children liked the running book so much that I bought a copy of the other storybook called Karate Is For Me by the same writer. Again, they loved the book. I went on to get them other books by Fred Neff such as his Basic Karate Handbook and Lessons From the Japanese Masters. Both my children are now taking karate lessons and are active in other sports. Their involvment in karate has really built their self-confidence. I was able to locate another copy of Karate Is For Me and sent it to my niece as a present. The book similarly led to her involvment in karate as well. I love the story in Running Is For Me and the book's ability to spark children's interest in sports. It gets a platinum rating from me.

The theories of Arthur Lydiard are essential reading for runners at all age levels and abilities.

His use of base (endurance) training, followed by phase work of strength, anaerobic and anaerobic-taper is geared to peaking a runner for maximum performance in a major event.

But it's through the endurance training phase where he may be most famous on the roads and trails; it set a foundation which created the running "boom" in the 1970s in the United States and popularized the sport in other nations as a means to achieve fitness.

Lydiard is a coaching icon and his theories will live on as long as a runner is tying the shoe laces and getting ready for a distance jaunt.

Quintessential Lydiard. A must have for any serious runner or coach. Great principles that are the backbone to many running programs.

This book is awsome. If you are a Buckeye or college football fan this is a must have!

A fine book about a great man as written by a great man - Todd Skipton.

If you are a Minnesota sports fan, as I am, then Sid will give you great memories of all of the major pro and college sports teams. His years of expertise and great photos will bring back a lot nostalgia. Sid is the dean of Minnesota sports coverage. A great book at a great value through Amazon.

For someone who grew up through much of these events and missed many others this book is a must-have. It is a great way to look back at the memories and learn a thing or two in the process.

I don't even know if this book is in prin anymore but, if it is, any sports fan should read it. It is similar to Friday Night Lights, The Last Shot, The Right Kind of Heroes and several books that have been written following one high school team through one year of their season. This chronicles one inner city high school team from Oakalnd and their quest to win the city championship. It follows everything surrounding the players-the one being recruited by every major college football program in the country, the lone whote player in the entire league, the up and coming superstar, the thug hoping to get his life straightened out...this book has it all. It is amazing that the author was given the access to these obviously skeptical players lives that he was and the way he details it is captivating beyond words.

This book is a must read for any youth coach of any sport and for any parent thinking of sending a kid to a inner city public high school. Filled with facts and statistics of graduation rates, medium grade point averages and anecdotal stories of tough young lives. If you're at all interested in why the Afican American young male has so many chips stacked against him from day one then read this book.

Williams book is an in depth look at sports related films. Although the theme of competitive sports is a consistent link throughout his list of 100 movies, the varied themes that intertwine these films tell the stories of their times as well as illuminate the universal experiences that we all share to some degree.
Williams provides the reader with a background in film history, a look at the creative process, and he also reveals the life affirming stories that are not always apparent on the field of play but play out in these films.
Besides the well thought out and illuminating text, there are many accompanying photos in this intelligently written reference to the greatest sports films.
I don't necessarily agree with all of his choices, I would think that the original version of Angels in the Outfield should have found a place somewhere in the top one hundred as well as the Dizzy Dean story, Pride of St. Louis. That being said, I discovered the film entitled This Sporting Life in Sports Cinema which I was not aware of, and found it to be a remarkable movie. I wish I could find Phar Lap as well.
If you are looking for an intelligent take on sports themed movies, this is a book worthy of your time, you won't be disappointed.

Ok, so I know that references 'On the Waterfront,' but I think this book could really be huge. Any time someone publishes a top 100 list, critics are sure to disagree. But whether you agree with him or not, Randy Williams did an excellent job of highlighting some of the best sports movies ever. Everything from 'College' to 'White Men Can't Jump' to 'Million Dollar Baby'...movies like 'Breaking Away' and 'Brian's Song' that my parents had me watch when I was little (I still love the music from Brian's Song) bring back the memories. Tons of pictures, a throrough yet brief synopsis for each flick, and some cool stuff at the back (actor's comments on their favorite sports movies, trivia, and an Academy award list) make this a great 'anytime' book. Wondering what to get the sports fanatic in your house for Christmas? Problem solved!!!

I have used many sports medicine books, including Arnheim and Booher, and this is the book that I continue to use the most. Includes thorough etiologies, pathologies, signs and symptoms along with management skills that every athletic trainer needs. Great illustrations and photographs. My copy is literally held together with trainer's tape because I and my students use it so much.There is an excellent study guide that accompanies this book and it would be great if Amazon could offer it. The ISBN number is 0-683-00176-0 if that helps anyone.

Years ago when I took my first athletic training course, I used Arnheim's book. It was all I had known until this book was published. I am currntly teaching an introductory athletic training class and am using this text book. I feel this book is much better organized and does a better job in the injury and rehabilitation explanations. It also makes very good use of anatomy illustrations, tables and figures. I would recommend this book over Arnheim in a heart beat.

This book is so helpful for parents who want to do the right thing for their child/athlete but have no guidance and must depend on the local coach/teacher. This book puts the child first and gives sound advice on getting the most out of the individual for the sake of that individual. This book is also helpful to the coach who needs positive backing with the written word. Often we may say and do the right things with our young athletes and their parents, but it is so helpful to have credible backing. If more parents/coaches/teachers had this book to follow years ago, we would not have a lot of the problems that we have from beginner to professional athlete. Our professional athletes are who they are because of early year coaching and mentoring. I wish that I could make coaches, parents and athletes young and old read this wealth of information. We are seeing an influx of older citizens taking up lifetime, competitive sports for the first time and there needs to be guidance for them also. I am going to ask that my academic dean allow this book to be used as a text for my teaching theory class at my community college. I am a tennis teaching professional/community college faculty member/men-women community college tennis coach/director of tennis at a public tennis facility/and still an avid competitor, and will refer to this book often in all of those entities. This text will be something that my students who are future coaches can use as a reference for years from now. Thank you for this opportunity to review. It's not often getting a chance to catapult such a positive, educational book.

This book just became required reading for the parents of my tournament players. Dr. Brown has done an excellent job with the interviews and research for this book. The tennis references are very impressive. Stella Sampras, Jim Loehr, and Dick Gould literally pack every paragraph with valuable information.

I started using the physical tests for my juniors this week, and I was surprised to see a few of them in the upper percentages. I've also added two of the tests to my lesson plan for new students.