5 comments about Breaking the Surface.

1. The reason I didn't give the book a 5 rating was because it could have had a better ending. Greg was SO timid and let everyone else run his life for him. It never improved until the end. And this bit about him always being scared to come out of the closet--geez. Who did he think he was-Tom Cruise or somebody really noteworthy or famous?? He was a gold medalist from an Olympic contest for Pete's sake--it would have made the news for a day and then blown over. I kind of wonder what his life would have been like if he had run it himself.
   
   But--it was a good book and I did enjoy it and I loaned it to a friend, and both of us had it read in 4 days.



2. It is a great autobiography in the sense that the author is very honest with his readers and being true to himself.
   
   The author has made great introspections on his life and through the chapters on his childhood, family, diving career as well as relationships, you will be inspired to think along of your own and relate it to his stories. It is not only readng a story of the author but also a soul-searching journey of your own.
   
   It does not matter that you are not a professional diver or have little interest in the sport since the chapters on diving do not include technical details that bore the non-sportlovers. Instead they display how Greg Louganis accomplished his achievements through years of hard work and perseverance rather than depending on his good look or luck, if any.
   
   His story of success in career is as thought-provoking as the later chapters on his struggle to live with HIV-positive and pursuit of the cause of non-discrimination against gays.
   
   Also the photos in the book are fantastic. You can see some on his childhood, friends and family, diving and a few of them are gorgeous and sexy(e.g.centerfold in Playgirl)that won't disappoint you.
   
   We must give the author a credit that he did not show off how many important people he had ever taken pictures with but included those who are important to his life. If you challenge me about the two photos of the presidents, don't judge him too soon, look at the caption and you will know why.
   
   The third last sentence of the book is "I just hope I have enough time to make a difference". After reading the book, you will agree with me that he did and did it amazingly. Thank you, Greg Louganis.



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



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



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

1 comments about Blood in My Coffee: The Life of the Fight Doctor.

1. Forget the fact that Dr. Ferdie Pacheco is one of the most knowledgeable people in the sport of boxing; we already knew that. What many haven't known is that he's also one of the finest writers in America. Ferdie manages to catch human nature spot on with this revealing autobiography. Reading Blood in My Coffee is like taking a seminar on life.

2 comments about Mr. Basketball: George Mikan, the Minneapolis Lakers, and the Birth of the NBA.

1. Several of the other Amazon "reviews" for this book merely state facts about Mikan and The Lakers and NOT about the book. I bought it with the intent of really learning about this wonderful man and the team. I grew up in Minneapolis in the 1950s. After reading the book, I essentially learned nothing new about George Mikan, his interests, motivations, relationships, family times and adjustments, law practice, etc. The writing style is pedestrian, there is really little about Mikan that is insightful. The author claims to have interviewed Mikan's widow and children. He obviously does not know how to dig deep in conducting an interview to capture the human interest of his subject in the printed word. What a shame. George Mikan deserves better. Now I am going to try and find a copy of his autobiography, which is supposed to be out of print, to see if I can learn some insights about this unique man.
   
   Superficially- written biographies and historical accounts are a dime a dozen these days. This is one of them. My message to hack authors: really do your homework and dig deep before you write or don't write.



2. By "typical book," I mean that it covers Mikan's career in great detail, give you some early biographical info, and then zips thru this post career life in mere seconds, until coverage of his death - maybe there isn't much happening after an athlete retires but it should would be nice to see some real research every once in a while. Wait for this to come out in paperback - in fact, wait for it to come out in mass market paperback - either that or in your library's discard pile.

No comments about The Game of Their Lives, 50th Anniversary Edition: The 1958 NFL Championship.

5 comments about Miracle in the Making: The Adam Taliaferro Story.

1. The book "Miracle in the Making" is an inspirational story about Adam Taliaferro, a former Penn State football player who was paralyzed in a game. He was told he would never walk again and this books lets you travel with Adam in his personal story of his road back after being completely paralyzed. This boo is a truly motivational book in which i recommend anyone, not just Penn State fans, to read.



2. This truley is an excellent book. I grew up in the same neighborhood with Adam, attended the same HS (graduate a year after) and every bit of information (names, dates, etc) are all correct. All the information about his character is completely true, he really is an inspirational person. Growing up in a huge suburban high school with him, it really was a very competitive atmosphere. Everyone seemed to love him because he was one of the brightest (one of the highest GPAs of his class, scholar athlete and best athlete in the school) along with being one of the most modest, down to early people ever. If someone had the will to succeed it is him. I recommend this book to anyone overcoming obstacles, down on their luck,athletes and basically anyone because it is the type of book that you can not put down.



3. After finding out that Adam Taliaferro couldnt walk again ever. His father and mother urged him to push on. His spirits were high always no matter what. This is a triumphant story about courage and self-determination and a little help from some up above



4. This book is good for anyone whether you are a football fan or not. I personally am a football fan, and I would especially recommend this book for those football fans out there. This book is inspirational and well documented. It is also at a good price now, and it is a quick read.



5. All too often in today's world of youth sports; parents, coaches and players miss the meaning of sportsmanship. Having been involved in youth sports for 14 years, I have witnessed over bearing parents and tenacious coaches. I suggest they keep a copy of "Miracle in the Making" in their equipment bags. This book highlights the true meaning of a parent/child relationship and a coach/player relationship. Adam is the definition of courage, kindness and strength. His family's support during his recovery is awe-inspiring. The writers did a terrific job of bringing me along on Adam's journey to recovery. I will be on the sidelines cheering; watching as Adam wins the biggest game of his life!

5 comments about Joe Montana's Art and Magic of Quarterbacking: The Secrets of the Game from One of the All-Time Best.

1. Like many of the current crop of younger football coaches, I grew up in a 1980's that was dominated at the NFL level by the West Coast Offense and the San Francisco 49ers. One of the quarterbacks of that amazing dynasty was Joe Montana, and he was very, very good at what he did.
   
   Unfortunately, the book he authored really doesn't go in depth on how he achieved that success. Very little of the player's mechanics are covered. There is no discussion of proper arm motion when passing. There is no discussion of hip angling, receiver progression or other mechanics of function within a football play.
   
   This book is largely a series of anecdotes about Joe's career, rather than a specific list of skills and drills for young quarterbacks. His stories are interesting, but meaningless to the coach looking to improve his players.
   
   I strongly recommend another book by another Super Bowl winning quarterback. "Phil Simms on Passing: Fundamentals of Throwing the Football" is actually ABOUT the mechanics of throwing the ball. All the little tidbits that have been ignored by the miserable execution of the modern NFL are listed.
   
   For example: Phil Simms discusses the importance of keeping the elbows pinned to the sides when dropping back. With both hands on the ball, this reduces the risk of a fumble if sacked by surprise from behind. The year he discovered this he dropped his fumbles from 11 the prior year to three. I was so impressed that I began using that technique with my high school program immediately; our quarterbacks have not fumbled in five years.
   
   Phil Simms also covers the adaptation of the West Coast Offense as a precision passing attack-- so precise in fact, that he was taught, "to hit the receiver on the number away from the defender, so the receiver would know which way to turn to avoid the tackle and could gain extra yardage." These are the tips that should have been in Joe Montana's book, and were not.
   
   Joe Montana's book barely covers the three and five step drops, ignores handoffs and faking, and brushes over roll out passing and throwing on the run. By contrast, Phil Simms's book covers one step, three step, five step, seven step, roll outs, throwing on the run, avoiding the sack, how to avoid the interception, how to throw the intentional incomplete to avoid the sack, reading the zones, reading man-to-man coverage, receiver progressions, securing the football, mechanics of a proper handoff, proper pitching/tossing, proper faking, and several other aspects of playing quarterback.
   
   Joe Montana's book is a good read for the fan with an interest in his career, or the dad that wants to play catch with his son and maybe avoid creating bad habits by teaching incorrect mechanics, but it just doesn't have the depth that it should. For a coach with a serious agenda of improving his football team, I just can't recommend it. Look for Phil Simms's book instead. You'll get much more out of it.
   
   ~D.



2. this book is awsome. Joe Montana, probably one of the greatest QBs ever shares his tips and secrets with the readers. Montana discusses everything from certain exercises to do, how to gain more accuracy, what's kinds of defenses there are, how you should grip the football, the different passing patters, and how he used to prepare during the week for an up and coming game. he goes through his mental preparation and what he's thinking in the first quarter, the second quarter, the adjustments at the half, the third, and then the 4th quarter.
   Montana also preaches unity and team. he never places himself above his teamates and always credits the people around him for his success. his offensive line, his running backs, coaches, wide recievers, and his parents.

   good book for any kid interested in becoming a QB or for anyone who just needs a little inspiration.




3. Joe Montana gives fans of all ages the complete package of quarterbacking. He breaks down every little detail associated with the position. This should be the right hand textbook for anyone wanting to play QB. A beautiful photo gallery is depicted in each chapter.



4. I'm admittedly certifiably crazy about football, the San Fransisco 49ers and Joe Montana. But even discounting those facts, this is one of THE best books ever written on football. Joe really KNOWS football and he and his co-writer really allow you to get INTO his head from a position underneath the center and indeed, from positions all over the field. The diagrams and Joe's explanations of all the intricacies of the game are more than worth the cost of the book, even for veteran watchers of the game. Joe is not only knowledgeable, but gracious and humorous! Having been lucky enough to talk with Joe more than once I can guarantee the truth of those three adjectives to describe him. This book was SO good I sent a copy to my friends in Germany who are also 49er fans (one really LIKES diagrams and one really LIKES Jerry Rice!) I sincerely hope Joe writes MORE books in future. Merfuff



5. As a football fan, and more specifically a Joe Montana fan, this book has it all. Not only do I understand more about the game, I also have a deeper admiration for those who suit up at the quarterback position. Joe puts you on the sideline, in the huddle, and at the line of scrimmage. He's both informative and inspirational, and leaves little doubt as to why he's considered the greatest quarterback of all time. You'll learn a lot of instructional advice on how to play quarterback from Joe, but the book also puts you inside Joe's head during his many magic moments.Gordon Shumway (GMVN@aol.com) New Jersey

4 comments about Terwilliger Bunts One.

1. A great book by a great guy. I enjoyed every word of every story. As a former minor leaguer myself I found the stories brought back all of those times in my mind. Terwilliger is a member of my Hall of Fame.



2. This book covers the life of Wayne Terwilliger from his childhood in Michigan as a Detroit Tiger fan thru his years as a star high school athlete, service in the Pacific with the marines during WWII and his subsequent return to college at Western Michigan in 1946. He even did a stint with the House of David semi pro team before the Chicago Cubs gave him a chance in 1948. He was sent to Des Moines in the class A Western League. The book traces his career as a player in the major leagues from 1949 thru 1960. He played for the Cubs,the Brooklyn Dodgers,Washington Senators, New York Giants and Kansas City. He was a minor league manager off and on for 18 years between 1961-2005. He served as a major league coach between 1969-1994 with Washington, Texas Rangers and Minnesota Twins. It seems as though he must have kept a diary to remember all the incidents and stories he relates. I can't imagine anyone having that
   prodigious a memory. I particularly enjoyed his remarks about Ted Williams,Kirby Puckett and Darryl Strawberry. A solid read from a true baseball veteran.



3. Though the years I've been asked countless times if I'm related to Wayne Terwilliger, the famous baseball player. I've always answered no, though technically, because we share a common Dutch ancestor who came over on a ship just after the Mayflower, all Terwilligers are related.
   
   With that out of the way, I'm happy to report that Wayne can not only bunt, he can also tell an exciting story. In his new book, Twig (his nickname) describes his career. And with 57 seasons (and counting) in professional baseball, there's plenty to tell.
   
   "Twig is that rarity in life--walking history," says Mike Veeck, Saint Paul Saints president. Wayne has played, coached, and managed in more than 7,200 baseball games since 1948, when he was first signed by the Chicago Cubs, and he is still coaching! In 2005, Wayne Terwilliger became just the second man ever (the venerable Connie Mack was first) to manage a professional baseball team at the age of 80.
   
   Personally, the chapter I enjoyed most is the one about his service in the Marines: "San Diego to Suribachi--a Gung-Ho Marine." My late father (also a Terwilliger) was almost the same age as Wayne and he also served as a Marine in the Pacific in World War II. (His nickname was Terry.) He, too, was an avid baseball player as a teen, and wound up using his skill to lob hand grenades at the enemy. Wayne describes lobbing a grenade in battle: "They teach you to pull the pin, release the handle, hesitate a couple of seconds, and then lob the grenade overhand, kind of like a hook shot to get distance. I should have used a short-armed snap throw--like turning a double play--for accuracy, because my hook shot went wide, clipped a palm tree branch and fell well short of the target." He was there on Iwo Jima when the flag was famously raised. He ends this chapter saying, "I'm more proud of my Marine service than anything else I've done before or since."
   
   Semper fi.
   
   See also:
   [...]



4. If it's true that it's the bench players and utility infielders who make the best baseball coaches and managers, then it's true that they write the best autobiographies, too. How many books come out ghosted for All-Stars and Hall of Famers that have nothing at all to say about baseball, and make blatant factual errors, too? Rickey Henderson, Lenny Dykstra, Jose Canseco... even Darryl Strawberry's 1992 book, which had a more articulate ghostwriter than usual, ended up collapsing under the weight of Straw's own tragic state of denial.
   
   All of that is washed away by Wayne Terwilliger's book. "Twig", as he was known, was a light-hitting, slick-fielding second baseman for several teams in the 1940s and '50s, and after that he embarked on a coaching and managerial career -- in the majors and minors -- that has already spanned five decades. He only amassed 22 lifetime home runs, but they all seem to have come off of legends and Hall-of-Famers. He coached for Ted Williams in Washington and Texas, manned first base for two World Champion Minnesota Twins teams, and then coached for the St. Paul Saints (probably the best-known independent minor league franchise) when they had, among others, Jack Morris, Straw, and J.D. Drew. Still a manager at age 80, he won an independent league championship for Fort Worth (after surviving bladder cancer), and still made 12-hour bus trips to Pensacola.
   
   Twig is a baseball legend, even if his story's not as widely known as Don Zimmer's. They've both been around baseball for nearly 60 years, and both sat in on great events. Zimmer's removal for defensive purposes in Game 7 helped Brooklyn win the 1955 World Series; Twig was on the losing bench when Bobby Thomson hit the Shot Heard 'Round The World. Twig was also there for the flag-raising at Iwo Jima, by the way.
   
   "Terwilliger Bunts One", written by two St. Paul Saints fans who befriended Twig during his coaching days, is a lively book that draws on 60 years of well-preserved baseball memories, eclectic photographs, newspaper cartoons, and even a passage from an Annie Dillard memoir. A lot of time and care went into this thick volume, and the affection shows on every page. Twig's reminiscences about Ted Williams are easily the highlight of the book.
   
   Also amazing is the list of professional teams Twig played, coached and managed for or against -- remember the 1969 Seattle Pilots or the 2003 Alexandria Aces? I have a 2003 Aces pocket schedule somewhere in my belongings, and I have the unfortunate feeling that if I open it up, I'll find that I was in Alexandria one of those nights when Twig was the opposing manager, and missed the chance to see him, still making a living at the best game there is and having a blast.

2 comments about Moe Berg: The Spy Behind Home Plate (Jps Young Biography Series.).

1. My son and I learned about Moe Berg at the Spy Museum in Washington DC (which is well worth a visit). Knowing he would have to write a biography book report in 5th grade, I ordered this book so he could cover something other than just sports. A jewish WWII spy who played pro baseball, spoke multiple languages, had a law degree, studied nuclear physics with Einstein and travelled the world . . . . an athlete and intellectual, eccentric and unusual. Berg's life story is fascinating, easily holding the interest of a fifth grader, and it made a stellar biography report. My son learned a lot about many subjects. So, I recommend the reading this book.
   
   The book itself had some flaws, but Berg's life was interesting enough to get you through the book. A good editor with a heavy pen could have greatly improved the book. The author does not proceed in chronological order, although I found myself expecting it. This failure created confusion at times, and I felt obscured the early part of Moe's spy career. My son and I had to read and re-read, then take notes in chronological order to get the story straight. I felt that the failure to present things chronologically resulted in the author failing to identify the start of Berg's spying. The dates in the text do not always match the dates in the timeline in the book - a further irritant. The author seemed to make much more of Berg's jewish heritage than he seemed to.
   
   This is not a great book, but the subject matter makes it worth a read and it really is a wonderful subject for a biography book report.



2. I loved this book because it was just like an autobiography, but not in first-person. I never knew that someone can be a outstanding baseball player, but also a sneaky spy.

5 comments about World Wrestling Insanity: The Decline and Fall of a Family Empire.

1. This is undoubtedly the most boring wrestling book that I have ever read. 99% of the time the author is giving derogatory statements about everything that the WWE stands for. I found the book so boring that after I had read 2/3 of it I put it aside, however, I do plan to later finish the book



2. I passed on buying this book for a couple of months, mainly because for twenty bucks it's very thin and it appeared to be yet another book detailing the last decade of WWE shenanigans. After finally picking it up, man I wish that I could get my money back.
   Did you ever go to a standup show where the guy tells what he thinks are the greatest finely crafted jokes only to have the audience be completely silent and just not care?
   That is this book. There's very little wrestling fact/stories. Just this guy riffing on WWE tidbits of the last 10 years. And did I mention he is SO un-funny? He actually has to write "by the way I was joking about the last sentence!" a ton of times to make sure that the reader knows he was trying to be funny. And to add to the hilarity he adds a bunch of poorly photoshopped pictures spread through the book... HHH with a dunce cap!, HHH as the Mona Lisa, HHH as 80s sitcom star Webster! BWA-HA HA HA!! that's funny stuff! (by the way I was joking about that last sentence)
   I'm not sure who this book was written for. Wrestling fans will hate it because it has nothing new or different to offer. Fans of humor books will hate it because it's incredibly not funny. I guess that leaves Guttman's friends and family. I hope your Aunt Ethyl enjoyed it James, because I certainly didn't.



3. I know James Guttman from back when he first started writing JG's Raw Insanity Reports when he wrote at Pro Wrestling Torch. His wrestling reviews were both hilarious and spot on. When he informed everyone that he was writing a book, we all waited with baited breathe until it came out. What a wonderful read. James takes you inside the crazy world of WWE and shows you some of the craziness that happens in the wrestling business that we all know and love. For some (like me) who hates the direction in which WWE has turned than this book is for you. Every WWE fan needs to read this book. Great job James!



4. I think this is the first book since I was three, that I wanted to read out loud. My boyfriend and I took turns reading out loud. It is a great read for any wrestling fan, especailly those that have become annoyed with the absolutly ridiculaous storylines. He also does a great job of reminding us of the few things they do very well.



5. I've always enjoyed James Guttman's columns so I liked this book. You can tell he's a real wrestling fan and his frustration with the WWE product comes through. Great parodies, witty insights and all around good read.

No comments about FA Confidential: Sex, Drugs and Penalties. The Inside Story of English Football.