5 comments about Ultimate High: My Everest Odyssey.

1. This guy is a total nut - driven beyond all reason - and it finely caught up with him after he finished this book - he's now dead. An unbelievable story of what a man can do if he is determined enough. It is not a great piece of literature but rather a great story that is made greater by the fact that it's true.



2. I enjoyed Kropp's story very much ~ I always find it fascinating to read about these type of experiences and about explorers who have such a fascinating drive to go to such extremes to attain their goals. Kropp's story is a unique one in that he sets SUCH high aspirations for himself (bicycle with no help from Sweden to climb Everest, then bicycle back again) then is maniacally headstrong about following through on his goals.
   
   Although I enjoyed his account, I was quite put off by his criticism of others and his opinions of what they were doing "wrong." And he had a LOT of opinions. It's his book and he can say whatever he want, however, it is just my feeling that this book would have benefited from Kropp staying with HIS story and HIS experiences and not veer off every other chapter to rag on others.



3. Göran Kropp was an extrodinary man. This book describes his crazy one man expedition to Mount Everest. I would have given it five start if it had been as good as the lecture he gave that I once attended. The book could have had more details about the amazing things that happened during his tríp. It is very inspiering and well worth reading though.



4. Goran Kropp's and David Lagercrantz's "Ultimate High: My Everest Odyssey" is an excellent autobiography of a climber. Kropp wisely chose to tell his story with the help of a professional writer, Lagercrantz. Kropp's book is liberally peppered with fascinating stories that leave one astonished. As with any autobiography, it is only an enjoyable read if you like the author. I found his spirit delightful.

   A bit more than half the book covers Kropp's own three attempts to summit Everest in the context of the much written about events of May 1996. Kropp adds interesting details to Jon Krakauer's classic account of the 1996 Everest tragedy, "Into Thin Air". Disturbingly, far too much of chapters ten and eleven of "Ultimate High" appear to be borrowed, in places with the almost same wording, from "Into Thin Air". Lagerkrantz acknowledged a debt to Krakauer at the back of the book. Perhaps this is customary in Sweden. Other than this problem of sometimes repeating or paraphrasing Krakauer, "Ultimate High" is a fun read.

   It would be valuable, if a second edition of this book could be published that includes a biography of Kropp after Everest until the end of his far too short life in 2002.




5. My wife and I saw Kropp at the Denver Museum of Nature and Science and we were so enthralled that we decided to see his lecture a second time! He is a very enjoyable, congenial, and has an attractive personality. I read the editorial reviews of his book, which were overall slightly disparaging of his elitism and the "ham-handed" story. I can't disagree more. If the reviewers heard him speak I bet they would change their tone.

   Kropp is a humble and likeable figure who deserves our admiration. I will follow his career as it progresses. Hats off to Kropp, a man who understands the importance of our natural environment.

   P.S. The book is great too. Too bad you can't have Kropp there to read it to you!

5 comments about Just Give Me the Damn Ball!: The Fast Times and Hard Knocks of an NFL Rookie.

1. I can't believe the hype surrounding this overhyped, overrated NFL receiver. To think , Jets could have had Marvin Harrison (a surefire hall of famer) instead of Keyshawn the 1996 draft.



2. Great guy! Mr. Johnson is gutsy. He's not afraid to take on the sacred cows of the NFL. His numbers would tell you that he is an above-average receiver, while Keyshawon will tell you that he's the best receiver of all time. Who's right? I'm not sure, but reading this book will have you laughing in recognition. What a ride! His infectious smile will melt your heart and his double-talk unedited stream of consciousness logic will confound you. I only hope that Mr. Johnson will finish his career in Canada or possibly NFL Europe, which appears where he's headed. By 2007. my guess. Thank you Key! Stay hot and don't let bad stats get you down. You're a winner in my book. Which, I'm thinking of titling "Keyshawon Johnson: Genius and Scholar."



3. First of all let me start off by saying that i'm not the biggest fan of Keyshawn, as a matter of fact he is probably my least favorite NFL player, I always found him to be arrogant, and this book just proved my point even more. The whole book he complains that he is not being paid enough, he hates on his coaches. When he gets the ball, I have yet soon him to put up the numbers he claims he can get. I always wondered why Shawn King was benched, even though he led tampa bay pretty far the season he started, I was not surprised to hear rumors that keyshawn had something to do with it. He proved in this book that its all about the money for him, not the love of the game. If I was a coach I would not want him on my team. The only thing I liked what Mr. Johnson had to say, especially with the new ruled that was pass allowing guys to enter the draft to play football without playing college football, is that there is nothing like playing college football. Again, this is just my opinion of Mr.JOhnson, I could be totally wrong, he could be the most humble player in the NFL.



4. Keyshawn Johnson's memoir, Just Give me the Damn Ball, is a chronicle of one man's journey to understand himself. The "Ball" as every reader of Johnson's prose understands, is not an actual leather ball, but a metaphor for the unnameable phatom that evades all of us, and the thing that can give us, if we could just get our hands on it, a true spiritual balance that could once and for all stop the longing we all feel and that some people attribute to our being made in the image of a creator to satisfy this creater's longing. Using a musical and lyrical style, he paints a portrait of the difficulties and obstacles faced by many of our young men in this country today. And he pulls no punches; make no mistake, Keyshawn writes like he plays: often dropping the "ball", but rarely failing to dwell in those small moments of triumph. While the narrative is first person, the voice Johnson achieves can give an impression of almost total detachment. He describes his battles as uphill conquests, relaying little detail other than those of his own ability to catch the "ball", though we all know no one can hold on to the ball forever. Johnson understands this, though he never comes to the point where he feels comfortable saying it. The idea that one thing, the ball in this case, can satisfy a being, one made of skin and nerves and thick red blood, is nothing new, but Johnson is able to breath life into it by creating a world where we, while, at our core, understanding that the grasp of one object could never satisfy our depths, the pursuit of this object could give a life purpose and, ultimately, could satisfy the pointed ends of the "ball" which would only leave the middle, and though the middle could never be satisfied, the pursuit of it all, the endless journey we put ourselves in, is one that will one day be rewarded. But when will we know for sure?



5. while i'm a big time Bills Fan i give Keyshawn Johnson madd Props for this Very Honest&Open Book.it details a Season&the Politics involved in the NFL.I'M Pulling for The Bills Vs Tampa Bay in The Superbowl.THe JEts were Dumb for Letting KeyShawn go.after what he had to deal with Growing up, The NFL is like Sesame Street by Comparison.

2 comments about Double Dunk: The Story Earl "The Goat" Manigault.

1. good seller, quick shipment, book in good condition. also recommend the book. it's a great story.



2. My son love's basketball. He is 18. He had to have this. Great gift for any basketball lovers in your life.

5 comments about The High Lonesome: Epic Solo Climbing Stories.

1. The picture on the cover and the fact that I enjoy John Long's writing is what motivated my to buy the book. I am a boulderer/rock climber who has done roped solo climbing in the past (using a Silent Partner self-belay device - a little plug for that device since it worked so well for me).
   
   I should have noticed the phrase "edited by John Long" on the cover. He didn't write this book - it is a collection of individual stories. That wasn't so bad because I enjoyed some of the writing.
   
   The problem I had was that the cover shows a rock climber but the book is mainly written about solo mountain climbers. I was more interested in rock climbers.
   
   If you are a mountain climber, or ice climber, then you may enjoy this book.
   
   I'd give this book 2 stars as a rock climber (since I think it was deceiving to show a rock climber on the cover), and 4 stars if I were a mountain climber. So, I'll average it out to 3 stars.



2. This is a collection of stories about climbing alone. Some of them are well written, some are a bit bland, but all of them are exciting. However, the appeal to non-climbers might be a bit limited, because it's hard to explain climbing's intensity to someone who hasn't been there.
   
   "Just don't fall!" said the soloist to himself.
   
   Oh, wait. That's redundant.



3. As a climber, you become comfortable with the uncomfortable, but that is because you have a rope between you and the great beyond. These stories become even more amazing when you think deeply and appreciatively of the mental control over fear that these individuals master, which goes beyond the obvious physical mastery to climb solo. The stories give you a glimpse into the psyche of people who are true individuals. Whatever your view on their sanity or motivation, it is gripping stuff. One note, if you are John Long fan, this book is edited by Long, not written by him. But he combines great stories and insightful prologues.



4. Another great John Long compilation!! Read while on a business trip & could hardly put it down, really saved me from the travel boredom. Any climber can relate to the drama & excitement!



5. This is an easy, quick read that will entertain if you like climbing stories. While I enjoyed reading this book as I have all of Long's climbing stories, I just can't see the thrill of tackling mountains alone. The element of danger is raised exponentially. Therefore, I didn't identify with the climbers and why they take this risk. It does detail these climbers and why so many feel the desire to climb alone in dangerous conditions. Personally, it just made me more comfortable on an indoor rock wall. Climbers will still enjoy the read however.

3 comments about Inside the Ropes.

1. I really enjoyed this inside look from a unique prespective. As with most people I wanted to know what it was like to be in the ring with Ali & Frasier. Mr Mercante's candid and professional view from one of if not the best referee's (in my opinion) in boxing history is both enlightening and entertaining. If you remember these fighters it will bring you right back to those exciting times. If you don't than you should get to know the fighters he is talking about. I would recomend it to any and all fight fans.
   Cole Giangrande



2. Arthur Mercante has lived a very interesting life! He has always been interested in boxing, and he was a good referee in the Navy and in the amateurs.
   
   But he couldn't get in at first with the New York State Athletic Commission. It seems that if you don't know anyone in high places, it's hard to get in, even if you're good.
   
   Mercante finally realizes that it's all about who you know, so he meets the right people, and he gets in as a referee. His first title fight is the second Floyd Patterson-Ingemar Johannson fight. He is scared at first when Johannson is knocked out cold, but thankfully, Ingemar leaves the ring under his own power.
   
   Mercante tells about his experiences meeting famous fighters and his anger at the arrogance of Howard Cosell, who won't let Mercante speak into the microphone while helping ABC cover the Holmes-Norton fight.
   
   He also talks about refereeing the first Ali-Frazier fight, maintaining to this day that the fight was closer than what others have suggested. He also defends his scoring of the third Ali-Norton fight, scoring it for the Greatest.
   
   Mercante feels that Riddick Bowe should have been disqualified for hitting Buster Mathis after the bell, but New Jersey commissioner Larry Hazard overruled.
   
   Mercante also discusses his recommendations for changes in boxing: eliminating all of the extra titles, having just one recognized champion per division, etc. He is against the idea of a federally regulated boxing commission, but he does feel that the promoters should pay for fighters to have health insurance.
   
   This is a great book, and fight fans will want to have it.



3. An excellent book which I bought for my husband. He was do delighted to find this title on Amazon as it is not published in the UK.

4 comments about Anything For A T-shirt: Fred Lebow And The New York City Marathon, The World's Greatest Footrace (Sports and Entertainment).

1. Book was received right away. It was a new copy, but the print on some of the pages is too light to read.



2. While the subject is quiet interesting, the book is poorly written and edited. The author keeps on repeating himself over and over and over and over again. And again. One is reminded of college papers where a student is stretching a 2 page point over 10 pages to fulfill the length requirement, constantly restating the same thought with synonymous nouns and adjectives. Could have been a much more fun 150 page read with some good editing, or a great 10 page New Yorker article. The book does improve in the second half.



3. 
   "ANYTHING for a T-Shirt" captures Fred's character as an artist might do with a brush and paint. While describing Fred's life, the author delves into his motivation and goals. He skillfully shows how Fred Lebow, an immigrant from Romania, progresses to developing the most exciting mass participation sporting event in the world.
   
   If you run, read this book! This is the best book ever written on Fred Lebow and marathon running.



4. I got to "meet" Fred Lebow and learn about his creation of the New York City Marathon and his impact on the world of distance running while working with author Ron Rubin's extensive material. "Fred Lebow was a dreamer...the kind of dreamer who pursued his dream and made it a reality. And today, more than thirty years later, the world is still reaping the rewards of his vision and hard work.... Fred Lebow's life was [truly] a story just waiting--and deserving--to be told." -- From the book's Preface.
   
   Exactly what Fred's vision was and how he worked to bring it to fruition--the history of the marathoning culture as we know it today--is developed in the first 11 chapters of the book.
   
   > According to KATHRINE SWITZER, who knew Lebow well:
   "Lebow's lifetime creation, the New York City Marathon, parallels his life story, and nobody's told it better than Ron Rubin in 'Anything for a T-Shirt...'. Rubin shows us how this modest but complex man, who was himself exhilarated with the transforming effects of fitness, took an obscure footrace and turned it into an extravagant festival that brought joy to the world's most glamorous and competitive city and attracted millions of everyday people to distance running. It is a case study in sports marketing, event management and psychology..."
   
   The remainder of the book is dedicated to the heartwarming story of Lebow's struggle with cancer and his momentous first running of his own marathon in 1992 -- a cancer survivor accompanied by a host of friends led by Grete Waitz.
   
   > SWITZER's review of these final chapters states:
   "The book's climax is superb, reeling the reader up very dramatically, day by day, then mile by mile. Rubin pulls no punches as to how Fishl-the name I always called him and the one he would return to before he died-ran in his own creation for the first time, between bouts with the brain cancer that eventually took him from us, on guts and will. 'Anything' paints a vivid picture of Lebow's inherent survival determination, heard from a dozen concerned voices in his entourage. While the whole book is well-written, this chapter is dazzling."
   
   As Dick Traum wrote in his amazon review, "If you run, read this book!" As a non-runner who had never heard of Fred Lebow before working with the book, I can add:
   
   "EVEN IF YOU DON'T RUN, read this book." I came to know both Fred & Fishl through the eyes of the 120-plus people Dr. Rubin interviewed and the numerous authors of articles and stories written during Lebow's illustrious life and in his memory. His life is an uplifting story of hope and inspiration.
   
   Everything I've heard so far indicates that this book is truly the inspiring, motivating & heartwarming tribute to Fred Lebow that Ron Rubin set out to create. A relatively non-athletic, academic-type university professor, Rubin is himself one of the millions of middle- and back-of-the-pack runners who would have never considered attempting a marathon had it not been for Lebow's "creation." He wound up running NY six times!
   
   I look forward to reading what YOU think -- about my review and about the book!

5 comments about The Stone Cold Truth (WWE).

1. The book was absolutely amazing. Although some of the stories jumped around a little bit, it was still interesting to read about the man behind Stone Cold Steve Austin. From his humble beginnings, to how he got his gimmick, and lastly to how his career finally ended at Wrestlemania. A fantastic read that is quick and captures your attention from the start to the finish. Highly recommended!
   
   - Griffin



2. A nice read, but the comments from his parents and JR don't really add anything to the story. Also, the story becomes a bit repetitive, with Austin breezing through subjects such as his divorces, him being seperated from his children simply by stating he "loves them to death", and he seems to respect everyone, which is not quite what I expected.
   
   The problem is, that all wrestling books will now be compared to Foley's publications, with the result being that 9 out of 10 won't compare favorably. It's a nice read, but don't expect anything radical, apart from his views at the end of the book, about the state wrestling is in.
   
   It wouldn't have hurt Austin to be a litte more outspoken...



3. This book is at it's best when Steve is being himself instead of the Stone Cold character. Unlike The Rock's book, this one is a bit more honest and not in character every moment. Still not written with as much honesty as Mick Foley's bios (Have A Nice Day & Foley Is Good and coming soon Hardcore Diaries). JR (Jim Ross) helps out mostly at the end of chapters and his insight is very helpful. Without JR this book would be a 2 or 3 stars. Not too much is said that isn't common knowledge, so I recommend this book for the more die-hard Stone Cold fans. This won't appeal to mainstream non-wrestling fans the way Mick Foley's books did.



4. My son has been reading this book for his college reading course. Although his teacher is not a wrestling fan, my son found the book to be filled with interesting information about Steve Austin's upbringing and family values that were enlightening. The book shows that Steve Austin is more than his persona that he projected during his wrestling career.
   
   The book is recommended for any fan of WWE wrestling and is an interesting read.
   
   Ira J. Bromley



5. STONE COLD DOES A NICE JOB DESCRIBING HIS LIFE AND EXPERIENCES IN PRO WRESTLING. I ENJOYED THE EARLY PARTS CONCERNING HIS FAMILY AND FOOTBALL, BUT THE MEAT OF THIS BOOK IS HIS CAREER. STONE COLD WAS QUITE A CHARACTER AND MADE ME LAUGH MANY TIMES. I BELIEVE HE WAS ONE OF MOST POPULAR AND ENTERTAINING WRESTLERS OF HIS TIME. INJURIES, BURNOUT AND DIVORCE DID HIM IN. HE DOESN'T SEEM LIKE A BAD GUY, HOPEFULLY HE WILL DO SOMETHING ABOUT HIS DRINKING. FOR ALL WRESTLING FANS.

5 comments about I'm Next: The Strange Journey of America's Most Unlikely Superhero.

1. This book is great. It came out in 2007 but only covers to about the time he returned from his injury. Oh well. Great read anyway.



2. Bill Goldberg defined the sonic boom that pro wrestling made on cable TV and at arena shows throughout North America.
   
   From September 1997 to January 2001, he was WCW, from his "173" consecutve victories - with ring veterans like Curt Hennig doing quick "jobs" early on so Goldberg's character would get a serious push with fans - his ring entrance with backstage security guards & pyrotechnics and - the biggest compliment of all - having Vice McMahon lampoon his character in 1999 with the comedic Gillberg, who stumbled, staggered and quickly lost matches on WWF shows.
   
   Published in November 2000, this is an autobiography of an improbable meteoric rise in pro wrestling after a severe injury ended a journeyman-like career in the NFL and - perhaps most importantly of all - using the celebrity status to assist a variety of charitable causes.
   
   But there were critics - some inside the ring - who felt Goldberg was not experienced enough for the main-event status; that he was attempting moves that put his opponents at risk. On December 19, 1999, he legitimately injured Bret Hart - concussion, torn neck muscle - with a kick to the head.
   
   And as in wrestling, timing is everything when it comes to publishing a book. It was released before Goldberg's very unsatisfying one-year run with WWE, his life after pro wrestling and the rumors that continue to circulate on his return to the squared-circle.
   
   Though it ultimately is an incomplete picture of Goldberg, I'm Next remains a great read since it is as much a story of American pop culture as it is on one of pro wrestling's real good guys - inside and outside the ring.



3. Former NFL/CFL/NFL E D-Lineman Bill
   Goldberg is as colourful in these
   pages as his name was dull as a muscle-
   headed D-Lineman in Pro Football. Tell
   me this guy didn't get pumped up on ster-
   oids after being a 257-lb mouse of a too
   small Def. Tackle/NG in Pro Football, and
   I'll call you a liar to your face. Gold-
   berg's main problem in here is his stupid
   'persecution' complex that he lays out
   every three pages. Gee Bill, if you hadn't
   got drunk so much, et, al, and worked our
   more WHEN YOU WERE in the NFL, maybe I could
   like you more now that you are doing cool
   muscle car shows and involved in the phoney
   wrestling scam-business. Goldberg's stupid
   remarks about the very good CFL and about
   RE-breaking Joe Thiesmann's leg are not go-
   ing win him many friends and influence too
   many people, jewish or otherwise. Neither
   is his alledged acting 'career'. Naw, I'll
   take the Rock as the former wrestler that
   made good in life beyond the gridiron. Sorry
   Bill...



4. If you are a fan of Bill Goldberg, more than a wrestling fan, read this book. You will probably enjoy his biography. However, if you are a wrestling fan, more than a Bill Goldberg fan, you may not want to bother with this one. You can get a (used) copy from Amazon for less than $2.00. Doesn't that say a lot?



5. In the book I'm Next: The Strange Journey of America's Most Unlikely Superhero, Bill Goldberg gives us a very honest look into his life. This book was co-written by Goldberg's older brother, Steve Goldberg. Divided into three sections, I'm Next does a great job of giving the reader wonderful insight into how this young boy grew up to be a wrestling superstar.
   The first part of this book is about Goldberg, the wrestler. Being a WWE fan, this was the part of his life I was most familiar with. But, Bill Goldberg does a great job of taking the average wrestling fan on a journey behind the scenes to let us know what really goes on in and out of the ring. Wresting, it seems, is much more of a business, at times, than it is a sport.
   The next part of the book includes one chapter written entirely by Steve Goldberg, and another chapter written by their father, Jed. Bill's family members give us insight into their private lives so that we can share in the closeness that they have enjoyed. The Goldberg men have always been extremely supportive of one another. This section includes the pre-wrestling days: birth through college. The Goldberg's were a rich family but despite this, life wasn't perfect. His parents divorced when Bill was young, and this created problems for him throughout his life. Bill was spoiled and was used to getting his own way. It was clear by reading the book that Bill Goldberg's one goal while growing up was to play NFL football. This dream did eventually come true but only lasted a short time. He suffered many injuries, which brought his football career to an end. It was while Bill was trying to recuperate from his football injuries that he worked out in the same gym with many WCW superstars. Since his dream of football was over, they convinced him to give professional wrestling a shot.
   In the last part of the book, Goldberg sounds bitter towards the wrestling industry as he talks about his final days in the WCW and WWE. During these final days, he became reckless and continued acting immature and spoiled. He even jeopardized his own health when he punched through a car window instead of using a prop. There was no permanent damage, but he required 196 stitches. Bill also talks about all the politics behind-the-scenes and the wrongs of the wrestling world.
   After reading this book, it is no secret that Bill Goldberg never liked the business that made him very famous and paid him a lot of money. It is clear that he holds a lot of resentment towards this wrestling industry.
   If you are a Goldberg fan, this book is worth reading. It will give you a new perspective on the man that you have only known as a wrestler. If you are not a fan, I think you should pass on this book.

5 comments about In Search of the Greatest Golf Swing: Chasing the Legend of Mike Austin, the Man Who Launched the World's Longest Drive and Taught Me to Hit Like a Pro.

1. Philip Reed's "In Search of the Greatest Golf Swing" reveals his elevating but daunting experience as a student, friend, and biographer of the amazing Mike Austin. Mr. Reed's humbling yet successful quest to learn the keys to super-human drives endured the gauntlet of Mike Austin's piercing, super-energized, indomitable personality. At the age of 64, over 33 years ago during competition, Mr. Austin achieved the still-standing Guinness Book of World Records standard of 515 yards for longest recorded drive. Curiously, until now, Mike Austin was largely ignored in conventional golf history though knowledgeable insiders believe he was a half-century or more ahead in power-golf technique. Philip Reed's documentary has filled a significant gap in our golfing lore. For the dedicated golfer who seeks an honest inside-the-ropes story, "In Search of the Greatest Golf Swing" is a terrific value.



2. Ostensibly this book is half biography of little-known long driver Mike Austin and half technical discussion of Austin's revolutionary swing, many aspects of which run counter to conventional PGA wisdom. But as the artfully written narrative progresses, a third element emerges as well -- the touching story of the friendship that develops between Austin and author Reed during the writing of the book.
   
   No avid golfer could read this book and fail to feel inspired to work on his or her game (I finished it yesterday and headed straight for the driving range today); some might even want to try out Austin's unorthodox mechanics. Yet there is a human-interest story here as well, the story of a larger-than-life golfing god who smacked a 515-yard drive at age 64 but somehow couldn't putt to save his life; lived it up with Hollywood celebrities and was respected by the best golfers in the world; studied the human anatomy and wore a skeleton suit while giving golf lessons to demonstrate proper body movement; and forged an unlikely friendship with a journalist decades his junior who weathered Austin's steely gruffness until it gave way to genuine respect and affection.
   
   Highly recommended -- not just for golfers, but also for anyone interested in a well-crafted feel-good story about a fascinating man and his iconoclastic genius.



3. I've just finished reading this book and I have to say it is a great read and is well worth buying.
   
   It is a story of how the author, Philip Reed, sets off to document the world's longest ever drive in a tournament set in 1974 by Mike Austin, and along the way wants to learn enough about this swing so he can transform his own drive of 200 yards into a more manly 300 yards.
   
   The books gets off to a shaky start but I stuck with it. And after a couple of chapters I could no longer put it down. He helped me get to know more about Mike Austin, his history and his achievements.
   
   It made me want to be there in the place of the author since Mike seems like a real character and a throwback to a different age and a different world.
   
   It even gave me a few tips, and some hope, on how I might possibly be able to improve my own swing to give 300 yard drives. Now that would be nice.
   
   Read this and give yourself a pleasant break from all those golf instruction manuals out there while enjoying a good golfing story.



4. This book is absolutely wonderful. I picked it up out of curiosity after learning about Mike Austin's record-breaking achievement (longest drive in professional golf competition history), and ended up being completely drawn into the story. With a straightforward, honest writing style that moves at a nice pace and never gets bogged down, Philip Reed does a masterful job of portraying a complex man filled with both flaws and greatness, who not only achieved a stupendous feat that no one has ever topped, but also lived a fascinating life that plays like a great movie. Reed deftly weaves Austin's story together with his own journey by bringing the reader along with him as he describes his efforts to get to know Mike Austin and learn his swing secrets. He sets out not only to write about Austin, but also to experience for himself the power of Mike Austin's swing, hoping to harness it to achieve a personal goal of hitting the ball 300 yards. As we learn about Austin's amazing life and unmatched golf swing alongside the author, we are simultaneously drawn into a surprisingly touching story of how Reed came to develop a bond of friendship with Austin. Viewed through the lens of Reed's relationship with Austin, we come to understand and truly appreciate Mike Austin at a much deeper level, and also come away with important lessons about life. This is a magnificent book, and I can't recommend it highly enough.



5. The other reviews say it all - that this is a wonderful book on many different levels. I trust that some day it will be recognized as a sports classic.
   
   I just want to add that Reed's book is an invaluable companion to Dan Shauger's 'The 21st Century Golf Swing'. This latter book has such an odd and uncomfortable style (my opinion only, of course) that it was hard for me to know whether to take the technical parts of it seriously. After reading this fine book it became clear that, yes indeed, you can.
   
   It would be great if Shauger and Reed could collaborate on a second edition of '21st Century...'. I'll put up some front money, if that would help.

1 comments about Clough: The Autobiography.

1. A good read from old "big mouth". He comes across as the arrogant, self confident, single minded man that made him a great manager and great entertainment.

   One of the best football autobiographies I've read.