Reviews (10)

Beyond the Game of Football
As both an avid sports fan and reader of sports literature I found this to be by far the most outstanding sports related book I've ever read. (I've read lots of them)
Notfootball's Moneyball, but a great read nonetheless..
If you are looking for the football version of Moneyball you might be a bit disppointed by Blind Side. It's not really that kind of book. (Indeed, there are few books that completely alter one's view of a subject the way Moneyball did)There are some interesting chapters about Bill Walsh and the innovations he brought to the offensive side of football, but Blind Side is much more of a human interest story. It's a highly readable and engaging story and it will surely make you pay more attention next time an Ole Miss game is on TV. I highly recommend it.

You Will Enjoy It Even If You Don't Love Football
Of course, I do love football, and my young son plays on offensive and defensive lines, so the description of the book and its high ranking on the Top 100 list motivated me to purchase and read.
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Subjects:  1. Biography    2. Biography & Autobiography    3. Biography/Autobiography    4. College sports    5. Football - General    6. Football - Professional    7. Football players    8. Oher, Michael    9. Sports & Recreation    10. Sports - General    11. United States    12. Soccer (Association football)    13. Social history    14. Sports & Recreation / Football   

Reviews (1)

No Excuses: Read this book
Let's first be clear: I am not a Notre Dame, New England Patriot, or for that matter a Charlie Weis fan. However, after reading this book, you can cross off the Charlie Weis part, I am now quite an admirer of his. This book, in short order, chronicles Coach Weis'time from his own high school football and college days, through his coaching career from the high school to his current job as head coach of the Fighting Irish. Citing his high school coach as his first ideological hero, through South Carolina's Joe Morrison and the two Bills (Parcells and Belicheck), Coach Weis offers insight into each of their philosophies and motivation techniques and how he incorporated each of their styles into his own coaching. Lastly, he chronicles his first year at Notre Dame and how he approached changing the team's attitude to a winning formula as last season's record indicates.
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Subjects:  1. Biography & Autobiography    2. Biography / Autobiography    3. Biography/Autobiography    4. Collegiate Athletic Programs    5. Football    6. Football - General    7. Personal Memoirs    8. Sports - Football    9. Sports - General    10. Biography & Autobiography / Sports   

Reviews (1)

Lou's not just for ND fans
In this autobiography we come to understand the making of a champion.
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Subjects:  1. Biography    2. Coaching    3. Collegiate Athletic Programs    4. Football - General    5. Football coaches    6. Holtz, Lou    7. Sports    8. Sports & Recreation    9. Sports - General    10. United States    11. Sports & Recreation / Football   

Reviews (4)

All in all, it's worth a read
Eric Bischoff: Controversy Creates Cash is the autobiography of Eric Bischoff, who rightfully self boasts himself as the second most influential man in professional wrestling history, behind Vince McMahon. In his autobiography, he attempts to cover his side of the things. Although he does tell an interesting story, some things just seem to be missing.
Bischoff doesn't tell all
I was expecting to read about Bischoff criticizing many WCW and WWE wrestlers because, if you've ever seen WWE Raw during a commercial break, Bischoff runs down a list of people in the wrestling industry who he believes will be angry with him when these certain people read his book.I don't think so.His opinions on the wrestlers are pretty brief and he doesn't do much in the way of putting down anyone.Disappointing.
Well Written Read With A Lot Of Information
You learn a lot about Eric Bischoff and what has driven him.This book shows the side of him that we don't see in front of the camera.The information about the wrestling industy and the politics of it were very fascinating to someone who has been a fan for many years (particularly a fan of WCW).
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Subjects:  1. Biography & Autobiography    2. Biography / Autobiography    3. Biography/Autobiography    4. Education    5. History    6. Sports - General    7. Sports Economics    8. World Championship Wrestling, Inc.    9. World Wrestling Entertainment, Inc.    10. Wrestling    11. Biography & Autobiography / Sports    12. Biography: sport   

Subjects:  1. 1955-    2. Automobile Racing    3. Automobile racing drivers    4. Biography    5. Biography & Autobiography    6. Biography / Autobiography    7. Biography/Autobiography    8. Elliott, Bill,    9. Motor Sports    10. Personal Memoirs    11. Sports - General    12. United States    13. Biography & Autobiography / Sports   

Reviews (13)

Wow!
I had heard of Bowerman from the Nike brand of shoes I've worn and from the Pre movie "Without Limits".I had no idea what an amazingly big life Dave Bowerman had.The major events in his family's and his own history make for a good read.Kenny Moore is an able writer and you can tell he's spent time with the familly and friends to come up with this history of the father of the modern day running shoe.But he shows him to be more than a shoemaker.His experiences during WWII, the various Olympics (including Munich), founding and running BRS/Nike, and his battles against the Bhagwan (!) were a surprise that filled out my knowledge of the man and the Men of Oregon.Worth reading esp. if you love anything about running and track and field competition.

Great read!
Kenny Moore writes as only Kenny Moore can in this wonderful account of Bill Bowerman and the history of running at Oregon. Great book!Thanks Kenny!

Comprehensive Portrait of a Coaching Legend
Well-written and researched, this biography paints virtually every facet of Bill Bowerman's life and character across a canvas as broad as the Western skyline.From Bill's adventurous ancestors' settlement in Oregon, to his fatherless upbringing, to his high school sports and military successes, to his coaching, and finally to his entrepreneurial undertakings as a Nike founder, the narrative progresses in a logical, well-organized fashion.Even knowing that Kenny Moore, as one of Bill's unwavering supporters over the years, must have skewed this character study a bit toward the positive, I turned the last page convinced that Bill Bowerman was a multi-talented man of high principle and inquisitive Promethean temperament, who left the sport much better than he found it.
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Subjects:  1. Biography    2. Biography / Autobiography    3. Bowerman, William J    4. Business    5. Business History    6. Corporate & Business History - General    7. Running    8. Running & Jogging    9. Sports    10. Sports & Recreation    11. Sports - General    12. Track and field    13. Track and field coaches    14. United States    15. University of Oregon    16. Sports & Recreation / Running & Jogging   

Reviews (10)

JOHN UNITAS NOT "JOHNNY UNITAS"

Baltimore's Proud Football History
Although I no longer follow professional football the names of the players of the 1950's and 1960's are very familiar to me.Yes, this is a book that has several anecdotes about men who played for the Colts during the time period when number 19 led the team that eventually had several Hall of Fame players.Author Tom Callahan provides insight into John's relationship with his first wife Dorothy, Don Shula, and others in addition to Lenny Moore's frustration in not being able to establish a friendship with Unitas.I have always felt a good biography about John Unitas was overdue, and I appreciated having the many anecdotes in the book to enable me to get to know many of his teammates such as Alan Ameche, Gion Marchetti, Eugene "Big Daddy" Lipscomb, Jim Parker, Art Donovan, John Mackey, Tom Matte, and several others.You don't need to be a football fan to enjoy the book, but at least in my case, being familiar with the many players who made up the Baltimore Colts during this time period helped a lot.This book should be a keeper in your library.

A book full of gaps
Aside from the 1958 Championship Game and the 1968 Super Bowl, the actual football games got very short shrift. The 1964 Championship Game didn't even get a MENTION! Whole years are virtually ignored. Very, very little discussion of Unitas' career and his impact on the game: mostly just anecdotes about family, friends, and teammates, and way too much space devoted to post-mortem comments from same. I think I learned way more about Johnny Sample and Gino Marchetti and Jim Parker from this book than I learned about Unitas. And that's not saying much. There's a lot of padding in this book but precious little information. And a lot of the anecdotes will be familiar if you're a football fan. Wait for the paperback if you're a Unitas devotee; otherwise don't bother.
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Subjects:  1. 1933-    2. Biography    3. Biography & Autobiography    4. Biography / Autobiography    5. Biography And Autobiography    6. Biography/Autobiography    7. Football    8. Football - General    9. Football players    10. Sports - Football    11. Sports - General    12. Unitas, Johnny,    13. United States    14. Biography & Autobiography / Sports   

Subjects:  1. (40th :    2. 2006 :    3. Bettis, Jerome    4. Biography & Autobiography    5. Biography / Autobiography    6. Biography And Autobiography    7. Biography/Autobiography    8. Detroit, Mich.)    9. Football    10. Football - General    11. Football - Professional    12. Football players    13. Sports - Football    14. Sports - General    15. Super Bowl    16. United States   

Subjects:  1. Australia    2. Biography    3. Biography & Autobiography    4. Biography / Autobiography    5. Biography/Autobiography    6. Business    7. Golf    8. Golf - General    9. Golfers    10. International Business    11. Sports - General    12. Success in business    13. Biography & Autobiography / Business   

Reviews (35)

This is a terrific insight into the Sierra and to the Park Service Rangers
I loved the book. I spent 20 years backpacking in this same area every summer in the same time span and loved the insights and details of the author regarding the environment. Wallace Stegner gave advice (detailed in the book) to Randy about how difficult it is to write in general about nature. Eric Blehm successfully overcomes this difficulty. I felt back in the mountains and reliving my experiences due to his details. Thank you Eric. The dedication and professionalism of the park rangers in the search is a tribute to these men and women. Thank you to them also.

Who, or what killed Randy Morgenson
Eric Blehm's book "The Last Season is the biography of a Sierra Nevada National Park Ranger, Randy Morgenson. Despite decades of experience and an intimate knowledge of the terrain in which Morgenson patrols, he goes missing. Blehm captures the search and rescue operation that spans over years and in the process details Morgenson's life history.
A stunning book abouthuman nature and the natural world
I will admit that I usually do not do things like review books. This book though has been one of the most enduring books that I have ever read. In a most tragic way it shows one mans bond with the natural world that few if any will ever match. Then it goes on to show the nature of those closest to him, and the profound impact he left on their lives both in life and in death. Reading this book has totally changed my outlook on the natural world. Thank You Eric Blehm for delivering the "Gospel" of Randy Morgenson to me. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. 1942-    2. Biography    3. Biography & Autobiography    4. Biography / Autobiography    5. Biography/Autobiography    6. General    7. Morgenson, James Randall,    8. Mountains    9. Outdoor Skills    10. Park rangers    11. Parks    12. Sequoia National Park (Calif.)    13. Sports - General    14. United States    15. Nature / General   

Reviews (1)

Endeavor To Read This Book
We finally got a copy of the much anticipated Ed Viesturs memoir. Endeavoring to read it cover-to-cover and absorb all the drama, adventure, and personal insights - we weren't disappointed.
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Subjects:  1. Biography    2. Biography & Autobiography    3. Biography / Autobiography    4. Biography/Autobiography    5. Mountain Climbing    6. Mountaineering    7. Mountaineers    8. Parental Memoirs    9. Sports - General    10. Biography & Autobiography / Sports   

Editorial Review

People around the world have found inspiration in the story of Lance Armstrong--a world-class athlete nearly struck down by cancer, only to recover and win the Tour de France, the multiday bicycle race famous for its grueling intensity. Armstrong is a thoroughgoing Texan jock, and the changes brought to his life by his illness are startling and powerful, but he's just not interested in wearing a hero suit. While his vocabulary is a bit on the he-man side (highest compliment to his wife: "she's a stud"), his actions will melt the most hard-bitten souls: a cancer foundation and benefit bike ride, his astonishing commitment to training that got him past countless hurdles, loyalty to the people and corporations that never gave up on him. There's serious medical detail here, which may not be for the faint of heart; from chemo to surgical procedures to his wife's in vitro fertilization, you won't be spared a single x-ray, IV drip, or unfortunate side effect. Athletes and coaches everywhere will benefit from the same extraordinary detail provided about his training sessions--every aching tendon, every rainy afternoon, and every small triumph during his long recovery is here in living color. Read more

Reviews (670)

trash
we all know this story, but if you want to read a cocky, self absorbed version from lance's perspective pick this up. horribly written, some attempts are made at poeticism ("I keep riding, into the highest peering hills, up the pitch of a mountainside, where green leaves quiver in the cold sun") but overall i'd probably get more out of a 2 page summary of his life on wikipedia.

Inspirational!
Lance provides a lot of insight into his life, who he is, and how he became the greatest cyclist in the world in this book!This book covers his life from birth to the 2nd Tour de France win.The dedication he has to his job (cycling) is so impressive.A truly inspirational story....

Fantastic- One of the best books I have ever read
I must say that this is easily one of the best books I have ever read, and probably the most inspirational.It delves deep into the realms of the human spirit, against the worst of odds.Lance Armstrong isn't just the single greatest athlete of our generation, hes an American hero, and he beat cancer.Yes, he did not just survive, he defeated it, and proved it can be done.I have never had cancer, I have never fought against unbelieveble odds.This man has, and he tells his story in a remarkable, touching, and humane way.Fantastic Read. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Armstrong, Lance    2. Biography    3. Biography & Autobiography    4. Biography / Autobiography    5. Biography/Autobiography    6. Cancer    7. Cycling - General    8. Cyclists    9. Diseases - Cancer    10. Patients    11. Specific Groups - Special Needs    12. Sports - General    13. United States    14. Biography & Autobiography / Sports   

Reviews (36)

Great story, Great man
This was a great read whether you're a Pirates and/or Clemente fan or not. You walk away from it truly appreciating the game, Roberto and his charitable side.

A Career and Life Beyond the Statistics
I have always been an admirer of Roberto Clemente. During his career he stood out because of his high batting averages in a period of pitcher dominance and legendary throwing arm. Watching his performance on television in the 1971 World Series sealed the deal for me. That World Series was one of the most entertaining of my life (I am not a Pirates fan) and his heroics were largely responsible. He really did seem to almost single-handedly lead the Pirates to victory over the favored Orioles, not withstanding the significant, if not vital, contributions of other Pirates such as Steve Blass (especially), Bob Robertson, and Bruce Kison. Although Clemente had a reputation for being a hypochondriac and difficult with the press earlier in his career, by this time he was universally admired and grouped with baseball's elite. Clemente, by David Maraniss, tells the story of how this came about. Starting with Clemente's boyhood in Puerto Rico, Maraniss chronicles his life and times. Besides describing his journey as a Hall of Fame ballplayer and development as a bona fide role model, Maraniss also presents a portrait of the era. Adding to the tragedy of Clemente's early death is that he could have had as equally a rewarding life after baseball as a public figure, philantropist and possibly a politcian.I learned a lot about baseball in Puerto Rico and the difficulties and discrimination Clemente faced as a black man coming into a foreign culture. The book is a reminder that bigotry did not stop in organized baseball with the advent of Jackie Robinson. For those interested in baseball history, the book contains an interesting profile of the World Champion 1960 Pittsburg Pirates and the city of Pittsburg in the fifties through the early seventies. The 1971 World Championship then served as Clemente's coronation into the baseball pantheon. Whether Clemente was truly one of the greatest of all time is open to debate. My opinion is that while he was a solid Hall of Famer, Clemente was a level below such players as Mays, Aaron, and Mantle. The stats simply do place him at their level. I understand that there is more to baseball than the statistics. At one point Maraniss acknowledges Clemente's statistical weaknesses, but he points that his greatness, like an artist, cannot be measured. I agree with him that there is more to rating a player than raw statistics. However, the same can be said for the three players mentioned above and many others. In my opinion, Clemente was a great player, but does not deserve the canonization that some call for to this day. However, as a man, Clemente should be judged on more than statistics when reviewing his life. I will conclude by saying he led a good life, made a positive and lasting impact on the world, and provided me (and many others) with many thrills and chills on the baseball field.

Baseball even if your don't know the game
I am not a sports fan so I don't follow any of the happenings in those fields.Therefore, I was not sure that I would enjoy CLEMENTE but listened to it anyway.What I am is a Curious Kitty meaning that I like to know about people and their lives.This book is that type of story.
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Subjects:  1. 1934-1972    2. Baseball    3. Baseball - History    4. Baseball players    5. Biography    6. Biography & Autobiography    7. Biography / Autobiography    8. Biography And Autobiography    9. Biography/Autobiography    10. Clemente, Roberto,    11. Ethnic Studies - Hispanic American Studies    12. Puerto Rico    13. Sports - Baseball    14. Sports - General    15. Biography & Autobiography / Sports   

Subjects:  1. Biography    2. Biography And Autobiography    3. Football    4. Football - General    5. Football - Professional    6. Football coaches    7. History    8. Lombardi, Vince    9. Sports    10. Sports & Recreation    11. Sports - General    12. United States   

Subjects:  1. Sports - General    2. Biography & Autobiography    3. Biography / Autobiography    4. Mantle, Mickey,    5. Sports - Baseball    6. Biography & Autobiography / Sports    7. Sports & Recreation / Baseball / General    8. Sports; baseball; biography    9. 1931-    10. United States    11. Biography/Autobiography    12. Baseball    13. Biography And Autobiography    14. Baseball players    15. Biography   

Reviews (61)

Rubin Cartert, the true story - it's not enough to see the movie
If you have seen "The Hurricane" motion picture, starring Denzel Washington (an amazing peformance), surely you'd think that you know everything there is to know about Rubin Carter. Unfortunately, that's incorrect. Furthermore, it's not even close.
A True Account
I bought this book my sophomore year of high school and that was over 7 years ago.It has literally been my bible to life.Rubin and his book have changed my life more than anything else I have ever encountered.Too often than not we find false heroes in this world.People like Paris Hilton who some look up to as a hero or a role model, but the true heroes in this life are often over looked or never seen at all.Rubin Carter is a true hero, I have never even heard of such a troubled life an to come out on top both a champion of his sport and one in life.A wise man told me once that it is now how we live this life but what we do during it.If your looking for a uplifting book of a true hero an a book that will give you strength when all doubt you, this is the one.

Brilliant and Touching
Obviously no one can write his story better than Rubin himself.This story is both and inspiring story of a man who has never stopped fighting and a terrifying reality check into the American judicial system.This book is filled with an anger that is only kept in check by the author's own love and compassion.Read more

Subjects:  1. Biography & Autobiography    2. Biography / Autobiography    3. Biography/Autobiography    4. Boxing    5. Criminals & Outlaws    6. People of Color    7. Personal Memoirs    8. Prison Life    9. Sports    10. Sports - General    11. Biography & Autobiography / People of Color   

Reviews (29)

From a avowed Yankee Hater
About 1 out of every 2 baseball biographies seems to be about a Yankee.As a Yankee Hater, I loath that.However, I was at the library and decided to try The Big Bam by Leigh Montville.
An Exciting Update of Babe Ruth's Legend!
For those of us who grew up listening to baseball games on the radio rather than seeing them on television, this abridged audio is a real treat.Leigh Montville's dramatic story of the Sultan of Swat, the Bambino, the Big Bam, comes to life as Adam Grupper recounts both observed (the "called" home run) and recreated moments in this fine recording.After all, would you rather read about someone hitting the longest home run in a given ball park . . . or listen to a virtually breathless account of the same?I know which I would choose . . . every time!
Brings the Bambino to life
When my daughter saw me reading this book she exclaimed, "Don't you know everything about Babe Ruth already?" Well, even if I thought I did, this book made me aware of how little I knew. I had read most of the previous biographies from Tom Meany's to Robert Creamer's. But Leigh Montville's book is the last word on Ruth. What an enormous amount of research he put in, yet he did not let the material overwhelm his subject. The Babe comes through in living color. I don't think any player has ever captured the imagination of the American public more or has been treated more shabbily by the sport he enhanced. I think one reason that Babe Ruth continues to be the gold standard to baseball fans is because, unlike the spoiled players of today who make millions of dollars a year and charge for an autograph, Babe loved being "Babe Ruth." He made appearances for kids, he autographed baseballs, he autographed $20 bills. He gave as much as he received both on and off the field.
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Subjects:  1. 1895-1948    2. Baseball    3. Baseball - History    4. Baseball players    5. Biography    6. Biography & Autobiography    7. Biography / Autobiography    8. Biography/Autobiography    9. Ruth, Babe,    10. Sports - Baseball    11. Sports - General    12. U.S. History - Early 20th Century    13. United States    14. Biography & Autobiography / Sports   

Reviews (1)

Devils RULE!!!!!
This book is a behind the scenes look into the life of one of the best netminders ever... Brodeur.
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Subjects:  1. Biography & Autobiography    2. Biography / Autobiography    3. Biography/Autobiography    4. Hockey - General    5. Ice Hockey    6. Sports - General    7. Cricket    8. Sports & Recreation / General   

Reviews (33)

Waist Deep
I can see why fans of John Daly would love this book - he portrays himself as the good ol' boy that many golf fans know and adore. But the BS here is waist-deep. The book actually made me sad - there is absolutely nothing to admire about this guy. He has squandered his talent and his money. He tries to portray himself as a champion, but anyone who follows the Tour knows he is the biggest quitter of all time. Whenever he is playing poorly or is out of contention, he throws in the towel - he has probably shot more final rounds in the 80's than any Tour player in history. Bottom line - if you're already a Daly fan, you'll probably love this book. But if you read it wanting to find out more about him, it will reveal him as one gigantic, pathetic waste of talent.

A True Character
Though not particuarly well written, this autobiography is nonetheless engaging and entertaining.Many of Daly's personal faults are already well known, so there is not too much in this book anyone will find shocking.Despite what another reviewer wrote, I never felt that Daly was making excuses for his behavior, giving his side of the story and providing more context to the myriad of situations he has created and found himself in over the years.He is by and large unapologetic, which in a way is refreshing.He seems mostly at peace with who he is and his take me or leave me attitude is sad in some respects.His ongoing gambling problem, poor diet, poor romantic choices, binge drinking, etc have kept him from regaining his position as a great golf player.If you like Daly buy the book.He is a definite character and overall a likable one who seems to generally appreciate his fans and those less fortunate than himself.

putting it all out there
I enjoyed reading this book. You feel for John. He's a good guy. Some of his unwanted drama is self-inflicted and some not. I can't imagine anyone to be as good as he is with all the distractions. Bottom line, he lives large and doesn't just amble through life. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. 1966-    2. Biography    3. Biography & Autobiography    4. Biography / Autobiography    5. Biography/Autobiography    6. Daly, John,    7. Golf    8. Golf - General    9. Golfers    10. Personal Memoirs    11. Sports - General    12. United States    13. Biography & Autobiography / Sports   

Reviews (12)

Overcome Extreme Adversity
Reviewed by Mary Simmons for Reader Views (9/06)
Story of survival and endurance
On October 21, 1993, Tutsi students and teachers from Burundi's "Lycee Kibimba" school were bound, stripped, herded into an abandoned building, then attacked with machetes and gasoline by their Hutu classmates, teachers and neighbors.
Touching beyond belief ... where is the free world?
As all books on the Rwandan genocide, this one is touching. It is a must read if you want to appreciate your freedom and understand others tragedies. It makes you question where are we, where are we when this is going on and we're off in other worlds fighting. The author details his experience and incredible forgiveness in minute detail and it makes you wonder how they survived with any normal feelings in tact. Worth the read. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Africa - History    2. Biography & Autobiography    3. Biography / Autobiography    4. Biography/Autobiography    5. Burundi    6. Christianity - General    7. Ethnic relations    8. Genocide    9. People of Color    10. Personal Memoirs    11. Race And Ethnic Relations    12. Sports - General    13. Tuhabonye, Gilbert    14. Biography & Autobiography / Sports    15. Christian Interest    16. Religion / Bible / Biography / General