No comments about Historia de un Guerrero - Claudio Suarez.

1 comments about Of Yachts & Men.

1. I have my sailing related book separated by category: 1 Building 2 Designing 3 Cruising & 4 Narrative
   This book covers all 4 of these categories but I keep it between Building and Designing because that is where I find it most useful as a reference.
   
   Many (maybe most?) of the chapters are from already published magazine articles, many from the 20's & 30's (think of the good days of the Rudder Magazine) back when yachts were what designers & experienced cruisers/sailors made them to be, whereas today they are largely influenced by advertising and the naive perceptions of the consumer.
   
   I learned much from this book and have referenced pages about rig, choice of wood for construction, hull balance...
   
   One of the chapters is about "Eric," a boat Atkin built and designed which was based on a Colin Archer design. "Eric" later won the first non-stop circumnavigation when Robin Knox-Johnston became famous. The design later evolved into the well known Westsail 32.

No comments about Crackers in the Glade: Life and Times in the Old Everglades.

5 comments about Judo Heart and Soul.

1. Judo: Heart & Soul is such a good book.
   It is not technical in nature so you will not learn new techniques from it.
   
   What you will get from this book is the set of small wisdoms, tips and stories about Judo that we all live through, or that we will be going through.
   
   
   What I like about this book is that it fills the void
   in what Judo books usually cover. Most of the books out there (and many of them are great) are Judo technical or reference books. That is all great, but what I always wanted was
   this kind of a practice and competition guide - full of wisdoms, tips, and mental guides. This book is exactly that
   - it is a group of essays that talk about common experiences in Judo that keep you going.
   What was the most helpful to me was the set of confirmations that I found in the book about how I approach Judo, how I practice it,
   what I do and think in competition ...
   In other words, I realize now that I am not crazy - we all (Judoka) are.



2. I had the great pleasure of getting the snot kicked out of me by Dr. Nishioka at a judo seminar some 20 years ago. He is not only one of the best practitioners ever to compete in the sport but an excellent instructor and lecturer as well. I learned more during those few hours than I did in many of the preceding months.
   
   This excellent book reads very much like meeting him in person. His stories are interesting and inspirational. His training tips are solid and well illustrated. The first chapter is a collection of short vignettes. The second provides excellent technical advice, mostly about throws. The third chapter is strategic, focusing on competition and how to better your chances of becoming a champion. The final chapter is more vignettes and philosophy from this outstanding martial artist. You don't have to be a judoka to enjoy it but you'll find a greater depth of appreciate for this book if you are.
   
   Lawrence Kane
   Author of Surviving Armed Assaults, The Way of Kata, and Martial Arts Instruction



3. This is a great book. i recommend it to any judoka. It is a very inspirational book, and has lots of practical suggestions for learning judo. It also has a lot of good history of the author's experiences and some of the judo greats he has met with.



4. The title of the book may not do it justice. .
   Regardless of martial art, or style, the chapters in this book contain bits and pieces of valuable information for competitors. Mr. Nishioka compiled a myriad of short lessons that are well worth reading.

   A. Bustillo




5. JUDO HEART & SOUL (c2000) by Mr. Hayward Nishioka is not an instructive manual to improve your Judo technique (read his book: 'The Judo Text Book in Practical Application' (c1979) for that) but is a 255 page collection of advice and viewpoints on Judo by one of America's very accomplished and influential Judo players complete with a compilation of historic photographs; and is valuable in one can acquire a sense of tournament Judo over the past four decades. Any American Judo player would be proud to be half as accomplished as this author!

   Now, the first annoying flaw in this book is Mr. Nishioka's advocacy of the evolution in Judo, away from the traditional Japanese view, while at the same time quoting Japanese advice, wisdom, philosophy, adages, training tips, and his own Japanese training in Japan to validate his knowledge on the subject. His endorsement of Judo reform had already appeared prior to this book as early as January 1970 in his Black Belt magazine article entitled: 'Judo vs. Wrestling' in which Hayward Nishioka made it perfectly clear that he approved of wrestling technique, or anything that worked, being introduced into Judo, euphemistically calling it "enrichment". Yet the undermining futuristic observation included in his own article was a Judo competitor's prophetic observation that a third type of sport may be born from the combination of wrestling and Judo; as all the while spectators were screaming: "Boo, that's not Judo!" to a shiai they paid to see.

   I feel the Japanese and the Kodokan are aware of this potential Judo hybrid disaster waiting to happen, and are taking steps to preserve the integrity of the art. Evolution is a natural process which contains both mutation and extinction. A small amount of mutation has already been observed in Judo from the introduction of wrestling and S.A.M.B.O. techniques into Olympic Judo of the 1980s and 90s and Mr. Nishioka should understand why the Japanese do not want Judo to evolve into extinction.

   The second major flaw in this book still revolves around the author's advocacy of change in Judo (p.110) while insisting that Judo rules remain fixed, for example his assertion "Like it or not, koka is here to stay" (p. 114). There is an inherent contradiction to promote change then invoke an absolute! If there is going to be evolution in Judo than both the koka rule and the inclusion of non-Judo technique (or hopefully, the baby blue gi) are subject to change; specifically: be removed! Again, compounding this fallacy is the author's promotion of koka Judo (p.114) while advocating "Isho Kemei" - Do the very best you can (p.31) which is quite the opposite of accepting and practicing koka Judo. Just as affirmative action programs have lowered standards in business and education within American society, koka Judo has similarly lowered standards in the international society of tournament Judo.

   The Japanese still have the best Judo in the world, and Mr. Hayward Nishioka of all people, having studied in Japan, should promote and not hinder this Japanese gift to the world.

   All-in-all, JUDO HEART & SOUL is a good read for the intermediate Judo player because of its insight into what lies down the road for anyone who devotes himself to just winning Judo trophies and medals.

1 comments about Vivir Cada Segundo/every Second Counts.

1. La separación familiar, el maltrato infantil, una juventud un poco controvertida, un cancer testicular podría ser un panorama nada prometedor para cualquier persona. Pero para los grandes siempre es motivo de convertirse en alquien inmortal...
   Una gran historia, digna de leerse.

5 comments about The Gloves: A Boxing Chronicle.

1. A very enjoyable read with a lot of interesting people in it. It isn't rags-to-riches and it isn't Cinderella. It's just day-to-day life of people (the author very much included) who live what they love. He throws in a few stats here and there, a lot of things that are related to boxing in general (everything from small gym history to brain injury stats) but he doesn't interrupt the flow, you're not distracted by it (for the most part). My only complaint is that he got a little preachy on the race stuff. I don't disagree with the message, I'm just not into preaching.



2. A very compelling look into the life of an amateur boxer; Anasi takes the reader into the gym where white athletes are clearly the minority. He toughs it out with a trainer that at first is less than encouraging to Anasi's style and everything he's ever been taught about boxing. It is by far one of the most interesting books I've read about boxing pro or amateur. No matter how much you know about the sport, you will learn something new from the perspective of Anasi.



3. I thought that this book was very well written. It told a very entertaining story of the life of a boxer. I was able to visualize and feel everything he was going through, Good and Bad, through his words



4. An excellent read from start to finish. Anasi's style jumps around a little bit (flashback, present, flash"sideways?"), but it adds to the flavor. I really felt a part of the scene. Also, Anasi's knowledge of the sport, and racial tensions, is deep. Opinionated, but deep. The ending could have been stronger - that's the only reason for 4 instead of 5 stars.



5. Addictive, Exciting and Honest Look At Amateur Boxing
   
   4.75 Stars
   
   George Plimpton is quoted as having said that The Gloves "As good a book as any I've read about the sport" - not exactly a ringing endorsement and I was a little worried -
   
   This is actually a great book right from the start.
   
   I was immediately hooked and addicted to his trainer's (Milton) style of fighting - something about the concept of Southpaw's just grabs me and especially a non-natural Southpaw - anyway that's what truly hooked me in.
   
   The story is true - and the experience of reading Anasi's practice and journey through the world of amateur boxing is so real and compelling that you just can't put the book down.
   
   The characters and people he meets and trains with are very interesting and he does such a great job in retelling his tale.
   
   There was a point where the book dragged a bit, but as a whole it's a great story.
   
   It's an impressive, exciting and honest look at amateur boxing, of amateur boxers and the sport of boxing in general.
   
   Great book - give it a read.

5 comments about Flutie.

1. If you like Doug Flutie, you will enjoy this book. Typical "sports hero" book... not extremely well written, will drag on at times unless you are a fanatic. Interesting read if you want to learn more about Doug Fluite.



2. Doug Flutie was the best player in CFL
   history and a Pro Football legend who
   taught the overrated NFL a thing or
   two about the 'size' NON-issue. If
   this guy had ever had a REAL good Coach
   (how about if he'd gone to New England
   under Bill Belichick before Thomas Brady!)
   who would have trusted him, man, I beleive
   he could have won that elusive Super Bowl.
   The drop kick may end up being the Coda
   on a fine career. Instant Canadian Foot-
   ball Hall of Fame and Museum selection
   as soon as he's done (and maybe a broad-
   caster this year, eh?). What a career.
   He always rose above the stupidity of
   sorry Coaches like Wade Phillips!-R.A.S



3. Read this book! I loved it as much as you do! So read it



4. Doug Flutie recounts his career from his earlest days on the playing field thought his magical first season with the Buffalo Bills. Lots and lots of football facts and game-related jargon here! I would have liked to have learned more about Flutie's personal life; what sort of things really shaped and inspired such an exemplary athlete? Who is the man behind the face mask? I recommend this book for Flutie and football fans everywhere but don't expect any great revelations.



5. Excuse me, the 2nd review listed for Doug Flutie's autobiography is for another book entitled "Flutie, a novel". The juxtaposition of the reviewed content is hysterically funny however, so you might want to leave it.

5 comments about Home and Away: Memior of a Fan.

1. Home and Away : Memoir of a Fan is a great book and not just for sports fans. Like Scott Simon I am a "Chicagoan Away" living in the Washington, DC area. He evoked the nostalgia and the connection of many a boy, and more than a few girls, to their hometown sports connections in their adult lives. Add to that, for Chicagoans, the bittersweet Chicago fan experience of intense loyalty through decades of defeat and disapointment.
   
   Like him, I was a northsider and a Cubs fan, though I spent a few contrary years as a White Sox fans. As a political appointee both at the federal level and for the Mayor of Chicago I experienced the collision of feelings and connections in a town that is both a sports and a political town. Like him, I experienced special connections to my father through sports, since we were both Northwestern alums. Unlike Scott I wasn't much of a sports fan, but it became a part of me nevertheless. It came up when I lobbied a Republican House Committee chair from Chicago, using the White Sox as a common reference point despite a wide gulf in our politics relating to civil rights issues. Home and Away is full of personal recollections both while he lived in Chicago and away when it allowed him to bridge differences that would've otherwise been enormous with sports recollections.
   
   He writes about sitting alone as a new Washingtonian in a largely gay steak house in DC and sharing the experience of a Chicago sports fan away from home with a stranger. I've been there, actually to the same restaurant. So many of us have made those sorts of connections. And while the Chicago experience is unique, the special feelings we develop for the sports teams that we follow in our youth keep us connected as we travel far away from our neighborhoods, literally or merely symbolically.
   
   He talks about Michael Jordan, a superstar and a Chicago winner standing above a lifetime of sports letdowns. He talks about the Mike Ditka's Bears who won the Superbowl in the 1980's and how it affected him (I worked for the Mayor at the time). I remember getting my hopes up, which Chicago fans do only cautiously, only to hear, while traveling in Japan, that after winning two playoffs, my Cubs were knocked out by the Padres. We revel in our winners, in sports and politics, though we will stand by our losers as well because we are Chicagoans. Is it any wonder that Barack Obama is our current political superstar!
   
   Scott Simon's writing is as personal as his pieces on NPR. He has just written a new novel, Windy City, about Chicago and its ethnic politics. It will feature a South Asian alderman who becomes acting Mayor in a turbulent time. Much like the death of Mayor Harold Washington that I lived through,though as an Asian American I must note that there have never been any Asian American aldermen, Congresspeople or state representatives in Illinois despite rapidly growing communities. I hope Scott is just a little ahead of reality. I can't wait to read it.



2. Scott Simon does an excellent job recreating the atmosphere in Chicago during his childhood, and up to the end of the Michael Jordan era.
   
   Having grown up there (10 years behind Scott), I could really relate to his storytelling and history. His vivid descriptions brought back lots of great memories.
   
   I enjoyed the way he tied the sports into larger issues going on in his life, in society, and in the world. I really got a good feeling how American sports create good will around the planet.
   
   This book is mandatory for any Chicago sports fan, and will be enjoyable for anyone who ever related to their father via sports.



3. Any sports fan (especially from the Chicago area) will definitely enjoy this story of growing up as a fan in Chicago. The only thing that keeps me from giving this book 4 stars is the inaccuracies. In several instances, Simon gives incorrect scores, dates and places. You would think it would be easy for someone in his position to have the correct info, so this unfortunately distracted me from an otherwise fine read.



4. I admit, as a transplanted Chicagoan and die-hard sports fan, its hard to be objective about this book. Scott Simon cleverly weaves his own personal remembrances of growing up in Chicago, into an historic timeline of sports and politics, which amounts to must read for anyone who wants a true glimpse into the soul of 'the city with big shoulders'.
   I laughed hard and often at the family anecdotes, its easy to see where Simon gets his sense of humor, thrilled at reliving the Cub season of '69 and saddened, once again, at Brian Piccolo's courageous battle with cancer.
   After finishing 'Home and Away', I was compelled to send copies to a few of my sports buddies...less fortunate souls having grown up in cities of less character.
   I am a fan of the city, its teams (except the Sox...go Cubbies), and this writer ,who embodies it all so well in this book.
   Bravo.



5. I picked up Home and Away because I like to read books on sports by sophisticated minds. And initially, I wasn't disappointed. Scott Simon delivers a vivid depiction of his childhood and his childhood love for sports, offering touching and revealing personal moments in the process. When he discusses his father and stepfather, we see the fan in a context larger than just the game, which I appreciated and admired.

   But after the stepfather's criminal conviction, the narrative transitions into the story of the recent Bulls dynasty. Here is where book's self-indulgent love for Chicago turns to insufferable, sentimental cheese. In addition to slathering extra layers of sentimental goo on the Bulls--more than Simon previously appropriated for either Butkus's or Ditka's Bears--Simon covers ground already covered expertly and thoroughly by David Halberstam in Playing for Keeps. Only unlike Halberstam, Simon all but kisses Michael Jordan's behind, assessing no blame and even offering excuses for the star's occasional bad behavior. To me, the blatant sycophancy (is that a word?) on the part of the author makes me wonder if he willfully compromised his journalistic integrity or if that occurrence was inadvertant. Either way, I was thoroughly disappointed and had to stop reading. As do most Chicagoans, Simon simply got unBearably self-indulgent in his love for his city.

2 comments about Hermann Buhl: Climbing Without Compromise.

1. Hermann Buhl: Climbing Without Compromise does a great job of engaging the reader on several levels. Firstly, the photos are absolutely stunning. I've seen books with only photos, not as good as those included here, that retail for more than this book. The second way this book engages readers is through the well-told story of one of the most interesting characters in mountaineering history. Finally, and perhaps best of all, by using extensive source material from Hermann Buhl directly, this book actually comes across as a personal introduction to the legend, Hermann Buhl, himself.



2. Hermann Buhl was one of the greatest mountain climbers of the last century and this book consists primarily of excerpts from his climbing diaries, starting from his earliest climbs as a teenager in the Dolomites, continuing through his major triumphs, including, of course, the conquest of Nanga Parbat that made him world famous, and ending with his ill-fated attempt on Chogolisa. There are also several biographical essays, including contributions by his daughter and a long-time climbing friend, and many of the diary excerpts are accompanied by further editorial details about the circumstances of the climbs. The ugly politics that were involved in the Nanga Parbat climb and their effect on Buhl are also discussed in the commentaries.

   Although it is not as detailed an account of Buhl's climbing life as "Nanga Parbat Pilgrimage", this newer book has several advantages over Buhl's autobiography. The perspectives offered by the third-party commentators are very useful. There is a full description of Buhl's final climbs and untimely death. "Climbing Without Compromise" is nicely illustrated with black-and-white and color photographs that make a great contribution (although the story would be easier to follow in places with the addition of some maps). Finally, and perhaps most importantly, one gets to read Buhl's story in his own words. According to the editors Messner and Höfler, Kurt Maix, the editor of "Nanga Parbat Pilgrimage", re-wrote considerable portions of Buhl's text using far more flowery and poetic language than Buhl himself would have chosen. In any event, the two books, while overlapping to a degree, do complement each other as well. (And where there is repetition, the English-language reader will benefit from having access to two translations.)

No comments about Baseball's Most Wanted II: The Top 10 Book of More Bad Hops, Screwball Players, and Other Oddities (Most Wanted).