Athletics Books

I bought this book after I learned that I have all the signs of the triad and was struggling to understand both how I developed my health problems and how I can recover. This book answered all of my questions. It also helped me realize that I am definitely not alone.

The book is written in an engaging and easy-to-read style, which makes the medical information easy to comprehend. The book also includes profiles of various female athletes and athletic women. It seems likely that every reader will identify with at least one of the profiles. In addition, Dr. Otis uses great phrases that one can recall when she needs to remind herself of the goals. My favorites are "too fit to quit" and "too thin to win."

Whether you're an athletic woman or someone who cares for an athletic woman, I highly recommend this book. It will be a steep climb to health, but this book leaves me confident that I can be fit and healthy again.

I am a male coach of female soccer players. I would go so far as to say that the depth of knowledge contained in this book is beyond that which many coaches of team sports would search for. However, coaches who are interested in getting the best from their athletes, rather than having athletes fit their own personal coaching agendas, will find in these pages essential truths that will illuminate their coaching. There has been a strong social tendency for women's understanding of ability and success to be measured by male standards (the sense of athletic body image in connection with performance, which is dealt with in detail, is only one of them driven by this perspective), and this book is thankfully one which reminds us that women are not only entitled to be judged as women, but need and deserve to be so. As coaches, and certainly as male coaches, we cannot help our female athletes realise their potential until we understand them better and give them credit for being who they are, and encourage them to be who they are. This book helps us do just that.

Books which honestly deal with the pressures and concerns of female athletes are rare, and this one should be required reading for every active woman from twelve to sixty. There is lots of information out there on how to be thin but far less on how to be fit. Otis and Goldingay are among the very few to acknowledge that they are not one and the same. This is not a book about eating disorders - though they are intelligently discussed. Nor is it a book about how to get in shape. It's much more. The authors honestly address medical issues such as amenorrhea and osteoporosis, provide information on nutrition, injuries and maintaining optimal energy for performance. Most important of all, they are medical professionals finally urging athletic women to be as strong as they can be. For anyone who's ever struggled between the twin camps of thin and fit, this book MUST go to the top of the pile.

The Athletic Woman's Survival Guide covers a gamut of issues concerning women athletes including eating disorders, amenorrhea, osteoporosis, body image. One of the most important chapters is on getting and giving help, forming a support team, getting referrals, the journey to recovery while continuing training, and communicating effectively with family, friends, teammates, and coaches. The Athletic Woman's Survival Guide concludes with an excellent chapter on "Peak Performance: Preventing the Triad" and sites specifically what the woman athlete can do, what her friends can do, what her family can do, what schools and organizations can do, what their men can do, and what coaches and athletic departments can do to assist the woman athlete to thrive, prosper, and perform in the competitive world of athletic competition. Highly recommended for personal, professional, and athletic department reference libraries, The Athletic Woman's Survival Guide is enhanced with references, resource lists, and a comprehensive index.

This book is a must for all active women. This book has everything! I especially enjoyed the comprehensive case studies of accomplished women athletes and how they took control of their health issues. This book covers, in depth, eating disorders and how to overcome them. It also covers all women's health issues from menstruation to injuries to everyday aches and pains. Extremely valuable information and sound and compassionate medical expertise are key elements of this book. I highly recommend this book for ALL women, young or old. It is a valuable resource.

I really enjoyed this book. Other people may go for the swagger of Pre or the domination of a Salazar or Rodgers. But, of all the the runners I've read about, Edelen is the one I identify with most. I suppose it's because he's more of an unsung hero of American running.

The book is fairly well written, and unlike many biographies, it does not drag on with boring uneeded details. It documents the man that Edelen was and shows excerpts from his training to give insight, to those of us who run ourselves, the kind of grueling training he did.

One of my top five running books.

As a runner in Alamosa, where Buddy lived for many years, I was shocked to learn one day that a friend of mine was the son of this former world record holder. Having of course never read the book, much less heard of the man himself, I found myself buying this biography of Buddy Edelen. What I discovered was awe-inspiring: a man who worked himself past the brink only to run into oblivion. Even had I not known some of the particulars of Buddy's life, "A Cold, Clear Day" impressed me with a great sense of respect for Buddy as an athlete. Beyond tough, he deserves to be remembered in the annals of running lore.

When I picked up this book I did not know who Buddy Edelen was. This is right up there with the best running biographies I have read. If you love a good sports biography, whether you are a runner or not, pick this up. GREAT READ!

What I found so amazing in Frank Murphy's work is his lyrical skill that makes this non-fiction book read like a wonderful tale.

Historical accuracy and insightful exploration of personal determination give a clear psychological landscape of the kind of athlete that put long distance running on the map of today's sports.

A must read not only for long distance runners, but for poets as well.

Reading this book was a delight. What got was that Buddy was nobody special at first - just another guy in the American collegiate system. Nonetheless, he took a risk, went to England to train with and compete against the best, and it paid off with a marathon world record.
The glimpses into Buddy's mind are great, especially the narrative portion about the Olympic trials at Yonkers. You can't read this book and not love Buddy Edelen.

Exceptional. Damon does a wonderful job explaining ideas and concepts in great deal with fun, true-to-life stories that are real and applicable to anyone's life journey. He shares his intellectual thoughts in a clear, concise manner that is easy to follow and will make you want to keep reading.

No bells and whistles or complicated, superficial language. This book is straight forward and if followed is sure to bring success to its readers! I have not read a book in some time (and very few) from the perspective of a person who is realistic and focused on the true tools to achieve. I will be purchasing one of these books for every athlete I know as well as struggling professionals. If at such an age this man has this much wisdom, it would be a sin not to share. If I were you, I wouldn't let another day go by without this information...this is if you truly want to succeed, or just want to sit around and talk about how you "wish" you could. Buy it today!

Excellent! I really needed this type of book in high school and college. His personal stories about his personal struggles were amazingly insightful. Everyone can relate to this book! This book is great! plain and simple!

It's about time someone writes a book that truly reveals the importance of perserverance. Not only for young black males but everyone. I kind of relate this book to a recent convention I watched on CSPAN. Bill Cosby was speaking At the Rainbow Coalition convention on CSPAN, during this speach he talked about people being overcomers, especially the African-American community. But he explained somehow over the years African-Americans have started to point the finger and make excuses. Rev Jesse Jackson who I am not a big fan made an interesting point that young athletes succeed in athletics because of the training, discipline and preparation but when it comes to education young people specifically young athletes do not have the same approach, therefore they do not experience the same level of success. Point being people succeed because of their level of will power, preparation and discipline which this book explains perfectly. This book "Don't stop the Swagger" is wonderful it actually gives the needed mindset to succeed in not only education, but in athletics, business and beyond. This book is required reading for all people not just athletes. Damon J Smith's website is excellent! Just type "iswagger" in the search engine. This is the type of material we need in our educational system.

"Don't Stop the swagger is a great read! it gives an interesting relationship between corporate moguls and professional athletes. This is a must read for all athletes young and old. But the Author's personal stories can relate to anyone from all walks of life. It's refreshing to see an athlete who can really write and articulate a message that anyone can learn from. The last chapter titled "Inner Man" is honest, thought provoking and different than anything I have read. This is a must read for all people! In the Second portion of this book he talks about essential career skills. He actually breaks career into an acronym meaning: C for communication, A for Attitude(positive), R for Relationships, E for Education, second E for entreprenuerial mindset and the last R for relationships. Just a well thought out book! I found these chapters relevant for the business person, student or whomever.

The End of Baseball is a wonderful baseball novel, one that combines a rich history of the game with an intriguing look at one of the more controversial periods in our nation's favorite past-time. The author does a great job of bringing to life these characters and their very intriguing circumstances.

I am not a baseball fan or what you would call a sports fan by any stretch of the imagination, but Peter Schilling's "The End of Baseball" is one of the most enjoyable pieces of fiction I have read in many years.

Mr. Schilling knows how to engage his reader with detailed characterizations that enable his characters to escape their paper home and emerge from the pages as human beings that make you both laugh and cry -- and that's just what I found myself doing.

Mr. Schilling does not talk down to his audience and his plot advances with subtlety and suspense. The story unfolds with many surprises, heartbreaks, and hurrahs.

There are no gimmicks or mechanical gods to save the day in "The End of Baseball". Only genuine people trying to live through extraordinary circumstances.

I give it my highest recommendation.

Peter Schilling brings back the game of baseball complete with the personalities, the idiosyncrasies, the after hours stories and all of the fun that this sport once had. This is an amazing novel that just sucks you in and doesn't let go. I couldn't wait to find time every day to continue my reading. It is somewhat unique in its use of historic information and mixing of baseball story fiction. In it, Schilling has captured an era in the sport just as African Americans are beginning to be "allowed" into the game. But in this story, not just one Black ballplayer is in the Majors, an entire team is being moved up.

Schilling has written an enjoyable and moving story that shows many of the great Negro League players coming together and playing in the Major Leagues on the same team: Josh Gibson and Satchel Paige among them. The antics of Bill Veech Jr. contribute to the main storyline and how the difficulties from the all White league and their overbearing Commissioner continually throw up barriers to the entry of this special team on the hallowed Fields.

In addition to the game of baseball, the societal ills of the general population and the mind games of J Edgar Hoover, himself, are all part of the plot. This is a slice of Americana; America going through the pain of WWII with their boys of summer as their only distraction. Only this summer has the potential of bringing out real change for the sport. Bill Veech, Jr., is the man trying against all odds, fictitious and historic, to keep the team together against the powers of baseball and others desperately trying to keep the status quo. This is a baseball story for the ages. A terrifically different novel for anyone tired of the same old stuff.

I was amazed at how perfectly interwoven truth and fiction were done by Schilling. The character studies are on target and made a part of the story blurring the lines of fact and fiction like nothing I'd ever read in the world of baseball writing. The ending is beautiful and fulfilling. I am giving it my hearty recommendation of 5 stars. There just isn't much not to like.

This book has it all: the high drama of a "what if?" season of baseball, historical cameos, and real social commentary. If you're looking for an always-entertaining page turner, look no further. The End of Baseball simulates what it's like to be swept up in a particularly thrilling baseball season in 1943, and reading it is like having a spot in the bleachers to watch the team that almost was. It has subtle character studies, and closely observed details that summon up that time and place: America as a country in the midst of WWII, the African American baseball community prior to Civil Rights. It will keep you up nights reading!

Peter Schilling, Jr.'s inventive novel "The End of Baseball" describes a mesmerizing 1944 baseball season that might have been - if Bill Veeck had been able to purchase a major league team and recruit an entire team of Negro Leaguer stars.

Veeck loses a leg at Guadalcanal. Before enlisting in the Marines, he had been a successful minor league baseball team owner whose innovative promotions lured fans to the ballpark and whose competitive teams kept them coming back for more.

In "The End of Baseball," Veeck returns to civilian life and purchases the Philadelphia Athletics. He turns the ball club into an instant contender by secretly signing Josh Gibson, Satchel Paige, Oscar Charleston, Buck Leonard, Cool Papa Bell, Willie Wells, Roy Campanella, and other Negro League stars.

The book contains many poignant moments on and off the field. To his credit - and to our good fortune! -- Schilling provides the historical and social perspective the story demands. He captures the essence of the men and the game they play for life and, perhaps, death.

In real life, Veeck owned the Cleveland Indians and signed the American League's first black player, Larry Doby, and also Satchel Paige. He had less talent to work with on his St. Louis Browns ball club, so he grabbed the spotlight by sending a midget to the plate. When he owned the Chicago White Sox, Veeck put player names on the backs of uniforms and introduced the exploding scoreboard. He was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1989.

Whether a child, parent, or first time coach with no prior knowledge, this book is the perfect introduction to children's soccer. Add your league specifics and develop technically as you go. A first, must read.

This book provides a brief introduction to soccer, at the right level of detail for those new to the game. My 11-year-old son found the summary of the rules and strategies quite helpful. As a new coach, I was glad to have a compact volume that included most of what I needed to know. There are other books that provide more detail on the game and more exercises and drills for soccer players -- but this is the ideal "first book" for someone just learning about the game. I recommend it highly.

I am the first time coach of a second grade boys soccer team. This book was very easy to understand for the kids as well as myself. For kids that are relatively new to the game it explains positions, the different kinds of kicks and the all around basics of soccer without getting too technical. It has been a great aid for our team.

As a long time recreation coach and soccer parent, Brooks Clark offer the side of the game perfect for all coaches just starting out, or for any parents who know little about the game their children are playing. Concise and fun, a great read for the basic rules and strategies of soccer.

I read this book and now I feel all the more confident while training my son and his friends. I can explain them about the basics and the game and how to plan their game. Tecnicalities of the game are exaplined well in this book. Go ahead and buy this book to learn the basics of this game.

This book reminds me of Tuesday With Mory. I own a large café in Hollywood, California, and I have purchased copies of Lucky Every Day for all of my employees. I also purchased the book for my daughter's graduation. The inspirational messages and life lessons from Diane Geppi-Aikens appeal to people from all walks of life.
Kudos to Mr. Silverman!!
René Castillo

Life lessons learned and tested; on and off the lacrosse field.

A great inspirational book for yourself and better shared as a gift to your family and friends.

"Lucky Every Day," written by Chip Silverman, should be read by all. Diane Geppi-Aikens is a true inspiration. Her principles for living can be applied to every aspect of my life, every day of my life. This book is not to be missed!

I followed Ms. Geppi-Aikens final season at Loyola last year through articles in national publications along with television coverage such as the Today Show, ESPN, and Good Morning America. Her accomplishments as a lacrosse coach, and as an individual dying of brain cancer were awe-inspiring. Because of that I bought her book "Lucky Every Day"; and, after reading it in one sitting I now understand why she was such a remarkable individual. Author Chip Silverman has put together an outstanding series of stories from her former players that are motivating and truly inspirational; and relate not just to sports, but to every facet of humanity. Interestingly, I found this book quite a departure from two other books that I have read by Silverman: Diner Guys which follows the lives of the guys immortalized in Barry Levinson's film "Diner"; and "Ten Bears" an account of the first and only black college lacrosse team and its exploits as told by Silverman, the white coach of the black team. I would love to give ten stars to "Lucky Every Day", but you limit me to five.

I enjoyed reading this book. It was very fast reading and most enjoyable. One does not have to be a lacrosse or sports fan to be inspired by the lessons of Diane Geppi-Aikens. The anecdotes from her former players and the format of each chapter can inspire and motivate people from all walks of life be it business, social, etc. It also makes a great graduation gift, and I am buying my mother one for Mother's Day.

I was the skinny white kid from maryland i wanted to be good but i
was a bum. So i bought this book. Before the 12 week program ihad a 10 inch vertical leap, iwas 5'2 and weighed 70 pounds after using the program i know way 97 pounds am 5'4 have a 28 inch vertical leap. ia m also a real dominant player on the court with my 8% body fat. i also worked on shooting during the program and went from barely being able to shoot form the free throw line to shooting threes whit an unblockable form. i recomend this book to anyone. All you need is a goo weight set or not it dosen't matter.

This book is terrific. It has lots of great exercises that will help you get an edge on your friends. The exercise are well planned out and the test system helps see how well you are progressing. This books a must buy for anyone who wants to be physically trained for basketball!!!

This book has it all! From Stretching, to Strength Training, to Plyometrics Power Training, to Agility Training, to Speed Training. This book delivers motivation because it is the same source the NBA players use to get in top basketball condition. This book will get you to the highest level, and more.....

Well, as a college basketball player, I can say this book is somethin' special. Every new bball player should read it, cause it will change your thinkin' about this game, well it changed for me. Stretching section is realy good, cause not many of the players or coaches attend their attention to stretching these days. Strenght training exercises are specialy designed for bball players, and you don't have to think anymore what to do in the gym, what to train in order to become better bball player, everythin' is in this book. Ok, one thing is clear for sure, if you wanna train and play pro, read this book!!!

This book is terrific. It has lots of great exercises that will help you get an edge on your friends. The exercise are well planned out and the test system helps see how well you are progressing. This books a must buy for anyone who wants to be physically trained for basketball!!!

As much as people dont think that nutrition is important to the serious athlete, they are wrong. One of the keys unlocking your potential is what you put into your body. Before i had read this book, i had a few ideas/thoeries about what i put into my body and what foods i should eat and this book backed my ideas and gave me new ones. This book is one of my favorites, and serious athletes should follow it to a T.

As much as people dont think that nutrition is important to the serious athlete, they are wrong. One of the keys unlocking your potential is what you put into your body. Before i had read this book, i had a few ideas/thoeries about what i put into my body and what foods i should eat and this book backed my ideas and gave me new ones. This book is one of my favorites, and serious athletes should follow it to a T.

Best book I've read for the "semi serious" athlete. Although I don't compete anymore, I'm 74, I thought the info. for nourishing food and meals very helpful to me . Also,I never realized that hydrating after exercise was also important.

Dan Benardot's book 'Nutrition for Serious Athletes' is a must for the coach or athltete who desires to cover every base when it comes to athletic performance. Fundamental topics discussed include proper nutrition, hydration, supplements, timming of meals, good diets/bad diets, and sport specific diets. But what also adds to the immense value of Dan Benardot's book is the excellant index of meal plans, and nutritional values of foods.

What is of great importance in gaining knowledge is the issue of authority. It is something that is very important to me, for there are many individuals who claim to actually know something about athletic performance, yet they lack proper training and education. It is clear that Dan Benardot is not one of those individuals. Not only does he have PhD and RD distinction, but the text is also clear, logical, insightful and based on scientific evidence.

Terrance Grant

Dr. Benardot's text, Nutrition for Serious Athletes, is essential for both coach and athlete. It lays out in clear and precise fashion what is required, with regard to nurtition, for athletic success. Crucial topics, for athletic success, that are comprehensively discussed include: proper nutrition, hydration, supplements, meals for anaerobic and aerobic activities, and timing of meals. What also adds to the immense value of the text is the massive index of food sources of essential nutrients located at the end of the book. If you want to achieve your best athletic results, i.e., to maximize and actualize your true athletic potential, then this text is for you. It will not only show you how to fuel your body for the particular athletic you are training for and competing in, but also help you to understand why you should be fueling your body in that particular maner. All in all, this is an excellant text for the athlete, coach, or even the individual who just wants to have a clear understanding of proper nutrition.

I had to by this book for a class, and it is incredibly helpful! Anyone looking to become a personal trainer should at least check it out, if not by it.

THIS WAS JUST WHAT I WAS LOOKING FOR. I BOUGHT SOME WEIGHTS AND DIDN'T
KNOW TOO MUCH ABOUT LIFTING BUT THIS BOOK AND DVD GETS RIGHT TO THE POINT
WITH THE PROPER WAY OF WORKING OUT. IT WAS WELL WORTH IT'S PRICE.

This book is excellent in describing muscle dysfunctions that many trainers don't recognize in prescribing weight training to clients. It shows the best way to optimally perform an exercise for max safety and max development.
This is one of the best books Ive read for personal training clients.
This book comes with a great course by the IFPA (google it) called the bodybuilding specialist course. It teaches you a ton of great material!

This book covers some simple yet very helpful topics related to training. From manual muscle assessment, to what typical problems can occur with rotator cuff muscles this book is a great addition to any fitness professionals collection.

Two quotes every athlete hears from nineth grade till the last day of collage:
"Coach says we need to focus"
"Coach says to lift in the off season"
That second recomenation- to lift weights- seems present in just about every sport. Why is this? Not because weight lifting is fun, but because it conditions the tendons, strenghens the muscles, and soldifies ones' balance to such a degee that many people get results even if they are doing it "wrong". An added bonus is that skeletal muscle, like cardiac muscle, is the stimulator to burn fat. Anerobics is now as highly recommended as aerobics!
Unfortunately we don't all have "bodybuilder" friends or the money to hire a personal trainer. Therefore, I was very pleased to find this book/DVD set. The DVD shows proper form for the most common lifts, and the book shows both the right way AND the wrong way to perform these exersizes. Bravo, Mr. Kinaken.
I also recommend:
"Getting Stronger"--B. Pearl (beginning and advanced weight routines)
And "Fitness is Religion"--R. Kybartas (motivation and inspiration)

Here's a book I highly and repectfully recommend of AAs, 12 Step recovery people, and Big Book and Bible study groups. If you want a suggestion for what to use in reviewing early A.A. spiritual principles, renewed mind Bible segments, and further Bible study, this is the book or you. Dr. Bob used it regularly and recommended it highly. Its great virtue is that it fits early A.A. needs and practices to a "T." It ranked high in topical Bible study. SeeThe Good Book and the Big Book: A.A.'s Roots in the Bible (Bridge Builders Edition). It ranked high in the books that A.A.'s cofounder Dr. Bob studied, recommended, and circulated Dr. Bob and His Library: A Major A.A. Spiritual Source. It was the type of study guide that followed the lines of Christian Endeavor groups who had Bible studies, prayer meetings, conversions, Quiet Hour, and reading religious literature. These were the principles Dr. Bob learned as a youngster in Vermont.Dr. Bob of Alcoholics Anonymous: His Excellent Training in the Good Book As a Youngster in VermontAnd it certainly belongs in the library of those observing morning quiet times Good Morning!: Quiet Time, Morning Watch, Meditation, and Early A.A.

I LOVE this Bible. I first came across it when I found a very old version from 1913. My old one is very small in size and so old it is falling apart. I did a search to get a new one to carry and a few extras to share others. Even in the newer version it is still the same word for word. It is very easy to use and just what you need if your on the run! The title couldn't be more PERFECT!

This book from 1910 does exactly what it describes by providing a quick-start for devotionals. By selecting a verse or two by subject or at random, you have a meaningful focus for reflection, meditation or prayer immediately. It is not surprising that my experience is that God uses my selections for current issues in my life. This guide works easily with other disciplines, because you can adjust the time for reflection or prayer to the time you make for it. Just like Oswald Chamber's My Utmost for His Highest, devotions from the early part of the 20th century seem to be as timeless and eternally important as the Bible.

This is spiritual food I take it with me when I fly, at sea at home lots of wisdom and well written for those not ready for Old and New Testament.

I found this book while looking for some history in the
kind of meditation books for recovering alcoholics. People
who have proved that their lives have changed miraculously
by the practice of principles and living on spiritual basis.
This little book is amazing. Just a few lines of encouragement
each day. Spirituality is indeed a feeding of the mind on the
wholeness and beauty that comes from God. Many basic principles
learned here add peace to my life. The combination of scriptures

with little commentary is especially good for those of us looking
to feed ourselves spiritually in a short time - on the run.
Sometimes you can find a real gem. This book is so simply but
edifying and uplifting. To meditate on my heavly Father (from
whom all blessings flow). Use it. I'm thankful I found it.
My husband didn't read much scripture -- but he does read this
little book.!! Thanks to the Author!!
Linda