5 comments about Thunder And Lightning: A No-B.S. Hockey Memoir.

1. I am a big hockey fan and have read many of the best books out there. I picked this one up because the Espositos are a famous hockey family, the way Phil played was a precursor to how the game was to be played in the coming decades, and what Phil has done for the game since he stopped playing. Phil's life is a great story, but he should have gotten a better ghost writer for this one. It is not written well, it rambles and lacks any real string that guides you through the story nor leaves you with any real life lessons. It is effectively a chronological listing of select events in his life, and is written using prose, etc. seemingly targeted for high school kids.
   
   Phil was and is one of the biggest players to have influenced the game and I was expecting a book that was of the same caliber as his play and his approach to life during the game and after the game. This book did not deliver on those expectations.
   
   (Sorry Phil.)



2. I read this book a little over a year ago and quite honestly, I truly enjoyed it! I had bought the book for my boyfriend and then read it after him. The book is a quick read and for a true hockey fan, I think it's a must read. I found his story absolutely fascinating, I mean how could you not respect someone that "had" to work in the off season until he was 30 just to support his family! In the current day of overpaid athletes, it's refreshing to read a story of a man that played for the genuine passion of the sport. He does seem a bit bitter about certain occurrences in his career, I guess that's why I found the book so entertaining- he's certainly not vanilla!



3. THIS BOOK BY FORMER NHL SUPERSTAR PHIL ESPOSITO REALLY IS A GOOD READ. PHIL TELLS US OF HIS CAREER WITH BRUINS, BLACK HAWKS AND RANGERS. ALONG THE WAY WE LEARN QUITE A BIT OF INFO ABOUT PHIL. HE TELLS US OF HIS FAILED MARRIAGES, OCCASIONAL FLINGS AND HIS SUCCESS AND FAILURES AS COACH AND GM. PHIL HAS A VERY LARGE EGO AND DOESN'T PUT UP WITH ALOT OF BS. IF HE FEELS HE HAS BEEN WRONGED HE WILL LET YOU KNOW. I REALLY ENJOYED THIS BOOK AND REALLY RECOMMEND IT FOR ALL HOCKEY AND ESPECIALLY BOSTON BRUIN FANS.



4. Great but superficial review of life in NHL in the 1960s and 1970s, and an excellent autobiography from one of the genuine stars of that era. Phil has always been a brutally honest man, which I appreciate, and his straightforwardness comes through strongly in this book. Minor date errors not withstanding, a sincere and heartfelt hockey commentary and insight from the early 1960's on in from Phil's point of view. Definitely would recommend.



5. I appreciated Mr. Esposito's account of the wild and crazy days of professional hockey. I suspect many of his recollections have been embellished over the years but he doesn't pull any punches, which makes the book very readable. While we don't expect a retired hockey player, who may have taken a few too many hits to the head, to generate great prose, you would hope that his editor would have picked up on the many factually-suspect statements made. In a few instances Phil's explanation for various medical problems is embarrasingly inaccurate as is his reference to the Russians shooting down Pan Am 800. It was KAL 007 that was shot down by a Mig, TWA 800 that blew up off the coast of Long Island, and Pan Am 103 that was bombed over Lockerbie. One wonders how accurate his other accounts could be!
   
   Admittedly, Phil Esposito peaked while I was still a young child and most of his records were quickly overshadowed by Wayne Gretzky in my world. I found the disregard Esposito demonstrated for his several wives and kids as he partied his way through an NHL career less than inspiring but I respect him for being honest about it. The last few chapters devoted to the formation of the Lightning and him being ousted smacked of an axe being ground but it was a rare look at sports management from the inside. I would guess Esposito's former cohorts would tell a different tale.
   
   So, while it may sound like I am panning this book, the reality is it is a unique read told from the perspective of a colorful character. Taken with a hefty grain of salt, it's a fun book that deserves to be on the hocky lover's shelf - after they've read it, of course!

No comments about Return To The Sea.

5 comments about Wilt: Larger than Life.

1. Robert Cherry takes anecdotes from famous and regular people whose lives' intertwined with Wilt Chamberlain, and mixes them in with his narrative summary of the legend's life and statistics to form a biography that entertains while never sensationalizing. Anyone interested in the NBA or college basketball is going to find this book to be a captivating read.
   
   Highly recommended, but be aware that the one thing the book lacks is a statistical record of Wilt's collegiate and NBA career.



2. Wilt Chamberlain once said "Nobody loves Goliath. I'm here to say that after reading "Wilt, Larger than Life" I refute that. The book gave an indepth look at not only Wilt the basketball icon, but Wilt the person. It explored relationships he established outside of basketball and how he maintained those frendships until his untimely death. After reading the book I also had more appreciation for Wilt the basketball player. I feel that not only was he one of the greatest players of all time, but he met and exceeded all of the expectations that were placed on him when he very well could and was in some cases viewed as a freak of nature.



3. At the risk of sounding redundant. This book was great and gives a lot of insight into a very fascinating individual. Personally I could have done with less information on what exactly happened in the quarters of key basketball games and more on the other things that Wilt did throughout his life. However this was still a good purchase, worthwhile read, and I am very greatful for the author to have taken the time and effort to write this book.



4. Great book. I loved every page except page 155. That Bob Kashey character can't be real. I know a Bob Kashey that hangs out at Chile's in Lake Mary, Florida and this can't be him although he keeps insisting it is. In any case, it is a great book, well worth the investment.



5. This is the third consecutive book I've read that is badly in need of some editing. Let's start with the front cover, which displays the following quote from sportswriter Dick Schaap: "The definitive biography . . ." Really? The book's copyright date is 2004 . . . Dick Schaap DIED in December of 2001.
   
   Regarding Chamberlain's athleticism and interest in track and field, the last sentence of page 61 reads, "He certainly had the requisite speed, stamina and strength to become an Olympian, maybe even a medalist". Fair enough. But then, the opening line to the next paragraph starts, "Because one can't speculate on what he might have accomplished in track and field . . ." Hello? Rewrite!!!
   
   Add to that the annoyingly endless use of parenthetical phrases to embellish sentences that need no embellishing, and this book can be hard to read. There are so many examples of this, that it's impossible to realize just how annoying it is without actually reading the book. Figure on a mininum of one per paragraph, and as many as three in one sentence.
   
   The saving grace of this book is the subject. Wilt Chamberlain was without question one of the most interesting and accomplished of America's 20th century athletes. For me, greatness in athletics is about winning, which is why I'll always choose Bill Russell and Jack Nicklaus as the greatest of the century. But for statistical accomplishment, only Wayne Gretzky and perhaps Jim Brown can compare to Wilt. And as physical specimens go, Jim Brown is probably the only team sport player whose speed, strength and endurance match up to Wilt's. The other measure, and the one that probably puts Wilt up on his highest pedestal, is the somewhat nebulous "impact on the game". Bobby Orr in hockey and Lawrence Taylor in football are the only other athletes I can think of who are even in the shadows of what Wilt did for basketball. This was truly a remarkable athlete and an interesting man off the field as well. Although I wouldn't give this book a strong recommendation to the casual sports fan, if you are looking for an in depth biography about a great basketball player and a pretty good overview of basketball in the 50's and 60's, this is not the worst place to wind up. But I'd look elsewhere first.

5 comments about The Book of Landry.

1. I bought this book for three compelling reasons. First, I am a long-time Dallas Cowboys fan. Secondly, I always admired and looked up to Tom Landry as a leader and a devoted Christian gentleman. Lastly, I love to collect and use quotes. I loved reading this book for one simple reason - it exceeded all expectations for all my reasons for buying it.

   I cried the day Tom Landry died, and again the day after his death when I read articles and listened to television stories about the life and times of Tom Landry. This simple, little book brought back many of those same emotions. This book is not one author's lofty opinions about a man. It is a collection of quotes, stories, and vignettes from scores of people from all walks of life who are united in their deep love and respect for a man among men, a man of unquestioned character and integrity.

   You do not have to be a Dallas Cowboys fan, nor know a thing about Tom Landry, nor do you need to collect quotes to enjoy and be motivated by this book. If you are inspired by reading true accounts of moral, spiritual, and successful leaders, then this book will exceed all your expectations, too.




2. I had the privilege of meeting Tom Landry a few times and found him to be the most gracious person you could ever hope to know. These memories really took me back in time. The world is a poorer place without him



3. Famed football coach Tom Landry passed away in February 2000, leaving behind a life of accomplishment rarely equaled and never surpassed. Former Dallas Cowboys players, assistant coaches, and others close to Landry contributed to The Book Of Landry by offering fresh testimonials and remembrances of the man. Landry quotes are culled from materials published over the decades of Landry's professional and personal life. Here presented are tributes to his childhood, family, coaching philosophy, Christian faith, motivational tactics, and the Landry "Look". The Book Of Landry is "must" reading for all Landry fans.



4. It's nice to know what outsiders thought of Landry, but it's nicest to hear from insiders who knew the man. This book fills that need. It's classy, readable, beautifully organized and highly affordable and should be on every Cowboy (or Cowboy hater's) bookshelf.



5. Jennifer Briggs' "The Book of Landry" is an excellent tribute to the late Cowboy's coach, Tom Landry. I grew up in Wisconsin, where Landry and the Cowboys were "the enemy." This book gave me a whole new view of a man who is revered in Texas. He was a compassionate, principled, fun-loving and God-led man, a true hero. I keep re-reading chapter after chapter for inspiration! It's a great birthday or Father's Day gift!

5 comments about Out of Bounds: Coming out of Sexual Abuse, Addiction, and My Life of Lies in the NFL Closet.

1. We truly take our hats off to Roy Simmons for his honesty in coming out about his addiction, sexual abuse and his life of love, lust and lies in the NFL closet. In this eye-opening Autobiography Out Of Bound, Roy Simmons, known as " The Sugar Bear", talks about his life as a football player, playing for the New York Giants, Washington Redskins and USFL Jacksonville Bulls. Roy Simmons, a man who had it all was at the top of his profession. He was making tons of money and loved by thousands of fans, fell from grace.
   
   Though Roy had a promising career as a NFL football player, like so many others, he allowed himself to be seduced into the world of drug-addiction. He followed in the footsteps of his teammates, refused to deal with his homosexuality, and forced himself to forget an unspeakable event that involved him being raped as a child by a respectable neighbor and was in denial about his sex addictions which was the cause of his down fall. "It's amazing how he did not realize that his rape would trigger a future chain of events in his later years of countless promiscuity".
   
   Torn between his high school sweetheart; Sheila, who later became the mother of his daughter, and Joe, the only man he ever truly loved, he manage to lose them both, by letting his selfishness and his addiction interfered.
   
   After leaving the NFL and trying to make a life for himself, Roy goes from "Sugar to Shit". He continued to indulge heavily into drugs and alcohol and became more and more self-destructive. His life became unmanageable and spirals out of control. As the drugs and the alcohol takes over his life, he became violent, desperate and starts to prostitute himself. Eventually, Roy winds up on welfare.
   
   As you continue to read this book, you will learn more and more about the great Roy Simmons, the Ex NFL football player. In this book, Roy shares his days of free basing, smoking crack, his time in prison and being HIV- Positive Roy even talks about dressing up in drag; yes dressing up in drag.
   
   We found it truly remarkable for a man like Roy to encounter so many chances in life... just when you think he has hit rock-bottom, somehow he bounces back. It's amazing to discover how such a lucky man was not able to learn from his mistakes. Roy was definitely a man who had more than nine lives
   
   So whether you're a Roy Simmons fan, a recovering addict, bi-sexual, or just plan old confused about who you are, Out Of Bounds teaches you a powerful lesson about the truth.... Remember, you can run, but you can't hide from the truth because in the end, the truth will always set you free. So we urge you to go out and get this book and delve into the un-restful soul of Mr. Roy Simmons.



2. If you think you are going to read a bio of an athlete, or a good gay nonfiction read, fasten your seat belt. This rollicking life story of Roy Simmons goes well beyond both of those matters to take you on a journey of sex, fame, money, and living on the wild side.
   
   A young high school football star, Roy Simmons had no idea what lay ahead of him. Soon he was courted by colleges, pro teams, and hot men and women alike. He would be the first to admit he was gullible to all the attention, and he quickly indulged in all of it.
   
   At the heart of this story, though, is the dark childhood secret that drove him (in both negative and positive ways), styling his future until he realized what he was doing to his body and mind. Even if you are not a sports fan, you would enjoy this incredible life story. I was shocked at the levels he'd risen to in the NFL yet for the hunger of drugs would stoop to being a male hustler for his latest fix. His breathless honesty took tremendous courage.
   
   This is a story that is not only gripping to read, but which will take you through several layers of thought as you see this man's incredible path.



3. Mr. Simmons's story is a cautionary tale of lies and deception. He is delusional about the lack of recovery and involves those who love him in his "quicksand of lies and cruelty." He claims to have loved those who care for him and yet he hurts them and worst, expose them to the risk HIV/AIDS with his reckless behavior.
   
   I had hoped to read further his story redemption and atonement for those he had hurt that he claimed to love. There is no such ending.



4. I enjoyed this book from the point of view of a white football fan looking in from the outside on the experiences of a black brotha coping with the challenge of being gay. But I was rather turned off by the many expletives on almost every page in the later chapters, as he described his struggles with alcohol, drugs, and the underground gay culture. I live on a Caribbean Island where I hear the same expletives every day, so I can appreciate the reality of "the life" but it was a bit off-putting for the general reader. Still I came away praying for Ray, that he will be able to stay on the wagon and not relapse from his addictions, and also hoping that he will sometime find a partner that he can rely on and relate to.



5. its hard to write a review without giving away juicy details but his lifestyle was of the fu_king hook to say the least! im not a football fan but i love autobio/memoirs so i gave this book a shot and im glad i did! this book was a good read! its shocking sad has hunor and will make u mad! i will stop there and say i reccomend this book to all ages races and al lifestyles there is a LESSON TO BE LEARNED!

2 comments about Dooley: My Forty Years At Georgia.

1. When I joined the University of Georgia faculty in 1969, I kept hearing about Vince Dooley, the university's very young head football coach. The previous year, he had led the team to the Southeastern Conference Championship, resulting in a Sugar Bowl bid. Clearly, Dooley had assumed leadership of a nearly defunct football program and restored a degree of glory quickly.
   
   This book details Dooley's four-decade career at Georgia, as Coach and Director of Athletics. Under his aegis, the program expanded dramatically, culminating in six conference championships in football, a national football championship and a prominent place for Vince Dooley, not only in university circles, but throughout Georgia and the nation--with Dooley holding every leadership position available in the NCAA and other major athletic organizations.
   
   As Georgia football flourished, so did other sports, both in facilities and in season records.
   
   My Forty Years at Georgia talks unabashedly about the good news and the bad news. The teams endured some mediocre seasons, and one losing season. Critics hurled charges of academic favoritism for athletes. Ultimately, Vince Dooley did not get a contract extension he wanted from President Michael Adams.
   
   In this memoir, Dooley shares his most palpable memories, from coaching Herschel Walker to losing his place at the institution that became synonymous with his career, even his life.
   
   Although I left the faculty after five years, to enter academic administration elsewhere and ultimately establish my consulting business, I maintained my Georgia connections. Happily, since 1979 I have attended every home game and have come to know Vince Dooley personally, which I consider a genuine privilege.
   
   I highly recommend this book as a reliable resource for those who want to understand amateur athletics at the highest level, and to glimpse a power struggle that divided a fabled program. Vince Dooley emerges shaken, but unbowed. Every university would benefit from forty years with a Coach and Athletic Director who had his vision and stature--and his dedication to the institution.



2. Good book by a good man who happens to also be an outstanding football coach...Vince Dooley has always been a classy man and this book follows that mode...It is written in keeping with his personality. While it is candid and nothing is held back---see his comments on his favorite players, etc.---it is written and presented in a classy, courteous style, the style of a Southern Gentleman who loved football, was a part of football, an integral part of the Southeastern Conference for more than 50 years, yet had a vision and perspective beyond football....parts on his disagreements with Georgia President Michael Adams should be especially revealing to the reader in terms of campus politics, the most vicious politics of all...even here, Dooley, while being candid, handles the "controversy" in a genteel manner. Tony Barnhart's deft touch is present, but never obvious...He guided and directed--coached--Vince Dooley well...A valuable book to the history of southern football, Georgia football in particular. Any fan of SEC Football will enjoy it.

5 comments about Do You Love Football?!: Winning with Heart, Passion, and Not Much Sleep.

1. Do You Love Football?! : Winning with Heart, Passion, and Not Much Sleep
   
   My Daughter Is An Avid Bucs And John Gruden Fan
   She Says The Book Is Good Reading
   The Book Was Purchased As A Gift



2. If you want x's and o's, this isn't the book. If you want to see where Jon Gruden has been and what he's done & thought in each place, this is the exact book for you. The writing style is conversational - you'll feel he's sitting in the room with you. You will not get bored. Criticisms that he didn't go into enough detail are unfair. At the end of the book, you'll wish it continued on to cover the last two seasons. I'd welcome a sequel.



3. This book is about Jon Gruden's love and passion for the game of football. He was born into the coaching profession as his father was a football coach and scout. Once he identified coaching as his calling, Gruden's road to becoming a head coach in the NFL is an interesting one. It simply shows that dedication, hard work, and aligning yourself with quality people and organizations (e.g., George Siefert (San Francisco 49ers), Mike Holmgren (Green Bay) in your chosen profession eventually pay off.
   
   Football lovers will enjoy this book as there are quite a few stories that include play-calling and football terminology. A good read.



4. This book is one of my favorites, one reason being that I love football. But you dont have to love football to like this book. In this book you read about how Jon Gruden, one of my favorite coaches works his way up his ladder of success. This book can teach you a lot about work ethic, motivation and self desire. He also talks about how he made it as far as he is right now because he had a great learning ability, wouldnt give up on any of his dreams and kept at what he wanted to do, be a profesional football coach. But there is one downside to this book as it is a very short book, but it is a very interesting and fun book to read. I had a realy good time reading this book and i hope you do too.



5. I am not a huge Gruden fan ever since he left my Philadelphia Eagles, but I read this book and have to say that it is written like he thinks, 100 mph. I do not mind that he glossed over some things because he was trying to wrap up his entire life to date in under 200 pages. I think it did a great job showing how an NFL coach moves through the ranks, the importance of experience at the different coaching positions, as well as the time line of interest in the Post Bill Walsh era where everyone seems connected in the football family. I enjoyed his book and I went from making fun of the guy before hand, to respecting his success at such an early age. As for winning with Dungy's guys - yes, he did do that, but now that he has a running game in 2005, his team looks right back on top. Something people should realize about the NFL that is important. Coaches, for the most part, have all walked the same line and know all the same Xs and Os. In the end their success finges on their ability to work long hours and prepare, have good salary cap management by their GMs and have the players to win games. Gruden is a beast of a hard worker and knows his stuff, you may want to take some notes about his work ethic if you get anything out of this book. I have read just about every football book there is, no joke, so I know what I am talking about. If you want a pulitzer prize writer - try When Pride Still mattered, if you want a quick fun read that inspires a work ethic, this is a good book for you.

2 comments about Ted Williams: Reflections on a Splendid Life (Sportstown Series).

1. Im 17 years old and hardly pick up a book , but I couldnt seem to put this one down , I find myself reading this book 3 hours a day. These are all articles of Ted Williams life that go in order from when he was a young kid to a old man. Its not just about his baseball side , but also about his love of fishing and who he really is behind the baseball image. It doesnt just tell you that he did something but how he did it ( dislike fans , visited kids in hospital , hate writers , sent money to his father even know he hadnt seen him in over 10 years , and why he was so generous to others ). Ive read alot about Ted Williams but I learned alot more about him in this book. I highly reccomend this book to anyone whos interested in " The Kid "



2. Compiled and edited by lifelong Boston Red Sox fan Lawrence Baldassaro (who is also Professor of Italian and Comparative Literature, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee), Reflections On A Splendid Life: Ted Williams is a remarkable tribute to the talented baseball player who won six batting titles and two Triple Crowns, and in 1941, was the last player to hit over .400. In addition to his legend on the baseball field, he served as a fighter pilot in World War II and worked on behalf of the Jimmy Fund to fight against cancer in children. Reflections On A Splendid Life collects writings and photographs of Williams, from his rookie year in 1939 to his death in July 2002. Articles by sportswriters, best-selling authors, and those who knew and respected the remarkable Ted Williams fill the pages of this one-of-a-kind compilation. This is a "must read" for all Ted Williams fans!

5 comments about Marco Pantani: The Legend of a Tragic Champion.

1. On the surface, Marco Pantani had it all in 1998 - pulling off an incredible pro cycling double, winning the Tour of Italy and Tour of France - and though his flamboyant personality and tough work in putting opponents away in the mountain stages had a pop culture flare, there was nowhere to go but down.
   
   Leading sports journalist John Wilcockson packs solid information encompassing the fast life and wild ride of "The Pirate," where triumph and tragedy showed again the shadows in sports where winning at all costs may not just mean the implosion of a pro career. From that point of being the king of cycling, Pantani plummeted, being disqualified from the 1999 Tour of Italy after failing a test for banned performance-enhancing drugs, being treated for clinical depression in 2003 after several years of sporadic appearances at events and dying of a cocaine overdose at age 34 in 2004.
   
   Wilcockson balances the Pantani that the public saw and admired with the private person, who had inner demons that finally engulfed his soul. It is a tragic story, but one which is a powerful reminder of what can happen when a life spirals out of control.....after the cheers of the crowd and awards from race officials are mere faded articles in old newspapers.



2. Informative book of a great climber who was destroyed both professionally and personally with never proven claims of doping. Like probably almost all of his generation Pantani almost certainly doped yet he was the one who was singled out. Such a sad story of a great climber who eventaully died from non-performance enhancing drug abuse.



3. This is an excelent chronicle of one of history's greatest climbers. Because it presents both sides of the story, this book is worth a read. Contains scientific data as well as multitudes of tabloid-ish material. However, because it does, it tells the whole story. Marco Pantani, while an outstanding athlete, was the Britney Spears of Italian Cycling. This book captures that scene well!



4. One does not expect great literature in a sports biography and this book meets those expectations. However, it does succeed in making you feel like you do get to know Pantani - and it does give a lot of facts that help you to piece together the story and, probably, what was behind it.
   
   Anyone who still thinks that "certain riders" didn't take performance-enhancing substances should read this book (especially the interview with his ex-girlfriend).
   
   Anyone who wants more insight into the TDF should read this book.
   
   Anyone who knows even a little about Pantani and wants to understand his tragic story should read this book.



5. Beginning with Marco's own words written on nine pages torn from his own passport mere months before his tragic death, "Marco Pantani: The Legend of a Tragic Champion" both starts and culminates with his final goodbye to the world with his last defiant act fired back at those he felt were ultimately responsible for his demise. The book retraces Marco's remarkable assent to the top of both his sport and life starting from his meager upbringing as a plumbers son in Cesena, Italy to his drug induced death on valentines day 2004.
   
   Aboard his first racing bike, a bright red Vicini, Marco won his first race at the age of 14 and never looked back. Although a quick read at only 181 pages, the authors not only rekindle Marco's spirit in the reader, but allow one to step back in time and relive some of the most memorable exploits in modern cycling history when many of us sat riveted in front of our televisions, saying to ourselves, "There he goes", as the mountains pitched upward. For how welcoming these memories are however, the tragic side of the plot is intertwined throughout, reaching a climax with the only published interview to date of Marco's estranged girlfriend of seven years Christina Jonsson.
   
   Although Marco's ultimate public demise might have begun on June 5, 1999 at Madonna di Campiglio.... "that black day when his Giro d'Italia pink jersey was tarnished with blood", Marco's fall into his own personal abyss ran far deeper than most would ever know. Christina openly acknowledges in her interview of Marco's competitive doping practices. With nothing held back beyond the tears, she goes as far as telling how she would assist in holding his arm while he injected himself and of the "products he had forever in a sealed container in the fridge". The beautiful sport of cycling has become, she states, "an incredible hypocrisy..... Marco had to accept to race in a system that didn't allow him not to dope". She goes on to say what most of us choose not to or simply hope isn't the case when adding up the current state of the professional peleton..... "To dope means searching to improve your performance to give a better show and to feed dreams. They pay these athletes because they allow people to dream, that's all. If there is no longer a show there's no more emotion and nothing to relate to."
   
   Governing bodies need to make a statement from time to time to legitimize their ability to turn a blind eye to he true reality of the situation. One might have hoped that the circumstances behind Marco's passing could serve as a wakeup call for both cycling and the greater sporting world, but it seems that history does in fact tend to repeat itself and the cancer in cycling only continues to grow. One only needs to look at the recent expulsion of Jan Ullrich and Ivan Basso (among others) from starting the 2006 Tour de France. Marco wasn't the first tragic story and he will by no means be the last. Let's just hope the stories of others don't end with the same misfortune as that of Marco. Tragic yes... champion even more so.
   
   The thumb screws were tightened in Marco's case such that his tragic spiral downward appeared to be of his own hand from outward appearances. Is it natural for speeds to increase steadily from year to year far beyond the pace of enhancements in technologies and/or training methods? Or was Marco simply a scapegoat of the system in which he found himself entangled in the web of cycling's programmatic unfairness. This book gives a compelling argument toward the latter through the life and times of Marco Pantani: The Legend of a Tragic Champion.

No comments about Heroes of the Hall : Pro Football's Greatest Players.