5 comments about Keane: The Autobiography.

1. I'll come clean. I'm a Leeds United fan, so my natural instinct was to burn this book. I didn't. I read it, and enjoyed it. You feel you are listening to a straight shooter. It's a much better read than some of the tosh put out by ex-Leeds players. Sure, he has a persecution complex, but he's Irish. It comes with the territory. Since Keane fell out with Sir Alex and left Man United he's risen in stature. And if Leeds can hire Denis Wise, then they can certainly hire Roy Keane.....after he walks out on Sunderland in a couple of years..



2. I could not put this book down, well written and a great insight into the heart of a true Manchester United warrior.



3. Having followed football for a few years and being familar with Mr. Keane's antics on and off the pitch, I thought this was going to be a little more entertaining. It was a very good read, but I can't imagine the author is this drab. He is an Irishman!



4. I like Manchester United and Keane so am biased, but this is a worthwhile read for anyone interested in what goes on behind the scenes and United and in the thoughts of someone whose behavior has been so "interesting" over the years. Keane gives a "warts and all" description of his career and behavior.



5. I like Roy Keane..He is direct,explosive and successful without possessing the sublime skills of Best or Cantona. The book is written in the same direct style as his playing. He tells it straight but is lacking in detail. You get a glimpse of the man without really ever getting inside his head. He shares the highs and lows (and even his first salary with Man. Utd.)...but lacks the capacity to captivate the reader like a good biography should. Most of what is in here, you already know...Interesting glimpses of life as a successful sportsperson but lacking the cutting edge that he delivers on the football pitch...

No comments about Seeing Red.

1 comments about Who Was First?: Discovering the Americas.

1. On accuracy: It is wrong to skip or gloss over facts that lead to wrong conclusions. In Russel Freedman's Who was First?, page 11, where he quotes Columbus, "They [the Arawaks] were well built...", Columbus, in that same quote, also wrote in his journal that he took some of the natives by force (2). "They [the Arawaks] would make fine servants . . . With fifty men we could subjugate them all and make them do whatever we want" (1) Russel Freedman's book skips a lot on accuracy for Columbus: "Columbus received 10% of the profits from this venture [and] governship over new found lands..."(2). A man named Rodrigo saw the Americas first, but Columbus claimed he saw the land first and he received the reward of an annual pension of 10,000 maravedis for his lifetime (38 kg = 83.6 lbs of silver or about $22,700 in today's dollars)(3). On Hispaniola Columbus took more prisoners and two Arawaks were bled to death with swords for they had refused to trade the number of bows and arrows Columbus and his men wanted (3). On the second trip, Columbus and 1,200 hundred men rounded up 1,500 Arawak men, women and children for slaves: 500 went back to Spain and 200 died en route (4). On Haiti, the original camp of Spaniards had been destroyed because they took women and children for sex and labor slaves (4). In Haiti, Columbus forced all those 14 an older to collect a specific amount of gold every three months; those who failed had their hands cut off (4). Spaniards would behead Indians for fun. Natives who ran away were hanged or burned, so the Arawak men, women, and children started committing mass suicide with Cassava poison (4). By 1650, all the original Arawaks and descendents were dead (5). Howard Zinn. A People's History of the United States.
   
   Russel Freedman fails to name Columbus appropriately as a slaver and an encourager of the rape, genocide and enslavement of the Arawaks. He whitewashes some of the history with his words and pictures (especially priests blessing this man), thereby not giving Columbus his proper due.
   
   I did like Russel Freedman's analysis of the flaws in the theories the Chinese were in the Americas well before Columbus (p31-33). I would liked to have seen more writing on the Heyerdahl's 1947 KonTiki expedition that proved Indian balsa wood rafts could cross the Pacific Ocean. The analysis of Viking landings (43) tie in with what I have read before. I wish Africa had been given more attention. I read there are rock carvings in South America that can be traced to African carvings.
   
   Still, Accuracy wise, for a children's book, Who was First? breaks new bounds.
   
   Jason Penterman, West Bend, WI

1 comments about Moments.

1. Yesterday I received "Moments", and I must say that it is a great book!!!
   
   I guess the first thing you notice is that it's a big book with all the pages printed on high quality glossy paper, and it's full of fantastic photos.
   
   Ronaldo himself has said that he is too young yet to write a real autobiography, and therefore "Moments" is not just the usual write-up of dates, facts and numbers that many footballers sell as books these days. Instead, he decided to share some of the events that happened in his life so far by writing short stories and adding numerous pictures.
   
   From his early years playing for Sporting Lissabon to winning the Premier Leage with Manchester United, from childhood dreams to his father's death, from being named captain of the Portuguese National Team to everyday routine ... this book provides a very nice glimpse into the life and mind of one of the best footballers in the world today. He certainly seems to have his head (and heart) in the right place!
   
   All of Cristianos fans will also love this book for the countless great (and previously unpublished) photos!!!

5 comments about Managing My Life: My Autobiography.

1. It's hard to feel how important decisions that would lead to important successes are being made by important manager unless someone has truly made it comes out and tells the story. Not many great achievers chose to tell their story, or if they do, it's not necessary movingly. Sir Alex Ferguson happens to be the most successful football manager over his 22 years with Manchester United does exaclty just that about the success story and its insights in his "Managing My Life".



2. This is the best sports book I have read. It is a great insight into arguably the best manager ever in the history of soccer. I always respected Sir Alex Ferguson anyway, but after reading this book, I even have more respect for his tactics and especially his ethical approach to life in general. Whether you are a soccer coach yourself, just a sports fan, or a business manager looking for insight into how to manage people better you will enjoy this book.



3. Being a soccer fan of the club Manchester United for 15 years, this book is truly a revealing account inside the mind of one of the greatest soccer managers of British Football.
   
   This autobiography shows how a seemingly ordinary man was able to achieve phenomenal success in his managerial career. Alex HATES to be on the losing side and this is a major motivation for him to achieve success constantly on the pitch and on his personal life.
   
   I would love to recommend this book to all Manchester United fans as well as sports psychologists and people working in a competitive environment. To achieve success (in whatever field), one MUST have confidence in his/her own ability and take on the world like a soldier on the battlefield. People with low self-esteem should read this book to bring out their own competitive nature.
   
   Finally,the statistics which show Alex Ferguson's playing and managerial record (at the end of the book) is indeed invaluable to the true soccer fan. This provides the "icing on the cake" for this honest work of brilliance by Ferguson.



4. Sir Alex is one of the 2 greatest managers in the history of MANCHESTER UNITED FOOTBALL CLUB and some might even day of English football all together but is it enough to make an intresting and informative book? I think not. As much as sir Alex is part of my life and my history as a United supporter, there are more intresting things than a Managers life.



5. having worked with sir alex i can say hes the best there is. players love working for him. he tells it how it is and is always fair.

5 comments about Posh & Becks.

1. The simple introduction here would be, "Liked him but didn't like her." Of course, he has that warm, winning smile that makes him both attractive and seemingly approachable--while she favors a frowny pout that is very off-putting. (The book contains 16 pages of photographs, most of them in color.) But more importantly, he has real talent that he has worked all his life to cultivate, while her skills might be charitably described as modest and haphazardly developed. Morton makes the point that Posh has always pursued success rather than proficiency: "Victoria's supreme ambition, the goal she had had since childhood, was to be famous and admired . . . [and her] success was achieved quickly and in spite of, rather than because of, any real talent she could demonstrate." I am also not keen on promoting anorexic role models for today's youth, and there are many pages in this tome devoted to her slenderizing habits.
   
   For a change of pace (although not a sports buff), I took the time while reading this book to watch clips of David's action on the soccer field. I was amazed at what I saw, both in terms of skill but also, and unexpectedly, in terms of joy--this man loves to play! Yet he is described as "nice but dim," and his wife is a high school dropout.
   
   Morton provides his own analysis of this couple: "He seems content to be who he is, secure in his skin, a talented footballer doing what he has always wanted. On the other hand, Victoria is driven by the demons within; a woman who is at once dauntless, intrepid, and dynamic, and yet insecure, vulnerable, and needy." But they have found each other, they love their kids, and they have been successful at promoting "Brand Beckham." Maybe it will all work out in the end . . .



2. this book didn't tell me anything i didn't already know. i guess i was hoping it would go more into friendships and events these two had been involved with but it seemed to just skim over their life with the bare minimum of details. i wasted my money.



3. I have read many books this is the second time and last time I ever read a book from this author. I happen to like the Beckhams, and feel that every single public personality deserves a key word privacy. When you cannot trust your nannies, cleaning people that is really sad, especially since they are a normal couple with children that fight and have their difficulties like everyone else in the world, they are the upper 3% of the world with money, they worked hard for it and deserve every single penny if we buy into them and their branding..and strong family values.
   I am sad if David did have affairs on his wife because that is a lack of respect for her and his boys and if they even have an agreement to an open marriage it is still no ones business but their own. there is a saying men like blueberry pie, once in awhile they like a little apple but than they return to the bluebuerry pie men love history they never leave their wives!
   To Victoria if you want your fashion sense to soar like an eagle think globally not locally to size 0.,go larger bring your books sell it all and than use some of it for charity or a training school for homeless teenagers to get them off the streets.
   I would go QVC or Shopping channel with your fragrances and clothing and sunglasses the more units you sell the more you make it is simple math. Do Jewlery too and anything you can brand your name on because Beckham sells because everyone wants a piece of you it represents wealth and abundance.
   You go Beckhams and when the press hate you it is because you are doing well. No one wants your sucess it is a famous saying. Andrew Morton can you never write a book that is pleasant I challenge you to do it my gosh man you are a negative and jealous writter and no better than the thousands of papparazzi that chase these people daily for their fix!



4. Andrew Morton is presented as the something between the devil incarnate and the Brit version of Kitty Kelley but this book, Posh and Becks isn't that bad actually. In fact, it's pretty fair. He makes it clear that the whole Girl Power thing that the Spice Girls had going was actually crap. They were invented by two busnessmen and their careers were guided by their male manager. They were a business venture first and musicians second. But hey, they entertained a whole lot of people and they all got rich so who can complain?
   
   Morton says that the Adams/Beckham wedding was tacky. Well, that's a mater of opinion but the pictures of the wedding did provoke more derisive laughter than envy in most people who commented publicly.
   
   Morton presents Beckham as a nice guy who let's his wife make the decisions... that could said for most happily married men. Morton also brings up a few alleged affairs but he makes it clear that the women involved all told their stories to the media so their actions have to be suspect.
   
   As for Victoria Beckham herself, Morton spent less time talking about her relationships before Beckham than she did in her own book. She complains bitterly about Morton in her book but all in all, Posh and Becks isn't a hatchet job and seemed rather mild to me. Pity about Beckham's soccer career though.



5. Morton must receive his praise for putting together all the dirt there was on Posh and Becks. Is it morally wrong? By no means. Instead of digging through old glossy magazines you can check one book with a glossy cover.
   One question which this book fails to answer is how a player who is apparently past his prime and a girl who never was a good singer could become and continue to be such celebrities world-wide. But this is not a question which has anything to do with this charming couple but with us.

5 comments about Hooked: Five Addicts Challenge Our Misguided Drug Rehab System.

1. Hooked is a facinating story of five peoples lives and should be read for this alone. The author does a great job of telling their stories. Painlessly wrapped inside these stories is a Masters Degree on the drug treatment system.
   
   Hooked will give you an insight into drug treatment systems without the bias of the creators. Hooked will give you years of development history and terminology.
   
   Finally, if your state or county is going to start or start-over a drug treatment program Hooked will tell you the best approach. The approach selected has results that clearly make it the plan of choice. (Read the book for the answer.)



2. I work in the drug-use prevention field. I purchased this book for my own education. I became emotionally involved in the lives of the drug addicts featured in the book. It was beneficial to learn about their backgrounds and to see their daily lives in detail. I learned a great deal and am even more passionate about my work now!



3. This book is amazing. I rarely give books 5 stars, but this one is exceptional - fair, honest, compassionate without being treacly, thorough, thoughtful, well-written. Shavelson does a remarkable job profiling his subjects, the reasons for their drug use and how it turned into abuse, and the challenges they face just finding treatment (not to mention completing it). He describes each program fully and carefully before evaluating them, so that the reader can understand the basis for his criticisms and form her own opinion. Despite the sad outcomes of some subjects, Shavelson offers the reader a glimmer of hope by showing us what is likely to work, why addicts are worth saving, and why numerous "second chances" at treatment are necessary and eventually pay off. Read this book!



4. drug rehab right between the eyes that pulls no pun ches and shows us where we need to go next



5. Hooked is a very good book. It starts of as one of those investigative journalist things with a description of real drug addicts. Often books of this type look at these people as if they were the inmates of a zoo, but rather than doing that the book uses their problems to illustrate the difficulties which plague organisations which provide assistance to drug addicts.

   One woman suffers from a combination of mental illness and drug abuse. Her attempts to find help are continually frustrated by the fact that when she applies for assistance from mental health professionals she is told that she has a drug problem and she is referred onwards. When she speaks to drug agencies she is told that she has a mental health problem and told to see a psychologist. In the last chapter of the book she is able to find an agency which will help her, but this occurs only after the intervention of one of the doctors. The intake staff is concerned about accepting her as they prefer people who have fewer problems and who are easy to deal with.

   A lot of the book is focused on one person Mike who attends a live in facility for close to a year. His story illustrates how current rehabilitation facilities fail to have access to services such as detoxification and also use ritual humiliation as a means of controlling the inmates. Mike breaks a rule by developing a relationship with another inmate. He has to sit in a chair for three days and to go through a re-education session similar to those that featured in the Chinese Cultural Revolution. The author makes the point that the people running the program are generally untrained and not able to work out when such treatment is appropriate or whether those who might be put through it could suffer from major mental illnesses. Those people who suffer from substance abuse problems generally will have a background of some difficulty. In this case Mike was a person who was raped repeatedly as a child. There was however no psychological treatment available in the program. More important however is the inability of the program to deal with relapse. Drug addiction is a problem that is often defined by the tendency to relapse. However the response of Mikes program was to kick him out. That is despite the fact that if allowed back into the program his prognosis would have been good.

   The author is an admirer of the Drug Court system. The reason for his admiration is that the Drug Court is better able to make the diverse and not well functioning elements of the treatment system accountable. Thus they use relapses to build the drug addicts skills in dealing with their addiction so that they are more likely to stay clean. They can also ensure that rehab placements accept people, provide them with appropriate care and they can also direct addicts to detoxification.

   The book is not only an interesting discussion of the issues the author is able to interest the reader in the story of the addicts he studies. One can see them as humans and follow their struggle to get on top of their problems and to live lives as valuable citizens. A book which should be a must read for anyone with an interest in the area.

5 comments about Go For the Goal: A Champion's Guide To Winning In Soccer And Life.

1. "Go for the Goal" is about Mia Hamm, one of the best soccer players in the world and about her struggles, difficulties, and accomplishments in her life. She helped lead the women's world cup team to a victory in 1999. She has faith that every one that dreams about being a soccer star, go for it! This is one of my favorate books not only because I play soccer competitively but because she has showed me some techniques and strategies she used to be an amazing soccer player. This book is interesting and factual about Mia life and could help change your idea about soccer.



2. This book is great for anyone who likes soccer and Mia Hamm. It has training tips, drills, and it tells a lot about Mia Hamm. I can't put the book down!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!



3. i love women's soccer and mia hamm takes the cake. this book makes you feel like you're part of the game. the narrative is good and mia has put some personal and important photos in the book that you'll cherish as well.
   
   for the soccer lover, run out and get it immediately!



4. super.
   
   1. chapters on her ideas is just extremely inspiring
   2. soccer tips are great.



5. Personally, I found this really boring. I'm not really sure what I just read. I was kind of hoping that there'd be some personal insight because Mia Hamm is a facsinating person. When I finished I really wasn't inspired, or informed, or anything. I was just bored. There are better books out there, this one isn't really worth your time.

1 comments about My Life and the Beautiful Game: The Autobiography of Soccer's Greatest Star.

1. Pele is a soccer legend. Even those who don't know the sport, know Pele. This autobiography is a terrific read. You really feel Pele's enthusiasm for soccer, as the writing is so passionate, that you can't help appreciating one of the world's most popular sports.

2 comments about Wayne Rooney: My Story.

1. I enjoyed this quick trip thru the life of a young soccer talent. Don't expect War and Peace and you won't moan about the plight of literature.



2. I sometimes wonder (and worry) about the amount of praise works like this often attract. Lame in effort and execution, dumb and tedious in its reality, it beggars the question why we're not, as a society, a lot more critical?
   Is it because, as I suspect, and the people who produce this trash know for sure, no-one gives a monkeys?
   This convivial lack of disapproval, twinned with general social lethargy ensures we get what we deserve, and therefore, what we expect/want, with no questions asked.
   Of course this stuff will keep right on coming until we can muster up some sort of resistance to it, and at the moment I would say that's highly unlikely.
   What we need is some quality control in our own lives, and the inclination to back it up.
   It would be a start if we could curb the exposure of some of the people who are supposed to be steering us clear of this stuff. Too busy `appearing' somewhere to be of any use at the business end, too involved to see the damage they're doing, and allowing to be done.
   But far more importantly, as a civilization we must vent every way we can, our abhorrence and intolerance for the debased, the tawdry and the creatively unclean. Sneer and scorn the lame ducks and the half-talents. Bring pressure to bear on those who exist only for profit, and actively encourage, for lucrative financial gain, the deliberate and VERY real `dumbing down' of pretty much anything and everything in our culture.
   This afflicts across the board; the arts, travel, food, particularly sport, where the opportunity to guide our young people by good example is criminally wasted.
   And at it's cold black heart, its nadir, is us as people, in the land of the dead, sucking it all in without retort, without obloquy, and worst of all, without conscience or shame. Arise; Sir Vermin.
   `Wisdom and goodness to the vile seem vile.' Future generations will need some explaining to.