5 comments about Bullet Bob Comes to Louisville : And Other Tales from a Baseball Life....

1. Most people don't remember John Morris, save for Cardinals and Royals fans. This an interesting (and amusing) read of a top athlete, who although never a star, had his moments on some very good teams. Many of the role-players like Morris get lost in the shuffle of history, but his book reminds us that every minor-leaguer has a dream, and probably has had that dream from when he was a boy - to make the bigs. It also reminds us that professional athletes have real lives outside of baseball, and whether they are a star or not, their book can still be a solid read.



2. In his book, John Morris offers lots of amusing baseball anecdotes and one or two touching if maudlin family stories. However I have never seen so many spelling errors in one book (a short book at that!) in my life. Too bad.



3. From the grind of the minor leagues to the thrill of playing in the World Series...John Morris knows baseball extemely well-having played 12 years with the Cardinals, Phillies and Angels. In his first book "Bullet Bob Comes to Louisville" Morris demonstrates a surprising strong talent as a writer and storyteller. The strength of his book comes from his ability to take his baseball experiences and interweave them with themes of everyday life. In his short story format (22 stories over a nine-inning game) Morris displays a wonderful balance of baseball humor, behind the scenes insight, and sensitive family issues relating to life and death. This book moves very quickly- which made it that much more enjoyable for me. (I read it from cover to cover in one sitting)Go buy it for yourself and your friends. You won't be disappointed!



4. As a former teammate of Johnny Mo's, with the Cardinals and Phillies, I vividly recall many of the events he describes in his stories. These stories bring back so many memories - precious memories of the joys and pains experienced on the trek to become a major leaguer. I knew Johnny Mo was a great teammate and an outstanding individual, but I did not know he was such a wonderful storyteller! I could not put the book down. If you want a glimpse at the life of a baseball player - the life you never see on TV or in the movies, read this book.



5. A joy to read! Entertaining and thoughtful. The author's humor and humanity is a tribute to the game he loved and the courage it took to honestly share what happened along the way. It's what happened along the way that amuses and inspires. The dreams, challenges, victories, fun and sorrows touched my heart - made me laugh and cry. It's a good book that can do both

5 comments about I Remember Ben Hogan: Personal Recollections and Revelations of Golf's Most Famous Legend From The People Who Knew Him Best.

1. I have read a lot about Ben Hogan but this was by far and away one of the best books I've read. I will read this again from time to time.



2. It's fascinating to me that a guy as reclusive as Hogan could command so much public adoration and curiosity. This is a book that offers a lot of neat stories about Hogan that I had never read. A bunch of people who knew Hogan, both well-known and not so well known, tell their stories about Hogan in their own words---in oral history form. I've read a couple of other books on the Hawk and those were nice reads in their own way as well. I read the other reviews on this page and don't understand why "clucas" called this a "duck hook." It isn't--it's not John Feinstein-caliber, but it's still worth the price. Sounds like some bitterness being expressed by clucas, probably someone who doesn't know anything what it takes to win at golf or can recognize good book writing.



3. there seems no in between. I have 800+ golf books and have read everything just about everything on Hogan. (What club did he REALLY hit at Merion in the famous photo?). Due to the negative reviews I didn't get to this one for a while. When I did, I truly enjoyed it. Is some info repeated? Sure. But this is mostly new, original and genuine investigation, not reguritation. If you are a golf and golf history BUFF I think you will enjoy. If not, pass and read the more current books. (a 2 iron.)



4. While I understand that any author that wants to write about The Hawk will have his work cut out for him, it seems that Towle took the path of least resistance. A couple of phone calls here, 5 minutes of editing there, and you're left with a book that tells you two things:

   1.) Hogan was a gruff but soft-on-the-inside guy.

   2.) Hogan got the yips later in life.

   Those who want to learn more than those two points would be better off avoiding this book.




5. The last two reviewers before me couldn't have read the same book I did. The whole point is that while Hogan is such a legendary figure inspiring tremendous curiosity, information about him has come out in bits and pieces over the years. There were dozens of tidbits in this book that were revelatory to me, and I'm someone who lived in Fort Worth many years while the reclusive Mr. Hogan was still alive. I found this book really good and informative, and full of new material. Based on its oral-history format, and the author's own admission in the introduction, this wasn't supposed to be an earthshaking biography full of dirt. Instead, it offers a lot of nifty snapshots about Hogan from people, a number of whom were his close freinds that, while not celebrities, had insights into Hogan's real life that "celebrities" who thought they knew him didn't. This book is definitely worth at least one read.

5 comments about The Tall Mexican: The Life of Hank Aguirre All-Star Pitcher, Businessman, Humanitarian.

1. One of my memories of Hank Aguirre is his pitching in relief of the first major league game I saw in Detroit in 1958. After completing a game in Yankee Stadium in which Al Kaline broke his collar bone to make a diving catch to win the game the headline read "Tigers Find A Starter But Lose A Star", the Tigers found they had a legitimate starting pitcher for their staff. Hank's inability as a hitter are legendary, but the author spends a great deal of time on Hank's humanitarian efforts on behalf of Hispanic minorities in the Detroit area. His business efforts were ultimately successful, but the time spent away from his family took its toll. People are remembered for what they give, and Hank gave of himself to others. This is a very easy to read book, and one that would be beneficial to high school libraries even though the name of Hank Aguirre is an unknown to them.



2. i was fascinated by the title itself. the tall mexican should be a must read for all minorities who struggle under the lash of predjudice. i thought i was going to read a story about baseball, but discovered TTM is a story of hope and of love for our fellowman that goes beyond the ordinary into the realm of the spiritual. Hank Aguirre was, pure and simple, a giant of a man whose work for other Hispanics made him an apostle for the underpriviledged -



3. Bob Copley paints a vivid and moving picture of a man who showed us all how to be better human beings. Hank Aguirre was no more perfect than the rest of us, and that made him the perfect role model for real people. He had talent and determination and compassion and he parlayed those qualities for the benefit of those less fortunate than himself. Aguirre showed us all how to be better managers and better citizens and better friends. Copley's biography brings us into the world of Hank Aguirre and allows us to experience life as a friend, neighbor, and colleague of Aguirre. And as such, in the end, we grieve Hank's untimely passing with the same sadness. Hank's legacy lives on, through his family and through all of us who are willing to share our blessings and opportunities with others. The Tall Mexican lets Hank Aguirre continue to provide a powerful role model for generations to come. Share it with your children.



4. the tall mexican is heart-lifting biography of a big-league, all-star pitcher who brke the mold of professional athletes by startin a business in crime-ridden section of Detroit and providing jobs for the jobless and hope for the hopeless and turned thousands of lives around in so doing. A deeply spiritual man, hank aguirre befriended many and exploited no one



5. an inspiring account of The Tall Mexican, Hank Aguirre, who was a true professional baseball star; but who dedicated his post-celebrity life to helping his fellow Hispanics in Detroit by starting a business and providing jobs for the unemployable. He started his business in 1979 with eight employees and one run-down former bump-shop in the Mexicantown barrio. Today, there are eight locations emoloying over 1500 workers - 87% of whom are Hispanic. Sales this year are projected at $156 million. Hank succumbed to prostate cancer in 1994, but his legacy prevails.

3 comments about Simply Devine : Memoirs of a Hall of Fame Coach (Missouri Edition).

1. I picked up this book because I'm a Notre Dame fan and wanted some insight into the six season tenure of Coach Dan Devine. Not knowing much about his accomplishments in life I found his story to be an inspiring tale involving youthful hardships and exciting success due to hard work. At the college level, wherever he went, great things happened. Then when the NFL came calling he found himself struggling. This reminded me of his successor at Notre Dame, Gerry Faust, who himself had great success at one level (in his case, high school) only to find that success out of reach at the next level.
   
   But Coach Devine takes us on his jounrey into the Army Air Corps, college, and his years at Arizona State, Missouri, and Notre Dame. He talks too briefly for my taste on decisions such as switching the Fighting Irish to green jerseys in 1977.
   
   Nevertheless, I breezed through the book in no time because it was an enjoyable account of his life, which was certainly worthy of being published.



2. Devine finally confesses that he leaked a untrue story to Time Magazine and SI about how a crazed Packer fan had killed his dog. The real story was that he lived in rural Wisconsin and allowed his dog run loose. The dog was known to have been killing farm neighbor's ducks. He was warned several times and then one morning when the dog was attempting to kill more ducks the farmer shot the dog (not hanged, not skewered). In his confession he admits it was HIS FAULT for allowing the dog to continue to roam unsupervised.

   You can't doubt his coaching success, but to allow this story to continue on for decades before coming clean sure leaves plenty of doubt about his character. As a former Notre Dame Alum and born and raised Packer fan, I still think he was one hell of a college coach. This is a very good book and I recommend it to anyone who is a fan of college football. I am glad that he ultimately came clean on that ugly story that tarnished the residents of Green Bay and the neighboring farm communities.




3. This is a great book of a great man who managed to coach and raise a wonderful family with the help of a wonderful wife. There should be more families like this.

No comments about Born to Win: The Authorized Biography of Althea Gibson.

5 comments about Sugar Ray.

1. To talk about the grandness of Sugar Ray Robinson may seem a commonplace, but in the annals of the boxing there has not been such kind of boxer who has displayed such style, refinement, effectiveness and elegance. 109 KO along his life and the fact to have recovered four times the World championship have become a true myth in this sport.



2. A champion among champions. One of the greatest of all time tells you his story - he is a fighter, not a writer. Don't expect pretty prose, expect a deep, moving look into the life of Sugar Ray Robinson.



3. it is what it is. you get Sugar Ray's story right from the man himself. its concise and thorough and entertaining and inspirational



4. Sugar Ray - 3.75 Stars
   
   I wanted to love this book. I wanted to love Sugar Ray - he was Ali's hero and in a lot of circles he is considered pound for pound the greatest boxer of all time!
   
   I wanted to love this book and Sugar Ray - but unfortunately I didn't.
   
   I almost feel like I'm committing some sort of sacrilege here - and I'm sad to say - I found Sugar Ray Robinson somewhat unlikable.
   
   The story is a great story - a very poor family's struggle and their support and love for each other - Sugar Ray's discovery of boxing and his rise to fame and fortune and the phenomenal and heart breaking comeback and the sad decline in the end. His story really is very interesting, but the book doesn't capture it. It doesn't capture the Sugar Ray magic and I felt that Sugar Ray wasn't 100% honest - he and the book were truthful, but I felt that there was something missing - that he wasn't completely honest.



5. Sugar Ray Robinson was One Of THe Greatest Fighters Ever.Very Uplifting of How He Overcame SO Much.He was a Great Warrior Inside of The Ring.Muhammad Ali called Him The Greatest.A Must Have.

5 comments about I Remember Woody: Recollections of the Man They Called Coach Hayes.

1. This book was amazing. I could not put it down. It is a must for Ohio State fans. I will remember Woody after reading this.



2. This book was amazing. I could not put it down. It is a must for Ohio State fans. I will remember Woody after reading this.



3. This book shows Woody Hayes as the true person, not just the ranting coach on the sideline. As an aspiring coach, I see Woody as an excellent model for success. His genuine love and concern for his players is unique and inspiring. This book is a must read for those who want to see Woody as his players, friends, and family see him. Great book about a Great man.



4. being woody's grandson, i liked it, there was a wide array of people talking to the author about him. I thought that my favorite section was the last, the friends, foes and fans part. it seems as if many people here in columbus have their own personal run-in or encounter with him and for me, those stories are infitley more interesting than anything else.

   the recollections from the players and coaches were good, but they kind of blurred together under the "they may be smarter than me but i can outwork 'em" mantra.

   overall, good job. the photos were pretty interesting. we have a few at home that will never make it out, including one of woody in my darth vader helmet at christmas (i must've been ten or less).




5. I was surprised that such a complete collection of stories and experiences existed. Woody was bigger than life but at the same time he was only a simple man that expected the best from everyone he touched. A must read for all fans--not just Buckeyes!

1 comments about It's in the Blood: My Life.

1. lawrence Dallaglio is one of the top rugby player in England. That guy is not only known here for his "good looking" features that owned him the unofficial title of the sexiest man of the Rugby world cup 2007 (title given by a women s mag), but most of all for being a charistmatic captain of the England s squad .
   Rugby being for us here, what american football is for you on your side of the pond.
   Here is a fun book, entertaining, easy to read, well written that will bring you deep in the world of rugby, and most of all, does remind us that behind the massive (6ft4 , 17st4Lbs) features of Lawrence Dallaglio , hide a genuinely friendly nice guy
   
   regards to you all from England

No comments about George Best: A Celebration.

5 comments about Last Horizons: Hunting, Fishing, & Shooting on Five Continents.

1. Another outstanding Capstick book. Capstick is my favorite african writer and I have read many. I highly recommend it!



2. I've enjoyed all fo his books, some are better than others. This one is full of good info and is reasonably entertaining. It's even better if your like me and say to blazes with "political correctness", whatever it's supposed to mean.



3. Last Horizons is a departure from Capstick's usual storytelling of high danger hunting in Africa. This book consists of an archive of his articles and short stories written for Peterson's Hunting and other outdoor magazines. Though the stories are short, they are still written in Capstick's classic form and provide for excellent entertainment.

   These articles not only provide a good read but are informative as well. Many people criticize Capstick for his tendency to exaggerate (I can buy into that line of thinking as well) but you canýt deny his thorough researching. I found several of the articles (ex. effectiveness of shot size) to be extremely insightful and educational. The articles on air rifles and rat hunting were entertaining and excellent lessons in ballistics and the importance of practice.

   This book is not typical Capstick and probably not for everyone. True, some of the information is outdated but if you are an avid hunter you will find this collection both informative and valuable. It reminded me of sitting there listening to an old man telling stories learned by years of experience and trialý mixed in with several well spun yarns. The pig sticking story had to have been written sitting around a campfire. Good stuff!




4. This is an anthology (collection) of old Capstick magazine articles spanning a couple of decades, mostly hunting stories but some fishing stories and a few adventure stories thrown in. My favorites were the stories of the kali elephant herd, shooting down dragon flies with a BB machine gun and the backyard safari. Classic Capstick and well worth the read. Many of the stories I have read over and over again.



5. The diary of a hunt for fire breathing dragon (complete with references to the appropriate hard to get license, season, gear and limited hunting area) in the last chapter is worth the price of the book for anyone who loves Capstick's writing. Other chapters deal with Air rifles, fishing, rat hunting in New Jersey, et al. This is not as chock full of big game excitement as Capstick's other works. But over all still a good read.