5 comments about Baseball Forever: Reflections on Sixty Years in the Game.

1. I REALLY LIKED THIS BOOK BY RALPH KINER FORMER MLB PLAYER. HE GIVES US MANY DIFFERENT STORIES COVERING HIS PLAYING CAREER AND ALSO HIS BROADCASTING CAREER. FROM HANK GREENBERG, BING CROSBY, ELIZABETH TAYLOR TO ESTHER WILLIAMS RALPH HAS KNOWN QUITE A FEW HOLLYWOOD AND BASEBALL STARS. HIS STORIES ARE VERY INTERESTING AND HIGHLY ENTERTAINING. THE ONLY DISAPPOINTMENT I HAD WAS THAT HE DID NOT DISCUSS HIS EARLY LIFE AND BASEBALL CAREER IN GREATER DETAIL. NONE THE LESS THIS IS A GOOD READ FOR ALL BASEBALL FANS.



2. Concerning "Baseball Forever", expectations are key. Most buyers will be familiar with Ralph Kiner's career. This reviewer was expecting vastly more reminiscing about the "good old days" with the New York Mets of the 1960s. Following that, he had hope for tales of RKs days as a slugger with the Pirates and Cubs from the late 40s to mid 50s. Indeed, BF contains some of those recollections, but far too few. What this reader received instead was a rambling, verbose and stridently opinionated treatise on virtually every aspect of the game of baseball. It may not be fair but RK is typecast in many minds and trivia and tales from the good old days are what the guy has to offer. In fairness to RK, he has a voluminous knowledge of the Game, but parts of BF are simply too serious! For the record, RK was mistaken when he wrote that Casey Stengel was no longer with the Mets in 1964-he was very much there and RK was in the broadcast booth above! He also left out the punch line in that infamous "Kiners Korner" interview with Clarence "Choo Choo" Coleman. Those looking for fun reading will be disappointed here! BF is definitely not for longtime Mets fans. BF may appeal to SERIOUS students of the game, but certainly not at hardcover prices. Take the paperback! (The interview ended with RK explaining "Choo Choo is not the talkative type, folks"). That tidbit was more of what this reviewer was expecting but failed to receive. (Come on, old Mets fans! You must remember Homer)



3. Few tell a better baseball tale than Hall of Famer Ralph Kiner. For those that remember his playing days this book is sure to bring back great memories. Others, like myself, may only know Ralph as the great color man for 40+ years with the New York Mets. Trust me, it won't disappoint. Great tales of yesteryear combined with a wise outlook on the modernizing of the game and players. Kiner is honest and frank.
   
   An easy read and a must read for those who love baseball.



4. Ralph Kiner's _Baseball Forever_, written with Dany Peary, offers readers a chance to enjoy the gentlemanly voice of Ralph Kiner, a Hall of Fame outfielder and mainstay of Mets television broadcasts since 1962. Filled with amusing anecdotes and shrewd observations, Kiner reflects on his life in baseball from the post-World War II era to the present. His story is told with candor, humor, and reassuring modesty, particularly when he discusses the highlights of his impressive Hall of Fame career in the 1940s and 1950s. He presents a reasonable, fair perspective on all aspects of the game from the post-World War II period to the present.
   
   For those unfamiliar with his career, Ralph Kiner was a renowned home run hitter for the Pittsburg Pirates from the late 1940s through the mid-1950s. Despite the surge in home runs in the mid-1990s, Kiner remains the only player in history to win six consecutive home run titles-a true testament to his greatness as a player. Two reasons why Ralph Kiner is not better known are that he played most of his career with the cellar dweller Pittsburg Pirates and his career was shortened (to ten years) due to a back injury.
   
   One of the strengths of the book is its structure. _Baseball Forever_ is both a chronological biography and a thematic study of baseball. This balance is handled elegantly. Chapters deal with such issues as players' colorful lives on the road; integration in the late 1940s and the internationalization of baseball in the present day; the labor movement and the rise of the player's association; the value of baseball records; baseball celebrity; and the life of a broadcaster.
   
   Two of the strongest chapters address labor and race. In 1951, Kiner and Allie Reynolds, a pitcher for the Yankees, negotiated on behalf of players for a higher minimum salary, a more generous pension, and a percentage of television profits for the World Series and the All-Star game. This was during a time when baseball owners were all powerful due to the reserve clause, which gave owner's contractual rights to a player for the duration of his career.
   
   Kiner's descriptions of Jackie Robinson's historic 1947 season and the slow process of integration in the late 1940s and 1950s are thought provoking. He provides a snapshot history of many great African American players who came to prominence in this era, including Dodger pitcher Don Newcombe, whom Kiner notes is not yet in the Hall of Fame but deserves to be. Kiner discusses the even slower process of integration at the management and ownership-levels in baseball.
   
   Kiner notes in the Introduction, "it occurs to me that if you combine the years I was a young fan with the more than 60 years I have been employed in baseball, that total represents more than half the lifetime of America's pastime as a professional sport." Reading his book is an opportunity to deepen one's knowledge of baseball and life in America in general. He tells so many memorable stories about the game.
   
   This is an excellent book for baseball enthusiasts of all ages.



5. I purchased the book for my teenager in order to give him a historical perspective on baseball in the US, however, I ended up reading the entire book first and enjoyed the many anecdotal stories and historical references from the humble beginnings of the players union to minor and Negro league ball to expansion, etc. Although Mr. Kiner generously offers his personal opinions on various important, defining changes in the baseball world, he objectively and interestingly includes other points of view.
   
   The first half of the book is excellent baseabll history, but eventually detours towards Hollywood personalities and life styles.

No comments about Record Breaker.

No comments about No Guarantees.

No comments about Skating Life, A: My Story.

5 comments about Untamed Seas: One Woman's True Story of Shipwreck and Survival.

1. A real hero and an inspiration. I would have given up. Courage and class!A great read, you will be gripped!



2. I read this book in two sittings, some parts I was almost too scared to keep reading. The part where they tip over the boat to rinse out all the crap from Meg's leg (bloody infection stuff) and they can't tip it back and the sharks are surely going to smell all that in the water...I almost died just reading it. After reading this I had some burning questions about a lot of things I went to her website and emailed her. She was sooo nice, answered all my questions.
   Don't read this on the beach or even in the tub!



3. who co-wrote the first book with Ms. Kiley? Why did Ms Kiley write the story over again when the first one was so good? It is a fascinating, if disturbing, story of survival.



4. After reading this book, I was both very sad and very angry. If there is a God that is fair, then all 5 should have survived or all 5 died. There were no miracles here. It was survival of the fittest. Mark and John were just plain ole alcoholics, and could not deal with reality, let alone a disaster of this magnitude. Their alcohol soaked brains gave into drinking saltwater - Stupid. Meg was unfortunate to get caught in the rigging, so her wounds were too bad to allow her to survive long. Brad and Debbie were lucky that they were not injured or dependent on drugs or alcohol. Yep, it was plain old "survival of the fittest". No miracles. One thing that bothered me, was that none of the men offerred Meg any clothes. Instead they let her sit there for 4 days in nothing but a shirt. (she was not even wearing any underwear). Insensitive, pathetic and cruel!!! If there is a God that is fair, why didn't He perform a miracle to let Meg survive? She seemed the most innocent of the bunch. The reason I gave this book 5 stars is that it was well writen and detailed of the account, and has made me re-examine my own values. I am going to try to enjoy life to the fullest.

   Kevin Daugherty




5. This novel is unforgettable and absolutely terrifying.

   Deborah is a young and vibrant woman, attracted to the sea and sailing. Trying to make it on her own, she elects to crew with four others on a 58 foot sailboat named the TRASHMAN from Annapolis to Florida. Somewhat experienced in sailing, she begins to recognize that this crew is not capable nor predictable. She overrides her doubts with alcohol and brief reassurances, yet she can not shake the impending doom and fear of those she is sailing with.

   It is not easy. The crew argue amongst themselves, and the alcohol flows steadily. Procedures are cast aside, and boasting mates inflate their personal experience on board. Within hours of sail, it is quite obvious that she is sailing with not only incompetent sailors, but ones who are obviously psychologically and chemically impaired. There are crucial warning signs that Deborah notes prior to sail, yet fails to act on. Just as in destructive relationships, the symptoms are there before the disease is diagnosed.

   ABORT!!! ESCAPE!!!! SWIM!! You scream to the innocents while reading this account.

   But you know people do not behave this way. They wait, and they hope...for semblance of order...for personal responsibility....for someone to save them.

   Personally, if I had to choose the method of my death, what happened to these poor people would come in last place.

   There are underlying issues for Deborah. She suffered child abuse at the hands of her step father and had a difficult relationship with her mother. Coupled with her own personal demons, she was vulnerable, yet probably better prepared to handle the ultimate challenges before her. Her troubles made her strong and resilient, although later they became her psychological hurdles she had to cross over before she made peace with not only herself but the horror that occurred on sea.

5 comments about Eddie Would Go: The Story of Eddie Aikau, Hawaiian Hero.

1. This book 'Eddie Would Go' is a great read if your are a water man or surfer.



2. This is an important book about surfing. Watching movies like "Riding Giants" you will most likely be left with the impression that native Hawaiian contributions to this sport stopped sometime in antiquity, last one being The Duke, and that the only object of surfing is to make a stunt video or earn a title. In fact, if you come to Hawaii and really look beyond the hype, you will likely find that the sport continues to be sustained and nourished by its many faceted native Hawaiian roots, the spirit of Aloha being most important, courage ("Eddie Would Go"), synergy with nature ("Eddie Wouldn't Tow"), family values, music, humility, spirituality (all of which manifest as "free spirited hippie culture" in pop culture) and, of course, the sheer enjoyment of the ocean, while being respectful, for "pleasure instead of treasure".



3. I liked the commentary and collected anecdotes in the book. Eddie was the kind of guy that is typical of Hawaii. Holmes describes his character as self-effacing, humble, generous... always giving of himself to others. These are attributes which are valued in the local Hawaiian culture and also,universally. Sadly, the very things which locals in Hawaii value the most, are taken advantage of by outsiders looking to capitalize or commercialize the "Aloha," shown to them. This is demonstrated continually in the book.
   Overall, a very interesting biography written with respect and conviction to the legacy that Eddie "lived" during his short life. Many details in the book encourage self-introspection within one's own life.



4. 
   An intriguing tribute to hawaiian waterman Eddie Aikau, "Eddie Would Go" explores the life journey of a true native legend. From big-wave surfing, to saving countless lives as a lifeguard at Waimea Bay, Eddie epitomized the true essence of Hawaii and the spirit of "aloha." This book embraces the strong family connection that is so inherent in hawaiian culture, while focusing on the characteristics that made Eddie a local hero, a surfing icon and a dedicated waterman.
   
   Author Stuart Holmes Coleman explores Eddie's lifelong connection to the ocean, while also giving a glimpe of life as it was and is on the ever famous North Shore. Always the adventurer, Eddie's passion for the water would bring him across infinite miles of ocean over the course of his lifetime, and in the end would serve appropriately as his eternal resting place. This book transcends all genders, ages, races, surfers and adventure seekers alike, a thrilling gem of a read for all. An epic tale, it will stir your emotions and touch your soul. Eddie was an inspiration to many and a friend to all, and his spirit lives on in this book just as it will forever in the ocean.



5. This book is a true story with many messages. Eddie Aikau was a hero many times over, a warrior waterman. He was a hero to the many whose lives he saved. He was a hero to the Hawaiian culture. He was a hero to his crewmates on the Hokuleia.
   
   He wasn't perfect, however. Author Stuart Coleman worked very hard to find the true Eddie, separating the man from the myth, the sinner from the saint.
   
   If you like reading about surfing, the Hawaiian culture, and people who have influenced the reputation of the Hawaiian North Shore, this is the book. The photos are terrific, but the story is sad. I thank Coleman for pulling it all together.

5 comments about Words of the Dragon: Interviews, 1958-1973 (Bruce Lee Library).

1. It was a pretty good book, however, like people have mentioned, some of the stuff is repeated. A lot. I don't know how many interviews he did in that period of time, but I wish they had done better choosing what they did instead of repeating so much of the same stuff. The one I really wish they had put in there was his most famous interview. The one they video taped, where he talks about everything while trying out for a tv show. If you've seen the new Enter the Dragon 25 year anniversary, its the one before the movie that lasts like 15 minutes. They should have included a text version in this book.

   If you find this book on sale at a used book store or something, pick it up, it's worth it. But don't go spending full price for this, because it isn't worth it. If you find it on Amazon here along with another book (like Tao of Gung Fu and this together) then go ahead and get them. To buy this book solo though would just be a waste, you would have it done within a couple of hours.




2. I heard several of these interviews from other sources. If YOU haven't then the book might be worth your time and money, but then again even the interviews in the book get old. Each interviewer asks the same questions and Bruce gives the same answers. It's less thrilling than other Bruce Lee books.



3. This book gave me an insight into the personality of Bruce Lee. it is the second book about him i have read. The only thing i do not like about this book is one peice of information which it gives without correcting it in the notes. He didn't die in hospital; he died in the house of an actress which he and Raymond Chow had gone to see about offering her a role in the film Game of Death. While they were there, Bruce got a headache and took a pill and retired to the bedroom. That's where he died.



4. The title of the book „Words of the Dragon, Interviews 1985-1973" reflects a little bit a wrong impression of the book. A better title would be „Words about the Dragon, Press Report 1958-1973". At the beginning of the book a few things are repeated over and over again. It seems that it would be difficult to investigate e.g. how old Bruce Lee was when his parents returned to Hong Kong. Only at the end of this book one could catch a small impression of Bruce Lee's philosophy. His carrier as an actor comes primarily up. The US Press didn't understand until Bruce Lee's death that his art wasn't Karate. I expected more philosophically thoughts and background knowledge of his martial art. The Bruce Lee connoisseur gained no really news and I thing the book isn't stimulating for beginners. I was impressed by the letter of Brandon Lee, which is printed at the end of the book.



5. for lee fans and martial arts fans alike, "words of the dragon" provides a unique perspective on the life of an extraordinary man. through newspaper articles, tv and radio interviews, etc. mr. little (with kind cooperation of linda lee cadwell)has pieced together a media history of bruce lee. readers find a chance to get to know the lighthearted and the intense mr. lee, the fighter, the artist, the family man. though we all realize how the media can turn words around, or add them, etc., the author has included corrections at the end of each chapter, which, in themselves, must be read to understand the full story.very well-crafted, and intelligently pieced together, "words of the dragon" will take the reader to a new level of understanding of the mind and heart of the great bruce lee.

No comments about Jesse Owens: A Biography (Greenwood Biographies).

3 comments about Sailing with Scoundrels and Kings.

1. Perhaps the others reviews were family or friends. I think this "book" reads like a sailor's log, with a few details added here and there. It's a dry, "we went here with this sailboat and this crew, then I went there with a different boat and crew, etc." Not recommended.



2. Sailing With Scoundrels And Kings by John Jourdane is an amazing tale of one man's worldly journeys via sailboat. Having traveled around the world thrice, across the Pacific Ocean 47 times, and the Atlantic 12 for a total of 300,000 plus miles, Jourdane's encounters include hundreds of interesting and estranging people, literally scoundrels and kings. Sailing With Scoundrels And Kings is the depiction of the many people Jourdane met on his journeys, and is very highly recommended reading, particularly those interested in sailing around the world themselves, as this book is an excellent education on what to expect and plan for.



3. John Jourdane, named "Best Racing Navigator in the World" by "Sail Magazine" in 1993, looks back over his more than four decades of sailing and yachting with the eye of an expert and the enthusiasm of a beginner. His colorful, descriptive, lively tales of cruises and races in different parts of the world shift easily among tasks such a setting rigging or making repairs to steering a boat in all kinds of waves and weather to memorable moments with other crew members to reflections on the rewards of sailing. Jourdane began his romance with sailing by delivering yachts, eventually reaching the heights of yachting by twice participating in the Whitbread Round the World Race (now known as the Volvo Race). He's logged over 300,000 miles as a sailor. He is an engaging raconteur who hits just the right note of observation whether recounting negotiating a Scandinavian fjord in a thick fog, leisurely cruising the West Indies, the death of a sailor in icy waters south of Cape Horn, or participating in festivities surrounding a major international yacht race. The book is filled with such colorful vignettes. Sailors of all kinds will be drawn into Jourdane's tales for their evocation of shared joys and challenges and look into the glamourous world of world-class, high-stakes ocean yacht racing. "Sailing With Scoundrels and Kings" also makes the ideal gift for any boatsman.

2 comments about Hayley Wickenheiser: Born to Play.

1. Rebeccasreads highly recommends HAYLEY WICKENHEISER BORN TO PLAY for whenever you hear someone say "girls can't play ice hockey"!
   
   From her first skates in Shaunavon, Saskatchewan to banging around with her brother & his friends on the ice rink in their back yard. From being the only girl on the Tom Thumb Team to winning the gold medal as a member of the all-girls Blackfoot Cougar Bantams to again being the only girl on the AA Northwest Bruins boys' team. To being picked for Team Canada for the 1998 Winter Olympics, & onwards.
   
   So, suit up & get out on the ice with Canadian Hayley Wickenheiser, & see what determination, skill & grace can do flying in the face of a longtime male-dominated sport.



2. I bought this book for my eleven year old granddaughter after watching an interview of Haley on TV. My granddaughter loved it and was inspired to keep playing hockey. Young kids should have more books like this which challanges them to do their best.