Sports and Recreation Books


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

Sports and Recreation
Building the Classic Physique
Published in Paperback by Access Publishers Network (1995-12-19)
Author: Steve Reeves
List price: $19.95
New price: $56.98
Used price: $49.77
Collectible price: $600.00

Average review score:

steve reeves classic physique
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2008-06-06
you can get the book from SRIS that is Steve Reeves website for a lot less than Amazon

Building the classic physique the natural way
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2008-03-11
I would highly recommend this book for anyone,wanting to build their body the natural way! Written by Steve " Hercules " Reeves himself,the information is invaluable! Reeves built his body,and kept it in excellent condition with 3 workouts a week,total body! It has everything one would need to just stay in shape,or train for any sport,including bodybuilding..True,you won't be Ron Coleman or Jay Cutler,Mr Olympia winners,but you could be a Frank Zane,a three time Olympia winner and still look like a human being. I feel this is the best bodybuilding the natural waybook,ever done and again I highly recommend it!

Training Book for any age group
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2007-02-17
I read all type of training and fitness books and this one is a classic.It is timeless, if you're 21 or 58 (which I am) you can use the information and the routines to get where you want to go providing you do the work. When you view the pictures of Steve you will say I would like to look like that. Broad shoulders, big chest, very tampered waist, good legs, symmetry , his physique truly is a classic that any man would like to have. Routines, working out around injuries, nutrition, power walking ,
and many frequently asked questions all of us have. After you buy and read the book put it up for sale on Amazon and recoup your investment .
You will be glad you obtained the book ,the Best I've read... you'll see!

Great Book and it isn't out of print!
Helpful Votes: 1 out of 1 total.
Review Date: 2007-12-19
This is a book you have to own. I looked on this site and the only copies are used. Everyone thinks it is out of print, but it is NOT out of print. Google the Steve Reeves International Society. You can buy the book brand new from here. I bought this book and the second book of Steve Reeves. You can get each for $25.

A find for fans of Reeves
Helpful Votes: 2 out of 2 total.
Review Date: 2006-12-31
Too bad this great book is out of print, and therefore so expensive. Fans of classical bodybuilding will admire the great photographs of Steve in his prime, and will find much to admire in this practical, logical, and inspirational guide to getting in shape. Hardcore enthusiasts and fans of monsters like Dorian Yates may think the approach (and Reeves' physique) almost quaint, but the author's proportions were classical and his look is still stunningly impressive: what used to be considered in saner times "the Olympic Ideal". The book is worth a look, if you can find it, and bound to be a collector's item very soon.

Sports and Recreation
The Business Playbook: Leadership Lessons From the World of Sports
Published in Hardcover by Entrepreneur Press (2003-12-01)
Author: Brandon Steiner
List price: $19.95
New price: $10.99
Used price: $0.01
Collectible price: $34.95

Average review score:

A great book to help one with leadership and achieving goals
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 1 total.
Review Date: 2005-04-10
The Business Playbook: Leadership Lessons from the World of Sports by Brandon Steiner does a tremendous job of explaining why it is important for one to set goals, as well as telling you what steps you can take to help you in achieving your goals. The book is well written, with a good amount of actual sports stories featuring some of the biggest names in sports. One downside is that many of the athletes discussed in the book play or played on teams based in New York. I would assume that is because the Steiner's business is located in New York and therefore these are the athletes he has the most contact with. The stories that he does tell about the athletes, however, are closely related to the lessons he is trying to teach in his book. Seeing the success that these athletes have had is a great motivator for the reader to try to accomplish much the same success in business instead of on a playing field.

The book is broken down into chapters, and each chapter essentially highlights a different principle that one can use on the road to success. Within each chapter every principle is broken down even further into various sub-topics. Although some of the sub-topics may not flow together as well as they could have, this style made the book very easy to read as well as understand. None of the information in the book is too complicated for the average reader to comprehend, and all of the information is explained very well.

By associating success in business with success in sports Steiner does a tremendous job in offering a book that is fun to read as well as a book that offers real lessons in business and leadership. Everyone who is at least in part a fan of sports and works in a business field should take the time to read this motivational book. By reading this book you will be able to tie aspects of sports into your business career in ways you may have never even felt were possible.

THE BEST MOTIVATIONAL BOOK I HAVE EVER READ!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 4 total.
Review Date: 2003-11-18
The Business Playbook is hands down the best motivational book I have ever read! Anyone who reads this book will take at least one valuable lesson that they could use in both their business and personal life! Mr. Steiner has a true sports marketing mind, and in my opinion is the best in the business! Keep up the good work!!!!!!!

motivation towards success
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 4 total.
Review Date: 2003-11-16
I thought this book was very intuitive. It really made think about my future goals, and how I should approach them. It is a good reading for anybody who wants to be successful in what ever they want to do. Being that I am a big sports fan I really appreciated the sport figures and events that brandon used as analogies. It should be required reading for buisness students and for anybody who wants to move forward in life. Great book!

interesting take, but felt like I was reading a Jr. High level book
Helpful Votes: 1 out of 1 total.
Review Date: 2007-01-20
This book does a nice job of motivating you toward your leadership aspirations, but many times I felt like I was back in Jr. High school and was listening to my teacher tell me stories of when he was growing up. With all the author's experience and interaction with such high-profile icons of this generation (and a few past), I would think he could have transferred his leadership skills in a more adult and interesting way. Overall, the book was OK.

It's not the game, its the GAME PLAN!!
Helpful Votes: 1 out of 6 total.
Review Date: 2003-12-11
I was lucky enough to read this book after the CEO of my company asked me to purchase it and write him up a quick synopis. It was a quick but powerful read and by the end of that same weekend my senses were ablaze with newly kindled hope and inspiration!

Brandon Steiner has a great sense of motivational ability, and unlike some who give advice with an heir of condescension, he has an amazing ability to strike a chord with the reader through highly assimilable, digestible prose and imagery. He presents a theme and then illustrates it anecdotally. In his line of business one can only imagine the stories you'd have after working so closely with such colorful clientele. At the end of each chapter there is a summary and a closing paragraph or two which ties all the subject matter together.

The book is divided into key principles: "Start with a road map; Find your niche; Wake up nervous!; Know your purpose; Go the extra mile; You never know; Get focused!; Nothing changes if nothing changes; It's not what happens, it's what you do with what happens; and finally, See success as a habit." I saw so many points therein which had immediate relevance to my life and my future goals.

I am very glad to have read "The Business Playbook" and strongly advocate to anyone who reads this to pick yourself up a copy. You'll be glad you did.

Michael G.
NY, NY

Sports and Recreation
Dream Real: A Top Sports Agent's Tips for Teens Serious About "Going Pro"
Published in Paperback by iUniverse, Inc. (2006-09-17)
Author: Eugene W Napoleon
List price: $13.95
New price: $8.72
Used price: $8.93

Average review score:

This book changed my life!!!
Helpful Votes: 10 out of 10 total.
Review Date: 2007-02-13
My name is Mark Tomblum. I am in the 7th. grade. I live in a small town 5 miles outside of Dallas, Tx. I never really liked reading books and writing to much. I do like school but not reading or really writing. I go to an after school program and one of my teachers had this Dream Real book. She read a few pages to me. I wanted to read the book myself. My teacher let me take the book home. After reading this book I must say that it made me like reading. I really liked this book. I can say it changed my life. Football is big in the state of Texas. I want to be a success in life. I want to move on and play college football. Now I know that I must do good in my studies if I want to play football in high school and in college. I am using Dream Real for my book report.


Do you have a game plan? "I do now!"
Helpful Votes: 3 out of 3 total.
Review Date: 2007-05-30
Adults always say things like this or that book changed my life. I just thought it was there way of tricking us into reading because I never picked up a book "that I could not put down".

That changed when I borrowed this book. This book made me see alot of things more clear. Like how I really do not have a "game plan". I am "only" 13 but I am very very different now that I have a game plan in sports and life.

"Big L"

I LOVE TO READ!
Helpful Votes: 4 out of 4 total.
Review Date: 2007-04-05
I love to read all kinds of books. My middle school teacher just gave me this book, Dream Real. I just completed reading it. I really loved this book. I can tell that Mr. Napoleon wrote this book from the heart. It takes a special person to share your personal experiences with the world. Mr. Napoleon is a special person, this is why his book is a great book to read. If you read it, you will learn something from it!!!

T.J. 8th. grade, The ATL

A good book could change your life!!!
Helpful Votes: 9 out of 9 total.
Review Date: 2007-03-06
When you read a good book, it should change your way of thinking or your way of viewing things. When I read Dream Real, it changed my life! This book made me realize some of the mistakes I was making with school. This book made me realize some of the mistakes I was making with sports. I was putting sports before my school work. Now, I realize that school is more important then sports. If I do well in school, that can take me just as far as doing well on the basketball court or the football field. My dream was to play pro basketball in the NBA. Now, I also want to be a doctor if I don't make it to the NBA. In order to become a doctor, school must come first. I never looked at it that way before I read Dream Real. Now, I know that school must come first and basketball comes second. Reading Dream Real, changed my life.

Paul Burns, 8th grade student, New York

I can Dream Real about my future!
Helpful Votes: 9 out of 9 total.
Review Date: 2007-02-22
I play Pop Warner football in Newark, N.J. My coach gave this book Dream Real to my mother during the football season. I just got the chance to read it. Once I started reading it, I did not want to put the book down. I started to dream about playing football at the professional level. I really love playing football. My mother always talks about me doing well in school. After reading this book, I know how important school is to my future. Growing up in Newark is hard. I understand what Mr. Napoleon is talking about in his book. Growing up in the city is hard. Now when I think about sports, I will also think about school. I will work on doing better in school. I need to be smart to get what I want in life in the future.

Jamal grade 8 QB

Sports and Recreation
The Soul of Baseball: A Road Trip Through Buck O'Neil's America
Published in Paperback by Harper Paperbacks (2008-03-01)
Author: Joe Posnanski
List price: $13.95
New price: $6.97
Used price: $7.09

Average review score:

Wonderful book about a great man!
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2008-06-25
This book got to me, in a very good way.

Buck's stories are funny and poignant, and we as readers definitely learn some history if we pay attention. But even more than that we can learn from Buck O'Neil's outlook on life. He was patient, caring, outspoken in an articulate and positive way (something our politicians should learn how to do), and he had grace. More than anything else reading about Buck O'Neil was a lesson on how to live with grace.

I want to tell you the last words of the book, but I won't.

If you like baseball, people or life you will like this book.

Highly recommended!!

A Worthy Life Written Well
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2008-06-08
Sometimes a great author writes a 5-star book, and sometimes he must only get out of the way and let 5-star material shine through. "The Soul of Baseball" is one of the latter. This isn't a knock on Joe Posnanski. The decision to tell the story by reporting on a year in O'Neil's life, rather than interpreting O'Neil's history, was a brilliant judgment. The reader benefits from Posnanski's willingness to set his writer's ego aside.

Another good Posnanski decision was reporting O'Neil's occasional querulousness. Rather than seeing O'Neil as a mindless happy face, the reader sees O'Neil as someone who must work to maintain his positive approach. The occasional lapses serve to highlight the effort that O'Neil makes to bring the light into the lives of those around him.

But ultimately, the star of the book is Buck O'Neil. Not because he was a great ballplayer or manager. But because he was a decent, good-hearted human being whose attitude toward life is worthy of emulation.

I give few 5-star rankings, but this book deserves it several times over.

The Soul of Baseball
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2008-05-12
Reading this book gave me insight into the Negro Leagues and more importantly into Buck O'Neil. Buck O'Neil was a man today's player should study and revere; not only because of his courage but for his respect of the game.

The Soul of Baseball is a history lesson I encourage any fan or player to read.

Outstanding
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 1 total.
Review Date: 2008-04-30
This is an outstanding book by one of my favorite writers. Joe really knows how to tell a story and paint a vivid picture with his words. I loved it so much that I just couldn't put it down. A must have for any and all baseball fans.

Great Gift From Son To Father
Helpful Votes: 9 out of 9 total.
Review Date: 2008-07-02
My son, Jeremy, always gives me good books. He doesn't just pick up the latest best-seller, but takes the time to choose something special just for me. He hit a home run with The Soul of Baseball by Joe Posnanski. It's the story of an extended road trip Posnanski took with legendary Negro League player and manager Buck O'Neil. The lessons learned along the way are great ones for sons and fathers to share.

Posnanski, an award-winning sports columnist for the Kansas City Star, chose not to write a biography of the irrepressible O'Neil, even though the story could bear to be told over and over again. Instead, he penned a moving memoir of the year he spent with the then-93-year-old O'Neil as he toured the country promoting the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum in Kansas City and the memory of those men who played the game in the days before whites and blacks could share the field. The trip takes them everywhere from Nicodemus, Kansas, to New York, New York, and O'Neil has a fascinating story to tell at every stop.

He talks about Satchel Paige, Willie Mays, and Josh Gibson, names that will always be enshrined in baseball's collective memory. But he also tells the tales of forgotten men like Dan Bankhead, the first black pitcher in the major leagues, who would have been a great hurler if he hadn't been afraid to pitch fastballs inside against white batters.

The key theme of the book is Buck O'Neil's spirit-lifting embrace of the best in every person he met. Despite years of back-breaking struggle, O'Neil never turned bitter, never condemned anyone for their prejudice, never had a bad word to say about the often ugly conditions the black ball players endured. Even when he failed to be elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame, Buck O'Neil refused to be angry about it. To make up for the egregious mistake, the Hall awarded him a Lifetime Achievement Award after his death.

The lessons Posnanski drew from his experiences with O'Neil are well worth telling and the book he created from them is well worth reading.

Dave Donelson, author of Heart of Diamonds: A Novel of Scandal, Love and Death in the Congo

Sports and Recreation
Loose Balls
Published in Paperback by Simon & Schuster (1991-12-15)
Author: Terry Pluto
List price: $21.95
New price: $3.49
Used price: $3.24
Collectible price: $23.00

Average review score:

greatest basketball book ever written
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2007-12-31
this book covers everything about aba even bob costas said this book has it all so he wont write on about his time in the aba. 2 chapters on wackiest team ever spirits of st louis and tells of the greatest money deal ever by the silnas that will go on for ever. have read over and over and still enjoy can pick up book any chapter and start reading fun to read and very interesting

A Must Have!!
Helpful Votes: 1 out of 1 total.
Review Date: 2007-04-23
I rank this book right up there with "The Bronx Zoo" and "Thin Ice - A Season in Hell with the NY Rangers." It is a captivating book that is very difficult to put down once you begin reading it. A++++!!!!

This is a great read
Helpful Votes: 1 out of 1 total.
Review Date: 2007-02-27
If you were a fan of the ABA growing up this is the book for you. For some reason I just loved the ABA. To read about the beginning of the league and all the trials and tribulations the league went through is funny. Players I remember as a kid come to life. The Doctor, Lou Dampier, Dan Issel, Artis Gilmore, Laverne Tart. They are all here. The only challenge is that the book is narrated by many former participants and at times it is hard to remember who each person was. However, this is a minor criticism. This was a great book to read and brought back a lot of memories.

Amazon, Pair This Book Up With "Going Long"
Helpful Votes: 2 out of 3 total.
Review Date: 2007-06-12
If Amazon was really on the ball, they would pair this book together with "Going Long," the book about the old AFL - both are entertaining, hilarious at times, and just great reads - you start to see a connection between the leagues in a way, the startup antics, the dubious franchises, and the hilarious happenings. If you are a sports fan or not, you have to get this book - it is hilarious and an absolute joy to read!

The Original Dr. Dunkensteins
Helpful Votes: 2 out of 2 total.
Review Date: 2006-11-18
Before 24-hour sports coverage on cable TV and back in the day when a basketball fan was lucky to get one nationally-televised NBA game per week, there was an upstart league with a flashy basketball, flashier players and paychecks that oftentimes bounced higher than the ball.

Terry Pluto, a long-time sports columnist for the Akron Beacon-Journal, captures the crazy times and legendary personalities on the court and in the front offices in this oral history of the American Basketball Association.

It was a league that hit the NBA where it was most vulnerable; signing players to contracts that were unheard of at the time. For example, Mel Daniels - a number one draft pick in both leagues - opted to play in the ABA and became one of the all-time greats. There were renegades like Rick Barry and the sky-walking dunks of "Dr. J," Julius Erving, arguably the greatest player of his era.

The league went straight to the heart of the NBA for its first commissioner, hiring George Mikan as a means to gain credibility in the eyes of the stodgy national sports media. Larry Brown and Doug Moe were ABA players before becoming pro coaches. And - if nothing else - who could beat franchise names like the New Orleans Buccaneers, Minnesota Muskies, the Spirits of St. Louis and the San Diego Conquistadors (with Wilt Chamberlain as player/coach)?

Though the final few years of operation - with a merger inevitable and the league consolidating its shrinking resources - became an abrupt climax to the ABA, the teams and players that made the jump to the NBA made for a dramatic leap in the quality of the game & it can be argued set the pace for the style and grace of Magic, Michael, Dominique and LeBron.

Sports and Recreation
All About Braising: The Art of Uncomplicated Cooking
Published in Hardcover by W. W. Norton & Company (2004-10)
Author: Molly Stevens
List price: $35.00
New price: $21.76
Used price: $16.56
Collectible price: $35.00

Average review score:

Braising Bible
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2008-07-23
I'm just an amateur, but this book seems to be the most comprehensive braising cookbook. Look at all the all-star chefs she has consulted. She explains the steps necessary to get a tender, flavorful braise and tells you why they are necessary. Loads of good recipes.
If you don't braise--you should--it makes the best dishes and is convenient for a group since you can do it ahead of time.
If you are going to braise, I think you could be wasting a lot of time and effort and missing out on wonderful meals if you don't have this book.

A must for your collection!
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2008-05-26
This is a superb book. Very well written thorough in its explanations and recipes with many varied recipes to choose from. Missed having lush photography to entice me more to cook, but a small omission in an overall impressive cookbook.

This book has made me a better cook
Helpful Votes: 1 out of 1 total.
Review Date: 2008-05-10
I never knew what braising was when I bought this book. It caught my eye because it was so thick, and I thought "How can there be that much on braising?" Well, I have to say, buying this book has been the nicest surprise in my cooking. I have made the absolute best pot roast ever (I never liked pot roast until I cooked it following Molly's recipes). She does such a terrific job of not only presenting the recipes in this book, but EDUCATING you on what makes a good cut of meat, how to buy fish, what to look for when selecting vegetables, etc. You will learn a lot from Molly if you read the book.
Note that there are very little pictures in the book, which usually renders a cookbook useless for me. However, the way she has described and categorized the recipes, I have never once yearned for a picture to know if something will be good. I just read through the title and recipe and think "Yum, that sounds great!" She's really a great cook and teacher. Kudos to you Molly!!! I love your book!

Buy it. You will be a better cook if you read the first couple chapters and make sure you spend the money and buy a good pot. You won't be sorry.

As for the two star review, I'm certain that their version of the crock-pot pot roast is the reason I never liked pot roast in the first place (you probably need half a bottle of ketchup to stomach it). Pay no attention to that review.

I can't tell you how much I love this book!!! If you like chicken, the chicken fricassee is the best. Also, her pork chops are to die for!

Update: I've been cooking from this book going on three years now and I am still in love with it. One of the great things is not only the recipes and education she gives you, but just about every recipe she recomends a side-dish and a wine. How great is that!? You don't even have to think about your menu. She also starts each recipe with a story about how she came across the recipe, which really gives it meaning and makes me appreciate how wonderful good cooking is. Great job Molly!

UPDATED: My New Favorite Cookbook c
Helpful Votes: 1 out of 1 total.
Review Date: 2008-03-03
I've only had this cookbook for two weeks, but have already made 3 recipes from it and they all turned out amazing. The book is very well written and organized and it has a great variety of dishes from fun and different veggie dishes (The Butter-glazed radishes were a big hit) to old standards (the "Yankee Pot Roast Redux" was perhaps the finest pot roast I've ever eaten.) The wonderful thing about the book is it isn't just a collection of stellar recipes but a very readable discussion of technique, ingredients, and methodologies that will surely make you a better cook. I cannot recommend this cookbook highly enough.

UPDATE: After another couple months of making recipes out of this book I wish that I could give it another 5 stars. Every single thing that I've cooked from its pages has been a barn-burner. Do not hesitate to buy this cookbook.

Hands down--this is the best for braising!
Helpful Votes: 2 out of 2 total.
Review Date: 2008-02-18
Comprehensive, wonderful, fabulous...what more can I say? If you only want to buy one cookbook for braising, look no further. Molly Stevens covers just about everything and makes it easy. For a beginning cook all of this information might seen daunting, but the great thing is that she goes into detail for each preparation step and offers lots of good tips. I just purchased this book mid January and have used it many times already. Every recipe has been great. Highly, highly recommended!

Sports and Recreation
Gold in the Water: The True Story of Ordinary Men and Their Extraordinary Dream of Olympic Glory
Published in Library Binding by (2008-06-05)
Author: P. H. Mullen
List price: $24.95
New price: $24.95

Average review score:

The world of professional swimming
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2007-12-24
Gave a glimpse of the professional swimming world. Starting with kids beginning swimming to Olympians from the perspective of professional coach. Entertaining and more appreciative to the sport. But too late for me to join.

Water is gold
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2007-08-23
Very nice book about swimming as a sport and the people, swimmers and coaches and more, in and behind it. One of few great books about swimming.

Just about the best book ever
Helpful Votes: 1 out of 2 total.
Review Date: 2006-10-23
Seriously inspiring, got me through a lot of long practises.

The best
Helpful Votes: 2 out of 2 total.
Review Date: 2008-04-23
This will go down as the best swimming book ever written. The facts of non-fiction with the fluidity of a great novel. PH Mullen has written the aquatic masterpiece.

Great motivating story that will inspire you do follow your dreams...
Helpful Votes: 2 out of 3 total.
Review Date: 2006-06-20
P.H. Mullen's Gold in the Water is a story that i first came into contact with a couple years ago. It is a fast paced true tale about average men trying to accomplish their goals. Reading the story over and over has helped me get through the hard times in and out of the pool. You don't need to be a swimmer to appreciate this story, but it does help. As I am in film school now, this is one story that can inspire more people then Remember the Titans with the Olympic power of Miracle. I encourage every athlete, Olympic fan, parent, or anyone who has a goal to accomplish to buy a copy of this book and one for their coach or mentor. It is a book to read over and over again.

Sports and Recreation
Lore of Running
Published in Hardcover by Oxford University Press, USA (1984-11-30)
Author: Tim Noakes
List price: $49.95
Used price: $4.99
Collectible price: $110.99

Average review score:

Comprehensive Overview of Running, but with Noakes' specific views as well.
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2008-01-02
This is a broad, sweeping view of running, primarily from the marathon and up. Noakes covers history, physiology, current runners, ethnographic issues, and several other topics. It is very readable and each chapter is well edited, so that it can stand alone.

Noakes own views also comes through - over-training did in Bedford and Hill. My only comment is that over-training does in every runner, but perhaps this is the cost of burning brighter rahter than longer.

There are several other subjects that can be lumped into all the other various purveyors of training thought - Hadd, Lydiard, Daniels, Canova. They are all directly or indirectly addressed here.

This is the ONLY comprehensive text touching on virtually the entire spectrum of issues surrounding running which I have found. Noakes has his opinions, but this in no way detracts from this fine read.

Lore of Running
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2007-11-12
VERY detailed and explains WHY certain training recommendations are made. I'm a physician and was surprised how technical this book was. If you are not scientifically minded, this is still a great reference, but do not plan to read this cover to cover unless you took a lot of biology in college. I have used this book for help with an injury and the recommendations and explanations seem very sound. If you are merely looking for training schedules, there are other places to find them, but this book has a wide variety of "formulas" for race preparation. For serious runners, this book is a bargain. Probably cheaper and more useful than any running shoes or other equipment you are putting on your wish list.

Thorough look at the science and practice of running
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2007-09-09
Noakes's book on the "Lore of Running" covers just about everything, from what happens inside your muscles to training plans for various races, from biographies of great runners to how to stretch. Noakes seems to be writing both for the runner who wants a deeper understanding of the sport, and for the runner's trainer.

Despite the specialized nature of some of the subject matter, Noakes's writing is quite readable. If you like endurance reading and endurance running, treat yourself to this book.

Finally...
Helpful Votes: 2 out of 2 total.
Review Date: 2007-07-17
... A book that comprehensively covers the physiology and biochemistry of running. The volume is exceptionally well written, also a first for a book about the science and theory of running. There are some issues with redundancy and some parts of the book that seem a little out of place (training plans to Walk/Run a 5k?). I think if the reader is interested in this level of detail, that they have most likely been running for some time. Some reviewers complain about the long chapter on the history of great runners. The book is, however, called the "Lore" of running - not the 'science of running.' I found that particular chapter to be especially motivating, personally. As the tagline suggests, this book is a MUST for the serious runner or coach.

Phenomenal book on running, best I've come across.
Helpful Votes: 8 out of 8 total.
Review Date: 2007-08-13
I have been reading about running for the past couple of years--probably more than I ought to. I came upon this book recently in the library (most of my reading is online!) and upon poring through its pages have realized that a lot of what I've read either came from this book, or this book has a lot of what I've read in it. Noakes has written this tome relying upon the best science we have for running with all of its available studies. He bases his conclusions and statements on journal articles where possible and where not does not go overboard in conjecture.

He is an accomplished marathoner and ultra marathoner and in his practice has treated a lot of runners.

Go ahead and buy any book on running. It will have a section on nutrition with the basics that we all know. Contrast with the nutrition section in this and it's actually worth reading; he spends many pages on such details as the proper sodium levels in a beverage, the amount of liquid we need to drink while exercising (not the vague catch-all of "drink as much as you sweat"). His guides on injury and footware are the best researched I've found anywhere.

This is not just the best book on running I've seen, it's the best book _by far_.

I slight this book in two areas:

1) Injury treatment seems to be really slanted substantially toward footwear and orthotics. Now, there may be a reason for that I'm not aware of, and he does give time to exercises and "holistic" approches for injury prevention, including training the hips for, say, a knee problem and not just the feet, but I would have just preferred a bit more.

2) Running technique. He describes in detail the typical heel-strike of most runners but doesn't spend much time that I have found on particulars of technique, such as possibly forefooting or midfooting. Bits and pieces are throughout the book in this, but a subsection on what is now in vogue (pose technique, chirunning, etc.) would have been nice. I don't know that it's reasonable to dismiss these simply because he feels they're useless; I feel like he missed out.

That said, I really can't stress enough how much solid, quality stuff is in this book. He's not simply taking what "everyone knows" about running and making a thousand pages out of it; he does go into meaningful detail.

Sports and Recreation
Mixed Martial Arts: The Book of Knowledge
Published in Paperback by Victory Belt Publishing (2007-05-15)
Authors: BJ Penn, Glen Cordoza, and Erich Krauss
List price: $34.95
New price: $21.92
Used price: $18.95

Average review score:

Great for everyone
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2008-06-17
This book is a great book for anyone interested in MMA. It shows detailed pictures and everything is explained very well. I would absolutely recommend this book for anyone from beginners to experts to learn everything from basic to advanced moves.

Best Mma Book Yet!
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2008-05-26
I watch a mma event on dvd everyday and let me tell you; this book covers pretty much all you need to know to compete.Don't get me wrong,there is always more to learn; but this book covers all the basics at the least for sure! Like I said about Randy Couture' book; these guys are the best mma fighters in the world,charge hundreds of dollars an hour and this book in particular gives you about four months of training for only $35.00 dollars!

A must have for the martial artist
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2008-05-09
If you do martial arts and don't know how to fight - what are you doing? This is an essential compliment to whatever martial art you're studying, as it will flesh out your studies and get you to rethink a few things.

Complete
Helpful Votes: 1 out of 1 total.
Review Date: 2008-06-25
This is a great book for anyone who wants to learn the fundamentals of mixed martial arts. Its easy to understand and the most complete of its kind out there. I recommend this book to anyone interested in learning this sport.

An MMA How to - From Start to Finish
Helpful Votes: 4 out of 4 total.
Review Date: 2008-06-07
When I recently read Victory Belt's publication 'Mastering the Rubber Guard' with Eddie Bravo, I was impressed. It made considerable strides in improving over his last book 'Jiu-Jitsu Unleashed' and gave a detailed insight into one of the most misunderstood positions in today's Jiu-Jitsu world. Well, as far as I'm concerned, Victory Belt has done it again with BJ Penn's 'Mixed Martial Arts - The Book of Knowledge'.

Giving a book a title like that one is a fairly bold move. Those words suggest that this is more a tome - or even "bible" - than a book. And at first glance, it looks like it might be the goods. The black and grey reminded me of later editions of Arnold Schwarzenegger's 'Encyclopedia of Bodybuilding' - a book with a similarly anticipative title. At 308 pages, it also fits the bill size-wise, as well.

Opening up at the contents pages, you'll soon see that the book is very comprehensive. After the introduction, you see that the book is divided into two parts - 'The Standing Game' and 'The Ground Game'. Each of these parts is then subdivided into positions and then further into techniques. One of the things I most enjoyed about the book is the introduction. Most newer martial art books open with a discussion from the authors, but Victory Belt's introductions seem to speak to me a little more.

In this case, the introduction gives you about ten pages of BJ's philosophy and how he arrived where he is. From his early days boxing with "old, ratty gloves" through his eventful MMA career, he gives a little insight into his life. He talks about the sport and how he trains for it. He discusses his philosophy for both technical and physical training and gives some broad ideas the reader can take on board.

I won't get into too much detail about what you'll find in the two fighting parts of the book. I will say this, though. While it looks like a "technique catalogue", it's not really. The book shows BJ working many techniques and combinations against opponent's from his gym. However, each technique fits into his particular fighting structure. What you see here is a collection of the techniques BJ Penn actually uses in a fight and how he strings them together.

If you want to see what BJ would do if he finds himself on his back against a skilled ground 'n' pound guy, the answer's here. So is how to use your striking to set up a takedown (a subject not discussed often enough) and vice versa. Another thing I like is that we see what BJ does from a defensive perspective. We see a lot of defensive postures and escapes, which suits me fine as I'm often the one getting hit. Too often, books like this ignore that part of the strategy and just assume your awesome technique will win out.

As I'm not much of a standup fighter, nowadays, I can especially see myself making use of the simple strategies in the section 'Striking for the Takedown'. That is pretty much my weak point. Honestly, though, there's something here for everyone. You'll see how the various open guard positions play out in MMA. You'll see how to minimise your exposure if you're weak in one area with the more defensive oriented techniques. You'll also learn how Penn counters some very common and tough positions.

From a quality perspective, I didn't notice any grievous spelling or grammatical errors (a small problem I had with 'Mastering the Rubber Guard'). All pictures are colour and are clear and easy to interpret. The descriptions are also quite clear to me, another bugbear I've often had. Although the entire field is getting a lot better in that area.

All up, I really like this book. From this point on, I consider this essential reading for anyone considering a foray into Mixed Martial Arts. However, it's probably more important for coaches and athletes who need to move their game to a multi-dimensional approach. That's something Penn himself has done and done well. I think this makes my "Best of the Best" category.

Sports and Recreation
Standard Catalog of Smith & Wesson (Standard Catalog of Smith and Wesson)
Published in Hardcover by Gun Digest Books (2007-01-03)
Authors: Jim Supica and Richard Nahas
List price: $39.99
New price: $26.27
Used price: $15.31

Average review score:

Must have for the S&W collector
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2008-06-27
If you have any interest in Smith & Wesson firearms, this is a must have. Tons of information on pistols, rifles, shotguns and other items made by S&W.

Standard Catalog of Smith & Wesson
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2008-06-16
Excellent resource for the S&W collector. Very comprehensive, quality pictures, great read. The type of book you get lost in for a few hours!

Great reference book
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2008-04-29
This is a great book to get familiar with all the different models of S&W revolvers. I needed a book that would help me identify different revolvers and this book is the one. I believe this book will help anyone looking to broaden their knowledge of S&W firearms. What I like about this book is the color photos and detailed descriptions of each model. This book should be in every gun enthusiast's library.

BEST S&W Reference Book!
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2008-03-22
As a firearms dealer there is a need for referenca materials that I can use & depend on, both for my business & as a service to my customers. This is the BEST S&W book I have come across.

Standard Catalog of Smith & Wesson
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2008-03-11
Best, most useful reference text I've seen on the subject. A very valuable reference for the collector. Very well done. Couldn't be more pleased.


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