Sports Books

I grew up in NC and my grandfather was an avid fisherman. I am learning saltwater pier and surf fishing now and I need something to give some basics, and some specifics about this avocation. This book explains so much about things I have seen my entire life and been curious about but didn't think to ask. I am sending a copy to my sister and mother as well. I think anyone that is going fishing along the coast of the Carolinas must get this book!

This book is about where one can coastal fish in the Carolinas and for what kind of species at different times of the year. I found it to be a very useful guide to plan future surf fishing trips. The author does not give a lot of specifics about rigging tackle. I think Eric Burnley's Surf Fishing the Atlantic Coast provides that information a little better. I plan to keep Goldstein's book in my truck when I am in the Carolinas, and I certainly will look to buy future, updated editions.

This book has lots of great information about fishing in the Carolinas. There is good information on different types of fish and locations and techniques for catching them.

It's pretty cool when the author mentions pier owners, bait and tackle owners, etc. by name. This book is really a must read for folks wanting to fish the Carolina coast!

Highly recommended.

If you're like me most fishing books are way too vague. Titles Like "Surf Fishing" or worse "Fishing the Atlanic" try to be a little help to everyone. This book is a lot of help for a few.

The book reads like a conversation with and old fisherman on a pier or in a tackle shop. The author covers all the bases like where to shop, what to buy, how to rig it up, where to go, how to cast, where to cast, how to set the hook, where to put the catch, how to cook it, etc. This is not the modern "magazine article" style of book, it's an old school how to catch fish book.

Something to consider...
The book is mostly text and some basic B/W images and illustrations. You must be prepared to do some reading before you go fishing. This is not a skim fast and go fishing today book.

If you live in the area or plan to visit, it is a great resource.

I'd have to say this is one of my favorite books on fishing and one of the most complete books on fishing a particular area that I've ever read...even right down to information on exactly where to fish for each species. This book is well written, easy to understand, and well suited to anyone trying to learn how to fish (or how to fish better) from surf, jetty, or pier. Highly recommended.

The Complete Angler - Izaak Walton and Chalres Cotton

This book deserves a place in a collection of great angling books, such as those of John Geirach, Henry Middleton and Scott Waldie. It is really two books and an odd sort of middle section on property rights and fishing (funny how some issues have not changed much since the late 17th century). It has some wonderful discourses on not just fishing but the lifestyle and philosophy of fishing. There are some sections and descriptions that can be tedious but they minor compared to the overall wonderful dialogue of the majority of the book.

The first section is written by Izaak Walton and, to me, was Canterbury Tales-esque, is it's older English language (which is entertainingly preserved) and its format. Three travelers - a fisherman (angler), hunter and falconer meet. In the course of discussing the merits of their activities the angler convinces the hunter to come along fishing with him (after seeing a hunt with hounds). Over the course of a few days on the rivers of England, the angler turns the hunter to the quiet joys of angling. He goes through the fish in England and all the baits and methods of fishing for them as well as how to prepare each of them. I had never through of carp of chubs and fish to eat, but after some of the descriptions in this book, I may have to give the a second look someday. The first book is as much of a celebration of the social and contemplative nature of angling as it is descriptions and methods of fishing. Interspersed are encounters with the local farmers, milker and inn-keepers as well as the talking over of the days activities among friends. But the highlight of this first section, and in my opinion the entire book, is the parting words of the angler to the hunter of how angling is a life philosophy that departs sharply from the hustle and bustle of the capitalist life. The first book is replete with references to early Christianity and its admonitions against looking to wealth for happiness.

There is an odd middle section about property rights and fishing which serves as a rather odd bridge to Charles Cotton's section. This book focuses on fishing for trout and graylings in a small section of England. If found the wordy descriptions of the flies by month to be tedious and the lack of philosophical discussion of fishing to be a little disappointing of an end.

Five days of fishing along the river Lea which joins the Thames near London is the background on which the cheerful narrative of The Compleat Angler is laid. The splendid civil conversation of Latin named Piscator, Venator, Auceps, Viator, and Piscator Junior is a joy to hear. Shakespeare was just publishing his first work when Izaak Walton was born in 1593 in Stafford. Walton retired in his early fifties and traveled about rural England visiting friends, fishing, and writing in his easy-going fashion. After publication of The Compleat Angler in 1653 he continued to add to it in his leisurely way for the next quarter century. Samuel Johnson praised the book in the eighteenth century and later Charles Lamb recommended The Compleat Angler to Samuel Taylor Coleridge. 'It breathes the very spirit of innocence, purity, and simplicity of heart,' he noted. 'It would sweeten a man's temper at any time to read it; it would Christianise every angry, discordant passion; pray make yourself acquainted with it.'
The Compleat Angler is a true classic of English literature that owes it's esteem not to advice about fishing but to Izaak Walton's pre-occupations and exquisite manner. Subtitled The Contemplative Man's Recreation the pages glow with delight in the hills and dales, woods and streams of the beloved countryside. Walton conveys a message of meek thankful fellowship and peace to all "honest, civil, quiet men". 'The Compleat Angler is not about how to fish but about how to be,' said novelist Thomas McGuane. 'Walton spoke of an amiable mortality and rightness on the earth that has been envied by his readers for three hundred years.'

This is surely one of the earliest books available to the modern angler. But it's worth distinguishing 'anglers' from 'fishermen'. I take 'anglers' to be people who go after fish for fun or sport or pleasure and 'fishermen' to be people who go after fish for work.

The first thing to be said about Izaak Walton's book, is that it is a play followed by a text book. The second thing, is that it's in a foreign language even to the English, because it was first published in 1653 when the author was 60. A ripe old age in England in those days.

Walton was essentially a biographer. He got paid for it - often commissioned as a good artist might. He wrote 'The Life of Donne' - a poet who even I've heard of. He's alleged to have been a prosperous merchant, but it doesn't really matter. Great angling writers like Richard Walker were engineers. Old school writers like George Skues, were public school educated solicitors in London practices who took the train to the chalk streams of Winchester in Hampshire at weekends, tying flies as they went.

The play concerns three people who meet by chance and get into conversation about their interests. They're travelling at a walk, and so they lighten their journey with convoluted conversation. Before long, it develops into a bit of a competition. Walton is the angler (Piscator). Another gentleman is keen on falconry (Venator) and yet another is keen on hunting (Auceps).

If you tire of 17th century banter, skip forward to the chapters on each particular species of fish, which will ring true immediately. To me it's a revelation that these friendly old fish will still fall for the same tricks as Walton was playing on their ancestors over 350 years ago.

Three hundred fifty years ago Izaak Walton wrote of the curious blend of inner peace and giddy excitement which the amateur naturalist finds at streamside. He invites us to stroll with him through the countryside, discussing the mythology, superstition, and the science of England's aquatic fauna. It is an unrushed journey, though we often arise at sunrise, and the author introduces us to many of the local inhabitants. Indeed, if our fishing is successful, we might exchange our catch for the song of a pretty milkmaid. The Compleat Angler is a brief book, and Walton's intent is to hook the reader, and encourage him to try fishing for himself: "I do not undertake to say all that is known...but I undertake to acquaint the Reader with many things that are not usually known to every Angler; and I shall leave gleanings and observations enough to be made out of the experience that all that love and practise this recreation, to which I shall encourage them." Interestingly, Walton starts off on the defensive, since the fisherman's passion was even then caricatured. By the end the reader has joined the "Brotherhood of the Angle," making artificial flies and enjoying the poetry of fishing: "The jealous Trout, that low did lie, Rose at a well-dissembled fly." To the modern ear Walton's literal belief in naturalists' old wives tales may seem humorously anachronistic, and it comprises a remarkably large part of his affection for his subject. We are also frequently reminded of the book's timeline with comments such as "...the Royal Society have found and published lately that there be thirty and three kinds of Spiders," while we now know that there are thirty thousand species of Arachnids. And the Brotherhood of the Angle is a genuine fraternity to Walton, "...I love all Anglers, they be such honest, civil, quiet men." The prospective reader must also be disabused of the misconception that Walton was a purist for artificial lures; he strongly recommends worms, minnows, and live flies. In Walton's watery world there is no dry humor, only fresh. Following his description of the twelve most effective artificial flies he says, "Thus you have a jury of flies likely to betray and condem all the Trouts in the river." And here he compares the beautiful coloration of a living trout to...well, you'll see: "Their bodies [are] adorned with such red spots, and...with black or blackish spots, as give them such an addition of natural beauty as, I think, was never given to any woman by the artificial paint or patches in which they so much pride themselves in this age." At the risk of taking some of the surprise out of the book, I here present a sample of Walton's fishing secrets: "Take the stinking oil drawn out of Polypody of the oak by a retort, mixed with turpentine and hive-honey, and anoint your bait therewith, and it will doubtless draw the fish to it." I would guess that Walton wasn't much of a cook, however, and I do not recommend his recipe for eel (partially skinning it, packing the viceral cavity with nutmeg and anchovy, cutting off the head, slipping the skin back over the body, and sewing it together where the head formerly was, then barbecuing it on skewers). Walton's affection for fish and fishing extends beyond the aquatic nobility of trout and salmon, to the often ignored commoners: gudgeons, sprats, bleaks, herns, tench, roach, umber, loach, and sticklebag. And as for the importance of fishing in Walton's world: "I envy not him that eats better meat than I do, nor him that is richer, or that wears better clothes than I do; I envy nobody but him, and him only, that catches more fish than I do."

Walton uses the perspective of an enthusiastic angler to promote a lifestyle of reflectiveness, gentle humor, and appreciation for nature. The book is easy to read, despite being first published in the 1600s.
The Coachwhip Publications reprint edition (ISBN 1930585209) is inexpensive and contains Cotton's "Part 2," written at Walton's request for the fifth published edition of "The Compleat Angler."

I frequently buy instructional books about basketball, and this is the best one I have ever encountered. It is very thorough and covers all aspects of the game.

More for coaches or for parents of players. My kid didn't read it, but I did and found it helpful in explaining points of the game. Good buy, but don't expect the kids to read it.

This book is a must for all coaches. It will improve you skill as a coach and help your players be winners. I love this book I will share with the others.

Stan Caldwell
GERMANY

I really liked how the book was layed out. Easy to find the information you wanted. Very informative, easy to read and understand.

As a basketball coach who reads a lot of books, coaching materials, and so forth for personal use and for my hoopsu.com reviews, I have read many so-called 'guides to basketball'. Some are decent, but most of them are so basic and watered-down that you could learn more watching an 8-year old in her driveway. The Complete Guide To Girls' Basketball is not one of those books.

The Complete Guide To Girls' Basketball is far and away the most complete book I have read on the basics, fundamentals, and strategies of basketball. This is a great book for coaches at all levels; girl's or boy's. Coach Mullaney didn't just slap some notes between a book cover; he obviously put forth a lot of time and effort writing this book. It is extremely well organized, easy to read, and simple to understand.

The main thing I like about this book, in comparison to many of the other 'guides', is that it goes well beyond the basic cookie-cutter information. The basics are discussed, but Coach Mullaney goes further and describes more in-depth and pertinent topics, ideas, and drills. That is why this book is not only great for the first-time coach, but also for even the most experienced of coaches at all levels of play.

I also really enjoy Part One of the book, where Coach Mullaney guides you through developing your own plan, philosophy and communication skills. This is an area I would have found invaluable when I first began coaching.

The Complete Guide To Girls' Basketball also details offense, defense, and special situations by breaking down all the skills involved and teaching how to perform them effectively. The drills section is also very well put together with over 200 exceptional drills - with easy to follow diagrams. All facets of the game are touched on so you can use these drills to help prepare yourself or your team.

The title says, 'The Complete Guide to Girls' Basketball', which it most certainly! If you coach girls basketball, this book is must-have addition to your library. If you coach boys basketball, I also recommend this book...there are so many great ideas in here it is worth checking out! If you want to improve your coaching knowledge and coaching skills, The Complete Guide to Girls' Basketball deserves a look!

I picked up 2 copies of this and our team is taking turns with them. A great reference for we first time 3-dayers.

I bought this book because I was about to enter my first half-marathon, and I grasped at every straw in getting prepared. I found Dave's book to be a terrific source of information, and it helped me think of a few things that helped me be prepared on race day. The section on walker-friendly marathons is a bit dated, but I used it as a springboard for my own research. Information on foot care, pace, recovery, fuel, etc. was all extremely pertinent, and very appreciated. Experienced folks probably won't find it all that valuable, but I continue to refer to it.

Before buying this book, I'd heard about Dave McGovern, the author. It's all true. He's extremely knowledgable, has a very accessible writer style, and is goofy!
I learned a ton, even after training with a group. I just finished my second walking marathon and intend to re-read portions of this book every time I prepare for a marathon.

Being new to the whole fitness area, this book is a god-send. I have been quite pleased...it's helping me to train for the 10k portion of a local marathon that my relay team is participating in. I know that by following the guidelines and training schedule, I will be prepared and will not push myself too far and risk injury.

This book is very helpful for someone who has never done a marathon and now that I have one behind me, I'm using this to review and prepare for a second marathon. It covers everything from what to wear, eat, stretches, training schedule, injuries, recovery, etc. A great read!

I was a little predisposed to enjoying this book for a number of reasons, and I think I should describe them before getting too much into the review.

I am nearly the same age as the author, lost my Dad in 1974 and am a lifelong Steelers fan, who grew up well outside Pittsburgh, but followed the team religiously. My Mother was a religious and caring woman, and we were raised in relative poverty. I idolized Jack Lambert (another Steeler) and my own Mother passed away around the same time in life as the authors. In short, the similarities between the author's life and mine are much the same, so that might be relevant in knowing my thoughts on this book.

"Confessions of a Hero Worshipper" takes the reader through the author's childhood and his early search for identity. It gives a vivid description of his Father's death and his attempt at identifying with the star running back of the Pittsburgh Steelers, Franco Harris. Dubner arranges to meet Harris and the book gives a narrative of his frustrations- sometimes comical- at understanding Franco, when in truth, the author was really searching himself. As the book develops, Dubner skillfully explores why people choose to worship heroes and what heroes are. He also discusses the religious aspects of hero worship and concludes that they are a necessity. In a surprise twist, Dubner finds heroic qualities in Mr. Harris' mother, whom he befriends late in the book. He finally breaks free of his need to see Harris as Superhuman after talking with him in a final interview in Mr. Harris' home and through the first years of Dubner's own son's life.

Although this book is (as a few other reviewers have pointed out) somewhat disjointed, the prose style is enjoyable and unpredictably funny. Frankly, I did not expect the book to provoke as much thought as it did about why people choose the heroes they do, or the larger meaning of building people into what we want them to be. With the disclaimer of what this book meant personally to me, I recommend it.

This book compares the Jewish view to that of Christians. With the Jewish ban on idolatry, there are no people -- only things and places in pictures. That's strange, as my photos are full of views, beautiful or unusual scenes and things of the past, but very few people. In the Bible, there are prophets in abundance, but in the New Testament, the pictures are most always a glorified Jesus and his apostles. A messiah is less a person than an idea, a hope, and the yearning for the world to have a happy ending.

Thomas Carlyle, a pious Scottish Presbyterian, who died in 1881, wrote that hero worship is a human condition that "cannot cease till man himself ceases." I've had many heroes in my time. One of them is listed below.

A hero is someone we admire for who he is, but not so much because he is someone special to us when we need someone to love, a person who can take the place of a busy family, someone you don't come home to and have to listen to their complaints. A hero is perfect, he's an image we conjure up in our minds as being the person we would like to be.

Lincoln was shot five days after Lee's surrender at Appomattox on Good Friday; Booth was a crazed hero-worshipper and had to die for his mistake. Each era in America has its hero. Charles Lindbergh in 1927 because he did what no one else had done. General MacArthur in WWII because of his determination and defiance to do what his heart dictated. A Civil War hero, Abner Doubleday, was dubbed "father of baseball" after his death.

We all know that politicians say one thing behind closed doors and another in public. Movie stars and pop singers were "images" created for a purpose, to give us an imaginary world to enter in the theaters. The superheroes of the comics were Jewish American creations.

All of this history to establish his hero-worship for a ball player because of his will to win, mainly the will to survive. His father had been a newspaperman. He became a writer, thus subconsciously was emulating his dead father who was the real hero in his mind. A Mother is a Mother is a Mother...how can she be a hero? This book is "especially for those who read about others to find the truth in themselves."

It's easy to get caught up in the little details of our lives, getting kids off to school, getting the car (or dog) fixed, paying the mortgage, raking the leaves, and doing the thousand other things that we do, so much that we forget or never get the big picture.

But it's impossible to get through even a chapter of Confessions of a Hero Worshipper, by Stephen J. Dubner, without stepping back taking a longer look at our own trajectories.

In fact, the book, which details a psychic journey of mythic proportions conducted by shuttle between New York and Pittsburgh, is nothing but a long look back at the childhood of the author, carefree until his father's unexpected death at 57 years of age. Dubner proceeded to do what any 10 year old kid would have done, set about to replace that figure, and he promptly selected a football player, Franco Harris of the Pittsburgh Steelers, who in very unlikely fashion proceeded to fill the gap in a profound way. For a time Dubner signed his school work, "Franco Dubner."

Dubner grew up, went off to college, got a job and pretty much forgot Franco, until a chance sighting of the former football star on a magazine cover ignited a fool's errand, for the author to actually meet his childhood hero and establish a connection.

In the process Dubner is forced to re-examine the loss of his father, look long and hard at how he filled that void and, more importantly, take stock of the remaining sense of loss and sorrow.

In reading the book, I found it impossible not to examine such holes in my past, as well.

I'm currently reading "Turbulent Souls," another book by Dubner, which details the strange spiritual and cultural journey taken by his parents, which led them from a life as Jews in New York City to life as committed Catholics on a farm in rural Upstate New York. That's where they all were when I came to know them during my year in Duanesburg as the 13 year shortstop of the local sandlot baseball team.

After reading Stephen Dubner's first book, Turbulent Souls, I couldn't wait to read his latest work. I thoroughly enjoyed Confessions of a Hero Worshiper. It is a poignant, beautifully-written story about Dubner, who as a ten-year-old boy, grasped on to his football hero to help him survive his loneliness and insecurity after his father died. Dubner's childhood hero was Franco Harris of the Pittsburgh Steelers and the "man of steel" becomes much more to the young, fatherless boy than anyone would ever imagine. In school Dubner even wrote his name as "Franco Dubner" on his papers. For the next 4 years, Dubner has the same dream every night of meeting Franco Harris, inviting him over to his house for dinner, and playing a game of football in the backyard with him afterwards. Every night in the dream, Franco breaks his ankle just as he's about to score a touchdown. He hands the ball to Dubner and tells him, "You gotta take it from here yourself, kid." The words end up being prophetic.

Fast forward about twenty-five years. Dubner is now a successful writer and former editor of the NY Times Magazine. When he spies a magazine cover sporting Franco Harris's picture, his long-buried feelings are rekindled. Dubner is overcome by a deep desire to meet his hero and let him know what an important part he played in Dubner's young life.

When Dubner finally gets to rubs elbows with Franco Harris, the time spent with him and his athlete buddies is both exhilerating and frustrating. What transpires between them over the next months enables Dubner to finally shed his childhood ghosts when he comes to an epiphany of sorts. The story is both a heartfelt and at times hilarious account of Dubner's trip back into his past as he comes to grips with the present and discovers the secret to his future.

The story is so engaging and well-written that I couldn't put it down...and me, a sports fan...NOT!

Dubner's book had a special meaning to me when I read it. I had just come back from a trip where I met a childhood idol of mine. While the meeting was great, somehow I came home feeling a bit of emptiness.
Dubner's tale eventually delves into this emptiness. First, he relates the story of his childhood fascination with Franco Harris, a great running back with the Pittsburgh Steelers in the 1970's. It is the tale of a typical boy's love of a sports hero. Then, Dubner goes through school and leaves most of this behind. Later, as an adult when he has the chance to meet Harris, the book really hits a high note.
Dubner explores his feelings and Franco's feelings as the two meet several times. In the end, it is nothing like he expected or wanted, yet in the end it is exactly that.
Anyone who ever called himself a fan of a celebrity should read Dubner's story.

Author Shawn Kovacich has exploited an important niche in his "Achieving Kicking Excellence" series of martial arts instructional texts.

Shawn is quoted as saying "In an unarmed self-defense encounter, your kicking skills or lack thereof, can be the deciding factor between victory and defeat. In today's society, kicking is not only used more frequently, but it also ranks as perhaps the most versatile and underrated weapon that you have in your arsenal." I agree with him.

I found "Crescent Kick" (volume 4 of 10 in the series) to be so highly detail oriented that it overcame any presupposition of dryness and boredom to which I initially attributed to it. In short, I was "hooked." Laid out in terms that the novice can easily follow and the practicing martial artist can incorporate into his or her regimen, Shawn starts out with the historical background of the Crescent Kick and then introduces the reader to the physical and physiological body movements and mechanics associated with the kick.

Providing tips on conditioning and training, Shawn demonstrates foot movement by foot movement the Crescent Kick's basic principles and then introduces the primary Back Leg Crescent Kick to his audience and follows with eleven variations; (some of which I have never even heard of!).

Shawn demonstrates the principles of each kick with clear photographs that leave nothing to the imagination. Fortifying the text with chapters on "Warm Up and Stretching," "Training and Practice Methods," "Trouble Shooting Guide," and "Kicking Applications," to name a few, Shawn provides the reader with more than a full understanding of what could and mistakenly be known as a "simple kick."

Totally complete at 208 pages, and chocked with all sorts of valuable information from the "nuts and bolts" of technique description and demonstration to body dynamics, this is without a doubt the "gold standard" by which any examplar of martial arts kicking should be judged by.

This book can stand alone or be incorporated within the series. I rate it at five stars without hesitation or reservation. Well done!

I have just finished reading the last two books in the Achieving Kicking Excellence series. Yes, I know, the Crescent Kick and Reverse Crescent Kick books are actually books #4 and #5 in the series. I read them out of order, which is another good thing about the series; you can read any of the books in any order that you wish. They do not follow a specific pattern, although knowing Kovacich's attention to detail, he had a specific reason behind the order of each book. Which brings me to my next point.

This book leaves nothing out. It follows the same basic format as all the other books in the series. It covers everything including the anatomy of the leg, stretching, vital targets, foot positioning, timing, distancing, and the importance of correct recoil. Shawn Kovacich covers variations on the crescent kick which I haven't considered before, and I have been studying martial arts for 25 years. He also delves into training drills, weight training, speed training, and covers several ways to develop your kicking power.

Crescent Kick is very well written and easy to follow. So many of the technical martial arts books are so dry and boring that is is a struggle to get through them, but Kovacich uses a lot of analogies and great photographs which makes his books interesting and easy to follow. I especially found the "did you notice anything wrong photographs" and the trouble shooting section to be very helpful. The pictures really helped to drive home specific points and demonstrated specific mistakes, as well has how a good crescent kick should look.

Shawn Kovacich obviously knows his stuff! Kovacich's having earned a 4th degree black belt in both karate and Tai Kwon Do, and holding world records for endurance kicking is proof of his expertise, but sometimes this doesn't translate into the ability to relate that knowledge to others. In Kovacich's case, he has the expertise and the talent to put his knowledge into writing in a way which everyone can relate to.

I am totally impressed with Kovacich's attention to detail and passion about his subject. The whole Achieving Kicking Excellence series is well done and I highly recommend this book, as well as the whole series, to every martial artist who wants to improve his or her kicking skills. Buy it. Read it. Study it. Apply it!

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

Like all the titles in Shawn Kovacich's Achieving Kicking Excellence series, book 4 Crescent Kick is a comprehensive study of one of the important kicks used in modern martial arts today. The book is incredibly thorough with numerous photos demonstrating the every aspect of the kick in minute detail. Mr. Kovacich knows his stuff and it is obvious that he has spent many hours honing his technique. The book provides an in-depth study of the bones, muscles and mechanics involved in the kicking technique.

In addition, the book contains a wealth of supplemental information on strength, speed and power generating exercises to enhance the technique. There is also a section on stretching as well as the application of the technique.

This book is ideal for any martial artist who wishes to perfect their crescent kicking ability. The beginner will find a wealth of information to assist in developing proper mechanics while the advanced practitioner will glean some vital knowledge from an accomplished teacher.

Be sure to check out the other books in this series. You are sure to find one that addresses the specific kick that you need work on.

Aaron Hoopes
author of Zen Yoga: A Path to Enlightenment through Breathing, Movement and Meditation

The fourth volume of Shawn Kovacich's Achieving Kicking Excellence series is Crescent Kick, and like the first three it is an excellent resource regarding this specific kick. Like other books in this series, Kovacich wrote a text with detailed explanations on the execution and application of the crescent kick and its variations. Also like the others in the series, this is the most complete written description with photographs of the crescent kick that I know of, and is an excellent addition to any martial artist's library. It will be especially beneficial to those that teach the crescent kick and variations in their curriculums.

The author, Shawn Kovacich, set two world records for endurance high kicking that were certified by the Guinness Book of World Records, and has an impressive record in the tournament circuit having competed in tournaments such as the Sabaki Challenge among others. With those credentials, I expect him to provide solid instruction on the execution and application of kicks, and he definitely delivers.

Crescent Kick includes brief chapters on basic anatomy, warm up and stretching, strength, speed, and power. Many martial artists, especially instructors, will have more complete references on these topics. However, it is nice to have these brief chapters that have the basics all in one volume, especially for those that do not have a large martial art library. I feel it is important that Kovacich includes these if for nothing more than to introduce the basics and encourage the reader to seek out more instruction on these important elements to kicking. I have said the same thing about the other volumes in the series, but include it here as well to make this review stand on its own.

The reason to include this book in your library is for the instruction on the crescent kick. Kovacich starts out with a very good description of the basic principles of movement for the crescent kick including target areas. He then delivers an excellent description with pictures of how to perform the back leg crescent kick. I don't think a person could give a better explanation with pictures in written form than Kovacich does here. I also like that he uses a clock face to help describe the motion and positioning of the kick. I thought this was a very good way to deliver his information to the reader. The next chapters teach variations of the back leg crescent kick including: Step-Back Crescent Kick, Back Spin Crescent Kick, Spin Back Crescent Kick, Hop/Slide Forward Crescent Kick, Hop/Slide Backward Crescent Kick, Front Leg Crescent Kick, Switch Crescent Kick, Off-Setting Crescent Kick, Cross-Over Crescent Kick, Butterfly Crescent Kick, and the Back Spin Crescent Kick (with the left leg).

Kovacich includes training and practice methods, a trouble shooting guide, and crescent kick applications in subsequent chapters. This rounded out the book to make it a complete stand alone volume on the crescent kick, and by far the best resource out there on this difficult technique.

One of the things I really enjoy in this series of books is the note section. Each chapter has notes and in these you find excellent gems of wisdom. Not only will they help your kicking on the described kick, but are relevant to other kicks too. I might not agree with every one of his notes, such as your first line of defense being kicks, since I believe it really depends on the situation. However, the all make you think, and some are right on, such as one in this volume that states: "For optimum results upon impact, you must use a combination of proper technique, along with an explosive combination of speed and strength." I wrote about similar issues in the kicking chapter I wrote in Fighter's Fact Book 2 with Loren Christensen when I said to kick `em hard and kick `em fast.

Like the other books in this series, a person could criticize this text regarding the repetitiveness of some of the pictures and descriptions of the wheel kick variations. If you are reading this book straight through cover to cover, yes, the repetitiveness could become boring. If you are using the text as Kovacich intended, as a learning tool, this should not be a factor. I much rather have each kick explained in its entirety, rather than be referred to a different part of the book for the elements that are similar or the same. There is a big difference in a book intended to be read from cover to cover and a book intended as a resource guide. The Achieving Kicking Excellence series are guide books, and the format is perfect for this kind of instruction.

Shawn Kovacich's Crescent Kick is the fourth book of the series and an excellent instructional text for any student or instructor of the kicking arts. Its detailed descriptions and photographs are clear and easy to understand, while his kicking notes provide quality instruction and advice to improve one's training and execution of this important kick. I am definitely looking forward to future volumes in the Achieving Kicking Excellence series.

Reviewed by Alain Burrese, J.D., author, speaker
Hard-Won Wisdom From The School of Hard Knocks, Hapkido Hoshinsul, Streetfighting Essentials, Hapkido Cane, and The Lock On Joint Locking series

Achieving Kicking Excellence

If you are a novice martial artist, a kick-box exercise video nut, or someone who wants to advance their knowledge of martial art kicks, this book looks as if it would be very helpful.

The series of books is organized by type of kick: back, wheel, axe, crescent, reverse crescent, front, hook, hatchet, roundhouse, side kick. Ten books in all.

The volumes are absolutely loaded with pictures of not only kick technique but also of helpful strength-with-weight exercises, especially gym exercises with machines like the hack squat and leg press sled and of course the all-important lunge. So you get not only a discussion of how-to, but of what exercises can improve overall performance by gaining muscle strength. There are pictures with overlays of angles and axes, giving you an idea of proper form, though there is no substitute for a sensei giving you real-time feedback, of course. So these books are a good adjunct to martial arts class in the dojo; something to read and then take to practice and work on with real-time help.

There is a section on sparring--right and wrong. There is a suggested reading list in the back. A very complete series.

The only thing these volumes suffer from is slightly dark and low contrast black and white photograph reproduction due to pictures being on paper stock and not glazed plate stock, in order to keep costs reasonable for publishing. And the cover photo is wonderful but the graphic design (showing the title being shattered by the someone doing the title kick) was a GREAT concept but you can't read the title on the front cover (because it's being kicked to bits!) This is annoying; you have to read the spine to see which kick the book is about. If this bugs you, it's easily fixed: get some stickers or a Sharpie and mark the front cover with something like SIDE KICK VOL 10 or whatever works for you.

Author Kovacich is a black belt in both Karate and Tae Kwon Do (which of course is one of the martial arts for which the kick is the premier technique.)

Thoroughly enjoyed John's book. It left me wanting more! Great visuals of the eagle and even more of the crow, could just see the crow gaining confidence, the light bulbs flashing, and him flying back and forth, settling in to listen some more. You read a book or a quote or see a picture that moves you and you are inspired, but that fades and you need to be reminded. That's what this book did for me. Loved the quotes about the future. Instead of loaning my copy, I'm ordering more as gifts.

A good gift for someone starting their business career with an extra kick for the sports enthusiast. The book is easy to read and the lessons relevant.

Easy to read with lessons worth noting. A good gift for someone starting their career in business especially if they are a sports enthusiast.

As someone with no interest in any sports I still enjoyed this book. The advice given applies to life in general and would make anyone a better person if followed. Like all of us Bob Turley has had his ups and downs, but he never gave up and came out on top!

I've never bought one of these books, but having been given The Crow and the Eagle by a close friend, I'll be buying the next Danenbarger book I see. It's marvellous and inspirational - what more can I say!

I was in my early teens in the years covered in this book and the participants covered were heroes to me. I came across this title reading an obit for Phil Hill and went to Amazon to see what the general consensus was on the book. I read the reviews and ordered it and I agree wholeheartedly that it deserves five stars. This being an opinion from someone who was familiar with the drivers and the era covered in the book so the nostalgia factor influenced this review. YMMV.

Being born in 1982, I wasn't around for this era of Grand Prix racing. Sure, I'd heard the stories about how dangerous a period it was and how drivers put it all on the line every time they got in a car. However, this book made it clear just how dangerous Grand Prix racing - and all motorsport for that matter, was. The driver biographies are certainly not full length, but they provide a snapshot of what was going through the driver's minds when they were racing. I enjoyed Phil Hill's comments, especially the statements talking about Enzo Ferrari.

Above all, this is a picture book. That is not a negative to the book though, it is the main feature. The photographs were all taken by the author through the course of his covering F1 during that era as a writer/photographer.

This is one of those books that I read cover to cover within hours of receiving it. It tells the amazing story of early Grand Prix racing. After reading it, it really had me wondering why anybody would have been a driver back then. Too many drivers died while racing, and this book has these stories in photographs. In the book, Daley's articles on Alfonso de Portago and Wolfgang von Trips are excellent.

I really enjoy this book and would recommend it to anybody who is a fan of the old Grand Prix era.

I picked up an original copy of Daley's book, The Cruel Sport, many years ago. The 1st edition was a milestone in motorsports writing, for it without reservation addressed racing's rather dirty little secret- drivers were needlessly dying at the wheel of fragile cars at incredibly unsafe tracks that in turn were run by owners / organizations that were too often criminally negligent when it came to basic safety precautions. Scores of drivers, both then and now in well-earned retirement (if lucky enough to have survived), talked about how dangerous the sport was, but there was no concensus among drivers as to how to proceed. Circuit owners more often than not did not want to discuss their role in improving track safety. Long after the printing of Daley's original book, drivers were still paying the ultimate price for someone else's shortsightedness- Jochen Rindt, Roger Williamson, Tom Pryce, Jim Clark, Bruce McLaren, etc. Those drivers that did champion for change (Stewart, Rindt, Bonnier, G. Hill, etc) were often ridiculed for their efforts. The current crop of safer drivers and fans (remember LeMans '55!!) have these pioneers, and Daley, as the author of The Cruel Sport, to thank for their willingness to expose what was going on. Far from a reprint, the new edition is sufficiently revamped and updated to make it an entirely new read. Daley's photos still hold up well against the best of the big-time professionals of his era. If you love F-1 from the 1960s, this is an essential book for your library; in no way will you be disappointed. As the author of many titles unrelated to motorsports, you'll also be impressed with Daley's enormous talent for painting a picture with words- if only more motorsports writers were half as talented. To think these 3 1/2 decades later, there is still no similar work in motorsports literature.

This is an incredible book for any F1 fan. It is straightforward in its delivery and still conveys the emotions of the author and drivers. The pictures are great and will transport you through time just as the writing does. Amazing!

34 years of being a Cubs fan - this book made a lot of sense to me. Really well done. I devoured this book in two days. People on the train looked at me as I laughed my way through it.

If you consider yourself to be a Cubs fan, you must read this book. It is an amazing book depicting the life of a Cubs fan. It is especially good at helping all of us Cubs fans laugh at ourselves!

I first bought this book because it seemed amusing but after receiving it I discovered a well written book with great facts and anecdotes. It did make me laugh and I felt at one with the Cubs Nation. It is one of my favorite books to send to friends.The Cubs Fan's Guide to Happiness

This book is a MUST for the person interested in becoming a better Cubs fan. I work with a group of women that LOVE to go to the Cubs games. They invited me last year - I had fun, but didn't know much. I was given this book to "teach me" about the Cubs and how a Cubs fan exists. Ellis gives details about being a Cubs fan that are so helpful such as "TANY - There's Always Next Year" and "Beer Will Make it Better". The illustrations were great, and the glossary will come in handy when I go to my next game. I got a lot out of the book, but I know that even the most knowledgeable fans will find lots of new and interesting information in this extremely funny book. You won't be disappointed - it's any easy read, and entertaining. Highly recommend!

This is a delightful read for Cubs Fans. (I happen to be one living in exile in New Jersey!) It offers comfort for Cubbie fans woven with good day to day advice for living in general. I do have two beefs with the author though. A) He suggests that the Cubs are pretty much a White Collar Team. (B.S.!) and B) He winds up the book on a downer. "A Century of Losing: 100 Years 100 Frustrations". Other than that, It is a must for any Cub fan.

'Fly fishing is solitary, contemplative, misanthropic, scientific in some hands, poetic in others, and laced with conflicting aesthetic considerations. It's not even clear if catching fish is actually the point' is what the author shares and what I 100% agree with!

Loving Scotland and fly fishing (as well as New Zealand) I love his Chapter 8 titled Scotland and where he writes on page 89 of how the river was held in private hands and 'rented' out which was a subtle reminder to me of how fortunate I am to be able to drive a mere six miles to the Mokelumne here in the Sierras of California and with my California fishing license and my rod and a few flies, fish to my hearts content for native trout no less.

The book is well written and part diary, part educational how to and in an odd way but a positive way, a lesson in the mysteries of fly fishing and the people who are drawn and hooked for life.

You don't have to be a fly fisherman to enjoy Gierach, though it does help. When he waxes ecstatic over bamboo rods, or explains how the Green Drake mayfly (Ephemerella grandis) is differentiated from its cousins, E. doddsi and E. flavilinea, perhaps only a fisherman can understand exactly why this is so important.

But reading Gierach isn't something you do to learn about the technique or the science of fishing, or how to select a rod, or how to cast. He's more about the philosophy of fishing, about why we are willing to stand in the middle of a cold stream wearing silly clothes and waving a stick over our heads. He's the ultimate Trout Bum, to quote an earlier book, a man for whom there really is no other life, and who has made a modest living for years just celebrating this life. And of course he does this in a wonderfully witty way; no jokes, just a lot of observations that will still make you smile the umpteenth time you read them.

"Dances with Trout" is not just about trout fishing, or about fishing, for that matter. The "Scotland" chapter doesn't have much to say about how to fish for salmon; "Fool Hen" is about grouse hunting, and "In the Woods" is about still hunting for deer.

What ties all these stories together is Gierach's feeling of comradery with his hunting and fishing pals, and even more so, a real connection with the outdoors. In a time when for many, "outdoor sports" means something like racing through the woods in a snowmobile, tearing up the peace and quiet of a lake in a jetski or "four wheeling", Gierach writes about the simple pleasures of being outdoors and absorbing the world around you.

Gierach has a way of lulling the reader into a world of strange illusion. I keep forgetting I'm reading and start thinking I'm eaves-dropping at a campfire. The rhythm of a writer is important and can fan the flame of imagination or dowse it like cold beer on your last match. Dances fans, man...it fans! The stories within the covers are told like stories should be told...easy with lot's of real words. There's too many writers,today,who write like evil spawn of New Age English classes! John bucks 'em all and writes like a story teller...taunting us with worlds filled exotic adventures...like killing porcupines with rocks. Good stuff!

I'm an avid bass angler who has never done much flyfishing, but after reading a good Gierach,(they're all great,) I'm ready to head out to that little creek in Montana, or that bass pond in Texas, or even Scotland with a fly rod and join him. This was the first book of his I read and now I'm on my fourth. I love how relaxed and fun his writing is, and I, personally, can relate to a lot of his views and feelings about things. Even for the non-angler, John Gierach is alot of fun, even if you have no idea what the heck a #14 Royal Wulff is. If you're looking for some great reading, go with Gierach.

Eyes getting tired from tying those #18 cahills? Too Cold to fish? Sit back and go fishing with Geirach. Great Book, great stories!