Editorial Review

This book was converted from its physical edition to the digital format by a community of volunteers. You may find it for free on the web. Purchase of the Kindle edition includes wireless delivery. ... Read more

Reviews

Great Long Tales!, January 21, 2010
This was a book of many wonderful Indian fairy tales. It includes tales both of a 'classical' fairy tale style and ones that are moralistic folktales instead. All are wonderful.

Stories included are:

The Lion and the Crane
How the Raja's Son Won the Princess Labam
The Lambikin
Punchkin
The Broken Pot
The Magic Fiddle
The Cruel Crane Outwitted
Loving Laili
The Tiger, the Brahman and the Jackel
The Soothsayer's Son
Harisaman
The Charmed Ring
The Talkative Tortoise
A Lac of Rupees for a Bit of Advice
The Gold-Giving Serpent
The Son of Seven Queens
A Lesson for Kings
Pride Goeth Before a Fall
Raja Rasalu
The Ass in the Lion's Skin
The Farmer and the Money Lender
The Boy Who had a Moon on his Forehead...
The Prince and the Fakir
Why the Fish Laughed
The Demon with the Matted Hair
The Ivory City and its Fairy Princess
How Sun, Moon and Wind Went Out to Dinner
How the Wicked Sons were Duped
The Pigeon and the Crow

Delightful stories that are similar to European tales, October 15, 2010
There are twenty-nine stories in this collection. These Indian tales resemble the stories that flourished in Europe, such as the tales by the Brothers Grimm and by Aesop, although they have an Indian flavor. The collector of these stories contends that they are very old, older than the legends and folk-tales that later flourished in Europe. He believes that India was the originator of this genre and the stories were possibly brought to Europe by the crusaders or other travelers that passed through India.

For example, the tale The Lion and the Crane is well-known. A lion was eating an animal when a bone got stuck in its throat. A crane offered to help if the lion promises not to eat it. The lion agrees. The crane protects itself by placing a stick in the lion's mouth to keep it open while he is inside the lion's mouth removing the bone. As soon as the crane removes the bone, it pushes out the stick and flies off to a high tree. Later, the crane asks the lion what the lion will give it for saving the lion's life. The lion responds that it already gave the crane a gift by not eating it. The Indian version ends by speaking about the transmigration of souls, a belief of many Indians. The lion and the crane were people in another life.

How the Raja's Son Won the Princess Labam is another example of a familiar tale, although known in the west under other names. A prince goes in search for a beautiful princess. While journeying, he takes out his food and finds an ant in it. He places it on the ground for other ants to come and finish it. The ant Raja arrives and tells him that since he fed the ants, if he needs help in the future all he need do is think of them and they will come to help him. He leaves and continues searching for the princess. He comes across a tiger with a thorn in its paw. He helps the tiger who tells the prince that if he needs help in the future, he should think of him, and he and his wife will come and help him. The prince continues his search and comes across four fakirs with four magic items: a bag that give food whenever it is requested to do so, a bowl that offers water, a bed that flies and can take the prince where he wants to go, and a stick that will beat any group that tries to harm him. He takes the four items from the fakirs. He uses the bed to go to the princess. He uses the bag and bowl for food and drink. He then uses the ants and tigers and the bed when the princess' father insists that he performs tasks before he will give up his daughter. The final fourth task that the father insists that he perform is one that none of his friends or magical items can help him with. But the princess tells him how to do the task. The story ends by stating that the two lived happily and never needed to use the magic stick.

Wonderfully Written, July 15, 2010
I love Indian Tales and this one was great. No Spoilers in my reviews. A great read for free!

A Great Collection of Fairy Tales, December 9, 2010
Fairy tales are usually thought of as children's literature, and in terms of how much children in particular are fascinated with them this categorization is not without a merit. However, most good fairy tales tap into some social or personal tension, a fact of life, or a natural phenomenon. They often take rather ordinary situations and push them to the limit of what our imagination considers plausible. Fairy tales are thus a form of reductio ad absurdum of common sense, and they often help us see various life situations in terms of their most basic principles. This is why fairy tales have had, and continue to have, a lot of fascination with adults as well.

Most of us have grown up with fairy tales of Hans Christian Andersen or Brothers Grimm. There is a sort of cannon of western fairy tales that have become part of the common patrimony of the entire world - Little Red Riding Hood, Snow White, Rapunzel, and many others. However, these fairy tales are only the tip of the iceberg when it comes to the European fairy tales, and the World literature is even more filled with beautiful, unusual and imaginative stories.

This collection of the Indian fairy tales is as great of a collection of fairy tales as they come. It is rather fascinating to see that even thought many fairy tales reflect certain Indian cultural norms, the basic structure and the motifs are surprisingly familiar. We have villains and heroes charged with an unusual and demanding task, monsters and talking animals are everywhere, there are damsels-in-distress aplenty, and most tales take place "long, long, time ago." All of the tales are very well written and the language is crisp and contemporary. This collection will be a great source of enjoyment for children and adults alike. ... Read more

Editorial Review

From its earliest days on frozen ponds, hockey has been a sport of speed and elegance, but also one demanding courage and physical will. The Hockey Book goes deep into the heart of the game, celebrating with astounding photographs and insightful words the great players and the inspiring teams, as well as an ethos-robust and selfless-that defines the sport as much in its dynamic present as it did in hockey's hardscrabble (and helmetless) past.

... Read more

Reviews

This is a Must Book for Hockey Fans, October 6, 2010
Sports Illustrated has put together the definitive book about the sport of ice hockey, drawing on its article archives and its photo library. This is a marvelous book, with huge, gorgeous color photographs. If you are a hockey fan, this tome is a valuable edition to your library. It also makes a great gift.

The book is best when it draws on its vintage files of the hockey greats. The best of the book, in this fan's opinion, are the stories and photos that covered the golden age of the NHL, immediately after World War II, when the NHL consisted of only six teams.

The minuscule number of teams (Montreal Canadians, Toronto Maple Leafs, Boston Bruins, Detroit Red Wings, Chicago Black Hawks and the New York Rangers) meant that only the cream of the crop in hockey made the big leagues. All the big boys are here: Maurice (the Rocket) Richard, Jean Beliveau, Gordie Howe, Bobby Hull, Stan Mikita and the Esposito brothers; also the acrobatic goalies of that era, including Jacques Plante, Terry Sawchuk and Glen Hall.

Those were the days when the goalies didn't wear facemasks. The book includes a spectacular photo of Jacques Plant that appeared on the SI cover of Feb. 17, 1958 (unlike the cover photo in the magazine, the photo in the book is uncropped). The photo shows Plante peering out of his goal with his chin almost on the ice as he prepares for an assault by the New York Rangers. The tense-ness of the moment not only shows on Plante's face, but also on the faces of the fans in the stands behind the Montreal goal.

The book also includes the hilarious story written by George Plimpton when he played 15 minutes of an exhibition game in the Boston Bruins goal. Plimpton later published a book on that experience, but the original magazine article reprinted here will leave anyone squirming with laughter as the Big Bad Bruins set up the hapless writer - who played in the goal by while skating on his ankles.

One of the highlights is the famous photograph of Bobby Orr, stretched out horizontally three feet off the ice after scoring the wining goal in the 1970 championship game that gave the Bruins their first NHL Stanley Cup in 29 years (disclosure: the writer covered that game for UPI and interviewed Orr in the locker room after the game. Earlier this year, I ran into Orr and he signed a copy of the photo with the inscription, "Thanks for covering this game"). The account of how the photographer shot that amazing photo is also included.

Of course, the story of the 1980 Olympic Gold Medal won by the Americans is here, but for once the SI editors missed a chance to tell the complete story of American Olympic hockey: in the 50's, 60's 70's and 80's Olympic hockey was played by amateurs, no pros, and it was hockey at his finest. Dave Christian was on the 1980 team - and he was the son of Billy Christian and the nephew of Roger Christian who were two of the stars of the 1960 team that also won the gold medal in a fairy tale manner. And, of course, Herb Brooks the coach of the 1980 team was the last player cut from the 1960 team (further disclosure: the writer played on the 1965 U.S. National Team that included both Billy and Roger Christian, as well as Brooks).

There is also the touching story of Travis Roy, the young hockey star from Maine, who was permanently paralyzed in the opening seconds of his first game for Boston University in 1995.

If there is a weakness to the book it is the lack of documentation on the earliest days of hockey in Canada. Howie Morenz and the great goaltender Georges Vezina are mentioned, of course, but the focus of the SI book is on modern day hockey. This hockey fan wished there were more of those grainy photographs of the earliest players wearing their skimpy uniforms. There is too much lore from that era that is missing in this otherwise excellent book.

The book also seems a bit disjointed. When we do get photos from the earliest days, they are interspersed with photos of modern-day hockey. It can be confusing.

But overall, this is a fabulous book that documents the wonderful sport of ice hockey - the national sport of Canada, and a sport that has spread throughout the United States and Europe and more recently in Asia. If you love hockey, you're going to love this book.

Joyous trip down memory lane for this hockey fan, October 5, 2010
What a wonderful addition to SI's library. Great stuff, as usual, in this series. Most of the pictures have never been widely circulated before. A terrific gift for any serious hockey fan!

Highly recommended for any hockey fan.

Buy immediately!, November 17, 2010
I bought this book on the recommendation of a close friend, saying that it was an incredible read for any hockey fan - and he was spot on. I bought the huge, coffee table book and read the entire thing in less than 24 hours. With pictures from all eras of hockey (from the 1800s to the 2010 Stanley Cup Final) and old Sports Illustrated articles on subjects like Bobby Orr, Wayne Gretzky's last game, Gordie Howe, the 1980 U.S. Olympic team, you will literally feel yourself going through history as you make your way through the journey that is "The Hockey Book."

It's a great conversation piece, October 31, 2010
because people who know me or thought they did, do a double take of this book that's found a home on my coffee table.
"Hockey..?!"they say.
Yeah, hockey.
It opens up a new dialogue for my guest. Just flip through the pages and the history, record breakers,photos and personalities, giving the game another dimension for those who are often the ones at home,wondering what it's like to be in the stands, hearing the puck glide across the ice,feeling the cold atmosphere surround them or see the body slams in mid-air, leaving one speechless and in awe.
The photos, of course,are lovely with the stories universal, dialogue simple, keeping my interest,often reminding me why I want to read it. The chronological set-up provides a good reference without confusing or distracting me from my attention, with bits of trivia sprinkled throughout, placing a face on the game. S.I. knows how to have a sense of humor in good taste. Makes a great gift for those who love and appreciate the game.

P.S. Congradulations, Jordin Tootoo! You made S.I!

hockeynut, November 15, 2010
This book is a wonderful history of the sport with material on the game, the players, and beautiful, incredable photos. A must have for all who love the game.

Fantastic!, November 4, 2010
A great coffee table book for anyone who loves hockey and appreciates its rich history. Wonderful photographs and very well written articles that trace the game from its beginnings to the present day.

si hockey, October 25, 2010
I think this book is terrific. It is full of fabulous stories and pictures. This series is super.

Sports Illustrated The Hockey Book, October 22, 2010
This was a gift for my 13 years old cousin that plays hockey, he is very happy with this book, and it makes a great gift for those that like sports. ... Read more

Editorial Review

From the advent of the vertical passing game to the development of ever-more-sophisticated blitzing schemes on defense, professional football in the last half century has been a sport marked by relentless innovation. For fans determined to keep up with the changes that have transformed the game, close examination of the coaching footage is a must. In the words of Hall of Fame linebacker Mike Singletary, “The film does not lie.”

In The Games That Changed the Game, Ron Jaworski, a one-time NFL MVP turned Monday Night Football analyst and pro football’s #1 game-tape guru, breaks down the film from seven of the most momentous contests of the last fifty years. With an eye toward the brilliant game plans and seminal strategic breakthroughs that revolutionized play on both sides of the ball, Jaworski offers readers a drive-by-drive, play-by-play guide to the evolutionary leaps that now define the modern NFL, as well as portraits of the seven men who exhibited both creativity and courage in bucking established strategies. From Sid Gillman’s development of the Vertical Stretch, which culminated in the San Diego Chargers’ victory in the 1963 AFL Championship Game and launched the era of wide-open passing offenses, to Bill Belichick’s daring defensive game plan in Super Bowl XXXVI, which enabled his outgunned squad to upset the heavily favored St. Louis Rams and usher in the New England Patriots dynasty, the most cutting-edge concepts come alive again through the recollections of nearly seventy coaches and players interviewed for this book.

Writing with the same vivid, passionate, and accessible style that has made him television’s go-to X’s and O’s maven, Jaworski fills in the blanks for fans who aren’t satisfied with merely dropping the terms “West Coast offense” or “46 defense” into conversation, but want to understand them fully, in context, as they were experienced by the men who played the game. You’ll never watch the NFL the same way again.



Foreword by Steve Sabol, president, NFL Films
... Read more

Reviews

If you're no pigskin geek, wait for a reasonable price, November 10, 2010
Being a huge fan of the game itself, I truly enjoyed this book. "Jaws" takes you through 7 historic NFL games that had a lasting impact on the way the professional game was/is played - because these games introduced new coaching schemes or even ideologies that can still be felt in today's game: the grandfathers of the modern passing game, Gillman, Coryell and Walsh; defensive contributions like the Cover-2 and Dick LeBeau's Zone Blitz. Each of these schemes or concepts is demonstrated by analysis of a specific game.

The reader is taken through each game quarter by quarter describing in detail relevant plays, their impact on the game specifically and in general, including a few play diagrams. Now, if this sounds very geeky to you - then you're right. Don't get me wrong - the book is no play-by-play box score compilation. Jaworski and his co-authors focus exclusively on one team and the decisions made by that team's coach or coordinator and how each play figured into the overall scheme of that coach.

The book is fun and easy to read, a huge ensemble cast of former and current players and coaches get to have their say, and depending on your age, you either get to gain some insights of the NFL before you were born (Sid Gillman's Chargers and the Steel Curtain were before my time), too young (I only knew about Don Coryell, Dan Fouts and Kellen Winslow Sr. from highlight reels), or you get to re-experience great games that you may have seen but not thought about for some time.

What I really like was the back and forth between offensive and defensive innovations - it demonstrates the arms race in the NFL very well. The offense starts to air it out - the defense catches up. The offense creates ever more complex formations and plays - the defense overloads and blitzes unexpectedly, and so on. The book also offers some refreshingly raw language that you'd expect from players and coaches in football, instead of the highly polished "speaking but not saying anything" in today's media-centric league.

The reason that I'm giving it only 4 stars is that the chapter titles are somewhat confusing sometimes - Sid Gillman's Vertical Stretch, for example is showcased in a game where the Chargers won by relying on their running attack. Which they could do only because the defense expected them to air it out, but still. The Air Coryell chapter is is actually more about Winslow's breakout game, and the begin of the receiving tight ends of the modern era.

But these minor inconsistencies didn't really bother me. The price did. Now, unless you're a die-hard NFL geek looking for something meaningful to do while ESPN is showing skateboarding or oval car races, wait until the price drops. Oherwise - read this book.

The Games That Changed The Game., November 26, 2010
This is an excellent book for anyone interested in the evolution of professional football. I've been a big fan of Ron Jaworski since I started watching NFL Match Up and in this book he explains how individual coaching tactics changed the way the game is played. As "Jaws" always says football strategy is all about favorable match ups and after reading his book I have a greater appreciation for the seven coaches highlighted in the book. One negative note: the cover of the book upside down from the pages inside! ... Read more

Editorial Review

As a unique, one-volume encyclopedia with over 350 pages, nearly 1,000 Superstars, and more than 1,500 images, this is the book for all WWE fans! Featuring hundreds of Superstars of all eras, from the World Wrestling Federation of the 60s and 70s to today's WWE, this thrilling, one-of-a-kind reference guide contains a visual glossary of all wrestling moves and provides coverage of the television shows that put the WWE into millions of households. From the Hardcore Champion to the World Heavyweight title holder, from the WWE's showcase events to the Pay-per-views, from Survivor Series to the grand spectacle of WrestleMania this encyclopedia covers it all. ... Read more

Reviews

A must own for wrestling fans, March 21, 2009
Often times while I'm watching an old wrestling match (or browsing some wrestling website) I end up looking an old wrestler up on Wikipedia in hopes of finding out more about him (or her). The WWE is, apparently, hoping to capitalize with marks like me with the WWE Encyclopedia. As the name implies, this book is an encyclopedia to all things (well most things) that have occurred in the vast history of the WWE - wrestlers, TV shows, PPV's, title histories, etc.

The book is written in kayfabe (pretends that wrestling and the personalities are "real"), so you are not going to get any inside information as far as behind the scene stuff goes. To me, that's perfect - but be forewarned though if you are looking for serious information on the people who played these characters you are going to be disappointed. For example, the encyclopedia has a separate entry for Kane and Dr. Isaac Yankem DDS with no mention one person played both roles (Glenn Jacobs). This is because in the WWE canon they are two separate people (one a crazy guy who is the Undertaker's brother and the other was an evil dentist - classic stuff) that just happened to played by the same person. Hence, the two different entries. I could see how this will be annoying for some people though who might want to know what the "real names" of these wrestlers are or some information about their real life pasts.

Really the only drawbacks (besides the potential problem for some that the book is written in total kayfabe) are the omissions or errors. I haven't searched every single page to find these issues (a few other reviews discuss them), but they appear to be very small in number when one stops to consider the thousands of different wrestling gimmicks that have shown up over the years. I certainly wouldn't let it stop me from purchasing the book because TL Hopper isn't profiled (there are always going to be errors in this sort of undertaking).

Overall, a great purchase for wrestling fans of all ages who want to either learn or fondly remember the fun and goofy past of the WWE.

Chock Full of Interesting Info and Fun Trivia, April 3, 2009
The "WWE Encyclopedia" is a fantastic reference for wrestling fans. There is so much info packed into this book you will spend hours upon hours reading through the various items presented. You get a thorough history of each and every title in WWE's history, from the Heavyweight Titles, down to the Intercontinental Title and Tag Team Titles to things like the Hardcore Title and European Champ titles as well. You also get the history of WCW and ECW titles too.

You get the history of every Pay Per View the WWE has presented over the years, as well as look at ALL of WWE's TV programming through the years. Of coures the real reason to purchase the Encyclopedia is the indepth SuperStar Profiles. Of couse you get the profiles of guys like "Hulk Hogan", "Stone Cold Steve Austin" and "The Rock", but you also get profiles on everyone from "Doink the Clown" to "The Brooklyn Brawler" and "Haku". No one is left out of this reference, even "Chris Benoit" gets a profile, which surprised me as he's been purged from most other WWE projects. It was nice to see profiles on the older wrestlers as well, guys like Bruno Sammartino, and Black Jack Mulligan get a nice profile, and credit for helping shape wrestling during the early years.
The book is laid out in alphabetical order, so if you want to take a quick glance at say the "Backlash" pay per view history, it's easy to locate. One thing to note, which is a little odd, that the wrestlers are alphabetized by their first names, which means if you are looking for Bobby Heenan for example you would turn to the "B" section, not "H". Another nice addition, is that the various tag teams have both a team entry as well as an individual entry in this reference. So if you were a fan of US Express say, they will have a profile on the team itself, but you will also have individual profiles for both Barry Windham and Mike Rotundo.

The photographs of some of my favorite childhood superstars really brought back some great memories as well. It's obvious WWE spent a TON of time and money on this book, and I can honestly say it's one of the best WWE produced products in a long time. If you were a fan of WWF's Hulkamania era, or the Attitude era there is plenty of interesting info in here for you. Even if you aren't a fan of the current product being put on tv today, you will still enjoy this book. Highly recommended for both casual and hardcore fans.

The COMPLETE History Of The WWF/WWE, March 14, 2009
Being a true WWF/WWE fan for many years this WWE Encyclopedia was a no-brainer for me. After looking through this LARGE book I have to say the WWE really went all out for this book. They left NOTHING out of this book, yes even Chris Benoit is included in this book along with ALL the titles he obtained before he died. I honestly could not find any wrestlers who were excluded from this book, from the top stars to mid-card stars and they even included the jobbers! There is no doubt in my mind, this is an absolute MUST for any WWF/WWE fan!

Best Wrestling book ever but..., March 14, 2009
This book is the best thing released by the WWE EVER !!!!!!
This is the best book around, so more infos !
Over 1000 superstars with photos and bios !!!!
even guys like : Battle Kat, Phantasio, Big Steel Man, Al Perez ...
all are listed !!!
All tv Shows/PPV
All differents stipulation for matches
All the belts (timeline)

even 2 pictures of Missy's Manor !!!!
2 pictures of the MYSTERY MAN (Furface) fighting Rick Martel
The Bio of Chris Benoit is included !!!

The best book around

unfortunately some wrestlers are missing but it's a really short lists:
from memory :

Sean Ohaire
Mordecai (Kevin Thorn is in but not this gimmick)
Rico (mentionned but no pic or bio)
Nathan Jones
Ernest Miller
Velvet Mcintyre
furnas/Lafond
Max Mini
tenessee Lee
Matt Morgan
ultimo dragon
kanyon
sakota
kizarny
Rodney Mack
Tiger Ali Singh (is showed in a pic, mentionned at 2 times, but no bio)
Daniel Puder
Spike Huber
Chris Walker
Kazarian
...

WWE Encyclopedia, May 13, 2009
I don't have anything much to say about this. This book is pretty good because it has all superstars and divas, but I found more match types on Wikipedia than in this book. I would buy it for the wrestlers and divas, but not for the matches.

Ehhh..., April 20, 2009
It's ok I guess... just more WWE propaganda. To be honest it was just an impulse buy leading up to wrestlemania. It seems to be relatively thorough... but the way that the WWE roster changes they are going to have to update it from time to time. It was good to see some of the old stars that are wrestling for other companies now still in the book.

If you are a must have WWE fanatic get it... I don't think it will be a collectors item or anything. They could have gone way deeper into the wrestling universe. It'd be a cool book to get autographed if you are ever at an event.

Not great at all., May 15, 2009
Reading this book I kind of marked out as a fan of WWE/WWF ever since the mid 1980's. However as I got into it and thought about a LOT of the entries it bothered me. The book being written "Kayfabe" is fine, it is a bit annoying seeing almost all the wrestling biographies have not been in this style, so having to look at a persons 15 gimmicks separately is a bit off putting.

My biggest problem with this book, besides the typo's as well as wrong footnotes which are not as bad as they could be, is the omissions of MANY people who wrestled for years with the company, including Brian Christopher, who is mentioned with his tag team, but his partners both get entries in the book. Also the lack of death information on MANY of the wrestlers. I am not saying you need to say Dino Bravo was murdered, but it would be nice to see that they stated he was dead. It seems according to this, Dino, as well as people such as Sapphire, and Kerry Von Erich would still be alive.

Is this a good beginning, probably, but with it's misdirections as well as most of it being written in "Kayfabe" are huge drawbacks.

Very Good Overall With Just A Few Issues..., April 6, 2009
I got the Encyclopedia last week and overall I was rather impressed with it. There were however some things that irked me. I'll list the major things.

The book is written mostly in kayfabe which means it pretends that people who wrestled under different identities were actually different people...such as Tony Atlas/Saba Simba, Iron Sheik/Col. Mustafa, Sultan/Fatu, and so on and so forth.

They are inconsistent with listing tag teams/stables/ factions. For some they list the group and also list separate profiles for each member, and for others they just lump everyone in the group profile and in some cases don't even mention the members by name. For example Owen Hart and Yokozuna each have separate profiles, then are grouped in another profile for the tag team Owen Hart and Yokozuna. Savio Vega has his own profile and is also featured in the Los Boricuas profile, but the other three members are not named, nor do they have their own profiles.

Since the WWE owns the rights to WCW, ECW, AWA, WCCW and others and they are inducting people into the WWE Hall of Fame from said promotions, I would have liked to see profiles on the wrestlers and personalities from those promotions included as well.

The title histories have some printing errors. In several instances the same title change is listed twice in a row. For instance the July, 09, 1986 entry where Fabulous Moolah won the title from Velvet McIntyre is repeated immediately below it.

Antonino Rocca's profile though labeled as "Antonino Rocca", is listed alphabetically by his nickname "Argentina". Gangrel is listed by real name Dave Heath, but his profile appears in the G section.

There is also a giant error where wrestling plumber T. L. Hopper (Dirty White Boy Tony Anthony of Smokey Mountain fame) is misnamed as PJ Walker. The real PJ Walker became Aldo Montoya then moved on to ECW where he became Justin Credible. Ironically, in the photo for this entry Hopper is fighting Aldo Montoya.


I've been able to think of a few WWE wrestlers/personalities that aren't listed at all in the Encyclopedia. Frankie Kazarian, Tiger Ali Singh, Nathan Jones, Amy Weber, Public Enemy, Sean O'Haire, Mordecai, Rico, Ernest Miller, Chris Walker, Ultimo Dragon, Rodney Mack, Daniel Puder, Kanyon, Doug Furnas and Phil Lafond, PG 13, Velvet McEntyre, Sakoda from the tag team Akio and Sakoda, Max Mini, Matt Morgan, Tony Schiavone, Kizarny, Sean Mooney, and Todd Pettingill to name a few.

Aside from these issues, the Encyclopedia is surprisingly detailed and informative and is well worth the purchase price in my opinion.

Very vague for true wrestling fans, August 7, 2009
I was excited to get this book until I opened it and saw that it was very vague and poorly organized. A lot of the information is repetitive, ie, if a wrestler had both a solo and tag team career they give the same info twice. For example Davey Boy Smith had a singles career and was tag team champ with Dynamite Kid; his info is given twice in two different parts of book, almost identically. This is done with every wrestler who had even a short -lived tag team partner, ie, DOn Muraco and Bob Orton who were only a team for a couple of months.
Another frustrating part is that many wrestlers portrayed different characters. Instead of listing them all in one single listing they list them as separate wrestlers ie, The Masked Superstar and Ax from Demolition were both portrayed by the same Bill Eadie (any real wrestling fan knows this) yet he has two seperate entries for the characters he played. It would be nice if they gave the person's real name as well as his alias'.
Another problem is many of the wrestler's have passed away. They don't have birth dates, death dates or cause of death, and in some instances they don't even mention a wrestler is dead. it just says they will be remembered as a great competitor or something to that effect.
Overall, it seems like this book was rushed together with out much research. Most of this info is vague and not very intriguing for a wrestling fan looking for something new.
I give this book a grade of D.

Fantastic Book!, April 7, 2009
A must own book for WWE fans of all ages.Great Pictures,Loads of Detail.Buy It now,you will not regret it. ... Read more

Editorial Review

America's favorite sports almanac since its introduction 20 years ago, the Sports Illustrated Almanac now has 2010 covered, from football to fencing, hockey to handball, and everything in between. The Sports Illustrated Almanac features essays by top Sports Illustrated writers; all-time stats and records; and ticketing and venue information for pro baseball, basketball, football and hockey.

The Sports Illustrated Almanac 2011 is the ultimate guide to the year in sports. ... Read more

Reviews

Good review of 2009-2010 sports years, December 3, 2010
This is the first version of this annual publication that I have purchased. It does cover the waterfront, examining the following sports: baseball, pro football, college football, pro basketball, college basketball, hockey, Olympics, tennis, golf, soccer, motor sports, and so on.

One nice feature. . . . There are both data from the 2010 (or 2009) season and historical data. Thus, one can compare current performance with the historical record. One can see how the top passers in 2009 (Drew Brees and Philip Rivers) compare with Arnie Herber in 1932 or Sammy Baugh in 1947 or with Charley Conerly in 1959. If a figure filbert, a great resource!

This book is a load of fun for those who love sports history and statistics. . . . ... Read more

Editorial Review

"Secretariat is an elegantly crafted, exhilarating tale of speed and power, grace and greatness, told with such immediacy that the reader is lost in the rush of horses and the clatter and ring of the grandstand."
--Laura Hillenbrand, bestselling author of Seabiscuit

Updated with a new preface by the author

In 1973, Secretariat, the greatest champion in horse-racing history, won the Triple Crown. The only horse to ever grace the covers of Time, Newsweek, and Sports Illustrated in the same week, he also still holds the record for the fastest times in both the Kentucky Derby and the Belmont Stakes. He was also the only non-human chosen as one of ESPN's "50 Greatest Athletes of the Century." The tale of "Big Red" is an enduring and inspiring classic, more than thirty years after its initial publication. ... Read more

Reviews

One of the All-Time Best Racing Books, June 4, 2000
This book was originally published in 1975 as BIG RED OF MEADOW STABLE. I read the book when it first came out, and I thought it was one of the greatest books ever written on thoroughbred racing. I finally bought a copy of my own in 1989, just a couple of months before my visit to see the great horse in Kentucky.

Perhaps because I saw Secretariat just weeks before he was put down, this book still brings the tears to my eyes when I read it. It takes a truly outstanding writer to write about such a magnificent subject, and Nack fills the bill beautifully. He traces Secretariat's lineage and of the history of Claiborne Farm in Kentucky, long the leading breeder of thoroughbred race horses. He writes in depth about Secretariat's races leading up to the legendary Triple Crown triumph of 1973. He writes about observers such as Charles Hatton, who spotted Secretariat's greatness immediately and who called Secretariat the greatest horse he had ever seen.

The only flaw in this great book is that it stops at Secretariat's retirement. There is no updated edition of this book. Perhaps someday Nack will write the rest of the Secretariat story. He certainly wrote a magnificent obituary about him in Sports Illustrated called "Pure Heart."

All in all a great book.

There will never be another like Big Red, February 28, 2001
A brief and probably pointless quiz: Who is the horse described in the following paragraph?

He was a physically awesome Thoroughbred and a superb broodmare sire. When he was born at ten minutes after midnight, March 30, 1970, his owner took one look at him and said, "There is a whopper." His own firstborn was an Appaloosa colt named 'First Secretary'. Another son - a draft horse cross - is still alive and well and recently retired from the Southwest dressage circuit. Yet a third son won the Belmont by a margin of 21 lengths, in what was the second fastest running and third largest margin in history.

Of course, his Daddy still holds the record for both margin and time.

And who is Risen Star's Daddy?

Secretariat, of course. No one who admires this special breed of horse could possibly have flunked this quiz.

When we watched Big Red hit the wire 31 lengths ahead of Twice a Prince in 1973, crushing the Belmont stakes record by two seconds and change, many of us knew that we would not see his like again. According to his jockey, Ron Turcotte, Secretariat was retired before he had reached his full potential at the longer distances. We would have loved to watch that big red horse run all day and smash every record there was, but it was not to be.

At any rate, reading William Nack's, "Secretariat: The Making of a Champion" is the next best thing to watching him run (unless you are lucky enough and rich enough to own one of his 'blue hen' daughters). At least his fans can relive the races Big Red did run, and Nack has the knack (sorry) of bringing them vividly back to memory. This book and "Wild Ride: The Rise and Tragic Fall of Calumet Farm, Inc., America's Premier Racing Dynasty" by Ann Hagedorn Auerbach are my two favorite reads on all aspects of the Thoroughbred racing industry in the United States. "Secretariat" reflects the brilliance of the Thoroughbred and its human interface. "Wild Ride" reflects the dark side of that same relationship.

My only complaint regarding Nack's treatment of Secretariat is that although it starts in the right place (the birth of Somethingroyal's whopping, chestnut foal), it didn't extend much beyond Big Red's last race. I would have liked to follow him through at least part of his career at stud.

However, that might be asking too much of a book that was published only two years after this great Thoroughbred retired from the track.

At the beginning of the new millennium, Man O'War was voted 'Thoroughbred of the Century' by a panel that was assembled by 'Blood Horse' Magazine. But those of us who saw Secretariat win the Belmont will remember him as first, and (as they said about one of his most famous ancestors) the rest nowhere.

My heart began to pound as Mr. Nack described what happened!, June 11, 1999
Mr. Nack has done a wonderful job telling Secretariat's story, and what a story it is. I have allways loved Secretariat, but Mr. Nack has taught me about things such as running a "twelve clip" and changing leading legs in the turns and about lineage and people as well. But beyond that, it's great to read something about Secretariat that reaffirms how so many felt about the greatest horse of all time. I'm glad Mr. Nack loved that horse as so many of us did. He has written it into his book and I couldn't put it down. I wanted to run right out and find more books on Secretariat. Thank you Mr. Nack!

One of the most beautifully written books I've ever read., June 17, 1999
This is one of the most beautifully written books I've ever read. Like me, you don't have to be very knowledgeable of the horseracing world--this book will give you a lot of insight in words you'll understand. And it doesn't matter that you already know Secretariat won the Triple Crown--the trip there is an awesome one. You don't just read this book, you become part of it. I laughed, cried, got nervous, got frustrated, felt anticipation, and at times even found myself talking to the people in the book, who you'll get to know as if you've known them all your life. This book is for everyone, whether you're into horseracing or not. It's a story of love, faith, perseverence, patience, and trust. In essence, it is a love story, and I guarantee you'll fall in love also. William Nack has done great justice to Secretariat and the people who were a part of his life.

The One, the Only Big Red, June 28, 2004
Secretariat, the Making of a Champion by William Nack is an excellent read. I think that's it's very hard to write about an animal, even a famous one like Secretariat with empathy, but the author acheives this and more in this riviting narrative about the horse, who probably was the greatest thoroughbred racehorse of the 20th Century.
William Nack covers everything from Secretariat's impressive lineage, to the people who owned, trained, rode & cared for him. You follow the great horse from his birth on a cold night in early Spring to his last walk into the Vet's trailer for his fatal overdose of barbituates. It's all interesting, and the author is obvious in his affection not only for Big Red, but horses and the sport of kings in general.
I especially enjoyed reading the Author's description of the races, he really makes them an exciting read.
Iremember Secretariat from his spectacular Triple Crown Season, and remember watching him run the Belmont, he made the other horses look like thay were walking! He was a magnificent creature, more like a god than a mere mortal. William Nack brings all the majestey and nobility of Secretariat to the pages of his book. I loved the part where he describes how on his way to the starting gate, the horse would always pause to check out the action from his vantage point between the stables. Also, how Secretariat would sulk in the back of his stall on race day.
Somehow, it's a comfort to know that even Pegasus had his quirks.
Reading about the great horses' last day on earth had be crying my eyes out. Also, the updated edition I read had William Nack's eulogy which was very moving.
Even if you are not a big fan of Horse racing, this is a very good book, and I highly recomment it.

A True Wonder Horse, February 27, 2000
This book is just great. Even though I knew the story of Secretariat and even saw him run and win the Kentucky Derby, there were a lot behind the scene stories I did not know. The book was brilliantly written. The book includes so much more than just the story of Secretariat. It included stories about other great racehorses in relation to Secretariat - the jockeys: Turcotte, Pincay and others - the owners: Penny Chenery and others. I found the love Penny Chenery had for Riva Ridge in spite of Secretariat's accomplishments heartwarming. There was an incredible amount of suspense and beauty in reading this book - not a dull page included. Secretariat has always been my favorite racehorse and this book just compounded my feelings for this awesome animal.

True Heart, Pure Heart, September 9, 2010
Growing up Derby Day ranked right up there with Christmas and my birthday.

No, I was not a member of a Bluegrass equine dynasty. I was a Midwestern horse crazed farmkid who memorized thoroughbred bloodlines and racing stats. I dreamed of watching the creation of a War Admiral, Count Fleet or Citation. Many tried and failed. Then a chestnut colt sired by Bold Ruler and trained by the skilled hand of Lucien Lauren granted my wish.

In 1973 Secretariat captured our nation's imagination, no longer did Cronkite, Huntley and Brinkley report just on Nixon's Watergate shame and the body count in Nam. We watched him shatter course records as all the racing analysts commented on what heart he possessed. Secretariat captured my heart on Derby Day and nearly 40 years later still has it. One of my few lifetime regrets is that I never got to see him personally, whether racing or later in retirement.

In this book you can feel Mr. Nack's geniune love for racing and most especially spending time with Big Red. My compliments with the updating of his original book on which this one is based. The writing waxes just the right amount nostalgia and sentiment for me while being factual. Mr. Nack's eloquent obituary/tribute to Secretariat in Sports Illustrated is included in this book. If you are not moved to tears when you read it then you have never really loved an animal, especially this one. There will be a movie released in October based on this book. Mr. Nack is a consultant. I sincerely hope his affection for Secretariat and Thoroughbred racing transcends to the Big Screen.

Secretariat was the rarest of his species, a Triple Crown Winner.

A legend with heart.

Enjoy the read! Enjoy the movie!

Secretariat: The Making of a Champion, August 12, 1997
It's original title used to be "Big Red of Meadow Stable" which gives you a clue that this book needed a little flash from the marketing department to get it to sell. For Secretariat fans, it's a must simply because it is about the only book devoted to Big Red out there, definately the only one still in print. This was originally published in 1975 and the rerelease did NOT include any updates, most notably the great horses he's sired and art he has inspired. This book, lacking material, goes into excruciating detail of Secretariat's owners' past, his workout times, and about each and every owner of his thirty-odd person syndicate. The book only shines when focusing on the horse himself--as brilliant and as compelling as any actor who ever walked a stage. And reliving the Triple Crown win to end all Triple Crown wins makes it seem as if it just happened yesterday. There are a few black and white photos, not many of Big Red

Jackie Cook, age 11, What a GREAT book!, December 29, 1999
This book tells exact detail and information about Secretariat's breeding, birth, raising, breaking, training, and racing. It also tells of all trainers, excersize boys, and jockeys. A very exciting and informational book.

Terrific!, January 4, 2002
If you are a horse racing fan, or buying for one, get them this book! It's terrific, one of the two great Secretariat books out there. ... Read more

Editorial Review

Here's a question for any Browns fan . . .

Why?

Why, more than four long decades after your team's last championship . . . despite a relentless pattern of heartbreak, teasing, and more heartbreak . . . capped with a decade of utter futility . . . do you still stick with the Cleveland Browns?

Good question.

Veteran sportswriter Terry Pluto gets a daily barrage of email from fans letting their hearts bleed out orange and brown. So he decided to ask his readers: Just what is it about this team that makes you love them, hate them, and still keep coming back for more?

A thousand fans responded—in detail. Their stories—along with interviews with former players and Pluto's own expert analysis—deliver the answer. Answers, actually. Because like any intense relationship, it's a little complicated . . .

Covering the Browns from 1964 through present day, this book does for Cleveland football what Pluto's classic about the Indians, The Curse of Rocky Colavito, did for Cleveland baseball: It won't make the pain go away, but it might help you remember why it's worth enduring. ... Read more

Reviews

Pluto is the best, December 15, 2010
Pluto is without a doubt my favorite sportswriter! This book is a tremendous read about why Browns fans continue to be Browns fans even though there hasn't been too much to cheer about for the last twenty years. For anyone that has followed the Cleveland Browns for any length of time, this a very enjoyable book! I highly recommend picking up a copy!

Another Pluto Classic !!!, December 21, 2010
Another good read from Terry Pluto. Being a Browns fan, it was interesting to read all the passion the rest of the fans have for their team. Go BROWNS !!! ... Read more

Editorial Review

Amazon.com ReviewProduct Description

A Look Inside FreeDarko Presents: The Undisputed Guide to Pro Basketball History
(Click on Images to Enlarge)

"Loud, Fat, and Gifted: The Irrepressible Charles Barkley"

"The Hair Up There"

"The Nuclear Option: Wilt Chamberlain, The Man Who Went Too Far"

Reviews

Growing up Kareem, October 27, 2010
My father loves the game of Basketball more than anyone I've ever had the pleasure of meeting. I grew up watching my dad come home on crutches, blowing his knees out countless times, feeling the bump on his knee that made almost a right angle. Then sitting on the couch and watching hours of recorded tapes of the Milwaukee Bucks title run and the LA Lakers title runs. He would talk to me about his favorite player Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and how he himself had also perfected the "Sky Hook,"(he still kicks my ass with that damn sky hook and with his bad knees the guy can't do anything else).
That being said this is not so much a review of "The Undisputed Guide to Pro Basketball History," as it is a thank you. This book approaches basketball the same way, and I couldn't help but be reminded of my childhood. Each story and illustration is utterly perfect in showing such great enthusiasm for the sport. Reading each story brought the basketball games and players, I didn't live through, to life as much as my dad's energetic stories did. Receiving it today I've read the book from cover to cover with a smile on my face the whole time.
Last year, for Christmas, I got my dad "The Breaks of the Game," and this year I have no doubt that he'll be receiving "The Undisputed Guide to Pro Basketball History," from me.

A Work of Art In Its Own Right, October 30, 2010
In Bethlehem Shoals's writing for the FD blog (or one of the other 18 sites he writes for) I can always count on at least one display of casual writerly irreverence that will stop me in my tracks and make me wonder what the Hell just happened, exactly as the most amazing basketball athletes do. From his music blog:

"...I prefer to think of it as Sun Ra making peace with an unfamiliar life form, one that tries to strangle him twice, then eats the Saltines he offers, then radiates orange light and [defecates] sundaes."

Its the verbal equivalent of playground ball, where the informal nature of the session leads to greater risk taking and more stunning displays of athletic ability.

To write a full scale book however, requires a whole other set of skills. It takes the fundamental game that too many playground legends unfortunately lack, which spells their doom in the NBA. In short, it requires structure. Form to allow a topic like history to be developed in a meaningful sense.

In this book, I'm happy to state that the writerly flair he applies to his shorter work is reworked directly into the structure of this book. The same creative skills set up frameworks that don't just show off his skill but actually help present the information at hand in a more informative manner. George Mikan isn't just the first superstar of the NBA, he is related to the same questions of "Time and Space" that led to a standardization of basketball rules.

At the end of a 2 or 3 page essay, several issues have been presented clearly, efficiently, coherently and with an enjoyable aesthetic style.

The entire book is similarly structured. Shoals is only one member of the Free Darko High Counsel, and the other members contribute hundreds of asides, detail shots, etc. that act as a harmonic balance to the primary soundtrack.

And then there's the art. Jacob Weinstein brings the exact same qualities to the table as I attributed to Shoals above. In detail they are beautiful, with unexpected elements (I could stare a long time at a piece comprised entirely of the chain link fences in the Connie Hawkins illustration), but their overall structure- how they present their subjects, is just as impressive.

In short, this book is the whole package. It is enjoyable not just as something that pertains to basketball but as a work of art in its own right. Even if you don't know basketball, you can appreciate this work of craft. Though it would probably help to like basketball

Buy this book!, October 26, 2010
I just received this book in the mail yesterday, so I've only read the first few chapters, but it's already been exceptional. Anyone who loves the NBA, or just casually watches games, should read this book (or at least check out the incredible artwork). I have loved every word and pciture, and I am fighting the urge to flip ahead to "spoil" the rest of the artwork.

This book does exactly what FreeDarko set out to do: tell the history of the NBA in a riveting, entertaining and bring-the-past-to-life way, rather than simply regurgitating stats and facts as so many other history books have done.

FreeDarko's previous book: "The Macrophenomenal Pro Basketball Almanac" portrayed current players in a different light, and brought the personalities within game to the forefront. It wasn't just about players and stats, but about how these players fit within the game itself. This book takes the same approach with players and teams of the past. FD's Almanac used to be my favorite basketball book, but I can safely bet that "The Undisputed Guide to Pro Basketball History" will edge it out as my personal favorite.

Basketball as Imagined by a Room of Trained Monkey Typewriter Philosophers, October 29, 2010
The FreeDarko collective, a group of ninja-clad government agents tasked with researching wind patterns off the coast of Bora Bora, blog and podcast incessantly at [...] and have at turns been labeled hyperliterate, erudite, off-putting and Ernest Hemingway, but never boring. With "The Undisputed Guide to Basketball History," the colorfully nombred hombres can add another title: romantics. They've managed a great galumphing graphic novel of a slightly biased history of professional basketball, and both readers and FreeDarko fans are the better for it.

The fabulously detailed illustrations (some are for sale as prints and, indeed, rise to the level of great pop art) go toe-to-toe with some of the best writing this side of Papa, which is saying something, because the collective brings a lot of ability to the party. Michael Jordan, while looming large (as he must) over the enterprise doesn't dominate the proceedings, which is to the opus' advantage. This one does the collective's previous effort, "The Macrophenomenal Pro Basketball Almanac," (a great piece in its own right) several ones better. Readers are in for a treat.

Most anticipated book in years, October 26, 2010
What's not to love here? The prose is brilliant, if you've read any FreeDarko before, you'll of course know that they could write a book on any topic and it'd be a riveting, interesting and insightful read. By nature, Shoals and co. write in such a way that they make the reader think in new ways and see new angles on seemingly static topics. I never grew up watching Hakeem Olajuwon, yet found their series of essays on him to be the best preseason writing of the summer. Anyone who likes the NBA or reading or art (don't get me going on the spectacular illustrations) should buy this. I personally guarantee a satisfactory experience and a new favorite blog.

Macrophenomenal, October 26, 2010
Do you ever feel a little dumb for liking sports? A hint of self-awareness makes you realize how silly and how much time is wasted on them. Somehow, though, the guys at freedarko make you feel smarter for liking sports. The prose is brilliant, the graphics are worth buying on their own, and the insights are a mix of knowingly over-the-top and understated but riveting. These guys make me glad I love the NBA.

Brilliant, November 4, 2010
Not much to say other than kudos. This is a fantastic book filled with graphics, art, and a short yet insightful history of professional basketball. If you like the NBA, buy this book.

Add this to your bucket list!!!!!!!!!!, October 26, 2010
But I'm in the game live by the game and in the game I'mma die
But if I die or should I say if I go
Bury me in Hiram Clarke next to the Come and Go
Cause tomorrow ain't promised to me
The only thing promised to a playa is the penitentiary
So I'm a take care of my business on the smoo(ooo)th tip
Watch my back sellin crack and pack two(ooo) clips

When ya think about that you say
"it'll be on"
Its a trip you're here today
but the next day you're gone ... Read more

Editorial Review

Reviews

An extraordinary collection of articles, November 21, 2010

Always educational and interesting, December 15, 2010

Sports Writing at Its Best, December 15, 2010

Excellent Writing Throughout and a Variety of Topics, December 10, 2010

Outstanding, November 23, 2010

A tremendous gift for any sports fan, December 7, 2010

Wow, December 5, 2010
This book restored my faith in the power of the written word in general and of good journalism in particular. That's more than I ever expected from a compilation of sports writing. There's elegant craftsmanship here and powerful, passionate reporting. By singling out a few gems, I will miss others, equally worthy. But here goes. There's a moving account of a story I had somehow missed: college softball player Mallory Holtzman selflessly carrying an injured opponent round the bases in a crucial game. An Esquire story on Todd Marinovich renders the bad boy of football as a charming man-child trying desperately to turn his life around. The steroid-popping narcissist Jose Canseco is skinned alive in what might be the most brutal profile I've ever read (though Pete Carlson's takedown of Tom Clancy long ago in the Washington Post Sunday Magazine comes close). Several pieces hammer the NFL over its arrogant, short-sighted response to growing evidence that former players are suffering from brain damage; the editors apparently wanted to make a point. My favorite was a GQ story on the Pittsburgh coroner who became obsessed about brain-damaged football players after conducting an autopsy on former Pittsburgh Steeler Mike Webster. An insightful Michael Lewis profile has turned Shane Battier into my favorite NBA player. There's lots more: the story of the man behind the "Fosbury Flop''; a profile of a sixth-grade basketball phenomenon that exposes the sleazy world of basketball recruiting; the sad story of former Browns QB Bernie Kosar struggling to adjust to life after football. If you savor good writing and good journalism, grab this book.

Top notch, November 16, 2010

A few gems...but is this an outdated idea?, December 26, 2010

Editorial Review

BONUS: This edition contains a Seabiscuit discussion guide and an excerpt from Laura Hillenbrand’s Unbroken.

Seabiscuit was one of the most electrifying and popular attractions in sports historyand the single biggest newsmaker in the world in 1938, receiving more coverage thanFDR, Hitler, or Mussolini.But his success was a surprise to the racing establishment,which had written off the crooked-legged racehorse with the sad tail.Three menchanged Seabiscuit’s fortunes:

Charles Howard was a onetime bicycle repairman whointroduced the automobile to the western United States and became an overnight millionaire. When he needed a trainer for his new racehorses, he hired Tom Smith, a mysteriousmustang breaker from the Colorado plains.Smith urged Howard to buy Seabiscuit fora bargain-basement price, then hired as his jockey Red Pollard, a failed boxer whowas blind in one eye, half-crippled, and prone to quoting passages from Ralph WaldoEmerson.Over four years, these unlikely partners survived a phenomenal run of badfortune, conspiracy, and severe injury to transform Seabiscuit from a neurotic, pathologicallyindolent also-ran into an American sports icon.

Author Laura Hillenbrand brilliantlyre-creates a universal underdog story, one that proves life is a horse race. ... Read more

Reviews

Running with your heart, May 31, 2003
Seabiscuit's "gallop was so disorganized that he had a maddening tendency to whack himself in the front ankle with his own hind hoof." And so the spell-binding story about a horse that runs with a duck waddle, a jockey (Red Pollard) who is blind in one eye, a trainer (Tom Smith) who is practically mute, and an owner (Charles Howard) who brought cars to the West is born. This unlikely group of misfits joins together through chance -- and because all three men immediately see the untapped potential in a mistreated, high-spirited, and lazy horse named Seabiscuit. This trio devotes their love, skills, and energy into turning Seabiscuit into one of the most phenomenal horse racing legends.

Tom Smith, perhaps the original "horsewhisperer", spends hours learning and understanding his horse. When Seabiscuit is first put into his care for training, the horse is nervous, paces incessantly, weighs too little, and suffers from a sore body. Tom spends time caring for Seabiscuit, showering him with affection and carrots, even sleeping in Seabiscuit's stall at night. A daily routine is introduced plus animal companionship. Before long, Seabiscuit has his own entourage: a cow pony named Pumpkin, the little stray dog Pocatell, and Jojo the spider monkey. Under Tom's care, the high-spirited Seabiscuit learns to trust, becomes calm, and, most importantly, starts winning horse races.

The triumph of Seabiscuit is ultimately the story of what any person (or animal) may accomplish when their talents are recognized, supported, and expanded. Seabiscuit, given his inauspicious start in life, could just as easily have faded away into non-existence running third tier races. However, the love and care he receives from his owner, jockey, and trainer have you cheering until the end of the book for Seabiscuit to keep running (and winning) with his heart. Not only does Seabiscuit capture the hearts of the misfit trio, he will capture yours.

The most engrossing book I have read in 5 years, March 6, 2001
Let me say a few things up front: I have never set foot on a racetrack, I have watched the Kentucky Derby maybe twice on TV and I have little interest in jockeys, horse trainers or horses in general. For those who think this is a book about a racehorse, think again. It is a wonderful, descriptive work about the underdog, about triumph over adversity, about personality in animals and, most importantly, about a rarely discussed slice of America.

With a keen sportswriters eye toward detail as well as broader context, Ms. Hillenbrand has written a vivid description of an amazing animal, the three men around him and an era in American sports and history. Seabiscuit was a fascinating creature, not only for his deceptive power but for his playful, competitive nature. Ms. Hillenbrand helps us understand this horse as a person - a person you instinctively root for. His owner, a self-made success in the automobile industry, displays concern for the horse as if it were a child. Seabiscuit's trainer embodied the western spirit and had an uncanny bond with the horse - he was a real-life horse whisperer. Finally, the harrowing, rough and tumble life of a jockey during the 1930's is painted here with unsympathetic accuracy, as we learn about the trials of Red Pollard. Seabiscuit was the hub of these three lives and their extraordinary accomplishment on the racetrack.

The book builds toward two climaxes - the match race against War Admiral (which Ms. Hillenbrand desribes in such wonderful detail) and the ever elusive Santa Anita Handicap. Although historical, the book has a novel-like suspense that keeps the uninformed reader rapt and engrossed. This book, which describes the regional split between east and west coast race horses, really describes the potential and scrappy nature of the American west. Thank you, Ms. Hillenbrand, for such a terrific read.

A Celebration of an Epoch in American History! Wonderful!, May 26, 2003
This fascinating work of non-fiction is one of the best books I've read in a long time. Unlike a lot of historical non-fiction, this intriguing story did not read like a textbook - it read like fiction and not once did I find myself skimming the details ... too interesting to skim through!

When I first heard about this story, I wasn't sure about it - after all, I really know (or should I say "knew") very little about horse racing. Despite my misgivings, I soon realized that a major purpose of this book was not only to teach the reader about this sport via Seabiscuit's career but also to memorialize the amazing individuals (Charles Howard, Tom Smith, Red Pollard, George Woolf, etc.) who defied all odds to make such a successful racing career possible.

I especially liked the chapters dealing with the difficulties of life as a jockey - the way the jockeys punished their bodies to the extreme for the honor of participating in a harrowingly dangerous sport was truly unbelievable...and I thought ballerinas were harsh on their bodies when it came to weight loss! Red was my favorite character and I can't help wondering if the author felt a particular kinship with the jockey as a result of her own struggles with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome - after all, she did have to push her own body beyond her normal physical limits to complete her research and write this amazing book!

Ms. Hillenbrand successfully incorporated the story of Seabiscuit's racing career into the historical context of the era. Seabiscuit was a much needed diversion for Americans who were suffering the depths of the Great Depression. ...And perhaps, through Laura Hillenbrand, Team Seabiscuit is still providing us all with an inspirational diversion from today's distressing headlines!

Oh - and don't skip the interview with Laura Hillenbrand at the end of the book. It was very interesting to see how Ms. Hillenbrand's own background influenced her writing and how her research helped her to resurrect this intriguing epoch in American history.

I'm excited about the movie although I hope Universal Studios does this wonderful literary work justice!

Five Stars and Counting, June 21, 2002
It's hard to determine the true hero of this book. Is it the taciturn trainer, Tom Smith, who took a colt the worlds leading trainer (the still-revered Sunny Jim Fitzsimmons) couldn't truly fathom and turn the reject into a champion racehorse? Is it Charles Howard, the car salesman turned millionaire who devoted so much of his time, money and energy to his beloved horse, never second-guessing his trainer and remaining ever steadfast in every adversity, including the death of his son? Is it Seabiscuit himself, the reluctant claimer who went on to a superstardom that matched or superseded anything later achieved by Michael Jordan or Tiger Woods? Perhaps it is Johnny (Red) Pollard, the jockey who emerged from depths about as low as any human being can go to the winner's circle in America's most prestigious races? All of these would be strong candidates, but my Eclipse Award goes to Laura Hillenbrand, for rising up out of her sickbed often enough and long enough to accomplish something just as miraculous as the feats that Seabiscuit and team pulled off.

Take it from someone who spent six years of his life as an observer and worker at backstretches all around this country. I have held jobs from hot walker to trainer, at venues such as Belmont Park, Gulfstream, Santa Anita, Bowie, The Fairgrounds, Monmouth Park, etc. I also had a chance to observe some excellent horsemen for whom I worked, including Frank Whitely, Elliot Burch, Woody Stephens, and others. I had the pleasure to meet and talk with Alfred Vanderbilt, one of the characters in this story, as he was an owner of one of the trainers for whom I groomed horses. I?ve seen most of what the backstretch has to offer, from the lowliest stable-hand at a rickety bullring track in New Mexico, to the richest owner in the world purchasing horses at the Keeneland Yearling Sale. So perhaps I feel myself qualified, though it is hardly necessary, to say that Laura Hillenbrand has written the book I wish I had had the talent and fortitude to write. Her book, more than any other I have ever read, captures life on the backstretch as it is, was, and ever shall be. She has gotten to the essence of horse-racing, capturing perfectly the allure, the dreams, the utter exhilaration and despair that unfolds day in and day out behind the scenes at racetracks the world over. She has done this despite severe physical infirmities that would have stopped us lesser humans in our tracks. Reading this book left me feeling as though I had just won the pick-four at Hollywood Park. Hats off and thrown high into the air to Laura Hillenbrand for an accomplishment that will be next to impossible to match.

The Winner's Circle for "Seabiscuit", March 27, 2001
There are certain books you will be lucky enough to read in your life that will make an everlasting impression. "Seabiscuit" by Laura Hillenbrand is most definitely one of those rare books.

You do not have to be a horse racing afficionado, nor a sports fan to absolutely love this story. It brings back the life and times of an unlikely group of people and animals in early 20th Century America in such a way that you will find yourself completely mesmerized as the events unfold. If you believe that "Truth can be stanger than fiction" you will understand that such were the details of these amazing characters that no fable could equal.

I ABSOLUTELY loved this book and would recommend it to anyone who loves tragedy and triumph as told by a master writer such as Laura Hillenbrand. It had me on the edge of my seat rooting and cheering as if I was actually witnessing the spectacular events that had so many Americans hypnotized during the height of the Great Depression.

I "cashed a WIN-ticket" when I bought and read "Seabiscuit"

Deserves the Sterling Reviews, March 6, 2001
I'm not a big history buff or nonfiction reader, but I have to say that this is one of the most entertaining stories I've ever come across -- it really reads like a good novel. The writing is superb, the characters are rich and lively and funny, the pace is quick and the level of detail in the research is truly amazing. Most horse racing books are about either horses or gambling, but this delves more into the more universally appealing subject of the wonderful, oddball characters who got together to campaign this horse. At the same time, you really end up rooting for the little horse, too. I really couldn't put the book down. Highly, highly recommended.

All on Seabisuit to Win, April 24, 2001
This book was incredible. I have read a lot of books, but this is the first one I have felt compelled to share my views on. I am not a "Horse Person" by any means, but have always enjoyed a good Sports story, especially when it depicts the struggle and sacrifice it takes to overcome adversity and prevail. This is definitely one of those stories. Hillenbrand does a spectacular job of capturing the integrity and dedication that went into making Seabiscuit a legend and hero of the time period. It was clear by the history Hillenbrand related of the depression era that Seabiscuit gave America new and continuing hope. Hillenbrand also does a very thorough job of painting a picture of the sometimes harsh realities of a "jockey's life". I honestly had no conception of the amount of athleticism, pain and sheer sacrifice that is required to be a successful jockey.

Seabiscuit's story also depicts the reality that it isn't always easy to maintain values, loyalty and integrity in the face of opposition. Hillenbrand illustrates these qualities in Seabiscuit's owner, trainer and jockey extremely well. The three together, and individually, were able to maintain their values and shoot for success while always keeping Seabiscuit's welfare as the primary consideration.

I tried this book in large part because of the unanimous 5 star rating that readers had given it. While I'm not sure I would have agreed it was quite a 5 for Part One, by the time I got into Part Two, I didn't want it to end. I'd have given it higher than a 5 if I could have. It's the only book I can remember reading that had me crying at the end. Definitely one of the best books I've ever read. All I can say is, give it a try, I think you'll be glad you did.

Hoof-Tromping, Heart-Thumping Thrills as an Underdog Wins!, May 22, 2001
If you only read one book about sports this year, make it Seabiscuit. This book deserves many more than five stars for its superb portrayal of the underdog horse whose career captured the nation's heart during the depths of the Depression. In fact, the less you know about thoroughbred racing in the 1930s the more you will probably like this book.

Similar to its subject, the underdog Seabiscuit, the book, Seabiscuit, constantly surprises in many multi-dimensional ways. The best books about sports transcend sports and teach us about life. Seabiscuit is a fine example of that success.

Ms. Hillenbrand is a brilliant story teller, a fine writer, and has an eye for detail that brings you into the scenes she describes. You will feel yourself on Seabiscuit's back, looking for an opening to the rail, as you read the accounts of his most famous races.

If you do not know about Seabiscuit, this horse was an unlikely candidate for racing greatness. He was built all wrong, had a weird personality, and required unusual handling that few would provide. His career was heading nowhere when he was bought by the wealthy Charles Howard, a legendary automobile dealer in the western United Sates, on the advice of his obscure trainer, Tom Smith.

Finding ways to encourage Seabiscuit provides all of the intellectual excitement of a puzzle. Part of solving the puzzle required finding a very special jockey, one whose intelligence allowed him to be flexible. No one could have seemed less likely to play the role of top jockey based on his career track record than Red Pollard, who became the most effective jockey on Seabiscuit.

The triumverate combined to take advantage of Seabiscuit's "blistering speed, tactical versatility, and indomitable will." All of that training and work led up to a monumental match race against Triple Crown winner War Admiral in 1938. During that year, more inches of newspaper space in the United States were devoted to Seabiscuit than to FDR or Hitler.

The book has so many dimensions that they cannot all be addressed in this brief space. There is a lot of history. The biographies of the three main human characters tell you a lot about the development of the automobile, horse training, and the careers of jockeys. The colorful side stories are priceless, especially the ones in Tijuana around the old track there (where western racing migrated after betting was made illegal in California). The tales about the manure pile there are hilarious.

Each of the three main characters could have been the subject of his own very interesting biography, and much interesting detail is included here.

There is a lot of humor. You will especially like the cat-and-mouse games that Tom Smith played with the media so that they could not find out how fast Seabiscuit was running in his workouts.

The stories also involve a lot of diplomacy. The background leading up to the match race with War Admiral will remind you of the peace negotiations to end the Vietnam War.

Finally, there is much tragedy. Horseracing is dangerous (especially for the jockeys), and many paid the price is a variety of ways.

I cannot remember a sports book that captures so many dimensions of fine book writing and story telling. I was reminded of Death in the Afternoon by Ernest Hemingway as I read this book, but I think that Seabiscuit is the better book.

After you finish enjoying the book, look around you. Where is there hidden potential waiting to be tapped? Do you have a Seabiscuit-like opportunity you can develop? Probably.

Be flexible in looking for great potential!

I Remember Seabiscuit, May 3, 2001
Perhaps I am one of the few readers who remembers clearly when Seabiscuit was racing. As a child I read everything I could lay my hands on about animals and particularly horses. Man O' War was a favorite of mine, and War Admiral, Seabiscuit and Man O' War's many other progeny were household names. I still read everything I can that relates to horses, both fiction and non-fiction. I'm always interested, although frequently disappointed, as I was in the highly touted "Horse Whisperer".

Laura Hillenbrand's book exceeds most other horse-related books I've read. She writes extraordinarily well in a style which never bogs down in the wealth of information she handles and is never intrusive, overblown or irritating to the reader. This book is truly one I couldn't put down, and in fact I couldn't bear to have it end and read with fascination every single one of the wealth of footnotes she included.

I confess to being a "horse person", but I don't need to recommend this book to horse people, who will discover it themselves. I specifically recommend it to my friends who couldn't care less about horses or racing but who love a good story, good writing and an author who has done her research, knows her subject and can introduce you to a unique world of fascinating and dedicated people who truly love their work.

The Original Racetrack Cinderella Story, October 28, 2001
Laura Hillenbrand is a wordsmith of the top rank. She has written a great book about a horse who has largely been forgotten except by veteran racing fans: Seabiscuit. Seabiscuit, a descendent of the legendary Man O' War, had a rather modest racing career at the beginning having started from the claiming ranks. Thanks to a great trainer, he galloped his way up to the stakes level after having literally dozens of races under his girth. Seabiscuit was not the only colorful character in this claimer-to-champion saga. His trainer Tom Smith was a controversial character who loathed publicity and yet at the same time encouraged it. For example, Hillenbrand's stories of Smith's attempts to thwart the media and racing timers from reporting Seabiscuit's workouts (because Smith feared the weights assigned by the track would be so great as to hamper the horse's considerable ability) are hilarious. Seabiscuit's regular jockey, Red Pollard, was a man who loved to quote Shakespeare but also had to cover up a disability that may have contributed to one of Seabiscuit's most famous losses: Pollard was blind in one eye. Like most jockeys he battled a weight problem. (In one chapter, Hillenbrand writes brilliantly and humorously of the struggle of jockeys like Pollard to make the unnaturally low weights required of racing.) Finally, Seabiscuit's millionaire owner, Charles Howard, was perhaps the least colorful of the horse's connections, but he lost faith in neither Smith nor Pollard. He was the glue who held this unlikely hodgepodge together.

Hillenbrand slowly but very entertainingly works the Seabiscuit story to the legendary 1938 match race with yet another descendent of Man O' War, 1937 Triple Crown winner War Admiral. She doesn't ignore the Admiral's connections either. Sam Riddle comes to life, as do the horse's infamous temper tantrums on the racetrack. There are constant difficulties in getting the two great horses together on the same track on the same day, including jockey Pollard's injuries (vividly described by Hillenbrand), Seabiscuit's injuries, and other delays. When the horses finally do get together (with the underdog Seabiscuit clobbering the Admiral), Hillenbrand writes with such vividness that you feel you are right there at the track witnessing the race. (She was fortunate enough to have obtained rare footage of this race and several other Seabiscuit races.)

After the climax of this famous race, Hillenbrand continues the Seabiscuit saga to the deaths of the principals. On the last page she writes of Howard having buried Seabiscuit to a secret site at his ranch where he had an oak sapling planted where the great horse was buried. She writes: "He told only his sons the location of the grave and let the oak stand as the only marker. Somewhere in the high country that was once Ridgewood, the tree lives on, watching over the bones of Howard's beloved Seabiscuit."

What a great writer. What a read. ... Read more

Editorial Review

Bestselling writer John Feinstein is back with another exciting sports-mystery, this one set behind the scenes at the storied Army-Navy football game.

Teen sportswriters Stevie Thomas and Susan Carol Anderson are thrilled to be covering "America's Game."� The Black Knights of Army and the Midshipmen of Navy have met on the football field since 1890, and it's a rivalry like no other, filled with tradition. But this year, the match-up is also filled with intrigue.

For weeks, Stevie and Susan Carol have been spending time at Annapolis and West Point, getting to know the players, and coaches. And the secret service agents. Since the president will be attending the game, security will, of course, be tighter than tight. As the game draws nearer Stevie and Susan Carol can tell that the agents are getting tenser. �

But as usual when Stevie and Susan Carol cover a big event--nothing is quite as it seems, and the coaches aren't the only ones calling plays... ... Read more

Reviews

Feinstein Once Again Beats Off The Competition With THE RIVALRY, November 11, 2010
Once again John Feinstein has taken his incredible skills as a writer and reporter to the page and given readers young and old a great mystery in THE RIVALRY. Giving his two heroes Stevie and Susan Carol access to the game that only he could, he takes us into a world where even a football game is not what it appears to be---and the winners and losers are not always on the field.

With engaging dialogue and a storyline that keeps you turning the pages, there's no wonder that Feinstein is in a league all of his own.

THE RIVALRY was chosen by Conversations Book Club as one of its top 10 books in 2010 for young adults. ... Read more

Editorial Review

They were the NFL's ultimate outlaws, black-clad iconoclasts who, with a peculiar mix of machismo and brotherhood, of postgrad degrees and firearms, merrily defied pro football corporatism.

The Oakland Raiders of the 1970s were some of the most outrageous, beloved, and violent football teams ever to play the game. In this rollicking biography, Peter Richmond tells the story of Oakland's wrecking crew of castoffs, psychos, oddballs, and geniuses who won six division titles and a Super Bowl championship under the brilliant leadership of coach John Madden and eccentric owner Al Davis.

Richmond goes inside the locker room and onto the field with Ken Stabler, Willie Brown, Fred Biletnikoff, George Atkinson, Phil Villapiano, and the rest of this band of brothers who made the Raiders legendary. He vividly recounts days of grueling practices and hell-raising nights of tavern crawling—from smoking pot and hiring strippers during training camp to sharing game-day beers with their hardcore fans (including the Bay Area's other badasses, the Black Panthers and the Hells Angels). Richmond reveals a group of men who, after years of coming up short in the AFC Championship game, saw their off-kilter loyalty to the black and silver finally pay off with their emphatic Super Bowl victory in 1977. Funny, raunchy, and inspiring, Badasses celebrates the '70s Raiders as the last team to play professional football the way it was meant to be played: down and very dirty.

Reviews

RICK "SHAQ" GOLDSTEIN SAYS: "GREATNESS IS ONE THING; LEGEND IS ANOTHER; AND MYTH IS STILL A THIRD.", September 17, 2010
The Oakland Raiders regular season record during Hall Of Fame coach John Madden's tenure (1969-1978) was 103 wins 32 losses and 7 ties. That was a better record than even the illustrious Vince Lombardi. When Madden took over they won seven division titles in the first eight seasons. "Between 1970 and 1977 they played in six AFC Championship games and won the Super Bowl to end the 1976 season." This wonderfully idiosyncratic look at the Raiders of those years include everything from the history of Hall Of Fame owner Al Davis to John Madden to all the lovable "BLACK AND SILVER" players... including many Hall Of Famers... and some who should definitely be in the Hall Of Fame also. The author, a Raider fan at least since his east coast college days, lovingly refers to the team known worldwide as *THE-SILVER-AND-BLACK" as the "BLACK AND SILVER"... over and over... and over again. And any fan can understand the author's individual nickname for them. For any fan who loves... and I mean loves... his favorite sports team... undoubtedly has some picayunish... unique... clever... at least in their own mind... nickname for their team. Some are born from superstition... some are born by a mispronouncement... or misunderstanding... or even a bolt of lightning. But any diehard fan... always has a unique personal nickname or phrase for their beloved team. One of the highlights... in a book overflowing with highlights... is the author spewing such an unrelenting, heartfelt love and adoration for his *BLACK AND SILVER* that any true football fan regardless of their favorite team can't help but share the joy of a football love that has no boundaries.

This is a book for any football aficionado. I have read... reviewed... and loved books on the Steelers... the Packers... da Bears... the Colts... the Saints... et al. you can check my prior reviews for proof. So for me to highly recommend a sports book, it absolutely does not have to be about my favorite team or player. Now, it so happens I'm a Raider fan, and in fact I am an original and continuous PSL season ticket holder since they returned to Oakland sixteen years ago... but that's not why I strongly recommend this book. All sports including football have changed (in my opinion) for the worse in the last forty years... so this book lets you travel back in time to share beers... brawls... wins... and losses... with probably the greatest collection of whacko's... brawlers... and believe it or not... highly educated band of outsiders in a team sport in modern times. The author has meticulously combined quotes from forty years ago... and included up to the minute interviews with many of the players and Coach Madden. The love and respect they have for each other after all these years is amazing. In fact the author states that not one single player interviewed all these years later had even one single negative thing to say about Madden. And everyone including Al Davis states that there was no other coach but Madden that could have possibly lead these castoffs and free thinkers to the heights of victory they accomplished.

There are so many great stories from their yearly pre-season training camps... that players looked so forward to... that most of them showed up days earlier than required. They loved football... and they loved the Raider family, which in training camp included bar hopping... drinking beer by the *PITCHER*... bowling tournaments, air hockey tournaments (with cheating allowed)... women... women... sneaking out after bed checks... Hall Of Famers showing up on the practice field riding a horse... streakers... and players like Hall Of Famers, Fred Biletnikoff, and Willie Brown (Just some of the eventual Raider Hall Of Famers.)... and should be Hall Of Famers, Ken "Snake" Stabler... Ray Guy... Cliff Branch... Jack Tatum... stayed hours after practice... to practice more... because one thing you'll learn in this book, is that sure... the Raiders of those days liked to party... but they loved to win... and simply loved the game of football even more than partying.

The backgrounds of all the important and not so important *SILVER-AND-BLACK" / "BLACK-AND-SILVER" players are covered so the reader gets a personal insight into how players known as *THE ASSASSIN*... *THE HIT MAN*... *DOCTOR DEATH*... *FOO*... *THE STORK*... *THE ROOSTER*... *THE GOVERNOR*... *THE TOOZ*... *BOOMER*... *THE GHOST*... and sooo many more... made the Raiders one of the greatest teams in history... and you'll fully understand when a player... even after being traded... says... "ONCE YOU'RE A RAIDER... YOU'RE A RAIDER FOR LIFE!"

**NOTE** Amazon's product description on this page is wrong. Madden's Raiders won SEVEN DIVISION TITLES NOT SIX AS AMAZON STATES!

A Great Raiders Book And A Great Football Book, October 4, 2010
I've been a Raiders fan since 1964, the good majority of my life, and bought this book primarily because of that. I was surprised by how good a book it was in its own right. About a quarter of the way through I realized this would make an enjoyable read for any true football aficionado. I say that because whether the author intended it or not this book really explains what made John Madden's Raiders unique in football history and why there will probably never be another team like it. Here was a collection of people that really loved to play football; loved to tackle and be tackeled. Have you ever had a job that you loved to come to every day? If so, then you realize that's the most incredible experience to have. To get paid for doing something you'd enjoy doing anyway. Madden's Raiders were that. But only Madden could bring those people together without dampening their enthusiasm and this, more than anything else, explains what made that team so unusual and unique. John Rauch couldn't do it (Madden's predecessor) nor could Tom Flores (his successor). I always knew they were special but never understood exactly why until reading this book. It wasn't the winning (for that you could/should back the Steelers, Cowboys, or Dolphins). It had to be something else and it was -- these guys just loved to hit and loved to do things their way. At times I think the book goes overboard on documenting the team's partying because, I guess, that's what sells books. But I think what makes the book special is the other aspects to the team's history. The John Madden era Raiders were truly a family; even Al Davis laments the inability to ever again create that kind of atmosphere for his team (Al's own discription of the Raiders in L.A. vs. 1968-1978 Oakland is very telling in that respect). The discriptions of the selflessness of the players is really something that stands out and I can't see happening in today's me-first incentive-laden contract environment. If you love the Raiders, this one's a no-brainer but even if you only remember the team as different than the rest of the NFL and are curious as to why then I recommend this book as something you will enjoy reading.

For The Fans, October 20, 2010
Even if you weren't a Raiders fan during this wild period, any football fan will enjoy this. As todays players are all, in Raymond Chester's words, "independent contractors, " this book documents a by-gone era, full of characters that, love them or hate them, made the game great.We might not want to admit it, but we miss them.
The wild nights at the El Tropicana Hotel, the "Soul Patrol," the "Just win baby" attitude of Madden's silver and black Raiders--this book recounts the hard-partying ways of a group of castoffs, flakes and rejects, that managed to win alot of football games.
A fun read for any football fan.A must read for anybody who followed the Raiders .

Perfect!, September 17, 2010
I've read almost every book ever written about the Oakland Raiders, and this is one of the best! The prose is lively and perfectly captures the spirit of the colorful Raiders of the 70s. The best quality of this book is that many of the stories herein are new to me; and as I said, I've read many books about this team. And most of the stories I'm already familiar with are given a freash spin and perspective by the author. Excellent book and highly recommended!

Fun read about a memorable team, November 30, 2010
The first half of this book seemed a bit slow and lacking gripping details (a lot of time is spent discussing a foosball tournament at Raiders training camp) but the second half was a fun romp through a lot of memorable games, especially the affairs with the great Steelers teams of the 70s. Though John Madden's name is in the title, possibly to attract video game players, it is Al Davis who is the most important figure in the book and in Raider history. And I would have appreciated more emphasis being placed on two controversial aspects of Raider history: Darryl Stingley's paralysis from a Jack Tatum hit in a preseason game in 78, and Ken Stabler's involvement in the framing of a magazine writer around 1980. The writer of this book, Peter Richmond, is not an investigative reporter, but instead plays cheerleader for the team and the reader. That makes the book worth reading, but it could have been so much more.

Still recommended for sports fans old enough to remember Otis Sistrunk.

One of the best, November 11, 2010
Were the Madden-era Oakland Raiders professional football's renegades, ruthless outlaws, sexual deviants, juvenile delinquents, or just plain hoodlums? Whatever they were, they had charismatic character - and it was a character that matched their city. Peter Richmond's book is a review of hilarious anecdotes, dramatic game reviews and a nostalgic look at a time when players and teams had truly memorable and original personalities.

Rated one of the top 20 new sports books - see [...]

Encapsulates a Period When Sport and Culture Meshed Almost to Perfection ..., December 15, 2010
The Oakland Raiders and the 1970s were tailor-made for each other. It was a time when professional sports (aside from golf) were considered blue collar forms of entertainment ... especially the NFL. The Raiders (like the Steelers and Eagles) personified a blue collar town with their aggressive style of play, production and lack of flamboyancy. The 1970s is an era when many of the fans that filled their stadiums may have been as tough as the players on the field. It was the last gasp of "old school "football where injured players kept playing and the ailment known as "turf toe" had yet to be defined. The only Nike logo in sight might have been on a few pairs of cleats; there was no internet and no fantasy football. Looking back, the Raiders were an icon of that blue collar era of football. One of the lasting images of Monday Night Football was the intro and its close up of Willie Brown's face, with his helmet bouncing around, as he returns an interception for a touchdown. His face is pure Raider - a determined, almost angered look. Peter Richmond hits a grand slam with his book that details the inception, construction and coronation of the most successful Raider team ever: that hodge-podge collection of thugs, animals and boozers that comprised the winners of Super Bowl XI. Not only does Richmond deliver the history and juicy details of the team, his book serves as a time machine that takes the reader back to a long lost period where the business side of the sport took a backseat to the game itself.

One does not necessarily have to be a fan of the Oakland Raiders to appreciate this book as Richmond's work should prove to be an interest to a wide range of readers. Fans of sports, history, business and human interest stories should be able to appreciate this book. As someone with a nostalgic interest of growing up in the 1970s, I particularly enjoyed the time warp aspect of this book because it brings back memories of trading football cards, as my collection of cards included many of the players highlighted in this book (and the Raider players always seemed to look more menacing on those cards). Another personal benefit is that it reminded me of the only NFL game I've ever seen live ... the December 24, 1977 playoff game at Baltimore where the Raiders won in double over-time with Dave Casper's Hall-of-Fame worthy performance. Although the 1977 team isn't the focus of the book, the residual talent of the previous season's Super Bowl winning squad was quite evident the following season.

Richmond starts with a chapter that served as the ashes from which the eventual Super Bowl champion team was born ... the 1972 controversial "Immaculate Reception" playoff game vs. the Steelers that spawned a heated rivalry between the 1970s two most dominant AFC teams. Richmond presents this as the catalyst that spurred owner Al Davis to buy, deal, inherit and assemble the parts of a championship team of players and coaches. With the seeds of the dream firmly planted by the controversial results of that playoff game, Richmond takes us back the inception of the Raider franchise and how a shrewd and business-savvy Davis finagled ultimate control of the Raiders. Paralleling Davis' ascent is the progression of John Madden's coaching progression that eventually leads to the helm of a talent loaded Raider team with a history of regular season success and playoff failures.

With the general framework of coaches and core talent in place, Richmond dissects the guts of team, by taking us into the locker room, on the practice field and out into the decadent Oakland nightlife that occupied so much of the Raider player's time once practice ended. Individual chapters introduce us to groups of men that comprise elements of the team from linemen to defensive backs. Richmond spends a great deal of the book detailing the men, their personalities and the exploits both on and off the field that often generated colorful nicknames like: Foo, Rooster, Dr. Death and Snake. The most amazing aspect is that such an odd band of divergent personalities with virtually no rules could bond so well, work so hard and function totally as a team on a mission. The author successfully corals a majority of the 1976 Raider ensemble to contribute to his book with personal reflections, hilarious stories and affirmation of the bond the men had with each other and their beloved Coach Madden. Even the elusive punter Ray Guy contributes! The details provided in these particular chapters present an addictive reading element as we feel we are actually witnessing these events, both on and off the field.

The book culminates in recapping a successful 13-1 regular season record and a post-season run to the Super Bowl that includes yet another rumble with rival and current Super Bowl champion Steelers. Super Bowl XI is deemed "the Promised Land" and although it was a snoozer of a game (and I remember it as being the first Super Bowl I watched in entirety as a kid), the book captures the energy, excitement, drive and ultimate confidence that Raider team displayed in overpowering the Minnesota Vikings. The game itself may have been unexciting, but the build-up leading to the victory and the euphoria experienced by the players is ever-present.

Peter Richmond took me back to my first real memories of enjoying pro football as a kid. The manner in which he presents this particular group of men is both entertaining and endearing. Additionally, Richmond's book may be considered a throwing-of-the-gauntlet by arguably presenting the 1976 Oakland Raider team as one of the best teams in NFL history. Although I'm not a Raider fan, after reading "Badasses", I might actually agree with him.

Great Read, November 30, 2010
Being a huge Raider fan, I have read many books about the Raiders. This is right up there on top of the list. It is very well written and superbly put together. I could have read more. I have shared it with 2 others already and no one can put it down until the end. I highly recommend it.

A classic, November 14, 2010
I remember John Madden's Raiders in Jr. High School. Being from Pennsylvania it was the Steelers this and the Steel Curtain that, and Franco Harris and Terry Bradshaw, but there was this bunch of West Coast Misfits called the Oakland Raiders that everyone of us in Pennsylvania dreamed of being (and Pennsylvania is rabid about it's football). I usually shy away from books on football because they tend to be so poorly written, there are exceptions, the last one was War Without Death and this one. Having watched John Madden phone in his appearances on MNF the last 10 years, it made me forget how good he was at one time. And that the Snake isn't in the Hall of Fame but Namath is? Well anyone that knows this sport knows that's just ridiculous and Richmond's storytelling reminds of that and just how this bunch of misfits came together. I was a fan of both Stabler and Jack "the Assassin" Tatum and I just loved loved this book. I practically read it in one weekend. ... Read more

Editorial Review

Evoking days gone by when coaches were expected as much for their off-court performance as for their success on the court, this unique and intimate work presents the timeless wisdom of legendary basketball coach John Wooden.

In honest and telling passages about virtually every aspect of life, Wooden shares the important personal philosophies that helped make him the winningest coach of all time. ... Read more

Reviews

A "Wizard", Yes, But Also Human
Having once coached varsity high school basketball for 13 years and having heard Coach Wooden speak at numerous clinics, I can personally attest to the authenticity of this book's contents. It correctly suggests both the man's wizardry and humanity. Jabbar and Walton have almost nothing in common except their talent to play basketball and their love and respect for Coach Wooden. He is proud of them but probably just as proud of hundreds of other players (most known only to him, their families, and friends) who are physicians, educators, artists, attorneys, public servants, corporate executives, entertainers, etc. He set very high standards, especially for himself. He prepared for each practice and each game with meticulous care. He hated losing for lack of a maximum effort but accepted defeat (after a maximum effort) with exceptional style and grace. Anyone who has any association with children, especially those privileged to coach at any level, should read this book. And may I add, anyone who feels adrift in her or his life should also read this book. The "lessons" provided helped to win so many NCAA national basketball champlionships; they also helped to develop the character of those who played on the U.C.L.A. teams which won them.

Wisdom from a master teacher
Listen to anyone who speaks about him, or read anything that anyone writes about him, and you will instantly know that John Wooden is truly a national treasure. This book of Wooden's wisdom and life philosophies is definitely on my short list of the best books of all time about character and leadership.

This book is a collection of the simple and direct beliefs and observations of John Wooden, arguably the best (college) basketball coach of all time. Interestingly, very little of what Wooden wants to teach is about basketball. His quick stories, short vignettes, and detailed memories focus on life and relationships with others.

Coach Wooden is a gentle man with the courage and discipline to live his life according to his deepest held ideals, values, and principles. Despite his teams' unbelievable success (10 NCAA national basketball championships in 12 years (including 7 in a row!), 88 consecutive victories, and 38 straight NCAA tournament victories), and his own fame (many coach-of-the-year honors, "Sports Illustrated's" sportsman of the year, a lifetime winning percentage of over 80%, and the first man to be elected to college basketball's hall of fame as both a player (3-time All-American at Purdue) and coach), he resisted the public pressures and temptations to stay true to himself and his beliefs.

Coach Wooden defines success as the "peace of mind that is a direct result of self-satisfaction in knowing you did your best to become the best you are capable of becoming." The book finishes with 30 pages devoted to Wooden's legendary "Pyramid of Success" and another 5 pages of his favorite sayings - 35 priceless pages in a priceless book.

At a time when America is re-defining and searching for true heroes to lead us forward from our darkest days, this book is a beacon of hope and guidance and should serve as a blueprint for making heroes of us all.

Wooden- The Wizard does it again!
I bought this book while visiting the UCLA campus to attend a mens' basketball game. I received "Practical Modern Basketball" from my high school coach as a gift when I began my teaching and coaching career in 1976. This became my coaching bible for years to come. When I saw this new book, Wooden, I bought it without hesitation, thinking that John Wooden's "Lifetime of Observations and Reflections On and Off the Court" was as much a mystery as it was curiosity relative to my appreciation and utilization of the words of wisdom provided in the book I received as a gift in 1976.

My career in public education has allowed me to seriously reflect on my life as it pertains to personal gratification of preparing for unknown opportunities and being able to rationalize with poise and confidence. I attribute many successes in my life to the Wooden philosophy that I followed in my early years of my career. Wooden's, reflections, is an outstanding assessment of what a man of Mr. Wooden's character achieved through hard work, dedication to his own philosophy, and the love for life and people. I have recommended this book to personnel within my organization,to coaches and friends. It is also a great asset for parents who need direction in how to raise their children, basing all dialoge and communication on respect. I truly respect the real value of this book as an asset to my future and my family and my responsibities as Assistant Superintendent of Schools!

Thanks, Eddie Booth, Winnemucca, NV

Not a book about basketball, but about life!
John Wooden had one of the most successful basketball careers as both a player in coach. He also had a strong family life with his parents, wife and kids. In this book, you'll read all his secrets to success that makes him a truly special person of strong moral values and organizational skills. He surely was a great influence on almost everyone he associated with.

There's nothing here about basketball strategy. The book is broken up into 1-4 paragraph anecdotes about subjects relating to family values, organization, and success.

His basic philosophy in winning was not which team scored the most, but whether or not his team played to their maximum ability. He also has some interesting stories about Bill Walton and Kareem Abdul Jabbar.

The best part of the book, in my opinion, is where he outlines his pyramid of success. The pyramid is a step-by-step, building block of characteristics you must master which lead you to maximizing your potential and perform at the highest level possible, whether it's sports, business, or family. A must read.

"Failing to prepare is preparing to fail."
John Wooden, former UCLA Basketball coach, came together with Steve Jamison to compile a book based on John Wooden's philosophies. This book, "A Lifetime of Reflections and Observations On and Off the Court" appeals to everybody. If you're a fan of basketball, play basketball, or are a father or mother, son or daughter, John Wooden gives his advice to everybody. Most people will think that this book is only about basketball, not at all. If you're looking for answers for any kind of problem you are facing, I'm sure John Wooden will have some affect on you.

John Wooden is an 88 year old who was a former UCLA basketball coach, leading the Bruins to 10 championships in 12 years. He grew up in a small town and has lived a simple and basic life. In the book, he talks about success as a person, personal goals, acting towards others, behaviour, discipline, parenting, leadership, adversity, and numerous other topics - of course including basketball.

This book has made me a better person and a better basketball player. It has taught me that I can learn from experience, not things that I can learn before-hand. It has taught me how to constantly improve and how to always work harder. To be industrious and enthusiastic in everything I do! With that said, I'll leave you with a quote from John Wooden that has helped me improve in school, on the court, or whenever I'm working; "Failing to prepare is preparing to fail."

An outstanding work of art.
Quite simply the most impressive book of this nature I have ever read. John Wooden provides all readers with inspiration and a challenge. I only wish I could have met the man. All the people who have been behind the creation of this masterpiece, should be congratulated. It will stand the test of time.

Basketball & More, Wooden's lessons on life
John Wooden is more content with his role in this world than any person I know. But that's easy when you have touched so many people positively. I hated the Bruins until they beat my beloved UofMemphis Tigers in 73 behind Walton's 21-22 shooting, still considered on of the greatest performances in basketball. After that I listened to Wooden as a television analyst and it was inspiring. No words were wasted. Not maximum entertainment. Just pure knowledge for those willing to listen and learn.

That's what Wooden was and wanted to be, a teacher. In this one book, he states his simple principles, where he learned them, and why they are important. Imagine a man growing up early in this century in Indiana in a hardworking Midwestern family. That's what Wooden was and that's what this book relays to the reader.

Don't read this book to get a basketball lesson. Read this book to learn life's lesson and relish in a man who has no ego because he knows that it is a detriment.

I cannot say enough good things about this man and the life he led. This book was given to me by a friend of John Wooden's, autographed and enclosed with his personal business card. The business card contains the Pyramid for success. John Wooden, always coaching, always teaching.

The Plain and Simple Truth
It's just a small little book, how can it be anything more than a collection of cliches? Hmmm, good question. This is all I can tell you: it works. Philosophy often has so little practical application in the real world. Not so with Wooden's message. Read it, absorb it, live it. You'll see.

Ten year's ago I wrote a letter to coach Wooden. He was so very kind to respond. His letter remains on my wall to this day, and the words of wisdom in that letter are within this book. I asked Coach Wooden how you can get players to "over-achieve." He corrected me. "Nobody can overachieve," he wrote, "you can only do the best that you're capable of doing. It's the leader's job to create an environment where the followers can rise to their own level of competence."

That is the key.

Create an evironment where you can become the best that you can be. Follow his words of advice and before you realize it you are within that "healthy environment." Next thing you know, good things just start happening more often than they did before.

Life is hard no matter what you do. Coach Wooden doesn't claim anything different, but his philosophy, which is really a country blend of Christianity, Zen, and a host of other philosophies simplified, creates that "healthy environment."

Short, simple, genius.

Took my game - and life - to another level.
This book has had perhaps the greatest influence on me as of late. I have drank from this book deeply, and read it several times. In fact, when I seek advice, I open up the little blue book and look for something that says about problems. Not only has this book took my basketball skills to a whole nother level, but it has made me a better person all around. I have changed many of my bad habits, and I'm pretty glad I have changed, as many of my friends like my new attitude, etc. For basketball players, this book will get you into it mentally. Before I read this book, I only had the physical talent to play the game, now I feel as if I have a stable mental view and I am in the game mentally. This book teaches you so much, I cannot say enough. Coach Wooden even guides you step by step, pillar by pillar, through the period of success. This book is a must for basketball fans, players, and for the average person. Even if you despise sports, this book contains information on life itself, it's a must for all.

Wooden: A Lifetime of Observations and reflections On and ..
I have long been a John Wooden and UCLA fan. Growing up in N.C., everyone was expected to be a UNC or NC State fan. I was neither.

I have owned "They Call Me Coach" for many years, and recently purchased Coach's "Lifetime Observations". While most of the information is similar to "They Call Me Coach", this book reinforces the solid principles and values upon which Coach Wooden has built his life. It contains fewer stories about basketball, and more about life, values and worthwhile achievement. It is another opportunity to gain insight into how this man has accomplished such great success as a person, not just as a coach. For the reader, it is also an opportunity for for self-examination.

Thanks to Coach Wooden and Steve Jamison for offering to those of us who cherish the Coach's contributions to life another chance to absorb the teaching of a lifetime. ... Read more

Editorial Review

A stirring portrait of the decade when the Steelers became the greatest team in NFL history, even as Pittsburgh was crumbling around them.

In the 1970s, the city of Pittsburgh was in need of heroes. In that decade the steel industry, long the lifeblood of the city, went into massive decline, putting 150,000 steelworkers out of work. And then the unthinkable happened: The Pittsburgh Steelers, perennial also-rans in the NFL, rose up to become the most feared team in the league, dominating opponents with their famed "Steel Curtain" defense, winning four Super Bowls in six years, and lifting the spirits of a city on the brink.

In The Ones Who Hit the Hardest, Chad Millman and Shawn Coyne trace the rise of the Steelers amidst the backdrop of the fading city they fought for, bringing to life characters such as: Art Rooney, the owner of the team so beloved by Pittsburgh that he was known simply as "The Chief"; Chuck Noll, the headstrong coach who used the ethos of steelworkers to motivate his players; Terry Bradshaw, the strong-armed and underestimated QB; Joe Green, the defensive tackle whose fighting nature lifted the franchise; and Jack Lambert, the linebacker whose snarling, toothless grin embodied the Pittsburgh defense.

Every story needs a villain, and in this one it's played by the Dallas Cowboys. As Pittsburgh rusted, the new and glittering metropolis of Dallas, rich from the capital infusion of oil revenue, signaled the future of America. Indeed, the town brimmed with such confidence that the Cowboys felt comfortable nicknaming themselves "America's Team." Throughout the 1970s, the teams jostled for control of the NFL-the Cowboys doing it with finesse and the Steelers doing it with brawn-culminating in Super Bowl XIII in 1979, when the aging Steelers attempted to hold off the Cowboys one last time. Thoroughly researched and grippingly written, The Ones Who Hit the Hardest is a stirring tribute to a city, a team, and an era. ... Read more

Reviews

Loved this one, September 13, 2010


I'm a Steelers freak, and I thought I knew a lot about Bradshaw, Franco, Swan, Jack L and the rest of the crew. But I didn't--not until I read TOWHTH. The background on the coaching and ownership side was fascinating. I also loved the Pittsburgh history, especially the stuff about the growth and collapse of the steel industry, and the corresponding demise of the union. It really gave me a sense of the desperation with which these guys played ball--not just to feed their families but also to honor the underdog who was getting his head kicked in during the 70's: the working man. When you're a kid, you see these gladiators on tv, and you think they're all millionaires, but many had second jobs. And as somebody who loved to hate Dallas, I found that side of the story remarkable as well. My worst fears were confirmed--The Cowboys were a money machine--but I found a new appreciation for them, especially in Tom Landry. I'd thought he was a cold-blooded pragmatist, but he was much more nuanced than I'd imagined. And again, not every Cowboy was a millionaire, I learned. Many came from Steelers-type backgrounds. I think my favorite parts were when Shawn Coyne's family history ties into the major events going on at the time. It gave the book a "you are there" feel. Seriously great read--and a fast one too.

The good guys won (twice), September 4, 2010
This is a good read for any Steelers fan, but particularly those of us who grew up in the 70's and watched this team grow to dominate the NFL.

The authors do a good job of explaining how Chuck Noll's unique personality and drive were instrumental in building the Steelers dynasty. The football narrative smoothly interweaves with the decline of the steel industry and its impact on Pittsburgh. The chapters contrasting the origins and development of the Cowboys provide enough detail to reinforce my dislike of "America's Team". Landry was uptight and unable to connect with his players, and the Cowboys had some jerks like Cliff Harris and Thomas Henderson. The good guys definitely did win in Super Bowls 10 and 13.

The only issue I had with the book was that there were times when I felt like I was reading transcripts from NFL Films and the "America's Game" series in particular. Some of the quotes and anecdotes were direct lifts from those shows. Which is ironic since the authors actually manage to get their facts wrong in places (for instance, Cliff Harris didn't give Terry Bradshaw the concussion in SB10, nor did Roger Staubach's final pass that game fall incomplete - it was intercepted by Glenn Edwards). A little more original research, some new interviews and better fact-checking would have made this good book really great.

The 70's Steelers were a once-in-a-lifetime team, where the good guys (Rooneys, Noll) managed to assemble a tremendous group of athletes who beat some fine but flawed teams - especially the self-promoting Cowboys.

The Seventies, Smash-Mouth Style, September 28, 2010
The Seventies were so thoroughly and unrelievedly awful that many or most of the memories one treasures of them are of sporting events: the literally incredible Ali-Foreman rumble in the jungle, Reggie Jackson's three home runs in one game against the Dodgers in the World Series ... and most of all, for me, Super Bowl XIII between the Steelers and the Cowboys on January 21, 1979. It was and remains the best Super Bowl in history. (The good news: I watched it with a houseful of our friends and neighbors in our new home in Brooklyn Heights, dandling on my lap my four-month-old son--the baby they told us we couldn't have--and I had the Steelers. The bad news, as every red-blooded American male of a certain age cannot forget: the Steelers didn't cover the spread.)

Imagine, then, my inexpressible joy at discovering Chad Millman's and Shawn Coyne's genuinely great new book, "The Ones Who Hit The Hardest: The Steelers, the Cowboys, the '70s, and the Fight for America's Soul." The Seventies, you'll remember, was the decade of the great decline in heavily-unionized commodity manufacturing--nowhere more dramatically than in the steel mills of Pittsburgh and Western Pennsylvania. And those years saw the coming of the Sunbelt: the middle class, corporate ascendancy most perfectly symbolized by Dallas. Thus, the rise of the Steelers and the Cowboys to face each other as the decade ended is not just a great football story; it is something in the nature of a sociological study, with one way of life passing and the other coming into its own.

Millman and Coyne follow the development of pro football as it came to the forefront of American life, through the rise of the AFL and its eventual merger with the NFL; they then home in on the starkly different styles and personalities of the Steelers and the Cowboys against the background of the contrasting fortunes of the cities they fought for. (Shawn Coyne is a native of Pittsburgh, and his dad, Steelworkers' union official Pay Coyne, Sr., is as much a character in this story as are Art Rooney, Terry Bradshaw and Joe Greene--to marvelous effect.) This is a simply beautiful book, a must-read for everyone who remembers the times, as well as for those who ought to know more about them. It's not just for the football fan--though it is certainly for him or her--nor for Pittsburghers or Texans. It's for everyone who treasures good sportswriting--and even good writing, period.

[This review was written by Nick Murray and published in the current 9/27/10 edition of his Newsletter, NMI. It's only credited to Steven Pressfield at the top because SP did the posting from his computer and that's how Amazon's software works. Nick, I ain't trying to steal no credit from you, baby! (And I love "The Ones Who Hit The Hardest" too.)

Well written and important American history, December 24, 2010
I picked up this book because I am fascinated with NFL history. I love the game and find the rise of the league to the position of the dominant professional sports league in the US fascinating. I had not know a lot about the Steelers/Cowboys period that this work focused on, largely because it is after the major rise of the league to a dominant position and before the change in rules that created the intricate passing games of today.

The book certainly satisfied a lot of my football curiosity with wonderful anecdotes about Noll, Rooney and the rest of the football characters involved, including some new ideas regarding the role of congress in birth/rise of the AFL. About halfway through the book however I realized that what I was reading was actually a very cleverly disguised history of the industrial struggles of the 1970s. The battle of the unions and the manufacturers to remain healthy and relevant is a vital piece of American history, that is all too often not discussed. Placing this struggle within the context of the rise of the Steelers/Raiders/Cowboys rivalry was clever and effective.

The goal of book, to educate regarding this important chapter in American economic history, is perhaps, to some degree, why the writing of the book is at such a high level. The story telling is hits all of the proper notes, from serious to poignant to entertaining and in the end the reader has not only been able to engage in the history, and perhaps their own memories of these wonderful teams, but been given the opportunity to have a deeper understanding of where the US economy has been, and where it might be headed.

Interesting view of a city and how its team helped it survive rough times, November 11, 2010
The ones who hit the hardest is a fascinating view of how the Pittsburgh Steelers because perpetual doormats and losers and rose to become one of the NFL's great franchises. The story telling is straight forward and direct and tells the story concisely and with some flair. The writing is interesting and crisp and is told from a home town perspective so don't expect an unbiased story here.

I liked the angel focusing on the steelworkers and how the union was struggling just as the Steelers were emerging as a powerhouse. I find the one glaring error in this story is that there is no post script to tell us how things ended up for the majority of the Steelers players, the union leaders and the steel industry itself. That in my mind is the major weakness of this book.

All in all a good and enjoyable book. One I am sure Steeler fans will enjoy!

4 1/2 Stars, October 20, 2010
This is the first sports related book I've ever read, so I can't compare it to others, but I loved The Ones Who Hit the Hardest. I grew up in the Midwest, but my family's all from Pittsburgh and I don't remember a time when I didn't root for all things Pittsburgh, especially the Steelers. Unfortunately, since I was just a kid in the 70s, I don't remember much of going to Latrobe for training camp or of the Steelers and the games played during that era, and I knew next to nothing about the history of the NFL. This book was great at filling in a lot of blanks.

It begins with the flashy new era being ushered in by Joe Namath and moves to a brief history of football and of the fledgling attempts to start a national football league. This includes the bad old days when the only thing consistent about the Steelers was that they were consistently at the bottom of the barrel. We learn about those who tried, and failed, to acquire teams, leading to the upstart AFL and the resulting merger of the two leagues into the NFL we know today.

There are chapters devoted to the Cowboys, their players, style of play and leadership (Yes, it made me hate them even more.). However, most of the book is about the Steelers, from the Rooney family to Chuck Noll and the players; where they came from, why they were the type of players they were and how they went from a team no one expected anything from to Super Bowl champions. Interspersed with the chapters about football are ones about Pittsburgh and how steel shaped the city and the blue collar ethic of the people that rooted for the Steelers.

While I agree with another reviewer that some of the in depth coverage of the steel workers' union races wasn't really necessary, I still found the history interesting; a number of NFL players came from steel mill families and not ending up in the mills was part of their motivation to excel in football. I also agree with others that no mention of the fourth Super Bowl win was a little disappointing and a "Where are they now?" chapter would've been icing on the cake. The topic of the chapters did jump around a bit, but that didn't really bother me, and I really liked the authors' writing style.

Overall, this was a really entertaining book that, while any fan of football should like, will appeal most to Steeler fans. It was great to learn about the history of the NFL and Pittsburgh, but especially about the guys whose names are in my autograph book from so many years ago.

Lots of gaps, September 6, 2010
I picked this book up after reading some excerpts here and there, and while I enjoyed parts, there are several huge glaring issues.

For one, and this is a biggie, the book ends after the Pittsburgh third Super Bowl win....no mention of the fourth one, no thoughts on the lingering careers of Noll, Bradshaw, etc....

Second, there are large gaps on players....Bradshaw is a rookie with issues, then the next chapter he is the starter leading them, then gap, back to not doing well, then starter.....

Third, every other chapter discussing Pittsburgh union issues never tied in well. They followed the career of several union workers, but to what end? They were Pittsburgh fans?

Kinda disappointed.

In saying that, the first few chapters focusing on the history of the Steelers and the creation of the AFL were very good. The book falls off after that point.

Mediocre book designed for Steelers fans, October 8, 2010
"The Ones Who Hit The Hardest" is a mediocre book that probably will be enjoyed by Steelers fans.
The Steelers of the 1970s remain, in my opinion, the greatest team in NFL history, so praising the athletic greatness of that team is understandable. In that regard the authors could have offered more detail that they did about how great the 70's Steelers were instead of their unsuccessful attempt to turn the book into some sort of morality play involving the Steelers and the Cowboys in a "fight for America's Soul" featuring the Cowboys being the designated villain. How is Roger Staubach a villain?
In their quest to make the Steelers into the heroes the authors also omit certain topics and make other factual errors. For example, in the section on the "Immaculate Reception" that decided the 1972 playoff game between the Steelers and the Raiders there is no discussion of the controversy as to who the football hit off of and whether Franco Harris's grab of the football was a legitimate reception.
The authors further attempt to give the Steelers an excuse for losing the 1976 AFC championship game to the Raiders 24-7 by falsely stating the Steelers were forced to start a rookie quarterback, referring to Mike Kruczek. Actually, while Kruczek did start some games that season while Terry Bradshaw was injured, in the AFC championship game a healthy Bradshaw was the Steelers QB, completing 14 of 35 passes for 176 yards.
... Read more

Editorial Review

“Zero regrets. It’s a philosophy not just about sport but about life. School, business, academics, love—anything and everything. It’s complicated and yet not. You have to figure out who it is you want to be. Not what you want to be—who. There has to be a vision, a dream, a plan. Then you chase that with everything you’ve got.”

Over three consecutive Olympic games, Apolo Ohno has come to symbolize the very best of the competitive spirit—remaining equally gracious in victory and defeat, always striving to improve his performance, and appreciating the value of the hard work of training as much as any reward it might bring. In Zero Regrets, Apolo shares the inspiring personal story behind his remarkable success, as well as the hard-won truths and strategies he has discovered in good times and bad.

Raised by his single father, an immigrant from Japan who often worked twelve-hour days, the young Apolo found it difficult to balance his enormous natural gifts as an athlete with an admittedly wild, rebellious streak. After making a name for himself as a promising young speed skater, his career was almost over before it began when his lack of preparation caused him to finish last at the U.S. Olympic trials in 1998. A life-changing week of solitary soul-searching at the age of fifteen led him to recommit himself to his training, and at the 1999 world junior championships he won first place overall—one of the most remarkable turnarounds in sports history. From that moment on, the world of speed skating had a new champion and Apolo was on his way to legendary status.

Much more than an account of races won and lost, Zero Regrets is a compelling portrait of a father-and-son relationship that deepened over time and was based on respect, love, and unshakable faith in each other. For the first time, Apolo reveals what he knows about his long-absent mother; he makes us feel what it is like to face the best competitors on the planet with the eyes of millions of fans upon you; and he shares his secrets for achieving total focus and mental toughness, secrets that can be applied in situations well beyond sports. We learn the details of the unbelievably intense workout and diet that he endured while training for the 2010 Winter Olympics, a regime that literally reshaped his body and led to some of his most thrilling victories.

In this deeply personal and entertaining book, Apolo shows how we can all come closer to living with zero regrets. While Apolo’s own journey may be unique, the insights he has gleaned along the way have the power to help us all feel like champions every day.

Reviews

Articulate and Conversational
Nice mix of motivational philosophy and biography. I was pleased that the book stays out of the gossipy details, but focuses more on mindset, competition preparation and personal memories. Apolo comes across as a genuinely nice guy who stays true to his mission. He's had highs and lows like anyone and I found it very inspirational as I face life's challenges. His life could have gone in a completely different direction and I enjoyed reading how he recognized where he was heading and how he steered himself toward a higher destiny. His relationship with his father is heartwarming. Role models so often disappoint but Apolo's journey shows that there are some smart, thoughtful athletes to learn from and be inspired by.

An inspiring must-read!
ZERO REGRETS: BE GREATER THAN YESTERDAY succeeds not merely as a compelling memoir, but as an inspiring motivational guide to mental and physical strength, personal and professional reward, through the pursuit of zero regrets.

I loved reading it, particularly the love, respect, admiration, and gratitude Apolo has for his amazing dad, Yuki Ohno. Mr. Ohno himself is an inspiration, and we can all do well to learn from his wisdom, his constant and unconditional love, and unwavering support as Apolo's "hero, best friend, coach, mentor, Dad."

Short track speed skating serves as the dramatic medium for Apolo's profound and powerful message; fraught with unforeseen challenges at every turn, seemingly insurmountable obstacles--and in Apolo's case, amazing recoveries and brilliant victories--short track is the perfect metaphor for life, and Apolo the perfect example of living with zero regrets.

In the prologue, Apolo states: "I did not want to write a book out of some sense of self-indulgence, or perfectionism, or self-adoration. No. Instead, I simply wanted to make plain what I have learned along my path in the hope that my journey would encourage others to strive for what is needed, to reach for the unreachable, to recognize that everyone makes mistakes but the point is to bounce back stronger."

Thank you, Apolo and Mr. Ohno, for sharing so much of yourselves and what you have learned, and encouraging us and inspiring us to be greater than yesterday in this moving, beautifully written book.

Candid look inside the heart and soul of a champion
From the first sentence, you are hooked. You quickly realize this is not the typical celebrity tell-all. This is a candid look into the heart and soul of a champion and how he finds inspiration in his own life.

For a young man who is accustomed to showing no emotion on the ice, Apolo truly opens up about his challenges, insecurities, and successes. Apolo does not paint himself in a totally positive light either. He acknowedges the mistakes he made, the path that was leading him astray, the rebellious years where he butted heads with his father. He readily gives praise and respect to those people that made a difference in his own life through their support, coaching, expertise, friendship, loyalty, and love. However, Apolo stops short of any mention of his romantic life. By his own admission in a recent interview, he did not want this to be a book about "women I have dated or who wanted to date me."

Apolo provides an inside look into the sacrifices he made and the grueling training schedule he endured to prepare for his Olympic pursuits. He talks about his thoughts in those moments before his races, during his races, and after the races. Apolo's personal philosophy that things happen the way they are supposed to provides an interesting perspective on each of his wins and losses, successes and failures.

And for those who first met Apolo on Dancing with the Stars, you will not be disappointed. He recounts how he was first approached to do the show, his decision to participate, and his experiences as part of the wildly popular reality show.

This will be a book that you will read more than once. It will be your go-to book when you are searching for inspiration to get you through your own challenge. It will be the book you will reach for when you need motivation. It will be a constant reminder that life is best lived when you strive for zero regrets.

Amazing... Inspirational
Apolo grew up fast and faced many challenges. Instead of complaining, he turned his energy towards positive actions and became the amazing young man that he is today. He opens up and shares his thoughts while training, competing, and preparing his goals for the next steps in his life. He is a positive role model and I recommend that his book be required reading material in schools. I was fortunate enough to meet him at a recent book singing and he is just as nice in person as he is in the media.

Zero Regrets? Most Definitely
Zero Regrets is a great read. I eagerly anticipated its release, even when it was just a post-Olympics consideration. Once I started reading, though, I wasn't disappointed. Far from it. It's a page turner, and you will have a tough time putting it down. I will say this: I read a lot, but I have never wanted to read the same book twice in the span of a week...until now. The way Apolo describes his experience is captivating, and odds are you may have missed a few things the first time through.
Pick yourself up a copy. You won't regret it ;)

Must Read
Zero Regrets is more than just a story of success for an olympic athlete. It is a story of rebellion, angst and heart. Apolo Ohno and his father have an amazing connection. This father and son relationship was a life saver for this young man. The dedication his father had and still has to his son is remarkable. He went to great lengths to make sure his son had direction, guidance and love. When Apolo realized the amazing gift he had in front of him he began to see his life through a new vision. His talent was useless until his mental focus grew to meet it. Inspiring, motivating and captivating are qualities that this book is filled with. It is a story everyone can relate to.

Zero Regrets should be required reading in schools
Whether or not you are a fan of Apolo Ohno (I'll admit I've been a huge fan since 2002) this is a book that everyone should read. Apolo's life story alone (told in conversational detail) is a reason to read this book. However, Zero Regrets: Be Great Than Yesterday is far more than a simple memoir... it's a philosophy. And the philosophy is as simple as the title states: Be greater than yesterday. Apolo outlines the vicissitudes of life, the up and the downs of the journey. However, it's his attitude and genuine respect for other people that really resonate with the reader. As a former educator, I truly believe that this is the kind of book kids should be required to read in school. It illustrates the importance of so many valuable life lessons, with a fresh perspective and a touch of humor. It teaches you to never give up...but not in an annoying preachy way. What makes Apolo Ohno a true hero has nothing to do with the record-breaking 8 olympic medals he has won. What make him a true hero is the context of his character.

Amazing person, amazing story!
I've been a fan of Apolo Ohno since the 2002 Olympics. I admit he first caught my eye because of his looks, but I became a fan for life due to the class and grace with which he conducted himself during those Games. Since then he has proven time and again what a great role model he is for all ages, on and off the ice. I had the honor of meeting him at one of his book signings and he is truly one of the nicest, most pleasant and genuine people I've ever met.

If possible, I admire this amazing young man even more after reading this book. He writes from the heart about his early life, competitions, and yes, even a bit about "Dancing with the Stars." He talks about his all-too-human struggles with injuries, self-doubt, fear, and frustration, and how he overcame these challenges with the help of his friends, coaches, advisors, and his amazing father. He proves that it doesn't matter where you come from; anyone can chase their dreams and improve their lives.

Make no mistake, this is no sleazy kiss-and-tell type memoir. If you're looking for gossip, you won't find it here. Instead you'll find motivation and advice that you can apply to any aspect of life. He has a way of raising your spirits through his words; you just feel good after reading this book. And I definitely recommend listening to the audio version; listening to his story in his own voice is quite the treat. He is a natural storyteller and very articulate. The microphone loves him as much as the camera does.

I would give this book and its author more than five stars if possible.

Inspirational
I'm almost finished reading Apolo Anton Ohno's book and have more admiration for him than even before I read his book. His insight and maturity amazes me. The dedication to his sport and to living his life with "No regrets" can be an example to us all. I plan on giving the book to family members for Christmas as the message he conveys can apply to everyone, no matter their age or whether they are an athlete or not. What a great role model for our youth. Congrats to Apolo and thanks for sharing your life and being an inspiration for us all. ... Read more

Editorial Review

Reviews

Magic and Bird Together Again At Last

RICK SHAQ GOLDSTEIN SAYS: "YOU CAN HEAR FROM LARRY & MAGIC WHAT THEY FELT WHILE PLAYING IN NCAA & NBA CHAMPIONSHIP GAMES
For twenty-years basketball fans have heard and read from many sources what the true feelings of Larry Bird and Magic Johnson were like as these two unbelievably competitive men changed the game of basketball. They were so totally different... and yet at the core... so totally alike. For the first time Larry and Magic collaborate to reveal what they "really" thought about each other through each and every step of their game-changing careers. It's like having a split screen with Magic on one side and Larry on the other as they share their childhoods... college... and NBA careers... and even their post playing lives. At the end of each historical milepost the split screen becomes one as both Hall of Famers summarize in real-time... adding comments that are more sage with the blessing of age and maturity.

When Magic and his Michigan State team met Larry's Indiana State team for the National Championship Game in 1979 it drew a 24.1 Nielsen rating, "THE HIGHEST IN COLLEGE BASKETBALL HISTORY, A NOTEWORTHY MILESTONE THAT REMAINED UNTOUCHED THREE DECADES LATER." From that time forward Larry and Magic were forever linked-compared-and-intertwined for the rest of their lives. A mutual hatred breeded mutual respect and in the end a lifetime friendship. Along the way they were universally credited with saving the NBA. "IN 1979 THE LEAGUES FOUR-YEAR DEAL WITH CBS WAS WORTH $74 MILLION. BY 2002 THE LEAGUE HAD INKED A SIX-YEAR DEAL WITH ABC, ESPN, AND TNT VALUED AT 4.6 BILLION." The author's pull no punches as they both admit that starting in the aftermath of their NCAA showdown that one hated the other. After Magic won the NBA championship in his rookie year Bird now admits extreme jealousy. Though neither one admitted it in those days they each followed the others stats and accomplishments like madmen possessed. As some individual awards went Bird's way... Johnson felt slighted. But through it all they both admit this feverish competition between the two made them both rise to athletic levels they would never have reached without the burning desire to outdo the other. And then in 1985 they both agreed to take part in the now infamous Converse commercial entitled "CHOOSE YOUR WEAPON"... and Magic came to Larry's home in Indiana... and the miraculous took place. These two fiery... hating... competitors... started to talk and found out they were very much alike... and their childhoods were extremely similar. And then in the unlikeliest of scenario's they became extremely good friends. They realized then... and now... that their lives were forever interlaced. Magic couldn't go anywhere without people asking how Larry was doing... and Larry couldn't go anywhere without being asked how Magic was doing.

Any true basketball fan will not only share the exhilaration of the glorious pinnacles of the author's careers... but you will also feel the grief as their careers come to an end. And of course Magic becoming HIV positive. The definitive epitome of the friendship that had been born through these competitive games... was when Magic demanded that Larry be contacted and made aware of his disease before it was made public. Along with the accepted fact that Bird and Magic saved the NBA... potential readers will also truly enjoy the coverage regarding Michael Jordan taking the baton and leading the NBA to reach even higher goals. The detailed story telling regarding the 1992 Olympic Basketball Dream Team is a must read for all basketball fans. A scene between the greatest players in the world at the Olympic Village during a game of pool with Jordan, Magic, Larry, Barkley, Ewing... and others... as they banter between themselves as to who "was" the greatest... "is" the greatest... and "would-have" been the greatest... if time had been shuffled differently... is one of the greatest behind the scenes look at these famous stars I've ever come across. It is akin to the stalking of lions in the jungle as they contemplate changing the pecking order.

The rabid rivalry that was Magic and Bird raised each of these legendary "team-first" ballplayers to levels... that in this retrospection... they publicly agree... they would have never reached without the other. It's left to the imagination how much higher Jordan may have gone if he had had his own Larry or Magic in their prime. Basketball is forever greater because of this rivalry... and no discussion of one... will ever take place without a discussion of the other... for all eternity!

The best book about basketball I've ever read

Poignant, Funny, and Real--A Slam Dunk!!!

It's all about RESPECT

Editorial Review

Every morning more than three million listeners tune in to Mike and Mike in the Morning on ESPN Radio—mostly to hear the Mikes’ (Golic and Greenberg) riotous back-and-forth on everything from why baseball managers should dress like real people to how to lose a fight with the wife with dignity. In Mike and Mike’s Rules for Sports and Life, the beloved mic jockeys put their unique stamp on, well, the rules for sports and life. In years on the road, in the studio, and at home, Greeny and Golic have learned that it’s all about the big stuff: separating order from chaos, ensuring our survival as a species, and keeping peace. For instance:
 
• The Fourth of July should be eliminated and replaced with an Independence Day that falls on the first Thursday of the month, creating a four-day weekend like Thanksgiving, which, by the way, could do without the Detroit Lions.
• “The Human Element” in sports officiating and weather forecasting sucks.
• The top pick in the NBA draft lottery should go to the team that came closest to making the playoffs—not to the team that rips off fans by mailing it in after the All-Star break. 
• When someone says, “I’m being completely honest,” they might as well be claiming that they go to Hooters just for the wings.
• Kids do not get to eat french fries for breakfast. Ever. And who cares what the kids at the next table are ordering.
• No more designated hitter!
 
If you’re one of Golic and Greeny’s legions of followers, you probably can’t get enough of this sort of provocative, hilarious, and occasionally obsessive stuff. And if you’re one of those fans who live by the rule “There oughta be a rule,” then Mike and Mike’s Rules for Sports and Life is the book for you.
  ... Read more

Reviews

Beyond Disappointing, April 17, 2010
As a devoted Mike and Mike listener, and given the huge amount of self promotion daily on their show, I was eagerly looking forward to this book. In short, "meh". Nothing new, rehash of some of their old comedy bits, and as previously posted here, a format that was hard on the eyes and often difficult to follow. I know that Golic frequently talks about writing this book with his crayons - and given the format - there seems to be some truth to his assertion. As for content, the only redeeming chapter, is the one written by the wives. Save your money and wait until it appears on the bargain rack at your local bookstore.

Do not waste your time or money on this one., April 8, 2010
Let me start by saying that I am a fan of the Mike and Mike show on ESPN Radio but I am not a fan of this book in any way. Knowing the two Mike's, I did not pick of this book expecting to get any deep points on life but I did expect to get at least some new material for my money. I did not see any. This looked as if someone at ESPN had just taken different bits from the show and put them in book form. While I did find that the book made me recall several fun exchanges from the show, not enough to make it worth my time to read. I am disappointed that the boys put this book out just to make a few bucks off of their fans. One final comment on the style of the book, the lay out of the book made it diffcult to review at time, this a book you review instead of read. The print and color style at time almost made me sick. If you do not have anything new to say, then try to cover that up with new packaging.

I am sorry I purchased this book, May 16, 2010
I am really sorry that I purchased this book and spend time reading it. My time and money would have been better spent elsewhere. I had enjoyed Mike Greenberg's "Why my Wife Thinks I'm an Idiot." I expected similar entertainment with this new book. I expected Greenberg to pull awesome insight from Mike Golic, just as he does each morning on Mike and Mike in the Morning. But that is not what I found.

The writing style and layout are appropriate for a 4th grade library. Many elementary school sports fans would love the color pictures, color words (green for Greenberg, olive for Golic), and the simple concepts. Remove the references to Hooters wings and erectile dysfunction medication, and this book will be ready for young readers. It is set up perfecty for practice reading out loud. I can see it now, two boys could read aloud together to their teacher. It would be a lot easier to read that a lot of other 4th grade books.

After submitting this review, I expect to be banned from listening to Mike and Mike for three days. That's okay, it is baseball season. I an willing to miss a few days of baseball talk to help others avoid my mistake.

Like the show - between covers, July 13, 2010
I bought this book for my husband for Father's Day. He's a big Mike & Mike fan. He loved the book. Great written banter between the guys and interesting backstage and personal insights into their lives.

Great Book, July 3, 2010
I ordered this book for my husband and he loves it. It is full of photos and interesting info for sports fans. It is Mike and Mike's opinions on how sports applies or reflects on life. He has not read it through yet but has liked what he has already read. He recommends it to sports fans.

Just like the show!!, June 7, 2010
I love this book for the fact that it reads just like you are watching the show. Very insightful and most things I agree with, but also very entertaining. Big Thumbs up. Waiting for another one coming out.

Mike and Mike's book, June 7, 2010
the book was interesting,fun and only substantiates the wisdom and forethought of these 2 bright and entertaining sports journalists. ... Read more

Editorial Review

Reviews

A Hockey Memoir with a lot of Heart, November 16, 2010
I bought this book after reading an excerpt in The Hockey News Magazine. I really didn't know what to expect. Fraser paints a picture of the NHL that is grueling, touching, and funny. He follows his time from his ascension into the ranks as an NHL Referee and follows some extremely memorable moments up until his last game. Fraser discusses some confrontations and experiences with players that are often colorful. What was most endearing about this book were the touching and emotional moments that Fraser experienced. He shows how meaningful hockey has been to him and many of the players he has worked with over the years. As he talks about his last games in different hockey venues, i found myself touched with the admiration and respect that some of the NHL's legendary players had for Fraser. This book is wonderful. I am a college student and amid my various due dates and other responsibilities i found myself reading this book whenever i had a chance. I very highly recommend this book.

David, December 1, 2010
I have been waiting eagerly for this book since I knew of its publication, and after an easy couple of days read, I found that the wait was worthwhile. I believe any hockey fan will enjoy the insights and wonderful stories about hockey's famous and not so famous, as well as what it is really like to officiate the fast paced, hard hitting game of professional ice hockey. If you love the game, this insightful and intertaining memoir is a must. if you're not a fan, it is still a must read that will provide a window into the life of one of the most enduring and revered referees in the history of the NHL. This book will bring not only a smile to your face, but also may bring a tear to your eye. When I finished reading the compelling recollections of Kerry Fraser, I found myself wanting more. Thanks Kerry for putting the same heart and soul you gave to professional hockey, all those years, into this book.

A Must Read Book For All Hockey Fans, November 29, 2010
Kerry Fraser provides readers with an inside look at hockey. Readers are given a rare look at the human side of being an NHL Official. In this book, Kerry opened his heart for all to see. Readers will experience the emotions and pressures that he experienced. This is one book that you will not be able to put down. If you always wanted to know what it feels like to be an NHL Referee, this is the book. If you always wanted to know what is said on the ice, this is the book. I recommend this book to anyone who enjoys hockey. This may be Kerry Fraser's "The Final Call", but I hope it is not his final book.

HE SCORES!, November 27, 2010
I ordered this book for my husband after he (like a previous Hockey News subscriber) became intrigued from reading excerpts in the latest issue. It arrived today and my husband can't put it down! For any woman married to a hockey fan, this is the perfect gift for Christmas ... and for those of us who have learned to love the game after being married to a hockey fan, we will patiently wait our turn for the chance to read it after he's done!

The best hair in Hockey, November 25, 2010
Loved reading it... Great stories... cool to learn about what is really said on the ice...Highly entertaining and i would recommend it strongly for any hockey fan...

A must read for hockey fans., December 14, 2010
This is one of the best hockey books I've read in a while. It gave some insight about what actually goes on on the ice between players and officials. Kerry Fraser talks about his most memorable NHL arenas and his most moments in each of them. He references some games that I remember watching on TV, as well as ones that I attended. I recommend this to any hockey fan. ... Read more

Editorial Review

Matt Warshaw knows more about surfing than any other person on the planet. After five years of research and writing, Warshaw has crafted an unprecedented history of the sport and the culture it has spawned. At nearly 500 pages, with 250,000 words and more than 250 rare photographs, The History of Surfing reveals and defines this sport with a voice that is authoritative, funny, and wholly original. The obsessive nature of this endeavor is matched only by the obsessive nature of surfers, who will pore through these pages with passion and opinion. A true category killer, here is the definitive history of surfing. ... Read more

Reviews

NOT JUST FOR SURFERS, August 27, 2010
I am not a surfer. But I am a history buff who was given an advance copy of this gorgeous book. I'm only on page 174, but I have to stop and share my excitement about The History of Surfing. How can you not love a book that describes the crowds at surf movies of the late 1950's like this:

"Firecrackers were lit and rolled across the floor to the next row of seats. Bottlecaps zipped through the air. High decibel beer-belches rang out. A motorcyclist might blow in through the side door, ride up one aisle and down the other, then gun back out the way he came.

"What older surfers invariably describe first when talking about early surf movies is the tearing thunderclap of cheers and whistles and stomping feet that began when the lights dimmed and the first blue-green image lip up the screen--a roaring noise signifying not just a manic willingness to be entertained, but the pure joy of an otherwise staunchly nonaligned multitude coming together briefly, powerfully, ecstatically as a group."

Now that's the way to write history. Kevin Starr, California State Historian, eat your heart out.

A Masterpiece, October 21, 2010
This is it, the definitive story of surfing, surfers and beach culture.
It's a big thick textbook like collection of information, photos, stories and anecdotes.
Warshaw has set the bar so high with this work, I doubt anyone will ever have the balls to approach the subject again.
I will be reading and re-reading this one for a long time to come

Great writing, November 11, 2010
When I got this book I was a bit afraid it would take me forever to read, but as soon as I opened it up and read the first few pages I discovered just how good a writer Matt Warshaw is and how hard it would be to put it down. Matt has gotten the words right using each one with careful consideration and has somehow been able to cover all the bases with an unbiased yet engaging perspective that is different from just reading facts. Reading along and having a slight idea of what was to come made it exciting to see how the bits and pieces of surf history I knew of would be played out in the pages. It was a bit like watching a movie version of a really good book. Most cases you go in expecting a letdown because how can someone match what the book did on the screen, but every once in a while you are surprised. How could someone take the history of surfing and impress in a book? Well somehow this author has. I would recommend it to surfers and non-surfers alike. Great photos, nice job on the page titles, and above all else really great writing.

Surfing's Jame Joyce, September 30, 2010
A few years back, the Modern Library ranked James Joyce's novel "Ulysses" first on its list of the 100 best English-language novels of the 20th century.
Like this one, that's a big book too.
Well, this is the Ulysses of surf books.

few words about he book, November 23, 2010
Sure it is a great book. At least surfers should read it. Don't know about the sources of Matt opinions,but and even though haven't finish the book yet, found few things that sound a litte bit like a prejudice that should be rewied.
Great pics,to pleasant reading and excelent to introduce those that do not know the surfing life. ... Read more

Editorial Review

Reviews

Magnificent. Stunning., November 12, 2010
Mr. Sullivan has created a marvelous book detailing with pictures, interviews, and his personal insights the first 50 years of one of, if not the, most significant sports franchises in our history. He is a sublimely capable researcher, writer, editor, and his efforts are equal to the vastness of his subject.

Opening this book releases a flood of memories for anyone who has ridden the roller coaster over the decades, come lately to this storied franchise or even is merely a casual fan of the legacy that is the Cowboys. Each picture, remark of a participant, discussion recalls so many more from the lore that could not be included or that is personal to each of us. Reviewing for example the "Hail Mary" or Clint Longley pass however encountered is to remember all the impressions of the event or its descriptions and the thrill or agony of the moment. Here are so many momentous events often portrayed in new perspectives such as Tony Dorsett's longest run in history which he said was not even his best run. Of course, long before these triumphs were the first of so many heartbreaks--the "Ice Bowl," "can't win the big one," and "`Next Year's Champion." All these are magnificently rendered here for which I am most grateful.

I think any sports fan would find this book remarkably enjoyable (and I have no bias).

5 Stars for A BIG Star, December 9, 2010
I know there are many books on the Dallas Cowboys, I have read nearly all of them, but a book this huge that covers the teams first 50 years is certainly a must.

Mr. Sullivan did great job in covering 5 decades of America's Team. It also features some nice inserts inside such as Super Bowl tickets, game day program cards and letters. Spectacular pictures, stories on players that may not be household names and a nice chapter on the Dallas Cheerleaders. I'm already looking forward to Jeff's book on the first 75 years of America's Team !

Awesome!, December 28, 2010
Bought this for my husband and step dad for Christmas, they loved it. Heck I even love it since I am also a huge die hard fan. Very detailed and even has replicas of tickets and letters, etc. ... Read more