Sports and Recreation Books

I was a huge Browns' fan growing up, even though I lived about 5 hours away from Cleveland. When the Browns lost on a Sunday, I had a miserable week and couldn't wait until 1 o'clock the next Sunday. Ah, the joy of growing up.

I learned a lot about the Browns that I never knew before about Paul Brown, Art Modell, Blanton Collier and the whole team. What memories it brought back. If you were a fan of that era by all means read this book.

Five years ago upon visiting the midwest I stopped in Cleveland to see a game and visit Jacobs Field. That Sunday morning I drove out to see the remains of League Park because that's where the Browns had their practices. League Park is arguably in the worse part of any town that I've ever visited a ballpark (and I've seen 150-200), but boy was it worth it. Too bad so little remains of the ballpark, but I have a baseball book describing and picturing League Park.

Pluto has done it again. This book, especially the second half, is a must-read for any Browns fan. Pluto's compelling take on the last Cleveland championship is loaded with information that cannot be found elsewhere. If you're a Browns fan, this book, if nothing else, needs to be in your collection.

THIS IS ONE OF THE BEST BOOKS I HAVE EVER READ IN MY ENTIRE LIFE

For me, the acid test of books like these is whether they manage to engage the neutral. Certainly Browns fans will enjoy this pleasant wallow in nostalgia from a time when football was still football.

I'm not a Browns fan but I found myself wallowing along with them. Pluto manages to capture the essence of the '64 season and yet not neglect the wider context. Fascinating stuff.

Award-winning Akron Beacon Journal sportswriter Terry Pluto's latest work is When All The World Was Browns Town. It discusses the 1964 Cleveland Browns, the last Cleveland champion in one of the four major professional sports. Pluto is one of the most gifted sportswriters working today, and the calibre of the writing in this book, like The Curse of Rocky Colavito, is a fine example of his work. It is far better written than the average sports book, in part because Pluto, like David Halberstam, does a fine job of digging up how the people involved saw the events he discusses. One thing I did not care for about the book is that it takes too much of the season itself as a given. The season up until the playoffs only rates one chapter, for example. For those who grew up in Cleveland and remember the season, that's probably sufficient, but I would have liked more focus on it. It's also somewhat unorthodox and anticlimactic to have the title game discussion come in the middle of the book and not the end, and the brief discussion of the 1965 season comes off as whiny and does not give the outstanding '65 Packers the respect they are due. There's much more that is good than bad here, however. Pluto is masterful as usual at showing how different people saw the same events differently. He handles the discussion of Paul Brown well, and did a good job of getting Art Modell's perspective even as he is (rightly) critical of him for moving the Browns to Baltimore. In short, I think any football fan would enjoy this book, and those who remember the '64 Browns firsthand won't be able to put it down.

We've always been big fans of Arthur and Little Bear but the Bugville stories are much more fun. This book is a must have for all little kids! The drawings are sweet and the story is cute. Even after more than six months, my kids still regularly ask to read this book.

This book was so good. It had really good concepts and was overall great. The illustrations really helped pull you into the story. Robert Stanek did an awesome job creating the story. He is a really talented author. If you've never read this book, YOU ABSOLUTELY HAVE TO! Your kids will love it.

Great educational and fun book! I'm so glad I found the Bugville Critter books, they are the cutest things I've ever seen in children's books and I've purchased dozens if not hundreds of children's books over the years. What I love is how the books play into every child's misadventures and dreams. I was won over with the books with "Visit Dad and Mom at Work" and have since bought several others. The child who reads these books with an adult cannot help but learn about the naturla world around them.

This book combines attractive illustrations with a highly interesting story. The kids love it! Obviously a lot of thought and work whent into this one and we should be grateful to the author. Recommend this one highly.

This is a good book. The kids enjoyed the story, and the lessons that I wanted to convey about school and friends were covered very well. It's great when you have a favorite storyline such as these bug in your home anyway. And, it's even better when they address such issues as this - dealing with school, teachers, friends and other issues children face.

The book starts off with Buster being concerned about going to school and making friends, and follows Buster as he learns to get along with everyone and have fun while learning at school. Great, great book and one that every library should own. Highly recommend!

Buster Bee Visits Mom and Dad at Work became my son's favorite bed time story. We read it so many times and I was delighted to find there are more Buster adventures.

Buster is nervous as he is starting school. His mother tries to tell him everything will be alright. He is thankful he knows some other bugs that'll be starting school too. He tries to be brave when he goes to school. When he goes to school he feels a little better because the teacher is nice.

He feels special when the teacher tells the class all about bees since he's a bee himself. He envies the smart girl in class but learns from his mother that he should try to be more like the smart girl. He goes through a series of escapades that had my son laughing and smiling.

Overall the story is well handled and a delight to read.

Saw this book reviewed in Family Fun Magazine and it sounded good so I bought it. Turns out the review was true - this book is excellent and it's not just for kids. I really enjoyed reading it from cover to cover and learned a few things myself. This past weekend we brought it with us to Fool Hollow Lake State Park in Arizona. The campfire recipes are great. I loved the Banncock Bread. It was delicious! My daughter also enjoyed the ghost stories in the back of the book and we sang the songs (The Frogs Keep Hopping On) around the campfire. I recommend this book if you and/or your family are beginner campers and want a little inspiration and basic information about what to pack, how to pack and how to make the most of a rainy day in a tent.

This book had everything we needed to go on a survival hike and camp. It had tons of good ideas, fun games, lists of what we needed, etc. I would highly recommend this book.

Some parts of this book are quite interesting in its ideas for activities. All the games described are basically hide & seek while making animal sounds. the recipes are easy and fun for kids, the packing list and common sense tips are straightforward, easy for kids to follow or read. the songs and stories are typical, been there, done that, nothing new. Illustrations are quirky and cute.
reccomend for the 1st time camper or if you want to give your kids something to read before the trip.

Camp Out! is full of creative and informative lessons and fun activities. Truly a unique book. Any kid from video game addict to natural born scout will find this book engaging! it contains kid-level explanations without talking down to kid-level. As an adult I enjoyed reading this book and felt the cartoons weren't too cutesy. Good for both boys and girls.

This is a great book that will spark many wonderful experiences with my daughter. For sure 5 stars!!
Major sections include activities, crafts, nature, and cooking. This was a logical organization, but as the father of a younger child I think it would have been nice to have some guidance and organization by age appropriateness.

A very informative book. I plan to build a stripper in the near future and this book supplied me with the information that I was needing and also clear step by step instructions.
Very fast delivery time to receive the book also.

This is the first book to get before all other boatbuilding texts. Ted and Merilyn have so clearly illustrated,both in words and pictures building a stripper, someone with ten thumbs will produce a thing of beauty.

I have build the Redbird canoe. The book was almost perfect to help me building. Some minor details were left to my own fantasy. It was very hard to understand the special terminology and translate it (I talk and think in dutch). The result is great however. I can advise everybody who is thinking about building a strip canoe to read this book first. All issues , possible problems, step by step plans, measurements etc. are adequately handled in this book.

Canoecraft provides a wide variety canoe designs for building. Historical pictures show canoe shops with proud workers. Warning: I've used the strongback as suggested in this book and ended up with a slightly warped, but paddleable boat.

I have built the PROSPECTOR and the REDBIRD. The information in this book is accurate and easy to understand. I researched books before selecting CANOECRAFT and have found it the best source of information and guidance. Several times I have been stopped by people who are interested in my canoes. When they ask where I got my plans and instructions, I tell them about CANOECRAFT by Moores and Mohr. Thank you Ted and Merilyn.

Being a Hank Aaron bibliographer, I found this work to be an excellent acknowledgment of African-American players who were able to play MLB. It is unfortunate that so many of the Negro League greats were unable to do so! Another great read! relevant to the younger generation of fan.

Even though former New York Mets outfield Vic Coleman proclaimed, "I don't know no Jackie Robinson and I don't care to," baseball fans surely know the story of Jackie Robinson breaking the color barrier.

All baseball fans, however, would do themselves a favor by reading this book about the other black players who integrated baseball. Integrating the game wasn't accomplished when Robinson stepped into the Dodgers' lineup in 1947. Black players suffered humiliating treatment in the minors and the major leagues for many years.

Jacobson, a sports reporter and columnist for Newsday for 44 years, brings together the experiences of 19 black players for a powerful testament to an ugly and shameful period of history and sports.

Jacobson tells the story of famous players such as Bob Gibson, Ernie Banks, Elston Howard, Frank Robinson, Hank Aaron and Lou Brock, as well as lesser known players such as Charlie Murray (Eddie's brother), Alvin Jackson and Ed Charles. No player (or person) should have endured what they did.

As a kid following baseball in the 1960s, I had no idea what black players had to endure. It didn't make any difference to us if a player was black or white. After reading this book, I have a lot more respect for their accomplishments and character.

Author Steve Jacobson has tracked down various former black players who were willing to share their experiences on what it was like to break into major league baseball following Jackie Robinson's trailblazing effort in 1947. Larry Doby, who shortly followed Robinson, asked, "Do you think it was any easier eleven weeks later?" Ball clubs would sign players to contracts and not prepare them in any way for the racist experiences they would soon be introduced to. Many understandably couldn't deal with the bigotry that was thrown at them while others asked themselves, "What would Jackie do?" The book includes the names of several individuals who assisted these young black athletes. Their small kindnesses will never be forgotten. Michael Jordan was asked why he hadn't campaigned for a Democrat to unseat Jesse Helms in the North Carolina Senate. Jordan's answer, "Republicans buy sneakers, too." Baseball and America have come a long way since Pumpsie Green integrated the last remaining all-white team, the Boston Red Sox, in 1959. However, before we get too smug in the success that has been achieved, there are still reminders that we must continue, as Lou Brock stated, to "cope with the ever-present danger." I did find one irritating mistake that was made four times on pages xix, 42, 100, and 180. The murder of Emmett Till took place in August of 1955, not 1954. Nevertheless, this book also needs to be read by present day ballplayers who, like Hank Aaron said, "don't have a clue" what conditions were like. How many players did Vince Coleman speak for when he stated, "I don't know no Jackie Robinson, and don't care to."? History lessons are in order for professional players who are presently reaping the benefits.

I love to read, but I've had trouble for a while staying focused on a book and finishing it. I
love those books that once you pick them up, you can't put them down. This was one of those books.
The title is VERY appropriate. Recently, I got in an online debate about why Larry Doby was
seemingly ignored during the 60th anniversary of Jackie Robinson's breaking the color barrier in
baseball. I think Larry Doby was a great man to his country (a WWII vet), to his family (remembered as
a good husband and father) and to the game (elected to HOF, 1998) but he was no Jackie Robinson. So many of the men in this book talk about how Jackie guided them and how they looked to him for inspiration.

I think some people today feel that racism is something you only find in a history book, that the struggles black players faced back then don't happen today. I was shocked to find out in this book that Ken Griffey Jr. was targeted by racist hecklers in Bakersfield, CA in 1988. In fact, he wasn't able to leave the park by himself that day because the racists were waiting for him in the parking lot.

I'm African-American. Reading this book did not make me bitter... it only gave me a true appreciation for these men and the crosses they bore to live out the American Dream while they played the National Pastime. And there is no rule that says blacks HAVE to play Major League baseball but I am always glad to see the legacy of Jackie Robinson continue, especially by those who do it with excellence and integrity.

"Many terrific things come to me due to this job, some by pure fortune. For example, The Post and Newsday have seats side-by-side at Yankee Stadium. So for many games, I was blessed to sit next to veteran columnist Steve Jacobson before he retired from Newsday in 2004. I received an education because Steve is a first-rate reporter and even better storyteller. Now, you can share the same experience. Steve's book, "Carrying Jackie's Torch," is in bookstores. It magnificently portrays the struggles endured by the black players who followed Jackie Robinson in integrating the major leagues."

--JOEL SHERMAN - New York Post (2/18/07)

I came into contact with Stuart Anslow around 2002 via internet. As is the case of every good instructor I have met, he is first and foremost a dedicated martial arts student. He showed a passion for TaeKwon-Do beyond physical practice, and simultaneously carried out an important number of projects: developing an international network of martial artists, offering an extraordinary martial arts resources webpage, keeping a serious standard in his personal practice and his duties to offer intelligent instruction to his students. As a part-time TaeKwon-Do researcher myself with 24 years of diligent training and more than a hundred martial arts books in my library, I had found some of Stuart's ideas quite interesting, but they seemed an attempt to cover too many matters.
When I saw the book, my opinion changed completely. Stuart has successfully condensed his experience on TaeKwon-Do patterns in a coherent and solid piece in which he shares what he knows (a bunchful of knowledge, indeed), his reaserch, and is not afraid to publicly discuss his doubts on alternative interpretations of the motions. In the martial arts environment there is a tendency of teachers to force their students into their opinions, preventing a decent dosage of independant thinking to develop. Free spirits typically depart from regimented styles, and thus such styles tend to stagnate. Beyond the good content of the book, Mr. Anslow shows ITF stylists they can and should think for themselves. This refreshing book is very attractive in its format, the pictures are easy to follow, and there are some "pearls of wisdom" that make the purchase almost an obligation. Most of the content of the book is simply excellent (which doesn't mean I fully agree with some concepts, but in each case, it would deserve an in-depth discussion, at the bottom line, on whether applications were meant to be the heart of ITF TaeKwon-Do patterns). Mr. Anslow has obviously put a lot of energy into this book, obtaining an impressive result.
My reason for not granting a five star qualification (I would have actually awarded the book a 4.5) is that (a) the history part is rather simplistic, and has some mistakes (maybe edition problems: Taek Kyon is called Taek Kwon; Tae Soo Do and Tang Soo Do names are interchanged); (b) the book serves to preserve and enlarge Gen. Choi's image as adroitly designing TaeKwon-Do techniques having specific reasons in his mind, while authorized historical accounts have pointed out that many changes in technique resulted from more or less casual circumstances in which Gen. Choi had little or no participation; (c) the book assumes all moves found in ITF patterns have a reasonable and effective combat application, of which I am not yet convinced; and (d)some techniques -specially the comparison between ITF TaeKwon-Do and an unspecific Karate style- are shown in photographs of students with evident lack of Karate skills, and even a TaeKwon-Do level insufficient for a book of the quality Mr. Anslow intended, although it is evident Mr. Anslow was being generous with his own student allowing them to actively be part of the book.
If my students were English language speakers, I would make this book mandatory reading before black belt testing.

I have almost 30 years in the arts and a collector of all things Taekwon-Do/Martial Arts related and this truly is one of the better books out there. Stuart has put a lot of work in this first volume and it will end up being a book that in ten years time will be considered a must have for all Taekwon-Do and especially ChangHon (ITF) stylist.

Having conversations with several ITF MASTERS and they are in agreement, one of the better books out there even though we may not agree with everything that Stuart writes about, but it's well worth it for any martial artist!

I found the pattern applications to have a fair amount of resonance with my own training. (Not to mention Mr. Anslow's usenet postings and older articles which I'd already read elsewhere.) I thought the historical explorations of the pattern stories, and the look into what each pattern was generally intended to teach was the most compelling reading.

Chang Hon Taekwon-Do has deep roots in Shotokan Karate. The applications of the Chang Hon and Shotokan stands close, and this is the first book who take this fact seriusly.

If you like to see what the Cang Hon patterns is all about, you cant miss it.

I have practiced martial arts for 23 years, have exposure to three main styles, and am graded as a 4th degree BB. I currently practice traditional Taekwondo, and have for the past few years been researching and writing my own TKD bunkai book.

Stuart Anslow's book is THE BEST taekwondo book available on the market.

The book goes through history and background of each pattern, pattern sequences, applications and variations. Though there are some typos, the information is presented clearly. Another plus is the book is written in such a way that you feel like you were standing in Stuart's training session - it's written in such a personable manner.

The applications are practical and well thought out. I have not seen such breadth nor insight coming from any other ITF TKD instructor. In fact I have not seen a collection of such solid apps in any other martial arts book (and I have quite a lot).

Given my research over the last few years into TKD bunkai, I know for a fact that there is a major dearth of such information for the traditional and ITF TKD world. Publication of this book fills this hole and I think the book will be a profound toolkit for any serious practitioner or instructor of TKD.

I have been acquainted with Stuart since 2003, and I know for a fact that this guy literally pours his heart into his martial arts school, his training, and now this book. Stuart upholds many of the values that small independant schools and traditional stylists hold dear - and I applaude him for putting the extra effort into improving the resources availalbe for martial artists everywhere.

Colin Wee
[..]

This book is a treasure if you were a follower of the AFL. And it does not matter what team you followed, you will like to old pictures and stories when it seemed players loved the game more than the money.

The gang is all here! Coach Sid Gillman, QBs
Tobin Rote (who started in the CFL!), WR Lance
Alworth, RBs Keith Lincoln, et, al. Highly
recommended work of sports journalism! Pick
Up On It!

An outstanding and informative history of the LA/SD Chargers from their inception in 1960 through their entire 10 year history in the American Football League. Author Todd Tobias was very thorough in his research. The first chapter which was about the history of the AFL Chargers was probably my favorite part of the book. I also enjoyed the interviews that Tobias provided from former players and coaches. The game by game statistics are very important to me as well because they provide me with references. I am a stat freak so that was an added bonus for me. The only problem that I had with the publication was that Ralph Anderson was not listed in the section that contained all of the members of the Chargers from 1960 through 1969. It was obviously just an oversight. I also wish that there would have been more information on Anderson since he led the chargers with 44 pass receptions in the 1960 season. Anderson died tragically of a diabetic seizure in November yet still led the team in pass receptions. I would like to learn more about Anderson but there seems to be very little information available about him. But overall it was a magnificent job by Tobias and I really enjoyed reading it. The Chargers were without a doubt the finest team in the AFL throughout the early years as evidenced by playing in five of the first six AFL Championship games. But this book makes you understand that they were the classiest organization in the AFL as well, all the way from the top with the ownership of Hilton, the outstanding coaching provided by Sid Gillman, Chuck Noll, Al Davis, Jack Faulkner and Joe Madro. Just a super book and I would recommend it to any Charger fan, any AFL fan and any fan of pro football in the 1960s.

The book would have received 5 starts, but for not having enough color photos. Overall, it's a wonderful book to add to any football collection. If you live in San Diego, love history, and you're a Charger fan, this book is for you!

Until this book came out, I hadn't had any luck finding a quality book on the history of the San Diego Chargers. This book covers the first ten seasons of the San Diego Chargers- the American Football League years.

With its glossy pages and dimensions of just over 12 inches tall and over 9 inches wide, the book is well-suited for presenting photographs. Just about every page has at least one picture.

The book consists of four main sections:

The first is a 15-page chronological narrative history (with photographs).

The second section consists of 16 pages of nothing but photographs. Eight of those pages have at least one color photograph. The only color photographs in the book are in this section. By far most of the book's pictures are in black and white.

The third section is 76 pages and is where the bulk of the reading is for this book. This has the author's interviews of 59 people connected with the Chargers- players, coaches, and one beat writer. Each interview is written up separately and lasts about a page or two.

The last section is 93 pages of San Diego Charger statistics and box scores of every regular and post season Charger game of the 1960's. And, like the rest of the book, there are plenty of photographs throughout this section, too.

The book is well-written. The photographs are enjoyable too. My main complaint (or wish) is that I would have liked a longer chronological narrative of the team's history than the 15-page one provided. However, the interview and statistical sections flesh out much of that history but just in a different format.

I would recommend this book to anyone interested in San Diego Charger history of that era. And I thank the author for writing a book on a much overlooked slice of football history.

Of all the books I own on this subject (more than I can list), this is the 'Best' one. There are many aspects of taiji and other martial arts that extend far beyond the mere physical motions of the form. There are two main sections to this book. The first section explains the principles of Chinese martial arts, Taiji single form, and two person practice. Chen Pan-ling explains in depth his Yang form (steps, etc) with words and pictures, as well as common mistakes, advanced steps, and ways to improve - in the latter section.
Chen Pan-ling was one of the most knowledgeable and practiced Taiji players of his time. With this book, he has made it possible for even beginners to understand Taiji philosophy and to further one's own development as both a Martial Artist and an influential member of world society.

A Must Have for anyone in this game.

There're lots of "New Age Tai Chi Crap"out there. This is one of the "rare" books that deals with what Tai Chi Chuan is: A MARTIAL ART!. Chen Pan Ling was one of the finest "old guard" MASTERS of the Internal Arts. He is the ONLY disciple of Yang Shao Hou (His brother Yang Cheng Fu changed the original form into an smooth EXERCISE taking away every martial aspect like Fa-jing and Dim Mak) who was skilled in the real Yang Lu Chan's Tai Chi. I'm fed up of coming accross with fake masters and "soft and sweet" Tai Chi materials. The real Tai Chi CHUAN (Fist) is a devastating martial art that requires hard practice. In the West, only Mr. Erle Montaigue (you like it or not) keeps the Internal and Martial Tai Chi way. If you want to have a book on REAL TAI CHI CHUAN this is THE ONE.

Chen pan Ling was one of a few students of Yang Shou Hou (the elder brother of Yang Cheng Fu)who taught the same fighting style of Taiji as the one created by his Grandfather,Yang Luchan.This makes the book a rare pictorial record of the "Old" Yang Style,or something very close to it as there are a few changes made to the form that reflect Chens varied martial arts experience,but all in all a good reference book for the serious Taiji practitioner.The only issue not addressed is the different "ways" to perform the form other than the standard basic slow way.

The book is written without any speculation. It just tells you "how to do" even for what regarding the deep internal feeling during the tai chi practice. Much more great are the flow charts of the several tai chi skills development. (first that , then that, then that......) .In the initial chapters it looks like a great "Tai Chi Classic" written in modern (and concise) language.
No one word more, no one word less.
The sequence, very well illustrated in the book (with photos, foot diagrams, applications), is Chen's own stile. The footwork shows a Bagua Chuan influence that makes much more interesting and exciting to study the form. In addition there are clear and deep explanations of the applications (movement by movement during all the form description) and the self feeling on executing each posture.
This is really an excellent book. Even though I can not say it is a book for beginners It contains alone almost everything you need to practice and further study Tai Chi Chuan.
I teach Tai Chi and I own a huge amount of Tai Chi books, anyway, if it could happen I got lost in a faraway desert island, that's the Tai Chi book I'd like to have with me.

...Chen Pan-ling was a practical martial artist who had a background in not only Tai Chi (Yang & Wu), but also Hsing Yi and Bagua. The book not only includes clear photos (clearer than in my original Chinese version of this book) and precise descriptions of the proper movements and applications, but also descriptions of how you should feel. This is Tai Chi at it's most practical, not a new-agey easy to learn sequence.

Chen was a pioneer in that he did away with a lot of the superstition and ritual associated with martial arts teachers at the time. His attempt at educated scientific study of this martial art is a welcome addition to the mibrary of the scholarly martial artist.

Many of us that were raised near an ocean feel a special connection to it. We are lured back by the soothing waves, beauty, and wonderful memories. The authors of this book effectively take you there, reminding you of the good times and the lessons learned. As you read, you feel the same sense of peace and comfort that the ocean gives. I was particularly moved by Michael Geers' writing in Letters. He movingly describes how the lessons and memories his mother introduced during childhood, continue to guide and comfort him as an adult. He illustrates how the ocean can provide us with physically, emotionally, and even, spiritually uplifting experiences. If you love the ocean and yearn to be close to it again, pick up a copy of this book. You will feel like you've returned.

This book is really excellent. I was in a diving trip in the islets of spratlys when i started reading this book. It really had my eyes fill with tears. The book not only did touch my heart but also my soul. Never did i regret buying this book!

Wow! I received this book as a gift from a co-worker who knew I was a fan of the work of the artist Wyland. I had seen the Chicken Soup series for years, but found most of the stories to be a little too similar. This book was a VAST improvement and really deserves a look from anyone who thought the Chicken Soup series has burned itself out. I was particularly drawn to the story, "The Sea and the Wind that Blows," by E.B. White, the author of "Charlotte's Web." White, a long-time sailing aficionado, realizes for the first time that he is getting older and is becoming a risk to himself by sailing alone ... and must make a painful decision to give up his beloved pasttime. He ultimately decides that the point of life is to do what you love, and in so doing, decides to continue his sailing adventures, regardless of the consequences. It's a message for everyone who has ever considered giving up on something precious. The other stories are great too -- they come from around the entire world -- but are too numerous to explain in this review. This was simply a great gift that I will treasure as long as my paperback copy holds out.

Coming across this book is much like finding a bit of treasure from the sea. Plenty of "pearls", "gold", and "jewels" are to be found here. There are lovely stories, poems, cartoons, drawings and paintings to be cherished. Each one comes from the heart. Anyone who knows the "Chicken Soup" series of books will know what to expect, each contribution is amazing. Those who have not yet been introduced, this volume will be a wonderful place to start. The ocean theme will bring close to home the importance of the ocean and our responsibility towards it. The Sea's power and mystery reaches out to each of us in all parts of the world. What sets this one a bit apart from others is the inclusion of Wyland's art and his personal stories. This is a soulful, spiritual, and beautiful man who deeply loves the sea and is doing what he can to bring that out in all of us in order to protect it for the following generations. His moving stories will bring you closer to that part of us that that love the ocean and all that live in it. Don't miss out. It is unforgettable.

This is a warm and wonderful book filled with stories, poems and art that will fill your heart with gladness. I can relate to many of these stories as I am a diver and a snorkeler, but anyone with a love for the ocean or even just a love for nature and life will find this book a treasure. I am going to order 3 more copies to give to my daughters and a friend because I don't wish to part with my own copy.

This book was a delight to read. It is both informative and entertaining. Although it is a work of history it is a very easy and interesting read. Tom Swift has done his homework as the book is filled with many details describing the life and times of this hall of famer. I recommend it to all fans of baseball history and eagerly look forward to his future works.

A great book on an early 20th Century forgotten Baseball pitcher who is in the Hall of Fame. "Chief" Bender was one of the mainstays of those early great Philadelphia A's teams. This is a about a native American player who excelled in Major League Baseball in spite of all the racial comments, taunts and low expectations of Native Americans. There is information about his days at the Carlisle School. Tom Swift also uses the racially charged quotes from the papers of those years to demonstrate what he had to live with. His real name was Charles and like Baseball in those days everyone had a nickname some weren't too flattering like "Chief", "Rube" and "Dummy" While this is not a movie where the character has flashbacks of his past, Tom Swift starts with the 1914 World Series game 1 in which the "Chief" lost and continues to go back to that game leading off of many of the chapters of the events surrounding that game. I don't understand by discussing all the racial sterotypes on the man why then does the author keep going back to that same unsuccessful game? To me it is slamning the man all over again. If you can get past this stupid movie technique then the book is a worth while read.

This is the best biography I have read. It provides important details about an player important in baseball history, and also illuminates the history of many Native Americans and how they were assimilated into society in the late 19th early 20th centuries. This is one to purchase and keep.

When I saw there was a new biography of the great Chief Bender, I grabbed it up. Tom Swift has done a great service by bringing the life of Charles Bender to print. He is one of the all-time greats and should not be overlooked.

Swift also lets the reader get to know the man behind the legend, and the Chief was a Hall-of-Famer in nearly every aspect of his life. He was a great man and a great pitcher. Connie Mack said that if he had to win one big game, there is no one he'd rather have on the mound. And Connie Mack saw them all, from the 1880s to the 1950s -- from Cy Young to Walter Johnson to Lefty Grove to Whitey Ford.

There are a few problems with the book, which keeps it, at least in my mind, from meriting five stars. Swift begins his book with the opening game of the 1914 World Series, and then he keeps coming back to it throughout. This doesn't work for a number of reasons, especially since this is the "big game" the Chief lost (the A's were swept in the series by the "Miracle" Boston Braves). There are also occasional problems with Swift's prose. He uses sentence fragments to good effect in some cases, but in most instances, they just confuse the issue and make it seem as though he doesn't realize that a fragment is not a complete sentence. I also felt that many of his similes were weak.

Lastly, a book about a baseball star should include that player's career statistics, but this Swift fails to do. I found myself going to a web site to view the Chief's stats.

Overall, however, I enjoyed getting to know the great Charles Bender a little better.

Speaking as a former archivist, "Chief Bender's Burden" is an archivist's dream: well researched with an exquisitely detailed bibliographic essay, and an index! But more than that, it is a book lover's dream. It is the brilliantly written story of a unique American, "the pitcher who looked in the face of pressure and winked." Author Swift replays the Deadball Era games with the enthusiasm of a modern day radio announcer. The inclusion of Bender's quotes on page 128 and 211, and paragraph one on page 275 alone make this book a gem. More than baseball history, it is pathos and glory and inspiration.
Beverly Hermes