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

1. Jimmy Piersall was a troubled man who didn't understand what was happening in his world of confusion. But, after undergoing a mental breakdown,and receiving loving support from his wife, he returned to baseball and continued on to a very distinguished career as one of the premier centerfielders in the major leagues. He was a man of courage, enormous talent, who survived his travails and after baseball he worked as a broadcaster and promoter of wrestling. The book should be read by every baseball fan who remembers him. He wasn't just the goofy guy who after hitting a homerun, ran the bases backward. A splendid story.



2. 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.



3. 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.



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. "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 comments about Keenan: The High Times and Misadventures of Hockey's Most Controversial Coach.

1. Very interesting read with several heretofore unknown (to me) biographical information and anectdotes about one of the most successful and controversial figures in hockey's recent history. A good narrative of Keenan's highs and lows throughout his travels in the AHL and NHL coaching ranks.
   
   Being a Blackhawks fan during the era Keenan coached in Chicago, however, I noticed that several inaccurate details that appeared. For example, Gordon writes that during the 1988-89 season, goalies Darren Pang and Alain Chevrier were highly inconsistent, contributing to the team's awful first half. In fact, it was Pang along with rookies Jimmy Waite and Ed Belfour who were backstopping the Hawks to their first-half failures, and the teams resurgence in the second half of the season coincided with the acquisition of Alain Chevrier. Also, goalie Jacques Cloutier is noted at one point as being a "mid-season" acquisition; he was actually acquired just after training camp in 1989. These are just a couple of examples which do not reflect well on the author (or editor or proofreader) detailing basic facts.
   
   Also curious was the insinuation that defenseman Doug Wilson was some sort of softie who wasn't willing to make the "committment" to winning. Strange, as anyone who watched the Hawks during his career knows that the majority of the time when he was out of the lineup, the team struggled much more defensively, and I am not aware of any other of Wilson's coaches or teammates making any such assertations or insinuations.
   
   Overall, not a bad read at all, if you are willing to be tolerant or remain ignorant of the smaller stuff.



2. I became interested in rereading this book after Mike Keenan's recent appointment to the ailing Florida Panthers. His story reads like a greek tragedy in that his fanatical drive continually prevented him from seeing and learning from his mistakes. Players and management either loved him for his discipline, or hated him for his sadism, unpredictability, and indecorous behavior with the press. Jeff Gordon does a wonderful job of detailing Keenan's strides and missteps without skewering him with a pitchfork. This book is also well-written and as fair of an account of Mike Keenan as a readers are likely to find. I highly recommend it.



3. A definite Hat Trick!! Gordo knows what he's talking about.



4. Really enjoyed this book. Could not put it down once I started reading it. Found it to be very fair overall. Not a slam against Keenan at all. You learn a lot about Keenan as well as life in the NHL. Get this book!



5. If I were Gordon's editor, I would give new meaning to the phrase "healthy scratch".

3 comments about Bush Pilot Angler.

1. This is a wonderful book, published posthuously by the author's family, by a singularly signficant fly fisherman and explorer. Lee tells us of how he opened up salmon fishing first in Newfoundland in the '30's and '40s and then on to Labrador where he found great salmon fishing as well as extraordinary fly fishing for brook trout and arctic char. Lee relates his experience flying in thoses remote areas and running fishing lodges for "sports" from the states. Lee's prose is more akin to poetry, and the reader is sure to be charmed by him as he evokes so many visions of the lovely wilderness he visited. I loved this book!



2. The late Lee Wulff was one of the world's foremost salmon anglers, as well as a skilled airplane pilot and explorer. Bush Pilot Angler is his extraordinary memoir that shares the story of the years in which Lee pioneered the salmon and brook trout fishers on the remote coast of northeastern Newfoundland and Labrador. Having established outpost camps by boat, he quickly learned that getting clients and supplies in and out would require a plane. Through the 1940s and early 50s, Wulff ferried anglers into isolated lakes and rivers by flying them in with a J3 Cub on floats. The fishing in this wild and remote venues exceeded his clientele's most fervent expectations. Bush Pilot Angler is a superbly presented, highly recommended autobiography of courage, love, flying, and fishing.



3. Bush Pilot Angler, by Lee Wulff is an amazing storie about Lee's adventures in Newfoundland. He was an pioneer who set out to open the Newfoundland back country for tourism industry .In this book Lee uses his Yellowbird plane to explore the unfished rivers and ponds, where the salmon will take a fly evry cast and it is only common to catch a ten pound salmon. The book will capture you and you will be sadened when your finished the book because you'll want to read MORE!! The stories he talks of are what every flyfisherman or woman dreams of. This book is a must read if you are a fisherman or a Lee Wulff fan.* -J.Goodwin-

5 comments about P3: Pipes, Parks, and Powder.

1. If you are hopelessy addicted to snowboarding, you absolutely must read this book. It will get you so excited and make you yearn for the fresh white stuff. The book is well-written, funny, and gives you a first-hand account of the life of an international pro snowboarder. You'll learn what a pro snowboarder actually does day-to-day (besides snowboarding). And who knew those guys don't get health insurance from their sponsers?
   
   PS Probably not a good idea to read this in the summer . . . unless you can go to the southern hemisphere immediately afterwards.



2. My life revolves around snowboard, and one of my all time snowboarding hero's is Todd Richards (the author of p3). When I blew out my knee riding this season my friend bought me this book as a gift, I thought it would be kind of lame but since Todd Richards wrote it I decided to read it. I finished it that night and have been looking for another snowboarding book. But I haven't found any that come close to being as good as this one. I've recommended this book to a lot of my friends and they all really liked it. This book tells you about Todd Richards's life to going pro inventing tricks hurting his knee and still riding. It rules!! BUY THIS BOOK!!!!



3. I'm still reading the book, but it's amazing, I've read 3/4 it last night, had to force my self to put the book down and go to sleep. I read another book the night before from this pro girl snowboarder and I thought it was ehhh... just whatever very kiddy like... but after a few pages of PPP, I started getting really into it. Todd Richards, tells a story well and he's just so honest about it all that you can't help but like the guy a whole lot while you're reading his book. I'm thoroughly impressed-just got into boarding and it's funny, my bf thinks I'm obsessed with it, but looks like Todd Richards was too. That's awesome. Anyway, the books a great read buy it. It's a lot more than just about riding, it's about his life through it all.



4. For anyone interested in snowboarding, P3 is a great read. It was even better for me, serving as a reminder to how much has happened to our sport in a short span, and bringing me back to the days I spent in Colorado - often at the same events/locations as Todd Richards. I found myself digging up old journals and reliving years of P/P/P in Breckenridge. Todd Richards is in the unique situation of having been involved in every generation of snowboarding so far, and at the forefront of most of these. So I can't think of anyone in a better position than him to put together a book like this. And compliments to author Eric Blehm for making the pieces come together so well, a task that no doubt would've been bigger than the result would imply. Cheers!



5. This is definitely snowboarding's version of "HAWK Occupation: Skateboarder".

   Here's an awesome story about a guy who started out like a lot of us, just stoked to skate sketchy ramps with friends...but who transformed himself into the top Snowboard Genius somehow. The tales of his formative years are epic, piss-your-pants funny at times. Then once the career starts taking off, a testament to how working your butt off at something (wiring mind blowing tricks) can bring great things, even to a down-to-earth guy from humble beginnings like the rest of us. It is also very interesting to hear about dealing with the industry side of snowboarding from someone who's been there since almost the beginning. Like David Robinson and the Spurs, this book chronicles how nice guys can and do finish first sometimes. We can all share the stoke reading about how TR wins tons of contests, finds fulfillment in life, gets the pretty girl, all without selling out and/or becoming a cocky bastard like so many seem to.

   And the pictures, pure sweetness! They're a top-notch complement to the text throughout and really help tell TR's story. From bravely included photos of the awkward pre-teen and teen years where he was an undersized Star Wars junky with a bad haircut to well-shot professional sequences in the pipe, there are tons of stellar images. One thing that comes to mind after looking over the photos: TR definitely could have made it as a professional skater too, no doubt about it. And the moves he's still pulling on skate and snowboard into his 30's will blow minds.

   I started reading this book one night where I needed to get to bed early due to an important meeting the next day. Did I get to bed early? Hell no. Stayed up until I'd dusted almost 200 pages! And I could have read it straight through...it is hands-down that good, but the need to be coherent at my a.m. meeting the next day intervened. Bottom line: Buy it now, you'll be glad you did - whether you're a "grown-up", a stoked kid, a surfer/skater/or snowboarder, armchair X-Gamer...whatever.

5 comments about Butkus: Flesh and Blood.

1. "Flesh and Blood" is Dick Butkus' autobiography from birth to 1997.
   He begins by telling about his family and some of the mischief he perpetrated as a youth. He tells of his early love for the game of football and an older brother that pursued a career as a player.
   
   He writes with a lot of admiration about fellow Bears rookie Gale Sayers and his appreciation for the talents of the great running backs. He also explains his respect for George Allen and his disappointment when George Halas let Allen leave the Bears' staff as a defensive coordinator. Allen had a big impact on the rookie Linebacker and he maintained a friendship after that. George Allen even contemplated a trade for Butkus shortly before the Linebacker retired.
   
   Dick Butkus elaborates on the adjustments to college football and academics. He didn't get to play as a freshman for the Illini and schoolwork was more challenging.
   
   He tackles some of the false legends regarding his actions on the field.
   
   "Flesh and Blood" gives you a look at the NFL of old from a player's point of view. Like other hall-of-famers of his period, he loved the game and often-times unselfishly played when he shouldn't have.
   He sued the Bears to get paid after he had to retire because of his knee injuries. The knee surgeries before the 1971 season were brutal and you have to wonder if they weren't more damaging than helpful.
   
   Dick Butkus covers his post-football life at the end of the book. While he played like a monster, he shows a human side as a husband and father.
   
   There may never be another Middle LineBacker that intimidates opponents and disrupts a game the way that # 51 did during his short career. This is his story and I enjoyed reading it.



2. My first word as a child was: Butkus. There was a football game on TV at the hospital where I was born. The Bears were playing the Lions. Butkus had five sacks and an interception. I like cookies and milk.



3. This book is the best book I ever read. Dick Butkus is the greatest human being who ever bit of a refs ear. I would recommend anyone thinking of becoming a serial killer read this book. I like cookies and , milk.



4. A very comprehensive study of each and every season Butkus played with the Bears. But I was hoping for much more about Butkus's life off the football field. I would have liked to have heard more anecdotes about players he played with and against. Also would have been interesting to hear personal insights from Dick regarding what he felt about the awe-like reputation he inspired on the field from fans and players alike.
   
   This reads too much as a season-by-season and game-by-game account of his career. Interesting at first but repetitive and dry over time. I was hoping for more.



5. I loved it!

   But then again I am a huge Bears fan and a huge Butkus fan,good ol 51 played the game like nobody ever did and I enjoyed reading about how he grewup and about the Bears on and off the field and its mangement,I always thought Bears mangement has always been skummy and this book proved me right,I loved this book though as it was great to hear stories about the players and how they spent there time and about picciolo and sayers etc,
   I met Butkus about 4months ago and he looks great and seams to be doing well.

5 comments about Missy Hyatt: First Lady of Wrestling.

1. Reading this book was what I imagine sitting down to talk to Missy Hyatt over coffee about her career in wrestling would be like. From her beginnings as the girlfriend of Jake "The Snake" Roberts to the present day, this book clearly shows why she is the "First Lady of Wrestling" in a way that feels like you are chatting with your best friend. The writers do not throw in too much technical lingo of the profession and they keep the information flowing in a chronological manner that has an organic flow so it should appeal to even non-wrestling fans who would like to read about a remarkable woman's career. I'm a fan of the old USWA shows out of Memphis, and reading about her and Gilbert's time there brought back a flood of memories of my childhood. If you are a wrestling fan, you must read this book.



2. What I thought would be a tawdry tell-all, turned out to actually be a sweet look back at the career of probably the greatest valet/female manager in the history of professional wrestling. Like many other who have read it, my favorite recollections were of her love story with Eddie Gilbert. With the volatile nature of professional wrestling, I really believe that if Missy and Eddie had met under different circumstances and in a different profession...Eddie would still be alive and they would still be married, with children and enjoying a life together. And somehow, I think Missy would agree.
   
   A good book as far as wrestling publications go, but reading it disarmed me. I thought I was going to get a lot of dirt, and what I got was totally different...and refreshingly welcome.



3. It was nice to read about the expereinces of Missy Hyatt in the world of Professional Wrestling. Up until the WWE became the monopoly in Pro wrestling, wrestling has always been my number one passion, and my favorite days were in the late 80s to mid 90's, although I grew up on wrestling in the early 70's with Ray Stevens, Pat Patterson, and Big Time Wrestling in the Bay Area.
   Anyhow, reading Missy's personal and professional life in the lime light was fun, and also to read about the tragedies of losing her ex-husband and the relationship problems that she endured helped to see her as a real person who was learning from the depths of life which leads one to grow, develop, and mature.
   Finally, the book is a nice blend of the excitement associated with life in the fast lane and coming to terms with the life fans don't see when the camera is off.
   
   Brian Jensen, Ph.D.



4. Missy Hyatt was a wrestling diva before there were wrestling divas. Yet still, many think she is the best of all-time and I would have a hard time arguing with that opinion.
   In her career, Missy has seen and done it all. She was worked with all of the greats such as Flair, McMahon, PS Hayes, and Eddie Gilbert. Missy tells many wrestling stories and many non-wrestling stories. While she does dish dirt, she never brings it to a sleazy level. I love the blurbs about Roberts, Duggan, Von Erich and on and on.
   She could feel bitter about being the one to set the table for today's divas, while never totally prospering like they are, but Missy just seems to have a positive outlook. Missy gives some opinions on today's divas without resorting to being catty.
   Missy had packed a lot into her life up to the publication of this book. She does a pretty good job in letting the reader relive the moments with her. She has also packed quite a lot into her life after this book and I am hoping for the sequel!



5. This has to be every man's worst nightmare-- a woman who has dated pretty much everyone has decided to write a tell-all. I
   can only imagine how nervous these guys were in the days leading up to the release date. The book can be defined as a cross between Missy's diary and her little black book. It's pretty much what anybody would expect it to be, dishing the dirt on some of the biggest names in and out of professional wrestling.
   
   Here's a brief rundown of the men with whom Missy has engaged in "sexual relations": Tommy Rich; Jake Roberts (gave her
   cocaine and halcyons); Hollywood John Tatum; Road Warrior Hawk (slept with him to get even with Jake for dumping her);
   Hotstuff Eddie Gilbert (the love of her life); Dr. Tom Pritchard (slept with him to get even with Gilbert-- see a pattern here?); Atlanta Falcons' Bill Fralic; Jason Hervey of The Wonder Years ("...money was a big part of our relationship."); The Philadelphia Flyers' Rod BrindÁmour ("...had to put a bag over his head- mentally..."), Buffalo Bills quarterback Jim Kelly (this poor guy really comes to take a beating in this book); Raven; Eric Watts (slept with him because "I didn't have time to do my laundry"); Brutus Beefcake; Scott Putski ("...like driving a Ferrari with a volkswagon engine. You rev it once, and it stalls."); Val Venis ("...shortest, lamest sex I'd ever had."); as well as numerous football and hockey players-- WHEW. If the rumor mill is to be believed, there are many more names missing from this list. Brian Pillman is never mentioned although she has appeared in a number of his memorial events, and Tom Zenk makes a veiled reference to a "menage" on the back of the book. My guess is that Pillman was excluded out of respect to his widow and children. Also, despite leasing an apartment just to be next door to Buff Bagwell, who had a girlfriend at the time, nothing sexual is ever mentioned.
   
   The sexual exploits aside (which bears mentioning in this review only because it comprises the bulk of the book), Missy is
   very candid in her views of the people and the goings-on in the business. For anyone who has read a wrestling biography you
   will quickly come (sorry Jim Kelly) to realize that these are not regular/everyday folks. Terry Funk --a legend in this
   profession who is just finishing his own book-- once told Missy that "...if (she) ever got stabbed after a match, (she) should take it as a compliment..." Years later Missy was almost stabbed before a match, and wonders aloud how she should take that. Ric Flair is referred to as a perv who loved to show everybody his penis. This is pretty much the same impression I was left with after reading Flair's own biography (a great read by the way). Even WCW owner Ted Turner comes across as a perv (surprise, surprise) as Missy recounts how he grabbed her ass and invited her to mud wrestle the first time they met.
   
   The most baffling story however, even by wrestling standards, was when Freebird Buddy Roberts was caught attempting to urinate on Missy as she was getting ready to shower. Apparently "...Freebirds always pee on people they like. It's like a privilege... a ritual, a sign of respect." I'm not quite sure how to respond to that.
   
   This was an enjoyable, easy read -- about a day and a half. Missy doesn't pretend to be anything she isn't which I appreciate in any autobiography. She openly admits that her in-ring persona was very close to the real life Melissa Hiatt. She admits to being a prima-donna who openly used her sexuality to get what and who she wanted. Arguably she was the hottest thing going before the days of Sunny, Sable and all the modern day Divas. The only glaring omissions that I thought should have
   been covered was the ridiculous amount of work she has had done to her face in recent years, and her venture into internet
   porn. It's a shame that such a beautiful woman has taken the path so many others have, and butchered herself in the quest to
   stay young-- you'll know what I mean when you see the pictures. Aside from that I'd say definitely pick this one up.

1 comments about The Scrapbook of Old Tom Morris.

1. Old Tom Morris lived to the age of eighty-seven, witnessing, and being a major part of, the development of a sport which is now played all over the world (and once on the moon). It is therefore extraordinary that this seems to be the only book dedicated to his life; or even to this time in golf's history. Prior to this publication, the exceptional characters of the time - Old Tom Morris, Willie Park, Allan Robertson, Young Tom Morris - have merited only the occasional paragraph in golfing encyclopedia.

   Compiled as an actor's stage prop - from sources including the golfer's actual book of cuttings - it has the feel of a genuine, beautifully bound scrapbook: its not-quite chronological order, happy-accident compilation seems the sort of thing someone would put together in their spare time. This adds enormously to the book's appeal - starkly setting out a man's life in cuttings and photographs, with no explanatory notes, proves very moving.

   Though this fresh approach to biography allows the reader to interpret material free of the bias normally brought by the author, it also means it is free of any correction: the original authors of the clippings would, no doubt, have their own agenda, as would the person collecting the material. Another disadvantage of this format is that it lacks a social context: sporting event takes precedence, leaving the world around relatively unimportant (reading 'A Century of the Scottish People 1830-1950' T C Smout, would help the reader fill this gap). This book gives the initial impression that the golfing professional was a rich man of high status, which runs contrary to other sources which suggest that he was not welcome within clubhouses, and that much of his income was reliant on club and ball making; his wealthy backers being the main benificiaries of his golfing talent.

   These points aside, the book contains a huge amount of information which will keep anyone interested in history and/or golf fascinated for years. I would suggest you find a comfortable chair, pour a generous glass of whisky (28 year old Springbank as a preference), open a page of this book at random and look back one hundred and fifty years at the pioneers who look exactly like their contemporaries in the wild west, except rifles are replaced by golf clubs.

5 comments about David Thompson: Skywalker.

1. David Thompson was a great basketball player in college and had a great start in his pro career. Unfortunately, David gave in to the lure of drugs and his career and life suffered. Somehow, through his belief in God and his love of family, David was able to eventually overcome his demons. His rebound was too late for his basketball career, but not too late to save his marriage.
   David is very clear in discussing his problems. He makes no excuses. His love for his God and his wife are also very clear, as he credits both with saving his life and sticking with him.
   His review of the important 1974 NC State-UCLA semi-final game was very detailed and fascinating. I know he could not do that with every game or even every important game, yet still I would have liked more detail about his interactions with teammates and coaches. At times, this book was more about his redemption (which is more important in the grand scheme of things), than his basketball career, but a few more stories would have rounded out the book. He did play with some greats of the game and in the ABA. Surely he could have pulled out a few more stories.
   Even with this one complaint, the book is well worth reading. David Thompson may have ended up being a better person than he was a basketball player!



2. Enjoyed this look into the life of David Thompson, both the good, the bad the really bad and the good again. The chapter recalling the 1974 NC State/UCLA semi-final game was so detailed, it was like watching it all over again. Additionally, the book did not shy away from the dark side of David Thompson's life and although he may have not fulfilled his full professional basketball potential, it is gratifying to see his life is now at peace. Not just for hoops fans, but hoops fans will throughly enjoy !



3. The essence of David Thompson's impact on the NBA and it's fans is captured in the following memory...a playoff game in 1980 with Thompson's Denver Nuggets playing the Seattle Supersonics in the Seattle Kingdome...the game was in it's closing minutes and the outcome was no longer in doubt (Seattle had the game well in hand). Most TV viewers (especially those of us on the East Coast) had already undoubtedly turned off the TV, but I noticed that DT was still in the game. Telling myself to keep watching as Thompson may do something memorable, I kept my attention focused until with about 30 seconds remaining, DT had the ball at the top of the key. Faking left and driving right, he took off from just inside the dotted circle...cuffing the ball in his right hand (at 6' 4" his hands were too small to palm the ball), he sailed in and threw down a one-handed windmill tomahawk slam over two amazed Sonics that brought me and the remaining crowd in the Kingdome to it's feet. My mission then complete, I felt it was safe to then turn off the TV and go to bed.
   
   It was with these type of memories that I obtained a copy of Skywalker...I needed to know how this mega-talented legend fell so far. What I got and what other readers of this work will get is a completely honest mea-culpa...straight forward and with no excuses Thompson explains his rise from a shy teenager just discovering that an amazing leaping ability could lead to superstardom to his equally amazing fall from that lofty position. He explains his addictions and insecurities and how these affected him and those he cared about...all culminating with a remarkable recovery topped-off with his induction into the NBA Hall of Fame in 1996. Along the way we also get a first hand account of the building of the legend and an inside look at the 1970's and 80's NBA...the legendary players and unfortunately the legendary drug use.
   
   DT became a nationally known superstar in the early 70's of course as a member of the National Champion North Carolina State Wolfpack...the team that essentially unseated the mighty UCLA Bruins of John Wooden and Bill Walton (who pens an excellent forward to this book). He shuns the NBA and instead becomes the star of the ABA's Denver Nuggets...further driving a wedge between the leagues that ultimately leads to the 1976 merger. Year after year Thompson sets the bar for "high-wire", above the rim ball (along with Julius Erving) that preceded Michael Jordan by over 10 years (Jordan admits that Thompson was his main boyhood idol). His career is full of legendary highlights such as the 1976 ABA Slam Dunk contest and culminates in 1979 with his end-of-season battle with George Gervin for the NBA scoring title. Scoring 73 points in the season ending game against the hapless Detroit Pistons, DT takes the lead in the race. Gervin plays that evening and knows exactly how many points he needs to score and breaks through with 63 points of his own against the equally hapless New Orleans Jazz winning the title and adding to his own legend as well.
   
   As important as the basketball side, the personal side of Thompson's story is the strongest part of this work. Thompson's writing style certainly isn't Pulitzer worthy, but it's the force of his story and his uncompromising explanations of his personal problems that capture his audience and is what ultimately sells this book. Cocaine and alchohol drag him down and forces him out the league at a relatively young age...injuries also had much to do with it and he argues that the long term abuse may have led to them. A jail term (where he watches Erving's retirement from the NBA) and many re-hab visits force Thompson to consider building a better life and he becomes a born-again Christian. This is the avenue that ultimately leads to his recovery and Hall of Fame induction in 1996.
   
   A strong read and an important one especially for young fans of the NBA, David Thompson has a strong message for all. Having been at the heights of fame and at the lowest of lows, DT's life takes on an important meaning...all fans and players should read this to see the fragile hold fame has on it's participants. I highly recommend this.



4. David Thompson was Awesome Back in the day.Imagine DR.J,Jordan,Kobe&Vince Carter&with Madd Hoops that was David Thompson. if the NBA of Today was Allowed Back in the day then David Thompson would Be talked about the same way Lebron James&Kobe are today.same goes with DR J. this Book tackles His Whole Career from college,ABA&NBA&also Off the court.David Thompson is One of the Most Gifted Atheletes that I Ever saw as well.Props to Him always.



5. This book tells the amazing story of the basketball protegy that goes to NC State, wins the NCAA championship, goes to the ABA and becomes the best player immediatly, then goes on to success in the NBA. Unfortunatly, drug use and a bad fall in a nightclub rob him of a MJ-like career. Now he has found God and cleaned himself up. A very inpsiring book.

   By the way, he tells a story of how NC State was put on probation for his recruitment, and how UNC is to blame! Very juicy stuff.

No comments about Lurching From One Near-Disaster to the Next.

5 comments about Hustler Days: Minnesota Fats, Wimpy Lassiter, Jersey Red, and America's Great Age of Pool.

1. Pool is probably one of the few sports that the general public knows virtually next to nothing on. Ask anybody to name one pool player and the majority will say "Minnesota Fats". Most of the public would be amazed to find out that he wasn't a champion, never won a tournament, probably couldn't even beat half the country. This book explains how he could con a nation into thinking he was "the greatest" and in the process become single handedly the biggest promoter to the sport the game has ever known. Yes, this book is really about the true story of Rudolph Wanderone (Fats) and it is a very good read.



2. Who wouldn't want to be a pool hustler, being rich without ever having to work a day in your life? It's an exciting fantasy. To live in Little Egypt during the early 40's shooting pool with Minnesota Fats would've been incredible. Or riding with Sonny Barger in the mid 60's or any other kind of walk on the wild side fantasy one could concoct.
   
   The author clearly feels the same way in a midlife crisis sort of way. The subject matter is definitely fascinating, but I wish R.A. Dyer could've taken himself out of the text more. The book reads like he learned all his tough guy speech patterns from Scorcese films.
   
   Another thing that would've helped the prose is to explain the games more within the text. To an outsider it could get difficult during the game decriptions. It've been nice to not have to constantly check the glossary in the back.



3. Reflects the history of American pool playing from pre-Depression days to first resurgence in pool after the movie THE HUSTLER. As an aside, the larger resurgence happened after the sequel THE COLOR OF MONEY when women also entered the game and upscale rooms flourished. Many rooms have closed after the recent popularity of poker on TV.
   
   Back to the book, anyone with an interest in the history of American pool playing, hustling, and the sociology of pool--this is a must own!!!



4. As a pool player, I caught the end of what "Hustler Days" describes as the heyday of the road hustler. I watched two of the three main subjects of this book in action: Rudolph Wanderone (The Fat Man) and Luther Lassiter. Having frequented some of the New York pool joints (McGirrs, 7-11) that figure in R.A. Dyer's vivid depiction of the hustler's life, I can partly attest to its authenticity.
   
   But I was a player not a hustler. What Dyer gave me was the full and colorful history of the era that I saw ending. This is a beautifully written account covering the 1940s through the 60s. The story is told with the steely, merciless attitude of their game, but with a great deal of humor and affection.
   
   Dyer has written about the game in various publications and he appreciates the astounding skills of these men: the hustle was in the fact that if you were not in their world, you had no idea of the abilities that could be brought to bear against you if you went to the table.
   
   Anyone who saw "The Hustler" with Paul Newman has some idea of all this. But Dyer digs deep into their lives, sometimes painfully so. The canvas is not just New York but all the towns, big and small, where the action was. Such as Norfolk, Va., the Naval and shipbulding hub which during WWII was a pool hustler's paradise and a regular stop on the circuit.
   
   Once tournaments began to be televised, another chapter in the hustler's life opened and Dyer has it covered, shot by excruciating shot. Big-time pool is all about pressure, and with Dyer you can feel it taking the air out of the room.
   
   I loved reading this book and look forward to reading it again.



5. This is a great book for all the baby boomers out there that loved to play pool (pocket billiards). The book explains where the word pool comes from. Anybody that wants to know the history of the early days should read this book! Really anybody with a interest in pool should read it.
   Buy and enjoy. I know I did.