Book Description

Payoffs (under the table cash), grade tampering , eligibility scandals, illegal recruitment tactics, lies, deception and immorality are all a continuous part of this real life story.

It shows the twisted nature of coaches, administrators, and family, hell-bent on winning while ambivalent to the academic and personal development of the student athlete.

Derek Sparks shows us what it takes to keep a dream alive, in this story of his transfer to four different high schools in four different years.He faces the challenges of loneliness, temptation, ostracism, while living in a gang-land enviroment. He also fights a desperate battle to prove his eligibility, while protecting his scholarship offers, and acheive qualifying SAT scores even after an insidious vow from his coaches: "YOU'LL NEVER PLAY ORGANIZED FOOTBALL AGAIN!"

Derek's story delivers a message to today's students seeking a future in athletics, or to the average student seeking a future in life. It tells of the wisdom and maturity a 21st century student must have to steer their way through a maze of manipulators and opportunists.

Through his mistakes and his successes, Derek conveys his testimony with a vision of a better way.END ... Read more

Reviews (16)

Lessons...hit me like a FREIGHT TRAIN!
I must admit that this story hit me like a freight trian. I would never have guessed that the adults who are supposed to educate, train, and coach our children are the same people who use them as pawns in a sick game.

I am glad that I read Lessons of the Game, I feel that it is an important read; one that needs to be told. The way some of these athletes are treated, though, is very sad.

This book is now off to my father-in-law, and then to my wife, and finally to my dad. I'm sure that everyone will have a strong opinion of this story.

Offensive Interference...
This is an absolutely must read for anyone who loves sports stories (but should be required reading for lettering high school athletes). I could not put it down! The book paints a vivid, yet disturbing picture of the exploitation of a "can't miss" superstar-high school football player, by the system. It takes you through Derek Sparks' incredible "on-the-field" successes and lets you see how many of the people he trusted, sold him out, "off-the-field." This book depicts a situation which serves as the predecessor to (what most likely will be)future exploitation by "star" athletes, next at the collegiate level and later by agents and money managers, who all want a piece of "the pie" and will do anything to get it.

Lessons of the Game: A Must Read!!
Lessons of the Game is truly an amazing book. Although a non-avid reader, I recently picked up this book and read it within two days. Derek's writing style is very easy to understand. His choice of words to describe things made me know exactly where he was coming from and what it was like at points in Derek's life. I found myself laughing out loud several times as he described scenes as well as almost shedding a tear. This book gives the reader an inside look into Derek's life and true test of character. I believe this book is for the young, old, athletes, non-athletes, or anyone who is ready for an excellent book to read! It is a must read and won't be put down until finished!!!

How true is it?
Hello,
I just finished this book and found it very interesting being as how i just finished my first season as a high school quarterback, and i have many of the same aspirations to do what he dreamed of doing. I was wondering though how much of a sugarcoat was put on derek in this book. it played out looking like everyone else were the bad guys. I wondered if one of the so called bad guys were to write a book stating his side who would you belive. But anyhow it was an exelent book and i encourage every one to give this book a try!!!

Lessons of the Game: The Untold Story of High School Footbal
I would highly recommend this book for all young athletes who aspire to compete at a higher level. It is an excellent example of how a young athlete can be convinced he is immune to the rules of the game. As a former high school athlete and coach it also serves as a warning for parents and coaches on how their own behavior can have devasting effects on a young athlete's career and life. ... Read more

Book Description

Mick Foley is a nice man, a family man who loves amusement parks and eating ice cream in bed. So how to explain those Japanese death matches in rings with explosives, golden thumbtacks and barbed wire instead of rope? The second-degree burn tissue? And the missing ear that was ripped off during a bout-in which he kept fighting? Here is an intimate glimpse into Mick Foley's mind, his history, his work and what some might call his pathology. Now with a bonus chapter summarizing the past 15 months-from his experience as a bestselling author through his parting thoughts before his final match. A tale of blood, sweat, tears and more blood-all in his own words-straight from the twisted genius behind Cactus Jack, Dude Love, and Mankind.

Reviews (653)

Mankind's book goes behind the WWF scene
The World Wrestling Federation originally became an international phenomenon in the early to mid-eighties. Under the guidance of WWF owner Vincent K. McMahon, Jr., people like Hulk Hogan and Andre the Giant became household entities, and heroes for a generation. The success of the WWF, however, can be seen in all factions of entertainment and media, and this includes the literary world.

Mick Foley is a wrestling personality who earned a reputation for doing anything it takes to give the crowd a good show. He has wrestled for over 15 years, and is most known as either Mankind or Cactus Jack, though many fans will never forget his third in-ring persona, teenage heart-throb Dude Love. It is Foley's selflessness in the ring and his complete disregard for his body that has won the respect of fans and peers alike, and in his book, Mankind: Have A Nice Day - A Tale of Blood and Sweat-Socks, Foley reflects on his 15-year career, and the rest of his life as well. What surprises many, however, is how well he is able to recollect the happenings in his life, and produce work that is both funny and touching, painful and heart-wrenching. Foley makes you laugh as much as you cringe, and cry as much as you wince.

The book begins with Foley's most painful memory, when he had his ear torn off in a match in Germany, and then goes into the beginning of his life as a Long Island native who became infatuated with wrestling on television. Wrestling was not only a hobby, it was Foley's way of bridging the gap between he and his father, and for them it became a common interest that bonded them tightly as father and son.

He then discusses his college life at SUNY Cortland, where he traveled every weekend to Pittsburgh in order to train with old-time wrestler Domenic Denucci. Foley discusses Denucci's influence on his life, as well as his keen ability to live out of his car every weekend because of his undying passion. Mick Foley wanted to be the next Superfly Jimmy Snuka, but instead of being a high-flyer he became famous for having three different personalities who never ceased to stun or entertain his fans. The culmination of his career came when he won the most coveted prize in the business, the WWF Championship, against the self-proclaimed People's Champ, The Rock.

Aside from his in-ring adventures, Foley's book delves deep into his personal life, including his love-at-first-sight relationship with his wife Colette, and the life of a wrestler behind-the-scenes. He talks candidly about many of his colleagues, from the outrageous antics of Jake-the-Snake Roberts to the failures of Ric Flair as a wrestling booker. Most importantly, however, Foley discusses the impact of the death of fellow wrestler and family man Owen Hart's on his own life, and how it made him value his wife and children more than ever before.

All in all, Have A Nice Day is a touching tale that will leave you in stitches, and make you marvel at the amount of stitches used to patch up Mick Foley's battered body. Ultimately, he shows that a professional wrestler is not just an actor who follows a script, but rather an extremely tough competitor who takes pride in entertaining millions of fans every day, and being heroes to kids worldwide. His book is a winner, for all mankind.

Foley pours his heart and soul into an incredible bio
I got this incredible book the day it was released thanks in part to the kind people at Amazon. I was so enthralled with Foleys words and thoughts that I pretty much shut out the world for the next few days until I was finished. Part of me wished I would have gone slower, so I could have savored every word. If you're a wrestling fan you absolutely have to read this book. Even if you're not a smart fan, you will walk away from "Have a Nice Day" knowing more about sports entertainment than ever before. Mick takes on a ride through his childhood and his early years on the independent circuit. He tells us of his sometimes tumoltuos tenure in WCW and of his monster success in the WWF. Mick Foley deserves every accolade given to him and more. Please read "Have a Nice Day", you will not regret it.

Have A Nice Review
The first of the WWF (now WWE) autobiographies, and still the best. Foley, unsatisfied with the way his ghost writer scripted his book initially, decided to write it himself. Certainly, Foley should be credited with trying to write alone, rather than just let his ghostwriter do the work for him, but it is a testament to Foley the man that he wants anything with his name on it to be true to himself.
Foley proves himself quite literate, despite first impression from a guy who competes in matches with barbed wire and explosives, and taking over a dozen HARD chairshots to the head at the WWF's Royal Rumble 1999 Pay-Per-View. He also comes off as having quite a good sense of hunor, not only about himself, but about the wrestling business in general.
One might also think that due to his "King of the Death Match" label that Foley might be a little arrogant, as people might think all pro wrestlers are, but Foley again proves people wrong, as he is quite humble about not only his beginnings, but also his rise to the top, becoming a WWF World Heavyweight Champion. Sure, it's not real competition, but to get the title demonstrates the company's confidence in your ability as a performer to draw crowds. Certainly everyone strives to have the confidence of their company behind them.
As Foley has stated numerous times, both in his book, and in interviews, yes, he has sustained some bodily harm in his matches. Yes, he may never be able to walk straight, or stand tall again. However, he has lived his dream. How many people can say that? As Foley himself states, the damage that has been done to him physically is a small price to pay for living out his dream.
An excellent read, wrestling fan or no.

Hard work, determination, and a bunch of "bumps"
When I first picked this book up, I thought "there is no way I'm going to read a book this long about a professional wrestler." I began reading, however, and once started I couldn't stop. This is the story of Mick Foley, better known at various stages of his career as Cactus Jack, Dude Love, and Mankind. Foley wrote the book himself, and did a spectacular job. In fact he writes much batter than most of the "ghostwriters" who pen celebrity autobiographies today. Foley has a style, in which he tells a well-crafted and compelling narrative while cracking jokes that one can't help but laugh at. This is, literally, a tale of blood, but for some reason it's a funny tale.

Behind all the glitz and glory of professional wrestling comes the sport's most unlikely hero: Mick Foley. With a less-than-stellar physique, Foley sometimes didn't have the visual appeal of other would-be wrestlers, and consequently had to work many times as hard for what he achieved. This book follows Foley during his fourteen year (I believe) career as Cactus Jack, from wrestling in small high schools to touring Africa to tangling himself in barbed-wire in Japan and earning the title "King of the Deathmatch." It also covers his stint as Dude Love in the WWE, and his most recent character, Mankind. Through it all Foley gave it his best, not being afraid to bleed even when only a few fans would see him. Foley was bruised, battered, beaten, cut open, torn up, blown up and otherwise abused during his climb to the top of the WCW, IWA, ECW, and WWE (which eventually happened in late 1998, when Foley won the world championship belt), but he gave it all for the sport he loved. Foley is an unlikely hero, but is nevertheless a good example of what hard work and determination can get you in life. After reading this book I'm compelled to agree with the masses: Foley is good.

One giant step for Mankind
Wow! This is truly an amazing book! After reading this book, I felt as if I had some sort of understanding of Mick, a seemingly peaceful man whom in his career always chose the most violent and painful path. From his misunderstood beginnings as a Long Island teen fantasizing about Jimmy Snuka, throughout his travels and travails through the outhouses of professional wrestling, to the pinnacle of his trade, the World Wrestling Federation, Mick shows all, in his own idiosyncratic way in his own painstakingly written words, what this business is all about.

If you ever wanted to understand why the millions that watch this Pop Cultural Phenomenomon unfold each and every Monday night, this is your opportunity. If you are interested in a book of inspiration, seeing a man who was told at every turn that his dream was unattainable, that he was too different, that he was not a person that would sell out arenas, overcome and succeed, this is your book. If you want to enjoy a book, have a good laugh, lose complete track of time because the book is so engrossing, this is your book. Thanks Mick, and as always, HAVE A NICE DAY! ... Read more

Book Description

The fans in their seats are barely able to contain themselves. The buzz of the crowd rises higher and higher until that first Superstar walks onto the stage and into the ring. It doesn't matter where you are in the arena-ringside or high above the floor you know that it's going to be an exciting night. There are signs everywhere, the people in their seats chant for their favorite wrestler. You get caught up in the wave of excitement filling the place. Maybe tonight a title changes hands. This is the WWE anything can happen.

You begin to wonder just what is it like to be a WWE Superstar. What do you have to do everyday to make it? What is it like to spend your life with countless numbers of people cheering or even booing you? You look into the ring and wonder. What if you could go behind the stage? What if you could travel with one of the wrestlers? What would it be like to visit a Superstar in their home? Unscripted is an unvarnished, all access look inside the lives of World Wrestling Entertainment's Superstars. From life on the road traveling more than two hundred days a year, to performing in front of hundreds of thousands, the WWE's Superstar's share their incredible story in their own words offering readers an unprecedented glimpse behind the scenes.

The Undertaker tells you why he didn't become a professional basketball player. Goldberg tells you why he joined the WWE. The Rock reveals how his own father tried to sabotage his career. Triple H and Stephanie McMahon speak openly and frankly about their relationship. Chris Jericho describes how he keeps it all in perspective. Sean Michaels talks about his revitalized career and how important his family and his faith are. Kurt Angle explains how you can wrestle with a broken neck.

Unscripted lifts the curtain on the backstage areas of the shows, the homes and the everyday lives and ordinary events of these extraordinary people. It is a lavishly illustrated tribute to the men and women who climb over the rope day-after-day for the roar of the crowd. ... Read more

Reviews (9)

Unscripted Is The Best Wrestling Book Ever!
Unscripted is the best wrestling book ever! Duh! Anyone who would object to that is just stupid! Unscripted gives endless facts about each wrestler, and what their expectations were in the beginning of their wrestling careers, as well as, if they wanted to become some other profession in their earlier years. For example, The Undertaker was going to become a professional basketball player, but he decided to go down the path in professional wrestling, and signed a contract with WWE. Also, Unscripted gives facts about the wrestler's personal life, such as their whereabouts, their love life, kind of, and their previous or past accomplishments. There are numerous pages on wrestlers from both RAW and Smackdown!, talking about their lives, their wrestling careers, their personal lives, and their current achievements. Also, Matt Hardy and Lita used to date, but broke it off when Lita found out Matt Hardy was cheating on her. Unscripted is, by far, without a doubt, undeniably, of course, and seriously the best wrestling book about each wrestler ever!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! =]

glimpses of the lives of the wrestlers
"Unscripted" is a coffee table style book from World Wrestling Entertainment. It focuses on the WWE Superstars and gives us a behind-the-scenes look at the Superstars and their lives. The book is broken up into three sections, each with the focus on a different aspect of the Superstars' life. In each section, a Superstar gets a two page spread that has photography and something written by the Superstar about his or her life (or career).

I wouldn't say that "Unscripted" is in depth, by any means, but it does gives us descriptions of the lives of the wrestlers that we would not ordinarily have. For example, Chris Jericho writes about how he does not have an ego about what he does because when he gets home his wife still makes him take out the garbage. The Undertaker wrote about how he had almost played professional basketball and how he decided to turn to the ring. Kurt Angle wrote about wrestling in the Olympics with a broken neck and why he did it. Each wrestler gives a little glimpse into their lives, what they do, and why. We really just get a glimpse of the wrestling world through the eyes of the wrestlers. As a fan of the WWE product, I found this to be interesting (if less in depth than, say, Mick Foley's autobiography). This is a coffee table book, however, so there are many pictures and not too much text. This is one you can pick up, look at a two page spread, and then put down again to peruse at your leisure.

AWESOME BOOK
I whole big book of color pictures and readings about each wrestler. This book was very well done and it shows you the personal lives of the wrestlers. Lets you take a peek inside of what is happening behind the scenes. The pictures lets see different things and with the pictures it lets you write a story yourself. I would love to see more books like this.

The best book ever!
This is the best book ever.
It talks about the superstars personal life, and there wrestling life. If you like wrestling at all you will love this book its worth every cent.

Reviews in English Language Only please
In response to the review posted on November 12, 2003:
Usually in writing a review, a firm grasp of the English language can provide you with an excellent jump-start. This may seem hard to swallow, but the majority of Americans do not understand ghetto trash-talk, and your use of it only furthers the case that we are truly getting dumber by the minute. The book was highly entertaining and revealing; it's a must for any TRUE WWE fan ... Read more

Book Description

For thirty-two years Coach Carm Cozza`s football program at Yale exemplified excellence. This engaging book is Cozza`s story, the reminiscences of a caring and principled teacher whose course material was athletic competition, whose classroom was a football field, and whose final exam was The Game against Harvard. Cozza brings us behind the scenes, recalls the outstanding men who played for him, and offers thoughts on football programs today. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

A must read for any Yale Football fan.
Every Yale fan will enjoy Carm Cozza's humble jourey from Miami of Ohio {Coach's U} to the hallow halls of Yale University. Cozza provides the reader with insights on Yale's football past, present and future. An informative sports read. ... Read more

Book Description

Overview

They're held captive by the glamour and the grotesque of the oldest spectacle known to man.But the inquisitive public at large, along with a vast international network of pro wrestling aficionados, yearn for more than the intriguing soap opera scenarios and daring athleticism that they view every week on television and live at venues around the world.They want a behind-the-scenes view beyond what is routinely represented to the public.In short, curious observers and ardent wrestling fans will be captivated by what Gary Michael Cappetta has delivered in Bodyslams!, Memoirs of a Wrestling Pitchman.

Bodyslams! is the first book to shed light on the dangerous games that both the performing wrestlers and their corporate employers play in orderto acquire power, fame and wealth.The book runs chronologically and serve s as both a history and an exposé of American wrestling as Mr. Cappetta has witnessed during his twenty-one years as an announcer for America's two dominant promotions. ... Read more

Reviews (17)

Bodyslams! - The Best Book Ever Written About Pro Wrestling
I've read all of the wrestling books that have been written in recent years. I have also read the autobiographies by Lou Thesz and Bruno Sammartino. Without a doubt, Gary Michael Cappetta's "BODYSLAMS!" is the most revealing, most informative, most literate, funniest and even the most heart warming book ever written about professional wrestling.

Foley was careful not to tell too much about his buddies in the WWF. Chyna, The Rock and Goldberg also still on promoters' payrolls, haven't been wrestling long enough to lend a rich perspective of the wrestling game. Page avoids the truth about the behind the scenes politics that gave him his spot with WCW. And who cares what JR is cooking?

This book has it all. If you want a comprehensive look at how it all began, why wrestling is where it's at today and Gary's thoughts about how the game can be healthy in future years, then you must read "BODYSLAMS!".

Cappetta's behind the scenes stories provide an up close and personal look at dozens of current superstars, as well as many of the legends of this sport. Gary worked with them all. From Gagne to Hogan. From Bruno Sammartino to The McMahon Family. His profiles of Steve Austin, Ric Flair, The Undertaker, Buff Bagwell, Mick Foley, Abdullah the Butcher, Eric Bischoff and Andre the Giant are priceless.

Gary tells the full story about the night Mick Foley lost his ear. He was at the hotel fight between Arn Anderson and Sid Vicious and he holds nothing back. The portraits of Vince and Shane McMahon stand the test of time, given the way The McMahons now monopolize wrestling. And Gary's love of the game shines through on every page of the book.

If you have to choose one book that tells it all about pro wrestling, then "BODYSLAMS!" has got to be at the top of your list. Simply put, it's the best book ever written about pro wrestling!

Tremendous Insider's View of Wrestling
I have read Dave Meltzer and Dynamite Kid's books, as well as both books written by Mick Foley, and I must say that Gary Michael Cappetta's Bodyslams is right up there with the others in terms of credibility and quality. While it may not be as funny as Foley or as dramatic as Meltzer, it's really not intended to be. It is meant to chronicle one man's 21-year journey in a business he has always loved, and is undoubtedly the most well-written of the five wrestling books I have read.

The stories flow well and really give the reader a feeling for what many famous and infamous wrestling personalities are/were really like, as well as the nature of the environments behind-the-scenes in the WWWF/WWF, NWA, WCW and AWA. Cappetta shares stories about Ric Flair, Vince McMahon Sr., Vince McMahon Jr., Mick Foley, The Undertaker, Verne Gagne, Bruno Sammartino, and scores of others in-between.

I would highly recommend this book to any fans of pro wrestling, past or present. You get an intelligent and honest view of the inner and outer workings of the business.

Very good book
As a referee, I have had the pleasure of working some shows that Gary Michael Cappetta has appeared at. Being only 19 years old and anti-WCW in my teen days as a fan, I will admit that I hadn't seen any of his work, or any that I can remember of the few times I watched WCW while he was still employed there. I went to his site out of curiosity and read the positive reviews of the book. After talking to him, I learned a great deal from Mr. Cappetta, so I got the book. It was without a doubt one of the best reads I have ever picked up. His knowledge of the business, the art, the "game", and so on in the book is just amazing. I would recommend this book in a heartbeat to anyone breaking into the business or anyone looking for a good modern history of professional wrestling, because Mr. Cappetta is one of the few who has been there and seen it and done it all.

A modern classic for this genre.
I was fortunate enough to get a copy of Cappetta's book before it started charting here on Amazon, and after reading several other books on the topic pro-wrestling, his remains among the finest of it's kind. It stands apart from that of its peers through Gary's earnest delivery, his in-depth descriptions of the business's best and worst aspects, and the effects that the industry has had on the public, the players, and on him. It's brutally honest without being venomous, incredibly heart-felt, and undeniably entertaining. On a scale of one to five, I give it a six.

Bodyslams Sets the Standard.
Bodyslams! has set a very high standard to me which all wrestling biographies will be judged. ... Read more

Reviews (7)

Know what you're getting!
This is a serious work by a professor of history. It ISN'T filled with anecdotes ("And then Walter said to Bobby ..."), descriptions of shots ("Bobby then drilled a quail-high mashie between the towering pines ..."), gossip, swing analyses, etc. If this is what you're looking for, you'll be sorely disappointed. It's fairly dry -- make that extremely dry -- but is well-researched (hundreds of endnotes) and will be fascinating for anyone with an interest in the history of American golf. The format is a dual biography of Jones and Hagen in which their respective careers are compared and contrasted to give the reader an understanding of the rise of American golf in the era 1900-1930. The two men were so different in virtually every respect that this approach is very effective. Those who think golf began with Palmer, Nicklaus or Woods will gain an appreciation of what "gods" Jones and Hagen really were during the era in which they played. Hagen especially tends to be overlooked, but this book is an important reminder that he was one of the true greats of the game in addition to being one of its two or three all-time "characters." I didn't have the feeling that the author was particularly knowledgeable or avid about the game -- instead, this is a work of historical research, just as you or I might produce a history of badminton if we were willing to spend the time to do the research. When you're done, you won't "know" Bobby Jones as well as you'd know him if you read his and O. B. Keeler's own voluminous writings, and you won't be a fount of anecdotes, but you will have a solid grasp of Jones' and Hagen's place in history, how golf became an American obsession and how American golf eclipsed British golf. All of this for the price of a couple of dozen Top-Flite x-outs.

Great read
After reading this book, I found that Dr. Stephen Lowe really brings to life the lives of Bobby Jones and Walter Hagen. This book is written in a descriptive oriented reading. Before reading this book, I found that golf was not much of a sport. I found that there is truly a rich history in golf that I have come to respect and want to learn more about. I applaud Dr. Lowe and hope to read future writings.

A Very Insightful Book!
A meticulously researched book, an asset to any avid golfers bookshelf.

All facts!
I was very disapointed in this book. It seemed more like a collection of facts than a insightful biography. I felt I learn little about the two man that I could not have found in a enclopedia.

Great Insight into two of Golf's Legends
This is reminiscent of an old book I read which compared the tennis careers of Arthur Ashe and Clark Graebner. They came from two different societal classes. Thus, there approach to the game and its structure were opposed at times, and yet had many crossovers and parallels.

Possibly, this explains their differences and similarities. One who came from the country club environ might more easily been able to afford the luxury of amateur status and gentlemanly approach, while the other clawed and fought for each millimeter of turf to get and stay on the top.

Jones is already a bright star in our past, and this book shall help to place Sir Walter in his rightful place in our rich golf heritage. We don't consider and give enough credit that without these two Arnie and Jack wouldn't have been able to achieve for golf what they did. I've heard Arnie acknowledge this as well, the class act that he is.

Golf has much to feed on in its history and continue for the generations to come. This wonderful addition to its literary heritage is an brilliantly composed and written volume. ... Read more

Book Description

Since Yao Ming's electrifying NBA debut with the Houston Rockets in 2002, the 7-foot-5 Chinese center has appeared in numerous TV commercials, on magazine covers, and in countless basketball-highlights reels. And yet, despite Yao's status as one of the country's most recognizable sports stars, the remarkable story of how a shy, gangly kid from Shanghai went on to become the NBA's first foreign-born and developed #1 draft pick has remained, until now, largely unknown.

With this memoir, Yao reveals himself as a thoughtful, opinionated young man whose insights extend far beyond the basketball court. He paints a compelling portrait of how his parents, both former Chinese basketball stars and fully aware of the bleak outlook for ex-players, resisted the Chinese government's interest in steering their son into the sport as a child. But the love of the game took hold of Yao as a teenager, and he began to sense both his own potential and the restraints he would face from the bureaucrats who ran the sport. As Yao's success in China grew, it became clear that his future would be with the NBA. But nothing came easily. With riveting detail, Yao recounts the white-knuckle gamesmanship required to win the approval of Chinese officials for his leap to America.

Yao: A Life in Two Worlds vividly chronicles Yao's move from Shanghai to Houston: The sudden millionaire has to learn to drive his newly acquired car; the young man who has only ever had one girlfriend tries to make sense of pro-basketball's hard-partying life off-court; the supremely dominant player in China is transformed into a NBA rookie unnerved at the prospect of facing Shaquille O'Neal. But soon enough, aided by his easygoing manner and sense of humor that has proved so appealing to fans, Yao finds his moorings and flourishes as a major NBA star with a worldwide following.

Sports writer Ric Bucherspent hundreds of hours in conversation with Yao in the U.S. and China, closely tracking the player's feelings and observations during that historic first season with the Rockets. Yao: A Life in Two Worlds is an inspiring account of how one man's faith in himself, hard work, and drive have taken him from national success story to international icon—and helped build a bridge between two countries. ... Read more

Book Description

There is no better-known villain in professional wrestling than Ted DiBiase. But in real life, the Million Dollar Man is not the arrogant, evil character he appears to be on television. Quite the opposite. Ted DiBiase is a kind; caring man who deeply loves his wife and three sons, a man who shares is faith in large group meetings-especially with teens-and who has a deep, genuine walk with Christ. Every Man Has His Price tells the story of Ted's life, from his humble beginnings in a broken home to his days on the pro wrestling circuit, to his dramatic conversion to Christianity a few years ago. Every Man Has His Price is more than a biography. It is the story of a man's compassionate heart for God and for ministry. Readers will be inspired to serve the Lord from wherever they are today, and will see through the life of Ted DiBiase that God can make even a "villain" his beloved child. ... Read more

Reviews (67)

THIS IS THE TRUTH OF WHAT A WRESTLER'S LIFE IS LIKE
Being a wrestler myself, I can asscociate with what Ted has gone through. A wrestlers life, is a very lonely one, and we do it because we love it. Ted is very open about his child hood life, about his school and college years all the way through to his tenture in WCW.. I'm very protective of this bussiness, and Ted tells all in the most respectful way I've ever seen it explained. He does it with a certain type of class that only Ted Dibiase posses. After reading the book, I thanked God that my life prior and during wrestling was and is not as rough as Ted's was, but at the same time, it makes you realise that when things look good, you don't stop your faith, you try to make it stronger. Thanks Ted for writing such a wonderful and inspiring book. Whether you love him or hate him," Every Man Has His Price" will give you a new found respect for Ted, wrestling, and the works of the Lord. I give the book 4 stars cause I thought pictures of his career should have been added, then it would have been 5. ---God Bless All

Black Glove treatment
Ted Dibiase, a.k.a The Million Dollar Man, has added to the growing pantheon of professional wrestling autobiographies / biographies with this self-authored tome. Dibiase, a second-generation professional wrestler, has lived the life and walked the walk that so many wrestling fans desire to read about. The autobiography is a quick read but nonetheless full of candor and detail. Most interesting to me was the circuitous professional history of Iron Mike Dibiase, the father of the Million Dollar Man. These tales of the old days in professional wrestling totally ground the reader in hard work habits and touring road life, moving families about to stay fresh in the public eye. Dibiase's story is one of trial and error. He endured the deaths of both of his parents (both professional wrestlers) and survived the consolidation of the pro wrestling "territories" into just a few dinosaurs, eventually ending where we are at today with one professional organization, the WWE. Dibiase attended college in Texas on a football scholarship, and met several other future pro wrestlers there. The book also chronicles the religious development of Dibiase, presenting a unique Christian point-of-view within the professional wrestling circles that Dibiase was forced to retire from due to injuries suffered in the ring. If you are planning on buying this book for lurid detail and scandal, save your money for the tabloids. Dibiase is a straight-shooter who does without cussing. His biggest shortcoming is that he dropped out of college to earn money as a wrestler to support his family. With his deep bass voice and loaded black glove (his original trademark before becoming the Million Dollar Man) Dibiase could make a good political candidate. I came away from reading this book with more respect for Dibiase and his way of living life. He is a real person with a real voice. He also could have made the book longer with more anecdotes about his accomplishments inside the ring, with more name-dropping and historical recollection. If anything, Dibiase is too modest about his long career. This book is still well worth the cost of admission to glimpse behind the curtain and see the wrestlers as human instead of performers.

The Only Book I've Ever STOPPED Reading
I read about 3/4's of this book and stopped when he stated that he made many mistakes in his marriage and behind the scenes but wouldn't pollute the book with details.

This book was basically a couple hundred pages about God, and while that isn't always a bad thing it is when its in a wrestling book.

Don't waste your money and get Tom Billington or Missy Hyatt's books which are great reads on other wrestlers and backstage happenings.

waste of money
dibiase was in the business for over 20 years. for a man with that much experience he sure wrote a terrible book. he rarely talks about the other wrestlers he met in all those years.too much information about his pre-wrestling years. i'm a wrestling fan for 25 years, i want to read about wrestling and the wrestlers. dibiase wastes chapter after chapter talking about playgrounds, grammer school, how many times he had to move, his grandmother. he talks about his wcw days for approximately 3 pages - what a rip-off.he's a fake and a coward when he refuses to talk about his preChristian partying days. don't waste your time, read dynamite kid's book(british bulldogs)- much more entertaining

Every man will be bored
This book was not the wrestling bio I was looking for. Dibiase doesn't go into detail about the "unholy" things that he has participated in during his lifetime. He instead likes to focus on the positive aspects of having God in his life. Thats all well and good but I thought the book was a wrestling bio not a 200 page infomercial for the church. Bottom line..........if you want wrestling stories and detail this is not the book for you. However, if your looking for a great story about a man's love for Jesus Christ this book is great ... Read more

Book Description

Meet Steve Scott:three-time Olympian, the American mile record holder (at 3:47.69), and runner of 136 sub-4:00 miles and counting.His talent and determination have led him to the pinnacle of worldwide track and field for the better part of his 20-year career.Scott chronicles his epic battles with European milers while tracing the modern day history of the sport; he tackles the controversial issues facing track and field and talks frankly about the demands placed on his family life as a result of his grueling international racing schedule.Scott also speaks about his recent fight against testicular cancer, reveals how he overcame that life-threatening illness, and stresses the importance of staying fit for a healthy life.Now forty, Scott has entered the masters divisionand he has one more goal to reach.Watch for him in 1997 as he pushes to break the masters mile record set by his longtime competitor, Eamonn Coglan, at 3:58.15.Inspirational, thoughtful, and packed with Scotts wacky antics as the track circuits leading practical joker, The Miler is sure to delight running enthusiasts and all those who love athletics.Steve Scott is the most extraordinary American mile runner in history.Currently sponsored by Asics running shoes and Soaring Eagle Ventures, Scott lives with his wife and three children in southern California.Marc Bloom is a ... Read more

Reviews (2)

An overlooked classic which serious runners will love.
Near the end of Steve Scott's autobiography he talks about running in the National Cross Country Championships in Montana. (There are pictures of the race in the book.) It was 4 degrees and snowy. Scott was past his prime as one of the great milers in the world. He didn't need to run this race; few world class milers run serious 10K Cross Country at any time let alone in their declining years. But Steve Scott loves to run; he loves to train very hard and run very fast. He finished 10th that day, not far behind distance greats like Todd Williams and Pat Porter, and just a few seconds away from qualifying as a member of the U.S. team for the World Cross Country Championships. Afterwards he overheard a couple of young runners talking. One said, in obvious surprise: "Did you see Steve Scott finished 10th? I thought he'd retired." His friend responded, "I thought he was dead." Well, Steve Scott ain't dead folks, and I'll bet wherever he is right now, he's still running far and fast. Scott's autobiography has been out for two years now, and it hasn't caught on the way many of the books on jogging have. But it should! Serious runners will love it, and even joggers will be fascinated by its honesty and by the character - in both senses of that word - that Scott reveals. Jim Ryun remains the legendary American miler, but he would have been 30 meters behind Scott in their best races. Ryun gave up the sport in his early 20s because he couldn't handle the pressure; Scott raced at the highest levels for close to twenty years. Scott clearly loves running! He loves being really fit and training hard. With the help of Marc Bloom, the longtime dedicated chronicler of Cross Country and Track, Scott helps us understand that love. He was "Pre" (Prefontaine) without the sharp edges. He deserves to be better known and more honored. But even if that never happens, no one can ever take away what he accomplished. The numbers - 3:47.69, and 136 sub-4:00s - will stand for as long as runners circle thae track for four laps.

America's best miler reviews his career, warts and all.
The sport of track and field has only a limited audience in the U.S. American athletes typically receive recognition only after setting a world record or winning an Olympic gold medal. Steve Scott, America's top miler throughout the 1980s, did neither. In his book, The Miler, Scott writes of a running career in which he unquestionably was America's best miler (his U.S. record of 3:47.69, set in 1982, still stands), and certainly one of the world's best (10 consecutive years ranked among the world's top 10 milers by Track & Field News). Yet without a world record or Olympic gold medal to his credit, Scott remained virtually unknown outside the small U.S. track and field community. The Miler traces Scott's reluctant beginnings as a high school runner, his development into a national-class competitor in college, and his emergence as a world-class racer. Along the way we're treated to profiles of Scott's leading international competitors, all icons in the history of the mile: John Walker, Eamonn Coghlan, Sebastian Coe, Steve Ovett and Said Aouita. Scott beat them all, but not in either of the two races -- the '84 or '88 Olympics -- which would have brought him the recognition and financial rewards that accompany a gold medal. The Miler is not simply a book about running. Scott details the struggles he faced to support his wife and kids early in his career, when track and field was still regarded as an "amateur" sport. Scott also writes frankly of the toll the nomadic career of a track and field athlete exacted upon his marriage. Although it probably was cathartic for Scott to write these passages, it is uncomfortable for even a dedicated track & field fan to read. Despite this, I admire Scott for his willingness to write something other than the puff pieces that frequently pass for the biographies of famous athletes. He deals frankly with some of track and fields' unsavory elements -- unscrupulous meet promoters, under-the-table payments, agents, drugs, stars avoiding races with potential rivals, and track's governing bodies -- and isn't afraid of putting himself in the middle of situations that don't frame him in the best light. In fact, perhaps in an effort to balance his career's many triumphs, he frequently seems to come down too hard on himself. He writes extensively of his failures at the Olympics, but covers the race in which he set the American record for the mile in a few paragraphs. He takes great pride in having run more sub-4 minute miles (136) than any miler in history, but dwells more on how another runner, John Walker, beat him to the "media friendly" 100th sub-4 mile goal. I would have liked to have read more of his numerous triumphs, and less of his real or perceived shortcomings. Scott also write of the challenge of, and eventual triumph over, his most formidable opponent: cancer. The story of his recovery from testicular cancer and return to competition demonstrates that sheer force of will, more than physical ability, is the true mark of a champion. The Miler certainly will appeal to fans of track & field. But it should also find a wider audience among those who are curious as to the challenges, costs and rewards that come to those who strive for world class status in any field. For in The Miler Scott shows himself to be a winner not only on the track, but also in the ongoing race called life. ... Read more

Book Description

Ben Hogan’s former ball shagger recounts firsthand stories of the golf legend—and reveals, for the first time, Hogan’s Swing Secret, a source of mystery to golfers for more than fifty years.

Ben Hogan’s pro-golf record is legendary. A four-time PGA Player of the Year, he celebrated sixty-three tournament wins and became known as a man of few words and fewer close friends. Most of what we know about Hogan has been based on myth and speculation. Until now.

In the 1960’s, though Hogan’s competitive career was over, he kept the practice habits that had made him famous and remade modern competitive golf. He hired fifteen-year-old Jody Vasquez to help. Each day, after driving to a remote part of the course at theShady Oaks Country Club, Hogan would spend hours hitting balls, and Vasquez would retrieve them. There, and over the course of their twenty-year friendship, Hogan taughtJody the mechanics of his famous swing and shared his thoughts on playing, practicing, and course management—unknowingly revealing much about his character, values, and beliefs, and the events that shaped them.

In Afternoons with Mr. Hogan, Jody Vasquez shares dozens of stories aboutHogan, from the way he practiced, selected his clubs, and interacted with other star players to his little-known humor and generosity. Combining the gentle insight of TomKite’s A Fairway to Heaven (which recalls Kite’s golf education under HarveyPenick) with the sage perspective of Penick’s own Little Red Book, Vasquez’s tribute is funny, poignant, and full of advice for golfers of all levels.
... Read more

Reviews (6)

Not much to this book
Not much here that hasn't already been written about Hogan. The so-called "Secret" is nothing more than a rehash of old swing tips that the author (a scratch golfer) apparently never thought was significant enough to incorporate in his own swing, but now after 37 years, believes is "book material". In my opinion, there isn't much to this book and it wasn't very interesting. I watched Hogan hit shag balls and that was a lot more interesting than reading this book.

Pleasant but light
This is a pleasant little book of not much consequence. Golfer's probably won't learn anything about Hogan that they didn't already know, but they'll have a few more stories to share. Let's face it, he wasn't a bucket of laughs. The famous "secret" isn't all that secret. The cupped left wrist was revealed in Hogan's own book, and the action of the right knee isn't much of an addition. Frankly, the most interesting parts of the book are the descriptions of Hogan's clubs and practice routine. We learn here for the first time that Hogan's clubs were 4 degrees open and, hence, produced his famous power fade. Unfortunately, we're not told how he hit a hook, a shot at which he was equally adept. That would have been interesting. We also learn that he practiced from the bottom up, i.e., he hit short clubs before long clubs, and that he alternated fades and draws in succession. His command of his shotmaking is emphasized over and over, but we already knew that. So, if you're a Hogan aficionado, here's nice book to read. If you're not, there are better choices.

Answers Are In The Dirt!
This is simply a great book on one of, if not the best golfer ever. He did it with intense work, not pr or friendliness. He knew the golf swing for himself, and demonstrated that.

Here an amazing sharing of his involvement with this man, a young man who shags balls and watches, and shags and watches and interacts for the rest of their lives together.

The simpleness, yet dramaticness of this relationship is revealed in brevity in terms of words and pages, but pondering what goes on in these 160 pages is intense and profitable for golfers.

For those outside golf, Hogan must come off as insolent and insensitive. Yet, he is ultimate golfer. The Swing Secret is revealed, and it is amazing, right knee and left wrist. Am going to find out "in the dirt myself."

The stories here are priceless and will continue the great mystique and rightful place of the Hawk. Favorites include the response to the German pro watching him during Kostis GD story, "You're a golf pro. You should know the answer."

The second was the ad shoot. Hogan readies himself for filming hitting three consecutive terrible swings. Then on cue, perfect contact and swing.

People want the easy way out. To hurdle over the time and expenditure of effort and toil and yes, dirt. Hogan was not of this mold. Golfers appreciate this. You must find yourself and have confidence that you know what the shot required feels like and can repeat it.

A rare one to be reread, and rethought, and used "in the dirt." Thanks, Jody.

Nice job of describing a complex man
Not being a golfer, I read the book because I have always been fascinated by the mystique that surrounds Ben Hogan. Golfers have maintained an almost religious devotion to Hogan and the stories that feed into his legendary status in the game.

Mr. Vasquez writes with obvious reverence as Mr. Hogan clearly had a great and sustained influence on him.

However, reading it with only cursory knowledge of Mr. Hogan's life (i.e., his bus accident and long rehab), I came away feeling that Mr. Hogan is not the type of person you'd like to spend alot of time with. He is intense, intimidating, and seems to have the need to control the rules pertaining to all interactions with him. In this regard, he reminds me of other "difficult sports geniuses" like Ted Williams, Bill Russell, or Bobby Knight.

Mr. Vasquez recounts that Nick Faldo paid almost $10,000 to charter a flight to visit Ben Hogan and Hogan didn't even agree to watch Faldo hit a few balls. I was also struck by the warning given to Faldo prior to his visit, "Don't ask Mr. Hogan any questions about putting." Apparently Hogan, a notoriously pedestrian putter, would end the meeting if it deviated from his "comfort zone."

It's amazing how behavior that we wouldn't accept in ordinary acquaintances is okay if you have a precocious talent to hit a golf ball, throw a ball through a hoop, or run fast.

Anyway, that's just my humble opinion.

Local Legend - Local Author
As a resident of the Fort Worth area I have heard most of the stories about Mr. Hogan. Jody brings many of these stories to reality. Although many will read this book for 'the secret', I think most will find the first-hand stories most appealing. They are humorous, insightful and revealing. It was an enjoyable read and on my gift list for friends and business associates. ... Read more

Book Description

Reviews (6)

A Terrific Read; Americana at its Best
An enjoyable and engrossing examination of a unique confluence of time, place, and people ... Eastern European Jewish immigrants, their first-generation-American children, the Great Depression, Brownsville NY, and the crime Syndicate born of Prohibition.

Ron Ross recreates a world of candy stores, pushcart vendors, tenement apartments, petty thugs, corner gyms, notorious gangsters, and the struggle for life and dignity admist poverty, crime, and prejudice. Vivid, colorful, and often humorous, it's also grim, unblinking, and heart rending.

A great book for students of Jewish-American history, for boxing enthusiasts, for organized crime buffs, and for those who simply appreciate a great story.

devasting story of trying to survive the depression...
what a masterpiece....it parrallels the rise and fall of jewish mobsters and al "bummy" davis during the great depression in brownsville, brooklyn, the toughest neighborhood around ...davis rose above it to become a top lightweight contender during the late 30's...he had his ups and downs crossing paths with murder inc, who prevented him from fighting for the championship...however, his story is more....he's a fierce customer in and out of the ring, but does have a heart of gold...he doesn't want to be rich and famous, he wants to buy his parents a house and have a wife and family....he stands up to the mobsters admirably, even at his own loss....the book details the candy stores, shops and pushcarts of depression life,of which "bummy" got his start....there's a cast of characters named, "bugsy" "puggy" and "fat yerna" etc...your emotions will be stirred as to what happens to them...i'm glad i read this book and would like to say i have more admiration for al "bummy" davis than anyone else except my own father who grew up in similar surroundings in the bronx...

A Great Human Interest Story
You don't have to be a fan of boxing to enjoy this book. It is more of a human interest story than anything else. Once you start reading this book, you will find it very difficult to put down. As you are reading this book, you feel like you are transformed back to Brownsville, Brooklyn with all of the characters and living in that time period. Congratulations to Ron Ross for his hard work and research of an ill-fated boxer who had a heart of gold and got a bum rap from the press and the media. This book is simply a must read for everyone who enjoys reading.

Depression era Brooklyn
Ron Ross' dazzlingly descriptive biographical novel does a wonderful job in the recreation of the Brooklyn Jewish ghetto of Brownsville during the throes of the Great Depression. Ross exhaustively researched his material to give us a feel for the sights, sounds, smells of the crowded, sometimes squalid tenement that Brownsville was, complete with Yiddish expressions and verbiage common for the time.

Brownsville spawned both Murder Inc., the Jewish Mafia, and Albert Abraham Davidoff, better known as Bummy Davis, a dynamic lightweight boxing contender with a thunderous left hook. Murder Inc. was headed by Louis "Lepke" Buchalter. He used local Jewish thugs such Abe "Kid Twist" Reles, "Pittsburgh Phil" Strauss and "Buggsy" Goldstein to enforce policies
of protection, loan sharking, extortion, prostitution, and bootlegging. They terrorized the community using murder to keep everyone in line.

Davis, whose dad was a local merchant, had an older brother Willie who was a Lepke henchman. Davis who was a loyal, thoughtful, industrious and respectful guy, could never shake a negative image brought about by the exploits of his brother. After working as a fruit peddlar from a pushcart at the tender age of 10, he soon discovered that his fighting skills learned on the streets could be honed into productive boxing skills.

He turned professional at 16 lying about his age and became a money making prize fighter with exceptional skills. He used his money to buy his parents a home and refused to be controlled by the mobsters in cohoots with Murder Inc.

The story goes on to chronicle both the rise anf fall of the Brownsville Jewish mafia. Unfortunately the storied life of Bummy Davis was also abbreviated. At the tender age of 25 having retired from boxing due to the rampant corruption and prejudices that existed and about to begin a new career, he was gunned down in a bar room stick up trying to protect his friends.

MY FAVORITE BOOK OF 2003
ALL I HAVBE TO SAY IS WOW... WHAT A GREAT BOOK. THE DOPES IN HOLLYWOOD HAD BETTER MAKE THIS INTO A MOVIE FAST. THIS BOOK READS LIKE THE BEST FIGHT STORY OF ALL TIME. I ESPECIALLY LOVED THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN BUMMY AND HIS BROTHER. DON'T WALK... RUN TO BUY THIS BOOK. I READ IT IN ONE NIGHT.

RON ROSS KEEP IT UP. I THINK YOU HAVE ANOTHER 10 BOOKS IN YOU JUST FROM THIS ONE. INCLUDING THE STORY OF LEPKE, GURRAH AND THE OTHER BOYS. HOW ABOUT ONE ABOUT ALL THE JEWISH BOXERS INCLUDING BENNY LEONARD AND RUBY GOLDSTEIN?

THIS IS A CLASSIC. ... Read more

Book Description

Considered the Mt. Everest of diving, the Andrea Doria is the ultimate deepwater wreck challenge. Over the years, a small but fanatical group of extreme scuba divers have investigated the Andrea Doria, pushing themselves to the very limits of human endurance to explore her -- and not all have returned. Diver Kevin McMurray takes you inside this elite club with a hard, honest look at those who go deeper, farther, and closer to the edge than others would ever dream.

Deep Descent is the riveting true story of the human spirit overcoming human frailty and of fearsome, mortal risks traded for a hard-core adrenaline rush. Chronicling these adventures in his page-turning narrative and in dozens of dramatic photos, McMurray draws us deeper into the cold heart of the unforgiving sea, giving us a powerful vision of a place to which few will ever have the skills -- or the courage -- to go. ... Read more

Reviews (27)

Every technical diver should read this book!
Kevin McMurray gives readers a glimpse into the real-life adventures of divers who brave the cold, dark waters of the Atlantic to visit the wreck of the Andrea Doria. The author's research is sound, the information he presents on the physiology of hyperbaric medicine and technical diving techniques is accurate, and his portraits of the men and women whose lives and work are most identified with Doria diving seem fair and unbiased.

Comparisons between Deep Descent and Bernie Chowdhury's recent book The Last Dive are inevitable, since both cover the experiences of people who have lost their lives diving deep wrecks. In my opinion, McMurray's book is the more readable and his coverage of the technology associated with the sport are presented in a more organized (and less repetitive) way. Not that Chowdhury's book isn't good--simply keep in mind that reviewers who like it better than Deep Descent are expressing an opinion, not a truth.

Yes, there are several textual errors in McMurray's book that should have been noticed by the copy editor, but they are few in number and don't detract from the overall story. I thoroughly enjoy each book written by Doria pioneer Gary Gentile, despite the copy errors (in fact, I recommend Gentile's Andrea Doria: Dive to an Era for some truly gripping accounts of the author's own dives into the bowels of the great liner).

I can recommend Deep Descent without hesitation to every diver who has, or wants to, dive any shipwreck at any depth at any time. Sadly, some of the most valuable lessons for technical divers are learned by examining the fatal mistakes made by others.

Excellant book for wreck divers
This is a great book about diving the Andrea Doria dealing mostly with the deaths that have occured and how they happened. If you have been around this type of diving for awhile you will recognize most of the people mentioned and quoted (Billy Deans, John Chatterton, Gary Gentile and so on). The deaths and the events leading up to them are described in graphic detail including several photos of the dead divers being recovered. Kevin McMurray goes into great detail in terms of analyzing the accidents including what boat they were diving on, who they were diving with, type of gas being used, type of equipment, the dive plan and such. No attempt was made to sugar coat the tragic events, just the hard details and facts with enough background information on each diver to help you better understand the complete picture.

This book was definetly not written for or about recreational diving. No single tank air dives on pretty tropical reefs and 82 degree water. This book is about hard core wreck divers pushing the limits in deep cold water with poor vis and strong currents.

If you enjoyed 'Last Dive' then you will surely like this book. I know that I couldn't put the book down.

Great Read!!
Kevin has captured the suspense of the Empress and put the reader right into the action, both in the tragic sinking of the ship and the later searches of the wreck. I found my self breathing deeply as if I was trying to suck air from a regulator. The book draws the reader into the adventure much like the book The Perfet Storm. Hard to put down.

Essential Reading
Essential reading for any budding deep or wreck diver. This book is not a technical diving manual, but rather an account of what not to do when you go diving. The book is well written and you will have difficulty in putting it down. Well worth the money and essential reading for any diver with intermediate experience.

Required Reading For Hardcore Divers
All wreck divers should read this book. ... Read more

Book Description

The faces and stories of the sprawling Gracie family, who transformed Brazilian jiu-jitsu from an unknown street technique into the dominant form of martial arts today, are captured here. Introduced are Grandmaster Helio Gracie, who as a frail boy in Brazil in the 1930s developed the art, creating leverage techniques that allowed him to overcome other martial artists, regardless of size or strength; Rickson Gracie, the mystical family champion who has never been defeated in combat; and Royce Gracie, the most famous active martial artist in the United States, who put Brazilian jiu-jitsu on the map by winning the first three Ultimate Fighting Championships before the largest pay-per-view audiences in history. In addition to stunning action shots of the Gracies in all the legendary matches and their unique perspectives on what really went on during those fights, this book includes archival photos of the family, from their beginnings in Brazil in the 1930 to the present day and the new generation of champions. Fans will learn of Renzo's transformation from Rio street brawler to New York celebrity and revered teacher; of Royce and Royler's exploits as mischievous kids; and of Rickson's battle against one of Rio's toughest drug gangs. ... Read more

Reviews (17)

Truly Illuminating...
Alright, I have been won over. I have been practicing the de-fanged form of jiu-jitsu known as judo for quite some time now and always thought it was an effective martial art. But after being bested in tournament after tournament by novices in the devastatingly effective South American art of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, I decided to buy this book to see what all the fuss was about. I was blown away.

Though it doesn't really include techniques (there are many other books by Royce, Ralph, Renzo, or Cesar that do), it did inspire me with tales of the first family of vale tudo fighting. Each chapter detailing the exploits of a Gracie family member makes me wish I wasn't suffering in this bleak Michigan landscape, but learning from the originators of no holds barred combat in beautiful Brazil.

Outstanding history, pictures and annecdotes
This is truly a unique write-up of the Gracie family, pioneers of Brazilian jiu jitsu and modern martial arts. The book is organized around chapters from the founders of Gracie Jiu Jitsu (Carlos and Helio) through the family champions (Carlson, Rolls and Rickson), famous instructors (Rorion and Carlos Jr.) and modern champions (Royler, Renzo & Royce).

Behind the backdrop of personal biographies is a history of the art. Brazilian jiu jitsu started with Count Koma, who taught it to Carlos, who in turn taught it to Helio. Helio, Carlson and Rolls all put their own personal imprints on the art while in Brazil. Rorion brought the art to the US, introducing it to the masses through the Ultimate Fighting Championship.

Although the book paints a very positive picture of the family, it does cover some of the troubles the family has seen. Royler, Renzo and Royce's defeats at the hands of Sakuraba are covered, as well as the breakup of Carlos's team of champions.

The photographs alone make the book a treasure. Kid Peligro has unequaled family archives, which provides stories not heard elsewhere. In addition, he was able to interview many friends of the family such as Romero "Jacare" Cavalcanti and Carlao Valente.

A very interesting book to anyone interested in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and the history. There's something new for everyone. Except maybe technique - that's another book! :-)

Beautiful Pictures. However, stories seem a bit fabricated..
Despite ranking the book 3 stars out of 5, I will go ahead and say that this book is a must have for anyone practicing brazilian jiujitsu. I have been into the sport for years, and I truly value my copy of this book. The pictures are beautiful, and I love how the chapters are broken down into each of the brothers/cousins. However, I believe the stories on each of the brothers seem a bit fabricated. They may be real, but the diction employed by the author seems to exaggerate and stretch the truth. Peligro is a great writer. With his skills, I believe he could have done a better job on this book.

Written with loving care...and exceptional bias.
I fully echo what J. Steele has said in an earlier review. The production on this book is fantastic. If you are a Gracie fan, you will be in heaven. For the layman, this is a really interesting read...if you heed the warnings. For the martial arts historian or fan, this book is severely lacking in the credibility department.

Kid Peligro does indeed have unparalleled access to the Gracie family, and the quality of the family photos and interviews reflects this. The reporting of some of the more controversial events is where the problem lies. An outsider reading this book would not believe that Sakuraba had beaten half the Gracie family soundly in MMA. Gracie losses are mere footnotes, or passed off as no-contests. Similarly the report of Helio's historic loss to Kimura spends more in describing Helio beating Kato, then insinuating that Kimura was bigger, younger and stronger than Helio - well maybe Helio shouldn't have challenged him then. After Kimura breaks Helio's arm, there is the ridiculous suggestion that the whole thing was a ploy for Helio to glean knowledge from Kimura, and in some way this was a victory - Helio had "learned everything he could from Kimura."

Sadly the text is riddled with such obvious and disappointing bias. Just a little less rhetoric would have made this book outstanding.

A CLASSY PRODUCTION
Kid Peligro did a great job with this book. It is filled with rich insights and extremely readable.

Yes, it is a celebration - not a critique or objective history, but a very well put together book.

Apart from the wins and losses, it gives you some idea of the soul of the Gracies, a unique family like no other.

Anyone vaguely interested in Brazilian Jiu-jitsu or the world of fighting should take a look.

We need more books like this one! ... Read more