Boys and Their Toys: Understanding Men by Understanding Their Relationship with Gadgets Review

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(More customer reviews)
The author of this book contacted me some time ago for my input about gadgets because he had heard that I am fascinated by the latest and greatest stuff. After we talked, he asked if I would write a few paragraphs about my favorite toy. I think he expected some electronic gizmo but instead I wrote about my motorcycle.
Here is, in part, what I wrote:
"One of my passions is riding my motorcycle, a Honda 750 Aero. I know it's a cliché but riding is freedom and excitement. When you're on a motorcycle you can't think of anything else other than the ride. You are forced to be in the moment and pay attention to the least stimuli. Unlike being in a car, you have excellent visibility coupled with vulnerability. Your senses are constantly bombarded. You feel every crack in the road and every odor in the air. Rain and road debris are not just inconveniences, they are life threatening challenges. In our digital age, motorcycling is analog, Taking a sharp curve is not ones and zeros, it's in betweens and shades. A little throttle here, a little lean there. Conditions change every nano-second."
Well, this made it into the book among the other boys and their toys.
What's great about this book, is that it explains to women what makes men tick, and especially why they like gadgets. Adler shows how you can learn about a guy's personality through the kind of gadgets he buys (or doesn't buy), and I have to say that the author nailed it. But the book goes beyond merely explaining men's behavior. It's tells our wives and girlfriends that toys and gadgets are important for men. For example, they give us a sense of (and sometimes real) freedom; toys let us relive parts of our boyhood; toys relieve stress.
This is part gadget book, part pop psychology and all fun to read. This book is a winner (and not just because I'm in it!).

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Cell phones, mp3 players, computers, cars, guitars, hi-tech power lawnmowers...it often seems that men relate to their various toys and gadgets better than they do to even the most important people in their lives! "Boys and Their Toys" explains the complex, intimate, and often funny relationships men have with their material possessions, so that spouses, partners, and significant others can use this knowledge to improve their human-to-human relationship.

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Wilma Unlimited: How Wilma Rudolph Became the World's Fastest Woman Review

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(More customer reviews)Inspirational stories fill hundreds of picture books every year. Most are simply awful. They either tell tales that are loose plots barely supported by facts or they paste together a slapdash concoction of truth and fiction with as little thought as possible. The truly beautiful bio-picture books out there are as rare as hummingbirds in autumn. So it was with great joy that I located "Wilma Unlimited" and found it to be not only inspirational but also a darned good read. Written by Kathleen Krull (the woman who could make long dead musicians fascinating in "Lives of the Musicians" and bring Cesar Chavez to life in the recent "Harvesting Hope") and illustrated by David Diaz the book is the best possible way to introduce kids to one of the world's greatest athletes.

Born in 1940 to a family of twenty-one people (nineteen siblings, no less), Wilma Rudolph was initially a sickly child. Though she was energetic enough, she often caught every disease imaginable. At the age of five, Wilma's left leg twisted inward and it was clear that she'd come down with polio. Still, Wilma was a determined child and she consistently exercised her unruly leg to get stronger. After continual practice, she was finally able to walk free of the leg brace that had weighed her down. At twelve the brace was put away for good and Wilma started participating in sports. She led her high school basketball team to the finals, catching the eye of a college coach. Before you knew it, Wilma was recruited into the Tennessee State University's track-and-field team on a full ride scholarship. In 1960 she competed in the Olympic Games in Rome. The book sets this part up beautifully. Wilma arrived with a twisted ankle into a place filled with television cameras (the first time they ever filmed the Olympics), the place "shimmering heat", and her competition consisting of runners who had run faster races than she ever had. Then Wilma proceeds to win one... two... three gold medals! The last medal is especially dramatic, hinging on the moment when Wilma drops her baton and STILL beats the other runners in the 400-meter relay. The last double page spread in this book shows Wilma standing, "tall and still, like a queen", earning the last of her three medals. It's a truly proud moment for all who have the privilege to experience it once again in picture book form.

Krull has a way with words. I'm not saying that Wilma Rudolph's life is dull. Far from it. But in the hands of a lesser author this story could easily have been bogged down in all the wrong moments. This author knows which moments should be given full glory. The moment when Wilma removes her brace and walks proudly into church will banish from your mind that similar pseudo-inspirational moment in "Forrest Gump". Wilma's struggle at the Olympics through pain and skepticism puts the reader through the same strains. You yearn for this woman to beat them and beat 'em she does. Then, best of all, come the illustrations of David Diaz. This is my first Diaz experience, though I suspect that I'll read many more of his books as the days go on. Diaz has accompanied his illustrations in this tale with sepia toned photographs. The book's endpapers display the outlines of footprints in the dirt. The title page is an evocative view of ivy climbing a raw wooden fence. Behind his colorful illustrations, each background photograph refers to the corresponding scene obliquely. When Wilma and her mother take the bus to the hospital, the photograph is a close-up of a wheel. When she packs away her leg brace, it's shredded packing paper. A great relief it is indeed that the colored illustrations are worthy of their sepia compatriots. Though these pictures may appear blunt at first, they are filled with the most delicate of designs. I loved watching the character of Wilma as she aged. As she grows in confidence, her posture improves and back stiffens until, by the last shot, she is standing taller than all the women around her. Than all the women in the world.

"Wilma Unlimited" should be known to everyone living in American today. This is inspirational without being either annoying or faux-patriotic. It's an actual honest-to-goodness amazing story. The book is beautiful and its story is worthy of its packaging. I challenge you to read it and not shake your head at least once in amazement. It's just that good.

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The Life You Imagine: Life Lessons for Achieving Your Dreams Review

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(More customer reviews)A true inspirational and motivational book. Once I began reading, I found it difficult to put down. A true tribute to how determination, dedication, love, support and a positive attitude can help anyone achieve whatever dreams they desire. Derek Jeter's journey from a childhood dream to the steps and scarifices he took in accomplishing his goal is a life lesson for anyone, whether you're 9 or 99. An intimate look at his family, his thoughts, his fears, his struggles, his triumphs...I found myself laughing, crying and reflecting on my own life as I related his experiences to my own. This book teaches you about Derek Jeter, but mostly, it teaches you about life. A+++++

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A Second Look at Sports Review

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(More customer reviews)Dwight Allen, the sports chaplain of the air interviews champion athletes and coaches with an emphasis on their spiritual side, their character traits, and also their positive attitudes. A Second Look At Sports shows what a good attitude can do for a person. Dr. Allen's book exudes his genuine care for mankind. The people he interviews are "encouragers in the midst of life's problems."
From John Smolz to Nancy Lopez, the sports chaplain has created a work that speaks to us all. This book can be read one interview at a time.It's not all a barrel of laughs. There are some very serious situations, but if you are curious about how others deal with situations and especially to those who enjoy sports, give this a read.


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Revealing, personal interviews with top names in sports, including Tony Dungy, Ben Roethlisberger, Orel Hershiser, Tony Stewart, Sam Hornish and many more! Go deep behind the scenes with America's top athletes! As the founder and host of the radio ministry A Second Look at Sports, Dr. Dwight Allen over the past 30 years has interviewed hundreds of the world s most famous athletes representing nearly every sport. From his time as a scout for the Chicago Cubs to his current A Second Look at Sports, Racing World, and 60 Second Look at Sports radio programs, Dwight's humble, unassuming approach has earned him unparalleled respect among the athletic community and resulted in some of the most revealing behind-the-scenes interviews in sports. Now Dwight gives you a glimpse into the lives of these top athletes as they share their advice and life lessons, revealing a spiritual passion not often seen in the world of sports. A Second Look at Sports is an award-winning weekly 30-minute radio presentation of what God is doing the world over in sports; A 60 Second Look at Sports is a miniature daily version. Both may be heard on radio stations across the US, from the east coast and northern Florida to Minnesota and Canada, as well as the Salem Radio Web Site, which is picked up by stations all over the world. Our goal is to reach the unsaved sports fan with the gospel of our lord Jesus Christ. Dr. Allen is available to speak at sports events, churches and youth activities.

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The Frailty Myth: Redefining the Physical Potential of Women and Girls Review

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(More customer reviews)In "The Frailty Myth," Colette Dowling presents a compelling and well-researched analysis of why and how American girls are socialized to be "weak." Dowling examines the myths about the "weaker sex," tracing this myth as a source of the oppression of women handed down to us from Victorian times.
She convincingly explains why men fear strong women: In part, she says, it's because strength is perhaps the only area in which our culture does not say that men and women are equal. Thus, as male-only professions and traits are rapidly disappearing from public discourse, strength is masculinity's last hope.
Further, she carefully details how the media, parents, educators and peers of both sexes encourage girls to be passive and boys to be active (often without realizing it), and gives ample evidence that there is no physiological basis for the belief that women are fated to be weaker than men. It is, in essence, a mere self-fulfilling prophecy.
After demonstrating the mental and physical unhealthiness of this cycle, the author provides advice on breaking out of it. To illustrate the possibilities, she offers inspiring stories of women and girls who have become strong, breaking into "male" sports like football and even playing on co-ed teams.
This book is well-written, well-organized, and an important read for anyone with a daughter or an interest in women's issues. At the very least, it might encourage you to spend more time at the gym -- that's one of the many beneficial things it did for me!

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Can women be equal to men as long as men are physically stronger? And are men, in fact, stronger?These are key questions that Colette Dowling, author of the bestselling The Cinderella Complex, raises in her provocative new book. The myth of female frailty, with its roots in nineteenth-century medicine and misogyny, has had a damaging effect on women's health, social status, and physical safety. It is Dowling's controversial thesis that women succumb to societal pressures to appear weak in order to seem more "feminine."The Frailty Myth presents new evidence that girls are weaned from the use of their bodies even before they begin school. By adolescence, their strength and aerobic powers have started to decline unless the girls are exercising vigorously--and most aren't. By sixteen, they have already lost bone density and turned themselves into prime candidates for osteoporosis. They have also been deprived of motor stimulation that is essential for brain growth.Yet as breakthroughs among elite women athletes grow more and more astounding, it begins to appear that strength and physical skill--for all women--is only a matter of learning and training. Men don't have a monopoly on physical prowess; when women and men are matched in size and level of training, the strength gap closes. In some areas, women are actually equipped to outperform men, due partly to differences in body structure, and partly to the newly discovered strengthening benefits of estrogen.Drawing on extensive research in motor development, performance assessment, sports physi-ology, and endocrinology, Dowling presents an astonishing picture of the new physical woman. And she creates a powerful argument that true equality isn't possible until women learn how to stand up for themselves--physically.

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A Man of Character Review

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(More customer reviews)A win on the court can be a win in the classroom. "A Man of Character" tells the story of Coach John Hawkins, as he's faced with a devastated and ravaged inner city school. Coming from the heights of prestige, Coach Hawkins' ways and leadership might not just save the school from a losing streak, but his leadership may stop his school from being the breeding grown of the scum of the earth. "A Man of Character" is an inspiring novel of how one man can make a difference.


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It was an inner city program that had gone in the tank. Drugs, alcohol and gangs had almost ruined Hillsborough High School. Their athletic program was hanging by a thread. The basketball program had won only one game in 2006-07.Who could help this struggling school regain its self- respect? They hoped John Hawkins could, a 40-year old coach who had served 17 years as an assistant at prestigious Pasadena West High School under legendary coach Hank Estes, winner of multiple state championships and developer of high character kids.John wasn't sure about taking the job, but when he did make the move to the inner-city Los Angeles school, he was determined to build a winning program on and off the court. This inspiring story chronicles John's journey andhis quest to succeed in an incredibly difficult environment.In A Man of Character, David H. White, Jr. tells the story of a fictional coach inspired by White's many years covering high school basketball in inner city Birmingham, Alabama. David H. White, Jr. was a varsity football, track and baseball athlete at Episcopal High School in Virginia. He also played junior varsity basketball and is an avid high school, college and pro basketball fan today.White is the author of two previous books: Leadership Lessons for Life and Shorty: A Life in Sports. He lives in Birmingham, Alabama with his wife, Beth, and his two daughters, Isabelle and Fairbanks.

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Once A Warrior Review

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(More customer reviews)Former UH Wideout - Ian Sample - generated a storm of controversy in Hawaii one month prior to the start of their 2007 season with the release of this book. The brouhaha that occurred was triggered by Sample releasing portions of his book, that his publisher chose to delete, on his personal MySpace blog that chronicled some of the more negative aspects of the UH football such as alleged drug use, academic improprieties and groupie sex. Since then, school and team officials have proven that some of Sample's allegations are false (cheating on drug testing) while others (academic shenanigans) are currently under investigation.
In the end, it truly is a shame that Sample decided to spurn his publisher's advice and release these controversial, unsubstantiated chapters because all it did was alienate the large demographic originally interested in purchasing the book - the hardcore Hawaii football fan.
The ensuing controversy immediately forced thousands of potential readers to turn their back on a book and player once loved and respected in the 50th State. Which is really a damn shame...because ironically, the actual published book is a great inside look at June Jones' Warrior Football team and their turbulent, spirited 2006 season. While certain aspects are somewhat critical of June Jones and the program, the publishing editors ultimately released a book that is both a paen and swan song to one of the most colorful teams in the world of Collegiate Football. Fans that know the team and the rocky ride that was their 2006 season will enjoy bits such as a near brawl between Hawaii and Arizona State players at a 'friendly' banquet prior to the Hawaii Bowl as well as insights into life on the road, hobbies and past-times of the players (videogames, poker, etc), the love of the islands that transplanted players feel as well as great character studies of Colt Brennan, Davone Bess, Adam Leonard, etc.
Those of you willing to look past Sample's misguided attempt at generating publicity will surely enjoy this book - the way it was meant to be read.

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Go behind the scenes in the huddle, in the locker room and on the road with former University of Hawaii receiver J. Ian Sample. What is it really like to be a UH football player? Sample answers this question with honesty and humor. Each chapter focuses on a single game from the Warriors' record-breaking 2006 season, sharing intimate details both on and off the field. Anecdotes in Once A Warrior run the gamut from summer camp pillow fights to dancing the haka to intimidate opponents. It's a player's eye-view of a special season in University of Hawaii football history—the joy of winning big, the sting of losing the close ones—and a heartfelt look at what it means to be a Warrior.

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The Games Do Count: America's Best and Brightest on the Power of Sports Review

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(More customer reviews)This is a must read for any female or male who wants to know how sports (doing not watching) can help improve your life in all areas. Reading about each of the men and women one better understands how they became whom they are, both good and bad. I think it is a book that parents of pre-teen and teen agers would be wise to buy as well, since statistics show that young women who take part in sports as teens, succeed better in school and put off sexual activity.
And for an adult grappling with some major challenge in their life be it work related a disease or loss of a spouse, reading the stories may well help them re-focus and succeed in the challenge as well. I speak from experience.
Growing up in a family of engineers, physicists, educators, to homesteaders and homeschoolers, sports have always played a big role in small and big successes, because they teach team work, accountability and priority making skills as well as how to think quick or what I call triage thinking.
And as a young girl growing up ion the fifties my Dad would often use shooting baskets, casting a fly fishing line, golf, or hitting a baseball, or skiing to teach me skills that would serve me well be it building a house, working on a car, or being a good wife and mother. Or surviving widowhood and illness.


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What do Henry Kissinger, Jack Welch, Condoleezza Rice, and Jon Bon Jovi have in common? They have all reached the top of their respective professions, and they all credit sports for teaching them the lessons that were fundamental to their success. In his years spent interviewing and profiling celebrities, politicians, and top businesspeople, popular sportscaster and Fox & Friends cohost Brian Kilmeade has discovered that nearly everyone shares a love of sports and has a story about how a game, a coach, or a single moment of competition changed his or her life.

These vignettes have entertained, surprised, and inspired readers nationwide with their insight into America's most respected and well-known personalities. Kilmeade presents more than seventy stories straight from the men and women themselves and those who were closest to them. From competition to camaraderie, individual achievement to teamwork, failure to success, the world of sports encompasses it all and enriches our lives. The Games Do Count reveals this simple and compelling truth: America's best and brightest haven't just worked hard -- they've played hard -- and the results have been staggering!
--This text refers to the Paperback edition.

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Forza Italia: The Fall and Rise of Italian Football Review

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(More customer reviews)This was a very enjoyable book to read. Lots of great perspective on Italian Football. It is not the most complete book on the subject, but it is a very easy read. I always appreciate a book that is easy to follow and keeps your attention. The author is also very objective. He addresses allot of issues that are quite controvercial, but he tends to never come across as too judgemental or as somebody that has all of the answers.
Unfortunately, the subject matter was a little bit disheartening. Agnew pulls some really ugly skeletons out of the closet on the subject of Italian Football. Knowing what I know now, it will be hard for me to enjoy Italian football quite as much.

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When journalist Paddy Agnew and his girlfriend touched down in Rome in 1985 in search of adventure, sunshine, and the soul of Italiansoccer, they were traveling into the uncharted terrain of a country they did not know and a language they did not speak. It soon became clear that neither Italy nor Italiansoccer would be boring. In that first week in Italy, Michel Platini and Juventus won the Intercontinental Cup, while just days later the PLO killed 13 people in a random shooting at Rome's Fiumicino airport. Paddy covered both stories. The coming years saw the rise of TV tycoon Silvio Berlusconi, as he became owner of AC Milan and then Prime Minister of Italy, naming his political party Forza Italia after a football chant. In that same period, Argentine Diego Maradona became the uncrowned King of Naples, leading Napoli to a first ever Scudetto title in 1987, notwithstanding a hectic, Hollywood-esque lifestyle that mixedsoccer genius with off-the-field excess. Forza Italia is a fascinating tale of inspired players, skilled coaches, rich tycoons, glitzy media coverage, Mafia corruption, allegations of drug taking, and fan power—culminating in the 2006 World Cup victory that delighted a nation and a match-fixing scandal that shocked the world. It is also a personalized reflection on the consistent and continuing excellence of Italiansoccer throughout a period of huge social, political, and economic upheaval, offering a unique insight into a society wheresoccer has always been much more than just a game.

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Slouching Toward Fargo:: A Two-Year Saga Of Sinners And St. Paul Saints At The Bottom Of The Bush Leagues With Bill Murray, Darryl Strawberry, Dakota Sadie And Me Review

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(More customer reviews)This is one of the funniest books I've read in a long time. Neal Karlen was a writer for Rolling Stone, sent to St. Paul, Minnesota to "get the dirt" on Bill Murray, iconoclastic actor and part owner of the St. Paul Saints. The Saints are a minor league baseball team, part of the independent Northern League, and operated by Mike Veeck, son of the legendary Hall of Famer Bill Veeck. (Casual baseball fans will most likely recall the senior Veeck for having sent midget Eddie Gaedel up to bat as a pinch hitter. It was only one of many colorful stunts by the games' most creative promoter ever).
Karlen sticks around for a couple of years; the story for Rolling Stone never materializes, but along the way this book emerges, as much about Karlen's crisis of spirit as it is about the Saints and the zany cast of characters surrounding them. But along the way we meet many of those who have given the Saints and the Northern League their unique cachet: on the field performers like former Mets slugger Darryl Strawberry, who temporarily redeems his life and career during a two-month stay with the Saints; former pitching star Jack Morris, seeking one more taste of glory, but on his terms only; Ila Borders, the first female to play in a professional game; and Wayne "Twig" Terwillliger, player and coach for 50 seasons and quiet representative of so much that's right with the game.
There are also wonderful portraits of Sister Rosalind. the nun who offers massages at games; a blind radio announcer convinced he's on his way to the big leagues; an employee of one of the Saints' rivals who earns the title "Most Beloved Woman in the Northern League" and others who find solace, healing and a chance to keep dreaming dreams in this strange, wacky, wonderful firmamenent. I really hated to come to the end of this one. The empty feeling was almost as bad as the night the World Series ends.

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Native American Son: The Life and Sporting Legend of Jim Thorpe Review

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(More customer reviews)This is a must-read book for anyone who cares about biography, history, sports, native Americans, Hollywood, or the human condition. It has it all in the form of the charismatic Jim Thorpe, a spectacular talent whose exploits would be hard to believe if such a trustworthy and gifted writer as Kate Buford weren't describing him. How could a football player catch his own punts?... have reactions "so fast that sometimes you couldn't follow them with the eye"?.... leave his nearest rivals so far in the dust one is tempted to think of Secretariat?... And how could someone as beloved as Thorpe been so unfairly stripped of his Olympic medals? In Buford's hands, the man's larger-than-life accomplishments and all-too-human failures and contradictions are balanced and given historical context-- and the reader can't help but mourn his passing.

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Baseball's Pivotal Era, 1945-1951 Review

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(More customer reviews)This book examines baseball during the term of A. B. (Happy) Chandler as commissioner. It is based on extensive oral history interviews, thorough archival research, and the author's keen sensibilities about baseball. I relished reading the book because it filled a significant gap in my knowledge of the game. Marshall is especially strong on the role of free agency and how this manifested itself in the Mexican league of the post-war era. His general knowledge of players, managers, and management is impressive. Finally, this book is well written, without academic jargon. "Baseball's Pivotal Era" merits reading by fans and scholars alike.

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Coach Wooden: The 7 Principles That Shaped His Life and Will Change Yours Review

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(More customer reviews)I've read more than one of Pat William's books, and I'm never disappointed. This latest, a tribute to Coach John Wooden is no exception. It's full of anecdotes from former players, coaches, and friends of the late UCLA legend.
But in reality, this book is a tribute to Coach Wooden's father. On virtually every page Williams relates how the coach would talk about his father and how he wanted to be the kind of person his Dad was. Coach Wooden learned 7 principles that shaped his life..all from his father.
A moving and inspirational read, highly recommended!

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When Coach John Wooden graduated from eighth grade his father gave him a handwritten card and said, "Son, try to live up to this." On the card, his father had written seven simple yet profound life principles:Be true to yourselfHelp othersMake friendship a fine artDrink deeply from good books, especially the BibleMake each day your masterpieceBuild a shelter against a rainy day by the life you liveGive thanks for your blessings and pray for guidance every dayThese principles were the key to Coach Wooden's greatness--and his goodness. Through powerful stories and pithy advice, this book shares the wisdom that made Wooden happy and successful. This inspirational and conversational book will encourage, challenge, and motivate readers to build these principles into their own lives.

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True Believers: The Tragic Inner Life of Sports Fans Review

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(More customer reviews)Joe Queenan has written the ultimate sports fan book. True Believers is dedicated to the real sports fan. Not fans of the Los Angeles Lakers or the New York Yankees, but the fans of downtrodden teams like the Phillies, the Blackhawks, and the Eagles. Fans who know what it's like to suffer through years of torment, wondering if your team was ever going to be good enough to win it all. Queenan grew up in Philadelphia, and he has a life-long commitment to all of his hometown teams. He says that fan support must be based either on where you grew up, or who your father rooted for. No other form of fandom is acceptable to him. Thus, he has had to live through the Phillies blowing a 6.5 game lead with 12 games to go in 1964, the Flyers blowing a 3-1 lead in the playoffs to the New Jersey Devils (with two of the last three games at home), and other heartbreaks. Loving Philadelphia teams is the epitome of heartbreak, the ultimate love-hate relationship.
Why should this matter to the rest of us? I will tell you right now that, if you have never followed any sports and think that to do so is the ultimate waste of time, then this book is not for you. First, you will not understand it. Secondly, what little you do understand will only reinforce your already formed beliefs. Unless you have experienced the common bond of watching your team blow the big game, or the big series, or just stink up the league in general, you will not get a lot out of this book. (Ok, maybe if you're a Yankee fan, you'll be able to laugh at these idiots he's talking about).
What does this book consist of? Queenan discusses the psychology behind rooting for a team of also-rans. He explores what makes the true sports fan tick. He does this among chapters discussing fair weather fans (those fans who only follow a team when they are good), sports movies (and how most of them are horrible and don't even come close to reflecting reality), sports announcers (both the good and the bad), and misbehaving fans (those idiots in the stands who do the stupidest things and generally annoy the people around them). Some of these chapters are universal, even to Yankees fans, and thus may be enjoyed by everybody. Some (like an entire chapter on the sorry-looking New York Jets) will only mean something to the fan who has been through something similar. All of these chapters, however, share Queenan's sarcastic wit and his extreme commentary. I love the language that Queenan uses and the way he writes, even if sometimes it seems he's using words just to see whether people understand them or not. At times he sounds pompous, but even then he's entertaining.
The fair-weather fan chapter is probably the best, as he itemizes all the different types of front-runners there are, from celebrities who must be seen at courtside of Lakers games, to the mainstream folk who just can't bear to suffer along with the true fan, and thus change their favourite team on the drop of a quarter. As he says, suffering is what makes success taste so sweet. If you haven't been through the dark times, then when they finally do win a championship, you can't truly appreciate it. He loathes front-runners with a passion, and he's not afraid to say it. He certainly takes no prisoners in this chapter, heaping scorn on every type of front-runner there is.
If there is any fault in the book, it is the fact that some of the references are very obscure (though as Queenan would say, if you don't know it, you're probably not a true fan). I love sports and follow a lot of them, but some of the references are so old that even I didn't get them. You could figure them out from the context, but I think some of the humour value is lost there. Sometimes he explains them, or at least gives a year that it happened, but other times he goes on like we should be able to keep up with him. I had no trouble skipping the reference, assuming that it was supposed to illustrate some point, and moving on. However, it is a strike against the book. One other thing I would like to know is what he thinks of fans like me. I grew up in Iowa, where there are no professional sports teams, and my father was not a huge fan of anything either. I have my allegiances that have never died since childhood, but they certainly don't seem to fit his criteria. What does that make me? Unfortunately, Queenan doesn't address that, so it feels like something's missing.
Even so, this book is definitely a winner. At times it's hilarious, at times it's touching (like when he talks about when his father's last days and how they affected Queenan's spectatorship). You may see yourself reflected in it. You may just find other fans to ridicule. Maybe you're not a sports fan but you're trying to understand a husband (or wife???) who is. If so, get this book. You will either laugh at or along with Queenan as he continues his odyssey. And you might even learn something along the way. Yes, even you Yankees fans.
David Roy

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101 Positive Athletic Traditions: Building Positive Team Legacies Review

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(More customer reviews)There are a lot of good ideas in this book. The only drawback is, most of the ideas are geared toward high school or college programs, so many of them are not useful for most coaches.
For example all 3 ideas for "welcoming new team members" involve freshman-senior interaction. While this could be adapted to veteran-new player interaction, in these and many other examples, there are aspects that do not "translate" over.
Still, I really like the book, and the ideas that are for universal are very good!

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Traditions help shape and reflect the character of a team—past, present, and future. Traditions refocus the coach and athlete. They give perspective, rekindle the spirit of the past, and remind the coach and player of what is important. Ultimately, traditions produce successful teams, great memories, lasting friendships, and help establish coaching legacies. This thoroughly enjoyable, idea-packed book by NAIA Champions of Character Special Presenter Bruce Brown offers over one hundred examples of positive athletic traditions, including: Traditions to welcome new team members, pre-season traditions, senior traditions, traditions for captains, pre-, post-, and last-game traditions. There are also traditions to involve the community and alumni, and traditions for equipment, facilities, and much more. A great resource for coaches and leaders of any sport or activity.

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Picabo : Nothing to Hide Review

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(More customer reviews)If you are ever in need of some motivation to make your dreams come true...if you ever doubt your abilities and wonder if "little ol you" can accomplish the impossible....Read Picabo's book.
Picabo is a wonderful example of what one person can accomplish, when they put their mind to it!
We'll definitely be cheering Picabo on in the 2002 Winter Olympics! GO Picabo and GO USA!

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13 Teams: One Man's Journey with the WNBA Review

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(More customer reviews)Alex Chambers' book about his journey around the WNBA is a beautiful read. Alex conveys his experience eloquently enough to bring the reader along for the experience, while maintaining enough of the reader's perspective to answer any questions that might arise. The story flows smoothly from excitement to frustration to joy to sadness, and back again. It begins as a story should, providing a great deal of exposition. People who are just learning about the WNBA (or those who have never embraced the league before) stand to enjoy this book. Die - hard fans will enjoy having a new way to engage the players and teams that they already know and love. Even the bumps in the road are handled with good humor. I had a good time with this book.

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"Well, he said he started, became a fan in 2000. He's just been a fan of the game ever since."-Carolyn Peck, ESPN Commentator"I think its great to have fans that are that passionate, who care about (the league)that much to invest their time, their energy, their summer vacation to follow the WNBA." -Donna Orender, WNBA President (2005-2010)"Oh, the journey dude? Man vs. Wild, WNBA style!" -Diana Taurasi, Phoenix MercuryMy name is Alex Chambers, and I love women's basketball.Yes, it really is that simple. Now come to think of it, loving the game is that simple; being a fan, well, that's another story. The difficulty in being a fan of women's basketball might lie within the struggle to find a televised game, or media coverage you don't have to dig for. It could mean sifting past paragraphs and even pages of negative comments on message boards or blogs to get to a recap of a recent game. Even still, it could be that when I wear my home team's jersey, people ask me, "Is that a professional sports team?"It might also have to do with the fact that (drum roll please) I'm a guy.In 2009, I traveled to all thirteen WNBA arenas. Along the way, I was fortunate enough to meet some of the athletes in the WNBA as well as many passionate fans. This is the story of my twenty-eight day, twelve thousand mile journey, filled with adventure and amazing experiences.

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