Sports Books

I'm writing a book set largely in 1908, in Colorado, far removed from the ball fields of the east, but for getting the flavor of the everyday America of the time, this book is the best.

Wow! This may be the best baseball book I have ever read (and it seems that I have read them all). I can say for sure that it is the best researched baseball book I have read. I know that the next sentence will not sound right, but here it goes anyhow - I can't believe it was written by a woman (see I told you). I hope Ms. Murphy continues in the baseball mode for a few more books.

This was one of the best books I have ever read. It's amazing how things were the same, yet different in baseball. For instance, the American league had not yet instituted the rule that all meaningful games must be played. The National league had. Therefore Detroit, Chicaggo and Philadelphia all had the same amount of wins but Detroit had fewer losses so they won. There wa only one umpire so the players would do all sorts of things that he couldn't see. Try that with todays instant replay cameras.

Cait Murphy's witty, sometimes snarky, thoroughly researched and footnoted, but always entertaining review of the 1908 baseball season--which she argues was the greatest ever--charms as it informs. The National League contenders, to whom the author devotes the majority of the book (the AL race is confined to a single chapter) were the New York Giants, managed by John McGraw and with Christy Matthewson as their pitching ace; the Pittsburgh Pirates, who featured Honus Wagner at short; and the Chicago Cubs, of Tinker to Evers to Chance fame.

It's like a trip back in time--to wooden grandstands, flannel uniforms with no numbers on the players' backs, let alone names; bats that might weigh 48 oz; catchers who crouched but did not squat; dirty baseballs; and fields without lights (games would be stopped when it got too dark to play). And--if the game were important enough--two umpires, count 'em two, would be assigned to the game. (On the staff was the now-legendary Bill Klem, then in his fourth year--he would remain on the job for 32 more.)

The book's dual centerpieces revolve around a Giant rookie utility man named Fred Merkle. The first "Merkle game" ended in a tie (darkness, darkness) on a technicality when Merkle neglected to touch second base on a play that should have given his team a walkoff win. As a result of the mistake, the poor guy would forever after be known as Bonehead Merkle (the author includes two images of him, one in his rookie season and one from the following decade--the contrast is telling).

The replay of the game occurred after the official end of the season, when the Giants and Cubs tied for first place. The game, played at New York City's long-gone Polo Grounds, featured overflow crowds (they stood behind ropes in the outfield), the tossing of bottles at the Cubs' catcher when he tried to catch a foul popup, and an attempt to bribe umpire Klem.

Throughout, the author gives brief sketches of the major players, owners, baseball execs, and managers; and she sprinkles in "time outs," which give the reader a glimpse of the goings-on in the wider world. The impatient may wish to skip these. I didn't wish.

Baseball fans can and will argue about whether 1908 was in fact baseball's best year (it certainly was for Cubs' fans) but Ms. Murphy has made a convincing case for the year that, as she notes in the epilogue, was the year that turned the corner into what would be the modern game. She calls it, in homage to Churchill, "the end of the beginning."

Notes and asides: In what I very much suspect was a global search and replace gone wrong, plural possessives have somehow been rendered thus: Cubs's. This is annoying more than somewhat. The late-20th-century Philadelphia ballyard was Veteran's Stadium, not Veteran's Park. There is an interview with the author in the back that's worth a read.

This a sensationally researched and interesting book on a team and a city with a fascinating history. Almost every paragraph has something that makes you kinda go 'wow'. One could argue that its data overload but its well worth it. There is a load of eccentric gems in here - the Ty Cobb stuff in particular is way out there. I have a small baseball book collection (maybe 20 classics) and this is well up there. Ok, its not Halberstam but it aint a million miles away. I am totally enjoying it and hope she goes again.

I bought Maria Coffey's "Explorers of the Infinite" a few days ago and ate it whole. This book is fascinating since it is about the endurance athlete- a group I count myself among- and what drives us. I've been privleged enough to participate in about 250 triathlons, the Marathon des Sables (154 mile desert running race),the Eco-Challenge and the Raid Gauloises and the Jordan Desert Cup 105 mile running race as well as the Antarctic marathon. It is nice to read ideas about what makes a fellow like me "tick".

"Explorers of the Extreme" is perhaps one of the first really credible, readable and entertaining examinations of the endurance athlete's psyche, motives, mindset and even "spirituality". Coffey is apparently not an endurance athlete herself but treats our kind with loving adoration. If you are a marathon runner, triathlete, surfer, cyclist or other "extreme" or endurance sport athlete you'll appreciate the insights and feel some of the pages in Coffey's book become an interesting mirror. This is also a fantastic read for an athlete's spouse who may have questions about why a person would ever subject themselves to the rigors of preparation and participation in endurance/extreme/risk sports.

Coffey explores the extreme athlete mentality from mountaineering to ultra-running to the Tour de France and even more amazing feats like free diving and extreme skydiving. It is refreshing to read a respectful treatment of our sub-species, the endruance/extreme athlete. Other books I've read on the motives and inner realm of us freaks treat us with a sort of detached disdain and label our motives as self-destructive and self grandizing. Coffey sees other inspirations as told to her by the people in the sports themselves.

There is also a readable and engaging thread throughout the book of the sociological theories behind risk and endurance sports, a particularly fascinating one pertaining to surfing.

This book is a delight and makes you feel good about being an endurance athlete, a rare breed, a risk taker. It is interesting to read about the ideas that may shape our motives. Highly recommended- great read. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did.

I did not find this book helpful at all. Mr.Parelli is all over the place with his writing. There are no real instructions on how to train, just his philosophy. I did not find the book useful, it will be the first book to go in my garage sale pile. He's very "showy".

This book, along with the entire Parelli Levels DVD home-study, Savvy monthly magazines and DVD's, Liberty & Horse Behavior DVD Set and the Success Series DVD, teach a philosophy of thinking like the horse, caring for your horse with leadership and love, and always keeping it natural.
Parelli, who is very experienced and knowledgable in the theory and practice of horse training, psychology and behavior, teaches us how to understand how horses think and learn. It's nothing short of amazing.

Once you read this book, you'll want to learn more, and Pat & Linda Parelli provide many valuable resources to support you on your journey with your horse. Together they teach the 8 Principles of Natural Horsemanship, stressing that preparation, patience, love, language and leadership are all important keys to learning how to read, motivate and trust your horse - and most importantly, build and grow a bond with your equine partner.

Parelli teaches that since 99% of problems with horses are 'problem people' not 'problem horses' his book and their entire study program, is really a people-training guide. The Parelii's step-by-step program is easy to follow and will take you from "green" to savvy in regards to discovering your potential, revealing your horse and treating your horse with dignity, compassion and understanding.

I've been on the Parelli Journey for nearly two years now, starting from "scratch" and knowing only that my love for my horse was the engine that would motivate me. I had no idea what I was getting into, but when I was introduced to the Parelli's Natural Horsemanship study, I was guided in a profound, logical, confident way - it was as if Pat and Linda were right there with me. Start with this book, open your mind and heart to new challenges with your horse, and you will discover a journey that fuels your equinne passion with knowledge, principles, communication, leadership, and a bond of trust and love. Thank you Pat and Linda.

I thought this book was excellent! I am a new horse owner and found it to be very helpful. Also, I am not into hurting my horse so reading about working with him naturally was right up my alley.

I love the parelli level system but this book is poorly organized and not very helpful. It is more about a philosphy and witty remarks than a method of training. Stick to the level DVDs.

i enjoyed reading and value the information in this book.even if you don't have a horse just love them you would find this book interesting.

Most fascinating account of a family and the business that they started in a small community that reached such great heights. Especially interesting to me, because of a few day's visit to the German town of Herzogenaurach and nearby Army Base in Bavaria, several years ago.

the book was in great condition and I am enjoying reading it! Thank you so much!

Between the pages of this book lie the family saga of two brothers who ended up being torn apart due to war, personality and family. There is not really a happy ending although there is reconciliation among the posterity. Developing a better shoe and running a company are not necessarily the same thing as the players find out in this biography of two major shoe giant companies: Adidas and Puma. Although the book was good, it felt tedious and drawn out in place. I'm sure the author was trying to make sure that all the major players were included but maybe some of them should have been left out in the editing process. This was an interesting read into the world of sports and the attire accompanying the players and teams. Look for everyone from the soccer great Pele' to David Beckham and Joe Montana. I did appreciate the thoroughness that the author devoted to this work.

I originally bought this book for my boyfriend, but I love fishing and know very little about the tricks of catching a fish. I have learned so much about lures and fish and how they think in order to catch fish better. This book is awesome! I totally recommend this book to any "family fisherman" if they want to know more.

Wow! When they say "mini", they mean Mini. This book is tiny. The content however, is actually fairly good. It's a very quick read. The print is actually not too bad for the physical size of the book. It had mostly fairly basic information, but the size would allow for it to be thrown in a tackle box or fishing vest if you wanted. Again, just the basics, but worth the price. My wife thinks it's very "cute" too.

Terrible. Will not help you begin to fish. Poor content, organization, and editing. Bookbuying for Dummies. Dont waste your money.

I feel that it is my duty to help bring down the review score that this book is getting. some people are obviously mistaking this book for another. The mini is a waste of paper. A book like this is an abuse of freedom of speech. How should a book about "how to fish" not give any information on how to fish. Robbery is against the law; and that's what this is. The best part of this book is the advice of bringing a sandwich with you. You'll need it when you catch no fish. I suggest getting any other book on the subject if you wish to learn about tying knots, casting, bait, etc. The purchaser of this book is sure to be dissatisfied at any cost. I guess there is a lot to be said in the title "Fishing for DUMMIES (MINI)".. Maybe I was a "little stupid" to buy it.

I recommend this book for the beginning angler. Well written and very informative. The book covers all elements needed to enjoy fishing and to catch fish. Love the book!!!

Into a world in which things seem to be falling apart comes Haley Scott DeMaria's What Though the Odds, a recounting of the author's personal and inspirational courage in response to a sudden and tragic accident. The depth of it all goes beyond her agonizing, physical recovery from a broken back, to her emotional evolution from a typically self-centered teen-ager into a mature and loving human being. The challenges met and the outcomes effected could only have been overcome through the intense support of her family, friends, and university and her faith in God. It is a beautifully told story. You may weep a bit, but mostly for joy: Better than a triple espresso and much more durable

Wonderful - your story is an ispiration for anyone who picks up this book! Thank you for sharing it with the rest of us!

Congratulations Haley! This book will provide inspiration and thoughtful discussion for all. I can't wait to have my grandchildren read this book. A real life hero emerges. Even though I shared this time with Haley and her family there are details in the book I didn't know. Enjoy!

I was blown away by the story of Haley Scott. If you are looking for something to reaffirm your belief in people, read this book.

I spend my summers working for a Boy Scout camp, so I figured this would be a handy reference when I picked it up. And indeed it is! It's a thorough and detailed account of every little survival or outdoor skill you could possible want to know without writing a thesis on any one particular idea. I love the old-fashioned organization and appearance--true handbook style save for the size! Excellent resource! My camp boss is actually looking into picking up more copies.

Very informative book about training and riding for those of us over 50. Uses the theory that your maximum heart rate decreases a very small amount over your lifetime (if you remain active) and doesn't not rely on formulas to figure out max heart rate. Offers specific training regimens in order to ride farther and faster (if you want to). This book confirms other information about max heart rate and training especially in the book Heart Zones Cycling by Sally Edwards.

an excellent book for those of us they may be advanced in years, but young at heart, and enjoy bicycling.

Book was excellent, highly recommend it. The book contains lots of info and tips on how to stay motivated and proper conditioning/training. Liked it so much, I gave it as a gift this year.

The information in this book is vital to anyone that leads an active life. It dose not matter if you are over 50 or not, you should read this book it's very helpful. I wish that I would have found this book ten years ago. It could have saved me some pain and comfort.

I expected some discussion of problems people over 50 have keeping their weight down. There is almost no mention of weight or weight loss, except to say that losing weight slowly, as advised, consists of not eating the equivalent of a small piece of cake each day. A lot of the book is for people who want to do more aggressive cycling than I will likely do. Still, it pushes the rider to be more aggressive for more improvement. The chapter on psyching is very good and highly recommended. The book also discusses using a heart rate monitor to know when a period of recovery has done its work.

Superb book. Read many golf instructional books over the years and this tops them all on useful advice on the full swing.Doesn't depart from most traditional teaching radically but has weeded through the tips we all regularly read to get down to the real meat of hitting the long ball. Pete

I have to agree with other reviewers. The message is a good one but it takes way too many pages to make the key points. There are also too many stories of PGA golfers and not enough of regular Joes using his technique. He writes well and the science was interesting but I didn't really get to the meat until the last 60 or 70 pages.

Great book,

This book is a must have in your library. there's plenty useful information that can be put into practice.

Ramon A. Puchales

Fearless Golf is a total transformation of our attitude about golf. It is simple but gives you peace of mind when playing with only concern for your personal game. When practiced, Fearless Golf not only greatly enhances your game but also how you feel and enjoy the great game. The philosophy applies not only to golf but to all aspects of life. The major point of the book is driven home relentlessly, often to the point of redundancy. This is not a one time read. Keep it in sight at all times and go back to it over and over.

Excellent book on the mental game. Good tips. Book was shipped promptly and was in better condition than stated.

Being a golfer who can shoot in the 70's on one day, then in the 90's the next, I figured the best thing I could add to my bag was a book or several on the mental aspects of the game. And, this is one of the most useful I've read. The author applies Professor Albert Bandura's credible concept of self-efficacy to a game that is oh so mental (I suggest you read Bandura's 1994 hallmark paper entitled "Self-efficacy" for more insight). Clearly, this book is helping me go lower and play more consistently. My primary criticism of the book is that the author takes way too long to deliver the message. I was compelled to skip pages containing endless examples and redundant messages. I guess Valiante wanted to hit the 200 page standard to justify the price, but he could have written it in 50 pages.

Nonetheless, if you experience rather wild fluctuations in performance, this book will likely ring true for you.