No comments about The Dick Francis Complete Treasury of Great Racing Stories.

4 comments about Growing Up With "Shoeless Joe" The Greatest Natural Player in Baseball History.

1. Last September I painted a mural of "Shoeless " Joe Jackson in his home town---Greenville, South Carolina. His name meant nothing to me until I went to the library to do research for the painting. There I discovered I might be the only person in the world who was unaware of "Shoeless."

   Never interested in sports, I thought I was reading about the legendary hero only to acquaint myself with the visual particulars of the man and the game of baseball in the early 1900's. Before I finished the first book I was hooked----not by the sport, but by the deeply moving life story of Joe himself.

   Further research led me to read Joe Thompson's GROWING UP WITH "SHOELESS" JOE JACKSON, The Greatest Natural Player In Baseball History. Here was an account, written in the personal first person that makes one feel the intimacy of a hometown boy's acquaintance, and love for the subject. There was no turning back then. I became an ardent fan of "Shoeless" Joe.

   Thompson has written in the voice of the South Carolina native he is. Unpretentiously he tells, not only the history of Jackson's baseball career, but of the man as a child of impoverished mill worker parents. He speaks of a small boy who was never sent to school, and who was sweeping the floors of Brandon Mill when only seven years old. He makes you hear the taunts "Shoeless" endured because he never learned to read or write. He makes you proud of the little mill kid who, in spite of everything, made it to the major leagues. And he makes you weep for the wretched debacle which cost an innocent "Shoeless" his brilliant career.

   In 1996 the Brandon Mill Baseball Field in West Greenville was finally named for "Shoeless" Joe Jackson. Thompson's vivid fury that publicity and general media coverage was as lackluster as the bitterly cold day of the dedication, fairly sizzles on the pages of his book.

   Thompson's infectious outrage that "Shoeless" has been slighted by his own hometown has persuaded me to become involved in the renewal of the once thriving business district of the mill village. Many more murals depicting "Shoeless'" career, and the textile history of the area, are on the drawing boards.

   Buddy Hunt, who commissioned the original mural, is opening a coffee shop, Cuppa Joe, so fans will have a place to stop and chat when visiting. Hunt owns a number of large empty buildings across the street from where "Shoeless" Joe owned a liquor store. His hope is to attract investors, restaurateurs and shop keepers---all with sports, or related themes---to the long neglected area.

   I have met the author of GROWING UP WITH "SHOELESS" JOE JACKSON, and am proud that he not only approves of the renewal project, but is helping to bring it about.

   Whether or not you are a sports fan, this book will tug at your heartstrings, for it is a rich and poignant history written by a hometown boy who tells it like it is.

   Polly Hunt Neal




2. In baseball there are some memorable moments, Carlton Fisk hitting the game winning home run in the 1975 World Series for example. In baseball there are also some darker moments, The Black Sox Scandal is probably the most notable of these.

   In the book Growing Up with Shoeless Joe, author Joe Thompson takes you inside baseball's past and gives you a first rate look at the Greatest Natural Hitter baseball has ever seen. Thompson's book is the first I have ever read that is more than the typical slander on Joe Jackson.

   Thompson takes a look into the man, more than the ball player, and allows you to see a side of Jackson never before revealed. What Thompson gives the reader is by far the best accounting of a true hero in the game of baseball.

   This book is so much more than a story about a World Series in 1919; it's so much more than a story about baseball. This book is about the man Joe Jackson and the side of him most of us have never seen. I am extremely proud to be allowed to review this book




3. This book is very unusual. When I received it and began reading it, I felt as though I'd been duped. The font is abnormally large making it look initially like a book meant for young adults or children. As I read I was completely shocked to see many misspelled words, subject verb disagreements, problems with modifiers, incomplete sentences, you name it. I considered sending it back, but I'm a serious fan of Shoeless Joe, so I kept on reading and discovered something very interesting. This book isn't the product of a huge publishing conglomerate, in fact, it's a truly home-spun effort. I examined the credits and realized the author published it himself much the same way an underground band would market it's own music. Members of his family provided the photos. It looks like he may have had friends proofread and edit it. It seems to have been printed locally as well. The upside is that it has a "down home" charm that a true fan of Joe Jackson can appreciate. I'm sure Joe would considerate it a literary masterpiece. I'm currently writing a one-man-play about Joe, and I've found things in this book that I haven't read before. After allowing myself to digest its differences, and accept what it really is, I can honestly say I'm thoroughly enjoying it. Thanks very much Mr Thompson.



4. As web master of the Shoeless Joe Jackson Virtual Hall of Fame (http://www.blackbetsy.com/), the Official web site of the Shoeless Joe Jackson Society, I highly recommend this book. I have been to every town and city that Joe played ball in and have read most, if not all newspaper accounts of the day and every book on Joe Jackson. Unlike the other books on Joe Jackson, this one is written by someone that actually knew Joe and it shows in this great work. Joe Thompson grew up in the forties in the Brandon Mill community where Joe Jackson ran a liquor store. Jackson would take Joe and his friends to the school yard and teach them how to play baseball. Jackson also taught them lessons about life of which Joe Thompson speaks about in this book. This book is more than just about Joe Jackson the ballplayer, it about Joe Jackson the man. This book will give you insight into the man, to let you know that he held no grudge against baseball. It will show you that he would go out of his way to help his fellow man and he gave of himself to help young kids grow up and lead a productive life. This is a must read for Jackson fans, as well as baseball fans in general.......get the real story about Joe Jackson!!!!!

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.

5 comments about If This Is Heaven, I Am Going to Be a Good Boy.: The Tommy Leonard Story.

1. Genre: Non Fiction/Biography
   Title: If This is Heaven, I Am Going to Be a Good Boy.
   The Tommy Leonard Story
   AUTHOR: Kathleen Cleary
   
   Tommy Leonard was and still is an outstanding character, well know by many. He began life in a poor family. His parents finally had to send he and his sister to Shurtleff Mission, a home with the sole purpose helping children of destitute families while teaching the gospel. Tommy was determined to leave the mission, but each time he ran away, he was caught, returned and punished. He was finally freed of his mission experience and lived with several different families during his youth. As he grew into his teens and young adulthood, he became known for drinking and partying and having a way with the girls but Tommy was also a runner. He loved to run and after a stint in the Marine Corp, he continued running in marathons, becoming known for his promotion of health and fitness. He founded the Falmouth Road Race.
   Kathleen Cleary has captured the personality and warmth of this man. He is truly loved by so many. Even those who have never had the pleasure of making his acquaintance, can sit back and chuckle at many of the events of Tommy's life, or share in the heartfelt love that Tommy has for his fellow man. The reader will also find a selection of pictures dating back to his life in the mission and forward to 2004 where he is seen with Edie Doyle in front of the Boston Red Sox World Series trophy. So many years with so much to tell, and Kathleen Cleary has been able to share these years, giving us a view of an extraordinary man.
   
   
   
   Reviewer: Elaine Fuhr, Allbooks Reviews



2. I am not an avid runner. Nor have I had the pleasure of meeting Mr. Leonard. Readers may not know the people or recognize the local names in this book, but the Kathleen Cleary's message is unmistakably universal: Tommy Leonard touched the lives of many and made his and our world a better place. Read this book and learn how and why he did it. The title alone is worth the price of admission into Leonard's remarkable life.
   Mike Considine, Lenox, MA



3. This book is a true delight from start to finish. In this day and age where we hear so many stories of people doing bad things, it is so uplifting to read about a man who is such a good person through and through. Kathleen Cleary has captured the spirit of Tommy Leonard for everyone. I highly recommend this book and I promise it will bring tears to your eyes, a smile to your face and probably quite a few belly laughs. Enjoy!



4. Joe Concannon, Boston Globe sportswriter and chronicler of the Boston Marathon, tabbed Tommy "The Guru" as every runner of note made their way to the Eliot Lounge, from all corners of the planet so that they could counsel with the great one: Thomas Francis Leonard!
   
   Read this book and find out why, or read this book and feel all warm & fuzzy like. The man has had quite a life.
   
   The quotable Tommy:
   
   ". . . Tommy Leonard, the running guru at the Eliot Lounge talking in a TV interview about the particular appeal of the Boston Marathon: "It's better than sex."
   
   Tommy got some strange looks from folk's after that one.
   
   A great book to enjoy over the Holidays!



5. This book is very interesting and well-written and is not just for running fans. The life of Tommy Leonard serves as an example of how enthusiasm and a positive attitude can prevail over almost any difficulty life may throw at you. If you want to read an uplifting book, this is the one!

4 comments about F1 Through the Eyes of Damon Hill: Inside the World of Formula 1.

1. Since Damon Hill retired from the grand prix circuit and writes for a certain very popular English motorsport magazine we know that the guy can write. What we learn from this book is that he already had that gift when he was still driving! The book was made in 1998 when Damon was on his last F1 stint with the Jordan team, during that emotional year when Jordan scored a historic 1-2 in Spa. The F1-educated reader who knows what happened in '99 (Damon fired by Eddie Jordan because he was consistently outperformed by team-mate Heinz-Harald Frentzen) will find his remarks on the team a poignant read.
   The book touches all the major aspects of Formula One motorsport: technology, image, media pressure, professional rivalry, the fear, money and fame. Damon also talks about his famous father Graham Hill and "his" race: Monte Carlo (GH won Monte Carlo 5 times and was only fairly recently surpassed by Ayrton Senna and Michael Schumacher in this feat). Damon explores how having a famous race driver as a father influenced his own career path and attitude towards the sport.
   The book is overall very well crafted. Damon's text is supported and enhanced by the superb photography of Keith Sutton, England's premier F1 photographer. Overall a very good read and a pleasure to the eye, certainly a must-have for every serious F1-fan, even you Schumacher fans: Damon has some very interesting things to say about his famous rivalry with Michael!



2. Damon Hill is seen by many fans as the "loser" champion, the champion who had it, he had the drive, he had the car, he had the intelligence, he had the motivation and dedication, but there was Schumacher in the way, as there was Clark that came Graham's way. It must be said that, even if the 1995 season, climax of the 90's, is most remembered and pictures Damon's defeat, Damon's 96 title is thorougly deserved and well acomplished. Damon deserves much respect for his acomplishmnet in the sport; even during his last and terrible f1 season, 1999, where he was outshined by his very fast team-mate Heinz Harald Frentzen, Damon was not to be looked pathetic next to him - instead he was to be held tremendous respect and would not receive any contempt from any TRUE F1 fan. Damon was not the fastest driver ever, but he holds his place among the other World Champions and stands as one of the Lords of this sport.



3. Damon Hill is seen by many fans as the "loser" champion, the champion who had it, he had the drive, he had the car, he had the intelligence, he had the motivation and dedication, but there was Schumacher in the way, as there was Clark that came Graham's way. It must be said that, even if the 1995 season, climax of the 90's, is most remembered and pictures Damon's defeat, Damon's 96 title is thorougly deserved and well acomplished. Damon deserves much respect for his acomplishmnet in the sport; even during his last and terrible f1 season, 1999, where he was outshined by his very fast team-mate Heinz Harald Frentzen, Damon was not to be looked pathetic next to him - instead he was to be held tremendous respect and would not receive any contempt from any TRUE F1 fan. Damon was not the fastest driver ever, but he holds his place among the other World Champions and stands as one of the Lords of this sport.



4. From the moment I recieved this book, I could tell a lot of time and energy (money) went into making it. The cover is made of a nice, almost sliky paper material, which just makes you feel like it is worth the price. However, the real treat is inside. Damon Hill is a very eloquent writer, and makes some very personal revelations. If you ever wanted to know what makes an F1 World Champion tick, here's your chance. His gives his feelings about his early years driving with legends such as Aryton Senna, and Alain Prost, as well as his current on-going rivaly with M. Schumacher. Also, the photographs taken by Keith Sutton are an added bonus. As Damon said in his book, "So here it is. A book about all that (F1 life). But you can just look at the pictures if you prefer..." Yes! You really can; the pictures are fabulous. It's a shame about his retirement, and i actually would have felt that this book would have been better off, if he retired first and then published it, so that his writing wouldn't be so restrained. Even so, it gives the most comprehensive first-person's view of the things that transpire in the world of F1. Personally, I am a Damon Hill fan, so I can recommend this book to all those who also follow this "gentlemen's racer."

3 comments about When the Tuna Went Down to Texas: The Story of Bill Parcells and the Dallas Cowboys.

1. THIS BOOK IS ABOUT BILL PARCELLS TAKING OVER AS HEAD COACH OF THE DALLAS COWBOYS. ALONG THE WAY WE GET TO READ ABOUT JERRY JONES'S FACE LIFT, JERRY JONES QUITTING DRINKING AND A BUNCH OF OTHER UNRELATED JUNK TO FILL THIS BORING BOOK. AS FAR AS I AM CONCERNED, THE ONLY INTEREST IN THIS BOOK CAME IN THE SECOND HALF OF THIS WHEN WE TAKE A RIDE GAME BY GAME THRU THE SEASON AND ENDS WITH THE COWBOYS MAKING THE PLAYOFFS BUT LOSING THEIR ONLY PLAYOFF GAME. OTHER THAN THAT, THIS BOOK IS HIGHLY RECOMMENDED FOR THOSE WHO SUFFER FROM INSOMNIA AND WANT AN INSTANT CURE.



2. As someone that knows Mike Shropshire personally, I can assure you that he does not love Jerry Jones (quite to the contrary actually). Armadillo, doing what he accused the author of doing, wrote a review in pure ingorance, taking ambiguous pieces of humor and taking them directly into technicality, a problem that many readers today seem to have with works of literature. The book is well-written and bases itself solely on what it is supposed to do: get into depth with Bill Parcells in his first year as the head coach of the Dallas Cowboys and related material, which it does.
   
   The book is still a great read for, if nothing else, a retrospect of the 2003 Dallas Cowboys season, putting inspiration into a story and a team that is now, with the changes the team has gone through in the last three years, insignificant.



3. The author is biased(he loves Jerry Jones), misinformed(lot of incorrect information), and just plain mean(blasting Jimmy Johnson, Houston, and Dave Campo). If this book is legitimate to you, you probably have the same traits. Probably the worst Dallas Cowboy book out there. Check out this book at the library and ask yourself, "How did this book ever get published?"

1 comments about Put Me In, Coach: Confessions of a Football Wife.

1. Anyone who loves football, the University of Georgia, the SEC, or simply a good story should read this book.
   
   Lucy Adams, UGA Alumni and author of If Mama Don't Laugh, It Ain't Funny

1 comments about The Big If: The Life and Death of Johnny Owen.

1. Boxing aficionados should devour this book. Others will get to
   meet a beautiful person. On occasion I felt the author wandered
   off the main road, thankfully he always returned to Johnny. This
   book was well overdue. I found it hard to put it down. If your
   tear ducts need a little lubrication this might do the trick. I
   think Johnny was loved by all those who came in contact with him, I believe it was rightfully so.

No comments about Owen Hargreaves: The Biography of Manchester United's Midfield Maestro.

No comments about Against the Flow: The Inspiring Story of a Teacher Turned Record-Breaking Yachtswoman.