5 comments about My Life on the Run: The Wit, Wisdom, and Insights of a Road Racing Icon.

1. Bart's book is absolutely hilarious and inspiring. His stories are witty and humorous. I was laughing out loud at the Taco Bell story, the cross country bike story, and the bare buns run! Great read, I couldn't put it down. Bart is a legend.



2. This book cracked me up. Bart is inspirational, funny, and crazy. All the making's of a runner:)!



3. Bart Yasso's stories are funny (he is a pun master) and entertaining,while inspiring the reader to get out and run a lot of miles! I read excerpts from this book in Runner's World, bought the book, and have given copies as gifts. Everyone I know who has read it really likes it.



4. I really enjoyed this book a lot. I just started running again to get back into shape and his stories inspired me challenge myself more. His stories are also very funny. The story about his experience running in the nudist run made me chuckle out loud. I definately recommend this book!



5. This book, captures the essence of what a runner can experiance, and hope to be. Bart is a great story teller, who's compassion and grace shines through!

5 comments about The 33-Year-Old Rookie: How I Finally Made it to the Big Leagues After Eleven Years in the Minors.

1. I bought this for my husband for father's day. He's a huge Phillies fan, but he's said that even if he wasn't he would love this book. It's an inspiring story and a quick read. Would recommend to anyone, even if you're not a Phillies fan.



2. I tore through this book on the beach in less than 2 days. A credit to his wife Marcia for sticking with him and making sure he never gave up on his dream. Anyone with, or who once ad, major league dreams will appreciate this book. A great beach read.



3. Sadly the business of baseball is painted in this self penned tome by Phillies catcher, Chris Coste. Certainly if Coste had been a professional football (American) player, he would have been in much worse shape. But spending a few years being a professional, albeit by today's standards underpaid, baseball player on his hometown minor league baseball team, the Fargo Morehead RedHawks, precluded Mr. Coste from being exposed to MLB as a teenager; as most who enter it are. The trials and trevails are explained to both the novice and the not-novice alike. A little like Muhammed Ali, making a movie while still a professional boxer, you hope the ending of this book is really just the beginning of a great career. Especially if you are a Phillies fan.



4. THIS IS A GREAT READ AND A TRULY HEARTWARMING STORY. A TRUE TESTAMENT TO PERSEVERENCE. AN EXCELLENT BOOK FOR ALL BASEBALL FANS, NOT JUST PHILLIES FANS. TOO BAD THERE AREN'T MORE PROFESSIONAL ATHLETES WITH THE ATTITUDE AND VALUES OF CHRIS COSTE.



5. I am typically not a reader, but finished this book in 4 days. couldn't put it down

5 comments about All for a Few Perfect Waves: The Audacious Life and Legend of Rebel Surfer Miki Dora.

1. great biography... miki is a fascinating individual... I'd seen him rant in the movie "Surfers" a long time ago and read about him but never had any insight into who he really was until now... he's like the diamonds he coveted and sought to find on one of his many traveling adventures, troublesome and difficult but endlessly intriguing and charismatic... Rensin covers all the facets of this one person at odds with society and its rules, who at the bottom of it all just wants to be free... a thematic and compelling read.



2. This is a well-researched book about a semi-famous con artist and grifter. The man who invented localism, one of surfing's ugliest manifestations, is presented as some kind of exalted being for his appearance of never having "sold out", while cheating, lying, stealing, forging passports, and promoting himself to his advantage at every opportunity. This story would have been far more interesting had the author provided some insight into Miki Dora the SURFER, which I presume is his primary motivation and after all, is what he was originally known for-surfing at Malibu "in the day". Without a good feel for the man as a surfer, and discussion of his style, wave preference or performance in the water, and other aspects of him as a surfer, we get a picture of a person behaving selfishly and irresponsibly, period. Why make a 450-page biography about a surfer without discussing that aspect of his life? I could have done without all of the apologists trying to make him out as some kind of wise sage because he was so misunderstood. Oh, poor Miki, who pretended to be broke while making his friends put him up and take care of his every need, then died with $400,000.00 in the bank. Poor fella. Face it, he was a sham who promoted himself into a myth that just didn't exist. Was he a good surfer? Worthy of the reputation? I don't know. I'll have to wait for another book to get that part of his life, I guess.



3. I'm not a surfer and feel that being so would make this one a bit more interesting. Some jargon and stories that would be better if you could relate.



4. Growing up in San Diego in the 60s and having read biographies of Greg Noll and Mike Doyle already, I idolized the surf scene and have followed it from my landlocked location. Dora is the ultimate enigma. Wants the attention when he wants it but wants to be elusive also. But what he really wanted more than anything, was the post WWII check out of society and never have to work, the ultimate Surf Bum but with taste. And really, he accomplished this. BUT, sometimes the methods to achieve this didn't square with the law so Dora was granted the opportunity to spend time in prison after an international search involving all major police bodies.
   
   As he approaches his unfortunate death Dora seems to come to grips with who he is, the powers he possesses and the desire to set things right. And then after death, the ultimate surprise that is pure Dora. If you want to know about the surf culture at the beginning, USA in the late 50s early 60s, or a fascinating tale of a bizarre intersting person, read this book. Not a typical life, but a life well lived.



5. I can hardly begin to tell you how very much I enjoyed this book about Miki. It is so well written and so rich in it's descriptions. I felt like I was there with him from Malibu to Africa and France. Knowing Miki in the 50's and 60's, all of my encounters with him were favorable. He loaned me surfboards, treated me and my daughter with courtesy and always had something interesting or funny to say. I wept reading the part about his beloved "Scooter Boy" and his own involvement with his death. What a tremendous tragedy for anyone to go through and especially Miki as that dog was the closest and most loved being in his life. You are a fantastic writer David. Miki was an incredible person and for you to capture him in the manner that you have is brilliant. His Dad must have high regard for your book. I would be proud that I had a son that was so unique and marched to a different drummer than anyone else. He had a pure, pure love for the sea and nature in spite of his many short-comings. In a very strange way he knew a lot about some of what is important in life.
   
   Toni Donovan Colvin

5 comments about Arnie & Jack: Palmer, Nicklaus, and Golf's Greatest Rivalry.

1. I enjoyed the stories about Palmer and Nicklaus, especially the account of their first meeting at Athens Country Club in 1958. Unfortunately, the writing is surprisingly poor. O'Connor uses every cliche and trite phrase to describe the players, almost ruining the otherwise interesting stories. I would not expect this from an experienced sportswriter.
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   



2. In order to tell his story, the author goes out of his way to draw a contrast between Palmer and Nicklaus; Jack was calculating, Arnie was daring; Jack wasn't aware of galleries, Arnie played to them; Jack was tubby and not photogenic, Arnie was built like a middleweight prize fighter and charismatic; Arnie played a low draw, Jack a high fade; Arnie was blue collar, Jack was pampered, and on and on. In short, Arnie wanted what Jack had (the best golfing talent) and Jack wanted what Arnie had (fan's adoration.) It's ok to hear this a few times in the early part to set the stage, but the author seems to repeat and rephrase this every few pages. He also makes too much of the Nicklaus/Palmer rivalry, to the near exclusion of any other players entering into the picture.
   
   But the stylistic flaw and over stated case don't overwhelm what is otherwise an extremely well researched book with many heretofore unknown revelations. For example, did you know that:
   
   - Palmer 1st played with Nicklaus in an exhibition when Nicklaus was an amateur. Even at that early age Nicklaus easily won their impromptu long drive competition;
   - Nicklaus was relentlessly harassed by Palmer's galleries, no more so than the US Open at Oakmont where he beat Palmer in a playoff;
   - Nicklaus hated being paired with Palmer at the Masters in the late 90's, because he never wanted to play a ceremonial role in competition and he was distracted by Arnie's playing to the galleries;
   - Their rivalry extended off the course in the arena of product endorsements, golf course design contracts and their own tournaments at Muirfield and Bay Hill.
   
   These are just a few of literally hundreds of "gee, I didn't know that" revelations.
   
   Perhaps some of the most interesting parts come towards the end when the book focuses on the race and gender aspects of golf. Neither Jack nor Arnie were proactive in helping to eliminate the PGA Tour's former caucasian-only policy and they were silent during Augusta's men-only stand-off with Martha Burke. Whereas Gary Player differentiated himself from both with a very vocal opposition to Augusta's policy and support for black golfers Lee Elder and Charlie Sifford.
   
   All in all a very worthwhile golf read, despite its flaws. As Gary Koch might say "better than most, better than most!"



3. Good book, great book on two of golf's greatest names, greatest players and greatest guys...This book is "a keeper," giving a dynamic inside look at the personalities and competitive instincts of both men. The reader comes to a new and deeper appreciation and understanding of the two golfing giants of our time.
   
   Ian O'Connor takes the easy way out in some of the writing at times, but the story (and stories) he tells far overcome the few and slight wordsmsithing that could be made by the most critical of readers.
   
   This book is an eagle, a sure eagle, for those who remember Arnie and Jack and for those who want to learn about them.
   
   Tiger Woods is Tiger Woods, the best of all time. It's a shame he doesn't have a competitive adversary such as Jack and Arnie had in each other. Then we could see just how good Tiger could be.
   
   Edwin Pope may have best described this book: "A classic work...the most riveting personal moments..the best I've read in a long while..."



4. If you want the long and short of this book, it's easy to summarize: Arnold Palmer and Jack Nicklaus loved nothing better than to one-up each other; Arnold wanted to win more on the golf course, and Jack wanted to be more popular with the fans; their wives kept the rivalry from getting out of hand; and they are more at peace with one another now than before.
   
   If you want to read about the various times they played each other, the off-course competition, slights to one another, and what bugged each one about the other, then you'll want to read every page of this detailed dual biography. If you would rather read just about one or the other . . . and their whole career in perspective, another book will undoubtedly be more pleasing.
   
   I had never read anything about the backgrounds of either golfer so I learned a lot. As soon as the book got into the years where I was well aware of both men, the book didn't add very much to what I knew already. In fact, Mr. O'Connor left out material that I would have included.
   
   Because the two men are ten years apart in age, they aren't the kind of playing rivals that some of the earlier champions were who competed against each other in their prime years. In the process, the astonishing rise of golf as a spectator sport isn't given as much attention as it should.
   
   But if you want to get an overview of both men, magnified by their feelings about one another, this book will serve you all right. But don't expect the book to be compelling reading. It's more like those long-winded stories you hear at the country club in the bar that are shared by the oldest member after quite a few libations.



5. When your husband has EVERYTHING golf...a new and interesting golf book a must ! Thank you for quick delivery,book in excellent condition.

5 comments about Sports Illustrated: Brett Favre: The Tribute (Sports Illustrated).

1. I bought this item as a present for my husband in May so I thought I would buy another for a nephew. The second one (this order) came in slightly damaged on the corner because it wasn't packed properly. It was billed as a brand new book so I think it should have been perfect. Maybe it was dropped by the delivery person.



2. I purchased this book for my son-in-law as he is a Green Bay fan. He loved it! Lots of colorful pictures, history and stats. The delivery was prompt and the whole ordering process was smooth.Sports Illustrated: Brett Favre: The Tribute (Sports Illustrated)



3. This book is a gorgeous hardcover tribute to Brett Favre. Looks like a coffee table book that would be a great gift to fans of his, and most football fans, in general. Compilation of Sports Illustrated articles about Favre, with beautiful photos throughout. Great book to get your sons to read if you have trouble engaging them in reading. Very nice tribute to a sports figure who is a good example of hard work, dedication, balance, teamwork, and sportsmanship.



4. Purchased books as gifts...beautiful book but didn't read it...I'm sure my friends will love it!



5. Anybody who thought Brett Favre was a great player will love this book. Not only was he a great player but a great human being as well. He overcame hurdles in his was but also allowed fans to share his triumphs as well as his heartaches as well.

5 comments about Quiet Strength: The Principles, Practices, and Priorities of a Winning Life.

1. What an inspiration Coach Tony Dungy is and this book was one I could not put down.



2. As a Steeler fan who is old enough to remember Dungy as a part of the Steel Curtain defense (but not as large as I remembered!), as a Christian husband and father, and as a Patriots hater who cheers for any team against New England, I had three reasons to look forward to this book, and it was even better than I expected.
   
   Dungy's writing, with assistance by a co-author, reads as mild and humble as his (lets face it) nerdy appearance. Despite, or because of, this to-the-core character, Dungy has succeeded at the cutthroat business of professional football at the highest level. Remember, neither of the teams he has coached had any history of winning before his tenure, and he essentially won a Super Bowl with each team (Chucky Gruden won with Tony's players after Dungy was fired, and you can see what kind of success Chucky has had since!).
   
   One of the amazing aspects of Dungy's book is how wide spread his deep-rooted Christianity was amongst the "nasty" 70s Steelers--Dungy, Dirt Winston, Mel Blount, and Donnie Shell not alone made for one of the hardest-hitting defensive backfields in NFL history, but apparently one of its most mature and consistent Bible studies as well. It is encouraging to read about NFL players and coaches who focus on family and faith, not contracts and crime sprees.
   
   Dungy never sounds boastful or arrogant about his faith, usually demonstrating his life lessons from his own mistakes. My tears spotted the pages of the chapter when Dungy talked about his son's suicide and the rest of the way it was hard for me, and for Dungy as well, to focus on football. As he says in a later chapter, never confuse your goals (winning a Super Bowl) with your purpose (glorifying God).
   
   I needed reminding. Thanks, Tony!



3. This book is fantastic - I couldn't put it down! I have been a big fan of Tony since he was the coach of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, because of his presence on the football field. This book is an honest and inspiring account of Tony's life and the trials and successes he has encountered. Thank you Tony for a great read.



4. The autobiography, "Quiet Strength," of Tony Dungy is appropriately subtitled "The Principles, Practices, and Priorities of a Winning Life." Dungy recounts his life from its beginnings to the present as the Coach of the world champion Indianapolis Colts. A man of proactive faith, Dungy has been able to climb many mountains, from being one of the first black quarterbacks in NCAA college football to one of the first black head coaches in the National Football League.
   
   "Quiet Strength" details key formative relationships, those that helped him to become what he is today. They include his mother, The Most Athletic Dungy, who supported in him in a number of sports; his father who taught him what was most important - not the accolades and memories of success, but the way you respond when opportunities are denied; his high school assistant principal, Mr. Rockquemore, who took a great interest in him and Dungy claims things would have been different if he had not; and his first pro coach, Chuck Noll, who taught him how to win in the NFL and how to maintain family-career balance.
   
   Dungy always viewed his work in football as a means to do something more as a servant of God. When he was fired as the head coach of Tampa Bay, the firing itself was not the cause of shock, but rather, the thought that God was allowing this great experiment of using him as a head coach in the NFL to end. He wondered, what's next? How will God use him, whether in the NFL or not.
   
   I am grateful that Dungy went on from Tampa to win the Super Bowl as coach of Indianapolis. More than becoming the first African-American to win a Super Bowl, this extraordinary achievement provided an excellent platform from which to tell this great story.
   
   Dungy's story is inspirational, challenging, and encouraging - reminding us about what really is important in a world driven by the love of material success. He shows that one can live their Christian faith in the workplace and succeed - even in the demanding fish bowl atmosphere of the NFL. He is a living testimony of one man's faith in God.
   
   "Do you your best and let God do the rest."



5. Loved the book, many lessons to be learned, a little too much football at times but if you can look by that it is a quick and enjoyable read

4 comments about Dead Lucky: Life After Death on Mount Everest.

1. This is an excellent book- very well written and hard to put down. I have read many books on climbing and Everest, and this is one of, if not the best. His survival is incredible, and it's nice to read how histhoughts and love of his family kept him going (and played into whether he would attempt the climb at all) at a time when so many people only think of themselves. I highly recommend this book.



2. This is much more than just a story of a climb to Mt. Everest (which is a inspiring story on it's own!). This is a story about the strength of the human spirit. There is no scientific explanation for his survival. It is obvious the strength of his mind/spirit is what brought him down from that mountain. The story was written well and enjoyable to read. Although I enjoy the outdoors, I am not a mountain climber, and I found this book so inspiring!



3. I got this book a year ago thru a friend from Australia when it first came out over there. I read it in one sitting and could not put it down. For those who have read Beck Weathers Left For Dead, Lincoln Hall goes even further into the fight for living after the physical part is gone. I have all of Lincoln Hall's books he has wrote, and along with Blood On The Lotus this is his best writing.If you are into the physical and mental demands of what climbing Everest is about, Lincoln really blows you away with his own mind trip that night as he lay there in a fantasy world of his own.Excellent read..



4. Over two years ago, Lincoln experienced the best and the worst of Mt Everest. He was reaching the summit when he got a severe case of altitude sickness. His group attempted to revive him, but when that failed he was left for dead, very close to the summit. As fate would have it, a group of climbers making their way up, saw him in desperate need of help and ultimately saved his life. He writes about his horrible ordeal in this amazing book.
   His hands and feet were absolutely covered in frostbite. He has had some limbs and toes and fingers amputated, and various other surgeries as a result of his experience up there. He refers to May 26, 2006 as the day he died, and writes in here the pros and cons for climbing Everest. He puts his family on both lists; on the con - the fear of leaving his wife and kids without a husband or father and on the pro list, the idea to show them that he was willing to take a chance to live out his dream. He describes the bitter cold and all the thoughts running through his head. It's a book that takes you through different emotions - triumph, fear, relief and everything in between.
   Whether you like mountain climbing or not, this book is a great read. It is moving and interesting and it's good to see a happy ending. I really enjoyed this and hope you will too.

5 comments about The Education of Little Tree.

1. Nutshell review - Not withstanding the controversy surrounding the authenticity of the story and author, there are two ways to read this story; (1) with your mind, or (2) with your heart. The first way will gain you little. The second way will truly touch you.



2. Some of the reviewers here seem unfamiliar with Cherokee History. Forrest Carter was of Cherokee ancestry and was a fiery Southerner with racist views. These facts are not so mutually exclusive as one would assume. The Cherokee nation was allied with the Confederate States during the war. Colonel(later General) Stand Watie led the Cherokee Mounted Rifles. Aside from the Cherokee, there were Creek, Choctaw, Chickasaw, and Seminole tribes fighting with the Confederates as well. So you see, Forrest Carter (or Asa if you like) was more than likely a product of his times. Not an evil man, just wrong. But he did write a great book.



3. A 5-year old orphan named Little Tree is raised by his Cherokee Grandma and Grandpa in a small mountain home during the days of the Depression. Little Tree learns about the Cherokee tribe and history. He also learns about the importance of love and respect for the land. His grandparents struggle to survive under difficult conditions however they show incredible compassion and love as they raise Little Tree. There is considerable debate over whether this book is fiction or non-fiction. Whatever it happens to be, this is good heartwarming story that is worth reading and having your children read.



4. I first read this 20 years ago, before I "knew" the author's history. I loved it. I just re-read it with my 10-year-old. (Beware, adult language and material. We probably should have waited a year or two.) Now I know about the author. And I still love this book. The author may have been a drunk and may have done some awful things, but this is a beautful and wonderful book and I can't find any racism or anti-semitism in it. I'm Jewish and appreciated the author's head-on confrontation of a common sterotype. Perhaps in his writing he tried to make up for what he did in his public life? Who knows, but I believe your life will be enriched by reading this book.



5. I am amused by the negative reviews this touching book has received. As a "real Indian" with Sioux and Osage grandparents, I found "Little Tree" charming. The fact that the author was not Indian and had serious social issues does not change the fact that he wrote an entertaining read. My only regret is that the author did not write several sequels. I find myself missing Little Tree and his tales of growing up with his loving grandparents.
   
   Moreover, I do not subscribe to the idea that only Indians can write about Indians anymore than I say only extra-terrestrials can write about aliens. The author may not known about what he was writing; regardless what he wrote is fun entertainment.
   
   If the ethical standards being exposed in these reviews were imposed on all authors our books store shelves would be very empty. The fact is most non-fiction books are full of fabrication, or at least tainted by the author's point of view. Artists without issues; I'm not sure such a thing exists.

5 comments about Touching the Void: The True Story of One Man's Miraculous Survival.

1. If you liked "Into Thin Air," then you will love this book, which is just as brilliant and perhaps even more incredible. If you've been to Peru, even better. Great writing, great story, and an unforgettable tale. Again, a rare book that once begun, is almost impossible to put down. Simpson has written some others, but none as good as his first. Read it. And try his "This Game of Ghosts" if you want more.



2. What an experience. Miraculous is the correct word. Other reviewers have discribed the situation for you. I will just concure that this is a must read.
   
   Much better than Jon Krakauers - Into Thin Air because it's more intimate imo. Into Thin air is about a big expedition up Mount Everest. Touching the Void is about two men.
   
   Two men together, Simon Yates attemping to save Joe Simpsons life by slowly lowering him down the Mt. 300 ft. at a time.
   You can just feel the agonising Simon Yates went thru. I mean he stayed and hung on to Simpson for as long as was humanly possible. I really felt for him.
   
   Than it was one extremely determined soul fighting to live.
   
   Some nice pictures too.
   
   Highly recommended



3. Even though I obviously knew he would live through the experience, I found myself on the edge of my seat hoping he would make it. A good story-teller telling an incredible story.



4. As many other reviewers have said, the subtitle of this book is true: the story is indeed miraculous. The book is a quick read, and the terror, desolation and troubling moral questions of the experience are palpable. I found myself squirming and uncomfortable at several points, and this is due mainly to Joe Simpson's talent as a writer.
   
   It must be said that it is apparent that this is Simpson's first book, and this is why I deducted half a star. There is the occasional awkward sentence, and the book ends on a pretty weak poker analogy. Still, he displays a great clarity of insight throughout that easily overcomes these small problems. His craft may be in the fledgling stage here, but Simpson clearly possesses a writer's mind; he is able to clearly articulate complex ideas and emotions in a very immediate, engaging way.
   
   I would hope people don't dismiss this as a book for climbers or outdoor adventurers. The story, as well as Simpson's writing, definitely transcends this narrow category and becomes a universal story of perseverance, moral ambiguity and courage. There is quite a bit of technical description of climbing here--which is absolutely essential to telling the story properly--but as someone who knows very little about climbing, it was not a hindrance to me at all. If you've seen even a few pictures of mountains, or caught a few minutes of climbing on the Discovery Channel, a quick read through the short glossary is all you need..you will find that things like cornices, abseiling, etc. are easy enough to visualize.
   
   By the time you finish this book, you will be astonished. Joe Simpson's torturous ordeal, as well as Simon Yates' battle with his conscience over cutting Joe free, make for a terrifying and moving story. It's worthwhile to follow the book up with the excellent movie.



5. I read this book and could hardly believe what I was reading. It only took me one night to read this because I was so captured by the adventure.
   
   Great quick read about making choices and having good luck on ones side.

5 comments about Pistol: The Life of Pete Maravich.

1. Mr. Kriegel provides an insightful, interesting, serious study of the background to the life of Pete Maravich. I recommend the book, not only to sports' fans, but to anyone who enjoys well-written biography. For thoses readers who wish to understand Maravich's conversion to Christianity and the course of his post-conversion life, the book disappoints as Kriegel seems to understand the conversion as a retreat into religion rather than a confrontation with reality.



2. I admire the fact that Mark Kriegal had the guts to devote about a third of the book to Press Maravich, Pete's father. But it got tedious to hear the endless details about who scored what during which game, and so on. Perhaps that's common to most sports books, I don't know. I understand why the author wrote this book: Pete Maravich's life is a fascinating story. Unfortunately, I had mixed feelings about Pistol overall. Yes, I got bored with the first third of the book about Press Maravich, although it did give you a nice overview of the origins of pro basketball, if you can call it that. I also felt that the last 30 pages devoted to Pete's sons was overkill. Just my opinion. The middle part of the book about Pete was superb, though. There were so many touchstones that were handled exceptionally well----on race, the marketing and growing popularity of basketball (college and professional), the complexity of Pete's relationship to Press, Pete's various obsessions with UFOs, vegetarianism, martial arts, etc., plus his alcohol abuse. Pistol, for all its stylistic virtuosity, was a little too sentimental sometimes. Nonetheless, I'm glad I read it.



3. As others have stated, this is an extremely well-written book. But it is also the first book I ever remember reading that had a dark cloud hang over every page. The quotation by Magic Johnson to Pete's children at the All-Star game naming the Pistol as one of the top 50 in NBA history is memorable. "Your father was Showtime before there was a showtime." You always hope sports heroes have happy endings. I wish Pete could have experienced more of it.
   
   It is a must read.



4. I BOUGHT THIS BOOK TO INCLUDE IN MY GRANDSON'S PACKAGE THAT WAS HEADED FOR IRAQ. HE LOVED THE BOOK BECAUSE HE GREW UP IN THE PITTSBURG AREA AND PLAYED SPORTS AT SOME OF THE SCHOOLS THAT WERE MENTIONED IN THE BOOK.
   
   NEEDLESS TO SAY, HE ENJOYED IT FROM COVER TO COVER AND I AM A HAPPY GRANDMA. ACTUALLY, I'LL BE HAPPIER WHEN HE GETS BACK TO THE USA.



5. I read PISTOL during the last week when my brain was in gear, my emotions high and my persona not cracked. Good thing, too. If I had been depressed, I might have eaten more junk food than my diet allows.
   
   Yes, PISTOL deserves five stars. The lives of Press Maravich and his son, Peter Press Maravich, are, however, Pittsburgh bleak, covered with soot and anchored by the angst of control and chaos.
   
   Basketball should a fine, fun game, but this book proves it doesn't have to be any fun at all. It can merely be twisted.
   
   The sun is shining now, and the temperature is crisp. I think I can forget all Pete's "showtime" moves, the suicide of his mom, the manic control of his dad and the up-all-night drinking bouts.
   
   What I can't forget, yet, are all the tortures his sons went through when they tried to honor their dad by playing basketball, too. One coach in particular at LSU needs to be put down for his cruelty.