Sports and Recreation Books


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Sports and Recreation Books sorted by Average customer review: high to low .

Sports and Recreation
Collins Gem Sas Survival Guide (Collins Gem)
Published in Paperback by HarperCollins Publishers (1999-03)
Author: John Wiseman
List price: $9.95
Used price: $12.71

Average review score:

Fun day in the wild
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2008-10-14
I have read a many survival guides and things of such. One definite plus over most is colored images for identifying things that may be harmfull if eaten. It covers a lot of different terrain, weather and just about anything you might need. The best thing about this is it is very small, and if you are a hiker (or outdoors man) you can throw it in your pack to reference as situation arises without worrying too much about taking up too much space.

This book will be very useful and I know it!
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 2 total.
Review Date: 2003-04-29
I just bought this book the other day and it is amazing. It gives you the facts you need for survival. If I get caught in a situation from the book and I don't know what to do, I will be suprized.

GREAT BOOK THAT EVERYONE SHOULD HAVE
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 1 total.
Review Date: 2003-03-01
This great book teaches you how to survive. It has so many detailed descriptions with graphs. It is so compact that I even carry it everyday in my backpack. It might be really useful when the war starts or an earthquake takes place.

Excellent book!!
Helpful Votes: 1 out of 3 total.
Review Date: 2004-04-24
One of my friends bought the big version that had a little more information in it. I read it and when I saw that you could buy a pocket version I was thrilled! Wisemen gives an informative description of everything you need to survive almost anywhere. I'm confident that if I were in a survival situation I would be able to survive.

Outstanding
Helpful Votes: 3 out of 3 total.
Review Date: 2002-12-07
I've had this book for a few years now and have read it over and over again. The information is amazing. There's not a topic that Wiseman doesn't cover or at least touch on.
Not only is it small, it's tough too. It's been on every camping trip, hike, deployment and just about every other trip with me for the past three years and it's still in great shape.
Friends of mine that could have cared less about a suvival book have read mine on airplane rides and afterwards went and bought thier own.
You can't go wrong

Sports and Recreation
Dressage in Lightness: Speaking the Horse's Language
Published in Hardcover by J. A. Allen (2005-03-01)
Author: Sylvia Loch
List price: $45.00
New price: $28.19
Used price: $26.00

Average review score:

Required Reading
Helpful Votes: 1 out of 1 total.
Review Date: 2007-10-22
This book is a "must have" in every dressage enthusiasts library. Another outstanding book by Ms. Loch.

Well organized and easy to follow.
Helpful Votes: 1 out of 1 total.
Review Date: 2006-12-17
I selected this book based on the reviews that have been posted. I was not disappointed in the least.

Makes you think about what you are doing as a rider.
Helpful Votes: 10 out of 11 total.
Review Date: 2005-02-12
I've had this book for over a year and I didn't pick it out to read until recently. I had been focused on books directed at training young horses and I thought this book would be better suited for a future stage when my mare had at least mastered the basics under saddle. Boy, do I wish I had started this book sooner!
I found this book to be the perfect companion book to others I have on starting young horses. Primarily because it makes you think about what you, as a rider, are doing. It is all too easy to focus on the young horse, instead of yourself. But if you have picked up bad habits along the way, you'll be hindering your progress and frustrating your horse.
What I like most about this book, is that it gives you the horses perspective, how he feels about each movement and how you deliver the aids. It encourages you to breakdown each movement and think about what you are doing as a rider - are you asking correctly and using the aids effectively.
The first few chapters (literally the first half of the book) are excellent for training a young horse, or re-schooling an older one. The subsequent chapters build up through the levels, from Training Level to Grand Prix. I know this book will be well used.

Extremely Practical
Helpful Votes: 2 out of 2 total.
Review Date: 2006-06-27
Finally a book on classical dressage that really tells you HOW to do it. Sylvia Loch is fantastic. I recommend this book to those who sometime feel like the real detail of how to apply the aids is missing from other dressage texts.

A must have book for any rider
Helpful Votes: 4 out of 4 total.
Review Date: 2005-08-30
I cannot adequately describe the beauty and accuracy with which she writes. Clarifying the aids, and the horse's biomechanics and perceptions with a truly classical constructive approach.

A truly helpful, different perspective with easy to understand content for all riders.

Sports and Recreation
Encyclopedia of Immaturity (Klutz)
Published in Spiral-bound by Klutz (2007-08-01)
Author: Editors of Klutz
List price: $19.95
New price: $10.88
Used price: $10.76

Average review score:

Excellent birthday gift for a 10 yr old boy
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2008-10-15
My sons LOVE this book. Lots of silly gross stuff perfect for boys. My 4th and 5th grade sons love this.

Fun for Everyone
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2008-09-09
The entire family has enjoyed this book and many have tried out some of the "suggestions". Even some rather staid members of the family - all in good fun.

Great book!
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2008-08-31
I ordered this book for myself and my kids. They thought it was the coolest book ever. I think I could have written most of it. I then sent a copy to my brother for his 35th birthday. He has two sons and they both enjoyed it.

Love it!
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2008-07-08
This book is truly perfect for all ages! I bought it for my tween (10-14 yr old) niece and nephews but found myself reading the book all the time. I even had to buy another one for my coworker as a parting gift which was a big hit. Several other coworkers expressed interest in buying one for themselves! Absolutely love it :)

excellent gift for that nephew in your life
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2008-06-09
Great fun book for the younger set. Good to let them get a little crazy in this up-tight P C world!

Sports and Recreation
Gracie Jiu-Jitsu
Published in Hardcover by Black Belt Books (2006-05-01)
Author: Helio Gracie
List price: $70.00
New price: $43.55
Used price: $40.00

Average review score:

Gracie Jiu-Jitsu !
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2008-10-25
The most complete book about Gracie jiu-jitsu.
It covers all the gracie basic techniques for self defense and sport, plus gives a little insight about their family beginnings. A must have!

Great book!
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2008-09-24
This is a great book. For those looking for "traditional" BJJ book, this one is not for them, but for those who are looking book of "old school" Gracie JJ this is the one. Master Helio is instructing a self defense what was the primary goal of his JJ (most of his instructions are from stand up fight).

Great images, great instructions. Highly recomended!

Great book for Gracie students!
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2008-08-12
As a student of Gracie jiu jitsu, I have read many of the books out there purporting to be complete guides. However, most simply pick and choose the favorite moves of the author or promote a specific BJJ system, such as X guard or Rubber Guard. While those are good and have their place, GRACIE JIU JITSU is the must have book for any student of the Gracie system. For those of you learning the real Gracie jiu jitsu, not sport brazilian jiu jitsu, you must have this book. This book works perfectly as a reference guide for the Gracie fundamentals and all self defense moves, along with the stand up game, which are needed to progress to blue belt. I have found this to be invaluable in studying and fine tuning my moves outside class. Thank you, Rorion Gracie for making this book happen with your father, Grand Master Helio. I look forward to a changed life as a result of Gracie jiu jitsu.

As thoroughly 'user friendly' as it is Informed and informative
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2008-05-03
Rorion Gracie created the "Ultimate Fighting Championship"event in 1993. This no-holds-barred tournament pitted all the different martial arts styles and traditions against each other in free form combat of no rules and no time limits. This iconoclastic approach created a furor within the martial arts community and from this unique approach arose one particular martial arts as being superior to all the others. It was called 'Gracie Jiu-Jitsu'. This unique approach to the martial arts in all of the associated moves of both defense and offence are thoroughly illustrated with step-by-step photographs in "Gracie Jiu-Jitsu", a 275-page compendium of instruction that is enhanced with the inclusion of Grand Master Helio Gracie's life story, his teaching principles, and the 'Gracie Diet'. As thoroughly 'user friendly' as it is Informed and informative, "Gracie Jiu-Jitsu" is strongly recommended for personal, academic, and community library Martial Arts reference collections and supplemental reading lists.

Helio the great!
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2007-07-08
This book is not the tell all to those looking for indepth look at BJJ and technique. It is a great table book to have for all BJJ guys that want a slice of history. Gracie JJ was created and molded by Helio and his bro Carlos to be used as a self defense art. It has taken shape today into a whole new beast. As beautiful as the art has become...this book touches on the self defense aspect of BJJ. There is a ton of stand up defense and a few chapter on the basic Gracie JJ techniques we all know and love..arm bar, triangle etc. Buy this book if you are a true fan..plain and simple!

Sports and Recreation
Greco-Roman Wrestling
Published in Paperback by Human Kinetics Publishers (1993-07)
Author: William A. Martell
List price: $21.95
New price: $12.98
Used price: $9.85

Average review score:

Stay On Your Feet!
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2006-11-18
March 18, 2004

This is possibly the best book on Greco Roman Wrestling in print. I have a copy of Greco- Roman Wrestling by M. Briggs Hunt which has drawings rather than photos and is no longer in print, which is also very good. Greco Roman teaches holds for above waist, and is practiacal for street fighing, and has holds you can use staying on your feet ...
Train hard and have fun!
Guro Dennis Servaes

good book of basic throws
Helpful Votes: 2 out of 2 total.
Review Date: 2005-09-19
this book covers some basic greco-roman throws, as well as some exercies to build you up for the throws so you can proform the movments required. overall i would say get this book if you are looking to add some stand-up throws to your grappling or fighting game.

Greco-Roman Wrestling
Helpful Votes: 2 out of 2 total.
Review Date: 2005-09-16
Excellent book. I recommend it to all wrestlers, Judo, BJJ and Submission grapplers. Upper body moves and applications are discussed in great detail along with body positioning. The book emphasizes that even though you can not use legs to trips your opponent positioning you body nonetheless is paramount. Will little modification these techniques can be applied to MMA as well.

Great for Observers, for Understanding and Insight
Helpful Votes: 3 out of 3 total.
Review Date: 2005-05-15
I would like to describe how extremely helpful this book is to a spectator of the sport of wrestling. Since I am merely a fan or observer of this great sport, I don't have the inside knowledge to understand exactly what I am seeing when I watch wrestling. This book has been an excellent reference text and teaching guide for me to learn more about my favorite sport.

Since so much happens in such a short amount of time in wrestling matches - which is one of the reasons this sport is truly special and so exciting to watch (no endless waiting for something to happen, no standing around, no lengthy time-outs) - this book does a wonderful job explaining in depth what actions the observer is witnessing.

I know this book is intended as a training/how-to manual, but I feel it is great for non-participants (cheerers) too. I intended to pass this book on to a family member to encourage participation in the sport, but I am afraid I am keeping it for myself, at least for the time being.

Great photos, easily understandable technical/strategy information, and a nice history/background section - this book has it all. I already had a tremendous appreciation for the sport of wrestling as far as the sportsmanship, strength, endurance, strategy, training, skill, etc. Now I have a greater understanding of the complexities and nuances as well. This has given me wonderful insight into something I could admire, but only slightly understand before. And I am planning to employ some of the flexibility exercises in a non-wrestling context. This is simply a wonderful book for everyone to enjoy, not just wrestlers and coaches.

J.H. Sweet, author of The Fairy Chronicles, and wrestling fan

Stay On Your Feet!
Helpful Votes: 5 out of 5 total.
Review Date: 2004-03-18
This is possibly the best book on Greco Roman Wrestling in print. I have a copy of Greco- Roman Wrestling by M. Briggs Hunt which has drawings rather than photos and is no longer in print, which is also very good. Greco Roman teaches holds for above waist, and is practiacal for street fighing, and has holds you can use staying on your feet.
Train hard and have fun!
Guro Dennis Servaes

Sports and Recreation
Hiking Death Valley: A Guide to Its Natural Wonders & Mining Past
Published in Paperback by Michel Digonnet Publishing (2004-01)
Author: Michel Digonnet
List price: $19.95
New price: $12.00
Used price: $10.89

Average review score:

Wonderful Book!
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2008-08-27
I have just returned from Death Valley and this book was an excellent resource both before and during my trip. I found the author to be very straight forward about the information presented and very realistic about the wonders and realities of Death Valley. It's a truly amazing place and this book covers an incredible amount of information and detail that will serve me for years to come and many more visits!

Great travel resource
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2008-02-10
This book is a great resource tool. A fairly inclusive area guide with historical, geological and physical details. More than adequate for most visitors to choose an advanced plan of daily activities. It is not attempting to be a USGS map nor a hikers bible. It is a fairly descriptive summary of things to see, do and where they are.

I purchased this book for helping us plan a 5 day stay in Stove Pipe Wells. Well worth the money spent.

Hiking Death Valley: A Guide to Its Natural Wonders & Mining Past
Helpful Votes: 2 out of 2 total.
Review Date: 2006-02-25
This is a really good comprehensive guide that doesn't give away too many secrets. All the standard destinations are well covered, plus many out in the sticks, but it leaves plenty for you to discover on your own. Will definitely stay in my library, get loaned to friends, get destroyed or lost...all signs of a worthwhile guide.

Need more stars for this guide.
Helpful Votes: 3 out of 3 total.
Review Date: 2006-11-13
A rare guide that is so complete i can stop looking further. I don't know how he has covered so much ground in one lifetime. Digonnet's love of Death Valley shines through. A pleasure to read but heavy for the backpack...i am ordering a fresh copy cuz the old one is beat up and has many pages torn out. Also, take care to assess your idea of strenuous against his to avoid finding yourself in over your head.

Excellent guide to many hikes
Helpful Votes: 8 out of 8 total.
Review Date: 2006-03-29
Be aware that Digonnet omits a few common destinations in this book. But it's by far the best guide to the huge number of hikes that he does include. Rely on this book for the majority of your destinations, but get another guide to fill in the gaps. Also keep in mind that areas described as "easy scrambles" for someone with a technical climbing background like Digonnet may be more difficult for flat-ground hikers.

Sports and Recreation
Home waters : fishing with an old friend
Published in Unknown Binding by ()
Author: Joseph Monninger
List price:

Average review score:

A charming story about a fly fisherman and his dog
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2000-12-19
"Home Waters" is a charming story about a fly fisherman and his dog. It is Monninger's memoir and tribute to his dog, Nellie, an eleven-year-old Golden Retriever, who he has recently learned has cancer. He decides to take a road trip from his home in New Hampshire to visit some of his favorite fishing spots in Wyoming, Idaho, and Montana. Monninger takes the reader along for the ride, describing the details of his fishing trips -- where he sets up, which type of bait he uses, how he adjusts his technique to the circumstances -- and how Nellie accompanies him in all he does -- how she sniffs at each stick and stone as she explores a new area, how she snuggles into his sleeping bag on cold nights, how she taught herself to dive under water after him. As he makes his way through the trip, he reminisces about earlier fishing trips and other experiences he and Nellie have shared.

I loved the tone of this book. Monninger has a pleasant, matter-of-fact way of telling a story. I especially liked how he conveyed his simple love and respect for Nellie just in the way he interacted with her and in his reports of their conversations: "I told Nellie we were done for the night. She seemed grateful." Or, "I told her she was a good dog." When Nellie encountered a harvested potato field, she gave her best shot at retrieving the hundreds of potatoes left on the ground, only to be defeated by the magnitude of the task. Monninger says, "I consoled her on the walk back to the truck, telling her we all have such days, then fed and watered her. I told her to lay down on her dog bed and she did." After he returns to his hotel: "When I unhooked Nellie's leash inside the room, she put her nose on the edge of the bed, asking permission to get up. I told her to go ahead, but not to hog the whole thing. She curled at the foot of the bed, tail to nose. I sat besider her and gave her a rub. In a little while she began to snore. I read for awhile, then turned out the light." I especially related to his dilemma when he went fishing at Yellowstone. "The hard part was explaining to Nellie it is against park regulations to take a dog into the back country.... Nellie wasn't pleased with it... and when I locked her in the back of the truck, she whined to come with me. I was firm with her and caved only enough to give her a biscuit." I've never been fly fishing, but I enjoyed Monninger's equally droll explanations of how it works, the strategy (and luck) that goes into it. I think I now understood why "the one that got away" haunts every fisherman.

Sad that it's out of print
Helpful Votes: 1 out of 1 total.
Review Date: 2004-07-21
What a shame that books this worthwhile have to go out of print. In its quiet, unassuming way, I found this to be a classic work of animal-lover's literature. Like at least one other reviewer, I wondered whether I could get through the entire book after reading the first paragraph, which seems to be foretelling a tragedy. But I did, and instead shared something more like a triumph. I will never give up my copy of this book. I hope the used copies available here will be enjoyed by many more people.

An engaging recount of a man's simple but worthy pleasures.
Helpful Votes: 2 out of 2 total.
Review Date: 1999-09-29
Monninger uses all his senses in his prose. Unassuming details become necessary pieces of a fabulous story about a man's love for his best friend, one that can't verbally reciprocate the bond but shows an appreciation of the author through her patience and obedience. Bravo!

Beautiful story of man, dog, life...
Helpful Votes: 3 out of 3 total.
Review Date: 2000-09-28
In this memoir, author Joseph Monninger recounts a very special fly-fishing trip with his best friend, eleven-year-old Golden Retriever, Nellie. Nellie has been diagnosed with cancer and Monninger decides to let the illness run its course- but not without one last grand encounter with nature. The pair traverse the country by pickup truck- camping, fishing and otherwise enjoying nature and the company of each other. This is a great book for those who fish because there are lots of references to the techniques and joys of fly-fishing.But the touching glimpses of the bond between man and dog, and of dealing with the curves life throws at us, add memorable depth and make this wonderful story of interest to everyone, fisher-person or not.

Touching story of a man and his dog
Helpful Votes: 7 out of 7 total.
Review Date: 1999-12-02
This is a wonderful story about the relationship between a man and his dog. I've never gone fly fishing but I found the descriptions quite interesting. I felt like I was with Joe and Nellie on their adventues. Very moving! I highly recommend this book to everyone even if you don't have a dog!

Sports and Recreation
How to Perfect Your Golf Swing
Published in Paperback by Pocket (1990-01-01)
Author: Jimmy Ballard
List price: $15.00
New price: $419.60
Used price: $31.89

Average review score:

Try this drill
Helpful Votes: 10 out of 10 total.
Review Date: 2002-02-27
If you want to test Ballard's theories, try the drill on
page 60: "Another way to get a feel for [connection] is to
hit some medium or short irons with a handkerchief under
your left shoulder. If you drop the handkerchief, you've
unplugged, or disconnected, allowing the arms to work
independently of the body." You may have seen Vijay Singh
hit practice shots with a headcover under his left arm
and wonder what he was doing. That's what he's doing.

I've played 40 years, including college golf, and have a
single digit handicap. I am 5'8", small framed, under 150
lbs. Without the big muscle approach, I'm toast. His
common misconceptions alone will help you.

This title should be put back in production. It would
eliminate a lot of human suffering.

Possibly the best ever
Helpful Votes: 11 out of 11 total.
Review Date: 2002-11-06
In my humble opinion based on reading perhaps 1,000 books on golf over the past 40+ years, this may be the single best golf instructional book ever written. It's short, it's clear, it's well-illustrated, and it's an approach to instruction that WORKS. As I recall, Ballard was selected as the "teacher of the decade" for the 1980's by Golf Magazine, and with good reason. His fundamental principle of "connection" is, as he says, not merely the key to golf but to any number of sports. He has identified the fundamental principle that distinguishes the great ball-strikers from the hacks and also-rans. Regardless of what they may SAY they do, or FEEL they do, Ballard has identified what the great ball-strikers really DO. I recently took some lessons at the Kapalua Golf Academy and came home thinking "That sounds just like what Jimmy Ballard was saying 20 years ago." I picked up a copy of this book and confirmed that it indeed was what Ballard was saying 20 years ago. You may need some professional guidance to confirm that you are grasping what Ballard is saying, but I'm convinced that what he is saying is pretty much the one overriding key to the golf swing. I'm astounded that this book is out of print because it deserves to live alongside of Hogan's Five Lessons and a handful of other indisputable classics.

Jimmy Ballard book review
Helpful Votes: 3 out of 3 total.
Review Date: 2007-01-22
I'm an older golfer (70+) and I found this the best golf swing instruction book I've ever read. The illustrations were of players I remember idolizing when I was a younger player, the concepts logically defined & metaphores easy to remember when practising, the drills constructive & productive. His use of concepts like "connections" and "swinging from the ground up" have stayed with me throughout the season. In some instances he told me things about the act of swinging the club that had never occurred to me before. In short he must have been a great teacher as my golf instructor told me when he recommended it.

The Bible
Helpful Votes: 4 out of 5 total.
Review Date: 2006-07-16
From taking up golf at age 10 until I was 18 I was a hacker - and I so desperately wanted to be good that practiced every day on the range. I took lessons from many local Club pros but never improved. My swing felt ungainly and awkward and I found golf so frustrating and depressing. Then by accident I bought Jimmy's first video - 'The Jimmy Ballard Golf Connection'. Soon after I bought this book. I was completely amazed. He was telling me exactly the OPPOSITE of what I had always been taught by all these different pros, as well as many well meaning amateurs at my club. It was almost an evangelical experience. I felt as if a huge cloud had been lifted. I read and re-read his book and immediately began to practice, disgard all the classical 'sacred' swing rules I had ever learnt that had prevented me from making any natural, athletic moves and ignore all the teaching I had ever had. What a transformation. Within 12 months my handicap had reduced from 18 to 6 and then shortly after to 3. I was picked for my University first team for 3 straight years and won the vast majority of my matches. I hit the ball so consitently and straight whilst my opponents were in the trees/rough/undergrowth. Best of all, my golf swing FELT so perfect, natural, effortless, balanced and perectly repetitive. Everyone commented about it enviously. I had so many comments that my swing looked exactly like Curtis Strange. (He should have known better than to listen to any other teacher and fiddle with a perfect swing). Now several years later, my busy career has meant that I only played golf once last year. But I stood on the first tee having not hit a ball for many months and after I few practice swings, my swing felt perfect, natural and easy. Perfect contact and the ball went straight down the middle as if I had never been off the golf course. That is the proof that Jimmy Ballard is right and everyone else is wrong. Before if I didn't hit a ball for 2 days I just couldn't make contact.
What more can I say? This man has given me a perfect golf swing for a lifetime. He is God when it comes to golf. He may not be anywhere near as good at promoting himself and using the media as David Leadbeader (who stole a few of Jimmy's ideas when he came to prominence - and then added some flawed ideas of his own) but listen to no one else and read nothing else unless it's by Jimmy Ballard. This book is the Bible.

A Real Shame....
Helpful Votes: 4 out of 5 total.
Review Date: 2001-11-30
It's a real shame that this book is out of print. This is the best book I've read on the golf swing. Applying concepts learned in just the first few chapters, I saw immediate improvement.

Sports and Recreation
I Run, Therefore I Am - Nuts
Published in Paperback by Human Kinetics Publishers (2001-08)
Author: Bob Schwartz
List price: $15.95
New price: $5.00
Used price: $0.95
Collectible price: $17.95

Average review score:

Fun & Instructional
Helpful Votes: 2 out of 2 total.
Review Date: 2006-05-03
I really enjoyed the book, it was fun and made me laugh. But more so than making me laugh, it also taught me. It taught me about running and how strange we runners can be. It also reminded me not to take myself too seriously as a runner.

The chapters are short, making it an easy read! Whether you are a hard-core runner or a newbie (like me) you should enjoy it!

Loved it- a very fun read!
Helpful Votes: 3 out of 3 total.
Review Date: 2006-02-22
I was looking for a little humor to go along with training for my first marathon, and I found it in this book! Schwartz takes all the small quirks of a runner, things you may not even think twice about, and has you laughing all day. Nice, light, fun reading.

Simply Loved It!!!!!!!!!!
Helpful Votes: 4 out of 4 total.
Review Date: 2003-07-08
I may be one of the few runners who had not yet heard of Bob's wonderfully written book. Thankfully I came upon it at the bookstore and I could not put it down. It's filled with rip roaring laughter as Bob takes us on a hilarious romp through all things (and then some) near and dear to runners and provides some insight as well. I enjoyed all the many chapters but some stand out so well that just thinking of them makes me break out in laughter (from Introduction to Ingurgitation to Trick or Feet to Lifetime Taper for a Masterful Peak).

If you want to laugh, this is the book for you. Tremendous!

Great, great book!
Helpful Votes: 5 out of 5 total.
Review Date: 2003-12-13
This is a fantastically funny book and although dealing with running, it provides a lot of laughs for non-runners as well. Bob presents a terrifically humorous look at runners and races and training and lots of other subjects associated with running. The book makes a great gift and the accompanying illustrations are a perfect compliment to each chapter.
It's rare to find a book presented so very well and Bob should be highly commended for this welcome addition to a runner's library. The chapters on stretching and cross training and his satirical look at rules to run by are simply hilarious!

Fantastic!
Helpful Votes: 6 out of 6 total.
Review Date: 2004-02-17
Finally, a humorist who is a runner takes a wonderfully funny look at all runners. This book had me laughing out loud from the moment I opened it as each of the short, snappy chapters are filled with wonderful humor in a very well written, easy flowing and creative manner.
Bob is a skillful author and very funny and entertaining. I've read many of his articles on family life as well and would love to see a similar book on that subject.
I highly recommend I Run, Therefore I Am - Nuts! to all runners. The book is simply great! I've actually read it twice now and had the same amount of laugh out loud chuckles along the way.

Sports and Recreation
Kishido: The Way of the Western Warrior
Published in Paperback by Hohm Press (2003-06)
Author: Peter Hobart
List price: $14.95
New price: $8.69
Used price: $4.99
Collectible price: $14.95

Average review score:

A how-to book for living a more virtuous life
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2008-08-27
This book is a great read for anyone who is a student of life, not just of a martial art. It is philosophical, historical, and somewhat autobiographical in nature, and its lessons can apply to everyday life. I found the short chapter entitled "YU" or "Bravery" particularly relevant and moving to me personally.

Peter writes that "There is a grace, a depth and a character to the movement of the expert, akin to the fit of a well-broken pair of boots." Peter personifies this. He seems to glide gracefully through life. He is always the gentleman; always the master willing to lend his hand and expertise to the willing and eager student. At times, even in his own well-worn pair of boots! It is an honor to know a man of his character.

To find a way......
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2008-02-16
....ask those who have gone before. Sometimes, I struggle to blend eastern thought with everyday western living. Peter Hobart helps by taking years of experience and distilling it down to an essence over a few pages. Pick out either an idea or concept listed, and gain a new thought (or revisit an old one semi forgotten) to work on. Not just for the martial artist, also for those who wish to live, rather then exist.
The chapters may be thin, so what?! Never say in 300 words what can be said in 30.So, if you are wanting to stetch your mind, or just want a degree of clarity in everyday living, then perhaps this is the book for you.

Interesting Book
Helpful Votes: 1 out of 1 total.
Review Date: 2008-10-21
I found this book to be an interesting read. It is divided into five sections, each containing 10 short commentaries about different subjects which are applicable to the martial arts. Each new commentary is accompanied by interesting quotes which introduce the commentary's theme. While this is not my favorite book on martial philosophy at all, it is worth while and it is an interesting read. It is well done and well organized. I think that you will find it enjoyable and be able to pull a few gems from the pages of Kishido.

Bohdi Sanders, author of Warrior Wisdom: Ageless Wisdom for the Modern Warrior

One of the best of its genre
Helpful Votes: 1 out of 1 total.
Review Date: 2008-04-03
This collection of short stories is very philosophical and eclectic spanning a wide range of topics that all have to do with personal growth. The story Ihtaram: A Civil Code takes place takes decades ago on the Arabian Peninsula. The author incorporates Bushido principles as he tells of a good host allowing a murder to happen rather than violate the code of hospitality. The point of this extreme story is to show that the host chose to find resolution by working within the mandated code. I don't exactly agree with this viewpoint but the story was intriguing. I also loved the calligraphy and the quotations.

Enhance Your Journey!
Helpful Votes: 2 out of 2 total.
Review Date: 2008-07-10
I thoroughly enjoyed "Kishido: The Way of the Western Warrior" by Peter Hobart. The book can be read pretty quickly. It contains 50 short chapters in 161 pages and then includes a short Glossary of Japanese terms used in the book as well. While the chapters are short, the contain some very important lessons.

The book is a series of lessons that Hobart's martial art master passed to his students while not only teaching martial arts, but teaching virtues embedded in all traditional martial ways. The instructor taught through example that conduct is just as important as ability. He exemplified integrity, dignity, courtesy, chivalry, truth, trust, benevolence, and wisdom. He passed these lessons to his students, and now Hobart has written them down so the reader can blend the philosophical and spiritual concepts found in martial arts with the physical and technical training of their specific art.

The lessons include:

Part I: Foundation

1. Kishido The Way of the Western Warrior
2. Bumon Lineage
3. Shoshin An Open Mind
4. Junshin A Pure Heart
5. Fudoshin A Determined Spirit
6. Ihtaram A Civil Code
7. Enkyoku The Winding Way
8. Ganshiki Insight
9. Discretio Mater Virtutis Restraint
10. Noblesse Oblige Obligation

Part II: Range

1. Bangei Versatility
2. Bunbuichi Sword and Brush
3. Bokuden, Ima Anachronism?
4. Koji The Master Texts
5. Nihongo The Lingua Franca
6. Shika, Doka, Renga Expression
7. Heiho Strategy
8. Koan Mumonkan
9. Kanpo Healing
10. Garyotensei The Eyes of the Dragon

Part III: Strategy

1. Yohei Mercenaries and Merchants
2. Gi Right Decision
3. Yu Bravery
4. Jin Benevolence
5. Rei Right Action
6. Makoto Truth
7. Meiyo A Matter of Honor
8. Chugi Loyalty
9. Ichigo, Ichie The Power of One
10. Hanare Time to Let Go

Part IV: Harmony

1. The Dao Interconnectedness
2. Docere Versus Ducere Instructors and Educators
3. Primum Est Non Nocere First Do No Harm
4. Chaqun A Son Gout Horses for Courses
5. Shojin Demagogues and Curmudgeons
6. Stare Decisis Tradition
7. Girei Professional Courtesy
8. Kiki Opportunity
9. Kouhei No One is Above the Law
10. Tatsutoriatowonigosazu Leave Things a Little Better Than You Found Them

Part V: Void

1. Kotan Elegant Simplicity
2. Heisei Serenity
3. Fuga Refinement
4. Enryo Reserve
5. Panache A White Plume
6. Gyakute The Unexpected
7. Hokosaki Advance and Be Recognized!
8. Okunote The Other Hand
9. Matsunen The Final Days
10. Renzoku Passing the Torch


As you can see, there are quite a few topics with quite a range of lessons. I think some of the most important are illustrated in the final chapter, those of gi, yu, jin, rei, makoto, meiyo, and chugi; or Right Decision, Bravery, Benevolence, Right Action, Truth, Honor, and Loyalty.

The book is full of stories and examples of how the master not only taught the lessons, but lived them as well. I'll say again, you can read through this book quite quickly, but it will mean more if you savor each lesson and look to see if you are applying it to your own life. I know I related many of the lessons to teachings that I've had from my instructors and I looked for ways that I could better live by the code outlined in this book to make me a better teacher as well. I hope to be an example of these traits to my students also, and I truly believe if you are going to teach someone skills that can hurt or kill someone, you must also instill the positive character traits so that person will only use those skills if necessary and will never misuse the teachings.

I highly recommend this book. I believe the teachings Hobart has shared from the wise master will enhance your own martial art journey.

Reviewed by Alain Burrese, author of Hard-Won Wisdom From the School of Hard Knocks and the dvds: Hapkido Hoshinsul, Streetfighting Essentials, Hapkido Cane, the Lock On Joint Locking Essentials series and articles including a regular column on negotiation for The Montana Lawyer. Alain Also wrote a series of articles called Lessons From The Apprentice.


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