No comments about How Long's the Course?: My Autobiography.

3 comments about Giant Steps.

1. Giant Steps is an auto-biography of Kareem's first 30-35 years. A lot of people know Kareem as a sullen and bitter man and with good reason. But after reading his perceptions on his own life, you start to get an idea of what shaped Kareem and made him the man he was and how it shaped the man he is today. Raised in NYC, he was always a hoops phenom, always the tallest kid around, and after a few years, he became acutely aware of his blackness. A high school coach spitting a racial slur at him for "motivation" and a bus ride to racially insensitive North Carolina opened Kareem's (at the time his name was Lew Alcindor) eyes to racial inequality. He developed a keen interest in Islam (Kareem mentions the differences between the Islam he believes versus the Nation of Islam that Muhammad Ali believes in--very interesting take on this) and his own race.
   After high school, it was on to sunny California and UCLA to play for John Wooden. The UCLA campus, chock full of white folks and scholars, was a bit different from the jazz joints he'd be hanging out at in Harlem.
   From the US's two greatest cultural epicenters to Milwaukee? From the year-round paradise-like weather of LA to the frigid temps of Wisconsin? From the shelter of John Wooden's hoops program to the spotlight of the NBA and its aggressive media? Life can't change a lot more than that. And Kareem definitely had his difficulties, which he addresses and doesn't attempt to excuse.
   You can feel Kareem's edge throughout the majority of the bio. The unforgiving chip on his shoulder weighs heavy on him, and after reading and understanding what pushed a bit more you can begin to sympathize with his personal struggles.
   Near the bio's end you can literally feel weight sliding off of him. It's slow, it's gradual, and it's not complete, but it's the start of something. The "Giant Steps" title can refer to a lot of things in Kareem's life, New York to LA, LA to Milwaukee, college hoops to pro hoops, Wilt Chamberlain's friend to Wilt's enemy/competitor, but I believe the biggest steps Kareem takes are the steps toward acceptance of himself and others.
   A companion book to Giant Steps is "Kareem". "Kareem" is a bio/diary Jabbar kept during his final season in the NBA. The second book picks up right where "Giant Steps" left off. His remarkable growth after his 35th birthday is clear to the most unobservant reader.
   Kareem and his co-author clearly express his development in rich language. This isn't just for hoops fans. "Giant Steps" is for anyone curious about race relations in America. Anyone curious about what it means to be truly different (7'1" black Muslim/basketball player in America in the 60s-80s--not too many of them around) and be forced to feel those differences every second of your waking life should take a look.
   "Giant Steps" shows an angry, but passionate young man develop into a thoughtful, (somewhat) outgoing adult capable of contributing much of what he's learned to younger generations.



2. The only thing bigger than the chip on Mr. Abdul-Jabbar's shoulder in this text is the grand and engaging story he tells. For fans or just the curious observer (as I was), he takes us on an insightful journey into his motivation, his doubts, his difficulties, and his dreams. It sometimes seems that the persona behind the person is revealed more to the reader than to the writer.



3. KAREEM TELLS OF HIS LIFE GROWING UP IN NEW YORK IN GREAT DETAIL IN THIS BOOK. BUT I THINK HE SHOULD HAVE TOLD US MORE ABOUT HIS PLAYING DAYS AT UCLA, MILWAUKEE AND LOS ANGELES. THIS HAS A LOT OF GOOD STUFF LIKE HIS FIRST MEETING WITH WILT, HIS TEAMMATES AT UCLA, AND HIS RELATIONSHIP WITH CHERYL PISTANO. I REALLY FOUND HIS BUDDAHISM AND ALL THE PEOPLE INVOLVED TO BE VERY WEIRD AND UNINTERESTING. KAREEM IS AN INTELLIGENT GUY WHO ENJOYS THE MATERIAL AND SPIRITUAL THINGS IN LIFE. HIS PIECE AT THE TIME CHERYL PISTANO, HELPED HIM TO BE MORE OUTGOING AND CORDIAL TO PEOPLE AND HELPED OPEN HIS LIFE MORE. JUST WISHED HE WOULD HAVE BEEN MORE DETAILED ABOUT HIS SEASON TO SEASON CAREER AT UCLA AND THE NBA. A GOOD READ.

No comments about Playing for Time (Common Reader Editions).

3 comments about Of Ice and Men; Dominik Hasek, Chris Chelios, Steve Yzerman, GlenSather: The Craft of Hockey.

1. The other reader only pointed out one major error in this book. I have only read ten pages in the Yzerman section and have identified four errors. Detroit is not located on the St.Clair River, New Jersey swept the Wings in the finals the lockout season,obviously not the year they won 62 games, Yzerman did not lose the Calder Trophy to Steve Larmer, and Yzerman's oldest daughter is named Isabella. Perhaps the author should stick to broadcasting and let people who know how to research or, at least find people who can research, do the writing.



2. The other reader only pointed out one major error in this book. I have only read ten pages in the Yzerman section and have identified four errors. Detroit is not located on the St.Clair River, New Jersey swept the Wings in the finals the lockout season,obviously not the year they won 62 games, Yzerman did not lose the Calder Trophy to Steve Larmer, and Yzerman's oldest daughter is named Isabella. Perhaps the author should stick to broadcasting and let people who know how to research or, at least find people who can research, do the writing.



3. A flawed but interesting book. It attempts to be a hockey version of Peter King's "Inside the Helmet," but without King's insight. What will truly annoy fans of the game are the factual errors that any competent editor would have caught. For example, Dowbiggin writes of Clint Malarchuk's life threatening injury, but has him playing for the Washington Capitals. I am being picky sure, but how do you write about a scene no one "will ever forget" and then get the team wrong?! Overall though, the book is a welcome change from the suck up bios and transcribed interviews passed off as books about hockey.

No comments about Pain Gang: Pro Football's Fifty Toughest Players.

5 comments about Dick Schaap as Told to Dick Schaap: 50 Years of Headlines, Deadlines & Punchlines.

1. Dick Schaap was the Forrest Gump of sports. Always around fascinating personalities from the 50s to 2001, Dick Schaap had the reputation as quite the name dropper. And he acknowledges this participating in the joke early on. This book is an accumulation of anecdotes from his life. His early life and how he gravitates to sports journalism is quite interesting with many great stories of the writers he worked with like Jimmy Breslin and Thomas Wolfe. Then, he spends some time on well-known sports personalities. This was the weakest part of the book for me as he retells stories that further the reputation of already known figures. But the last third of the book turns into classic Dick Schaap with story after story written with his dry wit. I would strongly recommend this book if you have interest in sports or pop culture from the 60s on.



2. Reading this book literally changed my life. I changed my major in college to journalism when i read this account of Schaap's life and his work. This book is a must read for sports lovers, people who enjoy great stories and people who love great writing.



3. I have to say that I thought this book was absolutley amazing. Not only was it funny and well written, but Dick Schapp has an uncanny way of giving you an unofficial history lesson while name-dropping the entire way. I think he has lived a unique and amazing life and the entire time I was reading I was inspired and dissapointed. I was inspired by Schapp's work ethic and attitude, and by the awesome people he was able to encounter, but I was also frustrated knowing that when I am a sportswriter in his position, I will not be able to work in the same sports world Schapp did. The Muhammad Ali's and the Jim Brown's and the Joe DiMaggio's of the world are gone now. It is a great read even if you aren't a sports fan. I recomend this to anyone who likes to laugh and enjoys excellent writting. My only regret is I will never get to meet the man himself. Though, I am sure he is mingling and name dropping in Heaven right now.



4. Dick Schaap knew everyone, and everyone knew Dick Schaap. For further proof, one need only scroll down to the bottom of [amazon.com's] page about "Flashing Before My Eyes", to the section which reads: "Customers who bought titles by Dick Schaap also bought titles by these authors". There, you'll find the names Don Zimmer and Mike Lupica (two other recent sports autobiographies)... as well as Mario Batali, and J.K. Rowling. Clearly this was a man with distinct crossover appeal.

   I regret that I cam to read "Flashing Before My Eyes" only after Mr. Schaap's untimely passing at the end of 2001, for it had been on my Wish List since its original publication date. "Flashing" is a witty, urbane read, a book you can polish off in a couple of hours and yet one whose anecdotes will remain with you for quite some time. Schaap's nature was to listen and observe, and after a half-century of journalism, he collected anecdotes about everyone from Bill Clinton to Bill Lee, Bob Knight to Bobby Kennedy, from Norman Mailer to Reggie Jackson.

   Along the way are some terrific insights into writing and the state of journalism today, but never once will you feel as if you've been bashed over the head with the author's personal opinions. It's easy for a longtime sports figure to turn his autobiography into a political manifesto (after reading Nolan Ryan's book, I was surprised to learn that he wasn't running for office), but like Don Zimmer's book, Schaap's is remarkably issue-free and hatchet-free, wry but never bitter. He was a terrific observer, who saw everything but kvetched about little. And yet, you still get into Schaap's head and understand what he was really thinking at all times. He walked that fine line remarkable well.

   If nothing else, read this book for the stories. The most revealing moments are the chapters on the Watts riots, Bobby Kennedy, and gay Olympic decathlete Tom Waddell. My favorite quote is from Reggie Jackson, as I once heard Schaap relate on ESPN Classic... "The magnitude of me". If Dick Schaap hadn't been so modest and self-deprecating, that line could well have been this book's title.




5. Dick Schaap (may he rest in peace)had speant his life writing about teh stories of other people. Finally, he got to sit down and look back on those memories while sharing them with anyone who reads this. Many people have said this book is one giant ego. How can you not like this book if you are a sports fan. Schaap takes you through all of his wonderful memories and tells you all about the people he knew. For half a century he did this, don't rag on him for finally writing his own autobiography. He always put others before himself, and now he is finally sharing a life time of memories in one book. I for one thought this book was great and i can't understand how someone could put this title to shame.

5 comments about Maiden Voyage.

1. The book is interesting and fun to read. Her adventures real and inspiring. However... The thing that struck me about this book is that this girl had, as so many girls do, no interest at all in learning the skills needed to accomplish her goal. She knew for months that she would be making this trip, but made no effort at all to master navigation, diesel maintenance or repair, fiberglass work, basic seamanship, or sailing. She seems to dismiss those basic skills as being somehow beneath her. If she had put as much effort into understanding her boat as she put into understanding makeup, this would have been a much more interesting voyage.



2. Tania Aebi's book is a truly inspirational story. My wife and I read it simultaneously and we argued about whose turn was it all the time! Tania's story leaving NY at a very early age in a Contessa 26 for a two and a half years around the world trip without much sailing experience is amazing. Since I like sailing I enjoyed it as a sailing adventure but I was equally engaged with such personal inspirational story. We "traveled" with her and admired her courage every mile she did. If you don't sail, you will enjoy it too.
   When we finished the book, both my wife and I, had the sad feeling that only a reader can understand..."I wish I wouldn't have finished it yet!"
   We followed up looking for more books and end up finding what was of her life and learned that she'd been cruising with her two sons 22 years later to expose them to such amazing experience. She was the first woman who did a circumnavigation solo despite her record (for which she didn't care) was not granted because of a very small cross between two islands that she did with a friend. I am sure she is perceived as the first woman who solo circumnavigated and that's when you understand that the record was the less important part of her journey. You will love this book and if you are a sailor, you will start dreaming about doing it yourself.



3. I was really excited to start reading this book, but as soon as I started I knew it was not going to be what I thought. There are very many nautical terms that if you are not familiar with, may be confusing at times. The author switches from one setting to another very quickly. I can't say this book is the most disappointing book I have read in my life, but it certainly is amongst the top ten. If you are familiar with nautical wording, then this book would be fine for you. I was not so therefore, was expecting a different type of story.



4. Very happy with the book. Very well written and a delight to read about this interesting girl sailor. Service was excellent arrived on time and in the codition stated.



5. This book has never ceased to amaze me. Everytime I pick it up to read, I feel like I have put it down too soon. I only wish I could keep reading and finish this beautiful tale that includes a hint of romance, plenty of insight into dysfunctional relationships, pure miracles, and of course a healthy dose of adventure. This book is non-ficton but sure reads like an adventure novel. Tania's story is truly amazing and this book is now on my list of favorite books of all time.

5 comments about Cinderella Man.

1. I fear that this well written and richly detailed book has gotten lost in the shuffle of all of the Braddock biographies that have been published in the wake of the success of the film "Cinderella Man" Even though it's far from the best of the group, it deserves a better fate than that.
   
   Most of the Braddock volumes on the market have focused almost exclusively on the ring exploits of Braddock and his contemporaries, Delisa takes a slightly different approach in his narrative, incorporating more of Braddock's personal life into the story, and going into greater detail about events in his early childhood than other books have, to give the reader a more complete portrait of this American sports icon.
   
   In my humble opinion, Cinderella Man: James J. Braddock, Max Baer, and the Greatest Upset in Boxing History by Jeremy Schaap is still the best book written on the subject, and I'll continue to recommend it, but Delisa's volume comes in a close second.



2. I'm not a boxing fan, but became interested in James Braddock's story after watching the Movie Cinderella Man. My ultimate goal was to find our more about this man that staged an incredible comeback against staggering odds, to win the world heavy weight championship from Max Baer. Delisa's book attempts to deliver to the reader something more of Braddock's life; however, the information is mostly acecdotle and second hand, and fails to shed much more light on what Braddock was like. The fact of the matter is, there is likely little information about Braddock's life other then what Delisa tells, or he would have likely told it, given he mentions previous bios of the former champ that were written during Braddock lifetime. The upside to the book is that Delisa gives the reader an excellent view of the cast of characters that made up the world of boxing in the 20's and 30's, weaving Braddock into the picture when appropriate, which is often. Delisa also gives the reader a strong account of how the Great Depression affected Braddock, Boxing, and the nation, which embraced Braddock as one of their own, because he was down as far as anyone at the time and brought himself back from the edge of oblivion to save himself and his family.



3. you learn more about the real jimmy braddock and his mob connected manager. you learn how jimmy had a few businesses on the side besides being a boxer. its a good story.



4. This book devoted way too much time to insignificant details not related to Jim Braddock's story. Why was so much time spent describing the life and fighting history of guys like Primo Carnera...guys that Braddock never fought? This book is a superficial account of boxing in the 1920's and 30's. Braddock's story is an inspirational one, however this book doesn't give the reader any insight into the man. Very disappointing account of the Braddock story.



5. Book is a good read, but sometimes a little to much detail of the fights and opponents broddock faced. If you've seen the movie, you'll be surprized at how close the book is to the movie. It's an inspirational story of a true American hero. A man dedicated to the welfare of his family. Most of the book is foucused on his fights. But there is enough of the personal life of James J. Braddock to keep those happy who are seeking a personal account of his life.

1 comments about One River More.

1. "One River More," the third flyfishing book by New England novelist and short story writer W.D. Wetherell, is very definitely a writer's book. If you enjoy evocative writing, writing that paints a sense of place so tangible you feel are there, you most likely will enjoy this book.

   Wetherell is a remarkable writer. A precise writer. An artist with words. One whose talent I would dearly love to have. Indeed, I can picture him mining his vocabulary and our entire literary heritage, for that mater, for the just the right word to put the finishing brushstroke on his verbal canvas. As fellow writer John Gierach says on the dust jacket, "Wetherell writes about fishing with an angler's love for the sport and a novelist's eye for detail. `One River More' is his best yet.'"

   I agree with Gierach ... except for the final sentence.

   I enjoyed "One River More," don't get me wrong. But I cannot say I enjoyed it more than or even as much as either of the two earlier books in his now-complete flyfishing trilogy. The earlier books are "Vermont River," named by Trout Unlimited's Trout magazine as one of the best fishing books of the past 30 years, and "Upland Stream."

   What separates this work from the earlier books? I recall them being more buoyant. They generated loads of smiles. They made me feel as if I was wading alongside the author. I felt the rod load with each cast and delighted in each fly taken whether it was sipped, attacked or just plain gulped.

   In "One River More," Wetherell dishes up a tasty bouillabaisse to be sure. The ingredients include an unabashed love of flyfishing, trout, ferociously pugnacious smallmouth bass and his home water (the Connecticut River), startlingly somber reflection, and a dash or two of a cantankerousness -- about crowded rivers, flyfishing's trendiness, and newcomers ignorant of or oblivious to the sport's etiquette -- that I don't recall from his earlier books. This mix he spices up with flourishes of down-home boyish enthusiasm, especially the section celebrating recent adventures on Yellowstone's rivers. The tales of experiences on the famous rivers - the Yellowstone, Madison, Gallatin, Firehole and Gibbon - and waters previous unknown to me -- Grayling Creek, Nez Perce Creek and the Bechler -- are my favorites in this book.

   So, what's there not to like?

   Maybe it is the overall tone. Simply put, it left me sad. This book, in many ways, acknowledges his having entered the autumn of life and the realization that his finest days of flyfishing are likely behind him.

   He writes: "As a man nears fifty ... everything takes on a burnish, a retrospective glow, and it becomes harder to that vernal kind of brightness that makes you want tot throw your hands up and shout in sheer delight. Your eyes begin noticing how the pines all seem to be dying from roadside salt or acid rain; you see the houses going up too close to the river, the wanton disregard for all you hold dear; the fishing doesn't seem quite so good anymore; rapids you would have pushed aside in disdain only a few years ago now seem dangerous; the river in little ways, seems out to get you. If you're lucky, there still enough boy in you to bull past this sunset kind of vision, but it takes effort now; it's not something your genes do instinctively on their own."

   Perhaps it's that 40 grows a more-distant memory with each day, but I find this tone too melancholy. My wish is to prolong indefinitely the "sheer delight" I find in flyfishing. "One River More," however, is an all-too-sober reminder of how the meandering, irresistible river of time can erode and undercut that wish.

No comments about Occasional Salmon.