5 comments about Aikman: Mind, Body and Soul.

1. HEY HEY HEY HEY BUY THIS RIGHT NOW I HAVEN'T EVEN READ IT YET IT'S MY FAVORITE BOOK EVER AND IT'S THE BEST BOOK EVER AS WELL NOTHING CAN COMPARE TO BIG 8 HE'S THE BEST QUARTERBACK EVER AND IF YOU DENY IT IT'S JUST BECAUSE YOU'RE JEALOUS GO AIKMAN!



2. This book is what Troy Aikman is about he lets the reader into his personal life a little bit.You see the person Troy first than the football player. After you read this book you become a bigger fan of his than befor and if you were not a fan than you become one. The pictures are great as well as the text. I really enjoyed it and I know you will too. Must buy!



3. Great book that really tells the whole story. Although you can find most of this info. in other scattered places, it's all nicely put into this book. There are many INCREDIBLE photos of Troy, so if you're a fan, or just think he's gorgeous (or both), this is a great book.



4. Troy Aikman really draws the reader to him. His gracefully written book truely defines the Aikman as the true champion that he is. He is a man who overcame a lot of odds to reach the success he now has achieved. His story gives everyone reassurance that hardwork will bring success.



5. I really didn't find any new information that I hadn't read before about Troy. It lacked something of value and certainly not worth the money unless you are really a huge Troy Aikman fan. The book went immediatly in my garage sale and of course I had to continue marking down the price to get it bought. 2.00.

   Pictures were also boring and seemed to be written by a 10 year old.

5 comments about Metal Cowboy: Tales from the Road Less Pedaled.

1. A "born again bicyclist" who thinks bicycles will save the world, I went to the library to get books about cycling & bicycles. I discovered The Metal Cowboy and hung on to it even though it wasn't "technical". I tried to read a funny bit aloud to my family but I was giggling too hard.
   The almost-romantic chapter is my favorite.
   Reading this book makes you feel like there is hope for America's privileged middle class kids. By getting lost on a bike we can find ourselves.
   Joe's most recent book (Momentum is Your Friend) is equally excellent.



2. From my blog: [...]
   I started reading Metal Cowboy, a collection of stories by Joe Kurmaskie, a few weeks ago at my Dad's suggestion and have had a hard time putting it down. I finished it on Thanksgiving day and knew I had to get a review up in short order. Metal Cowboy is a collection of some of Kurmaskie's stories from his long distance bike tours but I promise you that you don't need to be a cyclist to appreciate this book.
   
   Kurmaskie is a top notch storyteller who writes in a way that is relatable to anyone who would come across his material. He also has a knack for showcasing what is good among people. Joe's optimism shines through even when he is in the worst of situations while on the road. He manages to make you feel as if you are right there with him experiencing everything he does.
   
   One of my favorite stories in the book is called "The Tree Huggers versus the Tree Cutters as Told by the Fence-Sitter" and it begins with this quote from Theodore Roosevelt:
   
   "Far better to dare mighty things, to win glorious triumphs, even though checkered by failure, than to take rank with those poor spirits who neither enjoy much nor suffer much, because they live in the gray twilight that knows not victory, nor defeat."
   
   The quote is a powerful one and it foreshadows the rest of the story nicely. In a nutshell, Joe runs across a logger while at a campsite who he becomes friends with. The logger then offers to let Joe stay with him when Joe makes his way towards his house in the coming days of his trip. Joe ends up at the loggers house but he is not home so Joe decides to camp in the woods where he meets a number of the "tree huggers" who are protesting the company that Joe's logger friend works for. Joe, trying to be friends with both the loggers and the tree huggers, ends up having to explain himself to both the logger and the tree huggers and everyone ends up not caring for Joe too much since he wasn't really up front about his true beliefs.
   
   The story reminds us to not be afraid to talk about what we believe in and to be up front. It also urges us to step out of the gray twilight and take some chances. As entrepreneurs and VCs we are all taking our shot at changing the world. Yes, a lot of us will fail at some point in our lives but I, for one, would rather fail while taking a chance on something I believe in than to have never taken a chance at all and I think a lot of you probably feel the same way.
   
   That said, I highly recommend picking up Metal Cowboy. You won't regret it. My only warning is the book may cause an overwhelming urge to grab your bike, load it up and head out on an extended bike tour of your own!



3. This is the first book that I read about long distance and adventure bicycle touring. I loved the stories about the people Joe meets and the situations he got into. I liked it so much that I immediately read the second book and ordered "Momentum is Your Best Friend". I would recommend the same to anyone! This was a great book.



4. I have just completed Metal Cowboy and have ordered a couple of copies for riding and non-riding friends. Joe reminds me of Bill Bryson or an early Peter Egan.



5. As I live my life, going from one task to another, there is a part of my brain that yearns for more, something a little closer to the edge of my comfort zone. I received "Metal Cowboy" as a gift a few years ago and there it was, the life less ordinary that always seemed to escape me! Joe Kurmaskie tells wonderful stories about true humanity and the good that exists in this world. Sure, I only get to experience a slice of this life on long weekend rides and the last full week in July on RAGBRAI, but the Metal Cowboy makes me hopeful for the future.

5 comments about Lazarus and the Hurricane: The Freeing of Rubin "Hurricane" Carter.

1. This is the best book that I have ever read. What a devastating, yet inspiration story all at once. The tragidy that society placed on minority groups in the past has to be told and this is told so eloquently. This is a must read for every man, woman, and child in our society today. We must never forget the past so that we do not go there again. This tragedy should never be repeated. The story of what life is all about is in this book. It will touch you like no other book has before.



2. I really enjoyed the Ruber Carter biography The 16th Round. Carter is an amazing writer and he has an amazing life story. I figured this book would be sort of a follow up to his book taking us from incarceration in the end of 16th Round to freedom in Lazarus...
   Instead of getting to the story like Carter was able to the authors of this book felt the need to give a over done bio on Lesra Martin, who would come to befriend Carter. While it seems their intentions were positive for this kid they tend to paint his pre Canada picture as almost insulting this poor kid because of how he talked and acted, and I found the actual presenting his dialogue in supposed Brooklyn slang to be slightly distracting, and we could have done without the language lesson in "Black English"
   Sadly after this intro to the character of Lesra they really fail to mention him much after the story gets going. Lesra is lost to countless stories of trips to see Carter in prison and legal insight.
   The authors who are not Americans seem to almost take enjoyment in bashing the American legal system. They offer a very uneducated assumption based point of view on facts and issues I feel they had little understanding of. And while personally I feel Carter was not guilty of the crimes, the authors paint Carter as a tragic hero you should feel bad for, however that is by far over shadowed by their self-righteous telling of the legal battle in which they take the light that is supposed to be on Carter and apply it to them. They seem to want to have the reader view them as these people who are so good hearted and do everything to aide Carter so well that you can't help but love them.
   
   This book is good to get more facts but if you are looking for a follow up to Carter's story it's not here, this is instead an undiverse retelling of Carter's legal battle, less from the point of view of legal experts and more so that of "crusaders" who were out to see Carter free.
   I respect what they helped do for Carter but find the way they recall the story to be offensive and at times selfish.



3. This book is not as well-written as some of the other books out there, but the stories it tackles are certainly interesting.
   
   Rubin Carter, the brash young boxer turned local cop fall-guy, has a heartbreaking story that begins the moment he is taken in for questioning in a murder that he didn't commit, and ends years later, when he is finally exonerated as an older man.
   
   Lesra has an even more heartbreaking story; as a pre-teen, he is in a prison of his own, the prison of a miserably poor life in the ghetto that has deprived his good genes of achieving their potential.
   
   The book tracks the arrest and imprisonment of Carter, and the story of Lesra as he is taken in by a group of Canadian liberals who wish to give him a better chance at life. To me, the story of Lesra was even more interesting than the story of Carter. The most compelling scenes in the book happen when Lesra begins to adjust to his new lifestyle, and to transform from a physically stunted, uneducated boy into a sensitive and articulate young man. It gives pause to anyone who has ever said that those who live in poor urban America just need to work a little harder if they want to get out. The book makes the argument that the environment of the ghetto is so harmful that just being born and raised there creates a version of you that is almost incapable of rising above the more obvious obstacles.
   
   Young Lesra becomes interested in Carter after reading his book, and he and his guardians become involved in trying to achieve justice for Carter. After a long and trying bureaucratic battle, they finally help to free Rubin Carter, whose innocence could not be questioned by anyone remotely acquainted with the facts of his case.
   
   As much as I liked the stories, the writing was not very good, and often impaired my enjoyment. The fact that the authors are Lesra's Canadian friends is treated rather awkwardly, and characterizations of all of the main characters is pretty subjective, with the kindest possible spin given to every harsh word or action.
   
   This contributes to a feeling that the authors are not being completely honest about the story; it's not that I think they're lying, but rather that they aren't willing to evaluate everything with a critical and objective eye. In one sense, the most important sense, the idea of six comparatively wealthy do-gooders taking a boy out of the ghetto and then taking the ghetto out of the boy is noble and uplifting. But another way to look at it, as a group of meddlers playing God with a human guinea pig, is never really addressed. It kind of reminded me of My Fair Lady in some ways. It's not that I disagree with the wonderful gift that they have given to Lesra; it's just that I think there's more to the story of how they came to decide to do that particular good act.
   
   Overall, I do recommend this book because it has a lot to say, and to prove, about race relations and injustice in America. The unveiling of the corruption of those who sought to have Carter imprisoned is absolutely and unequivocally shocking. The difficulties that the innocent Carter encounters are just disgusting; he's not an innocent man in prison seeking to establish his innocence, but rather an innocent man in prison whose innocence is well-documented, and who can't seem to get anyone to listen, despite resources and national attention well beyond what most prisoners have. Lesra is equally exemplary of another serious problem; how can we expect good citizenship from America's urban poor when their environment is so suffused with negativity and animalistic treatment, 24 hours a day and seven days a week? The pull-themselves-up-by-the-bootstraps argument never seemed so hollow.



4. Two stories in one book, the first part about a young man named Lesra (short for Lazarus) and then the full history of Rubin Carter known as the Hurricane, a black American framed for a crime he never committed and wrongfully imprisoned. A third influence which shadows both stories is a group of people known as the Canadians, their motivations are not revealed to the reader yet without the actions taken by these Canadians the stories with happy endings told in this book would not have been possible.
   
   Lesra was 15 when he was hired to work at a lab in Brooklyn as part of an government funded summer program for inner city youth, it was there that he met a group of Canadians who were working at the lab on a research project. He was invited to visit them later for a weekend in Toronto and they were shocked at the appalling state of his education, though in high school he was unable to read or write and had an extremely limited vocabulary, didn't know how to read a map and had never run on grass. Lesra moved in with them in Canada and they took over his education, Lesra eventually went to university and his whole story of being rescued from a ghetto life and realizing his full potential in a different environment is uplifting.
   
   As Lesra is discovering whole new worlds through books he comes across, "The Sixteenth Round" by Rubin Carter, and Lesra begins writing to Rubin in prison. The group of Canadians become involved with the Hurricane and the rest of the book is devoted to the freeing of Rubin Carter, the incredible amount of work it took and the history of Carter's case in the courts of New Jersey.
   
   Though the book was engrossing there is too much left hanging, mainly what is the motivation of the Canadians and who are they really? Also the title is somewhat misleading as we don't hear much about Lesra except at the beginning. Finally, if it is true as suggested in other reviews here that Rubin was having a love affair that went on for several years with one of the Canadians, then that would most certainly be a glaring omission giving quite a different view of the same story.



5. This story is an inspiration. The idea that good can win over evil. That the poor and uneducated will be taken in and educated and the wrongly accused will be freed is a very nice idea. While I'm sure that many of the gritty details of have been over looked or glossed over, I believe that adds to the inspirational value of the book. Afterall, if this story did not have a happy ending Rubin Carter would still be in jail and we would have all forgotten about him long ago.

No comments about Tesio: In His Own Words.

5 comments about Fear Strikes Out: The Jim Piersall Story.

1. Our heroes wear uniforms, not only of the home team, but seemingly a vest for the body blows life can deliver.
   
   And their demons are from the delights of stardom, not mental illness. Right?
   
   In this chronicle of the 1952 season with the Boston Red Sox, then a 22-year-old emerging star, Jim Piersall, and co-author Al Hirshberg tackle what remains a taboo issue in clubhouses and sports talk; mental illness - bipolar disorder - and the athlete.
   
   Originally published in 1955, it is a hard-hitting account of Piersall and his struggle while under the bright lights of Major League Baseball to confront his personal demons, many which had been building since childhood.
   
   But Piersall - once he fully understood that he needed help - did not face the struggle alone. Those close to him in his personal and professional endeavors demonstrated that the timeless tools of patience and understanding are crucial to a person's recovery.
   
   There is no stepping out of the batter's box in life, though it seems as if every pitch is coming in wild, high and tight. For Piersall to hit the demons out of that ballpark is an inspiring tale of victory in the biggest box score of all.



2. After my parents both were committed to a state hospital on two different occasions, I lived with the secret -- in shame. While in grade school, I was looking for a sports book to read and ran across Piersall's book. By publicly telling his story and frankly admitting he was mentally ill, Piersall helped me change my attitude and lose my shame. I realized mental illness is quite common and can be treated successfully.
   
   The book was a godsend to a child living with psychological trauma.



3. "Fear Strikes Out" tells the tale of Jimmy Piersall, who played for the Boston Red Sox in the early to late 1950s. He and Willy Mays of the Giants were the best defensive center fielders in pro baseball then and perhaps ever. "FSO" is more concerned with Jimmy's nervous breakdown in 1952 and his subsequent recovery. The real story should be his patient wife, without whom Piersall would have been at sea. The Catholic Church has canonized people for less! "FSO" skims along the edges of Jimmy's problems but to its' credit does not sweep them under a rug. The problems may be sanitized but not trivialized. In my opinion, the true meat of the book is its' 1950s American League backdrop, which I'm just barely old enough to remember. Red Sox fans should enjoy reading about Ted Lepcio, Lou Boudreau, Ellis Kinder, Joe Cronin and Billy Goodman. "FSO" has a limited scope and appeal. The 1950s sportsworld was lilly white and not given to tell all, dirt digging locker room scoops and the book reflects that era. Jimmy gets a free pass on some (not all) of his antics. Readers who accept those constraints should find "FSO" enjoyable and worthwhile. Anyone with a dad or uncle, etc who is a hardcore Red Sox fan has a great Christmas present to click unto.



4. "Fear Strikes Out" tells the tale of Jimmy Piersall, who played for the Boston Red Sox in the early to late 1950s. He and Willy Mays of the Giants were the best defensive center fielders in pro baseball then and perhaps ever. "FSO" is more concerned with Jimmy's nervous breakdown in 1952 and his subsequent recovery. The real story should be his patient wife, without whom Piersall would have been at sea. The Catholic Church has canonized people for less! "FSO" skims along the edges of Jimmy's problems but to its' credit does not sweep them under a rug. The problems may be sanitized but not trivialized. In my opinion, the true meat of the book is its' 1950s American League backdrop, which I'm just barely old enough to remember. Red Sox fans should enjoy reading about Ted Lepcio, Lou Boudreau, Ellis Kinder, Joe Cronin and Billy Goodman. "FSO" has a limited scope and appeal. The 1950s sportsworld was lilly white and not given to tell all, dirt digging locker room scoops and the book reflects that era. Jimmy gets a free pass on some (not all) of his antics. Readers who accept those constraints should find "FSO" enjoyable and worthwhile. Anyone with a dad or uncle, etc who is a hardcore Red Sox fan has a great Christmas present to click unto.



5. This short biography of talented centerfielder Jim Piersall of the Red Sox has long been well-received for it's frank portrayal of mental illness and the difficult road to recovery. Unfortunately, the book is ultimately disappointing because it goes only to the brink of discovery; we never fully understand the real cause of the illness or have explained to us what the treatment was like.

   The book begins with Piersall's fascinating life story including his difficult family life and we see the strains of his illness develop from his earliest memories. Piersall proves to be a very real person and his humanity is quite believable as he accomplishes many things under the heavy burden of his illness. However, about the time Piersall suffers his blackout, the book blacks out as well and we only learn about his descent into madness as he thumbs through photo albums with his longsuffering wife. He only mentions in passing that he received shock therapy, but we never learn why or for how long or whether there were other treatments involved. The book has a gloriously happy ending with Piersall fully recovered and on his way to Spring Training for next season. I think the reason for this is that the book may have been written as a sort of apology or explanation to the general public about Piersall and his antics on and off the field; it also may have been considered poor taste in the 1950s to have been more descriptive than that.

   Overall, this book is great for biographical information on Piersall and as an inspirational story of triumph over adversity, but may leave you hungry for more detail.

5 comments about Jimmy Connors Saved My Life: A Personal Biography.

1. Joel's biography of Jimmy Connors is long overdue and is a must for anyone interested in the history of Open Tennis. As Mary Carillo writes in the introduction to the book, Connors was the most important player in the Open Era. Not necessarily the best, but certainly the most important. He made tennis matter to the man in the street.
   
   I defy anyone who remembers watching Connors play, from becoming emotionally involved in what was going on. There have been great players in the Open Era: Laver, Sampras, Borg, Federer, McEnroe. But none I think were quite able to connect with a crowd in the way Connors could.
   And it is this which I will principally remember him for.
   
   I was seven years old when I watched my first tennis match on television: it was the 1974 Wimbledon final between Connors and Rosewall. To this day I still recall that chirpy, pugnacious little left-hander with his mop of straight black hair and that metal Wilson racquet that he wielded in his left hand, pummelling ground strokes to all corners of the court and for which poor Rosewall had no answer. I also seem to recall his pas-de- deux with Chrissie as they celebrated their Wimbledon victories together on centre court.
   
   Above all he was such a contrast with what had gone on before: the Smiths, Lavers, Newcombes and Rosewalls with their short hair and impeccable manners and upright, unshowey 1950's demeanour.
   
   Then came Jimmy. No wonder they described 1974 as a Revolution on Church Road. He did to lawn tennis what the Rolling Stones had done to British society 10 years earlier. He smashed his way through the revered walls of SW18 and turned the place upside down. He grabbed those genteel female spectators with their horn-rimmed specs and rubber-flowered hats and gave them a damn good shake. No wonder they all loathed him!
   
   The tennis was astonishing. Joel is brilliant in his covereage of his US Open exploits. But you could write volumes on his Wimbledon exploits alone - as a Brit I can testify to this, seeing it all at first hand: his precocious victory over Rosewall in '74, the '75 semi against Roscoe Tanner then considered the fiercest server in the business whom Connors reduced to ashes, and for whom Ashe himself rose like a Phoenix to provide sweet revenge by defeating Connors in the final; the epic battles against Borg in '77 and '81, the victory against McEnroe EIGHT years after his first win, the '84 semi against Lendl whom he destroyed with a quite astonishing display of return of serve and a remarkable recovery in the 4th round in '87 against Michael Pernfors from 2 sets to love down and trailing 0-4 in the third to come back and win. I can tell you that even as reserved a place as Wimbledon has never seen scenes like that!
   
   And we haven't even discussed the Open - but buy the book because Joel covers it admirably.
   
   One further tip - his matches (and those of the other great players) are available on-line to purchase, covering all the grand-prix tournaments from the mid-70s onwards. Do try and get them if you can. You'll see what I mean
   
   Meantime, many thanks Joel for this book. Long overdue and a fitting tribute not only to one of the greatest players of the Open Era but one who is a living testament to the adage: Never Give Up!
   
   Now go and buy the book!!



2. I was pleasantly surprised to find that there is much more to this book than tennis. Drucker's biographical information about Connors is fascinating; even as a tennis fan I really knew very little about him and mostly had only heard of his late career heroics at the U.S. Open.
   
   What I really enjoyed about this book was Drucker's personal story. Although he wasn't directly involved in the professional tennis world (until later on) his book shows that professional sports, and more than that, idols in general, can directly effect our personal lives. As the title indicates, Jimmy Connors impacted Joel Druckers' life in a very real way. As much as I loved the tennis side of the book, the personal interest slant is what kept me reading.
   
   This book is worth your reading time. Thanks Joel Drucker!



3. I read this book with great interest, as I befriended Jimmy Connors at the local tennis courts in several years ago, shortly before this book came out, and got a chance to talk to him on an almost daily basis about a variety of subjects while practicing strokes against the tennis wall. He was quite humble and that does not quite match the nature of the narcissist described by the author in this book. This book is very well-written and researched, but during the couple of years I knew Connors, I found him to be quite self-effacing when it came to his immensely successful career and persona. He looked back on it like it was a fun and exciting time then, but had clearly moved on and was trying to find a new purpose in his life. He did not appear unhappy, as indicated, just somewhat bored and always coming up with new ideas of what he wanted to do next with his life. He really wanted to do something meaningful for ordinary people who enjoyed playing tennis, but also still clearly enjoys being in the company of top players, as is evident from his coaching of Andy Roddick. He appeared anything but selfish, as he volunteered for the homeless and clearly cares a lot about animals.
   I observed that Jimmy was in a lot of pain sometimes, but he never once complained. In spite of his pain, Jimmy kept coming back to practice his play against two of the best local tennis players (a couple), and from what I observed, he bonded the most with the female, older player, a seasoned tennis pro. Jimmy, by himself on one side of the court, managed to wear out these other two players on the other side completely, which was quite amazing. After all, he was in his early 50s and in pain. While on the courts playing, I did notice, like the author, that he changed into a different persona. He expects everyone to give their best at all times and got frustrated when this did not happen. I find this to be an admirable quality that pushes people to be their best, and I'm sure this part of Jimmy's persona influenced the author's life profoundly and perhaps saved it.
   Jimmy always did appear most comfortable around women, as the author indicates, but in a strictly platonic way. He seemed very devoted to his wife, Patti, and children who occasionally came to the local courts, as well. I observed several times that he was indeed not as friendly or close to other men, but what do you expect from a person who is taught to beat other men at all cost and win no matter what. Call it paranoia, as the author does, but is it really surprising?
   Having met many highly intelligent people throughout my life, I'd say Jimmy Connors is one of the smartest people I've ever met, and he may not hold a Ph.D, but he does not need one either. I can understand the author's fascination with Connors, however, as Connors is a very interesting person.
   They always say it's lonely at the top, and to get there, I think you have to be somewhat of a narcissist, highly competitive, power hungry and have a very positive attitude. It's the survival of the fittest....
   This book focuses mostly on the young Jimmy of the past and, of course, on the author himself. Jimmy has clearly moved on with his life, still has a strong spirit, is very competitive, healthy and focused, but has definitely mellowed. He is an admirable human being, unique in many ways, and if more people would adopt his positive attitude and determination, he could save many people's lives. An interesting book, and especially for those who wish to find direction in their lives.
   
   Written by MV, California



4. Joel Drucker is an indefatigable researcher and an insightful writer. Though tennis writers tend to be at the bottom of the food chain when measured against golf, boxing and baseball writers, Drucker does his profession proud. The biographical information about Connors, based upon meticulous research, is at times, outstanding. He paints a portrait of the tennis great that few have ever seen. Drucker explores Connors' relationship with his mother Gloria and grandmother Bertha in-depth. Indeed, knowing his relationship to them is the foundation of not only his tennis career but also his life.
   My main problem with the book is that Drucker was never the insider he portrays himself to have been with Connors. Perhaps, his infatuation with the charismatic "Jimbo" led him to conjure up a make-believe inner circle relationship where none existed. I can stomach this because I do not believe Drucker believes otherwise. I truly think that he viscerally believes he was thisclose to Connors. But he wasn't. To me, this calls into question other assertions and conclusions he made and arrived at. I've examined them thoroughly and have no problem with their efficacy.
   Simply put, this is a book that Drucker had to write. Undoubtedly it served as a catharsis, ridding his soul of haunting demons that needed exorcising. As he describes his relationship with his brother, its like hearing chalk screech on the blackboard. Yet, it had to be written.
   For the diehard Connors fans, this is a must book. For those who loved tennis in its heyday, you won't find a more compelling book. Most of the other tennis books on the personalities from this period were written, or so they read, solely to capitalize on the subject matter and to make a dollar. This book was written from a soul that is, at times, tormented, yet remains sincere. The result is a one-of-a-kind book that does justice to Connors, tennis and the writer.



5. I coudn't agree more with the Amazon review here by Milacik Najdrahsi - I, too, was very much looking forward to reading this, having idolised Connors as a teenager myself, but this book is one of the worst I have ever read, a horrid, self-regarding author's ego trip, replete with the worst kind of American psycho-babble and pitiful philosophising about personal family difficulties, self improvement and the pursuit of 'success'. There is a prolonged, ghastly, obsequious chronicle of a highly ambiguous and suspect 'friendship' with Connors together with endless, embarrassing accounts of Mr. Drucker's own laughable tennis exploits (or 'career', as he likes to call it), with some atrocious writing to boot. It was extremely painful to cringe my way through to the end. I like to think that if Connors himself has read this he would have found it as loathsome as I did. A zero star rating from me... avoid at all costs, it will make you ill.

5 comments about The Captain: Steve Yzerman: 22 Seasons, 3 Cups, 1 Team.

1. A wonderful keepsake for anyone who was--and still is--a Steve Yzerman fan. A man with incredible accomplishments and integrity, he was a dedicated captain and dedicated to his teammates and his fans. His fans, in turn, were just as dedicated to him. And I think I probably speak for every one of them when I say it was a really sad day when he retired. It was almost like the lights went out in Michigan. We would have been happy to see him in a Red Wings jersey for many years to come. We would have been happy just to see him out there skating around. He is a shining example of what every hockey player should strive to be but he was pretty unique and he'll be hard to beat.



2. The tagline to this book says it all..."22 seasons, 3 cups, one team" and that one team may be more important than the three Stanley Cups. In this era of free agency and mega-million dollar salaries, Steve Yzerman was a rarity...a superstar athlete who played his entire career with just one team. You need only mention "The Captain" to any Detroiter and they will know who you are talking about.
   
   This marvelous book from the Detroit Free Press and Triumph books traces the career of one of the greatest professional athletes in Detroit sports history. The word legend is thrown about quite freely these days but it certainly applies to Yzerman. Here was perhaps the most modest superstar you could ever hope to meet. A fierce competitor on the ice, who over came numerous injuries, and a pure gentleman off the ice, Yzerman retired after the 2005 - 2006 season to take a much deserved spot in the Red Wings front office. More than any other player, coach, or owner, Yzerman was responsible for resurrecting a once great hockey team that had fallen on lean times in the 1970's and early 1980's.
   
   We get to see a young Yzerman, just 18 years old as he shakes hands with team owner Mike Illitch after being selected in the first round...only after the Wings first choice, Pat LaFontaine, was drafted one spot earlier. We can all thank the NY Islanders for that! Yzerman was named team captain in 1986, at just 21 years of age, making him the youngest captain in team history.
   
   The book tracks Yzerman's career, season-by-season, reprinting articles by Free Press writers such as Mitch Albom, Keith Gave, and Nick Cotsonika. Re-live those early playoff disappointments including the Stanley Cup finals loss to New Jersey in 1995. Then relive the glory of 1997 as the Red Wings took revenge on the hated Colorado Avs, first in the regular season, and then in the playoffs, on their way to their first Stanley cup since 1955. Yzerman's visit to the David Letterman Show and the tragic accident of Vladimir Konstantinov is also covered as well as Stevie's career achievements and milestones and his laundry list of injuries suffered throughout his career.
   
   This is a must have for any Red Wings fan!
   
   Reviewed by Tim Janson



3. Outstanding book! It really captured the whole history of Yzerman and his legacy plus legend... This is an outstanding book for both Red Wing and alll hockey fans



4. Purchased this as a Christmas gift for a BIG fan of Stevie's and she LOVED IT! Worth the money and "cheaper" than the bookstores!



5. This book reminds me a lot of my all-time favorite Yzerman book, "The Making of a Champion," which came out about 10 years ago. It's pretty much the same format - reprints of news articles and photos that appeared in the paper, along with some original features.
   
   Whereas "Champion" covered the first 10 or so years of Stevie's career, "The Captain" covers all of it. The articles, written by Detroit Free Press writers Bill McGraw, Mitch Albom, Nicholas Cotsonika and others, follow Steve from his early days as a teenage Red Wing, referring to Steve as "baby-cheeked" and telling us "if he shaves, it's only for practice" (and that he used to order white milk in bars!); as he becomes The Captain; blossoms into one of the NHL's most prolific goal scorers under Jacques Demers and then a three-time Stanley Cup champion under Scotty Bowman. All while playing for only one team - the Detroit Red Wings.
   
   "The Captain" is a great tribute to a man who personifies the words "class" and "perseverance" and the ice is a colder place without him. This book is a must-have for Yzerman fans everywhere, regardless of which team you cheer for.

5 comments about Geno: In Pursuit of Perfection.

1. This book does nothing but confirm what a jerk this fellow is. He can turn on the charm when he wants, such as when he is wooing a recruit. He has also assembled a staff that can coach, as well as recruiting the best basketball talent in the country. He obviously is a shrewd game tactician. But scratch the surface, and you find the egotistical, totally self centered, shallow jerk that lies within. From his profanity filled rants at press conferences, to his adolescent taunts directed at opposing teams to his verbal abuse of his players to his unethical recruiting practices, he earns the title of Geno the Jerk. This book is a big nothing. Wait for the DVD.



2. Auriemma is a JERK. The best thing about this book is he tells you that he, CD (his associate head coach), all his assistant coaches and most of all his players know he is a JERK. But even more important, he cares about his players like a parent or that uncle who will always be there when you need them to be does. He doesn't coddle, he doesn't kiss up to good, or even great players. He does sometimes treat players differently, but only because every single one of his players is an individual, but he demands that they play not as individuals, but as a team. He gets the best out of his players because he demands the best out of them and even more so out of himself. He is insecure and cocky. Doubtful and arrogant. A smooth talker and someone who regularly eats shoe leather. He is a real person who I would love my daughter to play for some day if she ever got the chance.



3. It's rare these days -- I just couldn't stop reading. Auriemma's co-writer creates a style that makes Geno come across as a good guy who tries hard - a real rags to riches, Horatio Alger story.
   
   As a basketball fan, I loved the glimpses into life at UConn and the stories beyond some legendary playeres. In particular, I liked Diana Taurasi's introduction and the brief mentions of her background and style. She's a fascinating person as well as a great player, adding charisma he way Lisa Leslie once did.
   
   Geno tells the truth, too. After UConn, many players faced a letdown. I watched Taurasi play against Seattle next year, as a member of the Arizona team. She tried hard but was obviously frustrated being a top player on a mid-level team.
   
   Ironically, there are many parallels between Taurasi and Chamique Holdsclaw, Tennessee's star, who would have graduated just before Taurasi went to UConn. Both began their WNBA careers as Number 1 draft picks on low-ranked teams. And both complained about being so famous. Tough, said both coaches.
   
   I also liked Geno's report of recruiting,a coach's toughest job, he says.
   
   A few times I flipped pages while Geno pontificated and philosophized. Most mostly I loved it...and despite a long and growing "To Do" list, I kept reading.



4. Luigi "Geno" Auriemma has written an extremely heartfelt biography chronicling his life experiences, especially the years he has been coaching UConn's womens basketball team. This is one of those biographies you don't want to miss out on!
   
   Geno is a straight shooter and one heck of a honest man. His genuine display of his emotions and thoughts throughout the book are a testament to his character. His loyalty to his wife, family, colleagues, players and fans is incredible!
   
   The stories behind how he recruited Diana Taurasi and others are very enjoyable to read, as are the countless other stories he recalls over the years. "Geno" is an excellent book for anyone to read - you don't need to be a huge sports enthusiast (although I reckon it might make a slight difference) as this is a story of an Italian boy from Norristown who made it big through his strong work ethics and values.
   
   Molto Grazie, Geno! You rock!



5. The book is filled with anecdotes about his early life (the best chapter) and his years at UConn. Trials, tribulations, success and failures with various players, their families, etc. are the central theme. If you've followed the team in recent years or long term, you will appreciate this information. Fewer points, however, for writing style and continuity of subject. As a whole and as a fan, I enjoyed it!

5 comments about A Great Teammate: The Legend of Mickey Mantle.

1. This book was a birthday gift for my brother, a "rabid" Mickey Mantle fan!!! He's just about finished it and said it was jut "GREAT" - lots of "unknown facts" and wonderful insights by "The Mick's" team mates !



2. I've got several Mickey Mantle books, but I really think this one is the best. Very detailed and accurate. Well done!



3. My kids grew up wanting to BE LIKE MIKE. Like many of my generation, I always wanted to be like Mick. THE MICK.
   
   Mickey Mantle was, for us, the consummate baseball player. He hit the ball hard and ran the bases fast. His arm was strong and his glove golden.
   
   But that's only part of why he was our hero. Randall Swearingen's book, A Great Teammate, covers the rest. Mickey was one of the greatest team players the game has ever known. He found a way to win. One day he'd hit a home run. The next he'd bunt and steal--or literally outrun a fly ball. It added up. Between 1951 and 1964, Mickey's Yankees made twelve trips to the World Series. Twelve!
   
   When his teammates batted, Mickey cheered. When they slumped, he took them to dinner. When Roger wilted in the Babe's mighty shadow, Mickey took him under his wing and into his home--even as The Mick took his own shot at THE RECORD.
   
   Mickey played hurt nearly every game of his major league career because, as a rookie, he deferred to a teammate named Joe DiMaggio. Mickey never complained or made excuses. He just came to the park early, took his treatments, hid the pain, and played hard. As good as he was, he could have been even better with two legs rather than one.
   
   When asked why he didn't take himself out of the lineup to rest the legs, Mickey replied that some child might come to the ball park to watch him play, and he didn't want to let that child down. Mickey didn't know it, but I was that child. My family drove from North Carolina to New York City in 1961. It was the only chance I ever had, as a kid, to watch a major league game. Mickey didn't disappoint: he hit a line drive into the right field bleachers for a home run. From then on, Mickey was my hero. And, like so many southerners in those days, I became, of all things, a Yankee.
   
   Then came the 70s, 80s, and 90s. Sportswriters forgot who Mickey Mantle was and why he had been our hero. They publicized his alcoholism. His business failures. His divorce. If only he had fallen in his prime, they implied, like Gehrig with ALS or Ruth with cancer. But somehow he dodged the Hodgkin's curse. And even though alcoholism is every bit as much a disease as ALS, or cancer, or Hodgkin's, America stopped loving Mickey the way he had loved us. We forgot. And, I must admit, as I almost forgot.
   
   Then I read A Great Teammate, and the memories came pouring back. Mickey winning games for his team. Mickey bringing out the best in his teammates. Mickey loving and respecting the game. Playing hard. Playing hurt. Always humble. Ever helpful. Never making excuses. And, in bottom of the 9th, whipping his toughest foe, alcoholism, and helping others do the same.
   
   No doubt, Old Timers told these stories time and again at ball games, fantasy camps, reunions, and funerals. But, no one ever bothered to write them down for us, the fans. Until now. Mickey, Randall: thank you.



4. Very impressed with book - my son is big fan and loves it.



5. It was very important to our dad that he be remembered as a great teammate and this book does an excellent job of explaining why he was admired, not only by the fans but his teammates and opponents as well. Randall went to great lengths to research the relevant details of key events in dad's career in order to show the magnitude of dad's courage, competitiveness, loyalty, determination, athleticism and perseverance both on and off the field. Randall spent time with dad and his teammates at the Mickey Mantle fantasy camps and his knowledge and love of dad really shows in this book. Reading the book brought back many great memories and magically transported us back in time to our childhood. The Mantle family gives this book a big "thumbs up" and wishes to extend our heartfelt thanks to Randall for writing this inspiring and enjoyable book that beautifully echoes our deep love and respect for our dad. "A true teammate". - Merlyn, David and Danny Mantle

5 comments about Best Damn Garage in Town: The World According to Smokey.

1. Goddamn! One of the best books I have ever read!
   
   Get it!



2. Simply put this is one of the best books about racing I have ever read. Smokey's stories are entertaining, hilarious, and insightful. His kind will not be by this way again! If you like racing of any kind, this book is a must read. It is well worth both the time and the money.



3. Extremely fortunate to have worked with Smokey during our years at Circle Track Magazine and all his years at PRI (Performance Racing Industry).
   THIS IS INDEED THE BEST DAMN BOOK IN TOWN. You'll love it.



4. Excellent reading. Very informative and it kept me interested the entire time. I would recommend for anyone!



5. Smokey tells it just like he sees it. No political correctness here. If he thinks something stinks, he says so. He has no love lost for Bill France and company, but respects many others.

   His writing style is straight to the point, amusing and raw. But it's the way he sees things...and he repeats that point...that it's just his opinion and urges the reader to make up their own mind.

   I highly recommend this set. And I salute you, Smokey.