Sports and Recreation Books

Though a little skeptical based on one person's review that the book was "lean" in terms of graphics, I went ahead and bought it. While I agree that the book is not gorgeously laid out, it has some of the best information I have ever read in a how to book. My learning curve went straight up and not only would I recommend this book to any parent but have also bought copies for friends.

Everything you ever wanted to know about athletic recruiting when your high school coach doesn't do it for you. And here's a hot tip. You can go one better than your high school coach, Mom and Dad. Check out the opportunities at West Point. Almost everyone there is a scholar-athlete, and all on full scholarship plus getting paid [...] a year! And, best of all, if you get hurt, you don't lose your scholarship! To find out what West Point is really all about, read Norman Thomas Remick's book, "West Point". In conclusion, Wayne Mazzoni did a great job. His, "Athletic Recruiting & Scholarship Guide" is the book that tells you everything you need to know. (Unless you become interested in West Point).

This book made it clear what we need to do. I can't wait to get started on helping my daughter get a place to play in college and a scholarship.

While this book does not have the perfect layout of pictures, etc. that many books do, it has the only thing you really need when it comes to recruiting...an insiders perspective on the process. This book can be read in a few hours and your learning curve during this time will be dramatic. I am so much more prepared now then when I started this process.

I thought I did everything for my son that I could...When it came time for college, we just hit a brick wall. Wayne has helped us break through that wall. Step by step. Our family owes a great deal to Wayne. Thank you!

If you want a book about hiking / backpacking / camping, this is the ultimate bible.
It will review all the equipment and some knowledge you need to have. With that it's an extremely easy read. I recommend it.
Some of the advices are a little bit dated so I would recommend reading in addition to it a good book about ultralight backpacking (like the Lightweight Backpacking and Camping: A Field Guide to Wilderness Equipment, Technique, and Style (Backpacking Light)
). The combination of both will give you the main background and a good overview to select the good gears and hit the trails.

This was an very useful book after I got hooked on backpacking. Specifically, the sections on gear let me make informed purchases when replacing my discount store equipment with higher end items from backpacking specialty retailers. The only nitpick I have is the need for some more details on types of clothing needed for certain environments, especially in the Rockies. My copy was well worn with use but still used for reference.

This is well-written and thorough guide to backpacking. It provides helpful ideas for backpackers at all levels, not just beginners.

Like any book, it has its biases. Townsend is a long-distance solo backpacker with most of his experience in western North America, Britain, and Scandinavia. He often hikes on snow, and spends a significant amount of time on skis. He is a vegetarian with a minimalist approach to backcountry cuisine.

What does this mean? First, the weekend backpacker will find a lot of material that goes well beyond his needs. This stems from the book's efforts to be useful to people at many different levels. At the other extreme, a highly experienced backpacker will find much of the book too basic, though as a long-distance hiker Townsend will provide various nuggets of advice even for her.

Second, Townsend almost completely ignores fishing. This is a popular part of the backpacking experience for many people and should be included. (I suppose a little advice for backpacking hunters would probably also be helpful.) Since Townsend doesn't hunt or fish, he may want to take on a coauthor in future editions who can help him a little in these areas.

Third, Townsend has nothing to say about experiencing the wildnerness by canoe. This objection may be unfair, since canoeing isn't exactly "backpacking." However, many people combine canoeing with backpacking and portaging in a way that probably belongs in an exhaustive guide to backpacking. Certainly, Townsend's extensive discussions of cross-country skiing is as much a niche interest as is canoeing.

Finally, this is not the book for backcountry recipes or cooking ideas. However, it is painfully thorough in discussing cooking gear.

Townsend reflects the Rockies-and-Sierras bias of most backpacking literature, though (like others) he acknowledges Appalachian Trial hikers. It's easy to forget that the largest wilderness area in the lower 48, and the most widely visited in the entire country, is the Boundary Waters Canoe Area. Some experience with North Country backpacking would serve Townsend and other writers well.

These criticisms aside, this is the best book of its kind that I have found. I hope that it continues to evolve in its third edition.

This book is all about experience. It takes you on an amazing ride through a concise drilldown of everything one needs to take their first walk. The author does a good job of giving not only his own perspective, but the perspective of other experienced backpackers that see things differently. This gives you more lessons than a single person could ever provide. Whenever you come to a junction point in the book where you might want more information about something he specificly states he's not going into (like power hiking vs. slackwalking, or gourmet trail cooking vs. survivial eating) he always gives references to other great books that give the extra details on those other subjects. Great must-read!

I bought a few books online without paying too much attention to reviews and I was often disappointed. This time I paid a great deal of attention to the reviews while trying to sellect the book that would best fulfil my expectations and I must admit that all the good reviews about The Backpacker's Handbook, 2nd Edition, are well founded! This book is excellent and everyone interested in reading about backpacking should at least acquire this one. Thank you Mr. Townsend for sharing your experience and passion with us in such a good book! and thank you, reviewers, for guiding buyers like me toward what truly is worth ordering.

Once the great champion Barbaro was able to run he would run against his buddies at the ranch. When and once he started to begin his training he wantedto win and when he became old enough to realize how strong his legs were and how deep his well of speed ws. The others bred to be chanps world be at his mercy.
On the day of his first race everybody wanted to see what this colt had in his well of speed. He won by 10 lengths. Time went on and on the day of the race of the Piminto Race, all the horses lilned up in the starting gate and once the bell rang out came Barbaro and then bam! The horrible misstep riuned his moment of glory, he was fighting for his life!
He was sent to the vetrinary clinic he would have to have 36 screws, 3 plates and alot of faith. After many weeks of recovery have pasted but doctors found a deep abcess in his right foot. On January 29th, the owners told the doctors to let him to release him to the green pastures beside the still waters.

BARBARO is a true GENTLEMAN-CHAMPION. The way he won all of his races,
with all that integrity & class, was a wonder to behold.

Get this book, you will love it. The ONLY complaint I have is: NOT
enough pictures of BARBARO were included. I could easily have wanted
at least dozens more. Maybe my words here, will inspire some one to make
my wishes come true. ***GO***BARBARO !!!***

As a Barbaro lover, I enjoyed this book. It's simple, great for children, and talks about the best of this fabulous horse and his tremenous courage.

I absolutely loved this book....loved seeing a "baby" picture of Barbaro too! I really felt like I was right there with Barbaro as he was growing up! I'm sure I will re-read this book many times.

This book touched me in a special way! I smiled, laughed, and cried as I read it. Ms Mickle's presentation of Barbaro's life, much of it from the horse's-eye-view, endeared me even more to Barbaro. I hope his full brothers are being nurtured and brought along in identical fashion. Great reading! NOTE: The Preakness Stakes is 1 3/16 miles long; it was not the longest race he was being asked to complete at the time. The Kentucky Derby was longer--at 1 1/4 miles (1/16th of a mile further than the Preakness). Long live the memory and legacy of Barbaro! My compliments and respect go out to those who helped make him a champion.

When this book came out 30 years ago it raised the bar for pool and three cushion billiards instruction manuals. Earlier books, such as Ray Martin' 99 Critical Shots, were badly flawed by the gross inaccuracies of their diagrams. Byrne introduced large and accurate scale diagrams, even including parabolic paths for cue balls struck with draw or follow. The last half of the book covers the elegant game of 3-cushion, which is now enjoying a renaissance. It contains by far the best, and nearly the only, explanation of "the diamond system" for calculating multiple rail bank shots. Even a rudimentary familiarity with it should help virtually any pool player. The entire book is leavened with Byrne's characteristic dry wit. I've been recommending this book to students for decades.

Hey, it may be a good book, I don't own it. But looking at the cover page, should not the 8 ball be in place of the 10?

Bought this book used from amazon. It is an exceelent and easy read that will improve your game immediately. I am still plowing through it but already I see improvement. Some of the photos could be a little sharper but none are so bad that you can't determine what it depicts. Highly recommend it.

The Chilton Book of pool, Byrne's New Standard Book of Pool and Billiards is a must have for anyone who plays pool.

I read the book page by page and practiced with it. My game is 300% better. This book is for every tipe of player.

This is the real deal. I first used this book in a class for the USPS when I was around 13 years old (I'm 60+ now). Everything is factual and updated often. If you want the best reference manual on boating get this one.

Our most frequently asked question: "What's the one book you'd recommend for a boater?" Our answer every time: "Chapman's."

Whether you're a new boater just getting started or an old salt needing a little refresher, this is your dependable one-volume reference. When we need material for our "Boating/PWC Basics" course, this is where we go.

The book is continuously updated and fresh, with new information on topics like GPS and how to use it and Digital Selective Calling (DSC) for your marine radio. It continues to present essential and complete information on preparing to get underway, operating and navigating your boat, the practice of good seamanship, docking or mooring your boat, and how to put it away for the winter (which some of us have to do!).

Chapman's has been a fixture in our library (and on our boats) since the 50th edition in 1972. And even though we pay a little more for it now than the $8.95 price in 1972, you'll still find it a great value at Amazon's price shown above.

Our advice: Don't leave home (or the dock) without it.

Chapmans is the must-have for any boater who wants to do things the right way. I regularly go to this book. Easy to read, organized and practical. A bit big to bring onboard, however.

I've been a profesional captain for over 30 years, and I still find myself going back to this book for a quick refresher on the Rules of the Road or a check on the working and breaking strengths for various moorings, ropes, chains, etc. If you were allowed only one reference book on boating, this one, in my opinion, would be the best choice. It has a wealth of practical information on virtually every 'basic' subject of importance to the mariner -- novice and professional alike -- and is completely free of controversy and error. With 64 printings under its belt, you can be sure you're getting the facts and figures straight.

There are indeed other very worthy books that cover individual aspects of boating (heavy weather seamanship, advanced navigation, etc.) in a more comprehensive manner, but none of these will offer more factual, accurate, or appropriate information for such a wide range of skill levels. We all know experience is the best teacher. But when the tuition can kill you, it pays to come to school prepared. In this regard, Chapman's has no equal.

If you could only buy one book on boating, this would be it, but it's overkill for a beginning recreational boater. The newcomer to boating will get lost in all the detail if he tries to use this as a practical manual. With all the books on boating, it might be better to label this as an intermediate-advanced reference book. Sure, it's got everything, but most weekenders don't need to know everything, just the basics.

an excellent book for those of us they may be advanced in years, but young at heart, and enjoy bicycling.

Book was excellent, highly recommend it. The book contains lots of info and tips on how to stay motivated and proper conditioning/training. Liked it so much, I gave it as a gift this year.

The information in this book is vital to anyone that leads an active life. It dose not matter if you are over 50 or not, you should read this book it's very helpful. I wish that I would have found this book ten years ago. It could have saved me some pain and comfort.

Very informative book about training and riding for those of us over 50. Uses the theory that your maximum heart rate decreases a very small amount over your lifetime (if you remain active) and doesn't not rely on formulas to figure out max heart rate. Offers specific training regimens in order to ride farther and faster (if you want to). This book confirms other information about max heart rate and training especially in the book Heart Zones Cycling by Sally Edwards.

I expected some discussion of problems people over 50 have keeping their weight down. There is almost no mention of weight or weight loss, except to say that losing weight slowly, as advised, consists of not eating the equivalent of a small piece of cake each day. A lot of the book is for people who want to do more aggressive cycling than I will likely do. Still, it pushes the rider to be more aggressive for more improvement. The chapter on psyching is very good and highly recommended. The book also discusses using a heart rate monitor to know when a period of recovery has done its work.

This is a wonderful book for people of all ages. It shows how we have what it takes inside of us to overcome obstacles or perceived issues. A great read for anyone who might have a handicap or knows of someone who does. This is also a wonderful read if you love horses!

This book is an excellent way to introduce the LOA to your kids. It's a sweet story for any age -young and old- and reinforces the idea that we do have the ability to change our circumstances at any given moment. I enjoyed the story so much and feel the message is so important that I have given the book to my daughter's teacher. I am hoping it will become a message that she agrees is vital to share with everyone.

Every child and every Adult should read this book. It is a beautiful story, wonderfully told of a little horse growing up. Just like little anyone growing up she is subjected to the pressures of life. Parental, peer, job/school pressure and it shows the reader beautifully how to cope with that pressure. Dandelion, goes from being a misfit. She starts of in the eyes of those around her, a weedy little Dandelion. But, along with her struggles she emerges as a wondrous flower in full bloom.
Every age group will benefit from reading this book...those of us who have forgotten the wonders of childhood, those still in childhood or adolescence it's a must for those going through it and finding it tough. A wonderful gift for Grandparents to give to their Grandchild. A Real GIFT!

Amazingly simple yet so deep, well written, fun yet moving story, with incredibly powerful, inspiring reminder of this truth so many of us had forgotten. Well worth the short time to read it! I have purchased 15 books to present to loved ones- the message is that profound, life changing, and yet simple once we begin to consciously think about it. Horse lovers will love the picture the story paints in their minds, yet non-animal people will still be able to identify to the characters and appreciate and comprehend the message just as much, too. Cannot say enough good about this book!!!!

After years of reading "Notes from the Universe" and dozens of other spiritual philosophies, I found Dandelion to be a little oversimplified. It struck me as the perfect read for a pre-teen or teen who is struggling with life's meaning for the first time, or perhaps an adult who has never explored spirituality before. With the right audience, this book would be very enjoyable and insightful, but if you have strong experience in spirituality, buy it for a teen in your life instead.

I love this book, it has helped me post on a trot. (Seemed impossible at first :)

It gives lots of good tips from basics to jumping. Learn how to keep yourself safe. Learn good technique. If you're taking riding lessons, this is a definite must-read.

Riding lessons are expensive, so it's important to get the most bang for the buck. This book will help. Mike Smith explains the basics of riding clearly, and offers some classic "what to do if...?" scenarios one is certain to encounter while interacting with horses. In addition, the photographs are very helpful in illustrating topics like posting the trot and dismounting properly and safely. I have found that this book helps me review specific material covered in an actual lesson, and also gives me ideas for further discussion with my teacher. Mike Smith's writing style is straightforward and enthusiastic. Highly recommended for beginning riders of all ages, and one of the best books I've seen for a riding student. This book covers English riding only.

I love this book, I have been taking lessons for about a year and a half, and I bought this book after about 6months of lessons. It clearly explains so many things, I constantly refer to it. I think that all new riders should read this book before even going to their first lesson, to give a clear explaination of horse lingo, positions and care. I think this has been the most constant resource that I have used to explain things that my instructor and I are having trouble with.

Mike taught me to ride as an adult student at Woodland Horse Center in Maryland back in the 1980's. I'll never forget his patience, humor, and innate "horse sense." I've since moved to Wellington, Florida (a major equestrian and polo center), for reasons I thought were mostly unrelated to horses. I haven't ridden in many years. So there I was in a store looking for a book to help my son Will Tedesco, who at [...] and maybe 40 pounds is just beginning to ride. Imagine my surprise to come across this book, which I hadn't known existed! At 50, I'm once again feeling that old tug to get back on a horse, and I'm sure Mike's sensible advice will again stand me in good stead. Unlike most of his readers, however, I'll be able to hear his voice inside my head reminding me to "steer!"

I realize many techniques of English riding are transferable to Western, but, as a Western rider trying to improve my seat and aids, I found this book frustrating and unhelpful.

read this book when I was much younger. I cannot help but to refer back to the message and images given to me by Tom Brown from "Grandfather" every time I go out into nature. A great book to give a young person that will perhaps spark an interest in the natural world.

In 1988 I happened upon the earlier edition of THE VISION by Tom Brown, Jr. It was one of those books that seemed to "jump off" of the book-store shelf and right into my hands. Later, when THE GRANDFATHER was first published, I immediately purchased it and was not disappointed. In both books Tom describes his childhood adventures of meeting and learning from an old Native American medicine man named Stalking Wolf who was also called "Grandfather." These are still today among my favorite books, worn and dog-eared. Tom's explorations, the instructions he received from Grandfather, and the meditations contained in this book, helped me return to that core connection with my Native American relations and to renew my pilgrimage into Native American spirituality.

After reading Tom's book, The Vision, I telephoned him to ask about his survival training program. He described a program that sounded far too rigorous for me at that time in my life, so Tom recommended I contact the Sun Bear Tribe that offered a softer and easier program started by the late Sun Bear, a Native American medicine man. That began a pilgrimage to a wilderness program and then to a life changing vision quest, all of which has deepened and enriched my personal spiritual life.

So these books hold a honored and holy place on my bookshelf. THE VISION is out of print, but I highly recommend THE GRANDFATHER to anyone interested in deeping their spiritual life and in increasing their awareness of our connection to nature and to all of life.

However, don't read this book if you want your life to remain as it has always been and to see things as you have always seen them.

The Rev. Dr. Prentice Kinser III, author of LIMITLESS LIVING, A Guide to Unconventional Spiritual Exploration and Growth

I have several books by Tom Brown and liked this one the best of all.

This is a great spiritual story about a real man. I have given 6 of these books away and will probably order more. Robert Esslinger

YES!!! "The Tree Speaks" chapter changed forever how I view the purpose of my life and how I view the world. I no longer fear natural death. It has been the truth I've been searching for my whole life.

I cannot believe how so many have pondered the meaning of life and why we are here, and then it gets answered so very simply in only a few words.

I recommend this book to ANYONE who is interested in Native American beliefs, history and/or a good story about a great man.

Like others have said, I know this sounds mythical even as my review almost makes this sound like some kind of cult but it's just very simple, and true. There is no nutty religious views here.

Every environmentalist should read this book.

If one were to have only a single book on Hunter Seat Equitation, this should be it. Written by the leading trainer of top riders and instructors of the past few decades. Buy this book. The basics are covered in such a way that it will become a part of "how it should be done". This book will be on your bookshelf as reference as long as you ride.

Have now read 4 times and keep finding fundamental gems of interesting tips. Good pictures that clearly ilustrate the text descriptions. Highly recommended by riding instructures and they were right.

This book is an excellent resouce for both students and trainers. Mr. Morris has outlined a distinct training method, which is easy to follow. He explains concepts very well. I highly recommend this book.

I've never really benefited from reading books about riding in the past, but Hunter Seat Equitation changed that! I constantly refer to the book when I'm riding and it has made me much more aware of my body and aids. The pictures are wonderful and really give a good example of what you are trying to achieve. It even includes things you might not expect, like how to choose the right horse to compliment your style of riding. Wonderful book.

This is the best book on how to ride. Written logically, and so the reader can understand how to ride. Watch the video after reading the book. Every time you read it, you get more out of it.