Editorial Review

Reviews

Time Crunched Triathlete, November 12, 2010
I've just started competing triathlons, with decent results for a guy my age with young child and a full-time job. I'm not trying to be a pro or anything, just trying to have some fun, stay in shape, and compete every once in a while. I've read a few of Chris Carmichael's other books, and like those, The Time-Crunched Triathlete is clear and concise. It moves along quickly and if you want to skip around it's organized well so you can find the information you want quickly. Since the book just came out (I actually ordered my copy from Chris's website because they got their shipment before Amazon and my local bookstore), it's too early for me to say if the training programs themselves work, but as a book on triathlon training it's a great read and really informative. I liked the fact that Chris kept returning to pragmatic solutions and advice where other books go on and on about theory or assume we can all put training as the top priority in our lives. Chris gets it. He understands athletes like me. I'm motivated, I'm ready to the do the work, but my family and my job come first. And this is the first triathlon book I've read that really addresses the challenges that I - and all my triathlete friends - deal with every day. ... Read more

Editorial Review

BIGGER. BETTER. MORE OF WHAT YOU WANT!

IT’S GUN DIGEST 2011!

THE WORLD’S GREATEST GUN BOOK SINCE 1944

Long regarded as the shooter’s best resource, Gun Digest is jam-packed with the kind of entertaining information on guns and shooting that you just won’t find anywhere else. From in-depth field reports on the newest guns and gear to fascinating discussions of collectible arms, you’ll find it in Gun Digest 2011.

IT’S ALL HERE! Rifles, Handguns & Shotguns Engraved & Custom Guns

Ammunition Air Guns Gunsmithing Supplies Black Powder

Women’s Products

So join us this year as we take a fond look at the greatest handgun of all time, the 1911, on its 100th birthday – and discover other great guns along the way!

Reviews

Material is generally good..., August 13, 2010
But the editing stinks. I know some people think this is nitpicking, but it's distracting and undermines the reader's faith in the material and enjoyment of reading to regularly see what look like OCR errors (like an exclamation point in place of a lowercase L in the middle of a word) throughout the book. That might just be enough to knock off a star, but it's much worse: I noticed two places where a column break obviously cut off some amount of text. How much? Who knows? It could be a sentence, or it could be ten paragraphs.

Many of the articles are quite good, and they're well chosen: there are articles on all different kinds of hunting, shooting, and collecting topics, and they were good enough to keep my interest even where I had no particular interest in the subject. For the most part, it's just a fun book to sit down and kill an evening with. But the pervasive evidence that nobody cared enough to read the text after it was pasted into the print file definitely hurts the experience.

Great Articles, But Short on Semi-Auto Listings, July 29, 2010
Gun Digest is legendary for its Reports From The Field articles. This year's edition does not disappoint in that regard. Also included are a wealth of handy ballistics charts. I did find, however, that the section of listings for semi-auto rifles was very sparse -- nowhere near a comprehensive listing of what's out there on the market. If you buy the Gun Digest to do some armchair shopping for semi-auto rifles, you'll most likely be disappointed. Too bad. If the author was to beef up the firearm listings, Gun Digest could be quite the definitive, comprehensive digest that it comes close to being.

Gun Digest, November 9, 2010
It's very informative except there were many guns displayed but no price available for comparison to other similar models.

can't beat price, November 13, 2010
My husband needs this book for price comparing on older gun models. Can't beat this price.Gets every time new one is available

Better than many recent years, August 23, 2010
The feature articles are better this year than in other recent issues. The new editor seems to be making an improvement.

Happy with Gun Digest, November 9, 2010
I am thrilled with the new Gun Digest - as always. This book is a staple in our home. ... Read more

Editorial Review

The NFL has never been hotter--witness the $21.4 billion it will rake in on the TV-rights deals now in place (not to mention its own network), the proliferation of football news and information and the game's booming popularity among sports fans, including the 23 millioin who read SPORTS ILLUSTRATED every week. These 320 pages capture, in breathtaking words and pictures, the essence of America's game: the players and performances, the crucial moments and classic matchups, the enduring dynastics and unique characters that have made pro football the new national pastime. ... Read more

Reviews

all around good, November 24, 2009
bought this for my son, a huge football fan, i looked at alot of books, this is a great one. the price is excellent too, it's double in the book stores. definately get it, you won't be dissappointed

The Football Book Expanded Edition, November 21, 2010
This is a well-written book with many details about the history of the game and players. There are photos throughout the book that document important plays, events, and people. I have been a football fan for almost 20 years, but there are many things I do not know. I bought this book to learn more about the game. It is a great "coffee table" book that I plan to keep in sight so that I can constantly refer to it.

Great gift, January 8, 2010
Bought this for my brother as a Christmas gift. He and I are both into sports, so when I received it, I thought it was so great I wanted one for myself. Lots of information, great file photos.

Value for the money, January 7, 2010
This made a great gift! This book is quite large - filled with wonderful photos - and packed with information all things football. It is rather large to take to bed to relax with, in my opinion, but is better suited to view/read sitting in your lounger. I'd buy this book for anyone that loves football....truly value for the money. Great coffee table book.

Very pleased, December 28, 2009
This book was purchased for a gift. It arrived on time, in great condition. Looked just the same as the much higher priced one at the mall. The person receiving the gift, an avid football fan, was very pleased and impressed with the quality and completeness of the book.

Awsome, February 10, 2010
This is a remarkable book with lots of pictures. Great for hardcore football fans. Geaux Saints

Great gift for any Football fan, November 17, 2010
My brother asked specifically for this book as his holiday gift. I sent it early and he's been thanking me ever since. So if you need a gift for the man who has everything and is a big football fan, this is his gift.

Sports Illustrated: The Football Book, January 7, 2010
My son loves this book. He saw it elsewhere but I got a better deal for it from Amazon. I am very happy with this purchase. ... Read more

Editorial Review

Joe Simpson and his climbing partner, Simon Yates, had just reached the top of a 21,000-foot peak in the Andes when disaster struck. Simpson plunged off the vertical face of an ice ledge, breaking his leg. In the hours that followed, darkness fell and a blizzard raged as Yates tried to lower his friend to safety. Finally, Yates was forced to cut the rope, moments before he would have been pulled to his own death.

The next three days were an impossibly grueling ordeal for both men. Yates, certain that Simpson was dead, returned to base camp consumed with grief and guilt over abandoning him. Miraculously, Simpson had survived the fall, but crippled, starving, and severely frostbitten was trapped in a deep crevasse. Summoning vast reserves of physical and spiritual strength, Simpson crawled over the cliffs and canyons of the Andes, reaching base camp hours before Yates had planned to leave.

How both men overcame the torments of those harrowing days is an epic tale of fear, suffering, and survival, and a poignant testament to unshakable courage and friendship.

Reviews

EXTREME ADVENTURE IN THE PERUVIAN ANDES, July 30, 2000
An amazing tale of courage, fortitude, and a desire to live, despite dire circumstances. The author, Joe Simpson and his climbing partner, Simon Yates, ascend a perilous section of the Peruvian Andes. Near the summit, tragedy strikes when Joe, up over 19,000 feet, falls and hits a slope at the base of a cliff, breaking his right leg, rupturing his right knee, and shattering his right heel. Beneath him is a seemingly endless fall to the bottom. Simon reaches him but knows that the chances for Joe to get off the mountain are virtually non-existent. Yet, they fashion a daring plan to to do just that.

For the next few hours, through a snow storm, they work in tandem, and manage a risky, yet effective way of trying to lower Joe down the mountain. About three thousand feet down, Joe who is still roped to Simon, drops off an edge, and finds himself now free hanging in space six feet away from an ice wall, unable to reach it with his axe. The edge is over hung about fifteen feet above him. The dark outline of a crevasse lies about a hundred feet directly below him.

Joe couldn't get up, and Simon couldn't get down. In fact, Joe's weight began to pull Simon off the mountain. So, Simon was finally forced to do the only thing he could do under the circumstances. He cut the rope, believing that he was consigning his friend to certain death. Therein lies the tale.

What happens next is sure to make one believe in miracles.

The Odyssey of Joe Simpson, June 30, 2001
This is not primarily an adventure story about climbing. It is an account of one man, not just facing the abyss but being in the abyss and having his very being stripped to a raw struggle, not to survive but to want to survive.

Simpson and a climbing partner in an excess of youthful bravado planned a new route up a monster Andean peak in Peru. The area was remote and civilization was somewhere else. After an arduous ascent, Simpson fell and broke his leg while descending. The reader gradually realizes what a chilling horror has befallen the pair. They have no possibility of rescue; the mountain was almost unclimbable for two superb athletes with two good legs. How can they possibly get down when one of them is unable to walk?

Partner, Simon Yates, ropes Simpson to himself and tries to guide Simpson down who is forced to crawl, slide, and inch himself forward. Then Simpson goes over the edge of a cornice and is dangling with only the rope holding him over the void. Yates heroically digs in, but gradually he himself is being inexorably drawn to the chasm. He finally, with shuddering reluctance, cuts the rope, and Simpson falls many feet into a crevasse.

The rest of the book is Simpson's six-day excruciating journey down the mountain: his thoughts, hallucinations and agony. Simpson is a powerful writer without a trace of self-pity. He doesn't try to impress us with his stoicism - far from it, at times he is almost mad with fright. There is nothing lurid here; the book is exhausting, but thought provoking. You won't forget it easily, and you cannot help but wonder what it is like beyond the edge and into the maelstrom.

This is a griping story of survival and human endurance., May 16, 1999
How far can the human body be pushed before total collapse? What can the mind endure before succumbing to what seems like inevitable termination? Joe Simpson's tale of survival after what should have been a fatal mountaineering event begins to explore the limits of human capability. Readers in our book group felt the prose was not first rate but written well enough that few wanted to put the book down. This book is good enough to become canon in mountaineering literature. For those with no mountaineering experience, some of the climbing aspects and descriptions may be difficult to envision. Nonetheless it is an amazing story. Our group read this in conjunction with Caroline Alexander's book "The Endurance", another incredible story of survival against unbelievable odds. While Simpson's ordeal occurs over the span of a few days, the story of Shakleton's group living on the ice for nearly two years explores the other spectrum of what it takes to survive - the two stories seem to compliment each other in the scope of human endurance.

A mountain tragedy with a difference....., January 15, 2000
A good many books and short stories have been written about mountaineering accidents and tragedies. Every bookshop worth its salt will have at least one or two to chose from, but if this one is on the shelf - get it! This is a tale which will grow on you as you turn each page, compelling you to read on and on to its breathtaking conclusion. Simpson nearly died the first time, but there was worse to come. The author has made no attempt to glorify the story, nor alter the facts to shed a kinder light on his own thoughts and words, or the actions of his partner. This book is not just an account of a human tragedy on a mountain; it is a journey into the depths of a man's soul. It is as much about philosophy as it is about mountaineering, but don't let that put you off - it's a real heart thumper!

The Bandwagon Rope-Trick, December 22, 2003
This might not apply to American readers (or it may, I don't know) but there's a huge misconception in the UK as to what this book is about. I work in a bookshop and we're selling this by the dozen, which infuriates me not because I do not believe it should sell well and be widely read, but because people are buying it for the wrong reason.

Touching the Void is, simply put, the story of the human spirit's ability for survival against all the odds. There are many occasions where both Joe and Simon could have given up; many moments when it could all have been for naught; but they kept going, and both lived to tell the tale. Simpson's writing is, as ever, vivid and visceral, putting you up on Siula Grande with him. We vicariously experience his time in the crevasse, his efforts on the glacier, and then his crawl back towards the camp, wondering if there will be anybody there even if he does make it. You know all along that he survives, but when he reaches safety you want to cry out because he describes it so painfully well. This is what the book is about.

With the impending release of the movie, and widespread radio coverage in the UK featuring interviews and editorials, a terrible misconception has crept in. Almost everyone who has come into the shop and asked me about the book has said, "I heard about this book on the radio. It's about a climber who cuts the rope on his friend. Do you have it?" By focussing on Simon Yates' cutting of the rope, it seems that everyone is missing the point. Far from a cold-hearted act, everybody fails to acknowledge that had Yates not lowered Simpson down several thousand feet of the mountain, a non-stop feat of incredible courage and fortitude, Simpson would not have survived, period. Simpson himself does not blame Yates for his actions, and this is the lead we should be taking. All these people who have never been on a mountain in their lives saying, "Ooh, he broke the code, he shouldn't have done that," just have no idea.

I'm glad the book is selling well, and deservedly so, but I wish it could sell for the right reasons and not because people want the inside story on The-Man-Who-Cut-The-Rope.

Bone crunching, nerve freezing drop into the edge of life and death., September 27, 2005
This is a true story of a mountain expedition in the Andes where two British partners take risks acceptable to experienced and fit climbers. But here they draw a spectacularly bad hand - first with Joe having a terrible bone crunching accident that leaves him scarcely able to move, and then with rapidly deteriorating weather. Partner Simon attempts the impossible and begins an inventive, courageous one-man rescue operation, but half way down the mountain he is forced to make a ghastly choice: stay roped to Joe and both will perish, or cut the rope and make a desperate bid to reach the bottom.

Simon chooses the latter, and the result is horrifying: with Joe plunging into a deep crevasse with no way of climbing up the sheer ice.

But of course this memoir is written by Joe so we know that somehow, against all odds, our author will also get himself to safety. How he does so, and how he skirts around the very edges of death provides the book with its extremely powerful human resonance.

I read this after seeing the excellent movie, and Joe's reflections, at the end of this book about the experience of helping make the film and reliving the horror (he and Simon are played by actors in wide shot, but the climbers provided all the close-up technical shots)- provides additional and unexpected depth and humanity.

There's another reviewer below who was bored by this book. They must have been having a really bad day because Joe's writing takes you right into the heart of his ordeal. This is a stunning story. Five stars aren't enough.

Words cannot express..., March 19, 2007
`Touching the Void' is the story of Joe Simpson and Simon Yates who climbed the West Face of Siula Grande, a mountain in the Peruvian Andes. After an accident Simpson has a broken leg and little chance of getting off the mountain alive. Yates lowers Simpson off the mountain quickly (as they do not have enough supplies to stay on the mountain) and unknowingly off a cliff face. Simpson cannot beck up the rope and Yates cannot pull him back up. Seconds before being pulled off the face of the cliff himself Yates cuts the rope and Simpson falls off the cliff and down the mountain. Yates, leaving the mountain the next morning, thinking Simpson dead, leaves Simpson to crawl off the mountain with his injuries.

In the best portions of the book you get both Yates's and Simpson's thoughts about the accident, where they were and what was happening step by step in the days following the accident. You feel the pain, guilt, fear, and panic in both parties and get the idea that something fantastic occurred on Siula Grande.

I say you get the feeling because in the poorer portions of the book you do not understand why one `crevasse' is worse than another, why a `pear shaped cornice' is a bad omen, why it is hard to place a `friend' in a secure position on the mountain, and why a `bollard' is dubious. In Simpson's words one portion of the mountain blends into the other and you have to be told this portion is scary, or that he is making progressing, rather than seeing why he is scared or how he is making progress.

Simpson admits as much in the Epilogue to the book when he says `I simply could not find the words to express the utter desolation of the experience' and to be fair Simpson was not an experienced writer at the time of this book (he has written six since then). However, you are certainly left wanting for a description you can understand, and emotion that stands out from the rest, and a story you can grasp on to instead of feeling that `you needed to be there'.

Worth reading as well as watching, December 21, 2004
A few weeks back, in search of something good to watch at the video store, I picked up Kevin Macdonald's Touching the Void documentary from the shelf. As I was skeptically reading the back of the DVD case, the fellow standing next to me said that it was a "really good movie." I took him on his word and later disovered a movie that I have since been raving about to all who will listen. It is a riveting story in which an injured climber is left for dead on a Peruvian mountain and manages to crawl his way off. It sounds like fiction, but, as is often the case, this true story is incredible beyond what a writer could believable construct. So, when I found out that Joe Simpson (the climber left on the mountain) had written a book, Touching the Void about his harrowing adventure, I knew I needed to read it.

The movie and the DVD extras take the viewer on an emotional path where one at first dislikes the arrongant and impetuous Simpson, while his climbing pal Simon Yates seems more sympathetic. However, as the movie continues and especially if you watch the Return to Siula Grande DVD extra, it becomes hard not to empathize with Simpson's reaction to returning to the place where he had faced so much trauma and to, in contrast, find Yates cold and unfeeling, as if the experience they shared so many years before no longer affected him personally. The end of the movie leaves one with the impression that Simpson, although understanding at what Yates did, does not really like Yates and does certainly not consider him a friend.

The book, written several years earlier, certainly leaves a more positive impression of Yates. While Simpson admits to having written the book in part to clear Yates's name in the climbing communitry, his storytelling takes the reader beyond a defense of Yates's actions. In fact, Simpson's description of Yates's attempt to lower the injured Simpson down the mountain portrays an act that is nothing short of heroic. It is clear that his cutting the rope was a last, desperate resort to end a situation in which there was no way out.

While the book and the movie both tell very closely the same story, reading the book and seeing the movie is neither a redundant experience nor an exercise in detecting differences in the two plots. In fact, the one enriches the story in the other. The maps and the first-person telling in the book complement the documentary-style script and the sweeping vistas caught on film.

Incredible, November 15, 1999
Ive done some climbing, traveled and climbed in the Andes and read many climbing books and this book is outrageous. I guess there are not many tales being told from that close to the edge (the authors tend not to survive). Stay alive Simpson and give us more of your writing. You are absolutely no bs.

(congratulations on a spectacular first ascent)

the title is right- it is pretty harrowing, February 26, 2007
I like this type of story a lot. In old Outdoor Life they used to be called "THIS HAPPENED TO ME.." (caps intended). I always hate it when they take some hardship like being stuck in the car for a couple of days without water and make each tick of the clock seem like the end of the world. This book is the linear opposite. The hardships come through, but the writing is almost never sensational- it is understated if anything. It begins at a leisurely pace, much like the journey of Joe Simpson and his climbing partner Yates. As the tension increases we know the big Accident is around the corner, but when it finally happens it seems routine, and Simpson makes evident how fragile life can be- that a pretty simple turn of events can have disatrous consequences. I suppose it's no spoiler, since we know he wrote the book, to let it be known that he survives a broken leg and a 100 foot drop above 19,000 feet, and manages to crawl his way back to camp when everyone thought he was dead. For a first-time author he does a tremendous job of relating this story, and it is even more realistic without the touches of a ghost writer or heavy handed editor.

It's hard to find a real weakness, other than the story itself doesn't seem to totally capture what must've been the sheer horror of the journey, and the dialogue and characters are not quite as sympathetic as one would expect, probably due to some first person modesty. In any case, this is a minor complaint, and I highly, highly recommend this book for anyone who likes adventure/outdoor literature. ... Read more

Editorial Review

The Wisdom of Wooden is John Wooden’s final book, completed just weeks before his passing in June 2010. In it he shares his most treasured memories and never-before-seen photographs as he looks back on an extraordinary life on and off the court.

Hailed by many as the greatest coach in the history of American sports, John Wooden is as famous for his personal philosophy as he is for his career achievements. He inspired, guided, and motivated generations of fans with his bestselling books on leadership, values, family, and the true meaning of success.

Coach Wooden wrote his final book, The Wisdom of Wooden: My Century On and Off the Court, in the last months before his death. Filled with his most treasured memories and more than 100 photographs, many never-before seen, it captures a life spent teaching, guiding, and serving others. Starting with his father’s now-famous 7 Point Creed—including “Make Each Day Your Masterpiece,” “Help Others,” and “Be True to Yourself,”—Coach Wooden affirms the principles to true success that helped him become an All American at Purdue University, a winning coach at Indiana State University, and an iconic sports figure at UCLA.

Yet anyone who knows John Wooden knows his record on the court was only part of the story. In The Wisdom of Wooden the legendary coach offers readers a rare glimpse not just behind the scenes but inside the man; not just on the court but in the huddles; not just his maxims but his poems, those he wrote and those he loved; not just the people he inspired, but the family, friends, and fans who inspired him; not just the lessons he taught but the lessons he learned; not just what was on his mind but what was in his heart.

Ultimately it was the life he lived that served as a model for his greatest lesson of all: a deep commitment to family, friends, and faith—the bedrock values of the man we all called, “Coach.”

Praise for John Wooden

“The Wisdom of Wooden has given me the life that I have . . . Thanks, Coach, for your faith and patience.”
—Bill Walton

“The Wisdom of Wooden is a lifetime of Coach Wooden’s ideas on how to live life without sacrificing your moral principles. His life is a prime example of how this can be done--one that we can all learn from.”
—Kareem Abdul-Jabbar

“John Wooden sets an example for all of us by constantly striving to be the best in every aspect of his life. Throughout my life, I have found inspiration and direction in the Bible. Today, I also find inspiration and direction in the words of John Wooden.”
—Tom Coughlin, Head Coach, New York Giants

“One hundred years—what an amazing life. But here’s what's even more amazing about John Wooden and the timeless verities his life has embodied. One hundred years from now they will still be talking about his accomplishments and his approach.”
—Bob Costas

"There has never been a finer man in American sports than John Wooden, or a finer coach."
--Sports Illustrated ... Read more

Reviews

A how-to guide for living an extraordinary life, August 26, 2010
This charming book celebrates the extraordinary life of coach John Wooden and shares the principles that guided him throughout his career. Contents include the 7 point creed and the two sets of threes from Wooden's father, Wooden's own Pyramid of Success, the Pyramid of Success modified for children, and his Sportsmanship pledge for youngsters. You don't have to be a sports fan to benefit from the collected wisdom and quotes in here. His words are simple, powerful, and sane. Buy this book and read it together with your children, your parents, or your grandparents.

The Wisdom Of Wooden, August 22, 2010
I have become a real fan of John Wooden and his great wisdom!!I am very glad that we have his books through which he can share his wisdom with us. I am giving these books to my grandson and some young friends so that they, too, can learn to be a man like Coach John Wooden. He has put his ideas down so simply that anyone can learn from them. His life can continue to change and mold young people for years to come.

WOODEN, October 24, 2010
Can't just have one or some of Woodens's books. He is a teacher and there are life lessons in all Wooden did. This is a book that's style is easy to read but many visuals. Follow what he says and learn. A great summary/

A Legacy in quotes and photos., September 6, 2010
A great way to remember a great man. Open any page for
a memory or a memorable and inspiring quotation.

I thought it was great., July 29, 2010
I thought it was great. It encompasses all of Coach Wooden's thoughts and beliefs combined with his life story. I plan on putting it out for my students to read. ... Read more

Editorial Review

It's a traveler's life list, a guide, an inspiration, a memory book. Open it to check out where you've been, and where you should go next. What to see and what to do and what to show the kids. Where to eat and where to stay. And how to change your life.

Covering the U.S.A. and Canada like never before, here are 1,000 spectacular, compelling, essential, offbeat, utterly unforgettable places. Pristine beaches and national parks, world-class museums and the Corn Palace, mountain resorts, salmon-rich rivers, scenic byways, Chez Panisse and the country's best taco, lush gardens and Holden Arboretum, mountain biking on the Maah Daah Hey trail, historic mansions, vineyards, hot springs, the Talladega Superspeedway, classic ballparks, and more. Includes more than 150 places of special interest to families, and, for every entry, the nuts and bolts of how and when to visit. ... Read more

Reviews

1000 Places to Eat Before You Die, October 8, 2007
Let me get my chief complaints out of the way first: this author loves to eat. It sometimes seems that every other entry is a restaurant or local culinary hot-spot, from "Cheese Country" to "Big Pig Jig." These are not destinations, they're cuisines. Subtract those, and you probably have a book better titled 900 Places to See Before You Die. (Assuming all the eating doesn't kill you at number 600.)

Another minor quibble: some of the "places" are actually events, like Burning Man and the Indianapolis 500. I'll overlook it...

She also likes to go in style, and apparently hasn't met a spa she didn't like. Subtract all the ultra-ritzy exclusive hotel/spas, sculpture gardens, resorts, dude ranches and expensive art galleries, which are likely either of out reach financially or simply not of interest to a large base of the potential audience, and you're down to 500 Places to See.

So, then, if you can get it for half price, you've got a bargain.

Now, onto the good things. There are many, despite my protestations above. First is the very idea of the book. It's fun and interesting to see such a list compiled; invariably something important gets left out, but what is created by the greater-than-the-sum-of-its-parts compilation is a true sense of America as a destination in its own right, worth of as much attention as any other in the world.

Also, I was made aware of many places I wouldn't have found otherwise, like the Yoder Popcorn Shoppe in Topeka, Indiana. There are many hidden treasures in these pages.

Finally, despite being top-heavy with attractions for the chic looky-loo set as mentioned above, the book is saved from being completely out of touch by its inclusion of attractions that appeal to a broad section of people (as would befit a book about America). Burning Man Festival is here, as is the State Fair of Texas, the Civil Rights Trail, and others.

My strong recommendation is that a second book be created called "1000 Places to Dine Before You Die," (though the publisher may not want to have the words "dine" and "die" so close together), and all the restaurant entries removed from this and placed there. Then the gap filled with what got left out of this book and should have been in in the first place.

Updating my Travel To-Do List Right Now, June 28, 2007
I asked for (and received) this book for my birthday. I am so glad I did!
I have traveled a lot in the US and am working on seeing the rest of the world, but wanted to know what I was missing here in the US. I anxiously flipped through the book and made a note next to each place I had visited.
I was amazed and impressed to find locations just a few miles from my home that I had never seen. I'll be visiting soon.
I am sure I will think of a couple of places that (I think) should have been included. Overall, though, this book is very comprehensive. It is fun and easy to read.
Nice touches inside include web links, phone numbers, etc. for each of the places. I also like the way the book is indexed in the back: active travel and adventure, culinary experiences, glorious nature, great golf, scenic drives, take the kids, etc. This makes it easy to search for a particular type of site, even if you don't know exactly what part of the country you want to see.

An inspiring read for travellers of all ilk!, May 29, 2007
I loved Patricia Schultz's 1,000 Places to See Before You Die, and gave away copies to friends who loved travelling. This second follow-up, 1,000 Places to See in the USA and Canada Before You Die is another winner. Though Canada is not as comprehensively covered as the USA, the book serves its purpose - to entertain and inspire, even armchair travellers like me. There are enough nuggets of information in here, and a treasure trove of ideas that can keep most aspiring/keen travellers happy, content, and entertained.

Cool book!, July 18, 2007
This is a fun book. The reader can build vacations around it. The work is based on the philosophy that (page x):

". . .travel has always been based on removing myself from what is comfortable and safe, on seeking out experiences that broaden my horizons and enrich me in ways superficial and profound."

The author also notes that she (page xiii) ". . .discovered time and again the country that is my home."

I'm from Illinois originally, so I immediately looked at the sites in the Prairie State. Many of these make a great deal of sense. Of course, one can always ask questions like: If Nauvoo, why not Bishop Hill? Still, good selections from my home state.

I lived in New York for quite awhile. I love the inclusion of the Anchor Bar (home of "Buffalo chicken wings"). I enjoyed the weekend jazz music and the wings. This is where Buffalo chicken wings began. The inevitable question: Why not the Genesee River Gorge? Once more, no criticism of the author's choices--just that there are a lot of possibilities that don't show up in the book.

Now, I live in Pennsylvania. And while I can understand the places included in this book, I also wonder why the exquisite Capitol Building of the Commonwealth in Harrisburg is not listed.

However, that is part of the charm of such books. Engaging in a dialogue with the authors' choices.

All in all, a very nice work and a good read.

Not Enough Stuff, July 23, 2007
I know there are so many places to see in the US and Canada, but this book really didn't do many places justice.

Just to name a couple....according to the book there is nothing to see in Florida north of Tampa. Have you never been to Pensacola? Seen McGuire's Restaurant, the Vietnam Memorial, The Air Museum. How about Flora-bama on the Florida-Alabama line. How about southern Illinois, have you ever been to Garden of the Gods? Shawnee National Forest, stayed at the lockmaster quarters on the Mississippi in Glocanda?

I realize, there are a thousand places to see in each state, but how many people can afford a trip to Charlie Trotter's in Chicago?

Just my opinion....

No Rick Steves, July 8, 2008
1,000 places to go before I die? More like 1,000 spas and resorts and resturants. Big deal - the more money you spend, the bigger the wall you create between yourself and the local culture. Who wants to know about exotic resorts and five star restaurants? Don't tell me about the big ticket items! Tell me about quirky offbeat places with personality and charm, things I cant get anywhere else. Tell me about Hole in the Rock, UT. Tell me about The Last Stoplight on I-90. Tell me about a PLACE, not about how to spend money at generic locations.

Worthless.

Huge disappointment with western canada and California., August 3, 2007
I got this book hoping for new inspirations on places to take my family. While some of the eastern and midwestern states were quite a bit more comprehensive with interesting locations, the two places which I was interested in California and Western Canada were a big disappointment. Most of the California locations were vaguely defined and would have been known to anyone who had never been there. The western Canada sites were fabulously expensive and only accessible to the privileged few who can spend between 300 and 1000 a night on exotic hotels and expensive restaurants. This tendency to list only the generic and the ridiculously expensive in some locations makes this book useless to me.

Got a fat wallet and a bad case of wanderlust? This book is for you, October 27, 2007
This is not the type of book you actually READ, but rather something you glance through lazily when dreaming up future travel plans, or when wondering what to do in your own state when you have an open weekend and nothing to do with it. The back-of-the-book index is very helpful in this case. Comprehensive in its scope, it's a good starting point for someone with a fat wallet and a serious case of wanderlust. Like all travel books--(except Abrams' ART OF THE STATE books, which are fabulous!)--this book is a skeletal guide requiring the traveler to flesh it out by his or her personal experience. Use it as a starting point, verify the information on the web, and go to the places yourself to color in the lines with your unique perspective.

Other reviewers complained that some of the recommendations were expensive. (It could be because the writer is from New York City, so she may be accustomed high costs.) What I do with expensive suggestions is go to the restaurant recommended and ask passersby where I can find something similar for less. It's a great way to meet local people who are usually glad to tell you about the better value around the corner.


Like most travel guides, it can't bear the weight of being the be-all end-all, but it's a good place to start. The reason I gave it only 3 stars is because the writing is a bit stifling (or maybe the small type makes it seem stifling) and the page layouts are dull. Otherwise a nice reference tool.

Some Good Selections But Still Too Concentrated On Luxury Travel, July 9, 2008
I was pretty harsh on Schultz's previous international edition of this book. So I am going to be a little nicer here and admit that the book is fun to read through and does let readers know about some great places to visit that they might otherwise have never heard of.

But the fact remains that Patricia Schultz is who she is, a snobby writer for Conde Nast Traveler magazine who has an intense obsession with fancy hotels, restaurants, spas and resorts that are out of the price range of most travellers. I also agree with the previous reviewer that the more you enclose yourself within the gated confines of luxury the less of an authentic travel experience you are likely to have.

I was especially upset by Schultz's international edition because it reinforced the notion, that too many Americans already have, that global travel is only possible for wealthy jetsetters. Instead the truth is that travel on a budget is available to everyone. And, in fact, many backpackers manage to spend a year or more travelling around places like Latin American and Southeast Asia for less then the costs of paying rent and bills at home. Of course, the declining U.S. dollar is making this harder to do now, but that's a whole other story.

I see Schultz's fascination with the lifestyles of the wealthy and fabulous to be slighty less problematic in this book because Americans and Canadians are generally more aware of domestic buget travel options as compared to travelling abroad. Still I think if Schultz focused a little less attention on the Hamptons and Palm Beach, on $700 hotels and $300 restaurants, then she might have been able to write a book that is more useful to the ordinary traveller.

Just got the book but love it, June 26, 2007
We just got this book yesterday, but already I am planning our road trips for the next few months with this book's assistance. Excellent descriptions of places and events.

For example, we went to the Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta last year (2006) and the book's description of the Fiesta and surrounding area in New Mexico was outstanding and accurate.

In my opinion, if the author does this good of a job conveying information about something we are familiar with, then I will trust her about the other places she describes in her book.

The book is organized well with a nice index and use of pictures and maps. Text-heavy (which I like) and easy to read. We are excited about using it to add to our vacation trip experiences. ... Read more

Editorial Review

Reviews

Something for everyone, June 2, 2010
My girlfriend received a free copy of this book at the Big Sur booth at the Boston Marathon Expo. A free copy was given out to competitors that were signed up to take on the inaugural "Boston 2 Big Sur" challenge. Runners were invited to run Boston then run Big Sur on the opposite coast 6 days later.

This book, is manna in the wilderness. There is something here for everyone. Inspirational stories abound in this 390 page book. My favorite is Charles Butler's story on New York City's own Matt Long. Matt, a career fireman, was crushed by a 20-ton bus while trying to get to work on his bike in 28 degrees during an illegal strike by the Transport Worker's Union. The bus, hired by brokerage firm Bear Sterns to get its employees to work, made an illegal turn and Matt paid the price. The police arrived to find what was left of Long under the bus with his handle bar through his intestines.

The story goes on to tell of the epic struggle of this man to regain his will to live and then train to take on the New York City Marathon!

Readers are also treated to two stories from John Cheever's son Benjamin H. Cheever. I will never refer to Benjamin H. Cheever as John Cheever's son again. The son moves out from beyond his father's shadow and is easily the finest writer in this collection.

This book is a must for any running enthusiast. I got a lot of pleasure out of devouring the 30 stories. I'd buy it at twice the price.

Super Motivational, July 22, 2010
I'd like to thank the Runners' World crew for putting this book together. Great, great read about a set of truly inspirational runners. It's a very quick read (and I'm a slow reader) and the stories are as interesting as they are motivational. Highly, highly recommend this book.

Quality Stories from Runner's World, June 2, 2010
These stories are all from "Runner's World" Magazine from the previous 7 years... and they're all exceptional in their own way.

The stories are told well and they come in comfortable bite-sized chapters.

They inspire, entertain, motivate, enlighten and hit all the low and high points of your emotions throughout the book's journey.

I'm surprised by the quality of this book! I highly recommend it!

Great Inspiration, November 16, 2010
This collection of short stories is perfect for a busy runner. Most of us are already "squeezing in" our runs between work, dinner, childcare, etc., so it's gratifying to be able to read a whole story in a few minutes. The Table of Contents gives you a hint as to subject/content of each of the stories; thus, you can choose what you need to inspire you at the moment. I am thoroughly enjoying this book.

Can't put this down, November 14, 2010
I wish I had not waited so long to buy this book. A few of the stories I have read before in the magazine, but I'm enjoying them again. I can't wait to get home from work, or from running, to read more of this book. I am so glad to own it so I can read it again and again.

Great Reading !, September 3, 2010
The chapters are a collection of informative and inspirational stories that have been printed in Runner's World in the past. All were worth reading again (even if you read them all the first time around) ! ... Read more

Editorial Review

Here's a question for any Browns fan . . .

Why?

Why, more than four long decades after your team's last championship . . . despite a relentless pattern of heartbreak, teasing, and more heartbreak . . . capped with a decade of utter futility . . . do you still stick with the Cleveland Browns?

Good question.

Veteran sportswriter Terry Pluto gets a daily barrage of email from fans letting their hearts bleed out orange and brown. So he decided to ask his readers: Just what is it about this team that makes you love them, hate them, and still keep coming back for more?

A thousand fans responded—in detail. Their stories—along with interviews with former players and Pluto's own expert analysis—deliver the answer. Answers, actually. Because like any intense relationship, it's a little complicated . . .

Covering the Browns from 1964 through present day, this book does for Cleveland football what Pluto's classic about the Indians, The Curse of Rocky Colavito, did for Cleveland baseball: It won't make the pain go away, but it might help you remember why it's worth enduring. ... Read more

Reviews

Pluto is the best, December 15, 2010
Pluto is without a doubt my favorite sportswriter! This book is a tremendous read about why Browns fans continue to be Browns fans even though there hasn't been too much to cheer about for the last twenty years. For anyone that has followed the Cleveland Browns for any length of time, this a very enjoyable book! I highly recommend picking up a copy!

Another Pluto Classic !!!, December 21, 2010
Another good read from Terry Pluto. Being a Browns fan, it was interesting to read all the passion the rest of the fans have for their team. Go BROWNS !!! ... Read more

Editorial Review

The ultimate fan's guide to America's most popular sport

Since the last edition of Football For Dummies, new stadiums have been built, new stars have ascended, and records have been broken. This new edition has been revised to reflect today's game, giving football fans up-to-the-minute information on all the rules and regulations, positions, plays, and penalties. Featuring coverage of the newest stadium technologies, revised greatest players and legends, and pro-football must-do experiences, it also includes expert advice on training and gearing up for those who play the game. Fans will discover the best ways to enjoy football-at home or at the stadium. ... Read more

Reviews

Very Satisfying, January 20, 2000
The only thing I knew about football was from watching it on TV. I picked up enough information to enjoy the game, but occassionally I got perplexed by commentator remarks and wished I knew what they were talking about. So I bought the "Idiot's Guide to Football", learned a lot more, but still felt unfulfilled. Then I broke down and bought another book, the "Dummies" version, and got exactly what I wanted. This book covers much more detail and doesn't talk down to you. The Idiot's version, while trying to be humorous, succeeds only in insulting your intelligence. If one were to absorb all that is contained in "Football for Dummies", you may not get any calls for head coaching jobs, but you'll certainly better understand the jargon and the meaning behind a lot of the decisions that are made during and before a game. It even covers team motivation, player training and diet, fantasy leagues, the draft, game scheduling, high school and college football information, and a fairly large football- speak section that covers more ground that most other glossaries I've seen. This book contains everything you need know about football to understand and enjoy the game.

A lifesaver!, October 29, 2002
I used to HATE football, mostly because I just didn't understand what was so exciting about watching a bunch of guys chase an oblong-shaped ball and pile on top of each other every time the whistle blew. But, after a life of sitting through high school football games as a marching band member, after attending a Division I college where football was a big deal, and after having a boyfriend who lived and breathed the sport, I finally decided to learn about football and understand what the all hype was about.

I'd like to say that, after reading "Football for Dummies," I finally get it.

Football is one of those sports you have to understand in order to appreciate. This book is a great starting point for those who know absolutely nothing about the sport. Howie Long (the cute guy from the Radio Shack commercials) explains every aspect of the game clearly and with great enthusiasm. His passion for the sport comes right off the page, and you can't help but feeling the same. Howie touches ALL the bases...from the rules to terms, positions, plays, penalties, referee hand signals, the history of football, uniforms, coaches, even fantasy football. He leaves no stone unturned.

The book opened my eyes to America's most popular sport. Now when I watch a game, I actually ENJOY it. It managed to erase my prejudices against the sport and instill a new love for it. And believe me, that was no small task. This book demystifies a complex, yet fascinating, sport.

Not bad, but pretty confusing, January 28, 2000
I'm English, my girlfriend is American and mad about football. I know absolutely nothing about the football so I thought I better find out about it. The book started off very promisingly outlining the basics, what football is, what the field looks like and what the players wear. I found all this very helpful. Then it went onto rules and positions and I got a little lost. There was just too much information to take on and the layout of the book wasn't consistent in my mind, the information seemed to jump around a bit and you would read something then a little later you would read something else that made it make sense. Then there were the diagrams! Now I'm not stupid but I couldn't make out what they were trying to tell me, all these lines, circles, triangles and letters just confused me! The "Football Speak" section was very good though, just what you need if you want to understand what commentators are going on about. Overall a good book, I know more than I did, but it can get quite complicated

EXCELLENT SOURCE OF INFO FOR THE NOVICE!, April 6, 1999
I cover high school sports and received my first football assignment the past year. While I've always been a football fan as far back as I can remember, I've never played the game and could never understand the Xs and Os like those who play or played the game. My first game I covered, I was lost. I needed a source to go to that I wouldn't be embarrassed to ask what must seem the most obvious of questions, especially when it comes to things I'd need to use for scorekeeping, recognizing penalties, and the location and purpose of the players. This book was the answer. I feel much better versed in football, even though I thought I already understood the game sufficiently. This book is a credit to the "Dummies" series. Kudos to the "Dummies" for including Football in their many subjects.

Keep Chapters 1-12 next to the remote control...., January 4, 2007
The first 220 of this book's 400 pages will save the bacon of any football newbie who wants to follow the game without embarassment: they describe the rules of the game, the various positions, various forms of offensive and defensive plays. Did you know the difference between a 4-3 and a 3-4 defense? If not, this book will tell you. Keep the book with you as you watch the game on TV and soon you too will know what penalty the ref is calling from his hand signals alone, and you will know why to expect a pass when the announcer says "they're lined up in I-formation." The circles and triangles and arrows of football diagrams may start to make sense.

But if you read that sentence and found yourself saying "geez lady any dummy knows those things already," then you are not the Dummy for whom the book is written. You know too much for the front half of this book. You might, however, be interested in Chapter 13 and on, which seem geared to a different audience altogether. They offer advice on how you as a player might train in the off-season, how the draft proceeds, etc. This seems more attuned to the interest of players and intense fans, who are probably not the right audience for this book.

Moroever, this part seems a little musty and out-of-date...for example, it suggests keeping fantasy football statistics manually, but does not seem aware of the possibility of following a fantasy team on-line.

In short, I'm happy to have this book, but the good stuff up front is padded with stuff not meant for newbie readers and stuff that was written in the last millenium and carelessly updated. Keep the first half only next to the remote control; you will be quite satisfied.

You never can know too much..., July 14, 2002
I've been a football fan for over 25 years and enjoy the game a great deal. So picking up a Dummies book seems a little embarrasing considering that I should know everything about the game. However I learned awhile ago that the only dummies are the ones who assume they know it all. I've read a few on different subjects and learned quite a bit to even impress so called experts on many subjects, so I though what the heck I might pick up a little more knowledge right? In this book Howie has something for everyone. As an avid fan I enjoyed covering the basics and learning a lot more about the finer points of the game. It is put in a simple and informative way and Howie shows little biased in his opinion even though he was a defensive star. Now I truly understand the game from a whole new perspective. Of course this book won't make you a head coach but I'm positive it will enhance your viewing experience. Now when I pick up an NFL preview magazine or watch the upcoming reports on TV I get even more pumped for the season. This book was definetly a great buy and it will sure come in handy when the girlfriend asks what a 'nickleback' is. It sure is easier to pass along the book than to have to explain. Even though thanks to Howie I finally undersatnd what it is myself. Great book!

Not perfect, but find me a book that is....., February 5, 2001
I've been a fan of football for years, but there are a lot of ins and outs you simply cannot learn from television and radio.

Howie Long (assuming he did in fact write this book) sets it up as a book for women wanting to understand why their husbands, boyfriends, etc. are so tied up in the game of football. Whatever. Its still a thorough read on the game, from the basics to the coaching strategy. Long is very detailed about each player's responsibilities, and the varied setups used most often on offense and defense (he also explains what the offense and defense are, in case you don't know that much yet). He has chapters devoted exclusively to college football and the NFL, and talks a little about high school football as well. There's also a chapter on conditioning and fitness for the game, and a chapter on fantasy football for the seriously hardcore.

Truly, Howie Long leaves no stone unturned here. Once you've read this book, you will understand this complex sport through and through. The only part of football he left out was the cheerleaders, but hopefully the XFL will take care of that.

Excellent for General Knowledge, December 15, 2005
I coach football both youth and amateur. I am always look for new information on football. I found the "Dummies" book a little bit better than the "idiots" book. Why? The "Dummies" book is about football in general and the "Idiot" book leans towards NFL football. Someone new to football may want to read this book if they will be watching any other level of football other than the NFL.

Highly recommend, January 9, 2007
I knew NOTHING about football and had never really cared to learn. When I got married my husband tried to explain things to me but what he didnt realize was I knew NOTHING and so the things he was telling me didnt make much sense. From reading this very simple and straight forward book I learned what a first down was and suddenly it all just clicked and I started to understand what was going on! After reading this book I can now sit and watch a game with my husband and now the things he tells me make sense and I am learning more depth now that I have a basic concept from reading this book!
I am totally satisfied and highly recommend this book to anyone wanting the basics.

This book is clearly value adding your football experience, January 29, 2002
This book is simple and yet it describes complex matters and delivers a valuable understanding of all need-to-know facets of the game. If you are a football fan you will easily increase your understanding of not only the rules and the game, but of all positions on the field, what it takes to play, defensive and offensive tactics and strategies, coaching roles etc. All this is coming with entertaining stories of Howie Long and a very user friendly illustration of the play books. IF YOU READ THIS BOOK THEN I PROMISE YOU WILL ENJOY YOUR NEXT FOOTBALL GAME EVEN MORE due to your increased understanding. This is a book not only for beginners, but also for us couch-coaches who think's we know it all. Top rating - value for money. ... Read more

Editorial Review

They were the NFL's ultimate outlaws, black-clad iconoclasts who, with a peculiar mix of machismo and brotherhood, of postgrad degrees and firearms, merrily defied pro football corporatism.

The Oakland Raiders of the 1970s were some of the most outrageous, beloved, and violent football teams ever to play the game. In this rollicking biography, Peter Richmond tells the story of Oakland's wrecking crew of castoffs, psychos, oddballs, and geniuses who won six division titles and a Super Bowl championship under the brilliant leadership of coach John Madden and eccentric owner Al Davis.

Richmond goes inside the locker room and onto the field with Ken Stabler, Willie Brown, Fred Biletnikoff, George Atkinson, Phil Villapiano, and the rest of this band of brothers who made the Raiders legendary. He vividly recounts days of grueling practices and hell-raising nights of tavern crawling—from smoking pot and hiring strippers during training camp to sharing game-day beers with their hardcore fans (including the Bay Area's other badasses, the Black Panthers and the Hells Angels). Richmond reveals a group of men who, after years of coming up short in the AFC Championship game, saw their off-kilter loyalty to the black and silver finally pay off with their emphatic Super Bowl victory in 1977. Funny, raunchy, and inspiring, Badasses celebrates the '70s Raiders as the last team to play professional football the way it was meant to be played: down and very dirty.

Reviews

RICK "SHAQ" GOLDSTEIN SAYS: "GREATNESS IS ONE THING; LEGEND IS ANOTHER; AND MYTH IS STILL A THIRD.", September 17, 2010
The Oakland Raiders regular season record during Hall Of Fame coach John Madden's tenure (1969-1978) was 103 wins 32 losses and 7 ties. That was a better record than even the illustrious Vince Lombardi. When Madden took over they won seven division titles in the first eight seasons. "Between 1970 and 1977 they played in six AFC Championship games and won the Super Bowl to end the 1976 season." This wonderfully idiosyncratic look at the Raiders of those years include everything from the history of Hall Of Fame owner Al Davis to John Madden to all the lovable "BLACK AND SILVER" players... including many Hall Of Famers... and some who should definitely be in the Hall Of Fame also. The author, a Raider fan at least since his east coast college days, lovingly refers to the team known worldwide as *THE-SILVER-AND-BLACK" as the "BLACK AND SILVER"... over and over... and over again. And any fan can understand the author's individual nickname for them. For any fan who loves... and I mean loves... his favorite sports team... undoubtedly has some picayunish... unique... clever... at least in their own mind... nickname for their team. Some are born from superstition... some are born by a mispronouncement... or misunderstanding... or even a bolt of lightning. But any diehard fan... always has a unique personal nickname or phrase for their beloved team. One of the highlights... in a book overflowing with highlights... is the author spewing such an unrelenting, heartfelt love and adoration for his *BLACK AND SILVER* that any true football fan regardless of their favorite team can't help but share the joy of a football love that has no boundaries.

This is a book for any football aficionado. I have read... reviewed... and loved books on the Steelers... the Packers... da Bears... the Colts... the Saints... et al. you can check my prior reviews for proof. So for me to highly recommend a sports book, it absolutely does not have to be about my favorite team or player. Now, it so happens I'm a Raider fan, and in fact I am an original and continuous PSL season ticket holder since they returned to Oakland sixteen years ago... but that's not why I strongly recommend this book. All sports including football have changed (in my opinion) for the worse in the last forty years... so this book lets you travel back in time to share beers... brawls... wins... and losses... with probably the greatest collection of whacko's... brawlers... and believe it or not... highly educated band of outsiders in a team sport in modern times. The author has meticulously combined quotes from forty years ago... and included up to the minute interviews with many of the players and Coach Madden. The love and respect they have for each other after all these years is amazing. In fact the author states that not one single player interviewed all these years later had even one single negative thing to say about Madden. And everyone including Al Davis states that there was no other coach but Madden that could have possibly lead these castoffs and free thinkers to the heights of victory they accomplished.

There are so many great stories from their yearly pre-season training camps... that players looked so forward to... that most of them showed up days earlier than required. They loved football... and they loved the Raider family, which in training camp included bar hopping... drinking beer by the *PITCHER*... bowling tournaments, air hockey tournaments (with cheating allowed)... women... women... sneaking out after bed checks... Hall Of Famers showing up on the practice field riding a horse... streakers... and players like Hall Of Famers, Fred Biletnikoff, and Willie Brown (Just some of the eventual Raider Hall Of Famers.)... and should be Hall Of Famers, Ken "Snake" Stabler... Ray Guy... Cliff Branch... Jack Tatum... stayed hours after practice... to practice more... because one thing you'll learn in this book, is that sure... the Raiders of those days liked to party... but they loved to win... and simply loved the game of football even more than partying.

The backgrounds of all the important and not so important *SILVER-AND-BLACK" / "BLACK-AND-SILVER" players are covered so the reader gets a personal insight into how players known as *THE ASSASSIN*... *THE HIT MAN*... *DOCTOR DEATH*... *FOO*... *THE STORK*... *THE ROOSTER*... *THE GOVERNOR*... *THE TOOZ*... *BOOMER*... *THE GHOST*... and sooo many more... made the Raiders one of the greatest teams in history... and you'll fully understand when a player... even after being traded... says... "ONCE YOU'RE A RAIDER... YOU'RE A RAIDER FOR LIFE!"

**NOTE** Amazon's product description on this page is wrong. Madden's Raiders won SEVEN DIVISION TITLES NOT SIX AS AMAZON STATES!

A Great Raiders Book And A Great Football Book, October 4, 2010
I've been a Raiders fan since 1964, the good majority of my life, and bought this book primarily because of that. I was surprised by how good a book it was in its own right. About a quarter of the way through I realized this would make an enjoyable read for any true football aficionado. I say that because whether the author intended it or not this book really explains what made John Madden's Raiders unique in football history and why there will probably never be another team like it. Here was a collection of people that really loved to play football; loved to tackle and be tackeled. Have you ever had a job that you loved to come to every day? If so, then you realize that's the most incredible experience to have. To get paid for doing something you'd enjoy doing anyway. Madden's Raiders were that. But only Madden could bring those people together without dampening their enthusiasm and this, more than anything else, explains what made that team so unusual and unique. John Rauch couldn't do it (Madden's predecessor) nor could Tom Flores (his successor). I always knew they were special but never understood exactly why until reading this book. It wasn't the winning (for that you could/should back the Steelers, Cowboys, or Dolphins). It had to be something else and it was -- these guys just loved to hit and loved to do things their way. At times I think the book goes overboard on documenting the team's partying because, I guess, that's what sells books. But I think what makes the book special is the other aspects to the team's history. The John Madden era Raiders were truly a family; even Al Davis laments the inability to ever again create that kind of atmosphere for his team (Al's own discription of the Raiders in L.A. vs. 1968-1978 Oakland is very telling in that respect). The discriptions of the selflessness of the players is really something that stands out and I can't see happening in today's me-first incentive-laden contract environment. If you love the Raiders, this one's a no-brainer but even if you only remember the team as different than the rest of the NFL and are curious as to why then I recommend this book as something you will enjoy reading.

For The Fans, October 20, 2010
Even if you weren't a Raiders fan during this wild period, any football fan will enjoy this. As todays players are all, in Raymond Chester's words, "independent contractors, " this book documents a by-gone era, full of characters that, love them or hate them, made the game great.We might not want to admit it, but we miss them.
The wild nights at the El Tropicana Hotel, the "Soul Patrol," the "Just win baby" attitude of Madden's silver and black Raiders--this book recounts the hard-partying ways of a group of castoffs, flakes and rejects, that managed to win alot of football games.
A fun read for any football fan.A must read for anybody who followed the Raiders .

Perfect!, September 17, 2010
I've read almost every book ever written about the Oakland Raiders, and this is one of the best! The prose is lively and perfectly captures the spirit of the colorful Raiders of the 70s. The best quality of this book is that many of the stories herein are new to me; and as I said, I've read many books about this team. And most of the stories I'm already familiar with are given a freash spin and perspective by the author. Excellent book and highly recommended!

Fun read about a memorable team, November 30, 2010
The first half of this book seemed a bit slow and lacking gripping details (a lot of time is spent discussing a foosball tournament at Raiders training camp) but the second half was a fun romp through a lot of memorable games, especially the affairs with the great Steelers teams of the 70s. Though John Madden's name is in the title, possibly to attract video game players, it is Al Davis who is the most important figure in the book and in Raider history. And I would have appreciated more emphasis being placed on two controversial aspects of Raider history: Darryl Stingley's paralysis from a Jack Tatum hit in a preseason game in 78, and Ken Stabler's involvement in the framing of a magazine writer around 1980. The writer of this book, Peter Richmond, is not an investigative reporter, but instead plays cheerleader for the team and the reader. That makes the book worth reading, but it could have been so much more.

Still recommended for sports fans old enough to remember Otis Sistrunk.

One of the best, November 11, 2010
Were the Madden-era Oakland Raiders professional football's renegades, ruthless outlaws, sexual deviants, juvenile delinquents, or just plain hoodlums? Whatever they were, they had charismatic character - and it was a character that matched their city. Peter Richmond's book is a review of hilarious anecdotes, dramatic game reviews and a nostalgic look at a time when players and teams had truly memorable and original personalities.

Rated one of the top 20 new sports books - see [...]

Encapsulates a Period When Sport and Culture Meshed Almost to Perfection ..., December 15, 2010
The Oakland Raiders and the 1970s were tailor-made for each other. It was a time when professional sports (aside from golf) were considered blue collar forms of entertainment ... especially the NFL. The Raiders (like the Steelers and Eagles) personified a blue collar town with their aggressive style of play, production and lack of flamboyancy. The 1970s is an era when many of the fans that filled their stadiums may have been as tough as the players on the field. It was the last gasp of "old school "football where injured players kept playing and the ailment known as "turf toe" had yet to be defined. The only Nike logo in sight might have been on a few pairs of cleats; there was no internet and no fantasy football. Looking back, the Raiders were an icon of that blue collar era of football. One of the lasting images of Monday Night Football was the intro and its close up of Willie Brown's face, with his helmet bouncing around, as he returns an interception for a touchdown. His face is pure Raider - a determined, almost angered look. Peter Richmond hits a grand slam with his book that details the inception, construction and coronation of the most successful Raider team ever: that hodge-podge collection of thugs, animals and boozers that comprised the winners of Super Bowl XI. Not only does Richmond deliver the history and juicy details of the team, his book serves as a time machine that takes the reader back to a long lost period where the business side of the sport took a backseat to the game itself.

One does not necessarily have to be a fan of the Oakland Raiders to appreciate this book as Richmond's work should prove to be an interest to a wide range of readers. Fans of sports, history, business and human interest stories should be able to appreciate this book. As someone with a nostalgic interest of growing up in the 1970s, I particularly enjoyed the time warp aspect of this book because it brings back memories of trading football cards, as my collection of cards included many of the players highlighted in this book (and the Raider players always seemed to look more menacing on those cards). Another personal benefit is that it reminded me of the only NFL game I've ever seen live ... the December 24, 1977 playoff game at Baltimore where the Raiders won in double over-time with Dave Casper's Hall-of-Fame worthy performance. Although the 1977 team isn't the focus of the book, the residual talent of the previous season's Super Bowl winning squad was quite evident the following season.

Richmond starts with a chapter that served as the ashes from which the eventual Super Bowl champion team was born ... the 1972 controversial "Immaculate Reception" playoff game vs. the Steelers that spawned a heated rivalry between the 1970s two most dominant AFC teams. Richmond presents this as the catalyst that spurred owner Al Davis to buy, deal, inherit and assemble the parts of a championship team of players and coaches. With the seeds of the dream firmly planted by the controversial results of that playoff game, Richmond takes us back the inception of the Raider franchise and how a shrewd and business-savvy Davis finagled ultimate control of the Raiders. Paralleling Davis' ascent is the progression of John Madden's coaching progression that eventually leads to the helm of a talent loaded Raider team with a history of regular season success and playoff failures.

With the general framework of coaches and core talent in place, Richmond dissects the guts of team, by taking us into the locker room, on the practice field and out into the decadent Oakland nightlife that occupied so much of the Raider player's time once practice ended. Individual chapters introduce us to groups of men that comprise elements of the team from linemen to defensive backs. Richmond spends a great deal of the book detailing the men, their personalities and the exploits both on and off the field that often generated colorful nicknames like: Foo, Rooster, Dr. Death and Snake. The most amazing aspect is that such an odd band of divergent personalities with virtually no rules could bond so well, work so hard and function totally as a team on a mission. The author successfully corals a majority of the 1976 Raider ensemble to contribute to his book with personal reflections, hilarious stories and affirmation of the bond the men had with each other and their beloved Coach Madden. Even the elusive punter Ray Guy contributes! The details provided in these particular chapters present an addictive reading element as we feel we are actually witnessing these events, both on and off the field.

The book culminates in recapping a successful 13-1 regular season record and a post-season run to the Super Bowl that includes yet another rumble with rival and current Super Bowl champion Steelers. Super Bowl XI is deemed "the Promised Land" and although it was a snoozer of a game (and I remember it as being the first Super Bowl I watched in entirety as a kid), the book captures the energy, excitement, drive and ultimate confidence that Raider team displayed in overpowering the Minnesota Vikings. The game itself may have been unexciting, but the build-up leading to the victory and the euphoria experienced by the players is ever-present.

Peter Richmond took me back to my first real memories of enjoying pro football as a kid. The manner in which he presents this particular group of men is both entertaining and endearing. Additionally, Richmond's book may be considered a throwing-of-the-gauntlet by arguably presenting the 1976 Oakland Raider team as one of the best teams in NFL history. Although I'm not a Raider fan, after reading "Badasses", I might actually agree with him.

Great Read, November 30, 2010
Being a huge Raider fan, I have read many books about the Raiders. This is right up there on top of the list. It is very well written and superbly put together. I could have read more. I have shared it with 2 others already and no one can put it down until the end. I highly recommend it.

A classic, November 14, 2010
I remember John Madden's Raiders in Jr. High School. Being from Pennsylvania it was the Steelers this and the Steel Curtain that, and Franco Harris and Terry Bradshaw, but there was this bunch of West Coast Misfits called the Oakland Raiders that everyone of us in Pennsylvania dreamed of being (and Pennsylvania is rabid about it's football). I usually shy away from books on football because they tend to be so poorly written, there are exceptions, the last one was War Without Death and this one. Having watched John Madden phone in his appearances on MNF the last 10 years, it made me forget how good he was at one time. And that the Snake isn't in the Hall of Fame but Namath is? Well anyone that knows this sport knows that's just ridiculous and Richmond's storytelling reminds of that and just how this bunch of misfits came together. I was a fan of both Stabler and Jack "the Assassin" Tatum and I just loved loved this book. I practically read it in one weekend. ... Read more

Editorial Review

50TH ANNIVERSARY EDITION OF THE RENOWNED BIBLE OF CLIMBING AND MOUNTAINEERING.

With more than 600,000 copies sold, Mountaineering: The Freedom of the Hills is the acclaimed bible for climbers all over the world, and the new edition marks the 50th anniversary of this seminal title.
Since the publication of the first edition in 1960, Freedom, as the book is known, has endured as a classic mountaineering text. From choosing equipment to tying a climbing knot, and from basic rappelling techniques to planning an expedition, it is all here in this essential mountaineering reference. A team of more than forty experts, all active climbers and climbing educators, reviewed, revised, and updated this compendium to reflect the latest evolutions in mountaineering equipment and techniques. Major updates include a significant new chapter on conditioning, plus detailed and extensive revisions to rescue and first-response, aid climbing, and waterfall and ice climbing. ... Read more

Reviews

The Absolute Pinnacle of Mountaineering Information, October 29, 2010
With over 1/2 a million copies sold, "Mountaineering: The Freedom of the Hills" is truly is "the bible" of safe and efficient climbing. With the book measuring in at over one inch thick, it would be impossible to accurately give it justice in the space provided here. Therefore, I'll hit the highlights. The 6th edition, which I have, is divided up into 6 parts:

-outdoor fundamentals...covers things such as clothing/equipment/land nav/food

-climbing fundamentals...knot tying/rappelling info

-rock climbing...footholds/shoes/leading on rock

-snow, ice, and Alpine climbing...the in's and outs of ice and snow climbs (includes various rescues)

-emergency prevention and response...leading in a crisis situation/first aid

-the mountain enviroment..mountain geology/snow cycles/cloud types (neat pics!!)

The book ends with a nice list of additional reading (like you'd really need to with all the info in this book!). As you can see, there's really one word to describe this book- COMPLETE. So, if you're looking for a mountaineering resource to put on your shelf for when some questions come to mind- GET IT! Also recommend Treat Your Own Rotator Cuff if you have a shoulder problem that interferes with your climbing.

A review by GearFlogger.net, November 14, 2010
Remember Steve Martin in The Jerk? "The new phone books are here!" He was excited, but he's got nothing on mountaineers everywhere who are rejoicing at the 50th anniversary 8th Edition of Mountaineering: The Freedom of the Hills. It's at least 3.7 percent better, 596 pages for the 8th Edition versus a mere 575 pages for the 7th Edition from waaaay back in 2003. That's pre-Facebook for you punks who won't get off my lawn.

FOTH has sold over 600,000 copies since the first edition in 1960, and it is without question the bible for those who would rather be in the mountains thinking about God than in church thinking about the mountains. Over thirty experts worked for Seattle based nonprofit publisher Mountaineers Books to update all 27 chapters, including completely redoing the conditioning chapter and producing major updates to rescue and first response, aid climbing, and waterfall and ice climbing. One example of the updates is a treatment of equalettes in the anchors section of the fundamentals chapter.

FOTH is a solid grounding in the basic rules of mountaineering, with only the occasional omission, e.g. clipping through on a running belay. FOTH recommends the middle climber unclip from the rope in front and then clip in the rope behind, but this is less safe than grabbing both strands of the rope, on either side of the middle climber's harness tie-in, and clipping them simultaneously into the anchor carabiner. Likewise sport climbing is given short shrift, with a few paragraphs detailing the dangers of not tying in the belayer but no mention given to the advantages of a dynamic belay, e.g. a softer catch.

But these are minor quibbles with the master text, and Mountaineers Books provides many complementary volumes of advanced learning in the mountain arts through its Outdoor Expert series. OK, so here's what you do: click on the link below to go to Amazon. Add FOTH to your cart. Then add The Mountaineering Handbook by Craig Connally to your cart. Connally's book is the edgy, fast and light version of FOTH, so for about 33 bucks you get free shipping and two books that complement each other very well. The truly discerning climber will add Glacier Mountaineering by Andy Tyson, with its excellent illustrations by Mike Clelland, for a mere 12 bucks. That's a Ph.D. in getting high for under a Ulysses. ... Read more

Editorial Review

Reviews

Interesting / Boring / Fascinating
I was made aware of this book when I heard one of the authors give an interview. Many of the topics in the interview weren't in the book, but a host of other areas where. The book is easy to read and well researched. However, it is very much written from a British point of view - so don't let the Americanized title of Soccernomics fool you. It mainly appears to be a book that hopes to explain to the English that they are not the most rabid fans nor the best players of the game they invented 150 years ago.

Some of the chapters were so absolutely fascinating, I couldn't stop reading. Other chapters were so ultimately boring that I skipped them. The good thing is that you can skip around and read each chapter independently without really losing any overall scope of the book.

Even though I didn't agree with some the conclusions and read the data differently, I certainly feel much more knowledgeable about the current game and how we got here. If you are a fan of soccer, you should seriously consider this fact-filled book. It will make for great discussions around the TV during next summer's World Cup.

Excellent Read and Offers Surprise Truths About The World's Game
Offers some very interesting insights into the world of soccer. While some compare it to Michael Lewis's "Moneyball", it differs in that "Moneyball" deals more with baseball at the micro level, while "Soccernomics" deals with soccer at a macro level. There is a lot of statistical analysis of national teams, but no analysis of individual players. In essence this is one of the difficulties of soccer, as it does not naturally lend itself to extreme statistical analysis like baseball does.

My main argument with the book is that it treats the NFL as the US's main export sport. While the NFL is undoubtedly the most popular league in the United States, this is a recent phenomenon. Baseball has traditionally been "America's Past Time" and thus is the sport that the United States spread around the world, although not to the same level that the English spread soccer.

One analysis that I wanted to read about was the success of Latin American teams. In particular an analysis of Mexico and Brazil. Both countries are soccer crazy and have very large populations, but Brazil has won five World Cups and Mexico none. It would be interesting to see an analysis of why this has happend, but the book mainly deals with European teams as their statistics are more reliable.

Best. Soccer. Book. Ever.
Simon Kuper is the long-time weekly sports columnist in the Financial Times, and he is one of the reasons I so look forward to reading the Weekend Edition of the pink paper. When I saw that he had authored a new book about soccer, and then saw more details about what the book would be about, I knew I just had to have it and ordered it here on Amazon at a very purchase-friendly price.

"Soccernomics: Why England Loses, Why Germany and Brazil Win, and Why the U.S., Japan, Australia, Turkey--And Even Iraq--Are Destined To Become The Kings of the World's Most Popular Sport" (336 pages) is co-written by Simon Kuper and Stefan Szymanski, a British economist. An economist, you might ask? Yes indeed, as this book brings a fascinating look into the numbers of soccer. Here a couple of quotes from the book:

-- "In 2002 everyone knew that the obscure, bucktoothed Brazilian kid Ronaldinho must have lucked out with the free kick that sailed into England's net, because he couldn't have been good enough to place it deliberately." (commenting on the English belief of freakish bad luck for their national team).

-- "Our finding: England in the 1980-2001 period outscored its opponents by 0.84 goals per game. That was 0.21 more than we had predicted based on the country's resources. In short, England was not underperforming at all. Contrary to popular opinion, it was over-performing."

-- "Soccer is not only small business business. It's also a bad one. Anyone who spends any time inside soccer discovers that just as oil is part of the oil business, stupidity is part of the soccer business."

-- "Provincial towns like Nottingham, Glasgow, Dortmund, Birmingham or Rotterdam all have won European Cups, while the seven biggest metropolitan areas in Europe--Istanbul, Paris, Moscow, London, St. Petersburg, Berlin and Athens--never have. This points to an odd connection between city size, capital cities and soccer success."

-- "Against all evidence, the stereotype persists that the typical British fan is a full-on Hornby."

-- "Staging a World Cup won't make you rich, but it does tend to cheer you up." (commenting on, among other things, the bogus arguments that staging a large sports event brings significant positive economic consequences for the host).

But if there is only one chapter that I had to pick out from this book, hands down it is "The Economist's Fear of the Penalty Kick", an absolute riveting look at the scientific side of the dreaded penalty kick. Using the analysis developed in game theory, the authors examine how penalty kicks are taken (by the kicker) and defended (by the keeper). It culminates with an in-depth analysis of the Manchester United-Chelsea penalty shoot-out at the 2008 CHampions League final. "Then, in what must have been a chilling moment for Anelka, the Dutch [keeper] pointed with with his left hand to the left corner. 'That's where you're all putting it, isn't it?' he seemed to be saying. Now Anelka had a terrible dilemma. This was game theory in its rawest form". (You'll have to read the rest of it yourself...)

Of all the books on soccer that I have read in my life time, I cannot recall being more enthralled and entertained than by this book. This is a page-turner from start to finish, and for me one of the very best books of the year, sports or otherwise. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!

Smart, Intelligent, Soccer Writing
The most intelligent book on football ever written. A fascinating plunge that tackles the games misconceptions, dispossessing the perceived wisdom of the elites, and the fanciful hopes of the hopeless. Everything from the stretch including fascinating analysis of the link between suicide rates and a nation's soccer success, and the growing muscle of soccer in lands frozen out for decades. Read a cracking insight into the mind of Guus Hiddink, the Merlin of the modern game. Simon Kuper is an outstanding soccer writer, unmatched. Linking up with Stefan Szymanski, they've pulled on a winning strip with this book. A must have for all futbol fans.

Alan Black
author of Kick the Balls: An Offensive Suburban Odyssey

A Must-Read!: Well-researched, Humorous, Intelligent and Carefully Executed
I first came to know the name Simon Kuper when he was a guest lecturer at a local university in Toronto, Canada. The articulate British author talked about his new novel Soccernomics and some of the core arguments. Despite making some fascinating points about football, he looked uncomfortable and unable to answer some of the questions that the audience prosed in the Q&A period. I was greeted with a great deal of skepticism, but decided to purchase the book anyway.

After reading through the book, I can safely say Soccernomics is fantastic and a must-read for any soccer fan! Stefan Szymanski lives up to his billing as a top sports economist with thorough detail and Kuper fits the part with his commentary including tidbits of witty humour. Correlating statistical analysis with any sport is extremely difficult because you are attempting to satisfy the common reader without flattening the economic methodology. Kuper is to-the-point and articulate in his arguments. Most importantly, he does not make an argument, and then uses statistics to back up his perspective. Rather, he reads through the information, recognizes patterns, and creates a formula. Several fascinating chapters include Core to the Periphery (Guus Hiddink) and why England loses.

Despite the many positives, there are some flaws. At times, the economic analysis is overwhelming and seems suited more for a peer-reviewed journal than a book for the common consumer. As well, some of the variables are far too large (population, income etc) and rarely include common competing variables (other popular sports etc). Furthermore, Kuper is well-travelled and could integrate more of his personal experiences to add some `spice' to the arguments #Hiddink is an excellent example but we also know how he has done speeches at Fenerbah�e Spor Kul�b�.

Needless to say, these our not strong enough weaknesses to warrant it a 4-star. All in all, an excellent book and I would highly recommend it.

4.5/5

One of the top 5 or so books on soccer
A more robust, objective, quantitative approach to soccer is put forth by the authors to help dispel long-held myths and biases held in the game. I really enjoyed reading this book and gave it 5 stars despite some of Soccernomics' shortcomings. Perhaps it is because of this that this book can help generate interest and debate on objective analysis of soccer, similar to the evolution of Sabermetrics, first put forth by Bill James. In general, the authors succeed the most with their focus in the game off of the field, but their treatment of actual game tactics, besides penalty kicks, is answered for through an oversimplification that says that winning teams have adopted a Western European style, whatever that means.

This view ignores the extremely valuable quantitative tactical work done by Lobanovskyi at Dynamo Kyiv that called for a high-tempo pressing game, which developed alongside a similar playing style that focused on system designed to press opponents developed in Holland at around the same time in the 1970's. These two tactical ideas ultimately influenced Arrigo Sacchi to formalize this type of system at Milan in the late 80's and early 90's. The author gives the example of Olympic Lyon as the soccer version of the Oakland A's, but by adopting Sacchi's methods of pressing opponents, Chievo Verona, one of the poorest teams in soccer, was able to effectively compete in Serie A for several seasons, although has bounced back and forth between Serie A and Serie B in recent years. Regardless, Chievo's accomplishment is highly noteworthy, and food for thought for developing a more objective view of tactical systems, a potential topic the authors could touch on in a follow up book or academic paper.

The book also has two glaring inaccuracies that the book's editors overlooked, both of which are in the chapter about the NFL vs. EPL, although neither are anywhere close to fatal. First, Bradford played two seasons in the English Premier League, not one as the book suggests. They survived the 99/00 season on the skin of their teeth in an extremely exciting relegation battle, featuring the aptly named Bradford player Dean Windass saving the day. Bradford later would finish 20th in the 20 team division the following season and has been in free fall ever since. Note that I am not a Bradford fan, but will always remember Dean Windass's heroics. Second, the book suggests ties are not possible in the NFL. This is not true, although the frequency of such events are rare enough to render ties in the NFL almost non-existent. There are typically 1 or maybe 2 ties per season.

Brings conventional soccer wisdom to the level of flat-earth theories
This book totally changes the way you look at and think about football-soccer. It takes an armful of misconceptions and prejudices about the sport and subjects them to the cold analytical regard of economics and statistics. If that doesn't sound like fun, you're wrong. Is England really underperforming when it crashes out at the quarterfinal or semifinal stage? Does a team's loss really provoke suicides or is it possible that the game actually prevents a few? Why don't major European capitals win more Champions' Leagues? Why are major clubs like Man U and Barcelona located in industrial capitals? Does hosting tournaments really bring economic bonanzas to the host nation?

Having lived in Great Britain, I kept coming back to it again and again to it watching the "us against them" frenzy in the British media prior to the England-Germany match in South Africa. And after the match itself, I read the self-flagellating post-mortems about why English football is in decadence (lack of a winter break was one suggestion) with a slightly smug smile. The book is filled with other enlightening tidbits such as how the transfer market usually overpays for center forwards (Ibrahimovic's passage from Inter to Barcelona being a case in point) and confirms other facts you always suspected (direct correlation between the size of a team's payroll and performance in league tables). But singling out specific conclusions does not do it justice, because the pleasure consists in following the authors as they dissect conventional wisdom. Listening to soccer commentary after reading this book feels a little like reading Creationist tracts after Darwin. Will some of its light pierce the darker corners of sports journalism? Alas, probably not, but at the very least the book simply makes it more pleasant to think about the beautiful game. ... Read more

Editorial Review

The building blocks of winning golf -- from one of the masters of the game.

Ben Hogan, one of the greatest golfers in the history of the sport, believed that any golfer with average coordination can learn to break 80 -- if one applies oneself patiently and intelligently. With the techniques revealed in this classic book, you can learn how to make your game work from tee to green, step-by-step and stroke by stroke.

In each chapter, a different tested fundamental is explained and demonstrated with clear illustrations -- as though Hogan were giving you a personal lesson with the same skill and precision that made him a legend. Whether you're a novice player or an experienced pro, Ben Hogan's Five Lessons is a must-have reference for anyone who knows that fundamentals are where champions begin. ... Read more

Reviews

Timeless Instruction from a Master, July 14, 2000
This excellent teaching device found me at the right time, having mysteriously started struggling with my takeaway and back swing [right elbow flying out at the top!]. I poured through it in a night to search for the secret cure and I found it. I can't believe it took me 18 years of golf to discover this book. This really should be in every beginner's bag, to get his or her mechanics and fundamentals together, as well as any long time golfer who occasionally 'loses' it. It's quite a testament to its staying power to note that there are no reviews of less than five stars for this wonderful manual [my rating will be no different]. Hogan boils down the game to one important aspect, striking the ball. Grip, stance, setup, back swing, downswing are all meticulously verbally described, and then highlighted by amazingly detailed and accurate drawings. Written as a series of SI articles in the 50's, the teaching voice has lost none of its punch over the ensuing years. The gods are in the details, and I noted immediately in the setup section things I was doing to hinder the chain-reaction of his preferred swing. Left foot out a quarter turn, hmm, that's new but makes sense, elbows at hipbone at address, and arms very close to chest to allow the right elbow to fold properly. That's what I needed. His description and the images of the glass / back swing / downswing plane will provide appropriate visual clues during practice. I found his discussion of the waggle and supination of left hand on follow through also quite interesting. I've purchased copies of this for my long-time golfer mother and my girlfriend who's just taking up the game, hopefully they'll enjoy it as much as I did, and we can discuss Hogan's straightforward instruction with a common background understanding.

You Won't Have to Buy Anything Else to Improve Your Golf, September 8, 2000
Forget all the other gimmicks you see on television infomercials; the super drivers, wedges, trouble clubs, fairway woods, videos, swing trainers, etc. Also, don't pay any attention to the lessons presented monthly in the two leading golf magazines. They're often in conflict with each other and give you too many things to think about during the swing. If you really want to improve your golf, buy this book.

Written by one of golf's greatest players and clearest thinkers on the mechanics of the golf swing, this book will, in simple and concise language and wonderfully detailed drawings, improve your game. My belief is, someone who has trouble breaking 100 will be able to get to 90 in short order. Anyone who shoots bogey golf (90) will be able to work him or herself into the low 80's. And if you're like me, in the 7 to 10 handicap range, the book presents a number checks on the grip, stance, and swing plane so that if your game does occasionally go awry, you'll soon be back in the groove. Mr. Hogan was correct. Anyone who is reasonably coordinated and applies the principles detailed in this book, should be able to build a repeating swing and break 80 on a consistant basis.

I had to smile as I read some of the other reviews of this book. Like many of the other reviewers, I too have had to repurchase this book a number of times because of the difficulty in getting the book back from those I've loaned it to. Other than getting a lesson from a top flight teaching pro, this book will do more to improve your game than anything else that's on the market.

The authoritave book on the basics, February 6, 2001
As a kid I took a few lessons from a top notch instructor, and I always found it helpful to think back and swing the way he taught me. Now in my early 40's, after years of infrequent play and bad advice, I lost my game. I read Hogan's book, and realized that it was the Hogan method - grip, stance, everything - that I was taught as a kid. This book was a godsend.

Hogan doesn't just tell you what to do, he explains why. He shows how to make the basic REPEATING swing that can be used with ALL clubs, driver through PW. This makes the game so simple. You can use this book to quickly learn the correct swing, and confidently hit a good shot every time because you know you are doing it the right way. This lets you think less and less about swinging mechanics and more and more about strategy, and the game becomes immensely more pleasurable.

Put this book and a 9 iron by your bedstand, practice as you read it, and you will find youurself hitting with more confidence and consistency after the first chapter.

A MUST HAVE BOOK FOR EVERY GOLFER, March 4, 2001
GET THIS BOOK !!!
Repeat GET IT NOW and it will, without a doubt IMPROVE YOUR GAME and outlook on golf 10 fold! I have had and read this book like a bible over the past 3 months and I will tell you unequivocally, It is simply the best book on what makes a golf swing a TRUE golf swing. I have been a golfer for 20 years and through all the articles I have read, any lessons I have taken, none have come close to breaking down what the mechanics of a golf swing truly are.
This book takes you from the start to a finish of a solid fundamental golf swing. As every individual has their own style, I would recommend once you learn these basics, make your own minor adjustments to suit your own physical limitations due to factors such as flexibility and body size.
Now I have to tell you, I am slow to comprehend and grasp new ideas but once I catch them, if they are indeed true, I embrace and preach upon them like a priest in the church. This book is a true awakening for a golfer and what it takes to make a real golf swing.
The amazing results of this book and what a golfer actually experiences when making a true swing as a result of the study of this book are absolutely astonishing. You should make this book your BIBLE to a great golf swing. The results you see (and feel) will leave you in total awe of how simple a great golf swing is and how easily it can be accomplished.
I endorse this book 100% and promise you will not be disappointed. Indeed you will be delighted and your game will see the dawn of a new day.
5 ***** book. A MUST for every golfer

5 Stars Does Not Do This Book Justice!, February 1, 2000
Quite simply the single most valuable book a golfer looking to begin or master the golf swing can read. I have read the book three times and look forward to the fourth. It is a no nonsense instructional guide with detailed drawings and precise text. It reveals to the reader exactly what is necessary to enjoy the game of golf by mastering the necessary fundamentals of the proper golf swing. A must read for any serious golfer.

Oh man, buy the book!, September 1, 2000
I'm 39 years old. I started golfing 5 weeks ago. Not counting the local par 3 course, I've golfed 18 holes of "real" golf in my whole life. I bought the book. I read the book. I struggled with the book. Today, I was taking practice swings in the back yard, and I learned how to supinate my left wrist. I grabbed my 12-year old and headed to the driving range.

With my $25 driver, and my supinating wrist I hit longer and straighter than ever before. The bad drives carried over 200 yards, and I would have been able to find them on a course. Well over half the balls would have been in the fairway. The long ones were high and carried close to 250 yards. My three wood shots were towering, and landed softly around 200 yards.

I can't do it yet, but making a deliberate, controlled fade or draw now makes sense to me. I know how I'll do it someday, when I'm ready for that part of the game. I can't do it yet but taking a divot with my irons now makes sense, too. All in good time.

Buy the book, read the book, contemplate the book. But most of all, SUPINATE!

Simply the Best., August 6, 2002
When I took up the game about ten years back, a co-worker (and single-digit handicapper) told me "Get Hogan's Five Fundamentals. It will tell you all you'll ever need to know about striking a golf ball." As time passed and my game improved, those words rung truer with each passing season. I've spent hundreds of dollars on other books but I keep coming back to this little treasure. My paperback copy is literally starting to fall apart from multiple re-readings. The first time I read through the book, the only things I took from it were how to properly grip the club and that awesome image of the pane of glass defining the swing plane (accurate or not...). The later chapters just went over my head at the time. As I worked on my game however a funny thing happened. One by one I would make "breakthroughs" only to find them staring back at me from the pages of Hogan's book. The comment about this book being laden with hidden gems is right on the money. It seems like every time I read it, I pick up another subtle insight.

I've heard the criticism that if this was such a great book, you wouldn't have to read it ten times to get the meaning. Perhaps there's a kernel of truth in this, but I think the nature of the golf swing makes describing it a monumental challenge indeed. Like most pursuits of substance though, diligent effort will eventually be rewarded. Talking with accomplished golfers, I'm simply amazed at the number of different benefits people have derived from this book. For me, the best single piece of advice was to start a practice journal. Over several years this allowed me to boil a million different ideas about putting down into my own very personal set of putting fundamentals. This ridiculously simple set of rules has stood the test of time, serving me well for a number of years now. I've since tried to bring the same methodical approach the other areas of my game. So my advice is get your hands on a copy of this book and be ready to invest yourself in it. Give it some time to work and check back periodically. Soon you'll be hitting those "shots with real character" Mr. Hogan and Mr. Wind speak so eloquently of.

Great Book, December 28, 1999
Every literate golfer should be required to have a copy of this book in his/her library. This is a great book. Ironically, not really so much for the golf instruction. Rather more for the insight into the mind of the great Ben Hogan and his masterful inspiration for the great game of golf. It remains an inspiration to me. The man was something special and unique and he somehow captured it in this strange little book. The illustrations by Ravelli are beautiful art.

I would say the section on the grip is the best. Every beginning amateur could profit from these simple concepts and benefit for the rest of their golfing carreer. The next time you are on the course, keep a mental tally of the really excellent golf grips that you observe. Then go back and re-read Hogan's chapter on the golf grip. You may begin to appreciate the game in a new light.

Simply Amazing----What a Joy to Read!, January 25, 2001
I was a little skeptical about buying a book to help my golf game, but like all golfers, if it will help, I'll try it! I read the book in about 3 days and truly felt like Ben Hogan himself had been there taking me throught the motions of the golf swing. He breaks every movement down to a form that is easy to understand and apply. The way he presents himself gave me a sense of confidence that I could improve my game if I just followed his 5 basic principles. I am hitting longer straighter shots and for the first time I can hit my driver with minimal or zero slice.......Thank you Ben Hogan!

Hogan Teaches a SYSTEM, August 16, 2005
I have been playing golf for many years and have been very fortunate to learn from great teachers and golfers. I have spent a ridiculous amount of time practicing and studying this crazy game. My career round is a 73. I learned a high hands, long swing with a draw which had become a pull hook. I almost quit the game because of inconsistency. My wife bought me the Five Fundamentals at a garage sale and I never read it because I thought that the book only applied to Hogan. I was WRONG!
What Hogan teaches in this book is an entire system. You can not take any one thing out of it and mix it with the two-plane swing. The grip, set-up and basic move away and back through the ball, as described in this book, are all designed to facilitate a rotary swing with low hands and minimal lateral movement. If you want to learn a LOT about the golf swing, take this book and do EXACTLY what it says on the driving range for the next two or three times you go hit balls. This book teaches a swing that is entirely around and close to the body, It is very much like swinging a baseball bat. It allows you to have predictable lower body action and most importantly, it allows you stop thinking about your hands and arms. How many books are there about the intracacies of swinging a bat? Not nearly as many as golf. All you have to do is swing the club like a bat and have a set-up that allows for a longer flat spot at the bottom of the swing and you will be more consistent than swinging around then up and then back down with the hands and arms. People really misunderstand what this book teaches mostly because they think that Hogan just switched to a neutral grip to cure a hook. The elements and techniques in the book are all basic fundamentals which build a rounded, one plane swing. If you want to have a standard, hands and arm swing with some body thrown in, then read Harvey Penick(he was a GENIUS) and do the things that he teaches. If you want to have a system where you hit the ball predictably, do EXACTLY what this book says. Hogan did not teach the classic high hands, two plane, arc driven swing. This includes the stance and ball position along with the left hand and arm starting the swing. IT WORKS and is so SIMPLE and saved my game. Trust your arms to swing behind and around you and the set up, and marvel at what a genius Hogan really was. It's a different swing than most instructors teach. ... Read more

Editorial Review

Boost your energy, manage stress, build muscle, lose fat, and improve your performance with the all-time best-selling sports nutrition guide!

Nancy Clark's Sports Nutrition Guidebook will help you make the right food choices in grocery stores, restaurants, drive-throughs, and your own kitchen.

Whether you're preparing for competition or simply eating on the go, let sport`s leading nutritionist show you how to get maximum benefit from the foods you choose and the meals you make. You'll learn how to eat before exercise and events as well as how to refuel afterward for optimal recovery.

Updated and on the cutting edge, the fourth edition includes the latest sports nutrition research on hydration and fluid intake, vitamins, supplements, energy drinks, organic foods, and the role of carbohydrate and protein during exercise. You'll also learn about the new food pyramid and the American Heart Association's latest dietary guidelines.

If you're seeking advice on losing weight, getting energized to exercise, or improving your health and performance, Nancy Clark's Sports Nutrition Guidebook has the answers you can trust. ... Read more

Reviews

Nutrition Made Easy, November 11, 2000
As a personal fitness trainer, I am always looking for common sense ways to explain proper nutrition to my clients. At first I bought this book for myself to help improve my running and get the most out of my workouts. What I found was a book that will not only help an athlete improve performance but has common sense nutritional information for almost anyone. Nancy is a Registered Dietitian who cuts through the nutrition myths and lays out a coming sense eating plan that works for almost anyone. If you are looking for a new fad diet you won't find it here although she has added a couple of chapters on sensible weight management in the latest edition. Sports specific chapters include how to carbo load before an event and what it really takes to add muscle mass. The book has over 200 quick and easy recipes that help round out your nutrition plan. After you read it you will wonder why you didn't take this common sense approach to nutrition years ago. Even if you buy it and don't read it from cover to cover, you can still pick up invaluable tips just browsing through and reading her informative tables and charts. A great way to jumpstart your nutrition plan by eating sensibly, keeping your body fueled and keeping your energy up.

Nancy Clark is a Master in NUTRITION !!!!!!, February 24, 1999
I have been on all kinds of diets trying to figure out what would be the best Meal plan for me to follow for the rest of my life. I found the answers in this book. I have also visited a nutritionist to see if I was on track. I told my Nutritionist that I purchased Nancy Clark's Book and my nutritionist had told me "This is an Excellent Book... you're on the right track". What an investment I made. This book has sections on all kinds of Nutrition requirements for the Young, middle aged, elderly, Athletes and Bodybuilders. This book is concise, simple to read and provides pertinent information with a lot of illustrations. What a GREAT READ !

One of the best books for anyone trying to loose weight, August 24, 1999
I purchased Nancy Clark's book with the sole purpose of loosing weight. Not only has this book put me on the right path by helping me to lower my body fat, it's the first time I've lost weight and been able to keep it off. I love how this book teaches common sense techniques for loosing weight in a stress-free manner, and how I don't have to starve myself in order to achieve healthy long-term results. I strongly recommend this book for anyone trying to loose fat, gain muscle and develop better nutrition habits.

Entirely Dissappointed By This Book, August 29, 2005
I purchased Nancy Clark's "Sports Nutrition Guidebook 3rd Ed." due to the great reviews it received from other users on Amazon. Needless to say, judging by the title of this review, I'm regretting my purchase.

Simply put, this book seems to focus on people who are exercising to loose weight. It is rife with sections on weight loss, dieting and body image. I was under the impression that this was a guidebook for athletes, not a guide for someone wanting to loose weight at the gym.

I will save the reader much effort by listing Nancy Clark's main points:

1.Your diet should be 65% carbohydrates, 25% fat and 10% protein.
2.Eat before and after exercise to provide fuel and enhance recovery.
3.Start the day with a balanced breakfast

That's about the extent of the information presented. Of course there is some useful information about vitamin/nutritional/glycemic values of certain foods, but this information can easily be found through an internet search. Furthermore, the recipies just aren't that good. I've tried enough of them to start looking elsewhere for meal ideas.

Finally, dietary supplements are given very little attention. No mention of glutamine, creatine, HMB, Medium-Chain Triglycerides etc. This is intolerable for a book on sports nutrition.

In my opinion this book should be called "Fitness Nutrition Guidebook". It is a sports guidebook only in the most limited sense. If you are looking for a book to help you get in shape then I think this will fit the bill. If you are an athlete looking to take your training to the next level then I would look elsewhere.

A good addition to your nutrition library, but..., February 12, 2003
This book is great for endurance athletes. I run about 15-20 miles per week and it was helpful for me to learn about the importance of carbo loading and glycogen stores. The book also has many useful tables and facts. Nancy Clark addresses all the major topics on sports nutrition.

Having said that, she sticks a bit too closely to the FDA food pyramid, suggesting that just 15% of your daily calories come from protein. This seems awfully low to me (perhaps I've been tainted by the Adkins Diet craze?).

She also cites many "studies" but most of them were done on just seven male athletes. It was hard for me to buy into all the results. I do appreciate supporting evidence, but such a small group of test subjects made me question her assertions.

She talks about vitamins and minerals as the "spark plugs" of a good diet, but suggests sticking crackers in your gym bag, which have absolutely no nutritional value. She also doesn't recommend taking vitamin supplements. As a woman, I can't see the harm in making sure I have enough calcium, iron and folic acid in my diet (most women don't).

Most of the recipes are great, like the banana bread. However, she shot herself in the foot by supplying the percentages of carbs, protein and fat in each dish. In the rest of the book, she suggests getting 60-70% of your calories from carbohydrates, but very few of her recipes have such a high percentage of carbs - even the pasta dishes. One other surprise: the recipe for the pasta with spinach and pine nuts suggests adding "3-4 tablespoons" of oil! Sounds more like oil loading.

I am glad I read the book, but I think I will be looking for another book with other points of view to balance Nancy's suggestions.

My food bible!!, April 9, 2002
Wow!! I am more than amazed at the wealth of information that is in this book! It answers all of the food choice questions you ever had, as well as tons you didn't know you had. All issues are addressed. What should I eat for breakfast, what is are some good snacks, what foods will fill me up, give me energy, and so-on. You come away totally eduacated and ready for any situation when it comes to eating and nutrition. You don't have to be an athlete. I go to the gym 4 times a week and wanted to find out how to energise myself. This is THE eating bible. If you have any questions about what to eat, when to eat it and why, buy this book!!

Helpful and Pracitcal Guide for Good Nutrition, September 15, 2005
I am currently training for my first marathon. I needed a book that would teach me how to eat for the long runs, help me to lose weight and have the energy I need.

Nancy Clark's book is practical, easy to understand and it works for me. The recipes in the back of the book are great - even my kids are eating them! This is not the kind of book that you just read once through. The book is packed with information. It is a reference tool. I refer back to it often as I have questions and am working to fine tune my eating.

I heartily recommend Nancy Clark's Sports Nutrition Guidebook!

An excellent analysis of the needs of part time athletes!, February 24, 1999
I liked Nancy Clark's book for two reasons. First, I appreciated her clear and concise presentation of the information. Second, the way she used scientific studies, etc. to back up her conclusions appealed to me. As a part time triathlete, I refer to this book by her and others by Covert Bailey as my primary reference tools on nutrition.

Simple and Easy to Understand, December 30, 2006
I am a high school basketball player who was looking for a nutrition guide to help me eat right. I have tried to read books before about nutrition but I could never understand what they were even talking about! This book is great nutrition made easy. I have learned so much just by reading this book! I am now more energized and even losing some extra pounds I couldnt get rid of before. My sports performace has also improved! This book covers so much! I cant stress to you how important this book is and how it is going to change your life!! I recommend this book to anyone who is looking to lose weight, gain weight, enhance performance in sports, or just looking for a way maintain weight and eat healthy!!

This is a great book for all kind of healthy folk and those that desire great health, October 5, 2005
I found this book very informative with numerous practical and healthy recipes for the busy American. Explanations of the prescriptions for food are detailed and well thought. I recommened this as a good read and great resource book for those concerned about eating right, not matter what the situation is. ... Read more

Editorial Review

A Beginner’s Guide to American Mah Jongg is the only book available which is specifically geared toward American mah jongg and follows the official National Mah Jongg League rules. Offering first-time players an easy-to-follow guide to this complex game, A Beginner’s Guide to American Mah Jongg includes simple instructions and clear diagrams to walk the reader through each step, including how to select a hand, how to play and how to develop winning strategies. ... Read more

Editorial Review

Get in the best shape of your running career with the scientifically based training in Daniels’ Running Formula. In the book that Runner’s World magazine called "the best training book," premier running coach Jack Daniels provides you with his proven VDOT formula to guide you through training at exactly the right intensity to become a faster, stronger runner.

Choose from the red, white, blue, and gold programs to get into shape, target a race program, or regain conditioning after a layoff or injury. Race competitively with programs for 800 meters, 1500 meters to 3000 meters, cross country races, 5K to 15K, and half-marathon up to the marathon. Each program incorporates the right mix of the five training intensities to help you build endurance, strength, and speed, and Daniels’ intensity point system makes it easy to track the time you spend at each level.

The formula can be customized to your current fitness level and the number of weeks you have available for training, and it provides the perfect solution for short training seasons. Get the results you’re seeking every time you lace up your shoes for a training run or race with the workouts and programs detailed in Daniels’ Running Formula. ... Read more

Reviews

Best running book for the scientifically minded!, February 9, 2004
My running library contains more than 20 books and I rate this one the best. It offers a truly scientific way of training. Each and every point is thoroughly explained. A book like this is an absolute delight for the thinking runner who not only wants to know what to do, but also why. The book is very practical too, as the instructions are distilled into just a few tables - all easy to use. You will learn Daniels' proven methods to improve endurance, lactate threshold, VO2Max and mechanical running speed. The real beauty of this book is that it can be used by elite runners and slow beginners alike; the tables accommodate all runners and tell us exactly what to do based on our recent race times. If I could choose only two books on running, it would be this one and The Lore of Running by Dr Tim Noakes.

Excellent, Excellent book, May 19, 1999
This is the simply the best book on training I have ever read!!! I have read at least a dozen books on running and training from coaches like Dellinger, Lydiard, Bowerman, etc and runners like Rodgers, Liquori, Shorter etc and Jack Daniels book is the best of the bunch. For years I have trained by the seat of my pants trying to incorporate all I have read but with little real understanding of the affects of the different types of training I was doing. Daniels simply and clearly outlines the parts of training and their purpose. The training schedules laid out are easy to use and adaptable to any level. I feel like I now understand my training and my race times are faster. I am recommending this book to all my running friends.

Damn good book, July 20, 1999
You should buy this book! There is no other running guide out there that is as intelligent, easy to understand, practical, and accurate. Though the book is not the much sought after, all inclusive "Bible of Running" type book, as it lacks important non-running information (strength training, nutrition, strectching, plyometrics, etc...) However, what it lacks in completness it makes up for with its extremely intelligent approach to training with excellent workouts and an effective approach to training. So, I can't say this is the only book you'll ever need, but if you want to make major improvements and learn alot about the proper way to train, buy this book.

Daniels' Running Formula made me FASTER, June 22, 2001
Jack Daniels, the author of this book, holds a PhD in Exercise Physiology from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. He first got involved with running when he used to compete in triathlons. He is currently the head coach of the SUNY-Cortland women's Cross Country team. This book is FULL of EASY TO UNDERSTAND technical information that will make you FASTER...period.

Personally, I am a high school distance runner and on our cross country team we run about 40 miles / week. Our coach started using this book before our outdoor track season started. I ran a 5k road race in 19:50 (6:23 pace) on March 11th, 2001 before the track season had started and before we started using Daniels' formula. Daniels' book has you establish a VDOT based on recent race performances. He explains the PURPOSE of every workout you do. He believes it's important that you realize what you're trying to accomplish with every running session that you do. Therefore, Daniels has easy to use tables which set intensity guidelines to prevent overtraining and injury. He shows you that if you train anywhere in between the intensities, then you're training in "no-man's land." This means that you are doing "junk-training." There are four training paces in all for high-quality running sessions: the easy/everday training pace(65-75 percent of VO2 max), the interval pace (designed to stress VO2 max or maximum oxygen uptake, performed at 98-100 percent of VO2 max), the threshold pace (designed to improve lactate threshold, about 86-88 percent of VO2max), and the Repetition Pace (designed to improve running strength and economy, at a pace greater than one's VO2 max).

For me, I ran a 5:15 mile at the beginning of the track season so my coach used this to determine my VDOT. According to the book's tables, my VDOT was 56. I trained by doing "R Pace workouts," "T Pace Workouts" and "I Pace Workouts." R Pace workouts, designed to improve running strength and economy, consisted of 200, 200, 400 meter repeats with a 1 to 4 effort to rest ratio. For a 56 VDOT, the paces would be 39 and 80. The T Pace Workout, designed to improve lactate threshold, was 6 x 1000 for me with only 1 minute rest, at 3:53 pace. The I pace workout, to stress VO2 max, is also repeat 1000s. However, we do only 4 x 1000 at a faster pace, 3:34, but get 3:34 rest as a result of the 1 to 1 effort to rest ratio.

In addition, he shows you exactly how to schedule your training sessions around races so you can be in peak physical fitness to set a HUGE PR!!! As a result of his training for less than 2 months, I ran an 18:14 5k (5:53 pace) on May 6th, 2001. I was 7th overall out of 166 runners in the race. In the race last March 11th, 2001, where I ran 19:50, I was 47th in my race, PATHETIC!!! I have no idea what I would run the mile in if I were to race it now, but I would guess that I'd be around 4:50 thanks to his workouts which have resulted in an increase in my fitness level.

Jim Ryun, a former world record holder in the 800, mile, and 1500m says "Simply put, Daniels' formula works. This book is a must read for every runner and coach interested in achieving peak performance."

One of the Better Books on Running, March 25, 2004
It is amazing how many bad books on running are out there. This book is one of the better ones I have read. It defines various types of training speeds and their purposes. They are E(easy), T(Tempo), I(Interval) and R(Repetition). It goes on to tell you exactly how fast and how long to train at your current fitness level. The premise behind this is that you should try to get the most for your training, and you can do this by training at the correct intensity and duration. This is useful for training efficiently and preventing overtraining. Even casual runners like myself can benefit from this book.

The training bible for the serious runner !, August 17, 2004
I consider Jack Daniels' Running Formula my running bible. I have read it 5 times and will likely read it again a couple more times. In addition, I refer to it on a weekly basis (VDOT's, time charts).

The good:

* He describes the types of running, the frequencies, the intensity that they should be ran at "immaculately".

* I love the pace charts and the predicted racing times, they are "dead-on".

* Book is packed with his extensive experience and knowledge (definitely not one of those books to make a quick buck !!!).

The bad:

* He is not the best writer (but the information is great)

Caveats:

* I would say his book is for serious runners (40++ miles a week)

* I would highly recommend using a heart rate monitor. Basing the
VDOT on easy, tempo and race pace can easily lead to injury since your intensity may creep up (the HR monitor does not lie !!!).

* I take his long run rule with a grain of salt (max 25% of weekly mileage). Maybe this applies to 80 mile+ runners, but if you are like me and train 50-60 miles a week and run marathons this seams not helpful.

Superb training guide for serious runners., June 13, 2001
Jack Daniels is recognized to be one of the world's leading authorities on distance training. This book encompasses the bulk of his wisdom, with a detailed approach to training for all races between 1500m and marathon distances. Daniels focuses on utilizing periodization training, with blocks of about 4 weeks dedicated specifically to repetition, threshold, interval, or aerobic training. The blocks are arranged according to your long-term season, resulting a very serious and demanding training program.

While extremely detailed and effective, Daniels' book is clearly oriented toward the serious runner with the ability to plan out his or her season and make regular visits to a track. Daniels provides specific workouts for each type of training (repetition, threshold, interval, or aerobic) and offers sample training programs for various distances. He devotes a good portion of Daniels' Running Formula to the physiological mechanisms of faster times, as well as racing, training conditions, taking time off, etc.

Ultimately, it is his extensive approach to periodized training that truly stands out. Complete with detailed explanations of each kind of training and effective workouts for serious runners, Daniels provides the kind of coaching that the elite use. Nevertheless, the specificity and dedication demanded by his training program is clearly oriented toward intermediate/advanced runners, and beginners would be at a loss with this otherwise exceptional book.

It all makes sence!, December 27, 2001
After 10 years absence of training I've started again 2000. My personal best on 10 000m is 31:30 (-87) and I'm now at a level of 39 min and I've set an ambition to decrease my time by 2min per 10K per year.
During my "come-back" I sketched on a training program based on my previous experiences. But to get some external input to my training program I ordered Jack Daniel's "Daniel's Running Formula" and I found it very valuable. It explained things and I found especially the VDOT tables very usefult to base my training pace upon. I would like to say: -it's all about speed when it comes to training. Not as fast as possible, but the RIGHT speed. Jack Daniel's explain why and what the right speed is.
After reading this book I can clearly say that I know *why* I should perform the particular intervall and at what speed, etc.

It all makes sence!

/Lars
PS. I can also recommend "Road Racing for Serious Runners" by Pete Pfitzinger, Scott Douglas. DS.

Having this book is like having my own running coach, August 2, 1998
On the Fourth of July, my 11 year old son and I ran our first 5K race. We had a blast! My son told me he wanted us to run faster in the future. Shortly after the race, I read some nice things about "Daniels' Running Formula." Being that I knew nothing about how to actually train for a race, I decided to purchase the book for myself.

Dr. Jack Daniels provides running instruction that anyone can follow - beginner to experienced. The book contains some technical material, but overall it is very easy to understand. It includes useful charts to determine your fitness level, based on your most recent race results, and from that fitness level another chart tells you at what pace you should perform different workouts. Dr. Daniels offers sample training schedules that are very helpful to beginners like me. I am especially impressed with his placing limits, based on total weekly mileage, for the various workouts in order to avoid over training. My son and I ar! e following Dr. Daniels advice and are making improvements in our conditioning. We are also enjoying our workouts more! And NOT because they're easy! But they are worth it!

In summary, if you are looking to improve your running performance, or if you have a child who is, get this book. I think you, and yours, will benefit greatly.

This is the only running book you'll ever need, August 5, 2001
This is the one, for a number of reasons.

First of all, Daniels has done his homework, both on the track and in the lab. He is a practical coach who also has serious exercise physiology credientials. There is no mumbo-jumbo and no personality cult stuff happening here. This book is NOT about Jack Daniels, but about the science and art of training.

Second, the racing and training pace charts alone are worth the price of the book: nowhere else will you find a way to link your current race fitness to pacing for easy, anaerobic threshold and VO2-max workouts -all of which are explained with great clarity for us laymen and women.

Third, Daniels' guidelines for different events are neither so vague that they leave the reader still wondering what to do tomorrow, nor so precise and specific and/or personal (a la the Peter Coe book) as to preclude any adaptation to your personal situation.

If you want to be a better runner, you have to be a smarter runner, and this book will take you at least part of the way there. ... Read more

Editorial Review

He first burst onto the scene in the nineties, covered in gold face paint and exhibiting a one-of-a- kind flamboyant style that bewildered his foes and thrilled his fans. Inside the ring, Goldust is as tough as they come, known for using outrageous mind games and taking down his opponents with unparalleled ruthlessness. It’s no surprise, then, that wrestling is in his blood; Goldust is the son of Dusty Rhodes, “The American Dream.”

What is it like to be the son of a wrestling icon and follow him into the same profession? In this no-holds-barred account, Dustin Rhodes speaks frankly and openly about his journey. He talks about being a young boy who desperately missed his dad. A young man who only wanted to follow in his father’s footsteps and threw aside a football scholarship to eke out a meager existence in regional wrestling. A green wrestler struggling to prove to his peers that his work, not his name, had gotten him to where he was. Rhodes describes how, in the midst of a painful five-year estrangement with his father, he finally made a name for himself as Goldust and then let it all go, tumbling into a descent of self-medication that led him away from a red-hot career as a WWE Superstar and nearly cost him his life.

When he finally hit bottom, Rhodes knew where to look for help from the family he always had: his father and World Wrestling Entertainment. When he got clean and sober and was offered the chance to wrestle for WWE, he snapped up the offer. The everyday existence of life on the road, working with and watching the new Superstars— like his brother Cody Rhodes—has reminded Rhodes of why he loves being a wrestler.

Cross Rhodes is an intimate portrait of one man’s road to redemption and a unique glimpse into one of the most famous families in WWE. ... Read more

Reviews

Good read, but not what I expected, December 28, 2010
This book was enjoyable, but it wasn't really about Goldust's wrestling career all that much. The first part of the book was mostly about living in his dad's shadow and trying to break into the wrestling business and become his own man instead of just the "son of Dusty Rhodes." The second part of the book was about his battle with his alcohol, cocaine, and pain pill addiction. The book was really good for what it was, but I was expecting it to be more about his wrestling career. He pretty much just glosses over bits and pieces of his career while focusing more on his decent into drug addiction and his redemption from it. I almost think this book would be enjoyed more by non-wrestling fans or recovering addicts than wrestling fans. His profession is more of just a backdrop to explain another reason for his addiction. The focus is not on his wrestling career. I would have liked to see more of what he thought about certain angles and certain performers, but that stuff just wasn't there.

Overall, it is an enjoyable read, but don't go into it expecting a lot about his wrestling career.

Worth every Cents you pay for it., December 15, 2010
The Book is a interesting take on the man and Goldust also his family too. It is worth the price payed to read and enjoy it.

A Great Look Inside.., December 15, 2010
The Glory Days of wrestling to me was between Mid Atlantic 83 to the WWE Attitude Era. You could always count on a Rhodes to be in the middle of things. This takes me from that Era of Dusty, Flair, Barry Windham, Rock N Roll Express etc to The days of the attitude Era of WWE.

This is a great read though for anyone interested in wrestling and what these entertainers go through. I think society judges them differently than they would a Hollywood Actor but these guys deserve much more respect. They tell a story like an actor but also on the sports side of it put on such a physical show. I have so much respect for them.

Goldust's story is a great read that lets you look behind the curtain and inside the life of Pro Wrestling. Goldust is one of the most charsmatic and interactive wrestlers of the modern ear of wrestling. From his initial shock factor to his involvement with Luna, the Goldust persona has been pure entertainment and quality. Goldust is one of those characters that has proven timeless from the "Attitude ERA" and is surving and thriving in the modern day.

I would recommend this book to anyone who follows or used to follow wrestling or interested in a great biography read.

I am not just reviewing this as good because I am a fan of Goldust or anything. I cannot even follow him on twitter. This is truely a great book.

Buy this Book!!, December 15, 2010
This book is great and everyone should go out and buy it.Whether you are a WWE fan or not you will enjoy Goldust story.He is hands down the most bizarre,entertaining and charismatic wwe superstar of all time.His story will show you that you can overcome anything! ... Read more

Editorial Review

The #1 New York Times bestseller with legs as strong as itsauthor's.

Lance Armstrong is one of the most talked about- and inspirational-sports figures of all time. He was Sports Illustrated 's 2002 Sportsman of the Year-and now, after hisrecord-shattering string of Tour de France victories, some are proclaiming him the greatest athlete of all time.

This is the book in which he shares his journey through triumph, tragedy, transformation, and transcendence. It is the story of a world-famous cyclist and his fight against cancer. ... Read more

Reviews

What an amazing book!, May 24, 2000
I'm a woman. I'm not a cyclist. I've never had cancer. I read mostly fiction. But this book absolutely blew me away. So much more than an athlete bio, this is a wonderfully told, brilliantly written story of a real American hero. The play-by-play cycling coverage is fascinating even to a non-cyclist and the detailed discussion of Lance's illness, treatment, and recovery is beyond inspiring. The look inside Lance's childhood, his love life, his amazing journey into fatherhood, and his role as a cancer activist is what brings the whole story home. So much more than a story of athletic achievement and cancer recovery, this is a story about triumph of the human spirit. I can't wait to root for Lance in this year's Tour de France and in the Olympics. Hopefully we'll be cheering him to victory for years to come. I have been talking about this book to anyone who will listen to me. Listen to me. Buy the book. You will not want to put it down. It is a story you will never forget.

A nice evenings read, July 13, 2000
I'm a physician and a bicycle racer and when I heard that LanceArmstrong had metastatic testicular cancer, my first thought, likemany in my field, was "He's dead." But Lance Armstrong's story has the happy Hollywood ending nobody expected four years ago. This isn't Shakespeare, but I found it to be compelling reading (a stay up til you finish it kind of read). I am especially appreciative of the insight into the human condition, how one responds to adversity by either giving up or fighting back. Many of his homilies such as "turning negatives into positives" struck a nerve with me, as I've come to expect setbacks to be followed by unexpected success because it's happened to me so many times. I'm pleased that the book is so popular, because maybe the rest of the world will stop thinking people like me aren't such freaks riding our bikes 50 miles in January. It offers a glimpse into our sport that most people don't get to see. But I mostly hope others find the human message of hope as inspirational as I did.

Truly Inspirational - A Must Read For All, July 2, 2000
I had and beat testicular cancer just like Lance Armstrong, so I could truly relate to the incredible obstacles that he described in his amazing book.

This sincerely is an amazing story. I just wish I could have read it when I was going through my intense radiation treatments in my recovery, because I feel it would have made things easier for me. In his book, Armstong brings this disease into the public view, and allows people to see that it truly doesn't have to be a part of death, but, in fact, a part of life.

There are many stories within the book. His childhood, his attitudes towards his father figures, his early racing career, his battle with cancer, the stuggle to get back on top of his game, his love life, and, his extemely personal march towards fatherhood. Each and every one of these minor stories gives an overall inspirational journey into Lance Armstrong's remarkable life.

The writing is nicely detailed and allows for a good, easy-flowing read. The racing-scenes are action-packed, and make you feel as if you are right there on the bike with him. Armstong tells his tale using candid language and relates his stories of life with honesty and a pure heart. This book is a true inspiration to anyone. Please read this book. You cannot go wrong.

That's MY book, too., December 11, 2000
After recently recovering from Cancer, my wife suggested that my "story" would make for a great book. I told her that there aren't too many people who would want to read about a nobody from New Jersey who went through a miserable experience with Cancer. I'd have to be a "somebody." Well, Lance Armstrong and Sally Jenkins wrote my book.

When I most recently saw media coverage of Lance's story and book, I was angry. I didn't want the public to believe that Cancer had a hollywood ending if you work hard and don't give up. There's nothing hollywood about Cancer and I resented the attention Lance was receiving. Then, I read the book.

IT'S REAL. Through the wonderfully constructed words of Sally Jenkins, and the raw, honest sentiments of Lance Armstrong, this book tells it like it is. Lance Armstrong is just like anyone else who happens to be diagnosed with a life-threatening illness. He is not a hero. He is not superhuman. He is human. And, in this book, he doesn't pretend to be anything but that.

This book takes you through all of the emotions of being a cancer patient; fear, sadness, anger, resentment, pity, hope, and so on. Though every patient is different, Lance's feelings echo those of myself and countless others who are in the survivor's club.

As a marathoner, I thoroughly enjoyed reading about Lance's cycling career. However, you don't have to be an athlete to appreciate his incredible drive, determination and accomplishments on a bike.

His story both on and off the bike is truly inspirational.

This book is for cancer patients and survivors. It is for their families and friends, who just can't fully understand what it is like to endure the physical and emotional challenges of the disease. It is for athletes of all skill levels, shapes and sizes. And, it is for ANYONE who needs a little perspective on just how precious life really is and what's important.

Thanks for reading.

A life cycle., August 15, 2000
Lance Armstrong's "It's Not About the Bike" resonates with the boundless, Tour de France-winning energy of its author. Armstrong tells his story with honesty and simplicity in a way that made me want to hear and know more, and not shrink back from the details of what it's like to have testicular cancer. As he talked about the person he was before and after fighting cancer, I could feel the post-cancer Lance emerge in the book - a person who woke up to what a difference people make in our lives, and what a difference we make to other people and to ourselves. I really like the following quote from the book: "The one thing the illness has convinced me of beyond all doubt --more than any experience I`ve had as an athlete--is that we are much better than we know."

I owe a great thanks to a reviewer of this book from Jersey City. The review spurred me on to read this book as well as another book she recommended "Working on Yourself Doesn't Work" by Ariel and Shya Kane. I've read many books that have pointed the way to a great life, but this one went right tothe heart of the matter - that trying to fix yourself keeps you stuck in the places you'd like get out of, but getting into the moment will set you free. Don't miss either of these books.

Essential Reading for Cancer Patients as Well as Athletes, June 14, 2000
This is one of the most inspirational biographies I have ever read, and comes from the truly remarkable life experiences of a determined young man. I loved every word!

Early in the book, Lance Armstrong says ". . . that cancer was the best thing that happened to me." He goes on to say, "When I was sick I saw more beauty and triumph and truth in a single day than I ever saw in a bike race."

Overcoming cancer and becoming an athletic champion in the grueling sport of bicycle racing require a toughness of spirit, mind, and body that is hard for most of us to imagine. This inspirational book portrays beautifully how one can start with the right spirit and overcome enormous obstacles.

Although his doctors told him he had a 40 percent chance of surviving stage three testical cancer, this was mostly to keep his morale up. After he had recovered, his doctor admitted that is chances were around 3 percent, instead.

While he was being treated for the cancer, no one thought that he might ever race again. He did decide to go through treatments that would leave open the possibility that his lungs (affected by the cancer) would still be functional and his coordination (through delicate brain surgery) would be unaffected. Within two years, he had won the Tour de France, a grueling race he had never done well in before he had cancer.

Growing up, Lance Armstrong had little reason to suspect that he would become one of the world's greatest athletes. He was well into high school, still trying pretty unsuccessfully to make the football and swimming teams, before it became clear that he could become a significant cyclist. Pleased with the money that success brought, he had a tough time building the attitude of a champion to go with his remarkable endurance skills. Overcoming cancer helped him with that, as well as seeing the beauty around him.

He met his wife at the press conference to announce the beginning of his foundation to fight cancer. They were married during his recovery, and recently became parents through the miracles of modern medicine.

Of such wonderful stuff are role models made, something we have too few of these days.

The story is told in a very open and matter-of-fact way. He is not trying to make himself into something that he isn't. Clearly, his purpose in writing this book is to help all of us fulfill our potential rather than to glorify himself.

Please share this book with people who need this inspiration.

It's not just about the biker, either, December 18, 2000
Wow! I just now finished the last page of Lance Armstrong's incredible story, and I had to share my thoughts and feelings. At several times throughout reading this book, I found tears welling up in my eyes (a bit self-consciously, as I did most of the reading in public places). I was touched and moved by the honesty of Lance's telling of all the aspects of his experience, as a champion bike-racer and as the conqueror of an almost-surely fatal disease, but mostly of his growth and unfolding as a person, his expanded awareness of the difference he has made and continues to make in peoples' lives.

In the last chapter, Lance says "The one thing the illness has convinced me of beyond all doubt--more than any experience I've had as an athlete--is that we are much better than we know. We have unrealized capacities that sometimes only emerge in crisis."

This statement sums up the sense he gives throughout the book, that it is not in fame or unparalled achievement that we can experience life's greatest satisfaction, but in the simple connections with our fellow human beings, in sharing our weaknesses and strengths, our joys and fears, life's daily triumphs over whatever "obstacles" appear. It is a lesson in living day by day, moment by moment, and not giving up, no matter what.

I expecially enjoyed the description of traveling in Europe with his future wife during his recuperation from chemotherapy, and really seeing the places that he had only raced in before, experiencing them in a totally new and unexpected way, by sharing them with the love of his life and seeing them through her eyes.

Another book that has profoundly impacted my life is "Working On Yourself Doesn't Work, a book about Instantaneous Transformation" by Ariel and Shya Kane. In a remarkably open and relaxed style, the Kanes explore through their own experiences what is possible when living in the moment, which is: love, satisfaction, joy, health, wealth, success in business and personal relationships, and freedom from the mechanical patterns that we all acquire as we grow up. I have seen all of these aspects blossom in my own life, without "working on" them, since reading the Kane's book. I am embracing the miraculous life that shows up every day, rather than bemoaning the one I thought I should have had. Buy and read this book! It's a personal handbook on having a great life!

Whether You Know Who He is or Not, May 18, 2000
A friend of mine passed me this book because I follow bicycle racing, but as the title implies, there's more to it then that. Lance Armstrong and Sally Jenkins do a great job of telling a story that one minute sounds super human, and the next, painfully human. Lance Armstrong's story before his fight with cancer would have been incredible enough. His struggle to simply stay alive and how that transforms his outlook on life is what makes this story fascinating. On the light hearted side: if you've ever listened to Lance Armstrong during a TV interview, you'll appreciate that none of his style is lost in how his story reads.

Lessons from a Hero, May 21, 2000
For those not inclined to reading anything, this is a quick read, not because it is simplistic (which it is not), but rather because the story is engrossing and ultimately, uplifting. For those not knowledgable about the world of competitive cycling, after reading this book you may find yourself tuning into this summer's Tour de France just to watch Lance do what he does best - living life.

From the opening sentence, Lance Armstrong makes it clear to his audience that this is not a book about the Tour de France (even though it is the subject of the longest chapter in the book), nor about cycling (though it serves as the constant backgrop of his story). Lance takes you with him, day by day, into his personal struggle with cancer, chemo, and near death. But he also shares the romance of finding true love and the personal gratification of winning the ultimate cycling challenge, the Tour de France. The book is filled with personal lessons found previously in other writings such as "Tuesdays With Morrie" - enjoy life, love those close to you, never quit.

In a time when role models are scarce, Lance Armstrong emerges as a true hero for all generations.

Inspirational, July 18, 2000
I read this book in one day because it was damn good. I wanted to covet every word written; it's about hope, it's about survival and it helps to know a little about the most grueling athletic event in the world - the Tour de France. How this man survived a major illness with a 2% chance of survival and got on his bike the very next year and won is a force of determination beyond human comprehension. ... Read more

Editorial Review

With frankness and compassion, Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist H.G. Bissinger's national bestseller chronicles the dramatic 1988 season of the Permian Panthers--the winningest high school football team in Texas history. Friday Night Lights shows how the town's singleminded devotion to the team shapes the community and inspires (or shatters) the teenagers who wear the uniforms. Featured on "Sixty Minutes." 26 halftones. ... Read more