Sports Books

"The Masked Rider" by Neil Peart is the author's first book, published in 1996. The book describes his month-long bicycle tour in Cameroon. Peart describes in detail the challenging riding conditions and "rustic" accommodations, in addition to his relationship with his travel companuions and talks about the people he encounters. The book was an interesting, easy read. It is however the first time that I read a travel memoir that doesn't make me want to take the journey. It was difficult and uncomfortable and at times just nasty.

Although this is his first book, it's the third one of the four that he's written that I have read. Having already read his second book "Ghost Rider" - where he describes his cross-US motorcycle trip after his wife and 19 year-old daughter had died unexpectedly within a year of each other (accident and cancer respectively) - this was somewhat bittersweet. In this book he tells of how he can't wait for the end of the journey when he meets his wife in Paris to enjoy a vacation with her. At another point as he tells of the poverty he encountered and how the some of the children were underfed and sick, he says that he can't imagine the pain a parent must feel upon losing a child - little could he have known he would know that pain all too well the following year whne he would lose his daughter.

It's also interesting to compare traveling conditions in that part of the world prior to 9/11. He complains about the inconveniences they had to endure at security checkpoints and when flying - it's nothing comapred to what goes on now.

I'd recommend it to Neil Peart fans and to people who enjoy travel memoirs.

Recently I picked up all four books by Neil Peart on Amazon.com and plan on reviewing them in the near future. This is the first one.

I spoke with a co-worker who is from West Africa and he concurred with Mr. Peart's portrayal of the harsh living conditions there. The friend tells me, "That is why I am here" [United States].

Peart's book has an excellent quality that I don't see in memoirs today. I love the way he captured his fellow riders' habits, spirit and most importantly, their irritations. In a world that is consumed with finding common ground, often our differences are overlooked. This talented writer illustrates this difficult topic of how we all wear masks and how easily they can fall off in a group dynamic under stress.

As stated above, it gives the reader a clear understanding of life in West Africa. Reading this will take you through villages of the region and you will be captured right in the moment. Whether it is a tribal leader or drunken soldiers, the author takes you on his journey and you will be joining this bicycling tour. Me? I don't plan on going anytime soon - but I love to read about other areas of the world and the subject.

There are other gems in the book - the conversations between the cyclists, loosing passports, having a gun pointed at the author, among others. But, you have to read it yourself to enjoy them.

Lastly, I was impressed with Peart's humbleness. At times, I thought he would dive into his drumming prespective when he encountered African musicians and drums, but rather he simply chooses to report the facts. I appreciated that.

I thought it was a great first effort and I highly recommend the book to fellow travelers, lovers of bicycling, and of course, Rush fans.

Breathtaking. Artful. Thoughtful. Funny. Sad. Shocking.

Neil's craft with theme and prose is as precise and thrilling as his drumming. I enjoyed The Masked Rider more than all of this other books, and I enjoyed them a lot. Neil muses how masks in Africa, and in all societies and people (himself included) reveal as much as they conceal.

As usual, his insights into his own character and those of his companions are humorous and without self-indulgent narcissism. The ending is cathartic, and his concluding thoughts after the trip aren't what one would expect. Written before the crippling losses of his wife and daughter, I relished the innocence of the `old Neil', with his boundless hope and shaking-his-fist-at-the-sky verve. You will remember a sweet little girl that changes a bad day he had with two words, and the way he greets his wife when the journey is over.

Ashea, Neil, Ashea.

I decided to revisit this book after reading "Travelling Music." Even if you are not a Rush fan this book has many layers; from the writer being one of a five person group, where the squeaky wheel is also the least competent, to the daily adventures of cycling through Africa and dealing with its inhabitants and (sometimes)hostile enviroment. Peart attempts a level of objectivity, trying to win the reader over with views he considers clear, but is he guilty of sharing the same level of nearsightedness as those he criticizes (only he's on the other end of the scale)? I really enjoyed reading this book since it covers more than, "next stop, so-n-so, average 'rice with junk in it.'" Peart lets you borrow his senses and mindset for a voluntary cyclist bootcamp. Is it the beat or the time between the beats that matter? You really need both for things to work.

I am always interested in good real life adventures. This story is about Neil's perspective on his adventure through a remote part of Africa that most westerns would never have the courage to try. I am personally a person that has traveled most places of the world, including Africa, but exposing myself to the elements the way Neil and his other five cycling buddies did is something I wouldn't dream of doing..... or at least until I had read this book... which makes me now believe I have been missing an entire part of my traveling adventure.

Pick this book up! You will enjoy it! I enjoy Neil's honesty about his traveling companions and the people he interacts with during the trip. A great story about a great adventure.

Here is one terrific writer who as a parent I would encourage you and your kids to select from some terrifically written books especially for kids who don't read enough or haven't grasp the value of well written books!

I read with both of your younger kids to keep them honest (i.e no shortcuts) and to insure they have comprehended the story well enough to have something meaningful discussion to talk about.

What I enjoyed most about this book was it brought back old memories of how low wages and pay was as a kid hustling for odd jobs in the 1950's and 60's just to have money in your pocket... not like today as Paulsen reflects how life was life when he was 16 in 1955 and hitchhiked 300 miles to get a job at the Birds Eye fresh-frozen vegetable plant at an astounding wage of one dollar and five cents per hour ($8.40 per day).

Also the other thought that crossed my mind reading this particular book was now I know how the famous celebrity "EVEL KNIEVEL" who was captured attention for performing similar stunts on his motorcycle in the 70's came about...

Mr. Paulsen - Thank you for the wonderful gift and legacy you have given readers of all ages!

Have you ever wanted to set a world record? Have you ever wanted to do something crazy? The characters in Gary Paulsen's How Angel Peterson got his Name do just that. At the age of 13, Paulsen and his friends break the world record on skis, wrestle with a bear, jump through a hoop of fire, and more.
The characters in the book have the same mind as young adult. It is a good choice for boys and some girls ages 11- 15 because they can relate to Gary Paulsen and his friends. This book is action packed and the fun never stops. Gary wants to tell his friends not to do the amazing stunts that they do because they might get hurt but he has the curiosity to keep his mouth shut. He wonders what will happen to Angel while breaking the record, what will happen to Orvis when he wrestles the bear?
Breaking the world record of 74 miles an hour on skis isn't easy, especially when you live where there aren't any hills. Another thing, there wasn't safety gear. The trouble starts when they pass the record at 82 miles an hour. They hit a place with out snow and Angel flies off his skies. Later he told his friends that he heard the Angels sing. They were singing "Your Cheatin' Heart" by Hank Williams."
Orvis Orvison wasn't very popular and was always being beaten up at school. He also couldn't talk to girls. So he got the girls' attention by showing off. Whenever there were girls around he would always be two feet higher or jump five feet farther then his friends. At the carnival he saw a sign that said wrestle with a bear for one minute win $25. Orvis saw some girls and got in the ring with the bear.
A New York Times Best Seller and a 2004 winner for the ALA Best Books for Young Adults, Paulsen's memoir about his childhood is not to be missed by middle school readers who want to read a book that will put a smile on their face. Teen readers will be able to find similarities between themselves and the characters in the book.

Book review of How Angel Peterson Got His Name

How Angel Peterson Got His Name is a book about a group of 12 year old boys doing crazy stunts and hilarious pranks. Each of these kids has a crazy and stupid dream or stunt that they want to accomplish. Even though they could end up dead if not very close to it, they still try. Gary Paulsen does a great gob describing all of these stunts and giving you a great picture of what is going on in the book.
Although this book is chopped up into little stories each with a stupider and crazier stunt than the last, it's still funny and a great book to read. But since there are just a bunch of little stories that fit into one which sort of makes it easier to read because you're not having to keep track of one big story. Rather than just a bunch of little stories so if you don't like one story you can just read the next one and see if you like it. That's why I would recommend this book to struggling readers that don't like to read big books because they are ether hard to understand or that if you miss a part then you may have skipped an important part in knowing the story.
Overall this is a great book with a crazy and outrageous changing plot full of surprising and funny twists along with all of the stupid stunts. In the end almost all the kids have gotten in trouble or hurt.

Pretty much all readers who have read this book say How Angel Peterson Got His Name by Gary Paulsen is a great quick read. It's a great book for reluctant and struggling readers. It's a good book for these people because number one it's a short book but long chapters which is good because it will make the reader read to the end of the chapter, number two it's a very funny book, and number three there's quite a bit of characters so there will be quite a bit of similarity between the reader and the characters.
There isn't really a main character in this story it's all about a group of kids and the things they do for fun or to get girls to like them. Some of the kids will do anything to get girls attention. For example, a memorable scene is when, this one kid tries to wrestle a bear at the carnival, but the first few times he doesn't do it, but then he tries one more time and succeeds by getting tortured by the bear, because the objective is to stay in the rink for 1 minute. And then there was when the kids were really bored they decided to skateboard in the street and hold on to the back of the cars to go really fast.
By the end of the book, readers are hung off with questions like what would happen if our world was just like this book, or what would happen if the people in our world were like the people in the book.

I thought that I could totally relate to this book because I am also his age and I thought it was awsome to compare each other. This book always kept you on the edge of what they would do next.It was a funny book and was a book with morals. If your the type that likes funny and true stories, this is the book for you.

We are using this book as text book now, it's really fantastic! Great storytelling style and very funny! you can't miss it!

great book... shows insight and feelings of gm and his moves to make a team a better team.. shows class act of gm...
would read again...

The GM is a tad slow in the beginning, but really picks up the pace after a couple of chapters. It's a great behind the scenes look into the Giants, and really any NFL team. Every football fan, and Giant fans in particular, owe it to themselve to read this book.

As a Detroit Lion fan (NFL,not to be confused with the fantasy football team with the same name), this book should be required reading for William Clay Ford and Matt Millen. It is the story of Ernie Accorsi's last year as General Manager of the New York Giants. He is the chief architect of this year's Super Ball champions. The author provides an insider's picture of how great team are created and maintained when superior ownership,leadership and organizational skills are used to field a winning team.

Accorsi is really a man who understands and values all sports combined with a sense of history and love of live. He learned his lessons on the playfields of Hershey Pennsylvania and from such personalitis as Paterno,Unitas,and Rozelle.

Accorsi is truly a man for all seasons. He is very much like Machiavelli with a heart, who finds greatness where others are blind to it.

Ernie Accorsi, the "GM" of the New York Giants, was a link to the NFL's great past of Pete Rozelle, Wellington Mara, John Unitas and Jim Finks. In those days, the phrase "for the good of the game" was a frequent motivation for doing the right thing for the players, fans and that elite fraternity who invested their money to make it America's favorite sport. The way Accorsi approached his job and treated those around him reflects that spirit, which was accurately portrayed by Tom Callahan. Men like Accorsi are disappearing from professional sports, and we are all worse off for it. If you love the game, you'll love "GM."

This book provides a great overview of simple DT moves and how to employ them. I found it to be easy to read and follow along with the instructions. The pictures in the text were clear and understandable and matched the descriptions given in the text. I enjoyed the text very much and thought it was a good book.

Highly recommended manual not just for law enforcement officers but also for martial artist too!

Kane really provides an outstanding review here, so I am in a sense writing to "pile on" the accolades hoping to increase sales for this book. It is, without a doubt, the epitome in the Defensive Tactics milieu. Loren Christensen's body of work really speaks for itself, but to those who are unfamiliar, he is one of the foremost experts in the world, providing street experience with analytical study to provide a text that is comprehensive as a text can possibly be while still providing the basic information without losing the targeted audience.

I remember when I started out as a DT instructor in the early 90s. Essentially, my unit knew I was a black belt and said "you can teach this stuff, why hire someone or send officers to an expensive seminar." Cocky as I was, I said, "Sure." Soon, I found myself going to seminar after seminar to prepare myself to teach because I discovered after my first DT class I was inadequacy prepared to teach DT. This led me to become an expert in the field myself (although it has been awhile since I taught a course). I wish this book had been around back then, it would have saved me some seminar fees. I must also say that my sensei is also one of the foremost experts in the field and I also was able to "pick his brain."

This book will help first time instructors as well as police officers preparing to enter a course or refresher course. Further, to any police (or possible) recruit - get the book and prepare yourself before entering the academy. Further, those entering security force career fields with the military should also get this fine text.

The book covers everything from controlling breathing, fear, adrenaline, to employing restraint and beyond. If you are a DT instructor or a police officer, get the book now - don't delay.

In the hustle and bustle of day to day life how often do we get to train? For most of us time is a scarce commodity, with little to spare. With such little time left over for training and the lack of frequency to keep our razor edge sharp, the majority of us walk around dulled, maybe even rusty. Don't be fooled by confidence or pride, it is that razor sharp edge that can make all the difference.

So with such little time to spare, Defensive Tactics fits the bill. The book itself was an easy read, enjoyable and well laid out, and explained things very clearly. Two things about this book really stood out at me. First, the surprising number of photos; I can't remember another book at this value having so many pictures. It was like having a step by step guide to each technique. The second was Loren's voice, as I read the book it was as if I could here Loren speaking to me. Each chapter was laid out clearly, and was simple and to the point. Long-winded explanations were saved for another day or book quite possibly.

This is a book that I have recommended to my own friends and colleagues, and would suggest for anyone who wants to improve their skills. There is something new for every level of skill and can be used as great aid in training. I see this book as another great effort by Loren to keep all his readers sharp and ready for action.

Dave

I don't throw that claim around lightly. I've been an police academy DT instructor, have a second degree black belt in karate and have been doing BJJ for several years now. Loren dosen't present anything new in this book, instead he takes all the things were taught in the academy and teaches it the right way. I like most cops have little faith in joint locks and come alongs and the like because they never seemed to work. Loren shows all the fine details that we were never taught, Easy details that were missed because most academy DT instructors are nothing but 40 hour wonders.

The way Loren shows the techniques are very easy to translate into your own practice but make no mistake about it you still have to practice these moves and Loren constantly reinforces that. That actually is the best part of this book is that Loren's delivery is very common sense oriented and often humorous. Psrt of my own teaching style I have developed by emulating Loren's techniques in his other books.

My only contribution is that the ground fighting section is a great section but as someone who does it weekly I can say with the utmost confidence that you really need professional instruction in that to do it right. The author of that section for instance demonstrates the "hip away" or shrimping as it is known. That is a great technique but I can't stress enough the need to put your duty rig on including your radio and then try the hip away on concrete or the grass. The common hip slide on the mat will not work as your gun and radio act as anchors. You have to learn to modify the technique.

In closing this book offers simple, effective and task specific techniques that one can use to supplement their own martial arts training. The book is briskly paced and laid out in a simple logicial manner that makes it fit great in my training bag so that I can have it on hand to reference it.

I was interested more in CR-V manual then Civic. This wasn't extremely helpful in my case. Hopefully book serves better for Civic owners.

The Repair book tells you all you need to know about the car in an understandable way. Made replacing my head lights a lot easier.

I always buy the repair manual for my cars, I like to know my car.

I purchased this book for information on changing brake pads for a 2001 Honda Civic DX. It has the information I was looking for. (NOTE: I haven't actually done the work yet so I can't comment on the quality of the information) At the same time I ordered the Chilton's Manual for my model thinking it would be good to have two different sources of information. Revieweing both books I found that the text and photos are exactly the same in both books. They must be published by the same company. So don't bother purchasing both. (NOTE: As a tribute, I am posting the exact same review for the Chilton's manual.)

1. The price of this manual is reasonable.
2. Some out-of-date information about procedures and parts.
3. Too technical which is not suitable for car owner (who has little knowledge about car) to do maintenance trouble-free.
4. Car owner could do approximately 25% out of 100% procedures of the whole manual. Please remember it depends on your car knowledge.
5. Haynes publisher do not care to respond their customer's e-mail and phone call for asking more information in the book as they promised to do so.

I found the book to be very detailed and it is what I needed in the clinical setting to help me with my technique. It is a very informative book. Everyone who practices should have it as a good reference book.

Improved from the previous edition. Better pictures. Good, concise book for nearly all of your typical office injections. Can't beat the price.

This book was the first time I have read Kerasote - I completed it in two sessions. I thought it was brilliantly written. It had an educated style, which means I enjoyed occasionally checking some less common words (but cleverly appropriate)in my dictionary. This was an enthralling account of two basically dissimilar friends undertaking a great canoe trip down the Horton River toward the Arctic Ocean. I just wasn't willing to put the book down until the trip was over - the reader was right there with them. At one stage, I hoped for some photographs to supplement the map in the book - but then again Kerasote's writing was so good that I had a clear word picture of the events. Perhaps this was in keeping with the general theme of making do without everything on a platter? I found the historical notes provided a fascinating context for the modern day adventure. The professionalism of their outdoor skills was evident, and important for such a remote adventure. The potential 'clash' of the satphone was very much secondary to the description of the wonderful river trip itself. Actually, I thought the satphone was skillfully considered from a philosophical viewpoint - it was an issue that is very relevant now to modern mans interaction with serious wilderness adventure. This book was just brilliant stuff.

Ordered this because it was suggested by Amazon as a book that might be of interest. This because I am so very fond of David Petersen's writing. Kerasote can't hold a candle to Petersen! He does not enlarge his subject to include any of the larger insights or issues, of which there are many imbedded in the subject of man and nature. From Melville to Petersen, we have struggled to describe and comprehend our relationship to society and nature. Kerasote adds little to the discussion.

Well it started with Merle's Door. After that wonderful book I wanted to read more about the writer and see what else he had up his sleeve. Well I was not dissappointed with this book. What a joy to read. Every sentence, every word was descriptive. He does not waste words. Very enjoyable and a pleaseure to read. It feels like you are right there with him enjoying the same visual treat, in the canoe, watching the wildlife or lying in the tent while the rain pours from the skys. I love the way this guy writes. I too used to camp and canoe until work and worries kept me with my nose to the computer or exhausted from work stretched out on the couch. He has inspired me to see nature and be apart of it again. I am going to plan another camp/canoe trip soon and enjoy it all over again.

If you like nature, being a part of it or just reading about it, this book is for you. It takes you away. Breathes new life into you, inspires you to enjoy what God has given us and to take care of it. And also to realize it is up to us to protect it. This guy is a TRUE nature lover. I want more Ted Kerasote books. Merle's Door is still my favorite, but this book comes in second:)I think his next book will come in third:):):)

This book was chosen for our book discussion group which was a good choice because it was easy to finish in time for the discussion and enjoyable. It did read like an article in Outside magazine, which I believe is part of the author's background. It does take you "Out There" which is what I liked about the book.

Enjoyed this great little book as I always do Kerasote's writing. I wanted to read it because he had written an article in an outdoor magazine 15 years ago on "Camping Beyond Aid" and I wanted to compare his thoughts then and now.

But no matter: while camping "beyond aid" in the wilderness two weeks later, I developed a life-threatening medical condition that required Air Force helicopter evacuation.

That sat phone sure would have come in handy.

this was a gift my daughter rec'd for her birthday. she loves most Klutz activity books--and it's the same with this one. she has enjoyed writing in it for a while now.

My daughter asked for this book (journal/activity book) and she loved it. It held her interest for a few months, but she's an avid reader, and as readers go ... they move on to new material all the time.

She was ten when she received it and it is age appropriate through 13 or so.

I LOVE this book! it's great for girls ages 8-18. Although I love it, my friends aren't too crazy about it and don't really care. But if you have A LOT of friends then this is the book for you!

This book is soooo cool! my best friend have it and we write on it together, now im buying it! I really love it... The colorful, games and everything!!You will know more about your friends and your friends will know more about you!!! every teenager will love it! It is the perfect gift!!
My mom and dad will buy it to me like a SURPRISE but i discover it!! haha!!

Sorry about the spelling it's just that im from another country!

My daughter received this as a birthday gift and the most amazing thing happened. She stopped opening gifts and all of the girls sat right down and filled out this book. They spent almost an hour focused on this fantastic book....talking, comparing stories and ideas, laughing, teasing one another and sharing thoughts. It was wonderful.

I can't promise that everyone will get that reaction, but it's worth the chance; I give it to every 9-12 year old girl I need to buy a gift for.

Wow! Most art books are like the ones you remember from college--sky high prices and nothing but print. Art books need pictures, and this one has plenty of them in color--no guessing as to the artist's tecnique. You can use it as a reference, or start from scratch. It gives you sources for everything you need. A must have for any artist's library.

Watercolor Painting for Dummies is a great book for both beginners and artist who just need to brush (no pun intended) up on the fundamentals of w/c painting. If you're looking for a book to give you all the information you need because you are just beginning, this is it. This book is chock full of everything you need to know and everything they teach in art class.
Another good thing about this book is you don't have to start from the first chapter and read from there (unless you are a beginner).
And there are several projects you can paint "along" with.
This is a good book to have and refer back to again and again.