1 comments about The Bobby Jones Story: The Authorized Biography.

1. Bobby Jones is one of the most revered names in the rich history of golf. However, beyond the fact that all golf fans, and many casual observers, know that Jones won what was golf's Grand Slam in 1930 (U.S. Open, British Open, U.S. Amateur, British Amateur) and created Augusta National Golf Club and the Master's tournament, little is known about the man beyond a few blurbs. What better way to really learn about the man than to read the authorized biography penned by Jones' personal confidante, journalist O.B. Keeler. Unfortunately, a great opportunity seems to have been missed here. While "The Bobby Jones Story" does capture the amazing feats of golf career, it gives very little insight into the man himself. Keeler writes this biography less as a study of Bobby Jones and more as just an excited observer who was present for much of Jones' accomplishments.
   
   Let it not be said that there isn't anything of worth in this book, though. The three-star rating obviously means that there are enough redeeming qualities to recommend it. The reader is able to get some insight into the pressures golf placed upon Jones. Pressure so great that he had decided to retire from competitive play following the 1930 season, Grand Slam or not. It also shows that earlier in his career, before he started winning majors, Jones could be considered by the Phil Mickelson of his era. He was gambler with his game who often went for too much with tournaments on the line and was frequently the victim of just horrible luck in tournaments, not unlike Mickelson today.
   
   This book also benefits from detailing the amazing golf accomplishments of Jones. The seven-year run of success Jones had between 1923-1930 is unmatched in the annals of golf, even with Tiger Wood's modern mastery (13 major wins, including 7 straight U.S. titles). That success is made all the more remarkable by the fact that the only competitve golf Jones played during that period was at the majors. "The Bobby Jones Story" covers these matches and their key moments in great detail.
   
   Alas, that three-star rating also indicates that this book suffers in many areas. Most of the problems center around Keeler's literary style and choices. One such problem may just be symptomatic of time period in which the book was written. Keeler has a tendency to use certain antiquated words when describing the action on the golf course. He uses words like 'niblick', 'mashie', and 'mashie-niblick' to describe types of clubs being used without ever explaining what exactly those clubs are. While that could just be indicative of the language of the time, it is distracting to the contemporary reader who has no idea what those are.
   
   Another area where Keeler makes a mistake is with his tendency to use hyperbole to describe Jones' accomplishments. Far too many times Keeler refers to a shot made by Jones, or a round or tournament played by Jones as the 'best he's ever seen' or 'best Jones ever played'. This happens too much and leads the reader to believe that there are far too many occasions of Jones' best ever accomplishments.
   
   Keeler seems to also be writing in a 'stream of consciousness' style. He skips around too much with stories he's telling. One moment, the 1925 U.S. Open is being discussed and the next line or paragraph, Keeler is talking about events in 1926 Open without using any sort of segue or transition statements to indicate to the reader that such a change has occurred. The readers will often find themselves having to backtrack just to make sure they have sequence of events understood correctly. Keeler also focuses on too short a period of Jones' life, from the start of his golfing career as a young teen until his retirement at age 28 in 1930. Keeler, himself, died in 1953 and this book was released just prior to his death. There was plenty opportunity to go into detail about Jones' creation of Augusta National and The Masters. There also should have been mention of Jones' remarkable war record in World War II. Not of that makes its way into this book and that's a shame.
   
   This is not a bad read, though. Though incomplete and wordy, "The Bobby Jones Story" is still an interesting look at a portion of the life of Bobby Jones from a close, first-person observer.

2 comments about Mickey Cochrane: The Life of a Baseball Hall of Fame Catcher.

1. THIS BOOK IS A VERY QUICK LOOK AT THE GREAT CATCHER FOR THE A'S AND TIGERS. I ENJOYED THIS BOOK ALOT. THE ONLY COMPLAINT IS THAT IT IS TOO SHORT AND NOT VERY DETAILED. IT HAS SOME INTERESTING FACTS, ESPECIALLY THE PART OF TY COBB HELPING HIM FINANCIALLY. STILL HE WAS A HARD NOSED PLAYER AND MANAGER. HE WAS HUMAN, AND THIS BOOK DOES A GOOD JOB OF SHOWING HIS GREATNESS AND FAULTS. I RECOMMEND THIS FOR BASEBALL HISTORIANS AND FOR THOSE WHO APPRECIATE A GREAT PLAYER AND GOOD PERSON.



2. I was so looking forward to reading this book. The effort by Charlie Bevis is good. The content is short and sweet. Seems that 180 or so pages just does not seem like enough information about as fascinating a baseball character as you will ever find. I was left wanting so much more. Of note, I found it somewhat distressing that towards the end of this book, the author did his bit to dispell the rumours about Cochrane being assisted by Cobb in his down and out years of the 50's decade. Even though he got the word from Cochrane's daughter herself that this was totally false, I was not convinced by the author himself. Anyone can flip a story or subject anyway they choose, good or bad. It is up to the author to relay and convince the reader of the truth. Sadly, this is one truth that still has not been nailed down, regardless of denials. Considering the history and negative knowledge of this particular period in Mike's life, it really is too bad that Charlie Bevis had the opportunity and really did nothing with it to solidify claims to the opposite. Too bad for Mike too. The book is good, as is the effort, but lacking in content and duration.

5 comments about Taking Shots: Tall Tales, Bizarre Battles, and the Incredible Truth About the NBA.

1. I read a ton of books, mostly history and sports books. This book does have some interestng stories, he tries to hard to preach and the book never seems to flow. Granted, I bought it for 6 bucks but it's simply not worth the cover price.



2. Keith Glass takes us behind the scenes on what goes on behind the glitz of an NBA game. He gives us lots of behind the scenes action, insider information and laugh-out loud anecdotes, which are all fun to read. However, that lies the shortcoming of this book. It is just that. Full of anecdotes. According to the cover copy, it's about the incredible truth about the NBA. The problem is, the book is so scattered, there's no central topic, even if Keith Glass said it's about NBA player's sense of entitlement, it doesn't come out that way since there are chapters that digress from this subject. Reading the book, it switches from an autobiography, to the pratfalls of being an honorable agent to stories about his clients to an advice on how to improve the US Men's Basketball team. The topics meander and Glass seems to be trying hard to be a comedy writer in his next life. Still, Taking Shots is an enjoyable if not (very) light read. It is not in the level of Terry Pluto's Loose Balls or as controversial as Phil Jackson's last book. The supposed subject on what makes the NBA fail today (as written in sleeves) is not discussed in-depth and if it was discussed, the writing is not that clear to be understood what the point is all about. Keith Glass, being an agent, should've called his agent so he could've secured a good editor for his book.



3. My largest disappointment with this book was the lack of focus on the agent aspect of Glass's life. The stories were about his clients, and there are some situation he's found himself that are the result of being an agent, but they often weren't about actually what it was like to be an agent. Negotiation tales were vague and general, most of the players he told stories about were non-stars if not entirely unrecognizable.
   
   His portion of the book that addressed what was wrong with the NBA was hardly a revelation; I think most people know that the basketball being played in the NBA is lousy, so that assessment from Glass is not shattering any illusions. Further, his suggestions for how to "fix" the NBA are pipe dreams, at best, even if some would make sense.
   
   There is enough humor and behind-the-scenes type of stories to keep the book interesting, but there's an awful lot of pages for what seems like very little substance. The content does not live up to the expectations created by the title.
   
   Finally, and this is a very picky detail, there are typos galore in this book. I generally thought books had editors to catch such things, but there is a variety of glaring errors throughout.



4. Keith Glass tells a great tale, and his many years of experience representing NBA players has given him many to tell. Glass' book is a great insight into the other side of the NBA that the general public would otherwise have no access to. But one of the greatest elements of this book is Glass' true passion for the sport, and for the part he has played in it.
   
   The book looks at Glass' upbringing, with basketball in his life from a very young age. Glass discusses how Larry Brown ended up living with his family, how Glass saw the evolution of basketball, and how he became a coach at UCLA. There's a very nostalgic and homely feel to these earlier chapters, and they definitely show a man who really loves the game and loves the relationships he has been able to establish through it.
   
   The book then looks at Glass' adventures in representing top level NBA stars and how he came into this career. The greatest stories in here are the tale of Mahamoud Abdul-Rauf, the making of Scott Skiles (current head coach of the Chicago Bulls) and the sad story of Thomas Hamilton. It really is the stories like Hamilton's, a seven-foot-four giant with exquisite skills who could never get his NBA career started due to personal problems, that make this book. The power this story has is it makes you look at how some people can throw their God-given talent away, which gives you perspective to appreciate what you have in your life.
   
   The latter chapters lack the same level of interest, as Glass discusses the various ways he NBA could improve the league and take it back to it's roots more, and further away from the greed-driven monster it has become. Glass makes some great points, but they could have been better illustrated through his stories, rather than telling the reader, point-blank. His various tales deliver this message through subtlety and through reading between the lines of what's going on, so to have this opinion forced onto the reader in the end weakened the overall tone of the writing a bit.
   
   It also plays down some of Glass' other failings, in that he makes little to no mention of his previous marriages and doesn't discuss things he has done that he has regretted. It seems, at times, that Glass is a little too ethical in a world of no ethics, and to survive in this arena, Glass says himself, you can't always hold to your morals. There would appear to be a level of censorship and restraint at times. The book could have had more effect if there were no barriers, no holds barred.
   
   There are also two times that Glass refers to the story of Lloyd Daniels, and says that he would need an entire book of it's own to tell Daniels' story. Lloyd Daniels was shot three times in the late eighties and still, to this day, has a bullet lodged in his right shoulder. He never played in college, yet went on to play for five NBA teams. Now that's a story I want to hear. Daniels' story should have made the book, even in brief form.
   
   At the end of the book you get the sense that this is the story Keith Glass wanted to tell in exactly the way he wanted to tell it, which is not so bad, but it felt like it could have explored so much more about the dark side of the glamourous life of pro-ballers. As it stands, it's an interesting read, great at times, but overall more focussed on presenting a portrait of a man who loves the game and who holds a special place in his heart for 'his' players. Again, this is not so bad, but a but more controversy and a couple more first-hand accounts of back-room dealings would have made this a more important and compulsive book.



5. I recently met Keith Glass and his wife at a college graduation party for my niece. His son, Tyler, is dating my niece, and my sister-in-law, knowing that I'm a sports fan, made sure I was introduced to Keith because, as she put it, "You know sports, you'll like him." Well, she was right. After a few minutes I realized that I did, indeed, like him. When the book came up in conversation I told Keith that I would order it from Amazon as soon as I got home, and I'm glad that I did. This was a very entertaining read. OK, it's not going to be used as a textbook in school, and it's got its share of glaring typos (I proof read books as a favor to friends who are authors) but if you're a basketball fan you're going to love this book. Keith is truly an "insider" and gives perspectives that can only be gotten from an insider. His anecdotes are filled with conversations that you would normally not hear anywhere. One, in particular, stands out. Keith used to represent the former Chris Jackson, who subsequently became Mahmoud Abdul-Rauf, whom you may recognize as the Denver Nuggets player who refused to stand for the National Anthem after he converted to Islam. Keith's insight into Mahmoud's background and battle with Tourette's Syndrome is very helpful in understanding him. Heck, just imagining a Jewish agent representing a Muslim player is fun.
   At then end of the book Keith decides to opine on his "ways to fix basketball" and , while some are dead-on and interesting, I found some to be, in fact, either ideas that we've all bandied about in tavern conversation, or non-implementable. Still, it doesn't detract from the overall "fun-to-read" aspect of the book. I sense a follow-up to this book from Keith and, if so, I'll be sure to get the next one. I've already promised to lend the book out to my son-in-law and a good friend in Massachusetts, so Keith will be losing out on a few book sales. When it does return to me I'm going to see what I can do about getting him to autograph my copy.

1 comments about Byron Nelson: The Story of Golf's Finest Gentleman and The Greatest Winning Streak in History.

1. Visually striking layout... fantastic photos of Nelson and some of golf's greatest from that era. Book initially requires sequential reading, then opens up later into short, choppy highlights of tournaments where Byron prevailed. Makes a wonderful book to place somewhere visitors might want to browse through without committing to tons of reading. GREAT GIFT for a golfer.

5 comments about The Games Do Count: America's Best and Brightest on the Power of Sports.

1. Suprisingly good. Love well-researched books, and Brian obviously invested a good deal of time and effort putting this one together. As a sports fan, I thoroughly enjoyed this one.



2. Brian Kilmeade intrigues me on TV. He is witty, fast thinking, well informed, and personable.
   
   In my judgment, his book covered a worthwhile topic--the impact of athletics on the lives of participants, even those who don't become star performers.
   
   As an avid sports fan, I welcomed several wise observations like this statement from George Will, one of the celebrities profiled: "Baseball--it's a cliche, but like a lot of cliches, it's true--is a game of failure. The best hitter in baseball in a given year fails more than 60 percent of the time. If you bat .350, you've failed 65 percent of the time. Ted Williams batted .406 in 1941, which means he failed to get a hit roughly 60 percent of the time. In any given year, the best team in baseball walks off the field beaten about sixty times. It's a very difficult game and a game of failure. That doesn't mean that some people aren't a whole lot better than others. And everyone was a whole lot better than I was most of the time."
   
   However, because so many of the people Brian Kilmeade featured say practically the same thing, I suggest that he would have produced a more appealing book if he had eliminated the duplications. Through careful editing, he could have given us half as much material that would have carried twice as much impact.
   
   The Complete Communicator: Change Your Communication-change Your Life!



3. The author's high profile job got me to buy his book, as I watch his morning news program everyday. I was happy to find that the book stands alone as an inspiring weaving of interesting true stories from celebrities on how sports impacted their lives.
   
   Kilmeade did a great job of getting the biggest names of our time to share their victories and defeats, and how those experiences shaped their paths toward success.
   
   This is an upbeat book that will touch your soul. A great gift for teenagers.



4. I originally purchased this book for my husband. After reading it myself, I decided that it would also make the perfect Christmas gift for every guy on my list. I gave 11 of these books that Christmas. I have never received such heartfelt and enthusiastic thank you's for my gifts as I did from gifting "The Games Do Count". My son and nephews in college especially appreciated this book, as it (1) consists of many great, individual short stories and (2) with their busy college schedules, this book was the perfect choice for some quick, enjoyable down-time reading.



5. THIS MAY A GOOD BOOK BUT THE AUTHOR IS STILL A POMPOUS ARROGANT JERK. AND HE IS NOT AT ALL FUNNY.

1 comments about Hockeytown Hero: The Steve Yzerman Story.

1. I just finished reading Hockeytown Hero: The Steve Yzerman Story. Finally, a biography written for kids about our Detroit Red Wings Captain! Author Shelley Lazarus includes interviews with Yzerman, his teammates, and other hockey legends, including Scotty Bowman and Bryan Trottier.

   I thought the book was well written; a great story told artfully. Trust me when I say grown ups will enjoy it as much as the kids! While the book focuses on Yzerman's hockey career -- from the time he first skated at age three, through two Stanley Cup championships -- I really enjoyed the personal glimpses and photographs included as well. Yzerman's parents even provide team pictures of his early years as a "Moose Pup All-Star" (age 8.)

   I already bought copies for my neices & nephews, and saved one for myself, too! You've got to read this book.

5 comments about Kabloona In Yellow Kayak.

1. This Canadian woman fell in love with the north and its people. She took her kayak on a long perilous trip where many would fear to go. What courage. She tells about her trip and the many places she visited and the people she met. She continued her trip alone after the man along on the trip proved hard to get along with. But she continued. She was planning more trips to her favorite part of the world but it was not to be. Though she did not live to continue kayaking she did what she wanted. She enjoyed life to the fullest and was not afraid to go where others would be afraid. What a terrific lady. Her health was not good but that would not deter her from living life.



2. This book was an inspiration for me to buy a kayak and as an humble beginner to get out on the water at the age of 61. The author has the spiritual soul necessary to write such a magical accounting of her travels thru a land of kind people with smiling children. I know that writing is a time consuming task Ms. Jason...but could we have another episode please? I feel sure you will go back to this beautiful region again. Dan Chesser (Chess to my friends) Winston, OR ... In the 1000 valleys of the Umpqua River drainage.



3. I read "Kabloona" several years ago and have reread it again twice. Jason not only could write well and make me experience her trip vicariously, she also had the ability to spur me into new and different experiences of my own. Although I have not braved the Arctic as she did, I have conquered my own little fears and challenges. My mother used to wonder why cancer only got the most wonderful, caring, creative people. My mother was right. Jason may not have lived to write book number two, but her energy and her passion have been a road map to women in at least two countries. Thanks for the trip, Victoria!



4. Victoria Jason makes you feel like you are paddling the kayak. You experience the wind on your cheeks, the cold spray on your face, the pull of the current and strength of the waves on your boat. But even more powerful are the emotions which you share as you glide through the pages like gliding through the water. You sense her anxiety and vulnerability, her regrets and her doubts. She is independent and totally in control of her own destiny in a land where danger lurks in the water, on the land, and in the weather. She misses her family, thinking of her grandkids often. But she also experiences a sense of accomplishment since she is singularly in control. She is one with nature and gains inner peace and tranquility. In the few times she interacts with others, she is met with caring and sincerity, developing friendships and getting to know them better and deeper than one would in a "normal" setting. Unlike her short-time paddling companion, Don Starkell, who seemed to approach the trip as a task--as he against the elements--she embraces the elements and forms a synergy. She doesn't oppose the land, water, weather, or situations, she lets them work for her with finesse. And even when face to face with a grizzly and having a shotgun which could have been a more certain outcome, she chose a flare gun at the grizzly's feet. Maybe she's a paddling grandmother, but she's also an inspiration to all.



5. A friend lended me Victoria's book a few years ago, and I am grateful for that. I found her to be such an inspiration. This book has had a profound influence on my life. Her experiences are fascinating, her inner strength is amazing, and her love for the beauty of man and nature is uplifting.

   Victoria was a terrifically generous woman. In spite of the fact that she was battling a very aggressive brain tumor over the last year, she gave me the pleasure of her company for an afternoon during a recent trip through Winnipeg. She spoke of a second book she was working on about her return to the North. Unfortunately this second book remains unfinished, as Victoria passed away on May 20, 2000. She was a great lady!

5 comments about The Runner and the Path: An Athlete's Quest for Meaning in Postmodern Corporate America.

1. Issues in the business world and how running helped him deal with those issues were very well articulated.



2. "What would I do if I knew I only had one day left to live?" writes Dean Ottati in a key passage of this book (p. 223). The answer he says, is that he would start by going out to run. "During that run, I would smell each smell, the roses and the horse droppings, with equal joy. I would listen to the leaves rustling in the trees, and I would watch the red-winged blackbirds against bright yellow mustard flower . . . . I would run up the Mauler [hill] one last time. And I would thank it for remaining such a consistent challenge over the years."
   
   Those sentiments are the core of this book. It's not about running, it's about being a runner. The distinction is critical. I am a runner and author of running books. Ottati is a runner and has written a book that tells of how running has helped to shape his life. It's a good book: in places a great one. There are insights here about the importance of various aspects of our lives: hill running, career, family, corporate negotiations. I fluctuate between a four-star and five-star review, but some of the corporate lessons seem a bit obvious. But maybe that's just me...I abandoned that career path decades ago-about the time that I myself took up running, and my interest in corporate America is inherently limited.

   Highly recommended to anyone struggling to make sense of their priorities.

   Especially if you also happen to be a runner.




3. The promo says it's in the spirit of Pirsig's Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance - and it is. Ottati wrote a thoughtful and inspiring book for all runners, as well as thinkers who want to be runners (or vice versa). Of course, if you are both a thinking and a runner, it's perfect and easy to get into.

   Like Zen and the Art of MM, the running is the backstory. Ottati's philosophizing is pretty basic, but it's refreshing and very relevant to today's post 9/11, post high-tech crash world.

   And... Mahler sounds like a good run.




4. I have to admit that I'm only halfway through this book, but honestly I have put it aside for a while. Dean's book is good, but know that it's closer to a business or personal improvement book than a running book. If that is what you are looking for, this is a good one. But Dean is definitely not the next Sheehan, and his topics and style are completely different. A good book, but know what you are really getting.



5. I really enjoyed and highly recommend The Runner and the Path. Ottati takes the reader on a wonderful journey. Whether it's facing down real coyotes on the running trails of Mt. Diablo or facing off against paper coyotes on the paths of corporate America - Dean covers nearly all the difficult facets of balancing one's life in today's America.
   
   The focus of The Runner and the Path is Dean and his fascinating network of running partners who provide and provoke Dean's insights into the spiritual struggles of living in Post-modern America. From his faithful dog Izzy to the inscrutable Closet Magician - Dean has run with them all. And from the first chapter on, you will want to run with them too!
   
   Dean's writing style is easy going and mature. He had me involved in serious introspection one minute and then laughing and grinning the next with his often Twain-like wry anecdotes.
   
   The Runner and the Path has much to offer for both runner and non-runner alike. Having spent the past fourteen years in corporate America, I very much appreciated Dean's insights into the challenges of managing one's values against the frequent corporate pressures for results at almost any cost.
   
   The old Bulldog of Britain, Winston Churchill (who probably did not do much running in his life) once said:
   
   "Men occasionally stumble over the truth, but most of them
   pick themselves up and hurry off as if nothing happened."
   
   We should all thank Dean for not running off --- but running and writing instead!
   
   I certainly recommend this book and eagerly look forward to Ottati's next work.

5 comments about Remembering Herbie: Celebrating the Life and Times of Hockey Legend Herb Brooks.

1. I've had this book since it was published, and still find myself drawn to it. It's not a "masterpiece" from an editorial perspective, but the reflections and memories of the people who knew Herb Brooks, and understand what he meant to the game, are worthy of any true hockey fan.



2. In the book, author Bernstein notes that he writes 5 books a year. It shows. His books are poorly written: full of irritating grammar and spelling mistakes and lacking even the most basic story development.
   It's a shame Brooks wouldn't play the big NY publisher game--get an agent and find a talented ghost writer to work with on a memoir--or work with an established sports journalist on a well-researched, thoughtful biography. This book is just a collection of random thoughts from Brooks' friends and family. Many of them say interesting things, but without a persistent interviewer to ask the follow-up questions, few of the anecdotes yield much new insight.



3. I have previously purchased a Ross Berstein book ("Gopher Hockey by the Hockey Gopher") and found that to be an entertaining read. Not so with this offering
   
   All Berstein seems to have done is find some of Herb's friends, turned on his tape recorder and then transcibe their comments, verbatim. The print is too small, the words and thoughts are redundant and the small paperback has the look and feel of a self-published work, which it is.
   
   The range of interviewees is tiny compared with the breadth of Brooks' life and all the interviews sound the same. There were a few pictures of young Herbie the player. Those are fairly interesting, but I found myself a little disappointed with this offering.



4. I enjoyed this book a lot. Author brings to life many interesting aspects of Brooks. What a great book.



5. I had actually been working with Herb Brooks for nearly a year at the time of his untimely death this past Fall on writing a series of motivational/self-help books. You see, Herbie had recently turned down an offer to come back to the Big Apple and coach the New York Rangers again, opting instead to spend more time with his family and doing more motivational speaking - which is what the books were for. So, when I head the horrible news that August 11th, I decided right then and there to turn our project into a memorial. The result is the new book, "Remembering Herbie," a tribute to my friend and mentor.

   Several months and nearly 100 interviews later, the book was finished, complete with both warm and fuzzy memories as well as hilarious and riveting stories from Herbie's closest friends, family members, former teammates and former players. The biography chronicles not only the accomplishments and achievements of a man who touched literally millions of lives throughout the sports world, but also a heartfelt story of an amazing person - as told through the eyes of those who knew him best.

   People from all spectrums of Herbie's life were interviewed for the book, including former teammates of his from St. Paul Johnson High School, the University of Minnesota and from various U.S. Olympic & National Teams. I also spoke to former players of his from the Gophers, the 1980 & 2002 Olympic Teams, New York Rangers, Minnesota North Stars, New Jersey Devils and Pittsburgh Penguins. While some people opened up and poured out their emotions on what Herbie meant to them, others shared heartwarming or hilarious stories. Some laughed, some cried, but they all remembered Herbie.

   I found that as I wrote the book and talked to more and more people, a picture emerged of who Herb Brooks really was. The common denominators were fascinating: the way he motivated people, his relentless determination, his honesty, his passion, his integrity, the "Brooksisms" he was so famous for saying, the way he championed the underdog, the way he was always looking to make hockey better, the way he could never make up his mind, and the way he loved his family - it's all in there.

   You see, Herb Brooks never forgot where he came from - always remaining loyal to his colorful working-class neighborhood roots on St. Paul's East Side. There, he was like royalty, but if you asked him, he would say that he was just another "Joe Six Pack" from Payne Avenue. That was Herbie, modest as ever. Herbie was the ultimate team player and lived by the adage that the name on the front of the sweater was always more important than the name on the back. Looking back at the now famous last second call from the 1980 Olympic `Miracle on Ice,' which will forever be linked to his legacy, "Do you believe in miracles?... Yes!" - one can only assume that Herb probably didn't. That's right. Sure, he was a dreamer, but there were no short-cuts or divine interventions for this guy, it was all about hard work, commitment and passion. And luckily for us his obsession was hockey, and through that medium he changed the face of American history.

   A portion of the proceeds from the sale of the book will go to the newly created "Herb Brooks Foundation," which will benefit amateur hockey throughout the United States.

   (To learn more about this book please visit my web-site: www.bernsteinbooks.com. Thanks! - Ross Bernstein, Author

5 comments about This Ain't Brain Surgery: How to Win the Pennant Without Losing Your Mind.

1. Dierker takes you from the sixties to the 2002 season with a very unique view of the almost champion Houston Astros!!!! This is a very good accounting of the history of the team, Dierker's days as a player, his time as a manager, and the inner workings of the team and players of the late nineties and early 2000s!!! The book is approximately 300 pages long and the first 180 pages or so fly by as Dierker gives you rare insight into the Astros (probably the least-written about team in baseball to have won so many division titles). The book slows down as Dierker waxes nostalgic about how to deal with umpires and a few other topics, but even those topics have a refreshing, level-headed quality that make them worth your time. In short, this is a book that should be read by most every Houston Astros fan, and a very good book for those looking for real insight into the game and business of baseball without all of the ego or BS that usually fills managerial retrospectives!!!!



2. I lived in the Houston during the mid-60s and the both Astros and the Astrodome were two of the most exciting elements of the city. None of that whimsy and glee is reflected in Dierker's book. You don't get a feel for the great Astro characters such as Jimmy Wynn, Rusty Staub or Bob Aspromonte. Sadder still is the fact that Dierker worked with the great Gene Elston in the broadcast booth for many years and Elston is seldom mentioned. The definitive Astros book is still waiting to be written.



3. This is an excellent book that gives insight into the game that the ordinary fan would never get a chance to see. The book has sections dedicated to different aspects of the game including managing, umpires, the farm system, and more, and Larry has great stories for each one. As an Astros fan my favorite parts were the ones that talked about his dealings with some of the current and former Astros. It was interesting to read about the interactions he had with the players, and how he regarded some of the players in the clubhouse. As a player, broadcaster, and manager he witnessed enough to come up with an excellent book that makes great reading for any Astros fan, and that baseball fans in general can appreciate too.



4. I enjoyed this book greatly. Larry Dierker is a very bright guy who seems to have a gift for looking at situations and seeing them from angles that other sports figures would never find. An example of this is his telling Darryl Kyle to improve his pitching by playing a lot of serious golf in the off season. He also has the capacity to be self critical in ways that appear to be quite honest. He has real writing talent, which I always enjoyed when he wrote columns for the Houston paper when he was in the broadcast booth. He comes across as a guy you'd love to tip a few with.

   I like the way the book is organized, with chapters dedicated to individual baseball topics like spring training, scouts, etc. and relating Dierker's experience in the area. There's enough humor to generate plenty of smiles and enough serious stuff to let a reader get a feel for what baseball players, managers and broadcasters go through.

   In my opinion, if you have any interest in baseball you should enjoy this book.




5. I am also a long time Astro fan, but only found the book marginally enjoyable. The first 50 and last 50 pages of the book were more enjoyable when he told humorous stories about his playing and broadcasting days. However, he seemed to me to have lost a lot of his sense of humor when discussing his managerial days . . . perhaps reflecting what a strain the job was on him. I recommend the book, just wish he spent more time talking about his playing days. Also, it seems that he did not really right anything controversial, perhaps because he is still hoping for some kind of baseball job in the future. C'mon, he can't tell me that in the 5 years he managed, he didn't run across at least one prima donna player or front office type that deserves trashing!