Sports Books

This is the first book I bought about Tennis when I got into the sport over a year ago. Its not fancy with a lot of glossy photos of pro players, BUT it is one of the most useful and fun to read Tennis books I have found. If you are an absolute beginner, its a fun, interesting and non-scary introduction to the game. For more advanced players, its still great for refreshing basic details and rules, learning tennis-related exercise routines, etc. McEnroe's sense of humor is great and it makes the otherwise dull task of describing in writing a dynamic game much more intereseting. Lots of fun for anyone with any interest in Tennis. Like most of the "Dummies" books, sometimes you have to flip around sequentially for information, but thats not a big deal in the end.

Tennis for Dummies is a great book for all tennis players. I found a lot about tennis that I was looking for. If you do not have this book yet, just buy it and will be happpy that you did. Thanks.

for someone who has never tried to play tennis before, likes to watch it on tv, is interested to play on their school team, or maybe sommeone getting back into the game, this book is really helpful in learning all about playing the game of tennis. a great refrence on everything tennis. i especaially like the cheat sheet. this is the only book i needed to buy because it has everything in it!

A good book. Lots of good tips. But if you really want to learn to play tennis get a teacher

I just started playing tennis and jumped in with both feet - joining an ALTA team. Practices were great but I knew nothing about the rules and terms. This book does a great job of explaining everything and it turns out several women on my team own it!

A well thought out and written book, with plenty of illustrations to allow the reader to visulize what the author is talking about.The system presented is realistic as to what to expect in true self defense use of the handgun. If you are going to carry with a CCW permit or keep a handgun in the home for protection, the information in this book is essential.

I cruised through this book when I was already a decent shooter. There wasn't much there for me that I didn't already know. It's informative for a novice or marksman level shooter. If you want a book about the principles and mechanics as well as the mental aspect I would suggest Brian Enos' Practical Shooting. I got more from that book than any other. Even better yet. Find a shooting instructor such as Stanford to learn by doing. Enos will raise your game by getting you to better interpret what you are "seeing" that you may not be conscious of.

I have been on a kick for the last several months. I read books about guns, about ammo, and mostly, about tactics. Reading all of Massad Ayoob's books was a great experience and I wish he had more. Eventually, I had to explore other authors. This is when I found Andy Stanford. His style is great. No bull; to the point writing makes this subject very enjoyable and easy to read. He takes you through the basics, but also explores more in depth tactical information. This is a must-read for anyone who is integrating into their life self protection for their family.

THIS IS AN EXCELLENT BOOK ON THE SUBJECT OF SPEED SHOOTING. THE PRINCIPLES TAUGHT HEREIN ARE ACCURATE AND EASY TO ASSIMILATE. EACH SECTION IS BROKEN DOWN AND THE READER CAN ACTUALLY DEMONSTRATE TO HIMSELF/HERSELF THE LESSON BEING TAUGHT. THIS IS THE BEST BOOK ON ACCURATE SPEED SHOOTING I HAVE SEEN. THE ONLY NEGATIVE WOULD BE THAT MR. STAFFORD SPENDS WAY TOO MUCH TIME DEFENDING THE ISOSCELES STANCE OVER THE WEAVER STANCE.
MR STAFFORD MAKES THIS NOT ONLY A TEXTBOOK, BUT A LABORATORY MANUAL ALSO. EACH PRINCIPLE CAN BE WORKED ON AT THE RANGE AS WELL AS ONLY READ.

Stanford's book is solid: well-written, clear, and oriented for both right- and left-handed shooters. Much of it dwells on the natural superiority of the isosceles stance over the Weaver, but there is a great deal more here as well. It would be nice if there were a further reading list, more resources for shooters, and more material in general. Still, if you carry or if you are just interested in fast, precise shooting, this book is a great read.

From some of the most important and influential figures in baseball's history comes their thoughts, fears, triumphs and tragedies all wrapped up in one book. Dan captured their stories to let us know that our baseball heroes experienced the same emotions that we all have felt, but also to give us some insight into our own lives. A truly inspiration book.

Dugout Wisdom is a unique compilation of inspirational and motivational stories behind some of the great players in Major League Baseball history. Dan Migala interviewed players, managers, general managers and others to create a powerful and engrossing book.

It is a must read for any baseball fan who wants to know the behind the scenes stories behind some of Major League Baseball's greatest contributors. It truly is a refreshing and enjoyable look at America's national pastime.

I am definitely not a reader, and I read this book cover to cover. Dugout Wisdom is about more than baseball; it truly captures hopes, dreams, and passions and lets you know that it is OK to pursue these feelings and let angels in your life help you along the way. Reading this book gives me confidence to pursue my dreams (no matter how silly or unrealistic they may seem!) and also grounded me to realize that sometimes your dreams may not turn out exactly as planned, but if you stay true to yourself that is the greatest gift of all. You can tell the author poured his heart into this which makes it a joy to read.

For anyone of us who love baseball, this is a must read.
Written with humor, warmth and wit----I have bought 2 copies for my friends to give to their parents
and I fully expect all of them to love it just like I did

I could not put the book down and I am not "a reader". Amazing stories of the people that were key figures in these ballplayers lives. These players believed in themselves because they had a special person that believed in them--scouts, fathers, etc. Dan Migala does a wonderful job capturing the emotion in each and every story. I got a little misty when I read the Goose Gossage chapter. You will love this book. Pull the trigger!!

This book has proven to be a great book for identifing cartridges and just learning about some of the not so common rounds out there. It is a very complete book covering black powder cartridges to modern. Each cartridge in the book has a little description and some history and some even have the dimensions of the round. Interesting reading for researching or pleasure.

One of the most comprehensive sources of information about cartridges available. A MUST have for you library of firearms information.

Steve Adams
AdamsQuailHunter on GunBroker and Ancientguns Forums

EXCELLENT BOOK FOR ALL SHOOTERS, FROM THE 22CAL. ON UP !! NOW I REALLY UNDERSTAND THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN MY 9.3X57 AND THE 30/06 CARTRIDGE.

A lot of good information but the author seems to be behind in the modern day cartridges. Russ Haydon of the Woodchuck Den has really brought the 20 cal. into public view. With the several 20 cals. out there the author mentioned the 204 Ruger (an outstanding round), but very little else in that caliber.

Frank Barnes was one of the great old timers that we have lost. A gentleman of seemingly infinite knowledge concerning ammunition and firearms. Much like his late friend John T. Amber, he willingly shared it with all.

For much of the life of this book I would have easily given it five stars. Indeed if you have never read this book, and have more than a passing interest in cartridges, it still rates five stars. However I have been collecting and shooting guns for over fifty years, and have picked up a few prejudices along the way that color my judgment of the current work (11th ED.).

My main gripe is that the publishing company seems to be trying to turn this into their cash cow by printing new editions in such short order that they actually show little or nothing new.

The entire "Proprietary Cartridges" chapter is another problem. The chapter seems to be little more than an advertisement for JDJ/SSK Industries, Lazzeroni, A-Square, and several other minor players. What makes a cartridge "Proprietary" seems to change from cartridge to cartridge. Indeed some cartridges listed as "Current" would seem to be "Proprietary" and vice versa. Better to scrap this entire advertisement er... chapter, and put the whole mess under "Wildcats" and quit playing at semantics.

With all of the various Short Magnums and Super Short Magnums that have been introduced in the last ten years we seem to be once again in an era of reinventing the ammunition wheel. Whether any of these new cartridges will stick is still up in the air. You would think that this amount of change in the civilian market would spur any number of interesting articles in a publication such as this. Wrong. Instead we learn about the needle gun. Interesting, but hardly timely.

I suspect this publication will continue to flounder as long as the current set up exists. Hopefully someone will adopt the concept as their baby and completely rewrite and edit it closely. This is what it deserves, and what Frank would have wanted as well.

Craig Luebben's book is possibly THE Best Single Book written for rock climbing. It should be THE textbook for all people interested in learning to climb as it begins with basic but critical hand and footholds, basic climbing gear, knots, belaying, and rappelling. Later chapters for intermediate or advanced Sport or Trad climbing go into great detail. You will find yourself reading and referring to this book for your entire rock climbing lifetime.

As a relatively new climber (i.e., as of this writing, I've been climbing about 7 months), I found that this was a good introductory text to keep around. Granted, climbing is not something you really want to read-then-do; think of the reading as a good supplement to your training and climbing.

I enjoyed how Luebben dives right into the material; he keeps the introduction short and then goes immediately into the science and sport of rock climbing. He writes in a colloquial style that is easy to digest and presents the material in a way that makes it seem like a conversation. It's like it's you and him out on the rock, Luebben telling you everything he needs you to know.

While the book's focus is definitely on outdoor climbs, Luebben emphasizes techniques that should easily transfer to indoor rock gyms. Especially early in the text, Luebben writes a lot about body and foot position, how to approach routes and problems, and the mental elements of rock climbing. While these techniques are typically discussed in an outdoor context, the lessons all easily transfer to whatever surface you're climbing.

For a new, mostly indoor climber like myself, there seemed to be a lot of material in this book that either didn't apply to me or served merely to whet my appetite for outdoor routes. If you're looking for something specific to indoor climbing, you're probably better off exploring Matt Burbach's Gym Climbing book. Still, even a mostly-indoors beginner climber will find the chapters on body position, footwork and hand-holds, knots, belaying, and bouldering to be useful.

Excellent starting place to get into this kind of book, very good reference. I've been climbing for the last five years, and I learned a lot from this book.

Guide, author and climbing gear inventor Craig Luebben's book won a National Outdoor Book award and it's well deserved. For anyone taking up rock climbing, or wanting to bring their knowledge up-to-date this is the book to start with.

It's well organized and well-illustrated. Luebben starts the basics of pure climbing - footwork, holds and jams along with special climbing challenges like chimneys and off-widths (he's the Yoda of off-width climbing). Then he covers the gear you'll need like shoes, harness and ropes. He describes basic climber knots and working with ropes and slings. Then he talks about protection, natural and man-made.

He tells you how to build anchors and keep your partner safe with proper belaying technique. He covers top-roping, sport climbing and the basics of traditional climbing including the approach, route-finding, setting pro and the physics and psychology of leading.. Later chapters introduce multi-pitch free climbing, descending and rappelling, bouldering and training for climbing. The concluding chapter explains how to avoid turning your climb into an epic by learning basic self-rescue techniques.

This is by far the best, most up-to-date book on basic rock climbing. After you've read it (more than once) and practiced the skills he describes, get Luebben's book on building climbing anchors.

Bill Becher

it may not be perfect, but it does everything it needs to (at least for me). as per the title, i'd recommend this book to any beginner or strong gym climber who wants to move to real crags. for advanced climbers who want to improve their skills there are probably better books out there.

Watch Video Here: http://www.amazon.com/review/R3JQDR48JA3J7I Cullen of CullensAbcs.com reviews this book and gives you ideas on how to use to use it interactively with your child. For you I have more video book reviews, free children videos and free activity idea videos at the CullensAbcs.com website. If you have a children's book you would like me to review and offer ideas on how to use it interactively with children please send an email to CullensAbcs@gmail.com. Also, feel free to to add me, Cullen Wood, as a Facebook friend.

I gave this book as a gift but have heard my 2 1/2 year old niece read it a lot. It is great story line, lots of repetition and rhyming. I will definitely get this book for my daughter when she is a bit older.

We originally checked this one out of the library, but we had to purchase it as it's a favorite repeat! What amazing artwork!!! Bold, beautiful, and totally engaging! The story is very funny, even to the youngest set. For my son, it's been a wonderful introduction to the concept of "thinking" and how to express and wonder about what someone else might be "thinking". It is definitely on our current "top 10" list of our all-time favorite books! Thank you for the duck at "The End" eying that tractor and scratching his chin... perhaps a sequel????

This happens to be my nephew's favorite book (and it's the third copy he's worn out). Duck on a Bike a delightful story about a dare-devil duck who sets off an bike riding adventure. On his journey around the farm, he greets other animas who in turn get jealous of his biking skills. In the end, all of the animals get a chance to join in on the fun!

As an elementary school teacher, I highly recommend this book for children of all ages. The story is engaging and the illustrations capture the joy of the story!

I borrowed this book from the library for my son and he instantly fell in love with it - as did I - and so I just had to buy it for him. We read it nearly every day and he smiles and laughs each time - and he's only 7 months. A beautiful story with gorgeous pictures and a very funny final page. Enjoy!

I'm starting my yoga for children classes and bought quite few of them.

There was good and great and so-so. And all of them contained same poses.

But for kids doing poses is not enough, they need fun and games and that's is why this book so special. It gives you all kind on games with age distinctions .

It's great book for educators and yoga teachers.

Very recommending.

For any parent or teacher who values the educational potential of movement, this book is a must. This book provides great, usable information for teaching yoga to kids. It shows how to make it a game, not just a series of stretches. There is much here to stimulate creativity and imagination, too. Power Brain Kids

This book has so many wonderful ideas for games. Loved it and would highly recommend it

YOGA GAMES FOR CHILDREN

I work with children. I am a paraprofessional in a special needs school, and was very excited to read this book, to see if there might be anything I could use with our kids.
One of the things that I noticed right away is how many of the games and exercises were done in groups or pairs. This is fantastic in my opinion! It seems to me that these days kids are more isolated than in the past. I am not sure what it is, but I rarely see little girls walking and holding hands or boys roughhousing. Fighting yes, just roughhousing, no. I also have noted that most parents do not hold their children's hands any more. This is very sad in my opinion, as touch in and of its own is healing. Touch during play is a good thing!

So, I was very pleased to find that there were things that there were games where the kids held hands or leaned back against each other. I believe this helps to build co-operation and understanding.
There are also plenty of games where it is individuals alone. My favorite is Sun Salutations! It incorporates many basic yoga positions, and it will be a lot of fun for the kids. The Mountain is a close runner up. I can just see the kids enjoying those games, and having fun.
The relaxation exercises are ideal as well. Sometimes kids, as well as adults, need to just let it go and breathe. This book gives several examples of how to do this.
I will not be able to use many of these games with my special needs classroom. We have a low functioning group and the understanding is not there in some cases, and the physical abilities are not there in others. My niece is a preschool teacher in a daycare facility, as well as being Assistant Director. She is very excited about trying many of these games with her class! I had a hard time holding onto the book long enough to finish reading it before passing it on. She is thinking that if it works out she can suggest it for other sites in the corporate system she works in .

This book would also be great fun for any family with young or even not so young kids. I raised four kids of my own, and know how valuable that together time is, and there are many fun suggestions here. I highly recommend this book to anyone who has young ones in their life.

I was asked to teach a Kid's Yoga summer program. I wasn't sure where to start and didn't know if I could keep the children's interest. This book was a great resource. If you are a Yoga Teacher and new to teaching kids this book is a must. The kids loved the class and partially due to Yoga Games for Children.

Just what I needed to get started with my Garmin 76csx. Good price and arrived on time.

This book was just what was needed to get going with a new geocaching device.

As a newhbie to GPs, I found this book, Outdoor Navigation With GPS: Hiking, Geocaching,etc. easy to read and understand.
All aspects of GPS useage are covered fully and concisely.

Now in an updated second edition, Outdoor Navigation with GPS is a no-nonsense guide to basic GPS navigation skills, useful for all kinds of outdoor activities ranging from hiking, mountain biking, and fishing to geocaching, outdoor photography, canoeing/kayaking, and any other activity involving the negotiation of wild terrain. Written in a jargon-free style accessible to readers of all backgrounds, chapters cover how to program waypoint coordinates and reach them, prepare for and recover from disaster, read topographic maps, and much more. Black-and-white photographs and diagrams illustrate this "must-have" for outdoorsmen in the modern age.

I've been a basic-feature gps user for several years, but decided it was time to figure out the 80% of the buttons/features which were greek to me. This book was perfect for the task. I read it cover to cover (simultaneous with testing features on my newly aquired rino) in just a few hours -- time well spent. Text is sufficiently technical and detailed to fully capture the information, but written in an interesting and simple manner. I especially appreciated the correlation with compass and paper mapping techniques and the information on what to do if/when the gps unit fails (batteries dead, dropped and broken, etc.). Also agree with the reminder to "put away the electronic toy" and watch where you're going! After all, we go into the wild in order to see the wild -- not view it on a 2 inch screen.

Only suggestion for future editions: some of the illustrations were too small to be maximally helpful. Since "the big picture" plus small details are both necessary to truly follow the examples related to paper mapping techniques, I would have preferred seeing the full map view (as is) plus a "blow up" illustration of the details.

Mr. Polly has penned a very entertaining, playful book that brings back memories of when I was in China many years ago (some things haven't changed much and some have changed rather dramatically). Although the Shao-lin boxing practiced at the legendary Shao-lin Temple is not at all the original version (nor are the monks truly "monks"), the book was a wonderful read and I very thoroughly enjoyed it!

A must-read for anyone interested in travel, martial arts, language, or cultural exchange. There were a few times that I raised my eyebrows, wondering whether Polly exaggerated some of his experiences, but who cares? His book is intensely entertaining and interesting.

I really enjoyed this book. It had me chuckling out loud numerous times. I agree with the Publisher's Weekly review that Polly loses focus in the last 100 pages. Nonetheless, very enjoyable.

A friend from my karate class recommended this book; Matthew Polly traveled to the Shaolin temple in the early 1990's to learn Kungfu from the Shaolin monks. Seems included in his inadequacies (short list provided) was a self perception as a coward. This "cowardly" young man traveled alone, thousands of miles, against the advice of friends and family, to an alien land and very different culture, to a place with a political and economic system that most americans feared at the time. There he immersed himself into the brutal training of Shaolin kungfu for two years and he writes about it here. His list of inadequacies wisely didn't include limp writing skills because this travelogue is absorbing and witty. A more personal rather than political PJ O'Rourke in his "Holiday's From Hell" period, you really get a feel for the experience Matthew Polly goes through. You get to feel you know the friend's Matthew makes at the Temple, which is particularly charming as the exotic cultures of late 20th century China and the martial Monk is rendered familiar in his writing. Very enjoyable!

What a great, unique book. Matthew Polly is a gifted storyteller. In American Shaolin, he shares the true story of his decision (with just one year remaining until his graduation from Princeton) to take off to China, locate and train with the Shaolin monks until he can cross off "coward" from his "Things that are wrong with Matt" list. This list figures prominently in the book and proves a wonderfully entertaining and useful literary device.

What Polly gives us is a very good, well-written personal memoir. If that's all this book were, it would be enough. You find yourself fully engaged in the journey of self-discovery and personal development and you find yourself constantly laughing at Polly's stories. What's great though, is that you get a lot more from this book while you are being entertained.

At a time when China is emerging onto the world scene in a huge way, Polly provides a completely accessible glimpse for the average American into the Chinese mindset. You come away from the book with a much greater understanding of and appreciation for the way the Chinese live, the goals they share, how their culture is like ours, how it is different and how they think. It's a truly valuable education, but without the trouble of slogging through a dry social sciences book.

Congratulations to Mr. Polly, who was clearly aware of the opportunity to educate while entertaining. He accomplished his goal in spades. Highly recommended for anyone who likes a great story and/or wants to know more about China.

This book describes a person's experience on buying and living on a boat. Overall it's an easy read and it gave me some ideas to look for and watch out for when living aboard.

This is a must have for anyone thinking about living aboard a boat. Extremely well written -- and will save you $$$$. Read before you buy or even think about living aboard.

i liked the book. but i would like to read a more positive slant also

This book is a terrific find. I'm still unsure if I will take the plunge and live aboard, but whatever decision I make it will be far more informed than it would have been without reading this book. The author goes over every aspect of preparing to live aboard in great detail. If you are considering living aboard, or you already have decided to, you should definitely pick up a copy of this book.

My wife and I have held the romantic notion of living aboard a boat for many years, even before we met. Shortly into beginning the process we came across Nicholas' book. And we are glad we did early on! It has saved us plenty of time...and money. Not only is it informative, covering A to Z, but it is entertaining and a very good read! He lays it out there, giving the reader the in and outs of what it is really like to live aboard a boat, and how to turn your dream into a reality!