5 comments about Driver #8.

1. I like the fact that this was written by Dale, Jr not just someone elses words.



2. This book was great. I enjoyed the descriptions of all of the tracks that Jr. raced at and how he talked to his dad and Matt Kenseth about things that were happening at any one moment. I also enjoyed hearing how him and Tony Jr. have such an honest relationship. They may yell at each other during a race on the radio, but after the race is over they are able to go back to being cousins/friends again. They leave it all on the racetrack. Very well written book! A must for any Jr. fan!



3. This book is great! It is just like you are sitting and talking to him. It seems to be word for word what Dale was tring to say.



4. I really enjoyed reading about his experience as a driver. It is well written and not boring. Which it could have been since it is always hard to write about work. I loved watching his father race and now I get to watch him.



5. WAS A GREAT BOOK AND AM GLAD I'VE GOT IT NOW THAT HE IS LEAVING DEI

No comments about Sachin: The Story of the World's Greatest Batsman.

5 comments about Lou Whittaker: Memoirs of a Mountain Guide.

1. As the title says, this is the Memoir of a Mountain Guide. Actually it is the memoir of one of America's first and greatest mountain guides. It is truly a fascinating, well-written story but it is not adventure writing. Do not expect the detail or suspense of John Krakauer, Art Davidson, Heinrich Harrer, or Maurice Herzog. It reads more like sitting down across the table with Lou and having him tell you his story over a couple of beers. This is probably because it is the result of Lou telling his story to Andrea Gabbard who in turn wrote the book.
   
   Lou's story is much different than many of the great mountaineers. While he obviously pushed himself to the top of some of the world's tallest and most difficult peaks, since his near fall on Mount Index in Washington he remained a more conservative climber not willing to trade his life for any mountain summit. In fact, he makes the point of saying the last place he wants to die is on a mountain; he wants to die old sitting in his chair watching TV. Also, as expedition leader, he viewed success as putting team members on the summit and this often did not include himself.
   
   In addition to his story, his climbs, and his life as a mountain climber and guide, he gives a detailed description of Mount Rainier and a historical view of how mountain climbing progressed over the years. Probably the best thing of all though, is the look at a person's life who dedicated themselves to following a passion rather than relegating it to a weekend hobby; it was a long career in the making for him, but it shows that we can make our lives what we want if only we have the courage, persistence, and dedication to try.



2. Reading Lou Whittaker's life story was the best type of introuction to mountain climbing that I could have had. It combined the personal and technical sides of climbing in a way that wasn't overwhelming. I am now eager to read Andrea Gabbard's book, Mountaineering: A Woman's Guide. Because if Lou can climb all those mountains, I can climb a few too.



3. Reading Lou Whittaker's life story was the best type of introuction to mountain climbing that I could have had. It combined the personal and technical sides of climbing in a way that wasn't overwhelming. I am now eager to read Andrea Gabbard's book, Mountaineering: A Woman's Guide. Because if Lou can climb all those mountains, I can climb a few too.



4. I purchased the paperback version of this fine book in the Fall of 1998, and packed it along with me for several nights on a solo backpacking trip through the California Redwoods. The autumn nights in November were long and dark, and Lou Whittaker's book made for some marvelous reading out there, alone in my tent along the trail...read the entire book cover-to-cover by flashlite, and it was a thriller...accompanied by real and imagined sounds that went "thump" in the night! Must admit though, I'm a bit prejudiced, as I had the good fortune of meeting Lou Whittaker in person near the summit of Mount Rainier in 1970, and came to greatly admire the fellow. Reading his new book for the first time was like reuniting with an old friend after a long absence. Definitely a MUST READ for anyone looking for a good book to take with them, along the trail.



5. There's no doubt that Whittaker is one of America's best climbers. Were he only one of America's best writers as well, this book would be more enjoyable. As it is, much of the book is taken up with anecdotes in which the author proves to be smarter, tougher, and/or better prepared than someone else. The text is emotionally flat and sometimes boring, with rather little detail being given on Whittaker's climbing exploits. The author's dismissal of Galen Rowell on K2 is frankly ridiculous. There is some useful information here, but overall, it's not a book I would recommend.

1 comments about It's a Buck! Whitetail Deer Hunting Stories and Tactics for the Weekend Hunter.

1. I ordered this book for my husband for Christmas. I received it so quickly that I was able to give it to him early when he went to deer camp. The book was a great read, easy to follow, and wonderful funny stories.
   
   This is REAL deer hunting, not hunting on some fenced farm, paying for a chance to pass up a "mere" 6 pointer. I hope Mr. Clute continues with more stories for the true hunter!
   
   The only negative I found was that the photos in the book weren't crystal clear, but I still give the book 5 stars!

3 comments about Buckeye Dreams: The Tyler "Tank" Whaley Story.

1. This book is one of the best books I have read and is one of the most inspiring.
   I guess it helps that I am a sports fan and participate myself (but at
   a much lower level) so I realize just how hard competitive sports can
   be for the average individual but also how much fun they can be. The
   book is concise, to the point, and absolutely spell binding. I almost
   feel as if I know Tank. In this day of arrogant super athletes, it is
   refreshing to learn about the ups and downs of a very good athlete who
   wasn't super exceptional but had the heart and fortitude to pursue his
   dream,not because it was going to make him rich but because he loved
   the sport and the competition. Thanks to the author.



2. This book is not only a must have for buckeye fans, but for everyone who enjoys reading about a refreshing & inspiring young man who is a great role model for today's youth. This book will have you chanting "Tank, Tank, Tank" & rooting for all the unknown walk-ons in the sports world.



3. Just a wonderful story and easy to read. I've already given three copies as gifts to fellow Ohio State fans.

2 comments about Nat's Nat and That's That : A Surfing Legend.

1. Humble family beginings to world champion, husband to father, party animal to entrepreneur. Through all this Nat Young was destined to be a surfer and one of the best the world would ever see. This book is a fascinating combination of surfing history (Australian in particular) and the history of a man who pushed to get every ounce of enjoyment out of life. This is a very informative, yet light hearted book with more than its share of incredible surfing tales. From surfing the best waves the world has to offer, the early days of the world tour and the unavoidable changes of the 70's. This book is nothing short of the ultimate life style a surfer could wish for. Reading this book inspired me on more than one occassions to get out in the waves and make the most of my life. A must read for all surfers.



2. This book is long overdue. As a surfer and skier who grew up in the 70's and 80's Nat Young was the inspiration to us then and to teenagers today. He was one of the front runners who not only showed us how to do it but he did it with a passionate, laid back style. This read gives you the chance to know Nat as a person and to be inspired by his youthful, adventurous soul.

   NAT YOUNG BRODZIAK - CINCINNATI, OHIO (9/9/99)

No comments about Backseat Quarterback.

5 comments about Dennis Rodman: I Should Be Dead by Now.

1. This is not a book that will fill you with great amounts of unknown knowledge, nor will it require heavy thinking on your part to understand. What you will get out of it is a great deal of amusement. Here are dozens of short, kind of random thoughts, little stories and anecdotes by Dennis Rodman.In summary it is kind of a way to look at his philosophy of life.
   
   It's a life that a lot of us would like to live in a vicarious way, I say vicarious because it appears to be a life that I don't think I could handle. In between the stories of what happened, there's a bit of insight into the way the man thinks. He's lived the life that he says he wanted, yet the desparate urge to get back to the NBA comes through. Born in May of 1961, he's now approaching 45 years old. He has to know that there aren't many players in the NBA that are that old. It will be interested to see what he does in future years.
   
   I found the book a mix of sad, funny, and poignant. All you can say is 'good luck.'



2. This clown said all he could say with his first book, back when it mattered, to some people, because winning basketball teams matter, to some people.
   Note that it wasn't published by one of the big fat publishers. They don't expect it to sell. So don't be one of the few fools who buy it.



3. This is a fairly interesting-ish book about one of the best players to have played the sport. However, I wonder why he wrote another book? Surely he doesn't need the money (unless it all went to alcohol). It's interesting to get inside his mind a little and see what he's all about, but it is all jumbled and mismatched and leads nowhere. I like him, but if I had read this first before buying, maybe I wouldn't have bought it. Only for true Rodman fans. Otherwise, skip it.



4. Dennis Rodman is a Great Basketball Player&truly knows the game inside&out.also a Smarter cat that He often leads on.but this Book is just alot of loose thoughts that never goes anywhere. there are a few interesting moments talking His time in various spots during His Career,but nothing really new.still Dennis Rodman remains one of the most interesting Athletes Ever.



5. What a fun book! Rodman has always been colorful, but this book allows you to step into his mind, and try to understand where he is coming from when he does all his crazy stuff. Very entertaining- you do not have to be a basketball fan to enjoy this book. His "reality checks" are worth the price of the book.

No comments about Rafael Nadal: The Biography.

5 comments about Stengel: His Life and Times.

1. Enjoyed reading this book almost as much as Harry Potter.
   It's funny how nowadays you can't get away with jumping up into the stands and punching fans.
   Well written and well told story.



2. Excellent. Well written, gives a good history yet moves right along.This guy had an amazing career and an amazing record.This is a must read for anyone interested in baseball.



3. This is a solid biography of one of baseball's most colorful characters. Charles "Casey" Stengel (1890-1975) spent parts of six decades in the big leagues in a career that lasted from 1912 until 1965. Stengel was a bit clownish and he spoke in a distinctly non-articulate style ("Stengelese"), but he was also an extremely intelligent man. The author details Stengel's youth in Kansas City and early ambitions to become a dentist. We get a descriptive look at his 14-year playing career with several national league teams. We get an equally effective look at his managerial tenure with the mediocre Brooklyn Dodgers (1934-36 )and Boston Braves (1938-1943), the powerhouse Yankee teams from 1949-1960, and the woeful expansion New York Mets from 1962-1965. There are many smiles (and a couple frowns) for readers as these pages examine a complex and colorful man.
   
   Author Robert Creamer uses straightforward readable prose, and the result is a very good and informative biography. Readers should also like his biography on Babe Ruth, and his look at the 1941 baseball seasons.



4. Growing up in NY in the early 1960's I remember Casey vaguely as the manager of the Yankees (really Ralph Houk was manager in my early years) but more as the comic elderly leader of those miserable Mets. While I learned later of his great career as manager of the Yankees, somehow he was always portrayed as the marginal player who excelled as a bench leader. Creamer works hard to dispel this perception (which maybe only I had) and repeatedly stresses Casey's fine playing career. I appreciated gaining this new insight and found it a valuable addition to our understanding of Casey's wonderful career as a manager and ambassador of the game.



5. Picked up this book because I enjoyed Creamer's book on Babe Ruth and Stengel is just as good, maybe better.
   You'd almost expect a book on Stengel to skip the earlier years in favor of his coaching years but this book doesn't. Stengel's early years are entertaining and provide a good look into the teens, 20's and 30's of baseball so if that's what you're after then you'll like this book. You'll probably also be surprised at the life that Stengel lived, there's so much more to this man than I expected - what a full life he lived. He was the Ulysses of baseball....as if the Gods of Baseball decided to pluck this Chaplin-like soul and make him wander through the game for a lifetime. Creamer really delivers.