Players Books

it really taught you that he didnt have the best lif

This book was very good. It told about Wayne Gretzkys life, his stats and how great he really was. Thats why his nick name is the Great One. He set more than 61 records and has set untouchable ones. This is one of the best sport books ever made.

I thought this book was sweet.I liked it because it told me about his life and how he would play hockey with kids twice his age and still get goals.It said how he would win Stanley Cups and Art Ross trophys(a highest goal scorer of the year).Ialso liked it because it wasn't very long.

One of the most compelling books I've ever read. I couldn't put it down.

Mark Pearlman San Ramon, CA

The life and times of the Rogers' family is a cautionary tale for anyone
who has had a lapse in judgement and lived to tell about it.
Mr. Harveys attention to detail, excellent research and a smooth-flowing
narrative gives you much to reflect upon.
"One Moment Changes Everything" was a very satisfying read.
Looking forward to the author's next book.

"One Moment Changes Everything" is one of those books you can't put down. Sean Harvey has written the story of the Rogers family in a way that touches everyone, sports fan or not. The decision Don Rogers made that evening before his wedding has proven that even the decisions we make in our seemingly private moments, can have far reaching effects beyond our own lives. Mr. Harvey, through obvious painstaking research, manages to paint the Rogers family in a good light. This even when anyone familiar with the family's tragic past and present might cast them in dark shadows. I feel for the family, and that is because of this book. "One Moment Changes Everything" pulled emotion out of me, the sign of an excellent book. Buy it and read it! You will be glad you did.

If you wonder why some people can never give up playing football (or chasing windmills?), Kluck's "Paper Tiger" provides plenty of insight. His writing is honest - whether it's about dealing with himself, his teammates, or his wife and family.

The story is excellent - contains a lot of the craziness that Bruce Feldman's "Meat Market" so good - I don't think you can miss with this one.

Ted Kluck gets inside the game of indoor football and we don't ever want to get out. Anyone who's been associated with the game and even those who aren't will appreciate this book. Indoor football is a distinctly American invention and Ted captures it all. The road trips, the fans, the pagentry - and there is that. Make sure you get this book.

Ted Kluck's book, "Paper Tiger," is a well written account of the 2006 Battle Creek Crunch indoor football team. In the sometimes chaotic world of minor league sports, no team in the first year Great Lakes Indoor Football League endured more problems than the Crunch.

But through all of the adversity, the players somehow managed to stick together and finish the season. Even though the season was rapidly deteriorating before their eyes, the team managed to earn a playoff spot in spite of an absentee owner and no paychecks.

"Paper Tiger" is filled with humorous stories of the colorful coaches and players on the team that season. The roster was a mix of former NFL and Arena Football League players, as well as guys who simply wanted to recapture their high school or college football playing days.

Kluck played defense for the Crunch and was a long snapper on the team as well. But at the age of 30, he struggled to comptete against larger, younger and faster players. In one way, however, he was just like every other player on the team. He, too, simply wanted a chance to play football, one more time.

This is one of the best books on baseball I have read in years. This was a time when the players played for the love of the game and not the paycheck. What a player Pete was and to read how he was used by the system of win at all cost. Now a day a player has a hang nail and they are out for weeks. This man almost killed himself several times and kept on playing. Great to read that there was once a time in sports that you played for the team. What has happen to this great sport? I can now only read about the great things that baseball offered its fans.

Pete Reiser is more than a book about one of the greatest ball players of all time. It is a history of early baseball with all the back room deals exposed. The story is a man's clear look at our national pastime.

Sid pulls no punches and really makes the game come alive, on the diamond as well as behind closed doors. If you are a fan of baseball or just a sport's historian, I know you will like this book.

Although I am not a fan of baseball, I have heard many stories of Pete Reiser, and was compelled to pick up and read this wonderful and insightful book by Sidney Jacobson. The book is written with passion for the game and a great respect and fondness for Mr. Reiser. I highly recommend this book to all those who love reading and of course it would be a must for any fan of baseball.

I'm not a big baseball fan, but I wanted to read this book because it pertained to the Negroe Leagues, a part of baseball most of us don't know much about. I was delighted. The Pittsburgh Crawfords was both entertaining and informative. What a wonderful cast of characters! And wonderful stories.

I'm not a big baseball fan, but I wanted to read this book because it pertained to the Negroe Leagues, a part of baseball most of us don't know much about. I was delighted. The Pittsburgh Crawfords was both entertaining and informative. What a wonderful cast of characters! And wonderful stories.

The Pittsburg Crawfords by James Bankes presents an excellent insight into the world of black baseball and some of its greatest stars such as Satchel Paige, Cool Papa Bell and Josh Gibson. One of the books fascinating parts is a comparison of black stars with the 1927 Yankees Murderes Row. As a baseball fan, I highly recommend this book.

This is not a typical boring history book. It is a fun history book. Wex wrote a collection of mini-biographies of the men who made the Steelers. But he did not limit the book to just Steeler stars from the past, he also included players that were lesser known. The stories are told by the players themselves. Growing up in the 70s, I would study the Steeler all-time leaders lists and read names like Lynn Chandnois and Roy Jefferson, but I had no clue who they were. Now I have a feel for who those players were and their place in building the best organization in the NFL. I don't want to tell the stories here, but I will say I learned Mean Joe Greene earned his nickname both on and off the field. Was Roy Jefferson Terrell Owens before Terrell Owens was born? I asked myself that question while reading about Roy Jefferson.

A couple things I learned were I was wrong when I thought the Steelers stunk before their 70s dynasty and a common link between players was their love and respect for Art Rooney.

Men of Steel is easy to read but hard to put down.

Jim Wexell ("Wex" is he known around sports discussions in The Burgh) has produced another great book about the Pittsburgh Steelers.

There are many things to enjoy from this books such as a behind-the-scenes lok at NFL players, the unknown stories associated with players that have never been told before, and also the nostalgia aspect of the book.

Most of the 35 players documented in the book I have watched play football with the Pittsburgh, but there are some that I never had the pleasure to watch. Jim Wexell introduces these players to you and then gives you some information that tells you about the person behind the player.

Alot of books about the Steelers will use third-hand accounts or have stories that any Steelers fan would already know. Wexell seperates himself and his book from books like that, because he uses first hand accounts and brings fresh new stories to the reader.

I don't know why I expected anything different from Wexell, because his first book that I also purchased, "Tales From Behind The Steel Curtain" was also an excellent read.

I really enjoyed the chapter about Frank Lewis and how he did not fit into the Steelers scheme of things during the Steelers dynasty years, but he was a very good NFL wide receiver. And then to learn how he he left the team...I will let you read for yourself.

My only hope now is that Jim Wexell continues to publich books like these. If you are true and die-hard Steelers fan, get this book and other Steelers books that Jim Wexell has written.

Men of Steel, is a tremendous collection of Steeler history. The book takes you through the lives of 35 former players. Interesting, funny, and informative this book held my attention start to finish. I laughed reading the Chapter on Tunch Ilkin and Craig Wolfley, and I now know what prompted the NFL to have oxygen available at every football game. Throughout this book you see the support and influence the Rooney family has had in the former players lives. I read of a connection to a necktie and a playoff game from the mid 70's. I learned how the coaches used a snow fence to motivate rookies. The Kevin Greene chapter mentions how he brought Big Macs and fries late at night for crazed fans camping out for a chance to get playoff tickets. I was one of those campers and was in awe of the free food from a player.

Jim Wexell put together an amazing book of Steeler profiles. I appreciate the extensive research that must have gone into this work. A must read for any football fan.

The Player Piano Mouse is a wonderful picture book for young fans of mice and music. Set during the Chicago World's Columbian Exposition of 1893, The Player Piano Mouse tells of a little girl mouse named Melody who longs to play the piano. In addition to the colorful and charming illustrations of anthropomorphic mice characters, The Player Piano Mouse is enhanced with snippets of music - playable themes for each character that young people (or anyone else) taking piano lessons can play! The result is an exciting adventure about pursuing one's dream. Enhanced with a historical glossary of famous people and places that appear in the tale, The Player Piano Mouse is an exceptional gem of a storybook.

This is a sweet book that provides a creative introduction to music. The author doesn't miss a chance to teach. The illustrations are vibrant and interesting enough to draw a child into the story. Certainly a book to inspire new musicians.

This book is a fun way for parents to interest their child in music. The historical references throughout the story make it interesting to parents as well as children. The website is a really great supplement to the book, with Dr. Dachman playing the musical selections from throughout the story. Our kids loved the cute and colorful illustrations.

Dr. Dachman gives us a book that reminds us of an historic event in our country's past, introduces us to a character that we'll want to know better, and pulls it all together into a book that adults and children alike will treasure. The story is sweet and almost believeable, the illustrations are perfect, together what a phenomenal chronicle. The recommended website mentioned in the book made the whole experience so much fun to hear the music and see the book come to life--what a great combination for kids! Can't wait for the next adventure myself!!!

A sweet story for any child with lots of wonderful illustrations and you get to go online and listen to the music! What fun :o)

On a recommendation I purchased PLAYERS - the first offering from Steven M. Siemens. I was promised an enjoyable Grisham-type read, what I received was much more. PLAYERS offers an entertaining view into the Califorian lifestyle - politics, lawyers, gangsters, corruption, love, lust, and even polo!

The story circles around the shady effort to open a Las Vegas style casino in Los Angeles. We can all guess what this leads to - murder, blackmail and excitement!. It is so well developed and researched that you find yourself wondering if this could really happen. Yet, this is not the real pull of the novel. Its true strength comes from how the subplots and character development takes on a life of their own, while still remaining truthful to the whole.

I am looking forward to his next book.

I found players to be very fast paced, and easy to read. It held my interest, even though i don't know much about polo. I purchased the book for my adult chrildren, and they enjoyed it very much. Hope the author finishes another book soon.

Players is the story of a shady businessman's plot to open a Las Vegas casino in Los Angeles. He hires a lawyer to help him, but when the plan includes political bribery, the Mafia, blackmail, and murder, the lawyer begins to form his own plan. The action is fast-paced, and the many sub-plots weave themselves together well. Lots of local color, too. I read it in one sitting!

Young elementary picture book, although the concept is rather sophisticated for the book style.

This book tells the story of Katie Casey, who played with the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League during World War II.

Illustrations are simple, cute.

Baseball mad!! That's Katie Casey for you. Cooking sewing dancing forget it!! The only thing Katie wanted to do and was amazing at was baseball. Nobody would let Katie play baseball untill ...all the men go to war and fans are getting crazy and mad. Coaches decide to start womens baseball leauge. Katie makes a team! It was their first game it was the bottem of the ninth inning Katie was the last hitter up for her team. The Rockford Peaches had 9, and Katie's team the Kenpsha Comets had 6, the bases were loaded, Katie swung and......????? Read this book to find out. This book is crazy funny, and most of all BASEBALL MAD!!!

Shana Corey has crafted another great historical fiction picture book (See YOU FORGOT YOUR SKIRT, AMELIA BLOOMER & MILLIE AND THE MACY'S PARADE). Playful, colorfull illustrations complement a well-paced text (this is a great read-aloud) that delivers a history of the first girl's professional baseball league (see the movie A LEAGUE OF THEIR OWN).
Corey's author's note makes this picture book that much more valuable and will allow elementary school teachers to more readily use it with upper grades.
I read it to my 22 6th graders and they loved it!!! The amazing fact that the first line of "Take Me Out To The Ball Game" includes the name of a GIRL will surely amaze all readers.
Corey's knack for effectively and poetically crafting text in a picture book is something that older (and younger) elementary-aged students can study for their own ventures into writing.
She provides excellent models (with these historical fiction picture books) for taking history and reshaping it with a fictional slant while preserving the integrity of the historical events.
Wow!!! Buy it and read it to a kid!!!!!

This book is defienetly cheese. Cheese is the only word that I can use to describe it. READ IT Cheese.

This book is defienetly cheese. Cheese is the only word that I can use to describe it. READ IT Cheese.

I liked this book, as all the stories in it were very good, but I did have some minor complaints:
1. all of the stories are novellas (ie they're too damn long for my relatively short attention span)
2. There are several blatant discrepancies between the stories (the one that I can remember being that in one story it is rather explicitly stated that the company wouldn't be stupid enough to recruit a gully dwarf and in the very next story a gully dwarf soundman plays a large part)
3. Apparantly the company has a huge turnover, as only one character except Sebastius (the theatermaster) makes a second apperance in any of the stories (Now, This is a little harsh, but the idea of the entire troupe changing every few years or so just seems rather ridiculous to me). I feel that this book would have been much better had all the authors sat down and talked about their stories with each other, so there won't be things like illusionists providing the scenery in one story and nothing even similar in the next.