5 comments about Dean's Domain: The Inside Story of Dean Smith and His College Basketball Empire.

1. Nice companion piece to Smith's own memoirs ("A Coach's Life"). A less complete portrait of Smith's inner life and interests off the court than the autobiography, but a more complete, and in many ways a more compelling, account of his public life as coach/power broker of what amounts to a multimillion dollar franchise. In this sense it is more entertaining than Smith's book -- a more open treatment of the recruiting process (including the ones that got away), the management of the Nike contract, the rivalry with Duke etc.

   Like the Smith book, it at times gets bogged down in season by season recapitulations of win-loss records. It also includes some material (such as a few paragraphs on the murder of Michael Jordan's father) which presumably are worth mentioning, but don't really fit into the thematic or narrative flow, and seem to be inserted in a kind of obligatory fashion. But these are quibbles.

   Unfortunately, the book ends with Smith's retirement and the installation of his hand-picked successor, Bill Guthridge, and, as a consequence, misses the surely interesting story of Guthridge's resignation two years later, and Smith and Guthridge's apparent inability to again stage manage the selection of the next long-run leader of the Carolina men's basketball program. Nevertheless an interesting and worthwhile read.




2. I have been a tarheel fan for my whole life, I met "THE MAN" as a kid. He is just as portrayed in the book. This was a book that I could not put down. The best book I've read. Great work Art.



3. I recommend this book to true, long-time dedicated UNC fans. Probably no one else could read the whole thing. You will remember each game from your own perspective but Chansky gives you the details from behind the scenes. Many tid-bits and juicy morsals to satisfy your curiosity about the program and about the man. If you like Smith, this book will affirm your respect for him. If you don't like him, this book will not change your mind. Smith is presented mostly sympathetically, but his flaws are too numerous to hide, yet for the true fan, they are expected and when seen within the contaxt of his life, they are forgivable. I was pleasantly surprised by how much I liked it. Also, I recently read "Playing for Keeps" about Jordan. There is no redundancy here.



4. Art Chansky has been a close associatr of the Carolina Basketball program for yaers. He gives in depth background about many situations I had always wondered about. This in no way a book which sugar coats UNC. I love Carolina, but it shows a that Coach Smith is human like the rest of us. Reccomended reading for any TRUE basketball fan.This book gives you a sense of what it took to become a long term success and what were some of the events that defined the program.



5. Inside look on the greates basketball programs eve

No comments about Dennis Rodman: I Should Be Dead by Now.

2 comments about OLLIE: The Ollie Butler Story.

1. David Kniss, the author and former Butler player, readily admits that this book was somewhat rushed - 16 months in the making - considering Coach Butler's 32 year career. And while this is true, Kniss still delivers a cohesive timeline of Butler's life.
   To anyone associated with the High Desert, Butler is an icon - a man who won more than 600 games throughout his career. Having played for Butler in the late '80s, I can truly say that he is one of the few men I admired growing up and I admire even more in posterity. Not only for the example that he set as an individual, but for his tireless effort in building a program that the entire community could rally behind.
   And while it's admittedly a "regional" book, I feel its appeal would have been far greater if Mr. Kniss had asked tougher questions - particularly about Butler's feud with former principal Julian Weaver. Another component this book lacks is an assessment of the impact Butler has had on his players lives. Many of his former players, myself included, still communicate with him.
   Despite its shortcomings, however, Kniss delivers a solid book on a legendary man. Now, hopefully Kniss will try his hand at documentary filmmaking.



2. This book is a great read.

   It reads like a research paper, but as family, I really enjoyed reading it.

   The first couple of chapters really kept me interested, since it had family history. I'm not much of a sports fan, but I felt Kniss' passion for the game and his respect and admiration for my uncle. I can tell that it took a lot of research and hours of work to put it together. I especially enjoyed getting in-depth accounts of stories that I have only heard in passing over the years. I never fully realized how much my Uncle O.J. went through to get to where he is today. And I probably wouldn't if it weren't for Mr. Kniss.

No comments about My Impossible Dream: The Story of Chuck Randall.

1 comments about Michael Jordan: An Audio Tribute.

1. At last, Micheal Jordon in his own words. Giuliano is himself a superstar when it comes to writing and narrating terrifc audios like this one. I really enjoyed it.

3 comments about Hi Mom, Send Sheep: My Life as the Coyote and After.

1. This was a very quick read, and goes into something of the history of the person behind the Spurs Coyote, Tim Derk. He lived a double life, with a secret identity, for two decades until he suffered a stroke.
   
   As the Coyote, he performed feats of athleticism that were amazing, all the time showing the humor for which he was known. Only a few people knew his true identity until shortly after his stroke on Feb 13, 2004.
   
   The book is a quick read, easily completed in a single night and has several tales of the misadventures of the Coyote, and its actor. It is written very much as if the author was speaking to you, however it is somewhat disjointed jumping around from time to time, inside a chapter.
   
   The seven chapters are relative focused, each one detailing aspects of Tim'sis life. From the inception of the Coyote, to a number of injuries, to his hey-day activities, to the stroke, then to rehab, and finally to recovery, though that is obviously an ongoing issue.
   
   The book is inspiring, showing how much a person can accomplish if he puts his mind to it. Considering that Tim's stroke is central to the book, it still remains a relatively enjoyable read.
   
   I recommend this book to anyone who is interested in mascots, and specifically to anyone who may be facing a tough time. It is also a must for any fan of the Spurs Coyote.



2. The reading is quick paced and engaging. One minute you are laughing, the next you are saying "WoW", or "Mmmmm"
   
   This book makes profound thinking easy to read!



3. A fascinating read and a great look at the king of NBA mascots. Whether hanging from the ceiling or making up hilarious bits, Tim truly set the bar for other mascots and athletic entertainers to follow.

No comments about THESE DEVILS WORE BLUE.

5 comments about Worse Than He Says He Is: White Girls Don't Bounce.

1. THIS BOOK BY ANICKA RODMAN IS ABOUT HER BRIEF MARRIAGE TO FORMER NBA BAD BOY DENNIS. IF YOU READ THE BOOK BY JESSICA CANSECO, YOU NEED NOT READ THIS GARBAGE. ALL SHE DOES IS TELL US HOW SHE LET HIM PHYSICALLY BEAT HER SEVERAL TIMES, CHEATED ON HER CONSTANTLY, GAVE HER HERPES AND MADE HER HAVE 4 ABORTIONS. AND IF THAT ISN'T ENOUGH DRAMA, HE ALSO NEGLECTED HER AND THEIR DAUGHTER AND FAILED TO PAY CHILD SUPPORT. ALONG WITH MUCH MORE SELF CENTERED AND ALOOF BEHAVIOR. I ALSO FAILED TO MENTION THAT DENNIS WAS FORGIVEN FOR THESE THINGS. GIVE ME A BREAK. THESE 2 HOES DESERVE EACH OTHER. BOTH OF THEM NEED PLENTY OF HELP. IF SHE CARES ABOUT HER DAUGHTER, THEN WHY DID SHE POSE NUDE ON THE COVER OF THIS BOOK. AND THE POOR DEAR ALSO MENTIONS THAT SHE CAN'T LIVE ON $6000.00 A MONTH FROM DENNIS THE MENACE. PLEASE DON'T WASTE YOUR TIME OR MONEY ON THIS PIECE OF S__T.



2. At the height of Dennis Rodman's fame this pig (going by the pen-name "Anicka Rodman") decided to glom on to his success. She was briefly Dennis Rodman's second wife, but knows nothing and saw less. There really aren't any questions this book, "Worse Than He Says He Is: White Girls Don't Bounce" answers. Instead, it's gossipy trash-talk that belongs in the fireplace. I actually do have 1 question for "Anicka Rodman," though; how many ghostwriters and editors did you use?



3. I don't know of any type of girl that bounces, for that matter. Bob, maybe. But bounce... well yeah, maybe so.



4. Okay so Annie has lived a life that no one would like to pursue. Well I guess you can learn a lot from her book, but it's probably also good to know Dennis' side also. Annis does a wonderful job in this book telling it how it is and never leaves out the juicy details.



5. Anicka Rodman's "Worse Than He Says He Is" is subtitled "White Girls Don't Bounce". Who is she kidding??? Her sordid story reads just the opposite. This attractive, white girl with a model's credentials inexplicably submitted to Dennis Rodman's drubbings ( or should I say "dribblings" ). An attractive white girl who he bounced all over the place: off the bathroom wall, down the apartment steps. An abusive and unfaithful excuse for a man with severe mental shortcomings, is loved and regulafrly forgiven by the woman who bears his child, suffers four abortions, has her face smashed with his backhand so badly that she suffers TMJ and needs to where a jaw brace, suffers through bouts of clamydia that he brought home to her from his various wanton interludes with strippers and assorted low-lifes , along with Herpes I and Herpes II, a permanent reminder of his infidelities. Shades of antoother blond, former model, Catholic, white girl named Nicole Brown who also suffered abuse at the hands of a black athlete, and continued to come back for more, bouncing all the way. Only the endings are different. What I missed in Anicka's tale is a "moral to the story". Why does she reject the nice guys that pursue her? Why does she not only submit to this treatment, but continually comes back for more? Why did she reject her Catholic upbringing and values and submit to abortions and how can she now raise her daughter as a Catholic? She mentions that she is now in therapy but gives no hint as to what she moght have learned avbout herself, about her attaction for "bad boys", about the possible root causes for this type of behavior. Can this type of behavior be avioded? Are there just certain females that need the "juice" of this type of roller coaster relationship that the "bad boy" provides?Is this an addition? For all the parents, brothers and sisters out there who see loved ones following a similar route of attraction to the "rascal", some advice would have helped. Alas, Anicka gives n

1 comments about The Vern Mikkelsen Story.

1. Good book if you want to learn about the early history of the NBA and the Minneapolis Lakers.

No comments about Tommy Nunez, N B A Reference: Taking My Best Shot (A Mitchell Lane multicultural biography).