5 comments about Grand Slam, The: Bobby Jones, America, and the Story of Golf.

1. In The Grand Slam, Mark Frost tells the story of Bobby Jones and the way in which his inconceivable 1930 championship run changed the sport of golf forever, in such a lively and engaging way that readers will be on the edge of their seats even though the outcome has been assured for 75+ years. Each of Jones' Grand Slam wins is recounted in painstaking detail, giving Frost the opportunity to paint an illuminating portrait of the golf world of the 20's and to set Bob's accomplishments against the backdrop of the times in which he lived. He reached his athletic peak at a time when people were beginning to tire of the frenetic pace of the Jazz Age and longed for a simpler time. Bob Jones possessed all the qualities Americans appeared to be searching for, and so, like the other sports heroes of the Golden Age he was quickly elevated to demi-god status. Frost does a wonderful job of peeling back the layers of the legend to reveal the human being underneath. He has proven yet again why he is one of the best writers working today. This book is a must for all true students of the game, but should appeal to non-golf fans as well.



2. I had high hopes for this book. I read it in preparation to attend the Masters, which I got to do this year and it was amazing.
   
   That said, this book was just average. I felt like the author added things to the book without a true need. I appreciate the fact that Frost was trying to explain the times that Mr. Jones was rooted in, but he seemed to stray from the main topic on numerous occassions.
   
   There were points when he was talking about golf, Mr. Jones and the courses they played... then he would stray into international politics and not for a brief explanation but rather 2 to 3 pages on the industrial revolution or WWI or the Depression. I get that those are important subjects to mention but the explanations got in the way of the biography I thought.
   
   In addition, the explanation of the golf read like a front page story or first-hand recap in the USA Today not a backstory of the event. I understand the need to recap key matches but Frost appeared to recap nearly every match and it got to be too much. I did appreciate the brief bios of other golfers of the period. That was interesting and necessary.
   
   The bio was roughly 450 pages. The same story could have been told in 300 pages and included the same key points. I would have liked more anecdotes and interesting stories that described Jones the man not Jones the golfer and/or ball-striker etc.
   
   I might recommend another book on Jones that doesn't detail things that really don't educate you that much about who he was and what he stood for.



3. Purchasing this book I had expected nothing more than the chronicle of Bobby Jones' assualt on the 4 golf majors of 1930. I got so much more. This book is certainly one of the better biographies I've ever read. Though Frost never goes too in depth into the private life of Jones, the writing style is exceptional, the sports action is compelling, but the most amazing thing is how the entire thing is brought together and every new section begins with an exceptional framing of where the event stands within the confines of history. Truly an amazing first rate bio.



4. Frost's follow-up effort to the outstanding "The Greatest Game Ever Played" - the movie adaptation of which will be released by Disney this fall - this meandering tale tracks the career of Bobby Jones, the greatest amateur golfer of all time, climaxing with his assault on the Grand Slam (back then, it was the US and British Open and Amateur titles) in 1930. After winning the Slam, Jones retired from tournament competition, at the age of 29. After reading Frost's harrowing account of his physical and mental anguish during the ordeal, you'll certain understand why.
   
   Aesthetically, this book doesn't hold together nearly as well as "Greatest Game". Frost includes far too much "background" information (most of which is, quite honestly, common knowledge) about everything from the origins of World War I to the Scopes "Monkey Trial". The bits of early 20th-century lore than festooned the pages of "Greatest Game" were a welcome addition to the storyline, helping us to understand the time and place. Here, they are an annoying intrusion. Despite this unfortunate slip, Frost's prose is still enjoyable to read, and the story will be of interest to anyone who has an interest in the history of golf.



5. Any golfer has heard about Bobby Jones, this book brings his life into focus for all of us. Bobby Jones played this game as an amateur and never was a professional golfer. He won many tournaments both here and in England as was able to afford this by the help of his father.
   
   He was married and they lived with his parents as the many travels Bobby had to make playing golf, it made it handy for his family to be cared for. I was surprised that Bobby Jones had quite a temper and his language was not the best either. He tried to control this but he was such a prefectionist that whenever he made an error he let out his frustration this way.
   
   This book covers all his winnings from a very young age until he won the Grand Slam with were all the big tournament in one year. A terrific feat that has not been done to this day. Until Tiger Woods did it but his was done covering from one year to the next.
   
   If you love history and love golf, this book is worth the read.
   
   Letta Meinen

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.

5 comments about Sandy Koufax: A Lefty's Legacy.

1. I'm not a baseball, or even a sports fan, but a good biography is worth reading no matter how the subject spent his or her life. I was drawn to reading this because I happened to see Koufax pitch one of his last games. It was in Chicago, and he lost to the Cubs. I've seen maybe half a dozen pro baseball games, and that's the only one I remember at all. Leavy is a fine writer; her prose is energetic and highly readable. Any really good biography is also history, and she made the historical setting, of the days when Koufax was actively pitching, come alive. Baseball, like the rest of the world, has changed a lot in the last forty years, but if Koufax made an impression on me way back then, he must have been some phenomenon! A fine read from any angle.



2. This admirable biography mixes a little baseball history with its revealing insight into one of the game's greatest pitchers. Readers learn much about Sandy Koufax, from his Brooklyn childhood, to his college basketball days, to his modest-then-stellar career with the Brooklyn/LA Dodgers from 1955-1966. As these pages show, Koufax was highly intelligent player who marched to his own drum. He also emerged from several years as a struggling southpaw into the game's most dominant hurler. During the five seasons (1962-1966) that he dominated baseball Koufax sported a phenomenal 111-34 won-loss record and 1.95 ERA - far eclipsing the game's other top hurlers. Sadly, painful arthritis in his pitching arm led him to retire (at age 30) after the 1966 season, when his superb record (27-9, 1.73 ERA) helped lead his team to another pennant. As a Jewish player, Koufax endured occasional Anti-Semitic taunts, and he made headlines by electing not to pitch the opening game of the 1965 World Series due to a major Jewish holiday. Still, many teammates thought him quite cool, and Pirates slugger Willie Stargell said that hitting against Koufax was like trying to drink coffee with a fork.
   
   Author Jane Levy interviewed hundreds of teammates, friends, etc., in writing this book, although Koufax himself declined to participate. His absence leads to a slight feeling of incompleteness, but this remains a very interesting and revealing effort.



3. I'll agree with the author that Sandy was a terrific pitcher and an introvert in a sport where it seems like all the really big stars were all capitalizing on their fame. But the really great thing about the book were all the personal stories...between catcher and pitcher, Drysdale and Koufax, kids and coaches who grew up with Sandy, opposing players and managers who played against the Dodgers, etc.
   
   Certainly there was some myth-making going on...by the author as well as many of the teammates who played with Sandy. I think that's what happens when you meet up with an extraordinary talent who enjoys his privacy on his terms.
   
   Loved the little quotes by Ernie Banks and the one story when Mickey Mantle faced him in the world series. Baseball isn't just a fun game to play...it's the stories that are fun as well and this book tells them very well. You'll enjoy it.



4. I really do not know much about the history, stats, or events of baseball. This book was so much more than that. It makes you wish you had either known or met Mr. Koufax. This is a story that both men & women from all walks of life would love. It was a reminder that truly complex, compassionate,non-conforming men are out there. Who are not so much impressed by WHAT they do, but more about HOW they do it. Today's athlete would never make the choices and sacrifices that Mr. Koufax did. Sadly, those days are long gone.



5. Growing up a huge LA Dodger fan, I eagerly consumed each page of this book. I received A Lefty's Legacy a few years ago, read a few chapters and put the book down as Jane was a little too down in the details about Sandy's adolescence. How he dealt with his step-father, sandlot ball and his aspirations of playing basketball provided some insight into Sandy's character, but the content was rather dry and dull.
   
   I did find the 9 "innings" of the perfect game, interlaced in between chapters of the book (and Koufax's life) curious and interesting. But honestly, as a perfect game starts out, there is a lack of excitement...even as described within this book.
   
   There has been criticism over Jane's inclusion of Sandy's decision to observe Yom Kippur (instead of pitching game 1 of the '65 Series) and the details surrounding Sandy's Jewish heritage. I found that chapter very telling in who Koufax was then and is now, breaking down the misconceptions of his perceived reclusive life.
   
   For a Koufax or Dodger fan, this book is a must.

5 comments about Drive: The Story of My Life.

1. As a fan of Larry Bird, I found that this book did not meet my expectations. As one of the best trash talkers in the game, I anticipated a larger degree of wit among this writing. Unfortunately, although detailed, Bird's story comes off somewhat bland and does not encompass much of Bird's state of mind; instead focusing merely on citing the events in his life.
   
   For those seeking to learn about the life of one of the NBA's greatest champions and who also have an interest in basketball, there are some good nuggets of information available. When Bird first came into the league, for instance, he considered the three point shot as something that was well out of his range, the distance too great. Revelations such as this will come as a surprise to those who only know of his champion style heroics. Had the book contained a more significant amount of this new and fascinating information, it certainly would have rated higher.
   
   Bird certainly provides a behind the scenes look into basketball; however it lacks any noteworthy reflection from Bird on the topic. If you are looking for an inspirational piece from the mindset of one of sports great champions, you will be rather disappointed.



2. It is quite likely that this bloke from absolutely nowheresville Indiana's picture would be next to a dictionary that had an entry that said 'White Men Can't Jump'. If you can do everything else though, you can win a lot, and even get some of those Championship type ornaments to hang in your stadium and about your preosn.



3. This is the story of a person who is one of the greatest players of all time, Larry Bird. He grew up in the small town of French Lick, Indiana. He came from a very poor family of six. His mother was a hard worker and took care of the family. Larry's father, Joe, worked for little money at a shoe company. This was hard for Larry, but it got worse. His father committed suicide when he is young, which forces his mother to work two jobs.
   
   Larry didn't always love basketball. His first love was baseball. He also liked football, but these two sports didn't work for him, so he decided to play basketball. Larry didn't really start liking basketball until his sophomore year, but then he starts to live for the sport. His high school coach helped him improve his skills and during Larry's junior and senior year he goes to the state championship. After high school Larry goes to Indiana State University, where, during his senior year, they go to the NCAA championship to face Michigan State and Magic Johnson. Unfortunately, Larry lost in the most watched final ever.
   
   My favorite part of the book is the Foreword by Magic Johnson because it explains how Larry Bird changed the game of basketball forever.
   
   This book is similar to with other sports biographies. It shows how Larry worked hard to get where he is similar to Bo Knows Bo by Bo Jackson. I would recommend it to anyone who enjoys sports and is a fan of Larry Bird



4. A great and truly under-rated sports book. Bob Ryan (the actual writer) is a long-time Boston Globe columnist and a terriffic writer. He captures the essence of Larry Bird, from his childhood to his journey through high school and college to his emergence as both a basketball legend in the NBA and a larger-than-life sports hero in Boston. You may like this book even if you don't care for basketball. You will definitely enjoy this book if you area a hoops fan. And if you are a Larry Bird fan and you haven't read this book... shame on you!



5. Book review on Drive
   
   
   Dedication, spirit, and heart are some of the words you can use to describe Larry Bird. Larry is a small boy growing up in the rural town of French Lick, Indiana. He never thought that one game of basketball would change the course of history and send him on the road to stardom. This book takes you on a journey inside the game and the life of an N.b.a. superstar. I recommend this book to basketball fans of all ages.
   The combined themes of sadness and irony make this a great and unique novel. An example of irony is when Larry enrolled at Indiana University. He spent less than a month there then hitch hiked back to French Lick. An example of sadness happened when Larry was 19 years old. His father committed suicide so his family could have the money from his life insurance.
   There were many characters that Larry talks about in his book. He talks about his first basketball coach Jim Jones who taught him the fundamentals of the game. He talks about his siblings Mike, Mark, Linda, Jeff, and Eddie. He talks about his teammates Kevin McHale and Robert Parish. He even talks about his opponents (Ervin Johnson, Moses Malone, Julius Erving, and James Worthy to name a few).
   When he played in the N.B.A., he traveled across the country playing basketball. Therefore, their were many settings in this book. The main setting was Indiana. It was very hot there and most of the men around where he lived were farmers. Another main setting was Boston, Mass.
   I recommend this book to any basketball fan wanting to know about the game. This book brings you closer to the game and shows you the life of a basketball star. The main lesson in this book is that nothing comes easy in life. It's hard to realize how much work it takes to become successful. Read this book and you'll find out.

5 comments about Ted Williams: The Biography of an American Hero.

1. Leigh Montville paints a brilliant portrait in words of the man who wanted to be remembered as the greatest hitter who ever lived. Ted Williams deserves to be on the short list of baseball's greatest hitters, and he easily deserved his hall of fame induction, where he was the first prominent white man to publicly call for recognition for negro leaguers Satchel Paige and Josh Gibson.
   
   Ted WAS a great hitter, and he had many other desirable qualities as well, giving generously of his time and money to charity and serving his country TWICE during the peak of his baseball powers, losing five major league seasons to WWII and Korea. We can only speculate how many more hits and homers Ted might have had if not for those lost years.
   
   But Montville shows us the warts as well. We see an arrogant young Ted who cared ONLY about hitting and only took the field because that got him his turn at bat. He considered pitchers contemptuously and Montville gives several examples where the great hitter gave priority to HIS individual achievement over less important matters, such as his team winning.
   
   Gifted with an extraordinary mind, Ted was nonetheless minimally educated and when he had opportunities to "get away with things" because of how well he could hit, Ted took every opportunity.
   
   I agree with another reviewer who wrote that Ted's career is not chronicled as well as his later years. The last hundred pages are about the pathetic final years of the great hitter's life when son John Henry used his father's name and money to finance one failed business venture after another. After Ted's death Montville describes John Henry's nearly desperate efforts to have Ted frozen at a cryonic center in Arizona, for the speculative reason that there might still be another buck in it for John-Henry. In a cruel twist of fate, John-Henry was stricken prematurely with leukemia and joined his father in frozen perpetuity.
   
   To present a biography of such a man is a daunting task, and Montville succeeds admirably. No doubt some of the unwieldy nature of this volume comes as a result of the volumes of research done by the author and an unwillingness to pare the passages that could use a prune.
   
   Universally acknowledged today as one of baseball's greatest - the last man to hit over .400 and one of the small number of players with over 500 home runs - before steroids and with five years lost to the Marines, Ted nonetheless had the personality that made baseball writers, for example, choose Joe Gordon as MVP in 1942, even though Ted won the triple crown, leading the league in batting average, home runs and runs batted in. How ticked off would the writers have to be to give such an award to someone else when you've led the league in EVERY major hitting category? Ted Williams did that to some people.
   
   A baseball hero - but a cautionary tale also of a man who was often not a role model.



2. Leigh Montville's biography of Ted Williams is exhaustive in its analysis of one of baseball's greatest hitters. At times childish and self-absorbed, but always focused upon his art, Ted Williams emerges as a troubled genius in this wonderful book. Some of the anecdotes about Williams' intensity evoke a character who loves a few things in life to obsessive delight while ignoring almost everyone and everything else. An absolute master in the science of hitting a baseball, Williams loves his talent and nourishes it in a way that illuminates how beautiful, powerful, and fragile is the human desire to achieve greatness. A must for baseball fans.
   
   Donald Gallinger is the author ofThe Master Planets



3. From the beginning, Ted Williams was a larger than life personality - a great player on the field, the last baseball player to hit over .400 - and a player off the field as well, married three times, but never to the true love of his life. His antics on and off the field were legendary, as were his breaks from baseball to serve in both World War II and Korea. And, of course, his relationship with his children, especially son John Henry, led to headlines long after his career and life were over.
   
   "Ted Williams: The Biography of an American Hero" by Leigh Montville is a wonderfully written look at the colorful Williams. Montville covers all aspects of Williams's life, from his childhood and troubled relationship with his parents (especially his mother), his career in Boston, his tumultuous relationship with Boston sports writers, his life after baseball, his troubled relationship with his children, and of course his controversial freezing after his death. Williams was a complex man and Montville does his best to show what made Williams tick. It's not an easy task, Williams was prickly and had two sides to his personality - the public Ted and the private Ted. By the end of the book you will both love and hate Williams - you'll love the public Ted that associated so well with fans (at least off the field and especially the young ones - Williams was instrumental in helping the Jimmy Fund, which supports young cancer patients, get off the ground) and hate the private Ted, who made life difficult for those around him.
   
   For the most part, Montville is objective in his writing, treating both the private Ted and public Ted even-handedly and making no excuses for his behavior. But his objectivity slips near the end of the book when he discusses Williams's son John Henry. It's clear that Montville doesn't like John Henry. As much as your feelings for Ted may waver throughout the book, by the end you can't help but feel sorry for him and the way his family treated him the last few years of his life.
   
   "Ted Williams: The Biography of an American Hero" is an interesting look at a complex man.



4. I have read a couple of books on Ted Williams, but this was the best. It's exhaustively researched -- Montville spoke to anyone and everyone who may have come across Williams, almost to a fault -- and a lot of fun to read. I guess I would label it sympathetic, but it's really quite fair. I think that after reading this book, you will understand why so many people loved Williams off the field, but why he rubbed fans and writers the wrong way. Montville made me feel like I was along for the ride throughout Williams's amazing career, and that's not always easy to do. A great read to be enjoyed by all.



5. I have been reading quite a few baseball biographies over the past 4-5 years and this one was absolutely and by far the most thoughtful, the most thorough, and simply the best. And frankly, I was not even a Ted Williams fan before I picked it up. I knew very little about him and didn't remember him, having been born in 1961. But the portrait Montville draws is remarkably detailed and nuanced. This book goes beyond the person and gives glimpses of the times.

5 comments about The Death of WCW: WrestleCrap and Figure Four Weekly Present . . . (WrestleCrap series).

1. I REALLY ENJOYED THIS BOOK CONCERNING THE DOWNFALL OF WCW. THIS BOOK TAKE US FROM GEORGIA WRESTLING NWA AND FINALLY WCW. THE DETAILED SOAP OPERA AND STORY LINES BROUGHT BACK THE GREAT MEMORIES I HAD OF THIS ONCE GREAT WRESTLING ORGANIZATION. AT ONE TIME IT'S MONDAY SHOW OF NITRO DOMINATED THE WWE. ONLY TO SEE IT FADE AWAY DUE TO STUPID SPENDING, OVER USED PERSONNEL AND A LACK OF FRESH STORYLINES AND NEW FACES. THE BOOK GIVES A GREAT DEAL OF DETAIL OF WHAT WENT ON BEHIND THE SCENES TO MAKE THIS ALL HAPPEN. FROM DUSTY RHODES, TO ERIC BISHOFF TO VINCE RUSSO THE AUTHOR POINTS THE FINGER TO ALL THE ABOVE PLUS MANY MORE LIKE HULKSTER, SCOTT HALL AND KEVIN NASH. I RECOMMEND THIS BOOK FOR ALL WRESTLING FANS AND MOSTLY FOR THOSE WHO REALLY ENJOYED THE WCW AND NITRO. ONE THE BEST BOOKS ON PRO WRESTLING.



2. This is a tough review to write. On the one hand, I enjoyed this book immensely. It was a fun trip down memory lane reviewing all the twists and turns of the Monday Night Wars in terrific detail. In fact, this is probably the most detailed book you'll find out there about this period. The authors also have a wonderful sense of humor, and the book is a quick and fun read.
   
   What immensely frustrated me, however, was that almost no effort was made to provide sources for the voluminous amounts of information presented. While there is a very short bibliography at the end of the book listing a handful of sources organized by chapter (which probably do not account for most of the information in the book), no indication is given as to which pieces of information came from which source. To me, this is a major issue because the wrestling industry is rife with unfounded internet rumors, and it's important for the reader to be able to distinguish documented facts from unfounded rumors or speculation.
   
   For example, the authors make numerous allegations about WCW's financial status at different points throughout its history with no citations or any other indications as to where this information purportedly came from. In his book, "Controversy Creates Cash," Eric Bischoff lamented the fact that internet writers often made unfounded and inaccurate claims about WCW's profits and losses since the company's information was proprietary and was allegedly unavailable to anybody outside of WCW. Of course, Bischoff could be lying through his teeth, but there's no way to tell (at least from this book) because Alvarez and Reynolds give us no way to determine where their figures came from.
   
   In addition, the book is replete with allegations of conversations and happenings that occurred backstage with, again, no citations provided to allow the reader to verify any of it. This became especially frustrating when the authors wrote about promoters' and wrestlers' INTERNAL motivations for certain actions. The authors write about these internal thought processes as if they were mind-readers. Hulk Hogan got the worst treatment, as he was frequently accused of internally plotting to put his own interests above those of WCW. A notable example occurs on page 139, detailing what allegedly led to the July 6, 1998 match between Hulk Hogan and Bill Goldberg:
   
   "As the date drew near, Hogan, the wily veteran, came up with a plan. Aware that all the Turner bigwigs would be at the show, he offered to take Goldberg on in a non-title, non-televised match in which Goldberg would get the win and and send the folks home happy. All the company execs, seeing the huge house, would obviously assume that Hogan drew it, and his standing as WCW's top dog would be cemented."
   
   How do the authors know this was Hogan's motivation and thought process? Did they interview him? Did they rely on his book or something else that he wrote? Not according to the bibliography. In the bibliography, the only sources listed for the chapter on 1998 were a Prodigy Chat with Eric Bischoff CONDUCTED IN 1997 and a personal interview R.J. Reynolds conducted with Bobby Heenan (which is also listed as a source for the chapter on 2000). Since the Heenan interview is never referred to in the text of the book, it's entirely unclear which pieces of information (if any) actually came from that interview. Even assuming that Heenan provided the authors with information about Hogan's "plan", at best that's hearsay about another individual's internal thought processes from somebody who may or may not have an axe to grind. The reader is left to wonder whether Hogan's "plan" is a documented fact, the result of hearsay from Heenan (or somebody else), or completely unfounded speculation by the authors.
   
   That's just but one example of the unfounded allegations that arise throughout the whole book. In sum, while this book is an immensely enjoyable read, the facts presented in it, other than what we saw on our TV screens, simply are not reliable. And that is a shame.



3. I bought this book a few years ago and have read it 3 times. I am a fan of RD Reynolds as a writer and his Wrestlecrap web site. I thought this book was good when I first read it at the time it came out. However, it has not held up well over repeated readings as time has passed and a lot of the so called facts in the book have been disproven.
   
   Here is the good and bad about this book.
   
   The Good
   
   This book does at least attempt to provide some facts and information to back up its opinions, which is more than most wrestling books do. It is very funny and clever in the parts written by Reynolds. The subject matter of the destruction of the second largest wrestling organization in the world is an important subject. If you are a long time fan of wrestling, then this book is a good trip down memory lane.
   
   
   
   The Bad
   
   The pseudo journalism in this book is fairly sloppy and the book is basically a collection of internet wrestling fan fantasies that can be read any place on the web. The book has fun bashing the people the authors personally dislike, such as Hulk Hogan, Kevin Nash, Eric Bischoff, Vince Russo, the leaders of AOL / Time Warner, et cetera, but the authors never bothered to talk to any of these parties for their views. The so called sources the authors use are mostly unnamed (which is always a sloppy journalism tactic) and mostly consist of small time under card wrestlers who are just bitter at their lack of success. The personal favorite wrestlers of the authors, such as Ric Flair, Bret Hart, Chris Benoit, et cetera are lauded and applauded without receiving any criticism for their roles in the fate of WCW.
   
   The book makes unsubstantiated, unsupported, conclusions about how Vince McMahon mishandled his purchase of WCW and how they think professional wrestling should be. As with WCW, the authors did not interview anybody in the WWF or any McMahons, so the portion of the book at the end where they are rambling about the WWF is misinformed and uneducational. Outside of the first chapter, very little is written about WCW before the birth of Monday Nitro in 1995, which is a huge omission. The book basically ignores the internal strife within AOL / Time Warner, which almost led the entire company to bankruptcy and the economic and business factors that were the real cause of the death of WCW (such as having no no DVD releases and weak overall merchandising and sponsorships).



4. This is my favorite wrestling book. The best I've ever read. Thought I should start by saying that. I've read it well over 5 times(I'm actually in the middle of reading it a 6th time).
   
   Anyway, like the title says, its a book detailing the Death of World Championship Wrestling(WCW). Not only that, but it also documents the birth, and rise of the company based in Atlanta Georgia.
   
   Bryan and RD Reynolds do a great job of not only dissecting WCW as a whole, but also going into detail about some of the more sublte snafus the company made, some of which helped with its demise. And if you've ever heard either of these two's respective radio shows, or read their writings, you know that it has to be full of humor. And it is. It brings out a lot of humor in a situation so sad that it almost HAS to be laughed at.
   
   5 stars, easily. Also, do yourself a favor and read RD's two other books.



5. Wrestling Organizations rarely die in such a fantastic fashion as WCW did in the early 2000's, but when it's IP was bought up by WWF, it was a lightning rod moment for the change of the US wrestling industry. RD and Bryan in this book did a fantastic job summing up post 1990 wrestling's history (for more on the pre-Bischoff era, RD's other book Wrestlecrap: the Worst of Pro-Wrestling covers it more in detail) and then going into depth on the numbers and antics of how WCW first pushed ahead of WWF, and then sank to nearly nothing.
   
   I don't give five stars, only because I find the book slightly inconstant in tone - you can tell definitely when the two authors are writing, as RD's tone is nearly silly, and Bryan's much more serious. I found it disjointing and occasionally pulled me out of the experience of reading the book. Some more polish with an editor might have helped this issue. There are a few minor factual questions, but nothing that disrupts the flow of the book's story. I can also say I totally agree with the conclusion, but I think more time could have been given to the aftermath. If the book is ever re-printed, another chapter with more fallout might be a welcome addition.
   
   Those few things aside, both are entertaining and informative. Both have been part of the Internet wrestling community for years, and we hope for a long time more. I can only say it's unfortunate wrestling has been so completely boring in the last 5 years, as a book about the post-WCW history would read like a diner menu of loathsomeness.
   
   (I truly hope RD or Bryan look at this, find "loathsome" in a review, and get worried before they read the context. Sorry guys, just yank'n your chains!)
   
   Also note RD has a new book coming soon with his Wrestlecrap Radio cohost Blade Braxton, which will be a full-on wrestling comedy book called Wrestlecrap Book of Lists and will be released in Nov. 2007.

4 comments about The Great Dan Patch And the Remarkable Mr. Savage.

1. At the height of this champion's popularity, crowds of 100,000-plus would jam venues throughout the nation for a chance to view him in action.
   
   During the years when records fell as fast as he set them, endorsement deals were a-plenty, with annual earnings topping $1 million. In retirement, he "penned" an autobiography through the use of a ghost writer and never took the time to read the final draft before it went to print. But you can't blame the legend for overlooking his book. You see, this superb athlete was the natural pacer, Dan Patch.
   
   Author Tim Brady does a marvelous piece of research in bringing to life the truly forgotten history of this great Standardbred and owner/promoter Marion W. Savage in the early years of the 20th Century.
   
   The pair rode to tremendous heights, but suffered tragic falls in the years after the last race was paced. It was a wild ride when it was at its peak, with Savage shrewdly parlaying the athletic prowess of Dan Patch into great wealth, which faded away when the franchise fell apart.
   And Dan Patch went from touring the nation in his own railroad coach to dying in obscurity, being buried in an unmarked grave.
   
   The nine-minute DVD contains archival footage of Dan Patch, which is an extremely rare look at the racer. There is very little recorded material available.
   
   Time and age not only erodes the talent of a superior athlete, but it can disintegrate from the public consciousness the feats that seemed like they would live on forever. Brady blows away the dust of a century past and delivers a remarkable distant replay.



2. I love the book but I have noticed several errors in the years. Some of the pages show 2003 instead of 1903. some show 2000 instead of 1900. Not sure who proof read this book before it was released, but they missed allot of errors.



3. Dan Patch was race horse that pulls a two-wheeled cart carrying a driver who weighs 150 lbs. max.
   
   Patch was an unknown pacer in Indiana in 1901 and nationally known in 1902 because of his results in the Grand Circuit. That year he won so many races his owner decided to race him only against the clock. In 1903, Minnesotan W.M. Savage paid $60,000 for him!
   
   Savage is a rags-to-riches story of a man who owned International Stock Food Company. He had big plans for Dan Patch, and for horse breeding in Minnesota. His company made nutritional supplements for farm animals--and when he built his fabulous breeding stables on 700 acres across the Minnesota River from the village of Bloomington, they named that area Savage.
   
   Dan Patch almost died in 1904 from impacted bowels (his recovery may have been helped with Savage's products), and this showed the world Patch was vulnerable-making it all the more important to see him race.
   
   After one race, the newspaper said, "The crowd broke forth in a burst of applause that would have overpowered a mere czar or emperor." Patch broke the two-minute mile numerous times--even achieving a 1.55 time. At his first appearance at the Minnesota State Fair, 30,000 people came from surrounding areas and filled the grandstand, the infield and hills surrounding the track.
   
   Savage was a smart businessman, negotiating Dan Patch's success. But Patch's value wasn't only winning races. In spring 1904, he "serviced" 57 mares, earning Savage $300 stud fee for each, or $17,000--and the race season hadn't even started. Business genius, Savage used Patch's likeness on every one of his products and advertising.
   
   The wonderful photos, and the accompanying DVD show the stable and Patch racing in the early 1900s.
   
   He was a well-loved sports hero of his time. "He had won American's heart and on the day he died, the nation mourned," a newspaper wrote when he died at age 20 in 1916. The ill Mr. Savage died a few days later.
   
   Armchair Interviews says: Well-written, this will keep your interest and teach you facts about horses, racing and smart businessmen--and make you admire a fabulous horse long gone.



4. Written by Tim Brady, whose many credentials include frequent contributions to the "History Channel" magazine, The Great Dan Patch and the Remarkable Mr. Savage is the true story of an exceptional racehorse and its equally exceptional rags-to-riches owner. Did the man make the horse, or did the horse make the man? Set in the early 1900's, The Great Dan Patch and the Remarkable Mr. Savage follows equine champion Dan Patch's remarkable career from county fairs to competitive "brushes" between farm wagons on rural roads to nickelodeon films distributed for public viewing. A handful of vintage black-and-white photographs and nine-minute DVD of rare film footage of Dan Patch racing round out this enjoyable glimpse of a gifted horse and a genius entrepreneur at the turn of the century.

5 comments about Harry Caray: Voice of the Fans (Book w/ CD).

1. I have to say that this is awsome. Thanks Pat Hughes, Harry and any other contributers. Highly recommended to anyone, even if you are not that much of a ball fan.



2. It is a great book in that it tells a side of Harry Carey's life as a broadcaster that I never knew. I learned quite a few things about him, plus one of my friend's grandson is pictured in the book. (He is the one with the big glasses and the ivy on his head. He is a big Cub's fan!) My son-in-law loved the book, too! Great reading!



3. I learned a lot I didn't know but I thought the c.d. would have more of my favorite announcer and not just him being talked about.



4. Absolutely loved this book. The CD that comes with it is great too. Loved to hear the bits with Harry again.



5. If you too think that Cubs radio announcer Pat Hughes is one of the best in the business, you'll enjoy this book. I'm not a Cubs fan, but the person I bought it for is. We both agree that listening to Cubs games on the radio is a pleasure, mostly because of Pat.
   
   He tells tales about Harry Caray mostly from the broadcasting perspective. The person I got this book for is an avid reader, and finished it very quickly. It's an easy but fun read, or so I was told. The CD which comes with the book is a nice addition for those who want to hear a some soundbites of the immortal Harry Caray.

5 comments about Never: Jens Pulver And the Wednesday Group that Will Change the World.

1. This book was more than I expected. McKinnon was able to capture Jens and the Wednesday group as if you were an intimate friend of these guys. It was the perfect blend of Jens' upbringing, the context of the group that meets at the Pat Miletich gym and Tim's unique and often hilarious perspective on both. As the USA Today wrote in review, some books are a page turner, this book is a page stopper - I could not put it down. After reading this story, you are filled with hope and inspiration, that whatever you are facing in life, you can overcome those obstacles and be resilient. Jens and these guys have left an indelible mark on me, and I will strongly recommend this book to others. Thank you Jens for allowing McKinnon to capture this amazing story. Well done guys.



2. Jens Pulver is an idol of mine, but I found that his other book which talks from the first person is a better choice.
   
   "Never" is taken from the author's point of view - who is in the "Wednesday Group" with Jens - and I found that a lot of the book concentrates on Tim's life. The author talks about himself personally and other experiences that really have nothing to do with Jens Pulver. In fact in the beginning of the book I found myself flipping through pages just so I could come across some area which involved Jens Pulver.
   
   Not only that, there is a religious undertone throughout the book which is not what I expected. It is still a good read if you are a fan, but it may not be what you expect.



3. This book is about faith and what ordinary men that aren't mixed martial arts champions can do in to change the world around them. Pulver's story is more of a backdrop to the story of mutual faith in the Lord.



4. I love the way the author captured the subject in this rendition of the life of a child brought up in his own personnal hell. He showed all the facets, not just the polished, but the ruddy and cracked as well, and that is how it is for Jens today. There will always be residual from his upbringing, but the choices he makes to rise above are shown clearly in this book and it gave me a sense of hope that the message may reach more young men with similar situations. I've read it a few times and love it each time. I am, by the way, Jens' mother.



5. An inspiring story about how a talented and determined mixed martial arts fighter overcame the sort of childhood traumas that would likely turn me into an emotional trainwreck. The writing is sharply observant and pulls no punches (no pun intended). Jens' story is by turns harrowing, inspiring and compelling...I more or less read the book in one sitting.

5 comments about Dan Rooney: My 75 Years With the Pittsburgh Steelers and the NFL.

1. As a lifelong Steeler fan, this was a must-read, a tome that belongs on my bookshelf along with "Doing it Right" by Jim O'Brien. Mr. Rooney's accounting of history is first-hand and basically unscrubbed. He talks about the things he, his father, and the Steeler staff did right over the years, and the things they did wrong (e.g., Unitas, Marino). He tells you who are the good guys and the troublemakers. He takes you from the earliest beginnings of the NFL on through to the hiring of Mike Tomlin. It's a little tricky to follow chronologically because he gets off-topic and rambles now and then (I found myself thinking "wait a minute, that's not... what year was this supposed to be?). And there are some outright errors, which are mentioned in other reviews. The style is very (very!) homey, as you would expect, with an almost turn-of-the-century charm throughout. But in the end, you believe that Dan Rooney really is that sincere and genuine, and schmaltzy, and that's why so many people love him. Come to think of it, who doesn't like Dan Rooney? (Sorry, I haven't read Al Davis' book).



2. This is a beautifully-written book that would be of interest even to those who don't know or care very much about football. Dan Rooney is the last of an important era in American football, and the authors have done a meticulous and caring job of capturing a significant piece of sports history. Don't miss this one!



3. A nice retrospective on one of the most successful franchises in sports over the past 35 years. The Steelers were equally as inept in their first 40 years, and that is covered too. Insights into many key moments in Steeler history - founding the team, cutting Johhny U, hiring Noll, Cowher & Tomlin, drafting of the Hall of Famers that dominated the 70's, passing on Dan Marino, and more. No big surprises, but an interesting, worthwhile read, especially for NFL fans and particularly any member of Steeler Nation.



4. I was very happy with the speedy delivery of this item. Condition was as promised! Very satisfied!!!!



5. If you are a Steeler fan, this is a great book. The history of the Pittsburgh Steelers is fascinating. There are great insights into players, coaches, current and former NFL commissioners, and other team owners. What is also clear is the quality of the ownership of the team. The Rooney family is a class act. Art Rooney ("The Chief") was quite the businessman. I had no idea how much he was involved in. The success of the Pittsburgh Steelers is a testament to "good guys win." I have a newfound admiration for the Rooney family and a new sense of pride as part of the "Steeler Nation."