Players Books

This is a highly amusing look at baseball by one of the game's most colorful characters. John Kruk looked more like a beer-swilling softball player from the corner tavern than a pro athlete - maybe that's why so many fans rooted for him. But Kruk was a good ballplayer, not to mention a decent and intelligent human being. Here he recounts the 1993 season with the Philadelphia Phillies, a colorful squad that won that year's NL pennant and faced Toronto in the World Series. Kruk describes himself, many of his teammates, and that very enjoyable season. He is both funny and revealing without being disrespectful. Kruk clearly enjoyed himself as a player and a teammate, and isn't baseball supposed to be fun?

This book may be no compendium of deep ideas, but it's a fun read by a player with a nice balance of decency and humor.

I think this book is great it was written so neatly and i think you should all call the publisher and tell them to bring it back.

Simply, there are three main reasons to read this book One, it provides the reader with an inside look at the lifestyle of Major League Baseball Players. This is especially interesting because the Krukker is not the stereotypical mold for a baseball player, physically, or as you will know when you finish the book, he has a more humble attitude then baseball players are given credit for. It really makes you wish you could live your life playing baseball Two, it is hysterical, especially the second or third time you read it (I have read it at least 5 times) Three, even non-baseball fans can appreciate this down to earth look at life generally.

John Kruk was not known in Philly for his neatness therefore you cannot expect his book to be neat either ! Instead the book is everything that embodied Krukker,and the rest of his team mates during that wonderful season 1993. He is honest, open and caring. He is straight forward where criticism is needed and gentle and kind where emotions ran high. His story about his bout with cancer was touching and human. I ain't an athlete lady, maybe not but you are a heck of a human being. Thanks for a terrific experience. This book makes us all part of the 93 Phillies. Welcome to Macho Row !

This is the premiere book of its kind on the Red Sox. Knoefel has clearly established himself as the Bob Dylan of sports writing. He is able to make sense of and put into words the things the rest of us only wish we could. No one his age has ever understood the psychology of the game as he does. How many masterpieces must a writer publish before you call him a sage? The answer my friend is blowin' in the wind but this kid has it!

This book was absolutely amazing. There aren't any sports authors his age that can understand the depth of baseball culture, fanaticisicm, and performance like Knoefel. He has a level of understanding that would make major sports networks weep, and could add more than quality insight to any major syndicated show in the US (not just because he is a sox author). Furthermore, he's been able to capture the essence of a season that really can't be described with any language god's been kind enough to pass to us. Not that I'm religious, but Knoefel has a divine talent and should be read, studied and respected by any baseball, or aspiring sports author in the planet. Enjoy, and to knoefel, keep hacking away.

We all knew it would hit--the onslaught of books, each claiming to be "the" definitive documentation of how the Red Sox won. I've perused most of them--except the O'Nan/King debacle which I blindly purchased thinking, "Hey, it's Stephen King--it's got to be good--right?" Wrong! Boy, do I wish I had my money back. The last time I read something so boring I think Joseph Conrad wrote it.

The first warning to every fan looking for a definitive documentary of the Red Sox 2004 season is to not be put off by the cover of Idiot-syncrasies. The cartoonish caricatures would make one believe the book is another in the long line of box score recaps that populate the market. Jerry Remy's forward certainly does nothing to alert readers to what will follow. Rather, it appears to simply be a vehicle for Remy to remind us of his playing days.

Then--then, if you will simply take a moment to read Longest's introduction, The Eternal Sunshine of Terry Francona, you will know that Idiot-syncrasies holds the promise of something as special as the 2004 season itself. I must admit that Longest knew how to hook me when he begins his season-long narrative with the grandest "idiot" of all--Johnny Damon. After a delightful analysis of how JD fit into the overall dynamics of the team I was captured. If Longest was to dissect the entire team as he did Damon I couldn't wait to read on. There they were: Manny and Ortiz. Varitek, Millar and Pokey--Mueller--well, count on it--they're all there. While many championship season books include only the post season, Longest puts us on a season-long path with the Red Sox--potholes and all.

Longest takes us far beyond the mundane stats of a season. He engages us in a deep analysis of what makes these men tick and how they converged to make a team tick. There are some who might argue his analysis, but this is precisely the point--you can't argue finite, historical statistics, but you can debate the elements, and eccentricities, of personality. It's the same as debating how one man won the presidency--a conversation of personality, character, soul and many intangibles we can never really quantify. This is what we'll discuss over the years rather than the stats--well, except "the walk"--a stat we'll not soon forget. Longest doesn't completely ignore statistics, but couches them in game situations that assist in explicating his analysis of character and skill.

Longest's compelling analysis of a season is enhanced by his generous inclusion of sidebars he labels "MONSTERminutiae" and his final words at the conclusion of each chapter (Idiot Rule) are thoughts one might choose to live one's life by.

A few hours later when I read the last Idiot Rule--The Future Can Wait--on page 288, I felt I had been in the stands for every precious moment of a precious season. I really didn't care there was very little box score trivia like so-and-so was lifted in the seventh for so-and-so; so what! Rather I now have a vivid portrait of a team of players who performed magic tricks for us. I agree with another reviewer who compares Longest to Roger Angell. While I think this is Longest's first book, it's obvious he's a student of baseball and probably a student of Mr. Angell's prowess at capturing so much more than statistics. In fact Longest may have an even keener sense of vision in his ability to seize nuance.

You might buy one of the "box score" books, but if you want a documentary to consult over time in reliving the 2004 Red Sox season--something to pass along to your children and grandchildren--then Idiot-syncrasies is the one book you should have. I've only owned the book two weeks and I've relived the season cover-to-cover three times.

Somehow this book is flying under the radar, and I'm afraid it's going to be lost under the deluge of titles hitting the market about the 2004 Red Sox. Too bad, because there is only one word to describe "Idiot-syncrasies" - Gem.

This book is difficult to describe precisely. It's not a nuts-and-bolts examination of the strategy of the 2004 season. It's not a retropective of the year. It's not a behind-the-scenes look at the team. I suppose it's best described as a look at the philosophy of and the lessons imparted by the "Idiots," and how we as fans related to them, and they to us.

What's best about this book is its style; it utilizes magnificent turns of phrase and builds profiles with the lyricism of Roger Angell (with perhaps a bit of the wryness of George Plimpton as well). At various moments I was nodding in agreement, then laughing out loud, and then breaking into tears. It's a magnificently crafted series of essays on most of the key players of the 2004.

This is a MUST read for any Red Sox fan. Treat yourself, or buy it for a Sox fan you love.

It had a good story behind it and it explained his life very well but it just kept going on and going on. It made me tired to read that book.

i thougt that this was a great book for any fan of muggsy bogues, or basketball itsself. if you are a fan of muggsy and do not already have this book, you should definately but it. it all the facts you need to know and great up-to-date pictures. this is a great atleast 5 star book. The main reason i liked this book so much is because i am a long time fan and it told me things, or facts that i had never known about the great muggsy bogues. all the information is great, and correct. also, the chapters have very catchy titles, and you will never get bored of this book. i would like to give mad props to muggsy, of course, and the author for making such a great book.

inspiring story. Entertaining and captivating. Muggsy tells a riveting story of challenges and triumphs! Great for adults and a must read for youths!

This is a really good book about a basketball player who overcame his great height disadvantage to become an NBA superstar. This book takes you through the basketball career of Tyrone "Muggsy" Bogues. All his life he was shorter than everone on the basketball court. Can you imagine how it's like playing in the NBA when you are on average about 1.5 feet shorter than every one else? That's how Muggsy Bogues has played for his whole life.

Yet he persevered and overcame his height. His basketball career was by no means all easy and problem-free, and many people doubted that someone who was 5'3 could play basketball with guys who were 7 foot tall. But in this book Muggsy shows that height doesn't determine whether or not you can play basketball. Heart and skill are what determine how well you play. From his wonderful high school basketball days to his terrible rookie year days in the NBA, the reader sees how Muggsy overcame his height to become a great point guard. His assist and stealing ability proved vital to the success or the Hornets. You have to admire the little fella'.

At Last!!! A basketball player's persceptive about inner-city basketball Chicago-style. Not a sports writer's outsider point-of-view but from a sports aficionado who "played the game in the trenches" with many of Chicago's all-time greats. A must read for true Chicago basketball junkies and historians alike. Calvin Davis not only gives us an in-depth historical lesson of the roots of Chicago basketball, but also allows us to relive the glory years of hoops in the city during the 70's and 80's. After reading this book you will be equipped to talk water-cooler, barbershop, standing on the street corner reminiscing about back-the-day hoop memories with the best of them. Look forward to many more volumes to come!!!

Mr. Davis captures the essence of Chicago's basketball culture in an informative and entertaining way. Not just facts, but this book gives you a sense of the attitudes and atmosphere that were prevalent in Chicago's basketball culture. A comprehensive history of basketball in Chicago, enhanced with the social role that basketball played in the neighborhood and the role that basketball played in forming young men's lives. This book gives a good overview of Chicago "old school" basketball, which is a major part of the foundation of the mega-million dollar, international basketball industry of today. A joy to read for any basketball enthusiast, especially those who grew up in the inner city. "Inner City Hoops" should be required reading for the young men and women playing high school basketball today.

The author really exhibits a love of the game combined with great respect for the players. He goes back to the turn of the century and educates us all about how basketball has evolved over the past 100 years. It is very educational, as the history will benefit both young people and basketball fans alike. The writing has an unmatched connection to the inner city, and shows how communities come together when sports activities are organized the right way. The book also highlights hows sports can be used as an avenue for not only playing professionally, but as an avenue for upward mobility. The success stories were amazing. Calvin Davis gets 5 stars from me, and I just cannot wait for volume II. This is a very very unique publication. I could not put it down because it was so stimulating. Some of the information gave me chills. This inner city perspective from the person who lived it is something very special indeed.

The author portrays a realistic view of the history of Chicago basketball. The author discusses the evolution of basketball on the southside of Chicago. This s a must read for basketball fans and Chicago fans.

This is a GR8 second reference book for the iPhone..:-)
Small enough to carry around & not look like too big of a geek..:-)

How could a book dedicated to my little iBreen, Addie go wrong. :-)
It is a perfect companion to tuck into your backpack or the storage
compartment in your car. You will find it to be a great reference,
written in that witty and informative style which is precisely the
trademark feature of Christopher Breen. As it says on the cover,
"All the Secrets of the iPhone, Pocket Sized"

A very useful reference for the iPhone. I've been using Mac's since 96, but wanted to know as much useful information as possible about the iPhone. Chris Breen, for those who don't know him, is a witty, articulate editor for Macworld magazine, and contributes much to Macintosh community. You won't be sorry you got this book, unless you designed the phone yourself you'll be helped and entertained by this book,
Like his other book, The iTunes & iPod Pocket Guide this book won't fit in your average pocket.
You can't go wrong

I love this book! Without it I would miss many of the finer points of the IPhone. Easy to read and understand. Had a quick tutorial at the Apple Store but this book is much better.

Chad Hennings is a man of commitment and a man of God. In his book, Hennings stresses the importance of commitment and shows how his life time commitment to hard work has landed him in the National Football League. This is a wonderful book that is interesting and easy to read.

Chad's book has inspired many people who look to him as a role model. His book reflects on how important a good moral and religious foundation is to the development of a true winning spirit, whether on the field or off. Small town Iowa does not afford you many chances. But Chad set his sights on his dream, figured out what it took to acheive them and then took action, while keeping his foundation in the Lord. Chad continues to remember where he came from, and has not let his position in the NFL cloud who he really is, and what is important in his life.

Chad Hennings speaks from the heart - the heart of a godly man. Life has many things in store - highs as high as winning the Superbowl and lows as low as seeing your child wrought in crippling pain. Yet through everything, there is one constant - Jesus Christ is always there for you and everyone who calls on his name. Chad is an awesome individual - not for his football abilities, but for his commitment to Jesus Christ and his family.

I met Chad Hennings last year at a local grocery store. He greeted my wife and me with kindness and sincerity. His heart and committment are as strong as his grip. It Takes Committment is a wonderful book. Chad talks about the level of committment needed in devotion to family, working with teammates, and certainly not least, submitting to God. Amidst the Dallas Cowboys' tumultuous times as of recent is Chad Hennings, a rock of honor and example. His comments are sorely needed, not just in football, but in today's culture in general. The book is easily readable for all ages, and brims with honesty and love. I agree with Emmitt Smith's foreword: This book was written by a man of God and needs to be read by every American adult and youth. You won't be disappointed

This book was great! It tells the story of the immortal Joe Dimaggio,the Yankee Clipper. It begins with Joe's childhood, growing up in San Francisco, California. Joe's family was very poor so he did not have a lot of the things other kids had. he became interested in baseball because it didn't cost anything to play. Joe and the other kids in the the neighborhood would have pick up games and Joe soon found he was a very good baseball player. he decided that if he was going to be great he needed to practice more. In school all Joe could think about was baseball. Then in October,1929 the stock market crashed and Joe quit school to help support his family. It was during this time that Joe joined a neighborhhod baseball team called Rossi Olive Oil Company. Soon he was being noticed by major league scouts who were impressed with the 15 year old. By the time Joe was 18 years old he was playing with the minor league Seals and had a hitting streak of 48 games to tie the minor league record. The New York Yankees took notice of the talented young player and decided to sign him to major league contract in 1936.Joe played for the Yankees for 15 years and had the memorable and historical 56 game hitting streak that still stands today. Joe was a 3 time MVP and was elected into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1955. In 1969 Joe was voted the greatest living ball player. Joe was also honored in 1976 with the Medal of Freedom by President Ford. Joe died in 1999 at age 84 in Hollywood, Florida.

This book was great!Joe went threw alot of hard times when he was a kid.Joe always wanted to be a great ball player when he grew up.He would always play pick up games with the neighbor hood.He was very poor,all he could afford was fish for dinner.Joe was very good at baseball.When he grew up he was one of the greatest Yankees.I found this book helpful because it has all the information you probally could get on Joe Dimaggio.Also at the end there was a timeline you could use it for a report.Also there was a stat chart of all of the stats that Joe Dimaggio had like how many home runs and hits and all stuff like that.Thats how i found it helpful and why you should read this book! By Griffin

This book was great!Joe went threw alot of hard times when he was a kid.Joe always wanted to be a great ball player when he grew up.He would always play pick up games with the neighbor hood.He was very poor,all he could afford was fish for dinner.Joe was very good at baseball.When he grew up he was one of the greatest Yankees.I found this book helpful because it has all the information you probally could get on Joe Dimaggio.Also at the end there was a timeline you could use it for a report.Also there was a stat chart of all of the stats that Joe Dimaggio had like how many home runs and hits and all stuff like that.Thats how i found it helpful and why you should read this book! By Griffin

This was just one of the facts my son spontaneously shared. This was the first book in the series that my almost 8-year old read. He was enthused about sharing what he learned about young JD and his family. He is asking for more titles from this series for his upcoming birthday.

"The Kid From Courage" is a terrific book for young readers -- especially kids from 8 to 16 -- but also for older teenagers, and even young adults and parents.
It succeeds on several levels. The story of an aspiring tennis player is a riveting drama with unexpected twists and turns. Will he succeed, or will the many obstacles stymie him?
On several occasions I was nearly overcome with tears as I
feared he would fail. I so much hoped he and his maligned but savvy oldtimer coach would prove the naysayers wrong.
Written in the first person, "The Kid From Courage" tells
his story as only a teenager, with his hopes and fears and joys,
can. He does suffer quite a few setbacks, but they only make
the story more believable and poignant. Those setbacks -- and eventual triumph -- also provide valuable lessons about hard work, dedication, diplomacy, self-belief, family values, courage, and loyalty.
The author has used those lessons productively at the end of the book. There for each chapter he poses questions and a suggested essay for readers to test their knowledge and writing skills.
"The Kid From Courage" is an inspiring and uplifting story, one that I highly recommend for your kids.

I'm a big sports fan and I loved "The Kid From Courage." It tells the story of a junior tennis player who is trying hard to succeed at tennis. He meets an old man who becomes his coach, and it's very cool how they have to deal with a bunch of stuff, but they don't give up. I won't give it away, but it's exciting how the book ends when he has to play the biggest tournament of his whole life. My best friend is reading it now and he says it is fantastic. I think all kids who like sports will like reading it.

My twelve year old son enjoys playing tennis, so I picked up "The Kid From Courage", as I'm trying to encourage him to read more. I was delighted that he absolutely loved the book. He has actually been telling his friends about the book, a first for him! Although I haven't read the book myself, I highly recommend it based on my son's positive reaction.

I am an eleven year old tennis player from southern California and I thought this book was outstanding. It really inspires young tennis players to work hard and reach their goals. It is an excellent book for kids who love sports, and I especially recommend it for young tennis players. This book was excellent and definitely deserves some credit.

J.H. Donner was a chess journalist and Grandmaster from the Netherlands. This book assembles some of his best articles from his 30 year writing career. From the standpoint of reporting and history, you will get accounts of the author's contacts with Fischer, Spassky, Botvinnik, Petrosian, Bronstein, and other greats from that generation --that alone would have been worth the price. But in addition, what emerges is not only a portrait of Donner the man (and he was a character!), but also his fascinating commentary on the human condition. His provocative article on why women can't play chess seems at first to be the rantings of some benighted chauvinist pig, then you see that it is really a tongue-in-cheek tribute to women, and by the end you realize it is something else altogether. Donner has a great feel for irony, a gift for constructing delicious insults, and a sideways approach to his subjects that simply confounds expectations. You won't learn any opening theory, or build your tactical skills, but you will laugh and be entertained. Send more stars!

Donner was Denmark's strongest player since Euwe and a prolific chess journalist. In this collection of essays about chess, Donner claims (among other things) that "the fact is, women are much stupider than men", that "no Dutch can achieve anything worthwhile", and Ree is such a weak chess player he bet he would win the match with him at 150-to-1 odds. Of course, that doesn't for one minute stop him from praises Nona Gaprindashvili's victory in Lone Pine, 1977, worshipping Euwe, and being on friendly terms with Ree-including praising him honestly when he (Ree) won the match.

Donner's "hatereds" are not to be taken too seriously: he is not a megalomaniacal bigot, he merely plays one in his columns (e.g., when he pretends to be deeply insulted that Fischer's famous "10 best players of all time" list somehow didn't mention him.) But *pretending* to be a bigoted know-it-all is wonderful literary excuse for Donner to write about all the "really important" things about tournament X or grandmaster Y--that is, whatever *he* felt like writing about them--and to hell with convention, or with what his employers wanted. After all, if all those inferior people (such as his bosses at the paper, who might even be Dutch and/or women) complain that his reporting is obscure or odd, what's that to Donner?

The result is that Donner's chess essays were like nobody else's--a flight of fancy that takes one to totally unexpected placed. For example, when reporting about a Cuban tournament he participated in, it's much better, in Donner's view, to report, how a bridge hand he played with a few other chess players turned out (while insulting the other players as hopeless bridge bumblers) than to bother with boring stuff, like the tournament's results or other unimportant trivia. While driving his editors in the paper to distraction, Donner's journey is so much fun you simply don't mind that you don't get the crosstable. It is a guided tour of chess as seen by a fanatical, but very funny, eccentric who loves the game waaaaaaaaay too much. They have a sense of tragic dignity to them: those of a man well aware of the absurdity of grown men trying to make a living at what is, essentially, a game--and failing, often due to the petty actions of organizers who cannot play the game themselves.

There is nothing quite like this book. You'll probably love it; you may hate it; but it won't leave you unmoved.

This book stands out of competition. I have read many chess books, but this one is certainly the most entertaining book of all. It is a combination of chess and literature. This compilation of chess articles Donner wrote for several magazines, is full of witty chess anecdotes. Donner writes in his incomparable style, and I am sure that the English translation cannot render the exact content of the Dutch text (I have read in Dutch and it is beautiful Dutch). But since this book in Dutch is worth at least six stars, in English it deserves beyond any doubt five stars.

This is a fun book to read about chess and some of the stories of the lives of grandmasters. A good read.

Lacrosse coach Noah Fink and experienced writer and parent Melissa Gaskill present Lacrosse: A Guide for Parents and Players, an in-depth guide to America's fastest-growing team sport. Written for readers of all backgrounds, Lacrosse: A Guide for Parents and Players covers how to get started in lacrosse, explains the rules in plain terms, offers tips for finding the right team for one's child and choosing the most optimum gear, and much more. A handful of black-and-white illustrations add a charming visual touch to this straightforward introductory manual, ideal for anyone looking to get grounded in the basics of this action-packed sport.

Lacrosse is a great sport and this is a great book for parents. I only wish it was written sooner, as my sons are nearing the end of their lacrosse "careers." The book covers a wide range of topics and provides a wealth of information for parents about this exciting game and how to help their kids participate in this rapidly-growing sport. My sons and several of their teammates have remarked that the best thing about their school is the lacrosse team. I also saw recently that a NASA astronaut chose to bring his Navy lacrosse jersey as one of the three personal items he could take to space, because the experience of playing lacrosse meant that much to him. This book can be a valuable guide for parents for understanding the "culture" of lacrosse and introducing it successfully to their children.

This book is VERY informatibve. It is written by "lacrosse buffs" for "lacrosse buffs" and can help anyone at any level that is interested in our great sport of lacrosse.

Both of my two sons play lacrosse and have been for 8 years. I was terrified one of them would be injured during the early years. I thought at the time I would have rather my chilld play football. My fear was unfounded and had I had a book like this to guide me through the sport, I would have enjoyed those first few years more. Now my oldest son is playing adult club lacrosse and the youngest is in his second year of high school. Eight years later, I am still learning many of the technical rules but understand that the game is really very disciplined and focused when played correctly. About the only thing this book doesn't really tell you is how to get the smell out of shoulder and elbow pads, etc. that get worn from October through May!