Running Books

Although I have coached Football before this was my first attempt at ruining kids Baseball experience. :) I really wish that I had read something like this prior to doing any kind of coaching. The chapters on choosing your team and dealing with parents are excellent.

The drills are also helpful but other baseball coaching books are equally good in this aspect.

So far all of the books I've found are designed for coaching 9-12 year olds, this one included. I'm currently working with 6-8 year olds in a pitching machine league. This is the only drawback to this book I can see.

If you are only buying one book to help with coaching a youth Baseball team, this one delivers all the tools needed. Most are simply drill books (which have their purpose). Managing Little League Baseball will help a beginner coach understand everything he needs to get started.

Thought this was a great tool for me (coach) and the kids on our team.

This book is outstanding and obviously written by someone who knows what he is talking about. My only comment is that it is not only for Little League baseball but any baseball program for youth such as Pony/Colt, Dixie league and others. Other than the rules that are unique to the Little League organization, the rest of the book is applicable to nearly any program. His recent update is even better. As a former Umpire in these programs I was particularly impressed in his comments about that part of the program. Strongly recommend this book to both coaches, parents and players.

I found this book reinforced some of the more successful things I'd been doing as a coach and gave me many other tips I intend to put into use this season. The author is methodical in his approach and it is easy to see why he never had a losing season in 15 years of coaching Little League. I'd recommend this book to anyone who wants to do a good job coaching youth baseball.

This is a necessary and inspiring addition to any coaches library. It made me want to send a fan letter to the author.

M. R. Montgomery goes fishing. Well, to be precise the author goes in search of rare, hard-to-find, native trout. The places and the numbers of native fish he finds are as telling as the sharp observations he gives the reader.

I initially picked up the book on account of it's subject matter - fly fishing for native trout around the West. As I read the last couple of chapters I found myself less interested in his fishing activity and more drawn into his commentary and writing style. To do his writing justice, here's a small taste:

"... The only barriers to exotic fish in the West have always been Keep Out signs and geological obstacles like water-falls that prevented upstream invasion."

"... Anyone who thinks elk and mule deer are as destructive as cows ought to take a tour of the Trinchera (Steve Forbes ranch property). I believe we counted upward of thirty mule deer and a dozen elk in a three-mile drive. And the edges of Placer Creek were solid willows; the dry hay in the meadows was knee high."

"The federal government essentially owns southeastern Oregon. Private ranches, always concentrated at the few places with reliable water, have fallen one by one into the hands of the feds -- the only people in the high desert who always have cash in the bank."

"... At this writing, the Alvord cutthroat is presumably extinct, having had the misfortune to encounter the gregarious and prolific stocked rainbow trout in all its waters except, of course, those waters from which cows had already evicted it."

I selected these passages based on the crisp, dry wit of the author as much as the message he communicates. Anyone who reads the quarterly conservation newsletters - with the word "Trout" somewhere in the title - is familiar with the points he makes throughout the book. Planting non native trout and herding cattle in and around streams spells trouble for the locals. The locals in this particular case being Alvord cutthroat and Rio Grande cutt's to name a few.

As someone who reads those quarterly newsletters, it's not always apparent why a barrier needs to be built across some stream, or why money needs to be raised to purchase private range along critical stream habitat. When you read through Many Rivers to Cross, the need to conserve and protect native fisheries comes into sharp focus. And that focus comes directly through the author's clear vision -- with a fly-rod in tow.

This book was first reviewed on the reviewer's own site:

EcoAngler.com - The Nature of Fly Fishing.

This is one of the most beautiful books ever written about the American West, and its native fish. The book reads like a spring creek meander and includes all kinds of interesting historical facts about cowboys and indians, and western streams. You will apprechiate cutthroat trout like never before if you read this book. It was clearly a labor of love in writing...

How can it be that there are only two other reviews of this fine book since 1995?

M.R. Montgomery does the thinking, the exploration, the examination and the analysis; all we have to do is read his book. His descriptions of cutthroat trout and their environs, First Nations peoples (Native Americans / Indian), the steady changing of history "ripping pages out of the history book" as he calls it, and the incredible pace of destruction are both fascinating and chilling.

Kathie Durbin's fine work on The Tongass, "Tongass: Pulp Politics and the Fight for the Alaska Rain Forest", is a work of journalism, and it describes, with a very sharp focus, the same practices at work that Montgomery reveals in, "Many Rivers to Cross", in the U.S. Nation's very first park. Montgomery had it right from the start.

Law and public policy may be on the side of preservation and conservation, but as M.R. Montgomery and his colleagues make clear, "wise use" is anything but "wise" and once used, its gone.

Edward Abbey's, "The Monkey Wrench Gang", is, apparently, the only answer that makes for popular reading. This is a shame where Montgomery's prose and observational style are just as accessible as Abbey's.

Read this fine book, check out Ms. Durbin's excellent piece of journalism and consider whether Mr. Abbey was writing a novel or a policy proposal.

In a day and age where greenhouse gasses are increasing, the US will not participate in the Kyoto accord and the lumber industry is nothing but a byproduct of the pulp industry - only books like these (ironically printed on pulped wood fibers) can educate us about the last of the wilderness.

Teddy Roosevelt created the parks. . .M.R. Montgomery shows that it is impossible to argue that wilderness conservation is limited to people with only one political view or to just one special interest group.

Montgomery's gentle quest for the last haunts of native cutthroats is worth reading twice. A more gifted writer than most of his more celebrated contemporaries.

The valuable insights, gentle humor and wistful beauties it contains should not be reserved just for the fishing fraternity. M R Montgomery describes, with wit and sensitivity, his search for the last remaining bastions of the native trout of the mountain west, the cutthroat. He describes the people who help him on his quest with humor and with empathy. In those remote places, his interest and his eyes wander to show us paticularities of landscape and peculiarities of the flora and fauna that cohabit there with the trout. Beneath the surface Montgomery is addressing concepts like "wilderness", "preservation" and "stewardship" without referring to them directly. He begins his story near the Little Big Horn Battlefield, but the last stand that he wants us to contemplate is not Custer's.

As a 21 year old gay man, it is heartwarming and touching to see a such a beautiful coffee table book dedicated to portraying gay men positively and humanely, in addition to giving me hope that a long-term relationship can exist in a circuit/club/Abercrombie gay world. The stories of men who have been together for 10, 20, 30 + years are not only inspiring, but well written and accompanied with stunning black and white photos. However, while there was a considerable effort (and a good one at that!) to include a range of HIV positive and negative couples and while there were are three black men and possibly one Latino, I would have liked to have seen more gay men of color. I know there are Asian, Native American, and more Latino gay men in committed relationships, so it would have been nice to have them represented. Overall, it's a wonderful book and contribution to the GLBT community and worth buying--if anything, I just wish it were longer, so that it could include more diversity.

My partner and I are two of the subjects (or is it ONE of the subjects?) of this book. Andy Jones has shown great perception in his interpretation of the interview that we gave and his pen has told 29 very different stories with charm and wit. David Fields black & white photography is stunning and dramatic.

Althouh I'm gay, I still believe in love, married and family. This book show that these things are possible for gay couples. Some people always think of gay men as feminine-type of guy who like to act as women and running for every good-lookig guy on a street. This book will give readers more understanding in gay people.

Like one of the other reviewers on this page, I grew up without positive Gay role models, and it took decades for me to learn self-respect. This book reminds us that well-adjusted Gay couples can be found throughout our culture, something that's important for young Gay people to learn and for older Gay people to remain aware of.

I'm lucky enough to be acquainted with one of this book's subjects, Steve Langley of Washington, and I have a lot of respect for the choice he and his partner have made to be included. It's a beautiful book.

I gave this book to my mother when my partner and I decided to have a commitment ceremony. Mom was having trouble understanding and didn't seem to recognize our commitment to each other as equally valid to straight marriages. After she read the book, she sent my partner a HUGE bouquet of flowers and a card telling him she was so pleased that he was going to become an "official" part of our family!

If you love single malt whisky, you'll love this book. As a single malt lover, I use this book as a guide to explore the world of single malt whisky. Since I am stiil young and poor, it's not possible to taist too much whisky. You have to make a purchasing list for yourself. I am very happy to find out that this books can help me make the decision. I am not saying the point is everything. If you beleve your own taist, you do not have to agree with the author's comment. However, it's a way to build your own guide step by step. Until now, I have tried about 10 brands with about 30 different ages scotch. It's really an interesting world.

Jackson's book is the best of the lot. He brings a love of fine whisky to bear with no pre-established perceptions. Kyle Wallace

Although some have said that the practice of assigning a numerical rating scale to single malts is overgeneralizing and therefore inaccurate, I find it to be a useful guide and at least a valuable insight into the mind of someone who is known to be one of the world's foremost experts on single malts. True, rating single malts from 0-100 is sometimes akin to comparing diverse items such as a sunset, a Picaso, a good cup of coffee. Nonetheless, for the novice, this book offers tremendous insight. It describes the majority of house styles of all the distilleries, and provides a good brief history and explanation of the malting, brewing, distillation and aging processes necessary to create fluid works of art. A MUST for the novice single malt taster and the discriminating imbiber . My copy is worn, torn, dog-eared and used daily.

Mr. Jackson has arranged a concise and easy to use encyclopedia for scotch whisky. The inclusion of over 300 malts has made it difficult for me to find a bottle that he has not listed, tasted, and graded. However; I derive the most pleasure from his descriptions of the hamlets, towns and hollows that surround the distilleries. A brief description of the malting process, and some history of scotch whisky, make this a good starting point for a novice taster. I am dismayed to see that it is out of print as I have found it to be a fine gift that has been appreciated by friends.

Echoing the other reviews posted here, I'd just like to add that this book is one of the best of its kind. Unlike a lot of books about scotch whisky which tell you loads about the distilliries yet nothing about the relative worth of the drams, this book calls 'em--the good, the mediocore, and the not so good. Mr. Jackson is an outstanding writer, by turns witty and intelligent, and his passion for scotch is evident and infectious. The beautiful layout work complements the writing.

If you have even a passing interest in single malts, you need this book. Buy it now. And don't let your friends swipe your copy, even though they'll want to.

The CD in the back of this book is worth the cost. The graphics are ingaging and imaginative. The poems of Rumi are inspiring as always and will awaken your spirit.

I was fortunate to be present at a live performance of the Illumination Band, and the initial distribution of One Song, at a conference in Haverford in 2005. I've since bought and given away as gifts at least 12 copies of Green's book, and I love the IB. I think the juxtaposition of Rumi to bluegrass is a great expression of the inherent crossover nature and humor of Rumi. By all means get it, read it, listen to it.
(Rev) Hank Galganowicz

Spectacular! I am a Rumi scholar and I learned a great deal more from this fabulous presentation of the thoughts and works of Rumi as brought over from Persian by Coleman Barks. Michael Green's illuminations and his thoughts on the insights of Rumi are profound and relevant to understanding our spirituality and our humanness. Fantastic!

Michael Green's mastery of graphic design is the perfect complement to Rumi's mastery of mystical poetry.

I highly recommend this to everyone who loves mystical poetry and appreciates illuminated design...

PS - I don't consider the musical CD much of a value-add, but even if you didn't resonate with the music (as was the case with me), the book is well worth the expense.

An absolutely beautiful book!
The combination of the prose and the illustrations makes this book a treasure for generations to come!

I wish there were more stars to give this book! Its hilarious!... and I'm not even a smoker. Worth whatever money you pay for it (which isn't that much). Highly Recommended.

I smile every time I open this book. Max Brallier's wit paired with the great line drawings--priceless. I'm a nonsmoker...but there are some good arguments here, such as: "That new car smell." Who doesn't hate that?

Funny stuff! Great concept, perfectly executed. Brallier nails it. Perfect gift for smoker and ex-smokers, and should be enjoyed by anybody who knows, was, or is a smoker. Where's this book been all these years?!?!

saw this at barnes and noble yesterday, grabbed it on the way out. full disclosure: i'm not a smoker, but damn near all my friends are. gave it to one for his birthday, he cracked up - could completely identify. def. good gift for a smoker.

There's so much to this little book. No doubt the title will irk some people, but the more I think about it, the more I realize the author's surgical knife may be cutting both ways. The fact is, all smokers have "reasons to smoke," and many of these reasons stay sheltered deep inside their psyches. What Brallier does in 128 pages is expose them all. Well at least most of them. You can't stop flipping the pages because one reason makes you laugh, the next makes you think and the next annoys you. But eventually you'll hit a reason that stops you dead (sorry) in your tracks. Bonk - your secret reason to smoke has been knocked loose from its little hiding place and is lit up under the spotlight. This guy Brallier KNOWS why you smoke. And that's got to take some of the delicious allure out of your smelly habit. So all you priggish bloggers who are freaking out because there's a book out there called "Reasons to Smoke," well maybe Brallier is smarter than you! And by the way - two more "reasons" why this book is so cool: 1.) At $4.95 it's cheaper than a pack of smokes, and 2.) It's so small you can roll it up in your t-shirt sleeve and pretend you're Travolta in Grease.

"Provides a detailed step-by-step guide to the tasks and responsibilities librarians are likely to encounter as book-group leaders conducting booktalks both on-site and online. Containing chapters on launching and running successful book-discussion groups; guides to 11 titles selected from the classics, nonfiction, best-sellers, and genre fiction; and lots of sample publicity material as well as helpful resources to lighten a busy librarian's workload (annotated bibliographies, online evaluation tools, professional organizations, and partnership strategies with checklists for getting help from bookstores, schools, and community groups), this is essential reading for anyone who may be considering taking on the role of a book-discussion-group leader and a refresher for the more experienced." (summary by South TX Library System)

Running Book Discussion Groups: A How-To-Do-It Manual by librarian, writer, and book group leader Lauren Zina John is an outstanding introduction and in-depth guide to the ever-popular and effective educational technique and activity of reading in groups. Informing readers of variable approaches to the stylistic presentation of leading such book oriented groups, Running Book Discussion Groups deftly covers such issues as book group organization, recruitment, resources, members, discussions and discussion kits, proper book selection for particular grouping interests, and so much more. Running Book Discussion Groups is very highly recommended for all librarians for their patrons, classroom teachers for the students, and anyone wanting to set up a book discussion group for socializing in their homes, and are searching for a comprehensive and expert "how to" guide for establishing and maintaining book discussion groups.

It has been said that, were the book invented today, people would be amazed by the technology: compact, portable, able to be scanned front and back with the flick of a finger, perfect for storing commentary. And books have a presence and a weight, that other forms of written communication continue to lack, whatever the media in which they appear. Would anyone perceive a lasting need, after all, for "blog discussion groups?"

Lauren Zina John's comprehensive, illuminating and often amusing account of how to bring readers together to share their experiences of a book reimnds us that reading may be solitary in execution, but it is, in the end, communal in its effect. This worthy addition to my reference library reminds me why reading a book alone is like traveling alone: you will appreciate what you see, but how better it is when there are others who, as interested as you, have come along for the journey.

A big thank you to Mrs. John for reminding us all why we read and why it is that we need to bring our experiences of what we read into a room filled with other readers.

Wow! Here's a book that tells you -- in wonderfully comprehensive (and delicious) detail -- everything you could ever hope to know about book discussion groups. Lauren John's "Running Book Discussion Groups (A How-To-Do-It Manual)" is a wellspring of historical data, organizational tips, publicity techniques, content summaries, managerial information, and very practical pointers about group synamics and group management. And at the center are ten unbelievably helpful 10-20 page samples of specific individual group meetings, including book summaries, author biographies, reasons for the choice of book, sources for procuring the book, materials to support discussion, and even intelligent and trenchant discussion questions. All this is presented in a witty package written by a warm, inventive, charismatic book-group-leader and professionaol librarian who could charm the words from the trees -- from her first admonitory anecdote about the book group member who felt she wa being victimized through the final listings of up-to-date references about the topic under discussion. This book is a must for the thousands of book group discussion leaders and would-be leaders as well as a delightful and useful read for the hundreds of thousands of book group members and educators in our midst.
Dr. Alfred Jacobs, Professor Emeritus
Mass Communications Program
Menlo College

This work is immensely practical and useful for book discussion leaders, priceless for anyone trying to start or maintain a group. As a librarian, I think it is indispensable.

It begins with an overview of the history of book discussion groups, beginning as they floated toward America to the present, including the Oprah era. She outlines the elements required for success, such as publicity, recruitment, book selection and overcoming book group anxiety. There are stories from group organizers summarizing their experiences and sample forms to survey potential members to set times, audience and topics. Other information includes suggestions for covering a variety of genres, sample flyers, press releases and group Web pages with author links and other potential resources.

The nuts and bolts of the actual discussion section offers hints on breaking the ice, playing devil's advocate, readers who dominate the conversation or don't talk at all, hosting an author, and online book groups. Perhaps for new leaders the most useful section is the 10 books for which John has prepared the summary, author biography, rationale for selection, publication and access information, support materials - including film versions, and discussion questions. This analysis model can be generalized by book group leaders preparing other titles for their sessions. I strongly recommend this title.

I feel this book was full of information; in which helps everyone! It's not always easy to make the right choices, when you're not well. This book's advise (along with my favorite doctor; Daniel L. Peterson, M.D.) gives PWC hope, compassion, and most of all, understanding!

If you think you have Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, also referred to as CFIDS-Chronic Fatigue Immume Disfunction Syndrone, or have been diagnosed with CFIDS, THEN THIS IS THE BOOK FOR YOU. When I got this book, I said "Hooray, I'm not just lazy and crazy". I cannot begin to say how much better I felt after reading this book. It didn't help my symptoms, but it let me know why I had these symptoms. Chronic Fatigue is such an undiagnosable disease that most physicians think that you are just crazy, a hypochondriac, or they misdiagnose you and put you through hundreds of dollars worth of tests. Even when I was diagnosed with it, my other doctors refused to believe it. It was not until my husband saw an Olympic contestant talk about her battle with CFIDS and how she hoped she had a "good" day on the day of her performance that he then understood what I was going through, and he became my main supporter.

This is by far the best book I have read on CFIDS. Would recommend it to everyone. As the other reviewer states, it was written in 1995 but science hasn't brought us a cause or cure since that time, so it is still a very valuable book on ALL aspects of this illness. The author is writing from experience...as she has CFIDS. Book is very informative, she's very relatable, and she shows a deep understanding of the challenge in living with this life changing illness. A truly outstanding book! Read this one.

This book is not only informative for the patient, but helps family members truly understand this illness. I was touched deeply by this book because I felt the author truly understood me and my illness. It gives great insight for the family members and helps them to understand all the ramifcations of this devastating illness.

This book may be getting a bit dated, but it's still among the best resources available on CFIDS. Many CFIDS self help guides read like advertisements for their authors, but not so with "Running on Empty". I'm hoping that Dr. Berne will offer an updated edition sometime soon. If/when she does, I'll be back to order my copy (to replace the old, dog-eared one I passed along to someone who needed it more than I did).

After reading "Running on Empty" by Arron Chambers my first thought was "this is the next Max Lucado." Arron's insights into the gospel of John are creative and original. That's saying a lot as not many of us take the time to think new thoughts, but Arron is obviously using the old noggin. His ability to weave personal experience, historical and contemporary anecdote, as well as humor into his narrative means that Arron entertains as he instructs. This medicine goes down like the proverbial "spoon full of sugar." I was challenged to "get a life" (in a good way) and sensed some of the 21 "Elements" of life illuminated in the book filling empty places in my inner being. My wife read the book and then insisted that I buy her a copy and get Arron to autograph it. I recommend this book to anyone who wants to top off their life with an extra measure of fullness!

Arron Chambers (Running on Empty)Life lesson's to refuel your faith.This is a very easy book to read and understand,with Arron's down to earth,every day situations that have happened to all of us .With his own unique style of tieing these situations to the 21 chapters of the book of John to help us understand and apply them to our lives today. This Book is truly a must read book for all christians.

This is a book every serious Christian disciple should read. The title resonates in our souls for there is not one of us who cannot immediately identify with what it feels like to be "Running on Empty". Arron Chambers breathes new life into our hearts through his messages that bring to light new perspectives on each of the 21 chapters of the Gospel of John. Do not read this book unless you really want your walk with the Lord to be transformed. I would also caution anyone who reads this book not to read from cover to cover in one sitting. Study it, digest it and ponder it. Each chapter has simple daily life illustrations declaring the truth of God's Word. God's Word is the fuel we need but many of us are looking in other places. Arron giftedly guides us through the thorny places with some very challenging exercises and extended study to help us live the life that Christ wants us to live as His disciples. As you dive into the Bible through Arron's helpful lense (this book) you will experience a new dimension of spiritual growth. You will experience Arron's excitement and passion for the Lord's transforming power to work in our lives. Arron, in the end, challenges us to get up from our comfortable couches, leave the locker room and be courageous. We must read this book to refuel our own lives, to live as Christ's true disciples and to bring The Light and The Truth and His Love to others.

A whimsical, witty, and thought-provoking book based upon the Gospel of John. The author uses touching contemporary situations to illustrate and highlight deep spiritual truths. It is a good study guide for small groups as questions & directives for action are provided for each of the 21 chapters. Individuals will find it a fine source for inspiration. All in all it is a practical and challenging book. It is a good read!

This is the perfect book for those of you who are really want to get closer to God, but don't really know how. Arron relates the book of John in such a way that you get a much clearer understanding of the book, plus he gives clear examples of events in his own life that we can relate to and exercises for each of us to use to continue our journey to that closer walk with Christ. He writes in such a way that you enjoy the humor, but you realize that everything he says has true meaning and he brings your focus back to what you need to do. The exercises are very helpful. It is a great book and I recommend it to everyone.

Jens rollercoaster ride is no more than most of us would have done in the circumstances what sets this tome apart, is the total believability in the way it is written,great yarn ,great holiday book because millions of ladies go on holiday and want the Ahh and YES factor in the skin blistering time they spend reading books of this ilk,can be done in an afternoon and then off to the taverna or whatever for the pre dinner explosions of colour and alcohol,or a more leisurely bottle of Albarinho or what ever the trendiest new grape variety is,and just relax, this book is great companion for those moments.Good Book i'll read the next one when it's written and i can get it off my wife.

I was fortunate enough to have the opportunity to read Rachael's book while it was still in draft form - I must say I could see her book on the screen immediately. The way Rachael can become so intimate with her characters and make the reader feel as if they are intimate friends...that is a true talent.

I must say I still have visions of the bus scene as I write this review. And of course the piercing scene, but Let's not give it all away. The first person writing style will have you in the front seat of this hilarious journey.

Rachael is a breakout storyteller, weaving a master read in Running Out Of time. You will laugh and then need to wipe your tears. I look forward to the sequel. You must read it for yourself.

Michelle Zudeck

A brilliant book, laughing and crying all the way, especially laughing on the bus trip!!!!! It leaves you thinking 'just get out there and do the things you've always said you'd do'. I feel I would like to see this acted out, perhaps as a new 'Bridget Jones' with Dawn French as Jen, it would be hysterical. If you're reading this Rachael Conisbee I can't wait for the sequel. Whoever represents this woman is going to make a fortune - I wish I was a literary agent now!!!!

A very enjoyable book that every woman and some men can really get to grips with. It held my attention from page one to the very end, i really needed to find out what happened in Jennifers life. Really looking forward to the sequel with great relish.

Funniest & most touching book I've read in ages & ages. You're right with the protagonist from the first page. It's the perfect beach or airplane book & I promise you won't put it down until the end. I was about to give up on modern fiction until this book came along.