Players Books

This is the first book I've read about Mickey Mantle and its a very good read. There are some very moving stories about the twilight years of Mickey's career and the respect and reverence felt for him by opposing teams. One act of respect - no bunting on Mickey because of his bad knees. And one opposing team pitcher deliberately threw Mickey a home run pitch just to see him hit it out of the park.

This book goes back to Mickey's childhood, and how his father would come home after working all day in the mines, go out back with Mickey and neighborhood friends and play baseball until dark. Mickey was right-handed, but his father would make him hit left-handed to teach him how to be a switch hitter (which Mickey hated having to do at the time).

This book is full of interesting stories and antedotes about Mickey's life. One thing this book did not answer for me that I have questions about: Mickey lived with another woman the last 10 years of his life, but never divorced Merlyn, his first and only wife. Why did he never divorce and remarry this woman? Why did he stay married to Merlyn? What were the reasons that Merlyn never left, or Mickey didn't?

All in all, a great book if you are wanting to learn more about Mickey Mantle.

In this book you see all the struggles this young star goes through at an early age and all through his career. You get a look at what he was dealing with everyday as an american sports hero. This book makes Mantle appear as if he starts out as an average sports star all over the limelight. But shows more of what a monster he became as his career and life progressed. Mantle was truly a national hero and this novel spotlights the qualities Mickey possesed to fully fit the part the people saw him playing. From his small life as a young boy to the big life in New York, playing for the Yankees. This book is one of the quality works of Author David Falkner. As a sports fan and an athlete i admired the life of Mickey Mantle because of the way he presented himself during all events. He was humble and seemed as if he would not harm even a pestering fly. It is my believe that to truly appreciate this book, you must first realize the grasp sports had on our culture and what athletes face while in the spotlight, after seeing that you must read this book as if you had never read a biography on a person living a perfect live, because Mantle was unable to do this. At that point you will be able to read this book and totally understand what the author and Mickey wanted to relay through writing it. In conclusion this book is one of the best books i have ever read and a must for all sports fans and followers.

The Last Hero the book about Mickey Mantle was on of the better books that I have read about Mickey. I like the way it talks about childhood days, and how he progressed through his years of baseball. Actually I thought the book was a little touching, it touched my heart. I just wish Mick would have taken better care of himself or he just might be alive today. Now I'am only 18yrs old so I never did get to see Mickey Mantle play baseball, but I have read many of the books about him, and just from reading different books on him I have realized that he was a true baseball player. Since the first time I heard about Mickey he has been my hero and will always be my hero no matter what any one says about him. To me Mickey is the best ballplayer ever the play the simple of baseball.

The book is chock full of original research on Mickey's childhood. You understand his immortal line, "If I knew I would have lived this long, I would have taken better care of myself." Falkner, rather than rehash old stories, talks with Mickey's teammates and unearths new gems. It is shame the world has lost this giant.

Joseph Bean does an outstanding job of explaining, demystifying and clarifying many aspects of BDSM. It is from a gay male perspective and would probably not be of tremendous interest to hets or lesbians, but gay & bi/pansexual bio- & transmen should thoroughly enjoy Bean's work, no matter what their level of involvement in BDSM. He covers a wide variety of topics ranging from leather to bondage, BDSM relationships to finding partners, play parties to tools, etc. Plus Bean focuses on the importanct of the safe, sane & consensual principles. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!!!

This is a "foundation book." A "must read." Joseph, one of the select few who have shaped the Leather culture in this country, wrote this timeless book in part so that those not (yet) involved in the Leather culture could develop a better understanding of what it is and how it works. But it is also intended for those of us who have some years of experience, here. For this book batches and sorts in ways that help us better to uderstand others with slightly different kinks. His chapter organizations are inspired and his writing style is easy to follow. As I've said: a "must read."

It can be difficult to balance between talking down to those who will feel they have a lot of experience in BDSM and tallking over those who are just learning about BDSM. This book does a good job of looking at a wide range of activities and interests, some of them for the first time, so that newbies can feel grounded while advanced kinky folk can mull over the concepts. Even though the book grew out of Bean's own journey toward becoming a master, I think the book can speak to anyone regardless of vanilla sexual orientation. However the book often reads more like it is geared toward the bottom or submissive partner in a relationship.

This was a rich delight to read. Many leatherfolk and leather-curious will appreciate the content, accurately described by the chapter titles: "Getting Started in Leathersex", "Playing with Power and Sex", "Playing with Pain", "Playing with Pleasure", "Playing with Life and Death", "Leather Relationships", "Anatomy, Physiology, and First Aid" and "Leathersex and Spirituality".

The author's writing style is both engaging and informative. "Leather Relationships" has an intimate quality to it, including an interesting interview with the founders of Masters & slaves Together ("MAsT"), and another with the author's late boy. The latter interview and writings around it answer, as best I've seen, the question "What is a 'boy'?" "Playing with Pain" included information on some techniques for pain processing and storage that I'd not run across in book form before. "Leathersex and Spirituality" is a short but welcome chapter.

The book flows well. The author does not shirk from addressing edgy topics when relevant. The index is exhaustive.

I particularly recommend "Leathersex" to a gay male leather audience.

We bought this book as a gift for an ardent Atlanta (nee Boston, nee Milwaukee!) Braves fan. We had looked for some time to find an appropriate book, and this was a winner! Mazzone has been linked with Bobby Cox, the Braves manager, for several years and their results together have been recordbreaking. So much of the success of the Braves has had to do with the consistently high level of perfromance of their pitching staff, and Leo Mazzone has been the constant during all that time, despite turnover of the pitchers themselves. It was interesting to hear from the man himself, and the book makes excellent reading for a real baseball fan. It will be interesting to see how long the Braves maintain their pitching excellence, now that Leo Mazzone will be wearing a Baltimore uniform!

While I enjoyed the behind the scenes experience and Leo's candid discussion concerning his past and present pitchers, the book needed more beef. Too good a subject to pass an opportunity to be more in depth. Other than that, very enjoyable book!

Of the many factors influencing the Braves' stupendous run of 13 straight Division Championships, none of it is more prominent than its emphasis on pitching anchored by Leo Mazzone.

"Tales from the Braves Mound" contains anecdotes in Mazzone's career from his pitching days to his forays in the minor leagues and finally to his elevation to pitching coach with Bobby Cox as the manager of the Atlanta Braves.

The anecdotes provide some interesting tidbits such as Maddux's request to give him a mound visit because "it's lonely out there" and even Glavine's reluctance to hit a batter after his teammate was beaned by the opposing pitcher. Also, Mazzone defends his coaching philosophies which include the practice of throwing in between starts, getting the pitcher's input on how long he stays in the game, his aversion to the "wild card" format and emphasis on pitch location rather than raw power. Of course, the good coach in him refuses to dwell on the Braves' postseason failures but instead celebrates the team's successes.

Having said that, I would have liked him to make the book just a little bit longer by rating the current aces (Randy Johnson, Bartolo Colon) and sluggers (Barry Bonds, David Ortiz) and of course another chapter on the post-Maddux, Glavine era would have made the book perfect.

Even if pundits scoff at his team's postseason failures, I do believe real baseball enthusiasts including opposing players and coaches have a healthy respect for his and Cox's ability to mold a staff and in effect a team.

I have been a Brave's fan since the late eighties watching the young guns loose close games by one or two runs, especially in 89 and 90. Scott and Leo team up to give us a highly entertaining behind the scenes look of a decade and more of one of the best pitching staff's in the history of baseball. This book is well written and is a must for any true baseball fan, particularly Brave's fans. Great book Scott and Leo!

It is a book about a hero that evrybody thought was perfect. In this book you get to see the life behind the face. There are so many legend and this book so the truth and tells you the miths.

every sentence filled with facts. research done is tremendous. best sports book i ever read.

This biography, although scholarly, is entertaining throughout and easily read. Smelser was a life long baseball fan and his love of the game animates every page. As an undergraduate at Notre Dame, I studied under the author. Now deceased, he was a professor of history. Smelser demanded from his students the thorough research he displays in this book. But he was also a wonderful storyteller. Both qualities are apparent in this work. Like the best biographers, the author has only mild affection for his subject. The Babe's qualities and failings get equal attention. But today, when the word "superstar" is wildly overrused, you see the extraordinary level of fame this man achieved. If you really want to understand the Babe's life, read this book.

Some legends are larger than life. Some legends are made up. Then there's Babe Ruth, than man by which all other baseball players are measured, even today. George Herman Ruth comes to life in this riveting, yet easy to read biography by Marshall Smelser.

You follow the bambino from his early days at St. Mary's Industrial School for Boys to his early days with the Boston Red Sox. You read about his turmoil with the fans, his trade to the New York Yankees, that later became the curse of the Bambino.

Smelser's accounts of Ruth's life from his first wife to the run ins with Yankees manager Miller Huggins to the called shot in the 1934 World Series and so many others, will have laughing on minute and on the brink of tears the very next.

I have always been a great Babe Ruth fan; so reviewing this book was a no brainer. Smelser writing style made it easy for me to read along and finally get a true picture of the man so many either loved or hated. I would highly recommend this book to any serious baseball fan!

The story was excellent, bring out the various viewpoints of Native Americans today on problems from mascots and powwows to land grabs and poverty on the reservations. One of the best portions of the book was when the players on the team, all Native Americans, "corrected" the mascot's outfit. The characters were believeable. While reading the book, I could say, "I know someone like that" on almost every character, even the broken-down rodeo rider. The climate of Oklahoma was described well also, from the stifling humidity of eastern Oklahoma to the tornadoes of the central area.
Unfortunately, the softball games themselves had so many inaccuracies it took away from the story. There are no "2nd base" coaches, and getting hit by a pitch in fast-pitch entitles you to 1st base.
Even so, I enjoyed the read and the discussion of issues in the Native community.

This easy to read page turner was one of the most enjoyable books I have read recently. Mihesuah is an excellent writer and every character is brought to life in a memorable way. With each Shrike game I was sitting on the edge of my seat hoping for a win. In addition to a wonderful storyline, The Lightning Shrikes is an excellent example of American Indian fiction. The book provides insights into current problems facing Indians today in an easy manner. Non-Indian readers will find these issues easy to swallow and might even learn something new. As an Indian reader, I was even challenged in the way I perceive other Indians. Thanks Devon for a fun and exciting read. I can't wait for the Shrikes second season!

Mihesuah, as usual, hits it out of the park, so to speak, with The Lightning Shrikes. This novel is remarkable in that it manages to be both a page turner, and a highly effective investigation of a plethora of issues germaine to Indian country. Mihesuah, a Choctaw academician, proves herself to have quite a gift for fiction, in addition to her formidable talents as a scholar. She manages to present many complicated topics and misperceptions in such a way that someone either misinformed or underinformed would finish this book significantly enlightened, without feeling beat up. Aside from political value, the characters are realistic and endearing, and the story engrossing - it's one of those books where you actually want a sequel!

Devon Mihesuah's "The Lightening Shrikes" breaks Native American stereotypes and allows the reader to have fun doing it. In a world where Native American literary fiction that is actually written by Native American authors too often tells only the tale of a reluctant Native American hero or heroine struggling in a seemingly un-winnable battle against impossible odds, Mihesuah hits a home run with a story that incorporates modern American Indian protagonists who are finally allowed to achieve and enjoy their success. After reading this highly enjoyable story of a cohesive team of players from a diverse set of tribal cultures coming together in a powerful and effective show of solidarity and sportsmanship, it causes one to wonder why someone didn't write a story like this sooner. All of that, and the "Indian mascots" issue is dealt with in a way that causes it to finally turn out (at least for the Lightning Shrikes) the way that it should, for a change. Mihesuah entertains, informs and raises consciousness about Native American issues all at the same time-a powerful triple play that will keep you turning the pages and wanting more. I highly recommend "The Lightning Shrikes" for anyone who is looking for a good read. It could also be a great way for the newcomer to Native American issues to find out nearly everything you might have wanted to know about Native American stereotypes and why Indian mascots are offensive, but were afraid to ask, but have fun while doing it. I am looking forward to more fiction by Devon Mihesuah.

One of my all-time "must-have" inside-the-game books, right up there with FOUL about Connie Hawkins, MAD DUCKS AND BEARS is nothing short of brilliant... insightful for its look beneath the gridiron turf of the NFL, and asthma-inducing hilarious when author Plympton wisely turns large chunks of the book over to narratives by John Gordy and, to a larger extent, the great Alex Karras, a very droll fellow.

In the mid-'70s, this book used to accompany my sight-impaired college roommate and myself on our annual treks around the country to visit other old chums from school, and in the evenings, I would read and re-read passages aloud to him... Gordy's thoughts while lying on the turf of Yankee Stadium with a dislocated shoulder, Karras' recollections of his first days off an Indiana farm at the University of Iowa under coaching legend Forrest Evashevski, and his adoption in training camp as a scared rookie by hard-drinking Lions' team leader Bobby Layne... as we would roar ourselves to sleep.

Delighted to see this wonderful volume reprinted! Long overdue.

George Plimpton wants to write a book about the techniques offensive and defensive lineman. The Mad Duck (Alex Karras) and The Bear (John Gordy) will be used for research. Their first meeting for the book places the author, George, in down lineman position in the apartment of one of the men as they hammer him into lamps and such. From there the book takes off on the minds of Karras and Gordy. It is filled with absolute laugh out loud hilarity. The book finishes with Plimpton at Quarterback, but this time for the World Champion Baltimore Colts. Insights to hall of famers Johnny Unitas and Bubba Smith are must reading for football historians. (Smith at a party trying to teach a myna bird his name, "Bubba, Bubba, Bubba"). One also gets introduced to Bob Irsay who dismantles the team. It is a hint of things to come----a move to Indianapolis.

This book is excellent for an authentic glimpse into the 1960s NFL. It is also very funny and extremely well written. Alex Karras is an eccentric character who provides a barrel of laughter with his off the wall sense of humor. Plimpton, unkowingly, plays the perfect straight man for karras's bizzare antics.

My only complaint about this book is that it was such an enjoyable read, I wish there were many more pages.

Over 25 years after reading this for the first time, I still remember some of the more hilarious moments: Alex Karras's golf tournament, with the shrieks of wild animals echoing from the woods; Joe Schmidt's basement full of horrible recordings of the Detroit Lions singing The Battle Hymn of the Republic (not to mention the unsold vibrators); Bobby Layne sending Karras out for burgers then abandoning the frightened rookie. Interspersed among the laughs are some wonderful tutorials on the art of football where it really matters--in the trenches with the hogs. Offensive guard John Gordy and defensive tackle Alex Karras, two of the greatest ever to play the game, explain the nearly invisible game of blocking and tackling. This is a sort of cult book for true fans of football and great writing. Come join our congregation!

Big Mac truly saved Baseball along with Sammy Sosa back in the summer of 1998. He was a Great Hitter all through His career&He deserves his place in cooperstown. this Book is a solid Read.MCgwire was always bad from his Days in Oakland through the End in St Louis. Big Mac is the truth&he should be a Hall of Famer easily.

Mark McGwire, the only person to hit 70 homeruns in a single season. He did this in his last season of profesional base ball in 1998 on the St. Louis Cardinals. He was on the Oakland A's for 12 years and was on the St. Louis Cardinals for 4 years. He played first base. He bats right and throws roght also. he is 6'4", just like my dad. Mark weighs about 250 pounds. Born October 1, 1963 in California. McGwire went to the University on Southern California. He was Oaklands first draft pick.(tenth over all). Throughtout the 1998 season the nation watched Mcgwire to see if he would break the 62 home runs in a season. Indead he did and everybody congradulated him. But best of all. His best friend and fan, Sammy Sosa. Many people said he took steroroids, but i do not belive that and neither does this author.

Mark started off as a rookie in 1986. He was drafted to the Oakland A's. When Mark was a kid he actually hated baseball and loved golf, but his parent's told him they really wanted him to play baseball so Mark finally agreed and at his first at bat he hit a home run. When Mark was in his teenage years he was asked to join the California All-star team and he hit a ball into Mexico. It just happened to be that they were playing on the border of California and Mexico. In high school he had to quit the team he was playing on because of a knee injury but Mark was so good in baseball he was awarded a scholarship. In Mark's professional years he is probably going to be most famous for hitting 62, home runs but when he started he was horrible .Mark said it was a slump but the media thought different but after he starting hitting well, he was right. It was a slump. I really enjoyed reading the book Mark McGwire because it was very interesting and exciting I would recommend this book to anyone.

This book is a an excellent re-cap of Mark McGwire's career and a thorough look at his head to head competition with Sammy Sosa. The writer does a very good job of portraying McGwire as hero to both parents and children. A perfect book for anyone interested in this fine baseball player.

This book is a must-have for all Met fans! It's a great read to brush up on your Mets history or to use as a reference guide. You'll feel like a more-informed met-nerd once you buy & read this book. It was written by fanatics, for fanatics.

People give me METS related gifts all the time, but this is the best thing I have ever received! I had so much fun reading this book and learning the history behind who wore what number and all the juicy details that came leaping off the page once you get past the numbers themselves.

If you like the METS, if you love the METS and certainly if you know anyone else who does, you have just found what to buy for mother's day, father's day, graduation or birthdays. There's no way that any METS fan would be less than enthralled with this spectacular book!

This is a must for any Mets fan, what makes this book so great is that it tells the story of the story behind the uniform number from Mookie #1 to Turk #99, a very fun and informative read.

Yes. I dare. It's the best Mets book ever, and I've read them all (or at least most of them). I was drawn to it by the premise (history of the team by uniform numbers) and I was not disappointed.

If you are a true fan of the blue and orange, you owe it to yourself to pick up and read this gem. Written with great wit and insight and from a different perspective than all of the previously published team histories out there, this book is an absolute joy to read.

GO METS!

In the airport recently, I picked up the Los Angeles Times and came across a review of this delightful book, which will appeal to movie buffs, history buffs or anyone whose family experienced the Great Depression. I quote from Jonathan Kirsch who wrote the review: "The next time a 1930s gangster flick called 'Kid Galahad' shows up on cable, take a close look at the guy in the spectacles and the fedora standing next to Humphrey Bogart. 'If you are familiar with many B movies of the late '30s or '40s,' writes Joan M. Cunningham, 'you would probably recognize my father's face, if not his name.' Joe Cunningham was one of the character actors who are the unsung heroes of old Hollywood, and his brief but memorable career is detailed in an unabashedly sentimental memoir by his daughter. Joan Cunningham recalls a childhood on the margins of Hollywood." The review goes on to highly recommend this fascinating book about the other side of Hollywood during it's Golden Age. I picked up the book and couldn't put it down.

Just returned from a tip to California where I learned about the Hollywood moguls who founded the movie industry. What a joy, when I returned, to discover this little book--the other side of the coin--that told what it was like for families to live and work amoung the famous in Hollywood of the 30s and 40's. The author takes you back with her to walk the streets where Jackie Cooper was her neighbor and little girls adventured out to get a peek at the big studio lots. You feel the highs of dining at Chassens when dad has a bit part and the lows of moving to a smaller house when bits are sparse. A love story from a daughter for her father, forever a featured player in her life.

A delightful read. I was transported back in time to an era of "B" movies as seen in the lives of the players, a family that shared love, and tough times with humor and strength.

A revealing, surprising, delightful look at bygone Hollywood by one who was there: the daughter of the "Bit Player" in the title. This personal remembrance is sprinkled with the famous--and not-so-famed--personalities and events that have shaped our impression of Hollywood's "golden age." Humphrey Bogart, Edward G. Robinson, Ginger Rogers...they're all here, but in small roles, supporting the star: Joe Cunningham.

Snap this one up for an insider's look at a special time in our nation's cultural history. You'll be rewarded with page after page of anecdotes about life on the edge of the spotlight, and in the middle of how things really were. (Check out the photo of the author at Shirley Temple's birthday party--she's adorable!)

I was fascinated by the star-studded stories, and touched by the loving look back at a uniquely American family. I recommend this to all who appreciate good movies, good writing and good reads.

If you need ANY information about ANY player on the NHL, whether active or retired (or even a rookie), it's ALL in there.
672 pages filled with all the statistics you need about your favorite players.
This year, the book includes facts like "who played where in 2004-05" and "Who's playing where in 2005-06" (with all the changes that took place during the summer). Plus information about thye 2006 Olympics AND the New Rules.
For the price, you get more than your money's worth.
but just don't take my word for it, but it, read it, use it.
It's also a nice cover with Lemieux (now retired, unfortunately, again) and Crosby, the next one.
Highly recommended!
:)

This annual volume is especially nicein that it includes small photos of active players as well as number of retirees. It is also a good source to learn which of the old timers have passed away. Another feature I like is the all time records by player, and to see where the current veterans are positioned in these ranks. This issue also shows where all the active players played during the 2003-04 strike season. This book contains everything you can think of about the current hockey teams as well as the history from the early beginnings.

The greatest all-time stat book that the NHL has. A great encyclopedia on the players of the game. Every player and rookie listed along with their picture, and every year of stats they produced throughout their career. Every team and player record as well. This book has been printed yearly for over 20 years. A must have, if you like to update your rosters in EA Sports computer game NHL 2006, look no farther. This book also has a retired index of every player that ever stepped on the ice as well. THis book is 25 bucks, but you will find yourself using it a great deal throughout the entire 2005-2006 season. I promise. Let's Go Rangers!!!!!

Dan Diamond and his staff have again done an outstanding job of preparing a preview guide that ranks among the best in any pro sport. For the hockey fan, this isn't an optional purchase, but one you must have.

The statistical information for active players and prospects is unrivaled in any print resource. And while much of this information can now be found online (at the Internet Hockey Database, a great resource), there's nothing like having this handy reference on your desk or coffee table to grab up during a game, or while you're having a conversation about a player.

I've bought this book for years, and I still love going over the lists of all-time leaders, or looking at a list of guys who scored 50 goals in a season and reminiscing about those times. For hockey trivia addicts, this book is like a great fix, with list after list, and recaps from every season preceeding 2005.

There are a couple of items I'd love to see added to this annual, but it's hard to quibble about so great a resource. This should find a home on the desk or coffee table of every NHL fan out there