2 comments about Amazing Pace.

1. Michael Phelps has always been generous with reporters, so many scattered profiles of him exist. This book nicely brings the information together. And perhaps it can be revised after the 2008 Olympics.
   
   McMullen covered Phelps for the "Baltimore Sun" and seems to have developed good relationships with Phelps and his people. McMullen adopts an upbeat tone: he enjoys Phelps' accomplshments and values the perspectives of Phelps' family and coach. As a local man who was on the story almost fulltime, McMullen knows things that other writers do not, such as Phelps' probable income, the content of arguments between Phelps and his father, the impact of Phelps' sister's swimming career on his own.
   
   McMullen's book complements rather than competes with Phelps' own autobiography, "Beneath the Surface," written with Brian Cazeneuve. Indeed, McMullen strives to fill in background and perspective that the informally told biography leaves out.
   
   Those good things said, the book offers some frustrations. The chief one is McMullen's refusal to narrate chronologically. Each chapter, until the 2004 Olympics, starts with a competition, then circles back to discuss some issue, such as family, professionalism in the Olympics, dietary suuplements (he actually makes supplements almost interesting). The effect is that twice when I resumed reading after a break, I forgot where I was in Phelps' career. Within chapters, I also felt unstuck in time. Chapter 1 starts with a meet in 2003, cycles back to discuss Phelps' parents, then lingers for over a page on the 2000 Olympics. What happened to narrative order?
   
   Two other complaints. McMullen does not demystify the sport. Unlike, for example, John Feinstein who embeds illuminating information in his basketball books without impeding the narrative flow, McMullen leaves complex issues undiscussed. Why do swimmers train as they do? What made Coach Bowman's methods with Phelps successful? How do race strategies differ in various events? Further, McMullen is not very dramatic at describing races, which is sad because Phelps often comes from behind to win.
   
   The book is a fun and fast read. Yet we still need a book that does for Olympic level swimming what Feinstein's "A Season on the Brink" does for college basketball and what H. G. Bissinger's "Friday Night Lights" does for football.



2. This book is a really interesting read. I suspect most people who pick this book up will be swimming fans, though that really isn't a prerequisate. Paul McMullen gives you tons of background and the best history lesson on the sport you can find. I found the details in the history terrific. I liked reading about all of the past and present swimmers. Some are stars, others are unfamiliar names. I loved how meets and races were dissected. I found the information about doping particularly interesting because that was all new to me. There was so much information in this book and it was conveyed in a captivating way.
   
   Having read the other Phelps book, Beneath the Surface, I finished this book much more satisfied. Amazing Pace delved much deeper below the surface and gave a lot of insight into Michael Phelps's life and swim career. Honestly, it probably isn't fair to compare the two books since the other one seemed geared to a different audience. Amazing Pace seemed written for sports lovers, not just Michael Phelps lovers.
   
   I loved how the author organized the book, sometimes jumping around. I liked the anecdotes about Phelps's family, even though they were sometimes painful to read. The swimmer's relationship with his father was especially hard to digest. Thankfully he has strong bonds with his mother and sisters. There's a part in the book that describes a scene with the women in his life after Phelps has won his first Olympic gold medal. I was brought to tears by it, though I also felt a little guilty about spying on such a personal moment.
   
   Other aspects of Phelps's life were sometimes difficult to read about. The pressure put on him to top Spitz's achievements seemed unfair for a kid of just 19 to handle. It's surprising he was so cool and poised during the 2004 games given the heat of the media and fans. It wasn't easy to read about the period post-Olympics when things fell apart a bit. I don't just mean the DUI. That was a mistake to be sure, but the touring and the injury were harder to read about.
   
   The book is not a downer, as one might think from what I've said so far. There are many funny tales and the relationship between Phelps and his coach, Bob Bowman, is endlessly fascinating. There's also the actual swimming. Paul McMullen breaks down each day of the 2004 Athens Olympics and I was on the edge of my seat reading about the races, even though I knew the outcomes. I had to go back and watch some races because the book inspired me so much.
   
   I think there are a lot of lessons to be learned from this book. First and foremost, it shows that in order to achieve things like Michael Phelps has, you have to work really really hard. Few people in this world have it in them to work that hard. Phelps is to be admired for the effort he's put into his swimming, moreso than the medals he's won.

No comments about Paul Brown: The Man Who Invented Modern Football.

5 comments about The Agassi Story.

1. Could not put it down. Amazing stories after stories. However, book is from the dad's perspective, which I knew to begin with.



2. This is a book about Mike Agassi and his family. Mike looks back at his past and how he produced a star tennis player. Mike, is apologetic at times, and proud in others, revealing his true nature. I enjoyed Mike's character in the Agassi story and highly recommend this book for anyone interested in raising a family, as this book is more than just a book about raising tennis stars. The book offers many good insights into parenthood and family.



3. I didn't really like the book because there was not enough about Andre really. It was 95% about his father. I guess I was mislead by the title.



4. This is a great book for Agassi fans who want an inside scoop on Andre's life. Mike is a very tough guy and tells it the way he sees it. They have been through a lot. For me, this book provides justification for the admiration I have developed for Andre over the years of watching him play and following his story. The book is a beautiful tale of determination, character, soul, and ultimately, family. It is a quick read, thoroughly enjoyable, and I appreciate Mike's efforts in making it available.



5. Being a fan of Andre Agassi, I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book. It's a bag of mixed candies - Mike's biography, real life drama of an immigrant family, story behind Andre's "rise, fall and rise" .. and more.
   If you're a tennis fan, buy this book.
   Thanks to Dominic Cobello, Kate Welsh, and Mr. Agassi.

5 comments about Namath (Icons of the NFL).

1. An entertaining book, very much a quick read, boasting fantastic photos of a true NFL legend.
   
   I found the first half of the book to be the best as after that it seemed to descend into a discussion of Namath's business pursuits (restaurant chain, movies, advertising).
   
   In a perfect world, I would have liked less publicity photos and more pictures of his football playing and more indepth on his playing.
   
   This is not a biography of the man, but more of a coffeetable look at him, which is not to say that it is bad.
   
   An enjoyable book.



2. Just like the author, this book is a winner! This makes a great gift for the book lovers and sports fans in your life. Readable and written as if a friend is telling you the stories, warm and casual without any airs. Joe Namath's appeal is timeless, his talent is revered by athletes and non-athletes, and his honesty is heartwarming. He is a good storyteller and his experiences are worth telling. Truly, an enjoyable read for anyone. This is a story of courage, pain, perseverance and commitment-to the game, to his family, and to himself. Reading about his injuries gives insight into the physical punishment and the steel discipline needed to play the game of football AND the game of life. The pictures are wonderful, too. Even the front and back inside covers of the book have pictures. It's like getting a photo album, a great story, and a bonus DVD, all in one book. Touchdown!!



3. I GAVE IT TO HIM FOR CHRISTMAS AND HE FINISHED WELL BEFORE NEW YEARS.



4. I was very pleased with this purchase. I have purchased things on Amazon previously, and can tell you that I have always admired the efficient handling of each transaction. This particular purchase was handled equally well.
   
   The Namath book has a little more significance to me, as it was a last minute purchase before Christmas and I was surprised and pleased that I was able to get as quickly as I did and at a reasonable price.
   
   Joseph DeJesus



5. This is a well-written exhaustive biography of one of the NFL's most colorful and exciting players. His tale is replete with history and fantasy and well-wishing fans.

5 comments about Breaking the Surface.

1. This book provides further gut wrenching proof that outward success is no guarantee of happiness or spiritual wholeness. Almost the opposite it seems. 4 Olympic Golds, a body and a smile to die for, and yet trapped in self loathing and an abusive relationship.
   
   Greg Louganis is not alone in recovering from this paradoxical situation, but his story is a moving and powerful one nonetheless. It also provides hope to us who will never be Olympic medalists but still suffer from self doubt and self destructive ways.



2. This was a candid autobiography by Greg Louganis. It discusses his struggles with coming out of the closet, being pushed to the limit by his father and diving coach, an abusive relationship, prejudice, being tested HIV positive, and other ordeals he had to live thru to get to where he is today. I learned a lot about Mr. Louganis by reading this book and hope you will too. It was that good.



3. The reason that I first read this book was that I wanted to read a book written by a gay author. I knew nothing about Greg Louganis or the fact that he smacked his head during the Olympics. All I knew was that he was gay and was a swimmer. I checked it out from the library and ended up reading it in two days, which is a record for me because I procrastinate.
   
   Greg and Eric put together Greg's story very well, never once causing me to wonder what was going on. From the very beginning I was amused by Greg's thoughts and concerned although he was talking about something that had happened over a decade ago (seven years ago when the book was written). Greg did not tell his story from a casual perspective. He was upfront with his emotions and I felt like I really got to know who this guy was and I came to care a great deal about him.
   
   Greg Louganis is the sort of person that should be admired and respected not only for his athletic and acting (let's just think about Jeffrey here...) accomplishments but for his strength and courage. For someone who used to have such a distorted self-perception he grew into a rather wise and very beautiful man. He tells his life story with such compassion, humour, and care that it's difficult to believe he used to think so poorly of himself.
   
   This man is one of my role models and I highly suggest that anyone and everyone read this book.



4. It took a lot of guts for Greg Louganis to reveal his gayness to his family and to the public. I remember when it happened, how surprised I was. A little angry too- I didn't approve of such a lifestyle at the time. Reading these memoirs made me appreciate the struggle he and other gays go through. As an African-IN-America, I have my own struggle, so I could certainly relate. The book is inspiring because with all the hardships, Greg Louganis has found happiness. All struggles should yield such results! Power to you Greg!



5. Breaking the Surface is an autobiography of Greg Louganis's life. Louganis talks about the problems he encountered throughout his life and how he had to overcome them. He also talked about his accomplishments. His friends and family were there along the way, to protecting him from the world and the ones who tried to manipulate him. In this book Greg Louganis displays acts of courage and a true sense of self.
   Louganis did a nice job writing his autobiography because he discussed his ups and downs. He didn't try to make himself look better than what he was. He just told the truth even if it was dissatisfying. Breaking the Surface has its flaws, like reading points of his life that maybe you didn't want to know about. Many people can relate to this book and Louganis was a one of a kind athlete that should be honored and held high. After reading Breaking the Surface you will appreciate your life and have more respect for other people and what they go through.

5 comments about The Climb of My Life: Scaling Mountains with a Borrowed Heart.

1. Kelly's story is one of humor, laughter, pain, tears, and totally inspirational. Ever feel down and out? Read Kelly's story - it is uplifting knowing that one can reach death's portal, only to turn back and say "I've got mountains to climb." When you think things can't get any worse - read Kelly's story. Life gives each of us obstacles to overcome. Kelly has done so with grace, good humor, determination, with a husband encouraging her every step of the way, and with gratitude for the gift from a donor.



2. Thank you Kelly and Craig for such a wonderful, inspirational account of your lives. This has truly changed me in a very positive way. My priorities and outlook are back in the proper perspective. I do not know that I would have handled everything as positively as you two, and pray I will never have to find out.
   This book should be read by everyone. It provides a very unique perspective into personal motivation, unbelievable drive, and magnificient teamwork.
   WONDERFUL !



3. I have just finished Kelly's book The Climb of My Life and am left truly inspired... It is an amusing, poignant, and motivating read that reminds us all that each life is to be cherished and lived to the fullest capacity. Insightful and inspiring, I have mentioned this book in many discussions, as I feel any and every person can benefit from reading Kelly's story. One of the many sentiments I want to incorporate into my own life is greeting your loved one at the end day with "what was the best part of your day?" automatically creating a positive round of communication as opposed to the typical "how was your day?" which often leads to dwelling on the negative. I have taken Kelly's book to heart - I catch myself referring to Kelly and Craig's attitude "well, it could have been worse" when I encounter trivial irks, and then find myself consciously acknowledging how great life truly is. Kelly's personal narrative left me smiling, my eyes misty, and a genuine tug at my heart. Her emotional and physical strength is truly admirable, as is her adoring husband who never let her give up.



4. This is an amazing story about medical miracles, undaunted courage, steely determination, steadfast love, and ultimate triumph. While most of us won't face the sorts of challenges described here, there are many lessons to be learned. The inspiration of Kelly's story is a gift. If you want an exciting story about real adventure, this book is for you. If nothing else, this book should inspire every one to become an organ donor.



5. It's not every day...
   It's not every day you come across two people with such unconditional love and devotion for each other; it's not every day you come across someone who is able to embrace courage, hope, and determination with death staring her in the face; it's not every day you come across someone who has turned "giving back" into their main mission in life; and it's not every day you come across someone who has not only been given a second chance at life via a heart transplant but has lived a life which most can only dream to attain.
   
   "The Climb of My Life" is a well written, captivating journey that will be hard to put down. It reveals to the reader, through humor and tears, how Kelly has faced adversity and pursued her journey. I am inspired by her courage and strength to step out beyond my boundries. Thank you Kelly for this.

5 comments about Hurricane: The Miraculous Journey of Rubin Carter.

1. I loved this book almost as much as I loved the movie. For me it was one more step to tracking down the man, the legend. This is a wonderful book for anyone to read, from juveniles through senior citizens. The justice that eventually prevailed is of the feel good sort. It was such an incredible coming together of so many elements. I think that it should be included on recommended booklists in middle and elementary schools.



2. The life of Rubin Carter is certainly worth reading about regardless of what side of the debate you are on. Many people feel passionate about both his innocence and guilt. This book may help the reader decide for himself or herself, but it obviously has an innocent slant to it which the author makes known and makes no apologies.
   
   The story as many of you know involved the conviction of Rubin Carter and John Artis for a triple murder that took place at a bar in Patterson, NJ. The men always maintained their innocence much to the chagrin of prosecutors. Whether Rubin did this crime or not is besides the question considering he got released from a Federal Court over a writ of habeas corpus issue. The court did not rule on whether he was guilty or innocent even though he had been convicted twice before for the triple murders. The Supreme Court judge that decided to overturn the convictions cited a "racial revenge" motive and prosecutorial withhlding of information as reasons to overturn the case. Therefore, after many intense struggles with personal demons and many years in prison Rubin Carter was released a free man. The book recounts his troubled life as a juvenile, his violent temper, his prize-fighting boxing days, and his many years spent in different prison institutions. Apparently while in prison Carter transformed these former attributes by personal study and reflection. He found some people from a Canadian commune to help go to battle for him and eventually won his freedom. It's a powerful story with a few problem areas. One problem area is that there are so many legal meanderings throughout the book that you begin to feel as if you are undertaking a tedious chore sorting through all of it. You lose the zest and earnest interest you first had when you started the book. The other problem area is it's obviously a very opinionated book meant to portray Carter as an innocent man wronged by the system. However, after reading about Carter's past, his media provoking of local authorities, and his temper, I came away feeling very ambivalent. Whereas, I expected to become totally convinced of his innocence I began to feel I wasn't for sure. Nevertheless, it's a compelling story if you can get past the legal "John Grisham" feel of the book.
   
   Rubin Carter continues to fight to this day to overcome the hardness and emotional devastation he had thrust upon him while in prison. We learn that while he is thankful to be out he still has a long way to go to live the life he yearns for. To put to rest the demons bothering him (such as alcohol) and to be able to trust people is one of the great challenges he faces. One can only hope that justice was served in this instance and that he picks up what he has left of his life and makes the most of it.



3. I have read both this and Rubin Carter's own The 16th Round. There are some things that I believe on both sides of the story. I do believe that Rubin did have a violent juvenile past, and was an angry man. Yet, if a person who is facing oppression on a daily basis i'm sure you would tend to have violent tendancies as well; it's easy to make statements about a man's life when we are in a prosperous 21st century and not in the 1940 - 1950's. I do agree that the film does cut out the large part of Rubin's transformation from a violent individual to a more spiritual one.
   
   I am a young Australian who is not of the age to be around when Rubin Carter was set free. This case was so badly stuck together it provides a good look at the judicial system considering it kept an innocent man in jail for 19 years.
   
   And one of the most insulting facts of the case was that when Rubin was set free from jail in 1985, he was set free because of the biased and racial case that was built before him. NOT because he didn't do the crime. Makes me aggrovated.
   
   If you want a book that will open your mind and make you think independently, then buy this and the 16th Round straight away.



4. Before I read this bio my only knowledge of the Hurricane case was from what other's had told me. Based on that I always felt the guy was probably framed. After reading this bio, I feel he was probably guilty.
   
   By the first third of this book I found myself not liking Carter. It seemed obvious to me that this was a very angry and violent man who was also very dishonest. This book attempts to make a martyr of a man who seemed like trouble even before he was convicted of the alleged murder. It also attempts to explain away every bad thing this man did (and there were many) by trying to make him look like the victim.
   
   The author nor Carter never once admit to any wrong doing on Carter's part regardless of what it may be. If just ONCE Carter had taken responsibility for some of his nasty behavior and poor dealings with other folk, I may have had a more open mind. But this is a blatant attempt at reaching for excuses for every thing that went wrong in his life. Carter and the author want everybody to believe that Carter was the victim of frame-ups, conspiracies, and racism at every turn in his life. I was not convinced.
   
   The pattern that I found apparent in Carter's personality is that he only opened up to folks who could give him something he wanted and once he got it, he changed his personable and trusting come-on and threw them on the scrap heap. Often rationalizing his using of those who helped him by twisting it into some delusional offense against him. The best I can say for Carter is that he struck me as a very cunning con-man who ultimatley beat the system by using people for his own needs until he was portrayed in the main stream media as a martyr and a victim. I no longer buy into that portyrayel after reading this book.



5. I read this book and then saw the movie. This is a familiar formula for disappointment. The book is much better and richer than the movie. The movie portrays Carter as some kind of saint, deeply-principled, who is railroaded by the justice system. As the book reveals, Carter was a deeply troubled individual during the 1960's. Carter was a very angry person who seemed to antagonize authority. He was also an alcoholic and had selfish, chauvanistic attitudes towards women. These traits are overlooked in the film. In fact, the movie shows Carter a suave, kind person. The filmmakers probably skipped these aspects of Carter because they wanted the viewers to like Carter and root for him. In reality, Carter didn't seem a likeable person.
   HOWEVER, the fact that Carter was a troubled, angry person doesn't mean he's guilty of murder. Some people seem to invest their dislike of "hollywood justice" and the "cause celeb" aura surrounding this case, into convicting Carter for the murders. Don't confuse the issues. Carter was not a saint but he's still entitled to justice. Part of this book is the story of the unraveling of the prosecutor's case. As a federal district court found, the prosecutors withheld vital evidence from the defense - evidence which the defense was legally entitled to. The prosecutors also resorted to prejudice during the trial to persuade the jury of Carter's guilt. This is the so-called racial revenge theory advanced by the prosecution.
   The other important and most fascinating part of the book is the transformation of the man. During his prison sentence, Carter transforms himself, with the help of others, from an angry, troubled individual to a much kinder and complete human being. The movie, by overlooking Carter's bad traits, robs the viewer of this incredible growth of one person.
   My advice is to skip the movie and read this excellent book.

5 comments about Juicy: Confessions of a Former Baseball Wife.

1. ...but then you're left with a bad taste in your mouth.
   
   I've read a few of these autobiographies from trophy wives of stars and they're pretty much all the same, and all have the same themes. Let me sum this book (and about 3 others) up for you, to save you some time:
   - Don't hate me because I'm beautiful, I had a tough childhood
   - It's really, really difficult for me because no one takes me seriously, because I am just so much prettier than everyone else
   - I spend more on clothes, beauty products, and spa treatments each month than 5 average families spend on food and rent
   - The only wage-paying job I've ever had involved me showing off my amazing body, but again, don't hate me because I'm beautiful
   - I really thought my incredibly handsome husband who couldn't keep his pants zipped for FIVE MINUTES before we were married would be faithful to me! And I was totally heartbroken when he cheated!
   - Even though I ditch my kid(s) with the nanny every chance I get, my children are my life! And I am such a great mother I could win awards!
   - I would LOVE to get a real job and support myself like a normal person, but going back to school is just too hard, so I'll keep living off the alimony, thanks. That is, until I can find a new rich guy to pick up the tab of my incredibly shallow and image-focused lifestyle.
   
   Yawn. Jessica Canseco obviously has some big issues with Jose and wants to make him look bad, but just makes herself look like a gold-digging bimbo. I mainly read this looking for some kind of input from a baseball wife on the whole steroids-in-baseball issue but all I got out of this about that was: people in baseball do steroids. I did learn a lot about how baseball wives have tons of unnecessary plastic surgery when they get bored.
   
   I will say that Jessica does seem self-aware about the shallowness of her life in some points, but in others just seems completely self-absorbed and clueless. The book was very obviously ghostwritten, and despite that, the platitudes and therapy-speak still get very old fast.
   
   I think books like this are valuable for one reason, and that is to serve as cautionary tales for women who follow celebrity men around thinking they are one wild night away from the good life. Jessica may have been rich but her life seems incredibly empty and devoid of meaning to me. No wonder these trophy wives are so anxious to have kids - they probably need something, ANYTHING, to latch onto to give their lives some kind of shape or meaning. If this is grabbing the brass ring, I'm happy to be living in the slow lane of life because no amount of money is worth giving up your self-respect, in my opinion. It's too bad so many other women don't feel the same way.



2. Juicy is an appropriate title for this book. A great read for the beach. No, it's not deep and insightful, but rather, fun and trashy. Highly recommended!



3. Who probably wish they could look half as good as Jose's ex-wife. While her tale wasn't the most profound or riveting, it wasn't anything to scoff at, either. Unless you people have walked in similar shoes, shut the hell up with your judgments - what was it Jesus said? Let he who is without sin cast the first stone? Or something like that, but you get the point.
   
   It's funny how women get blamed for a men's misbehavior, even though Jessica ADMITS that she was addicted and co-dependent on her relationship to Jose. We forgive drugs addicts, alcoholics, even gambling addicts, yet when a woman, and an attractive one at that, is stuck in a rut, she receives the big brush off, is labeled a gold-digger, a bimbo, an idiot, she should have "known better," etc etc etc....Yet everyone else is entitled to forgiveness, compassion, and understanding.
   
   I found the former Mrs. Canseco's story to be of some use as perhaps another woman in a simiar situation will recognize the signs and bail out before her own self esteem spirals further downward. One thing you petty naysayers need to remember is how young she was when she met him. How many times do we hear of the influential older man taking a naive woman as his partner and molding her into what suits his needs? A man with a healthy self esteem would want to find an equal partner, not a young, unsuspecting female he can crap on. (Another similar scenario would be OJ and Nicole Simpson). Yet Jessica is blamed for being an unsuspecting woman, then a (co-dependent) addict, and she still gets reamed for trying to find her own way (whether it be posing in Playboy or writing this book).
   
   As for the comments on being an unfit mother, and the reviewer who wrote that Jose would make a better parent only because he did steroids, you have got to be kidding. Another case of misogyny and sexism - does the same reviewer blame Nicole Brown Simpson for her own murder and the murder of Ron Goldman?
   
   Maybe Jessica is cashing in on the Canseco name, but after all she's been through, I say she is well deserving of doing so.
   
   Also, if you are going to judge someone by their recreational drug use and sexual exploits, I suggest you move out of the country, hell, move off the planet and colonize one of your own - news for you - a lot of people experiment and it doesn't make them UNFIT or BAD and in fact, I admire her candor for coming out because it is an integral part of the story and relates to how BAD she felt about herself, and how she used drugs to escape and tried to save her marriage by pleasing Jose.
   
   However, I suspect it's a case of the pot calling the kettle black.
   
   I will sum up this review by saying that while the book was enjoyable and a fast read, I do wish I had saved my money by going to the library instead of purchasing it. As I stated, it wasn't groundbreaking enough to part of my book collection.



4. From the Playboy pics, it looks like she is on steroids, too. Trophy wife, but aren't trophies made of plastic?



5. I bought this book because I already knew what Jose had to say, but wanted to hear what Jessica had say. The 1st half of the book she said absolutely nothing except repeat how she would catch Jose cheating, they would fight, break up, and get back together again. In fact she just repeats this throughout the whole book. How many times can you read the same story before you get bored?? You really get to the point where you just want to slap her and knock some sense into her for being so stupid.
   
   I really dont know why I kept reading this book. I kept hoping something eventfull would happen, but it never really did. I wouldnt recommend this book unless you want to hear an ex-wifes story about how her husband cheats on her and abuses her in a never ending cycle of 230+ pages

3 comments about Playing Through: Straight Talk on Hard Work, Big Dreams, and Adventures with Tiger.

1. (...)
   9th English
   24 March 2006
   "Playing Through"
   In the book "Playing Through" written by Earl Woods telling how to play through life's challenges, to dream big, and to work hard.
   "Playing Through means getting down to business, not letting anything get in your way, dealing with the task at hand, and accomplishing your goals." Tiger had to go through lots of racial discrimination when he first became a pro golfer. His father Earl Woods went through some of the same things when he was a young man. His father was the first African-American to play in the Big Eight Conference, Which is a Baseball League. So he also had to play through all of the racial discrimination.
   Dream Big, that is what Tiger Woods has been doing seen he was a little boy. Earl wanted him to be a baseball player like himself, but Tiger had other plans. Tiger wanted to be a golfer; he has been playing golf since he was around the age of three, when he was hitting balls in his garage. Then at the age of eleven he beat his dad for the first time 71 to 72.
   Work Hard, even though Tiger is a pro at what he does he still has to practice at his game. He really had to work hard at his game when he was younger or he would not be as good as he is now. Working hard also goes into playing through if he could not focus on his own game he could not play as good as he does.



2. Who was the man who was behind Tiger Woods to mold and shape him into the champion that he is today? The answer is Earl Woods, Tiger's father, friend and confidant. Playing Through is Earl Woods' own biography of what it is like to be the father of one of golf's greatest stars. One would expect a cohesive and comprehensive story about Earl's life and that of his son. Instead you are presented with a man who is uncapable of seperating himself from the persona of his son. Earl Woods spends the majority of the time speaking about his son rather than himself. How strange, since the book is supposed to be about Earl Woods. Unfortunately it ends up as a promotional text about Tiger.

   Earl Woods is a man who dealt with many obstacles in his life. As a teenager he lost his parents, struggled with a career choice, dealt with the racism in the Army and a failed marriage. Then after his divorce and remarriage a child was born and Earl devotes his life to him even at the expense of his own marriage. At this juncture we hear no more about Earl. Tiger becomes the focus which is a shame since Earl's life is far more interesting.

   Throughout the work Earl tends to put people on a pedestle to the point where they become unreal ( his mother, his brother-in-law, and the orignial Tiger, his friend). He is defensive about any criticism about his son and doesn't tell us much about his relationship with his other children. Earl is so emeshed in his youngest son's identity that he becomes a bore. Surely he could have told us more about himself rather than going on and on and on about Tiger.

   Despite his faults Earl Woods raises some interesting questions regarding the role of the NCAA on student athletes. He intimates that the NCAA controls the athletes who make money for their schools but receive nothing in return. Earl also shows the impact that Tiger's status has made on the game. Tiger's presence has made the game more accessible to people, raised the purses, tightened security and inspired more minority children as well as their parents to take up the game. Tiger's impact is immeasurable as he continues his career.

   If you can tolerate Earl's egotistical meanderings and defensive posture, the book is a good lesson in how not to make the mistakes Earl made and become a better parent. It is filled with Tiger's triumphs and challenges. Earl comes across as your controlling parent of an exceptional and talented player. It is worth the read for those who are Tiger fans and collectors of books written about thim.




3. From this book, I get the feeling that Earl Woods is one of the most egotistical people I have ever come across. He does nothing but talk about how good he is at this, how good he is at that, what he did to bring up Tiger, etc. He even says his separation from his wife Tida is due to affluence, not that they are simply separated. Also, he takes no responsibility for anything that has ever happened to him. Every negative experience in his life was due to him being a minority. Give me a break.

   He also feels the NCAA was out to get he and his precious Tiger. NCAA rules are rules, just like in golf. Get over it. Tiger was not treated any differently than any other college athlete. Tiger was offered a country club membership at the Olympic Club while he was at Stanford, and Earl can't figure out why the NCAA wouldn't let him take it. Because, believe it, or not...Tiger has to live under the same rules as everyone else on this planet.

   I do have to say the book is an easy read, and keeps you interested, but only because Earl's "thumb on my back" mentality keeps you laughing.

4 comments about Heart of Gold (Positively for Kids).

1. I thought that Heart of Gold was a good biography based book for school aged kids. It was an easy read for the elementary early middle school kids and it had a good positive message throughout. Kerri talked about her struggles with not only gymnastics but being away from family, jealosy between teammates, and self doubt and insecurities that everyone has at some time in their lives. She teaches through her book that if you stay true to yourself, you will always win out in the end. I recommend this book to any gymnast who loves the sport of gymnastics.



2. This was a great biography of Kerri Strug, though it was meant for a younger audience and reading level, it was still very appealing. It included many great pictures, and her biography. I think all Kerri Strug fans will enjoy the book, nevertheless how old they are. Great book, awesome pictures!



3. This was a very enjoyable book even if you are not a gymnastics fan. It tells how she rose to the top and about her injuries along the way. I think everyone should read this book!



4. KERRI WON AMERICA'S HEART IN '96 AND CONTINUES TO STUN MEZMERIZE AND INTRIGUE M