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Subjects:  1. 1912-    2. Biography    3. Biography / Autobiography    4. General    5. Golf - General    6. Golfers    7. Hogan, Ben,    8. Pictorial works    9. Sports    10. Sports & Recreation    11. Sports - General    12. United States    13. Biography & Autobiography / Sports    14. Biography: sport    15. Golf    16. Hogan, Ben    17. Sports & Recreation/Golf - General    18. Outdoors   

Editorial Review

Lou Gehrig started his professional baseball career at a time when players began to be seen as national celebrities. Though this suited charismatic men such as Babe Ruth and Joe DiMaggio, Gehrig avoided the spotlight and preferred to speak with his bat. Best known for playing in 2,130 consecutive games as well as his courage in battling amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (a disease that now bears his name), the Iron Horse that emerges from this book is surprisingly naïve and insecure. He would cry in the clubhouse after disappointing performances, was painfully shy around women (much to the amusement of some of his teammates), and particularly devoted to his German-immigrant mother all his life. Even after earning the league MVP award he still feared the Yankees would let him go. Against the advice of Ruth and others, he refused to negotiate aggressively and so earned less than he deserved for many seasons. Honest, humble, and notoriously frugal, his only vices were chewing gum and the occasional cigarette. And despite becoming one of the finest first basemen of all time, Jonathan Eig shows how Gehrig never seemed to conquer his self-doubt, only to manage it better. Read more

Reviews (54)

A Gentlemanly Hero
Even though it's 70 years after Lou Gehrig ran the bases, Mr. Eig has crafted a masterpiece that brings this athlete to life before our eyes. We see his rise to stardom as a quiet hero, and we see his hearbreaking descent into the physical hell of ALS.Everyone knows how this book will end, but even so, the final act will leave you weeping.
I'm 14, so call me a kid if you want
This book was the best biography I have ever read. I absolutely hate the Yankees with all my heart, but this book makes you love the Yankees a little bit more. Eig gave a good balance of personal life and baseball life where he excelled in both. The only complaint I have is that the 2-3 chapters of ALS coverage was really boring. All the letters to read were a pain and I just wanted to get done with it, but don't be discouraged to read it because everything else is flawless.

Triple Crown Winner!
Having read a number of biographies about Lou Gehrig, I was looking forward to reading this one and I was not disappointed.Mr. Eig gives us insight into the childhood of Gehrig, along with the domineering role that his mother played in his life.As he begins his professional career, we are privy to the insecurity that he experienced, even in times of success.In addition, we see the conflicted Lou when he marries and it causes problems with his mother. Finally we watch as A.L.S. chokes the life out of a strong and courageous man.This in an awesome and insightful work. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. 1903-1941    2. Baseball    3. Baseball - History    4. Biography & Autobiography    5. Biography / Autobiography    6. Biography And Autobiography    7. Biography/Autobiography    8. Gehrig, Lou,    9. Sports - Baseball    10. Sports - General    11. Biography & Autobiography / Sports   

Reviews (10)

Great book of history
I loved "Seabiscuit" as I had always admired the horse for his come-from-behind tactics and his rags to riches story. Man O' War was the total opposite...and maybe that's the one and only shortcoming of any book telling about him.....he almost always won, so you kind of "know the ending."
Excellent read
I now know so much about horse racing, at least during the 1920s, that it is a little unsettling. Dorothy Ours did a fabulous job of weaving the undercurrents of greed, malice, honor, dysfunctional personalities, and stark honesty (not especially common) of the horse racing world of the time around that incredible being, Man O War. I suppose you could say that she used Man O War, his accomplishments and talents, as a backdrop for illumination to highlight the condition of humanity, then and now. Honesty does not always get its reward, nor honor its justice. Capability does not always get its glory. Greed, avarice,malice do not always get their just desserts.It is a bittersweet picture of reality. Still, the wonder of the horse shines.

Seabiscuit's Grandad
While this book will be compared to Lauren Hillenbrand's Seabiscuit, probably to its detriment, it is exciting in its own way.Seabiscuit told a rags-to-riches story.Man O'War's story was a riches-to-riches tale and so lacks some of the suspense.
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Subjects:  1. Biography    2. Horse Racing    3. Man o' War (Race horse)    4. Race horses    5. Sports    6. Sports & Recreation    7. Sports - General    8. United States    9. Sports & Recreation / Horse Racing   

Reviews (14)

I wish I knew what Bo Knows
This piece is a look at the upbringing of Bo Jackson.He discusses his past and what brought him to his successes in life.It is watered down with numbers and flashbacks of games that not many remember.The saving graces in this book are the stories in regard to charitable works Bo has done, as well as Dick Schaap and his mid chapter-per chapter writings.
More than One Chance
More than One Chance
SuperMan meets the Incredible Hulk = BO JACKSON
In my opinion, one of the greatest athletes to come along post-1970s (that generation had Ali, Wilt, Alcindor, Hank Aaron, Jenner, Hamill, Franco Harris, Evelyn Ashford, Archie Griffin, Bjorn Borg, George McGinnis ... some of the biggest names in sport!).
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Subjects:  1. 1962-    2. Baseball    3. Baseball players    4. Biography    5. Biography & Autobiography    6. Biography/Autobiography    7. Football    8. Football players    9. Jackson, Bo,    10. Sports - General    11. United States    12. Jackson, Bo    13. Non-Classifiable   

Reviews (13)

What about faith?
It's hard to rate Sander's book.If you're a secular humanist, then fine, 5 stars.If you're a Christian, watch out, 3 at best, unless you classify it as a counter-example.I bought the book to try to help my daughter get the most out of athletics, but what I found was an eye-opener.The arguments are filled with reasoning that undermines the Christian faith: 1. You can do anything if you set your mind to it.A nice can-do attitude, but what about the grace of God?Summer forgot that she never had a debilitating traffic accident (try getting Olympic swimming gold with one leg) or a disease (thyroiditis will leave you in bed, not in a pool swimming laps) or a random act of violence against her.She, plus her parental guidance, were all that was needed.Hmmm...2. Next is the issue of pure selfishness.Who really benefits from her pursuit of gold?Summer.Hours each day serving one person - yourself - when you could be serving others.I don't see another way to slice that.She makes a weak argument that not using your skill is selfish.Well, if you have a great physical talent, use if for something physically challenging that will help other people (armed forces, police, construction, anything).3. The problem with spectator sports in general is (and yes, I'm a man and I don't watch sports) that the essence of sports is pride - showing that you are "better" than everyone else.Sanders pretty much states that this was her goal.Well, pride is one of the things that God hates the most.So to make your life's pursuit the goal of showing you are better than everyone else at anything is a pretty hollow existence.It's not surprising then that her second career choice is broadcasting ("look at me!" all over again).4. Letting the kid call the shots - I let my child make decisions based on her age.I don't assume she has more wisdom than I.I would discourage my kid from taking four or more hours per day, outside of school, in a selfish, prideful pursuit.(And lastly, let's not forget that the parable of "talents" in the Bible is one of the most widely misunderstood and misapplied passages.Its meaning is in using your talents to expand the kingdom of God, not in expanding the glorification of yourself.)
Summer's Olympic Wins were a product of her Family's Support
In Summer Sander's book Champions are Raised, not Born she talks about her life and how her parents affected it.Summer believed that the measure of a true champion I show well they take a defeat and Summer was about to take them in stride.Summer believed that her four Olympic medals were not just from her hard work but from the support of her parents and coaches also.Her childhood wasn't easy with the divorce of her parents but no matter whose house she was at she had both of their support.In her childhood swimming was just something she did to make friends and take up time but it ended up changing her whole life. Couldn't put it down
As a former swimmer and as a parent of 3 age-groups swimmers I figured this book would provide some insight into success.However, i didn't anticipate how much insight I would take away from it.It is truly amazing how much Ms. Sanders had been able to accomplish in her life and it is refreshing to see that someone so young had everything in the proper perspective.Read more

Subjects:  1. Biography    2. Biography / Autobiography    3. Entertainment & Performing Arts - Television Personalities    4. Family & Relationships    5. Family/Marriage    6. Parent and child    7. Parenting - General    8. Sanders, Summer    9. Sports    10. Sports - General    11. Swimmers    12. Swimming    13. United States    14. Women    15. Women swimmers    16. Family & Relationships / Parenting   

Reviews (5)

If you like this sort of book, this is the sort of book you'll like
Smokey Yunick lived a long and interesting life, and damn near ALL of it is in this book.It's a great story, but I hesitate to call it a great book.
Best Damn Garage in Town:My Life and Adventures
A great read by one of my heros! I have never laughed so much than at Smokey's homespun sayings and observations. I also learned a lot about other people of his era that I admire.

Smokey was certainly his own man...
I lived in Daytona in the late 60's and stopped by his garage on occasion. Smokey didn't usually have much to say to you and kept all the "good stuff" in the back room. This book is an honest account of the way the man was...vulgar, straight from the hip and due,I suppose,to his age and recollection rather rambling. All in all an entertaining read especially if you were around and interested in racing during his era... ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Biography & Autobiography    2. Biography/Autobiography    3. Motor Sports    4. Sports - General    5. United States - 20th Century   

Editorial Review

If the subtitle of this delicious collection of Yogi-isms has you scratching your head, it has done its job as stunningly as Berra used to do his behind the plate at Yankee Stadium. The Hall of Fame MVP catcher for the pinstriped dynasties of the late 1940s through the '50s and into the '60s, Berra was about as quick with his witticisms as he was with his bat and glove. But if his observations hit the heart of the plate, his grammar tended to pop out of left field, hence the creation of a unique mode of malapropism dubbed the Yogi-ism.To truly understand the title, you need to know that not every mot ascribed to Yogi actually emanated from his mouth--they only sounded like they should have. Thus, he really Read more

Reviews (25)

A great book that is is short, concise and not long :)
This is a must have for Yogi Berra fans or just anybody who appreciates baseball in an older, more pure era. This book contains not only his most famous quotes, but many from his personal life at home as well. The book is short (30 minute read). It is definately well worth reading or at least scanning through.

Short but funny with some ponderables
This small book contains many of Yogi Berra's humorous, and sometimes thought-provoking, statements.I added over 30 to my quotes collection.He explains how many originated and that he did not say some of the sayings attributed to him (p. 9: I really didn't say everything I said).Quite a few of them have been quoted so often as to have become part of our culture:
Enjoy the read, but don't take this book as historical fact
Yogi really DIDN'T say everything that's attributed to him. A whole cottage industry for sports writers has sprung up inventing way too clever stuff and putting it in Yogi's mouth.Read more

Subjects:  1. 1925-    2. Baseball    3. Baseball - General    4. Baseball managers    5. Baseball players    6. Berra, Yogi,    7. Biography & Autobiography    8. Biography/Autobiography    9. Quotations    10. Quotations, maxims, etc    11. Sports & Recreation    12. Sports - General    13. United States    14. Berra, Yogi    15. English    16. Humour    17. Other prose: from c 1900 -    18. Sports & Recreation / Baseball / General    19. USA   

Editorial Review

In 1979, Lesra, a 16-year-old African American boy from an impoverished Brooklyn neighborhood, befriended three thirtysomething Canadians in the borough on business. The boy, whom the Canadians flew to Toronto to visit them, had led a life so far from the comforts of nature that he stumbled trying to walking on a lawn. Charmed by the exuberant and obviously intelligent Lesra (Lazarus), and aware that without decent health care, a safe environment, or an education he would have little or no hope of success in his dangerous neighborhood, this exceptional group of people invited him to live with and be educated by them. Lesra thrived under their watch--but the story of Read more

Reviews (19)

Good Story ...Told Not So Well
I really enjoyed the Ruber Carter biography The 16th Round. Carter is an amazing writer and he has an amazing life story. I figured this book would be sort of a follow up to his book taking us from incarceration in the end of 16th Round to freedom in Lazarus...
Fair treatment of two great stories
This book is not as well-written as some of the other books out there, but the stories it tackles are certainly interesting.
Inspiring Lives
Two stories in one book, the first part about a young man named Lesra (short for Lazarus) and then the full history of Rubin Carter known as the Hurricane, a black American framed for a crime he never committed and wrongfully imprisoned.A third influence which shadows both stories is a group of people known as the Canadians, their motivations are not revealed to the reader yet without the actions taken by these Canadians the stories with happy endings told in this book would not have been possible.
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Subjects:  1. 1937-    2. Biography & Autobiography    3. Biography / Autobiography    4. Biography/Autobiography    5. Boxing    6. Carter, Rubin,    7. Case studies    8. Crime    9. Judicial error    10. New Jersey    11. Passaic County    12. People of Color    13. Political Freedom & Security - Civil Rights    14. Sports - General    15. Trials (Murder)    16. Trials, litigation, etc    17. United States    18. Biography: sport    19. Carter, Rubin   

Reviews (73)

Nice alternative to the Gracie books
I had two Gracie Jiu-Jitsu books, but there was always one thing that bothered me about their philosophy and approach, they always make it seem as if all you need is really good technique and nothing else matters, and I just can't agree with their idea that weight training and muscle power aren't really that important? I think having a strong body is equally important to good technique so I thought maybe Ken Shamrock's book would incorporate that more (obviously by looking at his body that must be part of his training) Sure enough this book gave me what I was looking for, some insight into how a power wrestler/fighter goes about things. If you are sick of the wimpy Gracie way then this gives you some good perspective on the power game.

Wonderful Insight Into The Man Personally & Professionally

not quite in line with reality
This is a great book for early history points of the UFC and to give an idea of some of the training that goes into this type of fighting, but the rivalry with Dan Severn is mis-portrayed.
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Subjects:  1. 1964-    2. Biography    3. Biography & Autobiography    4. Martial Arts & Self-Defense    5. Martial artists    6. Martial arts    7. Shamrock, Ken,    8. Sports    9. Sports & Recreation    10. Sports - General    11. United States    12. Biography: sport    13. Oriental martial arts    14. Shamrock, Ken   

Reviews (5)

Extraordinary book
A cover blurb on Christine Brennan's new book uses the word "heartfelt." I'm very surprised that all of the reviewers didn't include "heart" somewhere in their comments. This is the most magical book. Not only for Brennan's wonderful relationship with her father. I was moved equally by the sense of Christine Brennan that emerges from her writing. This is a valuable book, a blessing for the world. It glows with the magic of the heart - for sports, child-raising, and life. In a world that perversely tries to discount the heart's feelings, her book provides overwhelming evidence of the need for love.

Memorable and touching
When I saw this book, I knew immediately that I'd be interested in it. I mean, Christine Brennan was the Washington Post beat writer for the Redskins in the mid-80s when I lived in DC as well, and as she jokingly puts it, being the Redskins beat writer was the second most important beat, after the White House beat, unless the Redskins played the Cowboys. So I remember well her byline in the Post Sports section from those days.
Memories
I was in tears at the first chapter, as my father too introduced me to sports.Much of what Ms. Brennan has written brings me back to the wonderful memories of my Dad and our love for the Detroit Tigers.I gave the book to my Dad for Fathers Day.I only wish I had the talent to have written such a wonderful memorial to my father.Thank you, Christine. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Biography    2. Biography & Autobiography    3. Biography / Autobiography    4. Biography/Autobiography    5. Editors, Journalists, Publishers    6. Family relationships    7. Fathers and daughters    8. Personal Memoirs    9. Sociology of Sports    10. Sports - General    11. Sports Journalism    12. United States    13. Women    14. Women In The U.S.    15. Women sportswriters    16. Biography & Autobiography / Women   

Editorial Review

Here comes the story of the Hurricane: On June 17, 1966, two men entered the Lafayette Grill in Paterson, New Jersey, and shot four people, killing three. Rubin "Hurricane" Carter, a onetime contender for the middleweight boxing crown, and John Artis, an acquaintance of Carter's, were charged with the murders. In a highly publicized and racially loaded trial, the prosecution hinged its case upon the convoluted and contradictory testimonies of two lifelong criminals, and failed to present any definitive evidence of Carter and Artis's guilt. Nonetheless, both innocent men were sentenced to life in prison. Read more

Reviews (41)

Emotional Story Chronicling One Setback After Another
The life of Rubin Carter is certainly worth reading about regardless of what side of the debate you are on. Many people feel passionate about both his innocence and guilt. This book may help the reader decide for himself or herself, but it obviously has an innocent slant to it which the author makes known and makes no apologies.
READ THIS BOOK! It's that simple.
I have read both this and Rubin Carter's own The 16th Round. There are some things that I believe on both sides of the story. I do believe that Rubin did have a violent juvenile past, and was an angry man. Yet, if a person who is facing oppression on a daily basis i'm sure you would tend to have violent tendancies as well; it's easy to make statements about a man's life when we are in a prosperous 21st century and not in the 1940 - 1950's. I do agree that the film does cut out the large part of Rubin's transformation from a violent individual to a more spiritual one.
This Biography changed my mind
Before I read this bio my only knowledge of the Hurricane case was from what other's had told me. Based on that I always felt the guy was probably framed. After reading this bio, I feel he was probably guilty.
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Subjects:  1. Biography & Autobiography    2. Biography / Autobiography    3. Biography/Autobiography    4. Capital punishment    5. Case studies    6. Crime    7. Ethnic Studies - African American Studies - General    8. Judicial error    9. People of Color    10. Sports - General    11. United States    12. Biography & Autobiography / People of Color    13. Biography: general    14. Black studies   

Reviews (7)

For a Few Dollars More....
Like Clint Eastwood's early "spaghetti westerns", Roberts's memoir is a too long, but generally fascinating narrative replete with seemingly numberless dead bodies, and one terribly misused girl, about whom the "hard man" protagonist shows remarkably little feeling.
Is it worth the risk
I'm a climber only in the sense that I have paid guides to lead me up big mountains, which in the climbing world doesn't count for much.But I have been cold and afraid in the mountains, enough to appreciate what Roberts is talking about.A few days before what was my biggest climb, I met a young Argentine who would die a few days later on Alpamayo.We heard the news on the radio our Peruvian porters listened to incessantly (yes, I used porters).Something that has always bothered me about real climbers is their attitude toward risk, which is a euphemism for death.The 'hard man' attitude that Roberts discusses is very real.It is just casually accepted that people die climbing, and that it is worth the risk.Roberts's unique honesty allows the reader to see where the hard man comes from.He does it by painting a fairly painfully unflattering portrait of himself.Maybe even more unflattering than he intended.I am not a very hard man, and I found his description of Ed's death on Mt. Huntington and the subsequent telling of his parents almost unbearably sad. As is his description of his disastrous high school love affair.Somehow, Roberts has managed to write a book that conveys the majesty of the grand ranges, and why climbing breeds obsession, without letting the tragedy, of which there is plenty, fade entirely into the background.He has also ruthlessly kept out the various hackneyed sentiments often found in mountaineering books.Not any Mark Twight type hard man preening here, and the brooding is more under control than in Joe Simpson's later books, though I like them as well.But,when the rat is gnawing, and you're wondering whether maybe your planned route is too ambitious, like maybe fatally so, this is not the book to read.Save it for a chair and a warm fire.

Inside an Adventurer's Soul
Wow! Having read many climbing narratives and essays, I was expecting more of the same--exciting adventure writing similar to war accounts. David Roberts' newest book has all the first-person nail-biting drama, of course, of putting up world-class routes in frozen wilderness, but the surprise here is the intelligent, unflinching inner dialogue off the mountain. Roberts has seen and experienced high risk, death and deprivation, has lost and gained much from his chosen battles, and has explored the consequences here in an amazingly conscious way. This rare book sheds a great deal of light on the reasons Roberts was drawn away from the safe, tame and mundane 'everydayness' of modern life, even as he fought the demons that drew him away from his quests, even as he became aware of the spreading ripples that emanated from his passion for the climbing life. Undoubtedly these internal struggles rage inside many who try to balance a burning love for earth's wild and dangerous places (climbers, explorers, kayakers, surfers...) against the tidal pull of human relations.
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Subjects:  1. 1943-    2. Biography    3. Biography & Autobiography    4. Biography/Autobiography    5. Mountain Climbing    6. Mountaineering    7. Mountaineers    8. Roberts, David,    9. Sports    10. Sports & Recreation    11. Sports - General    12. United States    13. Sports & Recreation / General   

Reviews (14)

A Baseball Storyteller
My thanks goes out to Bill Veeck for being one of the men that saved baseball on the South Side of Chicago.Even though it is not all included in his autobiography, he worked to keep the White Sox in Chicago multiple times.This is one of the reasons many people closely associate Veeck with the White Sox.
Should be required reading for baseball fans
I must preface this by saying that I read this book after it was reccomended to me by the sports editor of a local paper.
They broke the mold
They just don't make baseball owners like Bill Veeck anymore, and it is our loss. Maverick, visionary, and showman extraordinaire; Bill had a ball setting baseball's staid establishment on its ear with his unorthodox tactics, mischievous spirit, and wild promotions. He was an every-man who never lost the common touch, and believed that to be the secret of his success. His promotions and gimmicks bedeviled and enraged his fellow owners and the purists within the mort bound baseball establishment while they delighted the fans who Bill had a knack for attracting anywhere he went.
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Subjects:  1. Baseball - General    2. Baseball promoters    3. Baseball team owners    4. Biography    5. Biography & Autobiography    6. Biography / Autobiography    7. Biography/Autobiography    8. Sports - Baseball    9. Sports - General    10. United States    11. Veeck, Bill    12. Baseball    13. Biography: sport    14. Sports & Recreation / Baseball / General   

Reviews (1)

Follow Emmitt all the way to the Record
This is a great book that displays Emmitt Smith's life and football career and his pursuit of Walter Payton's rushing record.The pictures in this book are very good since they are contributed by an official Cowboys photographer.The book also shows another side of Emmitt, his family life, that you probably wouldn't know even if you have been a fan of his for many years.By reading this book you really get the sense that Emmitt is a good man as well as being an extraordinary running back.I would recommend this book to all Cowboys fans and Emmitt fans. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Biography & Autobiography    2. Biography / Autobiography    3. Football - General    4. History    5. People of Color    6. Sports    7. Sports - Football    8. Sports - General    9. American football    10. Biography: sport    11. Sports & Outdoor Recreation   

Reviews (35)

Not quite pure dynamite
Tom Billington, the Dynamite Kid, tells his story.It is the story of struggling, winning, enduring and surviving.Unfortunately, it is also a story of bitterness.Billington speaks out on many aspects (good and bad) of his career and wrestling in general.As a book independent from any current wrestling organization, this had the chance to be an in-depth look at everything.While Billington does give great details at times, he also comes across as too bitter at times.He does seem to have valid reasons for bitterness, but the book would have been much better if he would have concentrated less on this part of his great career.

Real Bulldog
This is the first and best book to really shoot on the wrestling world.Tom holds nothing back about drug use or who liked who.He sometimes makes some his friends sound a lot better than they were i.e. Danny Spivey.But so due many of the other books on wrestling that let friendship cloud their opinions.But if not for Tom the wrestling world would be a differt place.And it is a shame the way he has wound up.A great read for a fan of 80's wrestling.

A Dynamite Review
I have long been a fan of The British Bulldogs, and was eager to collect the original U.K. print of Dyanamite Kid's book, Pure Dynamite.A lot of people claimed the book was very negative, and that Dyanmite was bitter and crippled, and had little respect for anyone who was not a legit "tough guy" like Dyanmite, so I went into this book with a lot of curiosity.
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Subjects:  1. Biography / Autobiography    2. Sports    3. Sports & Recreation    4. Sports - General    5. Wrestling