Subjects:  1. Biography & Autobiography    2. Biography / Autobiography    3. Biography And Autobiography    4. Biography/Autobiography    5. Personal Memoirs    6. Specific Groups - Special Needs    7. Sports - General   

Reviews (3)

A GOOD COLLECTION OF STORIES
THIS IS A GREAT COLLECTION OF STORIES COVERING JEWISH ATHLETES. FROM MARK SPITZ TO SANDY KOUFAX, EACH PERSON IS COVERED IN NICE DETAIL TELLING A BIT OF THEIR LIFE AND WHAT THEY CONTRIBUTED TO THEIR SPORT. I REALLY FOUND THIS ENTERTAINING AND INTERESTING. A RECOMMENDED READ.

gift well received
I gave this as a Bat Mitzvah gift to a young woman who is into sports.Her mother reported that she really enjoyed it!

Encyclopedic!
Outside the names of Sandy Koufax and Mark Spitz, it's hard to rattle off a list of great Jewish athletes. For me, this encyclopedia of Jewish athletes (complete with photos) offered encouragement in the field ofathletics, and I think this can be a very empowering book for aspiringJewish athletes in any sport. It's fun to flip each page and learn aboutanother exciting career! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Biography & Autobiography    2. Biography / Autobiography    3. Biography/Autobiography    4. Ethnic Cultures - General    5. Jewish - General    6. Sports - General   

Reviews (11)

An interesting insight into the sport of ultra marathon running...
I enjoyed this book immensely.It offered a great insight into how ultra marathon runners can run to extremes and what truly drives them.It also makes you aware of the sacrifices athletes do make in order to be at the top of their game.Pam has a witty personality and you feel that you really get to know her from reading this book.

Great book!
I read the reviews before buying and was a little reluctant; however, I decided a while ago I wanted to read it.I bought it anyway.Pam writes on a very personal level and tells of things many people would never have the courage to reveal to others.I thought this was a great book and am so glad I bought it.Be your own judge and don't let other people decide whether or not you will like something or someone.You might miss out on a lot of good things and people if you let someone else make the choice.I would recommend Dean K's book as well rather than compare this book to it.They both are great reads and very motivational!Any book that makes you want to get outside and take to the street, trail, etc. is a plus.

pass on it
This is the first time I've felt compelled to leave a review.I'm planning to try my first ultra event next spring and myquest for inspiration, motivation and information hit the wall by chapter two in this book.I found her writing to be flat, with a selfish edge that was most unappealing.I found the added quotes from her boys and others to be a feeble attempt to add a rosy hue to a womans story that is less than inspiring. Finally, I'd like to say that while Pam's many accompishments are impressive, and I do appreciate her efforts to level the playing field among women and men, by making herself appear "ok" with anorexia and so much talk about herself as what appears to be less than nurturing mother she doesn't do the female athlete justice. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Biography    2. Biography & Autobiography    3. Biography / Autobiography    4. Biography/Autobiography    5. General    6. Personal Memoirs    7. Runners (Sports)    8. Sports - General    9. United States    10. Women runners    11. Biography & Autobiography / Sports    12. Cross-country running    13. True stories of endurance & survival   

Reviews (29)

No Excuses:The True Story of a Congenital Amputee Who Became a Champion in Wrestling and in Life
Awe-inspiring!

Inspirational
Watching a second feature about Kyle Maynard, the congenital amputee (born without arms and legs), on the Oprah show spurred me to buy this book. As expected Kyle adeptly chronicles his journey through the course of his 19-year life via his experiences growing up, especially through his participation in organized football and wrestling. In his autobiography Kyle spreads the inspirational message of his "No Excuses" attitude and philosophy towards life- an attitude that has helped him to reach a sense of normalcy in life as an amputee with obvious physical challenges. Through Kyle's eyes we get a glimpse of how one person overcomes challenges, like learning to eat with silverware, putting on clothes, making friends, or striving to make the high school varsity wrestling team. Kyle says over and over again that it was the love of his family and the love of his God and savior Jesus Christ who have helped him become a "champion in wrestling and in life".
Wow!!
Truely inspiring! I can't put the book down!This is a must read! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Amputees    2. Athletes with disabilities    3. Biography    4. Biography & Autobiography    5. Biography / Autobiography    6. Biography And Autobiography    7. Biography/Autobiography    8. Handicapped    9. Specific Groups - Special Needs    10. Sports - General    11. United States    12. Wrestlers    13. Wrestling    14. Non-Classifiable   

Reviews (35)

Founder of Modern Day Karate
Gichin Funakoshi, an Okinawan transplant who was later known as the Founder of Modern Day Karate did a great job of recording hisdaily habits and personal thoughts which many pertains to the training of karate.This book did gave me a small insight of what and how Funakoshi Sensei lived his life.
One of the First Men Who Brough Karate into the Modern Age
Funakoshi Gichen was many things to many people.Although today he is for the most part remembered and respected as the founder of the style we know today as Shotokan, Funakoshi Gichen was also a school Teacher, a family man, a man educated in the Confucian classics, a practitioner and teacher of Karate, and an Okinawan who undertook the task of bringing the art of Karate-Do from its native island of Okinawa to the Japanese Mainland in his later years.
From the Mouth of the Master
Ginchin Funakoshi has been credited with modernizing karate.He is also the first to open a dojo (karate school) in Tokyo.Whether he is actually the father of modern Karate or not is not relevant because he is truly a recognized Grand-Master.This is his story of both his life, karate, and the philosophies the martial artist follows.He also explodes some of the more famous myths that seem to surround karate and other martial arts such as ripping a man's heart out with your bare hands.
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Subjects:  1. 1868-1957    2. Biography/Autobiography    3. Funakoshi, Gichin,    4. Karate    5. Martial Arts & Self-Defense    6. Martial Arts - Karate    7. Sports & Recreation    8. Biography: sport   

Features

• Illustrated

Subjects:  1. Biography    2. Biography & Autobiography    3. Biography/Autobiography    4. Football - College    5. Football - General    6. Football players    7. History    8. Sports & Recreation    9. Sports - General    10. United States    11. Virginia Tech Hokies (Football team)    12. Cultural Region/South Atlantic    13. Cultural Region/Southeast U.S.    14. Geographic Orientation/Virginia    15. Sports & Recreation / Football    16. Sports & Recreation/History   

Reviews (10)

A Shy Man With Inner Strength of Iron
I have seen Chuck Norris interviewed on several TV shows and he comes across as a very soft spoken shy man, yet you can tell he has a very powerful inner strength.In his career he has helped countless young people who doubted themselves to pick themselves up from despair and a feeling of uselessness and to believe in themselves and to do something great with their lives.He cares for his fellow man and has given of himself when he didn't have to.This book allows you to see inside his heart and to see and feel the struggles he has gone through and conquered.Chuck Norris is a Winner and so is this book.It is definitely a must read.Someone should do a movie on his life!He started at the bottom (he failed his first black belt test) and came out on top.

I came away with More Respect for the man...
I like action movies, and TV. Chuck Norris is reliable and delivers in his films. But this book reveals a depth of character that seems to be depressiongly rare in the entertainment business.
A "Not-So-Common" Common Man's Journey!
Martial arts and film buffs will enjoy this book, which is a straightforward autobiography (written with the assistance of Joe Hyams).Be forwarned that this book was published in 1988 (at least my hardcover version), so the filmography doesn't cover his more recent works. Read more

Subjects:  1. 1940-    2. Actors    3. Biography    4. Biography / Autobiography    5. Biography/Autobiography    6. Martial artists    7. Norris, Chuck,    8. Sports - General    9. United States   

Reviews (20)

Not Personal, Only Professional
The best way to destroy sales is for the "author" to blast portions of the book.
Sounds like the rantings of a confused teenager
The man is 30 and still acts like he is in high school.

T.O. Review
Recently I read the book TO by Terrell Owens with Jason Rosenhaus. The book is written by Terrell Owens, otherwise known as "TO", to tell the media his side of the conflict between him and the Philadelphia Eagles organization. It all starts when Terrell and the team's quarterback Donovan McNab get in a minor dispute, but the two strong personalities go at it for the remainder of the season and manage to drag the head coach Andy Reid into it. The trouble only gets bigger when the media continues to accuse Terrell of different things like faking an injury, and starting a fight with a teammate. Things continue to plummet down when Terrell feels he deserves more money than he is making and the Eagles management disagree.
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Subjects:  1. 1973-    2. Biography    3. Biography / Autobiography    4. Biography/Autobiography    5. Blacks And Sports    6. Football    7. Football - General    8. Football players    9. History    10. Owens, Terrell,    11. People of Color    12. Personal Memoirs    13. Philadelphia Eagles (Football team)    14. Sports & Recreation    15. Sports - Football    16. Sports - General    17. United States    18. Sports & Recreation / Football   

Features

• Illustrated

Reviews (2)

An engaging memoir that deserves a wide audience
This engaging memoir deserves a wide audience.Anyone interested in bodybuilding, weightlifting, sports medicine, the history of the fitness movement, magazine publishing, marketing, motivational thought, Napoleonic history, or diplomacy will find this book worth reading.Schwarzenegger fans may learn a few new things about the Governator, who was Joe "Master Blaster" Weider's star protégé in the early 70's and features prominently in the narrative.
Best book on bodybuilding ever
I've been a collector of bodybuilding memorabilia
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Subjects:  1. Biography    2. Biography & Autobiography    3. Biography/Autobiography    4. Bodybuilders    5. Bodybuilding & Weight Training    6. Brothers    7. Canada    8. Motivational    9. Sports & Recreation    10. Sports - General    11. Sports & Recreation / Bodybuilding & Weight Training    12. Weider, Ben    13. Weider, Joe   

Editorial Review

An inside look at the higher wisdom of teamwork from Chicago Bulls' head coach Phil Jackson.At the heart of the book is Jackson'sphilosophy of mindful basketball -- and his lifelong quest to bring enlightenment to the competitive world of professional sports, beginning with a focus on selfless team play rather than "winning through intimidation".Read more

Reviews (53)

Not just for basketball fans
As a yoga instructor and athletic trainer who works with professional athletes, I wish I had found this book sooner. I just read it and plan to reread it again. Amazing. Absolutely thought-provoking.You'll find yourself thinking about this one in the shower, just contemplating Phil's wisdom and how you can apply it to your own life. Anyone considering or presently on a path to spirituality and self awareness--no basketball interest or experience required--should read this book. If you want to gain a better understanding of the value of staying present in the moment, I urge you to pick up this book and let Phil Jackson enlighten you. If I ever decide to lead yoga teacher trainings in the future, this will be required reading! --Dana Edison, author and creator of "Dana Edison's Yoga Is Not One Size Fits All Custom Practice Journal" and audio instruction series.

It brought me peace.
When I was going through a very hard time in my life, my boxing trainer recommended I read this book.I'm not a basketball fan and am not normally into self-help books either.Phil Jackson takes the reader down a spiritual road that overlaps with his career as a professional basketball coach.I've found some of his techniques and philosophies have brought great mental peace to me, while the stories of the professional sports business were interesting and entertaining.

Brutally honest
If you like a teaspoon of New Age mumbo jumbo combined with a mustachioed author's psycho-babble, I suggest you check out Star Jones new book. Phil Jackson has had greatness thrust upon him. Michael Jordan, Stacey King, Kobe Bryant, and Shaq are the reason we know his name. Not his Jerry Garcia, Phoenix University degree, dimestore analysis of the spiritual side of coaching and people management. Make him the coach of the Trailblazers and see how great he is. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Basketball - General    2. Basketball coaches    3. Biography    4. Biography / Autobiography    5. Biography/Autobiography    6. Chicago Bulls (Basketball team)    7. Ethnic Studies - Native American Studies - Spirituality    8. General    9. Jackson, Phil    10. Sports & Recreation    11. Sports - Basketball    12. United States    13. Sports & Recreation / Basketball   

Reviews (1)

Keep looking.Brunt didn't find him.
This is a reasonably well-written book by somebody who is supposed to be an expert on sports, though some of his hyperbole makes me wonder about that.(He describes a game where Orr got three goals and two assists as the most amazing, incredible, unbelievable performance by a defenceman in the history of the sport, when half a dozen defencemen had had 4 goal games, others had 6+ point games, and Orr himself would do better in subsequent years.)
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Subjects:  1. Biography & Autobiography    2. Biography / Autobiography    3. Biography/Autobiography    4. Hockey - General    5. Sports - General   

Reviews (1)

Great player with even greater motivation
This book is a must have for anyone who's ever had a dream and dared to follow it.Daugherty does a tremendous job at revealing the real Johnson--not just the hyperactive player we see on Sundays. The heart and dedication Johnson puts into the game he truly loves is portrayed through his work ethic, his motivation, and the people who helped shaped him into the man he is today. Daugherty captures this in a such a wonderful way. A great read for any football fan. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. 1978-    2. Biography    3. Biography / Autobiography    4. Cincinnati Bengals (Football team)    5. Football - General    6. Football - Professional    7. Football players    8. Johnson, Chad,    9. Sports    10. Sports & Recreation    11. Sports - Football    12. United States   

Reviews (7)

Racing Past The Finish Line
Like running a marathon, there are great highs and some steep lows in Duel in the Sun, but it is well worth the read.
duels in the crown
Great race, great story and very well told.
Duel In The Sun
I had previously read Beardsley's book "Staying The Course: A Runner's Toughest Race" so I knew most of the details about the 1984 Boston Marathon but "Duel in the Sun" is an excellent book due to the behind the scenes details of not only the race but the lives of Alberto Salazar and Dick Beardsley. You don't have to be a marathon runner to truely appreciate what these two men went through in their lives as well as in their running. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. 1958-    2. Beardsley, Dick    3. Biography    4. Biography / Autobiography    5. History    6. Runners (Sports)    7. Running    8. Running & Jogging    9. Salazar, Alberto,    10. Sports    11. Sports & Recreation    12. Sports - General    13. United States   

Subjects:  1. Biography / Autobiography    2. Hockey - General    3. Personal Memoirs    4. Sports    5. Sports & Recreation    6. Sports - General    7. Ice hockey    8. Sports & Recreation / Hockey   

Editorial Review

Ultra-marathoner Dean Karnazes claims "There is magic in misery." While it would be easy to write off his habit of running for 100 miles at a time—or longer—as mere masochism, it's impossible to not admire his tenacity in pushing his body to reach one extreme goal after another. Sure, it's gory to read about how he lost one of his big toenails from shoe friction during the Western States Endurance Run. But what registers more is that here's a guy competing in an event that includes 38,000 feet of elevation change--the equivalent of scaling the Empire State Building 30 times.Read more

Reviews (94)

You'll be an all-night reader.
I picked this up on a whim while waiting in line and had finished it by the next evening. If you were ever a long-distance runner, you'll find yourself grinning and nodding because you can relate to everything. This book gave me such a strong desire to run ultras that I would have started training immediately if I wasn't grounded by my knees. As it was, I went out and did 12 miles, then remembered why I can't do that anymore. My marathoning friends are getting this for Christmas.

Ouch! It's gotta hurt!
...reading the book, I mean.At least if you care about things like quality of writing, insightfulness, and some semblance of a balanced view of an intriguing, punishing sport.
Inspirational and motivational
As somebody who is training for a marathon, I picked this book up for some needed motivation. Dean's book does not disappoint. While much of this memoir had me thinking "this guy's crazy!" I enjoyed the anecdotes about the things that he does or happen to him while he's on the run. And I truly do find his boundless willpower inspiring. I am pretty sure I won't keel over now if I do another mile, and eventually that nagging pain in my ------- (insert body part) will subside so I can finish up my scheduled long run.
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Subjects:  1. 1962-    2. Biography / Autobiography    3. Karnazes, Dean,    4. Personal Memoirs    5. Running    6. Running & Jogging    7. Sports    8. Sports & Recreation    9. Sports - General    10. Biography & Autobiography / Sports   

Reviews (4)

How to Best Live Life
I would give this book 10 stars if I could. First, I should mention this is *not* a book about running any more than Moby-Dick is a book about whales. Rather, it is a discourse on how best to live one's life, written by someone near the end of his. I read this every year, and every year I'm amazed at how wise Dr. Sheehan was.Like Shakespeare or the Bible, it opens up to me the more I read it, and every time I learn something new, if only because I've changed and understand it better through experience.It helps me measure my own growth. I can't express what an influence it has been.

Going The Distance : All Sold Out
I bought this book when it first came out in 1996. I have now just gotten around tor reading it (1999). I am bad about putting off things I suspect are going to be very good (Delayed gratification). this book will touch every runners heart
This was the first running book I ever read, I am trying to read all of his books. But some are hard to come across. A touching story of a man and such a stong devotion of the meaning "life," god bless him. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Biography / Autobiography    2. Biography/Autobiography    3. Cancer    4. Cancer (Psychosocial Aspects)    5. Death    6. Death, Grief, Bereavement    7. Health, Exercise & Fitness    8. Patients    9. Psychological aspects    10. Sheehan, George    11. United States    12. Biography: sport    13. Non-Classifiable    14. Track & field sports, athletics   

Editorial Review

Walter Payton's premature passing forced a rethinking of hisautobiography that completely sidesteps the self-importance that dominatessports memoirs in general. Read more

Reviews (33)

Long Live Walter
Walter Payton was a phenomenal football player.He spent all 13 of his years playing for the bears.The Bears drafted him in 1975 from Jackson State University.Walter Payton broke a lot of records in his time; he had 125 career touchdowns which is seventh on the all time scoring list.Walter Payton only missed one game in his entire 13 year career.Overall I thought that this was a great autobiography.I highly recommend this book if you are interested in Walter Payton. He was a great athlete and will be missed very much.

Sweetness
An incredible book for a incredible man.Being a fan, I was skeptical before I started.I thought this book would not really come together since Walter died before it was completed.I really enjoyed this book and recommend it to others, fan or not.

Never die easy, but always be humble
The theme of this book could be that while it is important to "Never Die Easy" it is perhaps even more important to be humble about your success.
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Subjects:  1. 1954-1999    2. Biography    3. Biography & Autobiography    4. Biography / Autobiography    5. Biography/Autobiography    6. Football - General    7. Football players    8. Payton, Walter,    9. Sports - Football    10. Sports - General    11. United States    12. Biography & Autobiography / Sports   

Reviews (43)

My Losing Season is no loser...
Okay, I admit it, I'm not a big basketball fan. Still,I would read anything Pat Conroy penned--including the owner's manual to my DVD player. My Losing Season shows a more mature author reminicsing about a magical time in a young man's life. Not magical because it was perfect, but because it wasn't. Conroy's writing is not only about college ball, it reflects all that life offers in a clearer, deeper stye and tone than in his previous novels. Conroy's work resonates more than ever.

Wisdom for Writers in My Losing Season
There are many reasons why people write. It's cathartic, for one. You can get off your chest whatever's been eating at you. You can be the hand of justice and dish out rewards and penalties like the gods of ancient Greece. Some people write simply to tell a good story. They have imaginations that cannot stop. There are stories in their heads, relentless, begging to get out. And then others write because they have learned something, and they have something to say. They have wisdom that can only truly be learned the hard way, through painful experience.
My favorite read this year
Maybe even my favorite read ever. This book was a pleasant surprise to me even with my wife's endorsement. She thought I would like it because she did and she couldn't even follow the details of the many basketball games that the author describes. Having played some basketball, I was captivated by Pat Conroy's account of his games and I found myself re-reading some of those passages. This is one of those books that make you feel that you are sharing some of the same feelings that the author is feeling- the joy of winning, the disappointment of losing, and the fear of his father's reactions.
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Subjects:  1. 20th century    2. Basketball    3. Basketball - College    4. Basketball players    5. Biography    6. Biography & Autobiography    7. Biography / Autobiography    8. Biography/Autobiography    9. Charleston    10. College sports    11. Conroy, Pat - Prose & Criticism    12. Literary    13. Novelists, American    14. Personal Memoirs    15. South Carolina    16. Sports - Basketball    17. Sports - General    18. Sports & Recreation / General   

Reviews (15)

A Book For All Soul Surfers

A hero on many levels
This book is a true story with many messages.Eddie Aikau was a hero many times over, a warrior waterman.He was a hero to the many whose lives he saved.He was a hero to the Hawaiian culture.He was a hero to his crewmates on the Hokuleia.
Great Read (even for us New Englanders)
I had never heard of Eddie Aiku until 2 months ago when I went to Hawaii and read a sidebar about him in a "blue book."At first I thought "Eddie Would Go" was just a macho mentality and I thought I was going to read a story about someone daring and tough.After reading I know the meaning behind "Eddie would go" is so much deeper...
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Subjects:  1. 1946-1978    2. Aikau, Eddie,    3. Biography    4. Biography / Autobiography    5. Biography/Autobiography    6. Hawaii    7. Lifeguards    8. Sports - General    9. Surfers    10. Water Sports   

Reviews (1)

A BALANCED PORTRAIT
DORA LIVES is a posthumous biography on Miki Dora, a pioneering surfer from the 1950s and 1960s, and on page 23, it says this about artistic temperament: