Players Books

If you are a true Canadian Hockey fan, then you already have this book! Can you imagine Wayne Gretsky whispering in your ear "You're gonna be a legend"! Truly inspiring and very well written. You'll keep the pages turning.

The fact that there was a loonie at centre ice during the Salt Lake City Olympics only makes the double gold that much sweeter.
I loved reading about how the loonie came to be as well as how the Canadian teams perceived it. This story is for the true Canadian Hockey fan and will remain a legend for years to come.

I devoured this short read of Canadian history in one sitting.

Having grown up in the New York metropolitan area as a baseball fan, I was well acquainted with the story of Lou Gehrig. At least I thought I was until I listened to Carol Birch's spirited retelling of his life. I knew of his statistics and his tragic demise, but Carol brought this American hero to life. Too many baseball fans are unaware of those who so gracefully pioneered the game. However, Carol's story will be enjoyed not only by baseball aficionados but also by anyone who enjoys a good story - which covers everyone.

This is an excellent CD. It highlights the life of a man who started with humble beginnings and rose to true greatness. Carol Birch reveals not only the highlights that made Lou Gehrig a superb ball player, but she also paints a portrait of a man who understood humility and viewed his achievements as a gift he received.

It is a fascinating dialog that reminds us that a true hero is one who gives of himself asking nothing in return and faces difficulty with courage. Quite a contrast to the shooting stars of today that receive so much undeserving praise. This CD was enjoyed by everyone in my family.

A very good book on a forgotten baseball warrior whose career was cut short due to his human frailities. One of many baseball players who have suffered from alcohol abuse. Mr. Fleitz has woven a very interesting biography of one of baseball's sad pasts. If you have ever heard of the legend of this Cleveland Indian, here is an opportunity to discover the real story. A must read for those interested in 19th Century baseball.

One of baseball's most tragic figures is the nineteenth-century outfielder, Louis Sockalexis, who rose to national fame in a few short months and fell just as quickly due to what David Fleitz calls "the pernicious effects of alcohol."

The handsome, likable Sockalexis was the best college athlete in the nation for two years, quickly attracting attention for his dazzling speed and powerful throwing arm. He was recruited by Cleveland in 1897. The first recognized Native American to play in the major leagues, Sockalexis had to endure taunting war whoops from the crowds and endless gibes from the press, even as he won over the fans who saw him play.

David Fleitz' compassionate, concise account is very readable and well-illustrated, covering Sockalexis' brilliant rise and tragic fall from the majors. With his talents, he could have been one of the greatest players of all time but caved in to pressure and high living.

If the Cleveland Indians really want to honor their first Indian, they could dump Chief Wahoo and award scholarships to promising Indian students. Or better yet, rename their park Sockalexis Stadium!

I feel like I went away from this book with a new lease on life. I could identify my problem areas and felt secure with a new knowledge.
You dont find that often when searching for help with teens.

Loving Firmness is a fabulous book on raising teenagers! Using personal stories from raising her own nine children and over forty foster children, Corrie Player offers practical advice on all sorts of subjects. I particularly enjoyed her comments about developing communication skills as an important step in fostering healthy family relationships. She offers ten helpful tips for talking to teens focusing on positives. She says, "Life is a test - to react positively to negative experiences."

Other chapters include guidance on understanding the physical changes that come with adolescence, defusing sibling rivalry, motivating kids to help out, disciplining strategies, developing self-esteem and self-control, establishing good diet and sleep habits, getting more out of school, raising responsible drivers, encouraging suitable friendships, talking about morality, and teaching faith. Loving Firmness is a great how-to manual on raising children to be responsible and successful adults.

Dear Readers, This book is a really "Soul Catching" book. It's amazing, once you start reading it, the book will grab your soul, and the first time I read it, when I finished, I felt like I was MJ! If you like "lending" your soul to a book, and you love sports, this is the book for you. See ya' later!

I love this book. It reaches deep into the soul of the reader and MJ! I'm waiting for the sequel! (hint, hint)

This book is a first class work of scholarship by a member of baseball's famed Hall of Fame that takes the reader through a day-by-day account of the transactions and events of the historic 1946. Mr. Levy corrects many of the mistakes that are found in common reference books of the season. His preface is a moving tribute to the returning wartime players great and small without being sentimental. Many players who are now just names in record books become human again as the author expertly tells their stories such as Pete Reiser misplaced courage that would led to his fracture leg, or Phil Marchildon courageous war record, and his harrowing experiences in W.W 2.

Bob Levy's work, "Major League Baseball Transactions, 1946", is a remarkable addition to baseball history. It adds invaluable data for a fascinating time in the game's history... the early post-War years.

What Mr. Levy has done is to provide the most extensive review of the '46 season available anywhere. Among other things, his unique "grids" display every single player's appearance in every single 1946 game. Until now, this data was available only to those very few fans who have access to the microfilmed 1946 boxscores.

In addition to the grids, there are extensive and fascinating tales sprinkled throughout, many of which reveal tales which even serious fans never knew.

Grab this book if you want a unique and insightful look at a year which changed the game forever.

We can only hope that Mr. Levy will produce more such books in the future.

This was a great biography and is good for children to read. It tells about Drew Bledsoe's complete football career as well as his childhood and family life. You feel like you know Drew Bledsoe personally after finishing this book.

This book was outstanding! It is written in an enjoyable fashion - totally entertaining. It is agreat book for parents and children to read together. It contains great parenting tips woven into a wonderful story about growing-up. It illustrates how the ideas in a child's head will cause them to make strong, productive, positive decisions as they travel the journey of childhood, young adulthood, and parenthood.

This book is a very good summary of Mario career, including highlights and memorable events in his life.

This was a fantastic book compiling the story of the greatest player ever and his comeback from Hodgkins Disease and major back surgery. If you enjoy reading stories of courage this is the one for you!

Thank goodness for people like Robert Byrne who have the foresight and passion to document the lives of subculture luminaries. Dan McGoorty was one such personality, and I'm glad this book is back in print.

On one hand, McGoorty was a person whom many considered a waste of life; on the other hand, he was a master of a complex and subtle game. The contrast of these two aspects of McGoorty makes for a fascinating read. There's also a section in which McGoorty shares with us his experience with other notable pool and billiard champs. Highly recommended for anybody interested in the history of billiards.

McGoorty: A billiard hustler's life is one of the greatest books I have ever read. It is out of print, but a few years back I got it from the Cornhusker catalog. Anyway, this book is a narrative that is just funny as hell and poignant, from beginning to end. It's all about Danny McGoorty, and his rise from being a no-name drunk pool hustler, to a drunk box car bum, and then to a sober billiard champion playing among the likes of Willie Hoppe and Ray Ceulemans. A must read for anybody who likes a story that won't slow down, and a definite must for any pool player or fanatic. Find this used or whatever, but get it!!

Bethany Hamilton and Ricky O'Connell were in love all through high school, then Ricky got an agent and a possible career as an actor, and the romance was over. Ten years later, Bethany has a career of her own, working with special-needs kids through the Dolphin Therapy Project. Ricky is now Brick O'Connor, a famous movie star. Bethany believes they have nothing in common any more. Then the movie production company wants to use the Gulfarium where Bethany works to film Ricky's next movie.

Bethany understands the Hollywood lifestyle and wants no part of it, but for some reason she can't seem to avoid Ricky. The man is always underfoot, and grows more frustrating every day. Merely Players is an entertaining story about a man and a woman separated by more than the passing years. If you enjoy a good love story, you'll want this one.

Reading this Heartsong novel was like delving into a delectable dessert. Delicious. The romantic element was fabulous...every reader's fantasy. Who wouldn't want a hot Hollywood movie star to be in love with them? I enjoyed every minute of this savory romance. The tension was great and the storyline...exciting! I felt like I was on a movie set and worked at the aquarium with Bethany. The dolphin scenes were great, too. The characters were very well-developed and believable. My emotions were totally tied in to their relationship. Bang up job for a debut novel. I can see this going into movie production. And the spiritual thread in the story was the best part, IMHO. A must-read! Very high quality writing and storyline. Made me smile at the end and sigh. I'm not kidding. Did I mention the fabulous kissing? Not just a peck at the end! I loved it!!! (I just had to say it one more time.)