5 comments about Home Ice: Reflections on Backyard Rinks and Frozen Ponds.

1. Even if you live in a climate that will never allow you to build a backyard rink, this wonderful little book should be read. In a age where youth sports are increasingly dominated by organization and structure and where the attraction of video games keeps kids inside on even the nicest of days, this book takes us to a place where play is unstructured, where one can lose themself in the early morning hours or under the stars, where family and friends can gather to play, skate and even sometimes compete, where the rituals of building, maintaining and disassembling the rink mark the passage of time.
   
   Ultimately this book is as much about a family and a bond between them as is it about ice skating or hockey. Read, enjoy and take something away from the experience.



2. A good easy read. A must have for hockey fans in New England and for builders of backyard hockey rinks. Not a big reader, but I couldn't put this on down. Very well written.



3. WE took our rink down a few weeks ago, I cant wait for next years ice. In the mean time I will read this again for about the 50th time!



4. I have to say in my 28 years of being alive I can count on one hand the amount of books I have read on my own. But I recieved this book from my wife for christmas this year. I guess she had hopes on me reading more. Well she was right. I picked up the book thrusday morning about 11:00 am and finished it that afternoon. I really enjoyed reading this book. It actually took me back to when I was really young and skated on a small lake my grandparents lived on in Kinston Ontario. I feel almost compelled to build my own rink in my back yard this winter. I won't but it would be great to do it.
   Thanks



5. I have been enchanted by this book. A newcomer to hockey, as both fan and player, I have been soaking up information and lore eagerly. This book satisfies both the urge to learn about hockey, and my wish to experience more of the true joy of the game. Taken out of the huge arenas with the expensive nachos and plentiful beer, there is a game that generations have loved to play and perfect. There are kids playing here, and adults, men and women. There are friends who help shovel the backyard rink, and those who show up later. And there are stories of other backyard rinks, of ponds, and of pros. If you like hockey, I don't see how you could go wrong with this book.

5 comments about Around The World On Two Wheels: Annie Londonderry's Extraordinary Ride.

1. Annie Kopchovshy decided to ride around the world on a bike. So she changed her name to Annie Londonderry, conned half the planet in helping her ride around the world, mostly on trains and steamboats, and made money while doing it. An interesting story? Why, yes. An amazing woman? Yes. Smart? Yes. Amoral? Sure. A con artist? Yes. Did she lie and cheat and act self centered? Yes. Did she leave behind her husband and kids during her travels? Yes.
   Interesting, daring, and a great piece of history.



2. Instead of running to buy this book, bicycle there! I could not stop reading the story, and finished it over the weekend based upon my father's enthusiastic recommendation. What an amazing true story Peter Z. has discovered, digging from his family tree. This would make a blockbuster movie. It would secure at least an oscar nomination for the lucky actress who gets the role of Annie Londonberry, perhaps someone such as Natalie Portman?
   Mr. Zheutlin is an erudite story teller and I can't wait to read his next book.
   R. Bornstein, Ft Lauderdale, FL



3. "Around the World on Two Wheels" is the fascinating and highly amusing tale of how Annie Kopchovsky, a Jewish immigrant and mother of three living in Boston in the 1890s, singlehandedly reinvented herself as "Annie Londonderry," the subject of a high stakes wager over whether it was possible for a woman to cycle around the world. While the wager and much of Annie's recollection of her journey is apocryphal, she did succeed in circling the globe, all the time spinning fantastic travel tales to willing and gullible newspapermen.
   
   Zheutlin has done a marvelous job in researching the tale of Annie, a distant relative, and also in separating the facts from the many fictions she put forward. He also puts Annie's groundbreaking journey in the proper historical/societal context.
   
   A great read that will appeal to a large cross section of readers.



4. An extraordinary story! Peter Zheutlin, a descendant of Annie Londonderry's brother, has researched and written her incredible adventure. With all her claims, her outrageous self-promotion, her character flaws, Annie Londonderry has emerged again as one of modern women's most outstanding pioneers and role models. Her story--and this book--is inspiring, fun, and memorable. It is a stiring tale of one woman's incredible adventure, a provocative and thoughtful example of women's suffrage, and a tale of the Old West rarely investigated today. It is not only a must read, but a must have.



5. This true story of Annie (Kopchovsky)Londonderry is an exhilarating and fascinating romp through history with a companion the reader can't help but admire for her gumption, cleverness, and determination.
   
   Annie was the first woman to ride her bicycle around the world, possibly as part of a contest. It's just as likely, however, that she fabricated an excuse to travel because she felt claustrophobic, trapped within the societal constraints placed on women during the Victorian era. The author, Peter Zheutlin, writes Annie's story with tenderness (he's a descendent of Annie's, but I suspect he would do so regardless), yet also with appropriate skepticism and rich historical detail. (Read the endnotes!)
   
   While following in the wake of her fierce independence and almost reckless energy, the reader also explores the impact Annie's journey had on the advancement of women's rights, as well as uncomfortable questions it posed about traditional roles - including her own role as wife and mother.
   
   I'm recommending "Around the World on Two Wheels" for my book club selection next month. We'll have plenty of issues to discuss, and we'll get to do so in the company of one incredibly memorable character -- Annie Londonderry.

2 comments about Giggs: The Autobiography.

1. My husband loves ManU and I am a Liverpool fan. We got Gerrard's autobio and Gigg's. Gerrard's is by far more interesting and better written. Though both players are already legends and we adore them, get Gerrard's book for a better read. Gerrard speaks a lot about ManU players so you won't be disappointed if you are a ManU fan.



2. Gigg's biography is very readable. It's written in a conversational style, almost like you're having a beer with the guy and he's telling you his story. He's candid and good-natured and comes across as a humble, likable person. It will undoubtedly become a classic as he will eventually surpass Sir Bobby Charlton's all-time appearance record for Man Utd later this season.
   
   Every dedicated Man Utd fan would appreciate this book.

5 comments about Beautiful Jim Key: The Lost History of a Horse and a Man Who Changed the World.

1. Great story !! An amazing story of a Great horse and a really great horse "teacher" !! Very informative I had never heard of Jim Key and I'm very glad the story finally got told, I just wish I could have seen him do his "thing"



2. This is not your ordinary horse story. You will be asked to believe some pretty surprising things, and my guess is that you will believe them - even if you're as hard-boiled as my Aunt Idena's Easter eggs.
   This is a horse story, in the same way that the film "Seabiscuit" is a horse story. But it is also a fascinating snapshotof the life of a man of color. It describes the situations, attitudes and dangers that he had to contend with from his beginnings as a slave in the pre-Civil War South, to his rise to celebrityhood alongside his famous horse in post-Civil War America.
   It is a look at an astonishing bond between a man and a horse, and the far-reaching changes they brought about in thousands who experienced in person the wonder of their special relationship. How Dr. Key and the titular horse brought about, in large measure, the rise of the animal-rights movement, and helped thousands of African Americans to achieve fair and equal treatment in education and other areas make for fascinating reading.
   This book is an eye-opening delight. It is a must-read for anyone interested in horses, animal intelligence, the struggle for equality by African Americans in this country, and anyone interested in the history of America.



3. This story of a good man who made a good life for himself, his family and his animals, built from circumstances that were to say the least, less than the best, is a case study in human nature.
   
   I cannot help but contrast Dr. Key with Michael Vic. Key was a man born into slavery and from that experience, chose to treat all life with respect. He and his horse became a catalyst for the change in public sentiment that came as a result of his goodness toward animals and activity the American Humane Movement. Michael Vic who, when also given a life of plenty, choose the opposite path. It seems to be a sad commentary.
   
   I must heartily endorse the book. It is a good story and a good read.



4. I found this story an interesting story about race relations and progress in teaching society about kindness to animals at the turn of the 19-20th century -- after I got through the heavy emphasis on commercialsim. However, the heavy thread of commercialism that ran throughout was very off-putting to me -- probably it was a big thread in the author's source materials. She tried to present the story with the exploitation of Jim Key's talents as a key to acceptance of kindness of animals in our society as a main theme -- but I saw that as more of a side benefit of the humans' desire to become wealthy -- a "gimmick" used to further the commercialization of Jim Key. To me altruism truly exists only where the primaries are not attempting to gain anything for themselves, whether that be money, reputation, or praise. Hence this story is about commercialization, not altruism. Now it is true that Bill Key highly valued kindness to animals and that he was uncompromising about the right of Jim Key to enjoy the wealth too -- and that was a great and unusual characteristic at that time (and probably still is today) -- but it does not change the fact that commercialization seems to me to be the main theme of the story. In fact the author seems to make more points about the promoter's innovative commercializations than she does about the progress of teaching kindness to animals.



5. Both Jim Key and Dr. Key were beautiful! What a lovely story...even better because it's true. Mim Rivas' research is extensive and detailed. It's good that a documentary is in the works...so that others will know the story...and perhaps read the book.

5 comments about Life at Full Draw: The Chuck Adams Story.

1. I have been reading Chuck Adams articles since the late 80's. I have always enjoyed his writting style. It was nice to get more information about the person behind the articles. If you want to know more about Chuck Adams the person I would highly recommend this book. It is nice to see how much work is involved with doing his job, it is not all about the hunting.
   
   If you want to learn more about hunting I would read another book or article by Chuck Adams.



2. This is a great easy reading book for anyone interested in Chuck, or Archery, or hard work and inspiration.
   
   I had no idea of the hard work it took to finalize the incredible super-slam. I thought the book brought out some great insider stuff into the world of archery politics etc.
   
   I applaud Chuck for his courage and determination.
   I applaud Ted Nugent for his in your face attitude and for standing up for Chuck with his words. Ted Rules!
   
   If you want an easy read with a lot of neat hunting stuff and archery stuff to inspire you to make your own hunts better I suggest you pick this one up.



3. I highly recommend "Life at Full Draw," because it tells a lot more about the life of Chuck from boyhood through his Super Slam! Reading these hunting adventures makes a bowhunter dream about some of these hunts. I felt that this book was much better than Super Slam, because I got to know who Chuck Adams is and how he thinks. I have tried contacting him through a magazine, but have not heard back from him. I'm not sure how to take that, did he not get my message, is he to busy to respond, or is he simply ignoring me? I highly recommend this book!



4. Chuck Adams. Any archer who doesn't know the name of the most prominent bowhunter today -- the one with the trademark smile and knit cap, the one often mentioned in the same breath as Howard Hill, Fred Bear and other archery luminaries -- isn't paying attention.
   
   Adams has definitely earned his place in bowhunting history, and anyone who is intrigued by what it takes to have his amazing success wonders "Could anyone be this good?" This book, an authorized biography, seeks to answer that question.
   
   One thing this book lacks is an index. Readers are always well-served by a good index so that people, places and events that the author found important enough to include can be easily referenced. A timeline would also be helpful in biographies. Those minor deficiencies aside, if you're wondering how this Superman with a stick and string has done it, this book will tell you.



5. As an avid bowhunter, I felt obligated to purchase and read this book. I first read of Mr. Adam's taking of all 29 North American big game animals years ago in the NRA's American Hunter magazine.
   Since then, I've been slowly making my own run at the "super slam", but by recurve bow shot instinctivly. This is my weapon of choice.
   
   Mr. Adams is occasionally embroiled in the traditional vs modern debate, and has no qualms about stating his opinion. He feels the sighted, compound bow is a superior weapon, and he feels that taking 60 yard shots is acceptable if the archer is skilled enough. I disagree, but I was able to set this aside as I read the book. I wanted to "get inside" the man, learn about his mortal strengths and weaknesses, hear more about his missed shots and bad shots (we all make them, whether we are longbow shooters, compound shooters, or SEAL snipers), learn more about his life outside bowhunting, etc.
   
   Unfortunately, very little of this was revealed. I suspect Mr. Adams is a very private man, or perhaps aloof. After reading the book, I tried to contact him for some advice or little bits of wisdom on how I might continue my own super slam quest. While I never heard back from him, the three other bow hunters who have also achieved the super slam quickly contacted me and shared some pearls.
   
   Life At Full Draw reads more like a catalogue of hunts. After a while, the stories are all pretty much the same. Those of us who have hunted for years and have had the opportunity to take, by bow and arrow, muskox, brown bears, bison, etc. need something deeper. Here is where the personal insights, the private thoughts, the ponderings and self doubts, etc. should be liberally sprinkled into the prose. It would have made for much better reading, and frankly would have greatly served bow hunting, which is now under rabid attack by anti-hunters.
   
   I did come away with a genuine respect for Mr. Adam's focus, intensity, and drive. However, the book presents him as too one-dimensional. He must be more complex.
   
   If one commissions, or is asked for, a biography, one is obligated to open up and share. We, the readers, can and should expect this.
   
   Thomas M. Basch, MD

3 comments about Sidney Crosby: Taking the Game by Storm.

1. You will not enjoy this book unless you are a fan of Hockey! I read this book after about half a season of Hockey and seeing Crosby play. This book is a great way to learn about an up coming star (which you can see through his play). I would recommend this book to anyone that really loves the game of Hockey!



2. If you are a huge hockey fan, with knowledge about players and teams, new and old, throughout Canada and at all age levels, you are the right person for this book. Reading about places, people, and teams that I didn't know anything about was very frustrating and made it hard to keep reading. A good portion of the book was just comparing Gretzky and Crosby. That was interesting, in moderation. I was looking for a book to tell all about Sidney Crosby and his trip to the NHL. This book has that, but it came along with a lot of extra stuff that was unnecessary.



3. OK, any time a new star pops up there is an author wanting to make a quick buck. I knew better than to jump on the first unofficial biography but did anyways. Like any book of this genre, the entire thing comes off as "I talked to someone who talked to someone who once knew Sidney and based on that we can deduce this...". It was clear from the author's account that they stalked the Crosby family for a period of time and despite that effort failed to gain any deep insights from Sidney or his family. This entire book could have been written after reading newspaper clippings and perhaps a 30 minute interview with Sidney. My recommendation - wait until Sidney lives up to the hype (and I suspect he will!) and then read his official biography.

5 comments about Caught Inside: A Surfer's Year on the California Coast.

1. I haven't finished the book yet, but as far as I am concerned, this book deserves all the 5 stars I gave it!
   I live in a place surrounded by mountains, where people are very narrow-minded, and distant sooo many miles from my beloved USA; therefore, I am always looking for a book that keeps me company during the cold months of winter that separates me from my summer vacation in California.
   I need this to keep my mind occupied, and I definitely enjoy books that can describe the coast and the deep feelings and believings of surfers so thoroughly.
   What I particularly appreciate about this book is the way he describes the surfing and other facts (history, sharks and otters ways of living, etc.) related to the life of a surfer.
   I definitely recommend this book, you gotta give it a try!



2. What a total waste of time this book was. I read, or should I say endured, about 60-pages of it before wanting to throw it out a closed window. No story-line, just some incoherent ramblings. He would have been better to take the year off and do a creative writing course.



3. This book is ok - not excellent - if you give it 5 stars you really need to read some more books. It is somewhat interesting in describing the life of a surfer but its extremely repetitive, it drags on and its lacking in any action and that certain something that seperates the wheat from the chafe.
   
   You can almost feel the editor saying we need to spice this up - what about sharks - so there are forays into sharks and surfers. It gets ridiculous when he writes about being scared to pee in the water because a great white will smell it and come in and chomp you. Yes - that is really a huge concern I think 100 surfers were eaten by great whites last after they peed in the ocean.
   
   If you are going to read this book - read the first few chapters and then put it down because the book, you won't miss anything later on - except for silly shark myths.



4. Look, If you want to read a book about the important aspects of life, more important than making money and going to school (sure it seems impossible and even I have fallen into the monotonous doldrum of capitalist existance) read this memoir. It will teach you life. I've read it 3 times over the past year and each time my yearning for the coast grows. Unfortunately I'm stuck in Cleveland, Ohio and all I have are dreams and books.



5. Daniel Duane got it right in "Caught Inside". I know the neighborhood well and the town and coast that the author describes. I am a local. It is a time and place well observed and thoughtfully related. If you don't surf, don't be put off by the title. It is even better if you do surf, as you will recognize some of the characters in the book and the rich experiences in the water. With wry wit and enthusiasm, the tale unfolds of a year spent in the pure pursuit of living. By the way, it's freezing here, the surf sucks and the water is full of sharks.

5 comments about Inside the Lion's Den.

1. Ken Shamrock is very compelling figure who should of been anything less than a champion. He tells the story of how can make a difference to you and you are able pick yourself up from there.



2. I had two Gracie Jiu-Jitsu books, but there was always one thing that bothered me about their philosophy and approach, they always make it seem as if all you need is really good technique and nothing else matters, and I just can't agree with their idea that weight training and muscle power aren't really that important? I think having a strong body is equally important to good technique so I thought maybe Ken Shamrock's book would incorporate that more (obviously by looking at his body that must be part of his training) Sure enough this book gave me what I was looking for, some insight into how a power wrestler/fighter goes about things. If you are sick of the wimpy Gracie way then this gives you some good perspective on the power game.



3. 
   This book will not only intrigue fans of all types of fighting styles that Ken Shamrock has competed in, it will also serve as a source of motivation and inspiration for all.
   The book is creatively and effectively divided into two parts. The first half is ghost written, or at least co-authored, and chronicles Ken's life. It is a brief, yet very thorough and captivating life story.
   
   The second half is a nuts and bolts introduction to all aspects of competing in mixed martial arts - from eating to strength training to technique.
   
   "Inside The Lion's Den" is more than just a book about a tough guy who won some fighting contests and became a pro wrestler. "Inside The Lion's Den" delves deep into the trials and tribulations that chronicle Ken's awkward upbringing. His childhood was far from, "The Cosby Show" yet it is explained in a way that is quite unlike most biographies of high profile stars that claim of such horrible childhood life.
   
   Too often are we subjected to a "Where Are They Now" documentary by some celebrity telling us that they were mentally abused, or how their horribly painful past forced them into a drug plagued life. Ken Shamrock doesn't mirror this all to common pattern. He simply tells about his life - and it doesn't appear to be one that most of us would have wanted at times.
   
   The second half of the book can, and will, put any reader who isn't a professional athlete or combatant into shape. One will be surprised at the amount of inside information that Shamrock shares. I've met many mixed martial artists and several of them couldn't complete the training regimen that is covered here.
   
   Some have belittled Shamrock for having the book co-authored, but that is a very unfair criticism. Ken Shamrock is a master fighter - an athlete - a competitor. He has a great story to share with us. Does any of that make him qualified to transfer that to paper and deliver it in a manner that is entertaining and interesting? No.
   
   That is no disrespect to Ken. He is a master at what he does. And he is very smart for having a co-author. I would assume that Ken, and most of you, have an accountant prepare your taxes. We all bring in experts to handle tasks for us. There is no shame in that.
   
   Professional wrestlers have amazing stories to tell and they are finally being shared with us all.



4. This is a great book for early history points of the UFC and to give an idea of some of the training that goes into this type of fighting, but the rivalry with Dan Severn is mis-portrayed.
   
   There have been so many different accounts as to why Ken lost this fight on the internet, some from his (Ken's) own students that I don't believe any of them anymore since there have also been similar stories as to why he lost to Fujita, Franklin, Frye, etc. I acknowledge his contribution to fighting but using Severn as the foil of this book is a mistake, as is taking shots at Royce Gracie. Severn is an all American respectful man, and his main beef with Shamrock has always been steroid allegations (make your judgement there yourself keeping baseball in mind). Also, most of the derogatory quotes about Dan come from his ex-manager who he fired so keep that in mind when reading.
   
   This was an entertaining book and Shamrock is quite the dangerous fighter, as well as a champion for the sport itself, if you havent seen his televised debate with John McCain, yes that John McCain you should. I just think some spin was put in for dramatic effect that puts a negative light on some people that are undeserving. I would have been just has entertained by Ken's background and experiences without the fluff.



5. Ken Shamrock is a living legend and his book is a classic. Get it! It has submission grappling history, conditioning, nutritional advice, and holds.
   
   If I learned one thing while publishing my own book, "The Authoritative Encyclopedia of Scientific Wrestling", it was this, people should give credit where credit is due:
   
   "Inside the Lion's Den" was published one full year before any other book on Karl Gotch-style conditioning existed. It clearly and in plain language shows you how to do hindu squats, hindu push-ups, and neck bridging exercises and much much more. It is very comprehensive and talked about solid weight lifting routines too.
   
   Bottom line: if you like submission grappling Inside The Lion's Den is essential to have in your library.

5 comments about A Necessary Spectacle: Billie Jean King, Bobby Riggs, and the Tennis Match That Leveled the Game.

1. she changed the world that nite. read this to know how.



2. Some interesting archaeology about the now nearly forgotten King-Riggs tennis match. Roberts, of the NYT, brings to life how important this thing seemed at the time, even though it all looks decidedly quaint today. Where the author goes off is when she tries to relate this to the federal Title 9 law on equality for women in sports. It's a bit forced, even if valid. Perhaps it's the book's herky-jerky structure that is just not nuanced enough to make this work. She also includes some interesting background about the Williams sisters, the relevance being that they later reaped what Billie Jean King sowed, financially. Maybe so. In the end, Riggs comes off more sympathetic than pathetic, and King is a bit too deified. Still, this is some high quality social history about an episode whose effects still have an echo.



3. The subtitle of this book 'the Tennis Match that Leveled the Game' isn't quite strong enough. This single match, called the 'Battle of the Sexes' was far, far more than a tennis match, and the aftereffect was far, far more than levelling the tennis game.
   
   For a tennis standpoint, before The Match womens tennis was not a serious sport. The women played, but almost by themselves. The money, the sponsors, television, the fame wasn't there. After it was all there.
   
   From a legal standpoint, The Match put power behind Title IX that required equal funding in schools for men and womens atheletic programs. From the overall women's rights viewpoint The Match was in 1973, so was Row v. Wade.
   
   Ms. Roberts is a sports columnist. This training gives her a newspaper like writing style that is very well suited to the subject she is covering here. The book reads almost like a novel, an excellent novel but also conveys the impact of The Match that changed women's sports forever.



4. I'VE FOLLOWED BJK'S CAREER SINCE SHE WON HER 1ST WIMBLEDON TITLE IN 1961! THIS BOOK GIVES YOU A VERY CANDID LOOK INTO THE LIFE OF THIS GREAT TENNIS LEGEND, THE STUGGLES SHE FOUGHT BOTH PERSONAL & PUBLIC.
   INTERSTING DETAILS ON THE BATTLE OF THE SEXES WITH BOBBY RIGGS AND HIS LIFE.
   AN EASY ENJOYABLE READ FOR ANYONE, BUT ESP. FOR TENNIS FANS FROM THE 60'S70'S ON!



5. I loved this book! I'm not a huge tennis fan so as I began reading, I was shocked at how quickly this story pulled me in and kept me fascinated. It's about so much more than tennis. The personalities and motivations of Billie Jean and Bobby were so thoroughly explored that as this spectacle of a match was becoming imminent, I could feel the pressure and the tension that must have been felt not only by them, but by many women and men in the 1970s as gender lines were being tested. This book did a great job of framing the importance of that one event, as circus-like as it was. Billie Jean and Bobby brought discussions of gender roles into people's living rooms that day and the consequences have paved the way for women and for the athletes we cheer on today. "A Necessary Spectacle" gave me new insight. Excellent!

No comments about Chic: The Extraordinary Rise of Ohio State Football and the Tragic Schoolboy Athlete Who Made It Happen.