Editorial Review

The beauty of former Negro League star Buck O'Neil's autobiography is its tone: it's filled with thankfulness for the life he's had. Born into an era of racial segregation, O'Neil--truly aninspirational presence in the Ken Burns documentary Read more

Reviews (19)

Charming and Informative
This easy-going autobiography combines sunny optimism, seriousness, and rich baseball history. John J. "Buck" O'Neil was a first baseman in the Negro Leagues during the 1930-1940's, and he then spent another half decade in baseball, both in the Negro Leagues and in the majors.Here he recounts his upbringing in Florida during segregation (where he was denied entry to high school) and his long career in baseball.O'Neil details life in the Negro leagues, including barnstorming and low pay, playing for the famed Kansas City Monarchs and his friendship with stars like Satchel Paige and Hilton Smith.He also describes managing in the Negro Leagues, coaching for the Chicago Cubs (the first black coach in the majors) and spending decades as a baseball scout.O'Neil is an intelligent man gifted with great charm, and he's often described as the "ambassador to baseball."That charm shines in the prose of co-writers Steve Wolf and David Conrads, and lets O'Neil attack injustice without losing effectiveness via stridency.
A fun read about a forgotten era.
I had the pleasure of meeting Mr. Lou Dials at a Baseball card convention.He was there with a small table, some cards, and some baseballs.I didn't know who he was and he kind of looked out of place.My curiosity made me ask."ok so what are you doing here and I am sorry to ask who are you?"He smiled and asked "Have you ever heard of the Negro leagues?"To which I replied of course and named the common known names such as Satchel Paige, Josh Gibson, Cool Papa Bell, and of course Jackie Robinson and Willie Mays.He smiled and said he played with them and spoke of others such as Buck O'Neil.
insight to a great guy
I was lucky enought to attend an All Star game a few years ago. When i was their i wanted to get an autograph i saw a group of guys around one man so i went up got an autograph not knowing who he is. After i saw the signed baseball i made out the name Buck O'neil. I looked him up online and saw he was a negro league player and first black coach in the majors. I then stumbled across his book on here and decided to order it and that turned out to be a great decision as i loved this book.
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Subjects:  1. African American baseball players    2. Baseball    3. Baseball players    4. Biography    5. Biography / Autobiography    6. Biography/Autobiography    7. Blacks And Sports    8. General    9. History    10. Negro leagues    11. People of Color    12. Sports & Recreation    13. Sports - Baseball    14. United States    15. Biography & Autobiography / General    16. O'Neil, Buck   

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   

Reviews (17)

...Only because ZERO stars was not an option
I read this book only for its tell-all possibilities - if you're at all familiar with professional tennis, you know how tightly controlled the image of the sport has become; in other words, its ripe for a tell-all.And Spadea, a bitter outsider with access to players at every level, would seem to be in perfect position to deliver.Of course he doesn't, so any fellow gossip-mongers can stop reading here.Among the insights he does offer the reader: that he's painfully aware of being older; that he has a habit of dismissing perfectly reasonable advice; that he equates stubbornness with bravery and delusion with ambition; that at 31 years old, he will occasionally "mess around" with various girls; that he swings from sky highs to career-ditching lows like a metronome; that he intensely dislikes James Blake; that he desperately wants to be famous; that the standards of the publishing world couldn't get any more lax.
Great book.Thanks Vince
I coulnt put this book down until I finished it. Spadea makes us a mid lot professional player for a couple of days, you suffer when he loses, you meet Andre Agassi, you chase models, etc. If you love tennis, you will love this book, and you could even end pushing for Vince in the circuit.

white men should not rap
Especially tennis players.
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Subjects:  1. Biography    2. Biography / Autobiography    3. Personal Memoirs    4. Spadea, Vince    5. Sports    6. Sports & Recreation    7. Sports - General    8. Tennis    9. Tennis players    10. United States    11. Biography: sport    12. Sports & Recreation / Tennis   

Subjects:  1. Biography    2. Biography & Autobiography    3. Biography / Autobiography    4. Biography And Autobiography    5. Biography/Autobiography    6. Football    7. Football - General    8. Football commissioners    9. Sports - Football    10. Sports - General    11. United States    12. American football    13. Sports & Recreation / General    14. Sports & Recreation / Golf   

Editorial Review

Concise and yet packed with detail, Read more

Reviews (121)

The void of the mind...
Some of us are adrenalin junkies. We need to feel the rush, the tension and the accomplishment that comes with scaling 21,000-foot mountains, such as the Siula Grande. Then there are people like me, who would rather read of other's accounts of such incredible experiences. And Joe Simpson reaches your psyche in ways few other writers could. Part of it is just the knowledge and fearful horror of what he went through -- realizing that not only did he make it through the experience, but that he was able to articulate such inexpressible fears and feelings in such a vivid, moving way. Of course one can never truly understand what Joe Simpson experienced, but when one reads his words and begin to let your mind wonder into the "void", isn't the book as close as anyone would want to get? This vicarious adventurer says yes, yes, God yes.

Good survival story
This book is worth reading & Joe Simpson is without a doubt a great writer. I do recommend this book if you like survival / adventure stories.
Climb, Joe, Climb!!!
True Story of overcoming the mind and the mountain.
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Subjects:  1. Biography    2. Biography / Autobiography    3. Case studies    4. General    5. Great Britain    6. Huayhuash, Cordillera    7. Mountaineering    8. Mountaineers    9. Peru    10. Search and rescue operations    11. Simpson, Joe    12. Special Interest - Adventure    13. Sports    14. Sports & Recreation    15. Sports - General    16. Yates, Simon    17. Sports & Recreation / Mountaineering   

Editorial Review

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Reviews (1373)

Fast paced, educating account of extreme mountaineering
Mr. Krakauer's account of the deadly trip to the top of Mt. Everest has a credibility to the story that many other action filled, non-fiction works have.Due mostly to the fact that Mr. Krakauer was a reporter who was there, a member of a team who witnessed the way the disaster unfolded in one of the most unforgiving environments in the world.His book is a chronicle of the things that went wrong with the expedition, things that were red-flags to those there but were not heeded.Some of the book deals with the commercialization of Everest, where if you have the money, you can find a guide that will risk your life, his life and others lives to get you to the top.Some of those who died were Everest guides, people who knew the signs of things going wrong, yet they still made the fateful decision of pressing on for the summit.Part of the book, about Beck Weathers is amazing and does give some hope to the extents and abuse the human body can take with a certain frame of mind.Albeit, it cost him his hands and part of his face, the fact that he survived is amazing none-the-less.
Read "The Climb," too...
I give "Above Thin Air" 5 stars because it is a magnificently written work about Everest, but Krakauer's venom towards Anatoli Boukreev was and is inexplicable when the facts of that night are laid bare.
Non-Fiction at Its Best
I couldn't put this book down. To be honest with you, I rarely enjoy non-fiction, yet the way with which Krakauer creates tension - something that most likely is not that difficult as Everest on its own is a formidable place - is as effective as some of the best fiction writers out there. I was also impressed with how he was able to situate the expedition and the characters involved within the rich tradition of Everest mountaineering. His descriptions of Hall and Fischer are remarkable and he has immortalized them for the general public as they have been immortalized with climbers for years. I also like the way with which Krakauer is honest about what he is and is not sure about concerning his account. Being above 26,000 ft. makes it very difficult to be sure of what took place. Overall, I was quite impresed with this book. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Biography / Autobiography    2. Essays & Travelogues    3. Everest, Mount (China and Nepal)    4. Krakauer, Jon    5. Mountaineering    6. Mountaineering accidents    7. Mountaineering expeditions    8. Specific Groups - General    9. Sports    10. Sports & Recreation    11. Sports - General    12. Sports & Recreation / Mountaineering   

Editorial Review

Just about every other person in the world seems like an unfocused dilettante compared to long-distance swimming legend Lynne Cox. Soon At the age of 14, after several years of training hard in pools and the open sea, she was swimming the 26 mile stretch from Catalina Island to the coast of California. A year after that, she surpassed a lifelong goal by not only swimming the English Channel but setting a new men's and women's record in the process. Rather than be satisfied, Cox aimed still higher, conquering the Cook Strait in New Zealand, the Strait of Magellan and, the Cape of Good Hope, none of which had been swum before. Being the first to swim the Bering Sea from Alaska to what was then the Soviet Union is perhaps Cox's most impressive achievement, requiring a phenomenal amount of physical strength and endurance to withstand the chilly waters and diplomatic persistence to gain permission from Gorbachev during the Cold War. Read more

Reviews (36)

Great Book
Lynne Cox is very brave and her determination to succeed in every aspect of her life was very inspiring.She proves that when you have a passion for something and are willing to work for it, then nothing is out of reach.I really enjoyed this book not just because of that, but also because Lynn proves that she is just as skilled of a writer as she is a swimmer!She captures and holds your attention right to the end, describing in detail her life as a long-distance swimmer.The best way that I can explain it is that it was so good it was almost like reading fiction, if that makes sense.
more than just an interesting story
The story of Lynne Cox is one that we should all know about.It is nothing short of amazing what she did and how she impacted our move away from "cold" relations with the Soviets.The book is well written, easy to read and just plain interesting.But if there is one most impactful element of the book it is the underlying message that through focus one can accomplish anything.A great message for all of us to internalize

Swimming to Entropy
Lynne Cox is a swimmer, but not the type you think of at the beach or the pool.She is a long distance swimmer, and a specialist in swimming in cold water.
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Subjects:  1. 1957-    2. Biography    3. Biography & Autobiography    4. Biography / Autobiography    5. Biography/Autobiography    6. Cox, Lynne,    7. Long distance swimming    8. Personal Memoirs    9. Sports - General    10. Swimmers    11. Swimming    12. United States    13. Sports & Recreation / Swimming   

Reviews (7)

dream golf...indeed!!
great book on a great place...golfers everywhere owe mike keiser a debt of gratitude for fulfilling his dream..i've had the pleasure of visiting bandon dunes a few times and can't wait to return...dream golf..indeed!!

A fun read
THis is a great story even if you DON'T play golf!
Heaven On Earth
This book is fantastic, and the only thing better than reading it was to experience Bandon Dunes in person a year ago!We were there just before Bandon Trails opened so we only got to play Bandon Dunes and Pacific Dunes.I've played Whistling Straits and have been to Pebble Beach.They're great but nothing compares to the pure golf experience at Bandon.Goodwin's fascinating story of how Bandon came to be is an incredible tribute to the vision and perseverence of Mike Keiser in building his dream. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Biography / Autobiography    2. Case studies    3. Design and construction    4. Golf    5. Golf - General    6. Golf courses    7. Keiser, Mike    8. Oregon    9. Sports    10. Sports & Recreation    11. Sports - General    12. Biography & Autobiography / Sports    13. SPORTS & RECREATION / Golf    14. Sporting venues   

Reviews (25)

Great book for a new dad or husband
I am not a very avid reader normally, but I bought Mike Greenberg's
Fun, but not funy
After years of listening to Greenberg and following his career both in Chicago and nationaly, I was a little disappointedthat I wasn't more inpressed with what he had to say.His amusing neurotic nature is one of everyman, and the book does have some amusing moments.Mike is a bumbler, as all middle-aged men eventually become, and his mishaps are no more newsworhty than anybody else's.

sportscaster
This was a pretty funny book, although Mr Greenberg is a better sportscaster than an author. I did enjoy the book, there were some spots where things were slow and I was waiting for the funny stuff, which sometimes wasn't there. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. 1967-    2. Biography    3. Biography & Autobiography    4. Biography / Autobiography    5. Biography And Autobiography    6. Biography/Autobiography    7. Editors, Journalists, Publishers    8. General    9. Greenberg, Mike,    10. Personal Memoirs    11. Sports - General    12. Sportscasters    13. United States    14. Biography & Autobiography / General   

Reviews (82)

Kids shouldn't always idolize great athletes
Game of shadows was recently printed in March 2006. The book was written by two men to show the truth behind some of the greatest athletes throughout the world. The two men summarized over five years of information they gathered together from the Internal Revenue Service's Criminal Investigations and other companies on steroid use in sports. It would start off explaining the important of sports and how sports have a big impact on kids and teenagers. Then it would show investigation reports from years ago on different football and baseball players. The details they use on each of the characters after they would work out or before they work out seems like your looking at a picture of them. Also since it's a true story and all of the characters are real people then many of us (readers) can relate to at least one thing that a character is going through. I enjoyed the book a lot because it showed me how star athletes don't always have it made easy even if they are not doing anything wrong. Most people think that all the fame and riches make it a better life and an easier way to live but everytime you read another chapter in this book you realize its wrong and star athletes have to worry about simple things like where they throw their trash away at. The only downfall to this book is the ending where it didn't really explain what happened to Barry Bonds. The theme of this book is "cheaters never prosper".

Stright to the point
First things first: this is essentially a term paper, or a series of articles strung together. While that's not a bad thing, you shouldn't expect great *writing* here. That said, it's adequately done, and exhaustively researched... which is disturbing because there is no doubt that Bonds, and the rest of these guys cheated. No doubt at all. And they make no apologies for it either, essentially claiming since everyone else was doing it they had to do it too in order to compete (an excuse for bad behavior I hadn't heard since grammar school). Yes, this book takes an especially hard look at Barry Bonds, and for good reason. Inexplicably, yet luckily for him, he was the only one of dozens to not outright admit steroid use in his grand jury testimony, even though the extent of the evidence was essentially the same for all the athletes involved. And although the authors put forth a steady stream of facts, interviews and other hard evidence that Bonds is in fact guilty, we need only the very public "evidence" that at age 36, when every other human on the planet's body begins breaking down, Barry Bonds put on 40 pounds of pure muscle and increased his stats in every area of the game by an incredible margin. After reading this book I firmly believe that he, Palmiero, McGwire, Giambi, Jones, et all should have asterisks by their records. And the argument that "we don't know what Babe Ruth was injecting!" is a weak argument: the other thing this book does well is act as a steroid primer, and the modern drugs and techniques are simply no match for whatever those old timer could get their hands on. So, even thought it will make you mad, and maybe even sad, if you're a fan of baseball, or sports in general, you need to read this book.

american hypocrisy outlined but if felt like "Enquirer" magazine
first off the authors made a very good case with the numerous accounts of governmental patronizing attitude towards some athletes that have supposedly cheated on their record breaking and personal best of their respective sports, while at the same time harshly criticizicing other countries denial of doping practices for not coming forward and admitting their less than rigorous demands they impose upon their athletes to what the writers call it''the American hypocrisy" when effectively dealing with this problem.
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Subjects:  1. Anabolic steroids    2. Baseball    3. Baseball - General    4. Biography / Autobiography    5. Doping in sports    6. General    7. Health aspects    8. Sociology of Sports    9. Sports    10. Sports & Recreation    11. Sports - General    12. Sports And Public Policy    13. Sports Medicine    14. Steroids    15. Sports & Recreation / General   

Editorial Review

As coach of the Green Bay Packers from 1959 to 1967, Vince Lombardi turned perennial losers into a juggernaut, winning back-to-back NFL titles in 1961 and 1962, and Superbowls I and II in 1966 and 1967. Stern, severe, sentimental, and paternal, he stood revered, reviled, respected, and mocked--a touchstone for the '60s all in one person. Which adds up to the myth we've been left with. But who was the man? That's the question Pulitzer Prize-winner David Maraniss tackles. It begins with Lombardi's looming father, a man as colorful as his son would be conservative. Still, from his father Vince Lombardi learned a sense of presence and authority that could impress itself with just a look. If a moment can sum up and embrace a man's life--and capture the breadth of Maraniss's thoroughness--it is one that takes place off the field when the Packers organization decides to redecorate their offices in advance of the new head coach's arrival: "During an earlier visit," Maraniss reports, "he had examined the quarters--peeling walls, creaky floor, old leather chairs with holes in them, discarded newspapers and magazines piled on chairs and in the corners--and pronounced the setting unworthy of a National Football League club. 'This is a disgrace!' he had remarked." In one moment, one comment, Lombardi announced his intentions, made his vision and professionalism clear, and began to shake up a stale organization. It reveals far more about the man than wins and losses, and is the kind of moment Maraniss uses again and again in this superb resurrection of a figure who so symbolized a sporting era and sensibility. Read more

Reviews (132)

Thorough book about a fascinating life
I picked up this book by accident without really beliving I would read the whole thing.Once I got started, I could not put it down.There is much detail on the early life of Vince Lombardi and his family's background.Lombardi's education is well documented as well as how he basically accidentally ended up as a High School teacher and sports coach, which eventually would lead to his college and professional football coaching career. It gives you a good picture of a man who accomplished so much in such a short time as an NFL head coach, and became an American Icon along the way.Plus there is much detail about Lombardi's spiritual life.Along the way, you get a picture (slightly) of American race relations in the 1920's-60's as far as Lombardi was concerned.I enjoyed this read and it lead me to seek out other books about Lombard, however the only other one I have since gotten my hands on does not come close to this one.

Severly Long and Intricate
If you are in search of knowing every nook, crook, and cranny of Coach Lombardi's life from childhood on, then you have the right book.It is full of good things, but becomes rather monotonous and slow as it is a little too many intricacies about his life. The book turned into a very long read for me even though I am glad I read it.

Cluttered with pointless detail
There is a good book here. Unfortunately, it lies buried under layers of pointless detail. Do we really need to know the recipes for Lombardi's mother's meat pies? Do we really need to know the names and geographical backgrounds of all of Lombardi's fellow freshman recruits at Fordham? Or the complete lyrics of the school song the Lombardi-coached high school team sang to the nuns following a victory? Mannerisms, personality quirks, and pointless anecdotes of peripheral characters? Thorough research is a good thing, but a writer should choose the most telling details to use rather than simply dumping them all out for the reader to wade through. Still an interesting read, but the book could have used a good editor with a sharp red pencil. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Biography    2. Biography & Autobiography    3. Biography / Autobiography    4. Biography/Autobiography    5. Coaching    6. Football    7. Football - Professional    8. Football coaches    9. Lombardi, Vince    10. Sports - Football    11. Sports - General    12. United States    13. Biography & Autobiography / General    14. Biography: sport   

Reviews (18)

A great football bio
Bill Romanowski's book is excellent.To his credit,he acknowledges
Decent read, but call him what he is ...
"Romo" is an interesting enough read if you're into getting to the root of someone's supressed problems that play out in real life.
Thanks ROMO! - Brutally honest and insightful
I played football for 13 years and unfortunetly my NFL dreams were cut short for health reasons. Romanowski truly was THE hardest worker in the NFL in his days. I've followed him since his Eagles days. I am sure I am not just speaking for myself when I say football athletes can relate to him at many levels. Ive played at Romos collegiate level and have been to Bowl Games and I can't stress enough about the lengths at which every athlete goes through to increase performance and game. I finally had my chance to meet Romo in the 2002 season and got to stay at the hotel with my uncle (coach)and the Raiders, and personally met him and witnessed his pre-game rituals. He is a truly interesting man and always had job security on his mind and was the driving force. I respect his honestly with regards to admitting defeat vs teams and players.
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Subjects:  1. 1966-    2. Biography    3. Biography & Autobiography    4. Biography / Autobiography    5. Biography/Autobiography    6. Football    7. Football - General    8. Football - Professional    9. Football players    10. Personal Memoirs    11. Romanowski, Bill    12. Romanowski, Bill,    13. Sports - Football    14. Sports - General    15. Sports And Public Policy    16. United States    17. Biography & Autobiography / Sports   

Reviews (21)

Lying to Vickie, Cheating Death, Stealing Life!
Now that I got your attention... I just finished the book minutes ago, and it was very inspirational to say the least.
Excellent Tribute
This is the greatest book I've ever read. I finally get the truth of one of the greatest wrestlers of all time. I got this for my birthday and I was so excited that I finished in it about 11 hours over a two day span. I'm glad I read this and I will never forget Eddie Guerrero.
Beautiful
I love the Cheat Death Stealing Life: The Eddie Guerrero story book because it was a very emotional, beautifully writing page turner. I knew he had a lot of problems with drugs and alcohol but I never knew it stemmed that far. This was a five star book, but if I had my way I would double that. That's how great it was. I really hope for the people who haven't purchased this book yet, do so now because you are missing out on a great person. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Biography    2. Biography & Autobiography    3. Biography / Autobiography    4. Biography/Autobiography    5. Entertainment & Performing Arts - General    6. General    7. Sports - General    8. Substance use    9. United States    10. Wrestlers    11. Wrestling    12. Biography & Autobiography / Entertainment & Performing Arts   

Reviews (32)

Lewis is at it again...
From the author of several fantastic books, comes a great short synopsis leadership, motivation and team dynamics.
A Must Read for All Players, Parents and Coaches
As a coach at a prep school, the experiences that Coach Fitz is dealing with are all too familiar.Michael Lewis puts together a touching work that causes the reader to stop and think.
Must Read Book
As a former High School and College Baseball player, and a current high school baseball coach, I have never read a book that epitomizes youth baseball today more than this one. Lewis' description of his experiences, and his coaches experiences, regarding todays parents/athletes could not be better. Every parent of a youth/high school athlete should read this book before they even consider complaining to their child's coach. I am only in my mid 20's and I can relate to many of the experiences described in this book. It's a very quick read as well. If I could give it 100 stars I would.For those readers who complained about the length of the book, yes it is a quick read but the book only costs 10 dollars.Anyone who is looking for a lengthy book should know not to purchase a book that is 90 pages long.For those of you who were, and then bought the book, that's your own fault.Great book. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Anecdotes    2. Baseball    3. Baseball - Essays & Writings    4. Baseball coaches    5. Biography & Autobiography    6. Biography / Autobiography    7. Biography/Autobiography    8. Coaching    9. Conduct of life    10. Lewis, Michael    11. Louisiana    12. Motivational & Inspirational    13. New Orleans    14. Sports - Baseball    15. Sports - General    16. Biography: general    17. Popular psychology   

Reviews (77)

An inspiring look at a "pure" champion.
If you have one shred of competitive nature in your soul, this book will dig it out.Any sportsman will reminisce about your times in competition and realize that your true potential was only partially realized.Respect for Armstrong's discipline and focus is commanded and you'll be awestruck by the rigors of his training.
Interesting and informative, but at times overwritten

Educating and entertaining for even the non-cyclist
I am not a cyclist enthusiast, but became kind of a fan of Armstrong after reading "It's Not About the Bike".This is a different type of book.Where that one focused on his upbringing, his passion for the sport and ofcourse his battle with cancer, this book focuses on one tour year.Mr. Coyle was the embedded and welcomed author travelling around with Armstrong's team, which gave him access to much of his life during the tour.A lot of the book focused on the competition Lance faced and it was very interesting how each rider's style was broken down, what his strengths and weaknesses were and most interesting, what their "tells" were (the small, sometimes imperceivable hints that show others that he is starting to break down in a race).This ultimately is when he is "attacked".The best part of the book was the physiology part regarding Lance, his body type and the attributes he has that has allowed him to repeatedly win the Tour.It was this scientific look at the kilowatts he generates per stroke of the pedal, the fact that his body does not produce lactic acid on the scale of the normal person, how his lungs are more efficient as well as his heart, etc, that I personally found to me the most interesting.The author also deals with the steroid controversy, it's authors and how Lance deals with it and the repeated testing he is subjected too.
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Subjects:  1. (2004)    2. Armstrong, Lance    3. Biography    4. Biography & Autobiography    5. Biography And Autobiography    6. Biography/Autobiography    7. Cycling    8. Cycling - General    9. Cyclists    10. Sports    11. Sports & Recreation    12. Sports - General    13. Tour de France (Bicycle race)    14. United States    15. Sports & Recreation / General