Book Description

In 1971 she was the most promising woman golfer in the world, before alcohol took control, almost killing her. Now on the road to recovery, Baugh speaks candidly about her lifetime of pain, pressure, and perseverance. ... Read more

Reviews (9)

A VERY DRAMATIC STORY
THIS IS THE STORY OF LAURA BAUGH, RECOVERING ALCOHOLIC, PRO GOLFER, AND MOTHER. SHE DOES A GREAT JOB DESCRIBING HER LIFE AND CAREER. HER STRUGGLE WITH INNER DEMONS, BROKEN MARRIAGES, AND PRESSURES IS VERY INTERESTING. HER STORY IS A MIRACLE. AN EXCELLENT EXAMPLE OF THE 12 STEP PROGRAM OF AA AT WORK. LAURA HAS BEEN BLESSED BY GOD AND THIS IS A GREAT READ FOR ALL RECOVERING AND PRACTICING ADDICTED PEOPLE. I REMEMBER WHEN LAURA FIRST CAME ON THE PRO TOUR IN THE EARLY 70'S, SHE WAS THE HOTTEST HOTTIE IN SPORTS. GLAD TO SEE SHE HAS CONFRONTED HER ADDICTION AND DEALS WITH IT ONE DAY A TIME. SHE IS STILL HOT AND CERTAINLY PROVEN TO BE A BABY MACHINE. MUST READ.

Who's In Control?
Isn't that the question since we were chldren? Who's in control here? Some figure it out quicker than others and learn the lesson better. For others, like Laura, it takes time and pain. But in the end, gain.

Her pain and gain, here exposed for all the world to see, is for the comfort and strength she gives through this book to those who find themselves or loved ones in -- out of control.

Frightening and shocking is the realization that such substances take over and dominate such intelligent, talented people. The fight will always be there. Close by though, more powerful than those unrelenting enemies are Laura's strengths she's learned to rely upon and live for, God and children. May both bless her.

She's a winner in more important events than just LPGA championships.

Thoughtful, insightful, and educational
Laura Baugh's openness and candor makes her story a must-read for anyone in recovery, or anyone who knows someone in recovery.

Growing Up is So Painful!
If you are alcoholic or know someone who is, this is an insightful read. If you know anything about golf (which I don't), it would make the book an even more intimate experience. Sharing Laura's journey is worth the time to see how thoughtlessly one's life can become completely out of control, if not life-threatening as well. 'Good luck, Laura: every day is like climbing a mountain, and drunk or sober, having 7 kids is more than a juggling act.'

THE MYSTERY SOLVED
As a contempory of Ms. Baugh, I often wondered why this extremely gifted golfer would fail to win not only the BIG ONE, but ANY golf match as a pro. Ms. Baugh, in an honest approach, explains how alcohol became her best friend and a god to her. She tells of her early misses in golf tournaments and the later matches where alcohol caused her hands to shake. She fooled no one but herself and admits she is an alcoholic. An excellent book. Recomended to anyone who faces this problem or knows someone who faces this problem. A GREAT BOOK!! ... Read more

Amazon.com

Tossing aside a mundane and meaningless job, Daniel Duane went to Santa Cruz, California, to surf for year. The book he wrote about it, Caught Inside is something of a Walden of our times. It's wonderfully written, weaving wave wisdom with literary and historical references. And it's not for surfers only: even readers who have never seen the surf will find themselves taken up in the book's rhythms.

Duane sought the peace that surfing offers, and his impressions of surfing characters, sea life (otters, seals, and the great white shark everyone fears is right under you as you paddle your board), and the seasons by the sea are evocative and soothing to read. ... Read more

Reviews (59)

Great Read !!!1
I enjoyed this book very much. In fact, I could not put it down once I started. Duane is an excellent writer & really gives you the feeling that you are spending each day surfing with him at his spots along the CA. coast. He captures the solitude that all surfers crave...but can't explain to others.

it was well written but itl eft me wanting more surf stories
daniel duane is a great write, he mixes in history of california and surfing with his own experience on the claifornia course. the book starts out good, with many stories of surfing and insights to his childhood. the book became kind of tedious reading when he spents chapters talking about animals and marine life rather than surfing. also in some cases he started a story and ended just when you wanted to know more. i say read the book but it's definitely a five star performance

A review by a surfer for other surfers
I have just finished Caught Inside and I must say, this is pretty thin. I have been surfing the California coast for twenty two years in and around Santa Cruz and I haven't seen a fraction of the things that Mr. Duane has claimed to have seen. I think what we have here is someone who invested a year of his life surfing and still didn't have enough interesting material to put together much more than the same stories we all have about good days and bad in the water. In order to stretch his content he did some research and came up with some really good material about the history of the California coast, weather and wave dynamics and local flora and fauna. The rest seems pretty fictional with implausible conversations which occur while surfing breaking waves, stereotypical depictions of locals and main characters, forced wannabe guru-ism and a hyper alertness that notices and relates every detail of earth, sea, wind, plant and animal.

great book on surfing
Caught Inside is a great read about surfing and surf "culture", but it only scratches the surface of the beauty and magic of riding waves. Duane does an admirable job of detaling the "lifestyle" of serious surfers, and gives some insight to what surfing is about - no easy task. His writing is lucid and beautiful, romanticizing surfing while addressing the challenges of it. The only critcism I have is Duane's attempt at "de-mystifying" surfing, an effort at which he ultimately fails; words literally defy the magic of water and air and the sensation you get while surfing. Nonetheless its a great read.

Not just for surfers, in fact, probably not for surfers
I can't swim, not really anyway. I can doggy paddle, I can float for a little while, I can even go from one side of a pool to the other if I have to (width not length). But after a couple minutes in the water I start to feel this weight on my chest, like the pressure of the entire ocean is pushing on me. Out of breath, I panic and realize the enormity of what surrounds me, the depth beneath me and the power that moves me. Reading Daniel Duane's "Caught Inside: A Surfer's Year on the California Coast" made me feel that way too, minus the panic. Mixing equal parts memoir, trail guide and history lesson Duane concocts a recipe that might not be for everyone and yet for those who have a taste for such things, what he has written will leave you changed. It's about surfing but it's really about being alive and noticing the world around you. It's about understanding the world as both science and art. It's about leaving home and finding something more.

If you're looking for cover to cover eloquence in prose it isn't here. If you're looking for a pure surf story it isn't here either. I think that what we have in this book is an honest reflection of a year from a guy that's read some books and seen some movies, a guy who can think about masturbating and physics and pop culture and relationships. The book is full of quietly poignant moments about things like tide pools or teenagers staring at a bottle of beer and if that makes Duane a "wanker" like one fellow Amazon reviewer suggested, I think we should all strive to be wankers too.

Anyway, it's been 5 years since I read this book last and yet I find myself thinking about it even now. As one person said to the author about the setting of the sun, it's just not the kind of thing you can look at once and say, "huh, I get it." ... Read more

Amazon.com

It's not easy imagining a volume capable of capturing the grace, the joy, the flamboyance, and the wizardry of Michael Jordan, but this hybrid--melding autobiography, celebration, spectacular photography, and cutting-edge graphics--comes awfully close. Like Jordan driving the lane, it's a thing of beauty; harder to analyze than it is to admire, accept, gaze at, and enjoy.

As befits the ultimate star in a game that has marketed itself with perfect razzle-dazzle, For the Love of the Game is as visually brash as it is glitzy. In page after stunning page, Jordan traces his ascension from college star to object of worldwide adoration. While most of the focus is, of course, on the NBA, there are significant side trips into baseball, the 1992 Olympic Dream Team, his advertising omnipresence, his family, and even his privacy. On the surface, the pictures--and their presentation--are more than enough to preserve and praise the Jordan legend, but For the Love of the Game has something more. It has Michael Jordan.

Jordan's text is everything the flashy images are not; it is straight, thoughtful, and revealing. At times, the relationship of word and image is breathtaking, especially on a particular pair of two-page layouts. In the first, Jordan asks, "When does jumping become flying?" His answer, framed by photos that would turn Superman green with envy, indicates that Jordan is genuinely amazed by his own talents. The second is his reflection on "The Shot," his buzzer-beater over Cleveland's Craig Ehlo to win game 5 in the 1989 playoffs. The story is told in 24 pictures taken over the final three seconds. Below that is a chart of 25 of Jordan's game-winning shots. But it's this Jordan observation that pulls the image and text together: "I never considered the negative consequence of missing the last shot in a game." It's an attitude that defines the man, and For the Love of the Game reflects it with a stylish combination of elegance, power, and beauty. (Want more Jordan? Check out an image from his book. © 1998 by Rare Air, Ltd. Text copyright © 1998 by Michael Jordan. Photo credit: Walter Iooss, Jr) --Jeff Silverman ... Read more

Reviews (87)

Absolutely, positively outstanding!
As you read the narrative that is imaginatively layed out with different type and size mixed in with graphics and photos you can almost hear Michael Jordan speaking. They are his words and reveal some things about his life that I've never read before...and I've read everything written about him. As you can see I am a big fan and miss him so much on the basketball court. This book is just one of the many reasons that I along with millions of other people am a big fan of his. The book is as brilliant and polished as he is and also has the same good taste he has. Another great thing about "For the Love of the Game" is it will appeal to almost anyone of any age You can skim thru and look at the photos or read the stats or read every word. Whichever way you choose you will enjoy this book.

Michael Jordan: Author, Athlete, Superstar, and Idol.
For The Love of The Game: My Story is an exceptional easy to read book, which contains excellent photography. Jordan's life both inside and outside of his basketball career is explored and detailed. From why he signed with Nike to his relationship with his father to his turbulent meetings with Jerry Krause and to his life as a father and a husband are all explained with brilliant photography throughout the book. Jordan's confidence in himself is shown when he says, " On the day I decided to make myself available for the 1984 NBA Draft I knew I was going to Philadelphia." At the time Philadelphia had the first pick, however the lottery gave the first pick to the Houston Rockets. The Philadelphia 76ers had the fifth pick in the Draft that year, instead of picking Jordan the 76ers picked Charles Barkley because Jordan was already drafted. "He was my best friend and he knew everything about me," is how Jordan explains his relationship with his father. Jordan, the author of his life story, uses incredible graphics on each and every page of the book. These photgraphs capture the reader's attention. Each page's lettering is different in size, font, and color which grabs the eye of the reader immediately. When Jordan describes a shot he made to win a game, he includes a picture of the shot. Jordan does a great job describing his famous shot over Craig Ehlo, frame by frame photographs capture this Kodak moment. Inside the front and back covers are statistics of everything imaginable concerning basketball which further enhances the book. All-time stats at every arena where Jordan performed is another unique quality Jordan utilizes in this extraordinary book. Personally, as a fan of Michael Jordan, I found the book very interesting to read. From the second I opened the book until the very last word in the book I felt like I was with Jordan the entire time. My favorite parts were when Jordan kept comparing himself to Larry Bird and Magic Johnson. " When Bird acknowledged my performance, I became a player," Jordan remarked. I recommend any Michael Jordan fan, basketball fan, or young athlete who wants to "be like Mike," to read the book. Anybody who wants to read a book containing award winning photography should read For The Love of The Game: My Story as well. Anyone who wants to know the importance of a father-son relationship would enjoy this book. Michael Jordan, who wore number 23 for the Chicago Bulls for many years, clearly is more than just a basketball player. He proved all analysts wrong when he led the league in scoring and won the NBA Finals. " Michael Jordan, Chicago Bulls, 1984-1993. The best there ever was. The best there ever will be." This message can be found outside the United Center in Chicago. Judge for yourself by reading For The Love of The Game: My Story.

For the love of the game
The book I read was for the love of the game. It's about Michael Jordan and his life. I'd give it four stars because it explores through his basketball statistics to personal information. He talks about how he was drafted and how he almost didn't chose nike. It talks about all the inside information. It is one of the best autobiography's I've ever read. If you like basketball or a sport, you will reall like it. I learned a lot of stuff I'd probabaly would have never known. Some of the things I didn't know was that he played baseball. He also was number 45 in basketball for a year. His first Air Jordan was band from the league. I would recommend this book for people who like sports and biography's.

#23
For The Love of the Game by Michael Jordan is the best book about Michael Jordan ever. This book is so cool. The pictures are great of Michael Jordan. I have read this book four times already and I also have the paperback and the hardback. This book means so much to me because I am going through what he went through when he was in high school. He got cut from his basketball team too, and he gives me ways in the book to put that behind me and keep me going on with my life.

A deep look into the mind and heart of brilliance
When I bought this, I was expecting a thick book filled with nothing but pages of reading, and I couldn't have been more excited about the chance of owning it. Upon receiving it, I was like, "What's this??" It was a thin book and it looked to be more filled with spectacular photographs moreso than interesting reading. I was disappointed at first glance because it wasn't what I was expecting, but before I'd know it, I would become deeply compelled by what this book has to offer. And I would also learn a valuable lesson in the process.

There's actually a good bit of reading here in this book, and the great photography of classic MJ moments, such as the free throw line dunks, the 1998 game-winner that won the Finals, etc., only enhance what is written in words from the man himself, Michael Jordan. For instance, MJ talks about how he used to tell people he could fly for awhile. He was just talking, but when he actually watched a video of his famous double-pump free throw line dunk, he even admits that he was in awe. On that same page is a few shots of him flying through the air with an eagle's grace. The photographs allow you to literally SEE what you're reading. A book with just pages of words wouldn't have been able to convey that imagery or subtle feeling as well.

The still photos that grace every single page are just icing on the cake, however. What's REALLY intriguing are some of the things you'll read. What did Michael Jordan do with all those pairs of Air Jordans? Does he think he's the greatest ever, or that he'll always be the greatest? Why did he like playing in Madison Square Garden so much? What does he TRULY think of Jerry Krause and the way he did what he did (VERY surprising what he has to say about this)? What one player would he like to play against, of all the ones that have ever played in the NBA?

Those are only a few of the questions that will be answered to those who read For the Love of the Game: My Story, by Michael Jordan. It covers nearly all the major stories and highlights of his career, including his baseball troubles and triumphs. Some of the responses and readings you'll probably remember or not be surprised by. But just wait until you read about MJ's opinion of Magic Johnson coming down with the AIDS virus, and about what MJ would do/think if he came down with it.

The book mainly focuses on each of Michael Jordan's six championships. He breaks them down separately and gives his views on the experiences, such as the 1992 NBA Finals between the Bulls and Portland, when almost everything was focused on how MJ would measure up to Clyde Drexler. Keep in mind, however, that this book was made in 1998. If you're wanting to read about MJ's Washington Wizards experiences, then look elsewhere, because everything, including the various statistics, all relate to Jordan's years with the Chicago Bulls.

One thing that For the Love of the Game: My Story really taught me is that looks can be deceiving. I like it even better than I would have liked a book filled with nothing but words, because the pictures really give the book its own life. Two heads are better than one, and the two heads in this case are the pictures and the words. If you're an avid Michael Jordan fan (he's certainly my favorite athlete of all time), then this is the one book you need to own. How could another one be better? The words are all from Jordan himself, and they cover his best years in basketball. ... Read more

Book Description

Fantasy football is America's fastest growing obsession, and sports humorist Mark St. Amant is among the obsessed. Entering the 2003 season -- utterly fed up with never having won his league championship -- St. Amant decided to embark on a quest for fantasy football knowledge and glory. He abandoned his advertising career and made fantasy football his new full-time job, setting out on a sprawling reconnaissance mission to discover what really makes this game -- and its players -- tick. He stalked industry experts and gained access to leagues from all over the country, from private local leagues to the biggest (and richest) league on the planet, the World Championship of Fantasy Football (WCOFF) in Las Vegas.

Wading through the game's history, from its humble beginnings in a New York hotel in 1962 to the serious business it is today, Committed takes readers on a wickedly funny, deeply informative descent into the underbelly of an exploding national pastime. St. Amant provides an all-access, sideline pass to his entire season, and this world, as he strategizes, plots, trades, rants, and chases his league championship. For longtime veterans and newbies, hardcore sports nuts and casual sports fans, Committed reveals the truth behind the unique attraction of fantasy football. ... Read more

Reviews (4)

A sports bio like no other......
Josh Gibson was known as "the black Babe Ruth." In his day, he towered over the other batting talent in the negro leagues like a colossus. Legend has it that he hit more than 800 homeruns including the longest one out of Yankee stadium ever recorded. Because of the color barrier, he never made it to "the bigs" and died just three months before Jackie Robinson broke through. Sadly, he remains a footnote in sports history known mostly to true baseball afficianados.However, thanks to this book by Mark Ribowsky, he will never be forgotten and will always be accessible to those interested enough to read it. Like the jazz musician Charlie Parker, he was a womanizing drug abuser who died in his mid-thirties. Both men died long before their immense talent ever had the chance to fade away. They also represented two of America's greatest inventions --- baseball and jazz with incredible style and poise. Interesting details here about Josh's time in the South American leagues fill in gaps in his career record. Poignant insight is also presented about the loss of his first wife which set the stage for his depression, self-abuse and eventual downfall. No less an authority than baseball's greatest hitter Ted Williams used his 1966 Baseball Hall of Fame induction speech to praise both Gibson and his pitching counterpart Satchel Paige lobbying for them to be inducted into the hall which they both eventually were. Details, annecdotes and great insights into a great player abound in this book. The writing here by Ribowsky is definitely worthy of his subject.

Josh, the question still remains
I read in anticipation to learn why a strong and powerful man such as Josh Gibson would die at the young age of 36.Yes, there were references to his drinking and drug use.There was mention about him possibly having a brain tumor.That's where the book missed the point.If it was a brain tumor, the author simply skated the issue by saying that the record keeping in the 40's left something to be desired.Certainly there were people to interview who were affiliated with the hospital where he stayed and was diagnosed.I think a stronger case for or against a brain tumor should have been made by the author instead of glossing over the matter.Way too much detail of the balls and strikes of games was given.Who cares about that stuff?I wanted to know about Josh the man and got some of that, but not nearly enough. Page after page was filled with box score details that were meaningless for the most part.If he truly had "many women", who were these people and did any other than Hattie and Grace play a major role in his life?Lots of questions and few answers from the author.Sorry!

AGreat history of a great black baseball legend
It's easy to see why this writer also wrote a book about Satchel Paige. Their careers are so intertwined, he already had the research.And, infact, you could almost call this a history of the Negro BaseballLeague.

The negatives to the book are that it early reads somewhat like arehash of newspaper articles.The author was forced into this because thetwo primary sources were the weekly black newspapers and"embellished" word of mouth.The set-up is a little long on thehistory of the two Pittsburgh teams that Josh played for but since thisrivalry was so intertwined with Josh's history, it was almost necessary.

The positives are that this is a classic "tragic hero". Humble beginnings and tragedy, develops into a tremendous player, personalflaws erode his skills, and then he has a young, controversial death.Whenyou overlay that with the rumors and embellishment of his accomplishments,it's easy to see how the legend has grown.The author did a good job ofbalancing legend with documentable evidence helping the reader draw aconclusion on the stories that may be overstated exaggerations.

This is agreat story and a very good read I enjoyed.Obviously, Josh Gibson andSatch Paige paved the way for Jackie Robinson and have their place in baseball history.I STRONGLY encourage you to watch "The Soul of theGame" on HBO which takes the history of Paige, Gibson and Robinson andoverlays the facts into a reconstruction.It was one of the best movies Ihave ever watched and never fails to draw you emotionally into the story. This book and it's careful research, allowed me to realize virtually everyscene in the movie was drawn from some fact and not an overstatement.

Powerful!!!
Mark Ribowsky has researched his material and subject very well.A very powerful but sad message comes from this book.Josh Gibson had tremendous and unlimited power and potential.As a victim of a racist America of thattime, we will never truly know just how great he could have been.A sadepitaph exists for all Negro League Stars...Statistics are terribly lackingand wrought with inconsistencies.More often than not we are left to thecolorful imaginations of those that were witness to this era.No question,they were all highly talented.No question, they were robbed and we wererobbed.Josh Gibson is about as poignent a subject as anyone.Such ashame!Thank you, Mark.Thank you for at least allowing us to have aglimpse at what it was like for Josh and many others of a bygone era.Itwas not an easy time for them.Josh was the one that was hardest hit bythe climate.The truth is known, it is ugly, but it is known. ... Read more

Book Description

Never before in paperback: A New York Times Notable Book-the life and times of the first Negro League star inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame

Some say Satchel Paige was the greatest pitcher ever-and certainly his dazzling record of perhaps as many as 2,000 wins, first in the Negro Leagues and then in the integrated major leagues, ranks as one of the most remarkable athletic feats of the century. He also became famous for the advice he freely offered others, including the now legendary

"Don't look back, something might be gaining on you." Mark Ribowsky gives the best picture yet of life in the Negro Leagues as he brings to life a man whose act as a lovable eccentric with a golden arm masked a decidedly darker side as womanizer, hard drinker, and contract jumper always on the lookout for number one. Sporting News hailed Don't Look Back as "a fine and perceptive biography... that captures the essence of a complicated and terribly significant person." ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Excellent bio,seperating myth from stereotype
Satchel Paige is an enigmatic figure in american histroy. Mention his name, people inevitably think of the negro leagues,or thta terrible bingo long movie.In fact, Paige was ,in many repects, the first modern ballplayer. He played for a percentage of the gate, would only pitch a couple of innings in these contests,had no compuction about jumping from team to team{or country to country}The minstel show,stephifetchit aura that he calculated with the all too eager white press was, of course, a huge ruse. He was a sometimes bitter man{quite understandably so}He knew, instinctively, that he was the best pitcher in the world{although,curiosly, his peers voted Smokey Joe williams better in a 1950 vote in the Pittsburgh Courrier} He despsed the Jim Crow laws, and what he had to do to get around them. HIs civil rights stands were taken in the 20's 30's and 40's, when such things often meant death. He pitched for what might have been the greatest team of all time{the Pittsburgh crawfords of the early 30's] Dimaggio called him ethe toughest pitcher he ever hit against.All of these nuggets are in this book. Mr. Ribowsky did a fine job here. Paige is a figure who should be celebrated for what he was:an american original,a species often sighted but rarely seen. A wonderful book!

Demi-God
After reading this book, I am utterly convinced that Satchel Paige is as much of a baseball legend as a Ty Cobb or Babe Ruth. This book not only entertains but it fascinates, so much that I would'nt be suprised if someone mistook this biography for a peice of baseball folklore or a non fictitious work designed to capture the imaginations of baseball fans. This book portrays the life of Robert Leroy Satchel Paige in a most interesting way. In some cases he stands biggerthan life portrayed as a demi-god in the face of the gods of Major League Baseball and in some cases his mortality is revealed in the very midst of his immortality, and this is what makes this portrayal so unique. ... Read more

Reviews (6)

Enjoyable account
This is a very well written and entertaining account of Tesshu, one of the last samurai, a retainer in the Emperor's service who lived during the period of Japan's transition from feudalism to a modern, industrialized state. Tesshu was a man of great martial skills and equally great compassion who was always poor because he gave away most of his considerable stipend to support his poor and starving relatives, friends, and innumerable homeless (human as well as animals) that he took in and fed, often saving them from almost certain starvation. As a result, he often went without food one or two days a week, preferring to give it to those in even greater need. A devout Buddhist at a time when most Japanese had long since adopted Shinto, Tesshu was also an accomplished calligrapher and poet. Overall, a very readable account of a great man who remained loyal to the old ways and traditions even as they were crumbling around him.

Well worth reading
I bought this book used at the recomendation of my sensei. Mine is a tattered copy and I treasure it. I was suspect about buying it initially because I'm not a great fan of John Stevens' work in general he's good but tends to be a bit diefying. But that was not the case with this book I've re-read it so many times that it is truely in tatters...so I am happy to see it has been re printed. I will buy I hope you do to.

Inspires Martial Artists to Train
This is not a detailed biogtaphy, nevertheless, the author gives you a good overview of Yamaoka Tesshu's life. Yamaoka lived during a time when Japan was moving toward industrialization, and we get a glimpse of key historical moments during the transition.
There are numerous accounts that give insight to Yamaoka's mindset and character. Thus, no matter what art the individual reader may practice, Yamaoka's approach to training will reinforce the ideals of the serious-minded.

Unlike other books where certain martial arts figures are ridiculously protrayed like gods, Steven's book has humorous stories and Tesshu comes across like a normal human being who achieved everything throigh his diligent search and practice.

The book's strong point...it inspires hard training.

What an inspiration!
It is a shame that this book is out of print. I regard its appearance before me in an old used bookshop in Florida as a great gift. After reading it I felt compelled to write down a few of its more inspiring passages ... and ended up with a four-page document! Inspiring, and entertaining too. Stevens' account of the life of Tesshu is flavored with scholarship and love. Good luck finding it.

The Best Book I've Ever Read
A must for anyone who wants to look futher into this world than they thought was possible, by simply flowing. "The power of a lotus flower flowering in the midst of a raging fire" "What is your original face" ... Read more

Book Description

When he began coaching boys' cross-country at a small Catholic high school in New Jersey, Marc Bloom almost quit in frustration. The boys rejected Bloom's attempts at discipline and were also-rans in competition. Bloom persisted, fueled by the spiritual teachings of his Jewish faith to "repair the world." When he combined those teachings with the boys' core Catholic values, the team responded with soaring results. They ran their hearts out, collecting trophies and learning values of commitment and passion-the spiritual victories Bloom had yearned for. Bloom and his squad formed rare bonds of love that built toward a perfect race in the state championships.

Marc Bloom, an award-winning journalist, is a features writer for The New York Times and Contributing Editor of Runner's World.

Book Description

Hailed by Muhammad Ali as "the king, the master, my idol," Sugar Ray Robinson was the greatest boxer America had seen since Joe Louis and is considered by many today to be, pound for pound, the best boxer the sport has ever known. A world welterweight and five-time middleweight champion, he had a career that spanned three decades. With his graceful yet powerful style and Hollywood looks -- which he would use to his advantage upon his final retirement from boxing -- he embodied the very essence of the "sweet science." Before he finally hung up his boxing gloves in 1965, at the age of forty-four, Sugar Ray Robinson won 125 consecutive fights, including victories over Henry Armstrong, Kid Gavilan, Carmen Basilio, Jake LaMotta, Rocky Graziano, Gene Fullmer, and Randy Turpin. His successes were not his alone, however. They belonged to his family as well, though those relationships would be marked by neglect and abuse.

At a time still characterized by discrimination, his victories, like those of Jackie Robinson, represented victories for all black America. And they were all the more symbolic because of the place he chose to call home -- Harlem. Co-written with Robinson's son, Ray Robinson II, and thoroughly researched by Amsterdam News reporter Herb Boyd, Pound for Pound is not only a definitive portrait of an emotionally complex man and his family, it is also a portrait of Harlem at the apex of its creativity, a time when Miles Davis was playing at Minton's, Langston Hughes was writing his divine poetry, and a boy from Georgia originally named Walker Smith Jr. would take on the moniker "Sugar."

Book Description

I had seriously reached a point in my life where I wasn't scared of anything. Panic was replaced by awww, shit, how can I fix this before I hit the ground?

Childhood for Mat Hoffman was packed with hazardous behavior and a constant searching for a new rush: sliding down the laundry chute, blatantly misusing a trampoline, leaping off the roof holding an umbrella, executing a two-story bomb drop into a swimming pool on a bike, and more. After experimenting with his bike on a plywood ramp at age eleven, Mat found his true calling. He became addicted to aerials.

By the time he was fourteen years old, Mat had earned national notoriety with his ramp skills and landed a factory sponsorship from Skyway Recreation. He was consumed by a love of bike riding, a passion that took him around the globe and beyond the limits of what people said was possible. Always pushing for more height or another way to turn air into art, he's shattered world records, conventional wisdom, and his own body in a quest to experience all that life has to offer. The price? More than a dozen major surgeries, fifty broken bones, countless concussions and knockouts -- Mat's sacrifices are evident in a medical file that's 400 pages thick.

When the boom years of BMX freestyle bottomed out during a bike industry recession in the late 1980s, Mat's enthusiasm never wavered. To save his sport, he bought a semi truck when he was seventeen and became his own sponsor, spreading the word one demo at a time. He and his friends formed Hoffman Bikes and began running bike stunt contests. It was an era of progress for Mat as a rider, as he unveiled jawdropping tricks like the no-handed 540, backflip fakie, and flair, and became the first rider in action sports to pull a 900.

In The Ride of My Life, Mat takes readers on his humorous, hardcore, harrowing journey to the top as a bike stunt pioneer, ten-time world champion, video game superstar, X Games ambassador, recreational ninja, and the most innovative rider to ever hit a ramp. He shares stories of the wild experiences he's had while touring with some of the best riders around -- Dennis McCoy, Dave Mirra, Rick Thorne, Kevin Robinson, Mike "Rooftop" Escamilla, and many others.

Spanning two decades of action sports history, as Mat crosses paths with high-risk heroes like Tony Hawk, Johnny Knoxville, and Evel Knievel, The Ride of My Life is the insane, true story of Mat Hoffman, the greatest bike rider of all time.

Reviews (7)

awsome
ok this book is awsome the only book i have ever enjoyed reading i have read this book 3 times and still doesent get old its cool to see how someone so great go to were he is todaybuy this book as soon as possible i recommend it

Gift for my brother!!
My brother, an avid BMX'er, loved this book! He's not much of a reader but I think he liked the short tidbids about Mat Hoffman. A great gift idea for the cyclist in your life.

Honest, humble, and heroic
Two things struck me about Mat's story: One, his commitment and utter refusal to take "that's impossible" for an answer (sometimes to the point of self-destruction), and two, the earnest, humble way in which it was related. Mat's book is a very human account of an unorthodox life in progress--he freely admits his faults, lovingly celebrates the friends and family (and doctors) who have helped him succeed, and gives the reader generous access to what goes on in his mind. Read it and you'll learn that Mat's not crazy (although he is pretty close), he's just amazingly driven to achieve his goals--from shattering vert records (and bones) to becoming a trucker. Yes, a trucker.

Amid discussions of career milestones, Mat reveals plenty of funny stories about life on the road, offers insight into his addiction to thrills, and almost too much gory detail about his brushes with death (they definitely come off as a deterrent to anyone wanting to follow in his treads). Lewman's presence is more or less invisible in the book, as it should be, but there's no doubt that he's helped turn Mat's raw recollections into the flowing prose that appears on the page. It's a compelling, smooth read.

In the end, it's an inspirational, only-in-America kind of tale, and you can't help but respect Mat for not only what he has achieved but how he achieved it--creativity, willpower, and sweat. If you're looking for the human embodiment of the phrase "work ethic," you'll find it in Mat Hoffman.

Mat Hoffman,a legend
This is the best book I've ever read.I've been into BMX almost all my life and I can relate to Mat in many ways.Im 16,and I hope to live up to him by the time im his age.He is the best rider ever to hit the sport,or should I say hes the best rider to ever help make the sport.Thanks for writing this book Mat.You are no doubt my favorite rider.Ride to live,Live to ride.

I Never put the Book Down.
I read this book in one sitting because I loved it so much. It was cool to read what Mat was doing behind the scenes back in the late Eighties and even up to the present. I've always hated team sports and I am so proud to see our sport flourish thanks to Mat. A cool trip down memory lane for old school riders and a history lesson for the next generation. ... Read more

Book Description

In this book, Chuck Thompson offers a delightful and insightful perspective on his profession, its people, and its place in the heart of American sports. ... Read more

Book Description

Jack Brisco went from NCAA Champion at Oklahoma State University to NWA World Heavyweight wrestling champion. As one of professional wrestling’s biggest stars of the last 50 years, Brisco lived an extraordinary life in and out of the ring. In this marvelous book,full of photos, author Bill Murdock spins a spellbinding story that takes you behind the scenes of the athletic world’s most intriguing sport. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

A Wonderful Wrestler's Tale
Just mention the name Brisco to any serious wrestling fan, and it instantly conjures up images of greatness.
The name and the tag can now be applied to a book that chronicles the life of one of professional - and amateur - wrestling's greatest stars.
"Brisco - The Life and Times of National Collegiate and World Heavyweight Champion Jack Brisco" traces Brisco's storied wrestling career, from three-time state high school champion to NCAA champion at Oklahoma State, to two-time champ in the pro ranks.
The fact that mat historian and co-author Bill Murdock not only brings Brisco's fascinating stories to life, but captures the essence of that important time period in the wrestling business, makes the read all that more engaging.
The rich history of professional wrestling oozes throughout the pages of this grappler's tale, as readers get a ringside ticket to some of the watershed events that helped shape the industry as it moved from the days of territorial wrestling toward the era of sports entertainment.
Of course, a book about Jack Brisco wouldn't be complete without an extensive discourse on Dory Funk Jr., Brisco's bookend in one of the greatest programs in wrestling history. On that count the narrative delivers in spades.
"Brisco" is a must for any serious wrestling fan. Readers get a special look at one of pro wrestling's greatest periods, the '70s, when names like Brisco, Funk and Race ruled the wrestling universe. And they get to see it through the eyes of one of the true greats.

Great Wrestler, Great Bio!
The first time I saw Jack Brisco wrestle, it was on a rare L.A. TV appearance shortly before he won the NWA title in 1973. I was 10 years old, a novice wrestling fan, and two things immediately impressed me about him: how quick he was in the ring compared to the other L.A. wrestlers (the only wrestler in L.A. who moved at his pace---at least through this ten year old's eyes!--- was journeyman Raul Mata), and how cool it was to see such a pure athlete with long hair! Obviously, I had little understanding of the wrestling biz and the art of working a match, so I could only sum up Jack Brisco by saying "He's way cooler than the rest!"

Throughout the years I became better equipped to describe why Jack Brisco was way cooler, and I had great respect for him. Along comes the book "Brisco: The Life and Times of National Collegiate and World Heavyweight Wrestling Champion Jack Brisco," and now I have even greater respect for him.

"Brisco" is one of those books that is a good read whether you are a die-hard wrestling fan or a reader who knows nothing about the pro wrestling business. The catch-phrases and details of the business are explained without going over the novice's head.

The book is told in the first person with Bill Murdock as editor. Jack Brisco presents himself as very confidant in his skills, but never goes over the line as a braggart, but as a team player. The list of people he credits with molding him into a successful wrestler, businessman and person is vast. He describes his counterparts honestly, neither deifing or trash-talking wrestlers and promoters. The first example that jumps into my mind is his description of the late Eddie Graham. He credits Graham as giving him his most important boost in his professional career, and his stubborn campaigning to crown Brisco as the next NWA Heavyweight Champion. On the flip side, he made no bones about Eddie pocketing more than his lion's share of his profits, and paying the wrestlers less than they deserved.

One of the most moving accounts of people he credits with helping his way up the success ladder comes when he speaks of Joe Scarpa AKA Jay Strongbow. Scarpa took Brisco under his wing like a father. He not only stood up for Jack when wrestlers messed with him, but he also dished out tough love when Brisco was acting out of line. He taught him the art of being a babyface (the hero--- there's more to it than non-wrestling fans realize) and the "babyface comeback."

The first thing that pleasantly surprised me in this book came when Mr. Brisco spoke glowingly of Haystack Calhoun. While I have always been a fan of the ace amateur wrestlers and/or shooters, I was always turned off by their closed-window view of what pro wrestling should be. Case in point are two other excellent books, "Hooker" by Lou Thesz, and "Pure Dynamite" by Dynamite Kid, where the authors often sounded dismissive of wrestlers who were not 100% athleticism. I do not mean this to disrespect Lou Thesz or Dynamite Kid, but merely to point out that pro wrestlers are, and always have been, a diverse group of performers, and that the gimmick wrestlers are part of the business. Obviously, he did not laud Calhoun for his wrestling ability, but for his ability to get the fans jazzed when his 600+ frame was about to squash the ring's villains. Brisco also described Haystack Calhoun's optimistic nature and his willingness to spend time giving autographs for the fans. I know I'm probably driving this point into the ground, but it is awesome to see a serious wrestler like Brisco to take note and point out the contributions of a "gimmick wrestler."

Brisco describes in detail the complexities of a business many non-wrestling fans see as simple, from the politics wrestlers have to practice and endure to dealings with uncouthe promoters. Like Lou Thesz did in "Hooker," Brisco tells in great detail the stressful schedule he endured after becoming NWA Heavyweight champion, always keeping up on flight schedules, finding time to keep in shape on top of the travel, and racing from state to state to make a title defense. Brisco's best told travel fiasco in the book has got to be the disastrous flight to Alabama when one of the landing gears would not work, and the pilot's neanderthol attempt to repair in front of the passengers!

My only complaint? I would love to see this book marketed more aggressively. "Brisco" should be required reading for all wrestling fans, as well as anybody who wants to enter the wrestling biz. This is definitely on my "top 5" list of books on pro wrestling.

A must read for all fans!
BRISCO is a book you must read if you have any interest in wrestling and its history!! Murdock tells Jack's story in such an interesting way that will hold your attention. By far the best book of its kind I have read. Buy yours now! ... Read more

Book Description

Fishermen survive as relics, the last hunter-gatherers among us. Their boats, crammed with ropes and nets, carry the mystique of a nearly forgotten world ruled by the elements.

Now an accomplished writer, Molyneaux as a young man journeyed to Maine with no experience and a dream of working on a boat. This is the story of his apprenticeship with Bernard Raynes, one of Maine's last independent commercial fishermen. In the early 1980s, these two men shared some of the fishing industry's best years, as well as gripping adventures on the stormy North Atlantic. Now their world has changed. The author discusses the factors-personal and political, environmental and economic-that led to the decline of New England fishing. Thanks to a strong work ethic and an iron will, Raynes resolutely hangs on to a vanishing way of life, while consolidation pushes that way of life out of reach for today's young fishermen.

For over three centuries, Raynes's ancestors invested their futures in the lives of fish. They learned to think like fish and developed unparalleled ability as fishermen. Today's fishermen will not have to match Raynes's supreme skill. Technology has edged Raynes out, and his fishing legacy will die with him. ... Read more

Book Description

Reviews (10)

Veeck As in Wreck
A wonderful slice of baseball history as seen from the consumate maverick of baseball. Veeck takes you on a journey from his beginnings listenning to John McGraw and his dad William Veeck Sr. shoot the breeze about baseball up until his purchase of the White Sox for the second time in 1975. Along the way you are introduced to those you may have never knew (Gene Bearden and Harry Grabiner), those you always knew (Eddie Gaedel, Satchel Paige and Lou Boudreau) and those you though you knew (Ford Frick, Del Webb and Charles Comiskey). The chapters about Veeck's ownership of the St. Louis Browns and baseball's fight about its disposition are alone worth the price of the book. I'd give the book five stars because it is well written and entertaining, but I suspect some of his stories are embellished in his favor. But you have to expect that in any autobiography. So many of today's ideas have Veeck written all over them, most notably interleague play and exploding scoreboards. One final note: keep a baseball encyclodedia next to you when you read this one. It comes in handy when the obscure names come flying, and if you feel "ole Willie" is telling a tall one.

A Baseball Classic
This book is considered a classic because of the great inside information and the "smack 'em in the face" comments from Bill Veeck, the one-time owner of the Cleveland Indians and St. Louis Browns and the two-time owner of the Chicago White Sox. Veeck pulles no punches in discussing his views on the powers in baseball, including his favorite punching bag, the New York Yankees. Veeck is also very entertaining in describing his relationships with some great characters of the game. I really enjoyed this book.

Excellent storyteller
I literally could not put this book down from start to finish. Whether you like baseball, dislike the Yankees, or just enjoy rooting for the one guy who could have saved baseball from the financial and legal disasters of the past 50 years, this book will be one of the best you have ever read.

They do not make sports bios Like THIS anymore.....
The two things you need to know before you buy "Veeck -- As In Wreck" -- and you will buy this book, you must, if you've ever bought any professional sports bio before -- are the names Veeck and Linn.

Bill Veeck you know from reputation -- the wacky promoter who invented everything from Ladies' Day to Disco Demolition Night. The man owned several baseball franchises (including the Chicago White Sox twice, for some reason), and was known as a both a promotional genius and a shrewd financier.

As for Ed Linn... well, Linn was also the ghostwriter for another fantastic, edgy, opinionated baseball book, Leo Durocher's "Nice Guys Finish Last". Not surprisingly, "Veeck" reads a lot like the Durocher tome (and it came first, too!). On every page here you'll find a funny anecdote, a scary bit of prescience, and a unique look at an otherwise-beloved icon. With Veeck's memory and Linn's acid pen, this book is quite hard to put down. Or to pick up, for that matter.

Sports bios tend to hold back these days, let's face it. They're not as long and not as insightful as the Linn books. And the gift of time has helped ripen these pages. When Veeck talks about baseball's financial need to institute interleague play -- writing from 1961 -- you know this man saw around a few decades' worth of corners. When he takes the Yankees to task for failing to capitalize on Roger Maris's pursuit of the Babe Ruth home run record, and notes that it was a once-in-a-lifetime event, he's right -- so baseball got it right in '98, when McGwire came to town, and when the record fell yet again in '01, hardly anyone noticed.

In the meantime you'll laugh at the sad fates of Bobo Holloman and Frank Saucier, the latter being the only ballplayer ever to be removed from a game for a midget. You'll be intrigued by Veeck's take on Larry Doby, and by his bitter retorts at Del Webb, then-owner of the hated behemoth Yankees. And you'll marvel at just how little has really changed in baseball since Veeck was retired. Owners plotting franchise shifts in shady back-room deals (Montreal, Florida. Florida, Boston). Owners doing everything to baseball except what really benefits the sport (It's a tie in Milwaukee!). Veeck lamenting not the high price of talent but rather the high price of mediocrity (how much is Colorado paying for Denny Neagle and Mike Hampton?)...

Just about the only highlight not covered is the sight of White Sox outfielder Chet Lemon wearing shorts. One of the few Bill Veeck innovations that did not catch on, and aren't we all better off...

He was a fun guy!
I read this book when I was thirteen, and read it again twenty years later. I enjoyed it both times. Spend a few hours with a man who loved baseball and is honest about being a little less than honest. ... Read more

Book Description

Many people go to the sea in boats, but few of them write as movingly about the experience as Peter Nichols does in this enthralling meditation on the wonders of sailing, the mystery of the sea, and the ebbs and flows of love. With only a sextant, his own instincts as a seasoned sailor, and a boat full of memories of his foundering marriage, Nichols sets out alone from England for Maine, where he plans to sell his beloved twenty-seven-foot sailboat, Toad.Combining the adventure of Into Thin Air, the nautical lore of The Perfect Storm, and the spiritual self-discovery of The Snow Leopard, this thrilling adventure is a classic tale of a man struggling to come to terms with his reckless spirit, his highest hopes, and his broken dreams. ... Read more

Reviews (19)

I spent my time well--wished I could have prolonged the trip
A student of film who once dreamed of the ocean, I only occasionally find the solution to cut the invisible tether to the tele. Nichols's cameo on CNN sparked my curiosity, and I sought Sea Change the next day. Have you ever enjoyed an escape experience which takes you further from fantasy than toward it? Although Nichols may take us off the ground, our journey is still largely at sea level, and, for a while, below even that. His experience may read matter-of-factly in the style of a captain's log at times, yet few will be able avoid emotional ties to the sea, Toad, and J. for all Nichols's authenticity. His travelogue carries a burden of modesty, but the reader knows each time he or she picks the book up that it drips of worth. This one will sit next to my Sobel.

Down To The Sea In Ships...
I read SEA CHANGE for the first time approximately two years ago. At the time, like Peter Nichols, I was contemplating a failed relationship and a downturn in my personal fortunes---seeking a sea change in my own life. Nichols' slim volume spoke to me as few books have, and I have returned to this poignant and wistfully humorous gem many times for inspiration and reassurance.

Nichols' writing is simple, yet elegant, a sort of prose poetry rarely encountered nowadays. The brevity of the book makes it timeless.

"I am sailing to meet my true self and find an improved version" Nichols writes, and that is the heart of any voyage. It is the raison d'etre and cause celebre of SEA CHANGE.

A good sailing or break-up book
Peter Nichols book interweaves two stories quite well- his emotions as his marriage declines, and the story of trying to get a wooden boat across the Atlantic. Both stories are told in a very honest manner, reminding the reader that even the best sailors and partners can hit troubled waters. The sailing lore is impressive, and will give a day-sailor a new respect for long distance sailing.

Enjoyable read
In the end I loved Peter's little boat Toad as much as he did. Enough said.

Moving, Accomplished
As a memoir of love and loss, Peter Nichols' book is as moving and accomplished as any I've read, including such recognized classics as Siegfried Sassoon's "Memoirs of an Infantry Officer." I highly recommend it for the sailor and landlubber alike. ... Read more

Book Description

Even today, 29 years after retiring from coaching basketball at UCLA, John Wooden remains America’s Coach. John Wooden: An American Treasure is the definitive book on his extraordinary life, from his early years as a small-town legend from Martinsville, Indiana, and an All-American guard at Purdue to his legendary years at UCLA and the fruitful years following his retirement.

Here is the story of his relationship with his late wife, Nell: their love affair for the ages, his deep depression after her death in 1985, and how his faith and his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren provided him with the reason to embrace life again.

The events that led to his decision to walk away from coaching at the pinnacle of success in 1975 are explained in detail, as well as the carefully planned words he used to tell his shocked players in the locker room that he would be retiring after the NCAA Finals game in San Diego. His relationships with J. D. Morgan, his controlling and demanding athletic director, and Jerry Norman, the fiery assistant who helped him ignite the sparks that led to the national championship runs, are recounted. The thoughts of his most heated coaching rivals and his most dedicated assistant are included, as well as those of the broadcaster who gained fame with him and of his longtime pastor, who admits that sometimes he was intimidated to have this celebrated man listening from his pew. Here are the behind-the-scenes stories of how Wooden was offered the chance to manage the Pittsburgh Pirates, how he developed his famous Pyramid of Success, and the real secret behind why his UCLA teams were able to win more consistently than any other collegiate team ever. Here are up-close, personal moments that reveal what his life is now.

On the year of the 40th anniversary of his first national championship at UCLA, and more than 30 years after his autobiography, John Wooden: An American Treasure reveals why this kind, endearing, unbelievably intelligent coaching legend, even at age 94, remains one of the more fascinating, extraordinary, yet humble men of this, or any, generation. Ultimately he has become America’s Teacher as much as its most celebrated coach. ... Read more

Book Description

Eight medals, including six gold and two bronze. Michael Phelps used the Olympic Games in Athens as his breakout event. Already known in the swimming world for the summer of 2003 when he set seven world records in 41 days, Michael’s record-tying medal haul made him a mainstream name. He’s well on his way to his ambitious goal of "changing the sport of swimming," but despite Michael’s pre-eminence in the pool, his story is not a swimming diary but a tale of adversities overcome and redemption through persistence.

Michael Phelps: Beneath the Surface is a first-person account of Michael's journey to manhood and Olympic glory—from a toddler who was afraid to put his face in the water to a student overcoming an attention deficit disorder to a son dealing with his parents’ divorce to a brother who watched an older sister narrowly miss making the Olympic team to the athlete who carried his nation’s hopes on his shoulders in Athens, and delivered against such high expectations. ... Read more

Book Description

WINNER OF THE 2003 BARBARA SAVAGE MILES FROM NOWHERE MEMORIAL AWARD

They’re not sure which came first—falling in love with each other, or falling in love with the idea of hiking the Pacific Crest Trail (Mexico to the Canadian border). At the trailhead, they were warned that there would be tears, that each would have to find their own separate pace, and that at times the tent would seem awfully small for the two of them. They were told that their biggest obstacles to success would be…each other.

Their first surprise: freeze-dried meals do funny things to your GI tract. Their first fight: when Angela noticed that Duffy’s long legs propel him along the trail faster than she can muster. But on they pressed— encountering snakes, bears, and fellow thru-hikers with trail names like Crazy Legs and Catch 23. They baked in the deserts of Southern California, gazed awestruck at the snowy, serrated peaks of the High Sierra, and attempted to hide from Northern Washington’s seemingly incessant rain. 132 days later, they made it—blisters and all. ... Read more

Reviews (7)

a great summer read
I spent my first weekend of summer vacation from teaching totally absorbed in this book. I picked up "A Blistered Kind of Love" at the library and spent every spare moment reading it. What fun to hike that far...could I even walk 3 miles in the forest or desert???
An amazing read!

Entertaining
This book describes a couple's hike along the Pacific Coast Trail...quite an adventure! It doesn't go into great detail about the trail itself; rather, it focuses on the emotions they felt before, (mostly) during, and after the hike. While I enjoyed the book and its descriptions and stories - and marvel that anyone can pull of this kind of long-distance hike - I have to say I was put off by Duffy's apparently insensitivity to Angela throughout...who hikes ahead of their novice hiker girlfriend the whole way, for instance, just because they walk faster? It left a slightly sour taste while reading it, but overall, it was entertaining and easy to read.

Learn how to backpack - hike the PCT
I just finished this - an entertaining read of a couple who thru-hiked the PCT in 2000. Angela had never backpacked before. It gives you a feeling for what the emotional highs and the lows are when hiking the PCT, and they have an upbeat attitude. More detail than Karen Berger's Triple Crown book, not the nitty gritty of Bill Schuette's story of his AT hike - White Blaze Fever.

They tandem team this book, alternating chapters. Normally each chapter progresses farther up the trail, though sometimes you might read about a common experience from two different views. You get some idea of the tremendous logistical problems in doing a thru-hike, and an even better sense of what a relationship test this is.

By the end of the book you feel a kinship with the other thru-hikers they encounter, so it is a nice touch that they have an epilogue, talking about what happened to the other thru-hikers they encountered.

Putting It To the Test
A Blistered Kind of Love is one of those physical endurance memoirs like Josie Dew's bicycling books, or Peter Jenkins' walking books. But this has an added twist. Instead of a lone diarist battling the elements, the Ballards are a couple who are testing themselves and testing their relationship.

Angela and Duffy take turns writing chapters about their hike from Mexico to Canada along the Pacific Crest Trail. That way we get the views from both hikers. This really works, because as they make their way along the trail, we see their relationship develop. It's as if they realized that if they could make it to the end together, they figured they'd be able to face anything together.

They have their share of adventures, mishaps, and meet plenty of hikers and "angels" (people who help hikers along the way). A Blistered Kind of Love is an enjoyable account, for hikers and non-hikers alike.

A Blistered Kind of Love
I love this book! I was hooked after page one, fascinated by a couple plucking themselves out of Philadelphia to hike the Pacific Crest Trail, unsure of the adventure and each other. Years ago we backpacked many weekends on several of the trails the Ballards hiked across. But being a hiker isn't necessary to enjoy the reverence and discovery as the couple set about their arduous trip. It's a very interesting,human story, written by two nice people. ... Read more