Book Description

In Ten Rings, Yogi Berra tells the stories behind each of his remarkable ten championship seasons, spanning 1947 through 1962. A time when players played for the love of the game and worked as salesmen and pipe-fitters in the off-season to put food on the table, a time when dynasties were born and baseball became the national pastime.

Each season brought its own drama. In 1947, Yogi the rookie struggled behind the plate, and his unlikely physique -- knock-kneed and barrel-shaped -- earned him the nickname "The Ape." But the name calling didn't faze Yogi. After all, he said, he didn't have to hit with his face. And he had the last laugh. In 1949, Bill Dickey came out of retirement to, as Yogi said, "learn me his experiences" and mold him into the Hall of Fame catcher he would become. Then came a string of five consecutive Yankees World Series victories, which no other team in history has ever matched. The year 1951 was Joe DiMaggio's final season...and Mickey Mantle's first. In 1956 was Don Larsen's perfect game in the World Series. And much more.

Reviews (3)

Yogi Berra tells the story behind each of his "Ten Rings"
I feel that I can make the claim that Yogi Berra is the most beloved living baseball player, without the same sort of argument I would get if I happened to be making a claim about the greatest living baseball player (Mays or Bonds or Aaron?) or the most admired living baseball player (Musical or Ryan or Aaron?). But who else brings a big smile to your face when you see him still doing commercials on television almost four decades after he retired from playing baseball?

"Ten Rings: My Championship Seasons" was written by Yogi with Dave Kaplan, a former newspaper reporter who is currently the director of the Yogi Berra Museum and Learning Center, and you have the sense that Yogi was looking at his scrap books and press clippings talking about what he remembers from each of the ten seasons in which he and the Yankees won the World Series. Yogi also comments on the four years the Yankees lost the Fall Classic and the three years they did not even win the American League pennant, but the focus is mainly on what those ten seasons that ended with him receiving one of his "Ten Rings."

I have read most of the books by and about Yogi since I was given a copy of Joe Trumbell's biography in the mid-1960s, and I was rather surprised by how many new stories Yogi came up with for this trip down memory lane. Especially interesting "Ten Rings" are what he has to say about Casey Stengle during the 1949-53 seasons when the Yankees became the first team to win five World Series in a row, and his thoughts about the Brooklyn Dodgers during all their classic confrontations in the 1950s. He also provides some nice details on the end of Allie Reynolds's second no-hitter in 1951. Some readers might be dismayed that Berra has little bad to say about his teammates and opponents, although I think it is clear he felt about Yankee GM George Weiss the way many feel about the team's owner George Steinbrenner today, but clearly Yogi is long past holding grudges. He talks about some of the abuse heaped on him in the early days of his major league career and speaks modestly about his own impressive career accomplishments.

If you read between the lines the key thing you will pick up is the sense of teamwork and professionalism that existed on the Yankees during the Berra years. This book will be of some value to baseball historians in that it contains Yogi's thoughts on the key players in each championship season as well as some interesting anecdotes that show a different side of the Yankees. For example, Mickey Mantle thought calling pitches was not that hard so Yogi lets him do it during a game Whitey Ford is pitching. Then there is rookie Gil McDougald making a point to veteran pitcher Allie Reynolds. So there are a few choice tales in this rather brief book.

In the fifth grade there were three of us with the same first name and since I had a catcher's mitt, I spent a year as Yogi. It did not matter that Yogi had already retired and that I had never seen him play. I liked New York as a city and the Yankees in the Civil War, so becoming a New York Yankees fan seemed like a good idea. The fact that they had a catcher with basically the same first name and a last name starting with the same three letters as my own, was too obvious to ignore. Since then I have become much more impressed by what Berra did on the field, much more than the celebrated Yogi-isms (although I love the way the best of those make perfect sense if you pay attention to what is meant rather than what is being said). Clearly I am at the point where I will read anything Yogi happens to write, and while we are not talking classic baseball books, you are not going to be disappointed by "Ten Rings" or any of his other volumes.

Final Notes: Yes, the page numbers are superimposed on a miniature image of Yogi's ring for that particular championship season. Also, I find it somewhat ironic that the cover is done in a layout rather reminiscent of the 1965 Topps baseball cards, which was the first year in which Yogi was pictured as a player-coach for the New York Mets. The back of "Ten Rings" has an Appendix listing Yogi Berra's World Series Career Records along with his season and post-season batting stats along with line scores for all of the World Series games for those ten championship seasons.

breezy fun
This light reminiscence of Yogi's ten championship seasons is a quick, pleasant read. Like a fleshed out magazine article, perhaps, it touches on a bit of history, a few sketches of famous teammates, and a recounting of the high spots of this charming hall of famer's career. A good choice for the younger fan with no memory of the game as it was in a simpler time.

Yogi writes about much more than his funny one-liners
Reading 'Ten Rings' is simple fun. It's about 212 pages that feel like 80. The book has a brief introduction to Yogi's life before becoming a Yankee. There are ten chapters - one for each World Series championship season Yogi enjoyed as a Yankee - and then Yogi wraps up with a few more observations on baseball and his life.

What else are you going to get from Yogi's 'Ten Rings?' The best aspect of the book is Yogi's appraisal of two things. First, Yogi offers glimpses into the personalities of people like Joe DiMaggio, Mickey Mantle, Phil Rizzuto, and other Yankees. There is no tell-all or in-depth analysis of their lives, just simple commentaries on them as ballplayers and teammates. By focusing on these friends and teammates, he tries to pass on what it meant (and still means today) to be a New York Yankee and a winner. Occasionally he'll stray to comparing those ballplayers to some of today's, something he could have done much more of to add a bit more depth to the book.

Next, Yogi turns the focus back on himself. Here he is more frank - and still funny - than I expected. In each championship season he highlights the accomplishments anyone would be proud of, whether it's hitting .300 or driving in 100 RBIs. Yogi's not boastful in any way, but reading about his 'Ten Rings' you do get the sense of how underrated he was even back then. Most baseball people didn't give him enough credit unless he was winning a World Series, hitting a home run, or taking home three American League MVP awards.

'Ten Rings' is more amusing than hilarious. Yogi talks about his Yogi-isms but doesn't dwell on them. For a good laugh he has written other books filled with that stuff. This is just a simple read. I read it on three successive nights before going to bed...and I don't even like the Yankees. ... Read more

Book Description

Jackie is known throughout the world as the best female athlete ever - the winner of six Olympic medals, three of them gold; the current world-record holder in the heptathlon (the women's version of the male decathlon); the one-time world-record holder in the long jump; and an All-America basketball player. She grew up in East St. Louis in a house "little more than wallpaper and sticks". Her parents were poor teenagers when they married. She made her first long-jump pit in her backyard from borrowed playground sand. One of her first performances went unrecorded because of the color of her skin. Yet Jackie not only had an innate ability to conquer speed and distance, but possessed an irrepressible personality and a deep, unshakable love of sport. As she harnessed her talents, Jackie began an amazing string of multisport successes. In the midst of it all, she would try to hold her family together after her mother's tragic early death (Mary was only 37), and face her own devastating grief. As she climbed the dizzying heights of international and Olympic competition, she would face relentless media attention that escalated when she married Bob Kersee, her enormously successful - and controversial - coach. As she reached her profession's peak, she would battle life-threatening asthma, unfounded accusations of drug-induced performance enhancement, and recurring injuries. Ultimately, she would unite her experience and determination to achieve the most meaningful victories of all - those that shape and build lives beyond the field. ... Read more

Reviews (7)

A Heart-filled Story of Triumph
Jackie Joyner-Kersee elaborately describes the struggles and obstacles that she had to overcome to become a successful and outstanding athlete and person. Her book is filled with emotions that the reader can intially relate to. Her life was filled with adversity and proves that a strong and self-determined person can triumph regardless of depressing and self-destructing obstacles that may stand in your way. Jackie, who is portrayed through the media to be "Superwoman" is really more human and down to the earth than most of the world. Life for Jackie was not always "peaches and cream." She was born and raised in East St. Louis, which was not known as a very safe place at the time. A reporter once suggested to Jackie that she should not tell people where she was from cause it might destroy her image. This event, however, made Jackie appreciate her hometown even more. You cannot put into words why this woman is thought of as superb. She went from rock bottom to soaring to the unlimited top. With the help of this book, Jackie's title as "The World's Greatest Female Athlete" has been justified.

~TOTALLY AN INSPIRATION, PERFECT ROLE MODEL~
A Kind of Grace is an excellent book. I think everyone should read it. It gave me a whole new look on life and how to appreciate everything I have. It also gave me inspiration to work hard at track. Now I have the heart and determination to train, lift weights, and practice, practice, practice. So everyone please buy and read this wonderful book, A Kind of Grace.

well-written, entertaining, and deeply moving
Jackie Joyner-Kersee's autobiography is everything a biography should be, well-written, entertaining, and deeply moving. Unlike many celebrity bios that center around events, primarily ones that reflect well on the author, Jackie's book is people-centered and equally honest about her struggles as well as her triumphs. She writes with love and admiration about many people who have touched her life both in big and small ways. It is not hard to see why Jackie became the woman and athlete that she is. This book could have just as easily been titled "The World's Greatest Role Model for Young People."

AN ENCOURAGING BOOK
This book was an excellent book to read. I really enjoyed this book. I, myself am a runner and this book pushed me to run like I never ran before. This book gives you so much energy, because it gives you encouragement, and you will believe that any thing is possible.

This is an extremely inspirational book.
"A Kind of Grace", the autobiography of Jackie Joyner Kersee, is quite an inspirational book. It starts out telling about her parents' lives before she was born and goes on to describe the hardships she had to overcome as a child to be the success she is today. She tells about growing up in a lower-class community in East St Louis. She tells of how she had to run on an odd-shaped track, through the halls of her school, and around the neighborgood instead of training an a real track. This book covers everything from her first track team tryouts all the way through her many victories in the Olympic Games.

This book could easily be used as a motivational tool. To see a young girl hit with so many obstacles, only to overcome them and become even stronger, is enough to inspire anyone. She speaks of the role-models who inspired her. Now she is and extremely influential role-model herself. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Finally, a worthy tribute to Michael Jordon,absolutely great
Halberstam's theme remains constant through out this tape. The theme protrays Michael Jordon as competitive and a tough player with a fierceless tenacity to raise the standard of basketball transforming the NBA into big business. Michael Jordon intelligence, hard work, and vision helped him lead his team to six championships and a three repeat. Probably one of the worst days of my life was when Michael Jordon hit a three point shot over Bryon Russell in the 1998 championship final game against the Utah Jazz. One word imprinted on my brain, "No!" as Jordon crushed Utah's dreams of a championship.

The Bulls under Jackson had created the perfect weapon. The perfect weapon being the triangle offense: Jordon, Pippen, Rodman, and the center - synergistically integrated to destroy the opponent's defense. The perfect weapon was not easily formed and Halberstam compliments Jackson's ability to bring all the talent, personalities, and ambitions together into one focus, another championship. Despite management irritation and desire to split the team, Jordon and Jackson managed to negotiate another season, to stay together, one of the greatest seasons of Bulls history. Halberstam details the struggles of Scottie Pippen and his eventual emergence as physically gifted player, the rebounding threat of Rodman, and Jordon's williness to work with Pippen creating the perfect weapon. Jackson would saw Pippen as a critical component to a third championship but struggle to achieve control.

Fierceness on both ends of the court characterized Jordon with him winning both the MVP and the defensive player of the year. Jordon was not happy unless he was winning. The era of Michael Jordon represented increases in crowd attendence, quantum leaps in player contract pay, more spectacular moves, new emerging talent emulating Jordon, and increased media coverage. If you love basket trivia and want to learn more about the formation of the Chicago Bulls during the Jordon era this is an excellent historical documentary.

Halberstam chronological spans events ,such as, Jordon's family life, his father, mother, and brother Larry; Jordon's high school years, his speed and growth; Jordon's player years at North Carolina and respect playing for Dean Smith; Jordon's leadership as he lead his team to a victory capturing the NCAA crown; Pippens defiance of management and arguements of devaluation; the strange behavior of Rodman and his importance as a rebounder; The championship defeat of the raining kings, Los Angles Lakers, and the fustration expressed by Magic Johnson; Jordon's first championship, his joy and relief of winning a championship; the battle, defeat, and conquer of the NY Nicks; and Jordon's retirement.

One of the rare portions of the documentary is Halberstam's insight into Michael Jordon's intelligence, such as, the secret weapon to build strength without increasing significant mass creating a stronger Bulls team. Jordon knew strength was necessary because the game of basketball was become more physical. The strength training payed off as Jordon was able to finish shots after being hit.

Halberstams work represents a change in American culture as basketball came onto center stage. The battle for our minds leaves basketball, Air Jordon's, Spike Lee, and Michael Jordon jumping skyward with arm outstretched ball palmed with tongue out epitimizing one of the greatest players and era's of basketball. Michael Jordon's vision, fame, and hardwork have transformed basketball into the modern sport we know now, black athletes worshipped as Gods of the court with price tags to match. ... Read more

Book Description

When Sandy Tolan was nine years old, his hero left town. In 1965 Henry Aaron and the Milwaukee Braves moved to Atlanta, but unlike the other Milwaukee kids, Sandy continued to follow Aaron's career from afar, straining to hear the games at night through the crackle of distant AM radio stations. Aaron's heroics provided an anchor for Sandy in the turbulent late '60s and early '70s, and the young white fan felt a bond with the black superstar.

In 1973, Sandy began keeping a scrapbook to track his idol's approach to the greatest record in sports -- Babe Ruth's 714 career home runs. But he soon learned that Hank Aaron had become the target of racist hate mail and death threats. Shocked and wishing to help somehow, he wrote Aaron a letter, saying, "Don't listen to them, Mr. Aaron. You're my hero." To his astonishment, he got a letter back. "Dear Sandy," the baseball legend wrote, "Your letter of support and encouragement meant much more to me than I can adequately express in words."

Twenty-five years later, armed with his scrapbook and the old letter, Sandy Tolan went to Atlanta to meet his hero. Me and Hank is a portrait of a true American hero whose example resonates far beyond the playing field. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

Great book that could have eased up on the bitterness
Don't get me wrong -- this was a great read and a provocative book about my favorite ballplayer of all-time. But I thought Tolan was at his best describing the people who experienced Hank Aaron's home run chase firsthand (including himself) and at his worst when his personal memories shifted from fact to opinion.

The tale of his encounter with a homeless Atlanta man who attended the game where Aaron hit No. 715 is beautifully told and moving. His personal friendship with a Babe Ruth admirer ignores racism in his hometown and praises Aaron for his accomplishment illustrates how we need inner strength and conviction not to simply march in tune with those around us. Tolan's interviews with Aaron, his daughter Gaile and former teammates reveal the depth with which Aaron had to endure racism as a ballplayer, and his historical portrait of the racial tension in his hometown of Milwaukee is thorough and fascinating.

But the more Tolan discovers about how unappreciated Aaron truly is, the more preachy -- and less effective -- he becomes. He hits a low point when he grills three advertising executives on their lack of knowledge of Aaron's hardships as they prepare to pay homage to Aaron in a MasterCard commercial. Are they to be blamed for that? All of these people clearly respect Aaron, and they all interviewed Aaron in preparation for the commercial. If he'd really wanted them to know what he endured, he probably would have told them. He also takes some unnecessary shots at the Hall of Fame because they have chosen to pay tribute to Babe Ruth with an entire room, while Aaron gets only a wall. Sure, Aaron deserves a room to himself, so do Jackie Robinson, Bob Gibson, Curt Flood, and many of baseball's other African-American pioneers. They don't. Deal with it.

One need not be a walking encyclopedia of Aaron's life, as Tolan is, to appreciate his accomplishments achieved under extreme duress. Let those who appreciate Aaron for who he is -- a great ballplayer and a great man -- simply be. The irony is, I'm with Tolan on his central argument, that Aaron is one of the greatest and most underappreciated Americans in history. I'll even go far as to say you can't prove Ruth is better than Aaron, because Ruth played an all-white game and didn't necessary play against the best. But Ruth made the game popular. If not for Babe Ruth and what he did to make baseball America's pastime, Aaron's chase wouldn't have inspired the rancor that it did. People wouldn't have cared.

Sandy, let's enjoy being Hank Aaron fans by not wasting our time beating up those who don't appreciate him to the extreme degree we do.

Must read !
Sandy Tolan did a good job interviewing many people, including Hank Aaron, to do this book. Hank Aaron is a wonderful person who deserves much more recognition for what he has done both on the field and off. The book is very well done. It makes you think.

Wonderful and moving
What a wonderful book! This is a fitting tribute to a man who has been shamefully underrated in American life, as well as a probing look at race relations in the past forty-plus years, seen through the prism of baseball and Hank Aaron's breaking of Babe Ruth's record. Like the author, I grew up in Milwaukee, although I am a bit older and so I saw Hank Aaron hit many of his home runs. His dignity and grace are a precious memory of my youth. Also like the author, I wrote Hank Aaron a letter when I learned that racists were hounding him for challenging Ruth, and received an eloquent letter in reply from Mr. Aaron. This book, with its highly personal approach to the subject, is a multifaceted view of a revealing part of American life. I couldn't recommend it more highly. ... Read more

Amazon.com

Left for Dead is a deeply personal story, told in first person by a variety of people who contributed to the survival of Beck Weathers during the Everest accident of 1996 that left nine climbers dead. It goes past the tragedy to discuss why Weathers got involved in climbing in the first place, his lengthy and painful recovery, and the all-important relationship with his wife, Margaret (commonly referred to as Peach). Without Peach's hope and tenacity, it's likely that rescue efforts would not have been continued, and Weathers may never have recovered from the hypothermic coma and its dreadful results. The story of their relationship--they were estranged at the time of the accident--is told from both perspectives, and his obsession with mountains seems almost like another family member. The overall tone is straightforward and conversational: children, pets, and clothing feature as prominently as reconstructive surgery and heroic rescues. But no matter how plainly they are told, the events of that climb are sure to bring tears. Rob Hall's last conversation with his wife, climbers disappearing into the storm, Anatoli Boukreev's rescuing three people, and Weathers and climbing partner Yasuko being left for dead are just a few from a long list. Still, you'll find yourself laughing just pages later, when Weathers gets his rescue team to sing "Chain of Fools" while hiking back to safety--you can imagine Peach being in full agreement of that song's appropriateness. The Everest deaths affected people around the world, and this chronicle of one survivor and his family is a hopeful reminder of the good that can result from such tragedies. --Jill Lightner ... Read more

Reviews (73)

INCREDIBLE story, not the greatest book
Beck Weathers story could be the most incredible individual survivor-story in the history of Mt. Everest and possibly in history.The first-person account of what he went through is worth the purchase price of the book.One definitely learns a few things about the various participants that tragic season that aren't in the other published accounts.Like most people have said in their review of the book, the last half was BORING.It's a fairly entertaining read right up to the point that he is in a Kathmandu hospital and then he manages to bore us to death with his family life.The thing about it is that this is such a recurring theme in mountaineering.A climber's first love is the mountains.Everything and everyone else take a back seat to the climb.Basically, this was Beck Weathers' problem and he was only able to see the value in his family when he thought he would die.I mean, you're somewhat happy for the guy that he has re-evaluated his life and discovered what's most important to him, but it's difficult not to think that if he hadn't have been such a selfish bastard to begin with, none of it would have ever happened.Like I said, the parts of the book that detail his experience on Everest were riveting, but the rest of the book could have been left out.

Terrible
This could have been the greatest story of willpower and physical determination, yet Beck Weathers is so full of himself, does not put any responsibility on his own actions and he wants to belong to the selective group ofthe best mountaineers on the planet so badly, sorry Beck after reading your book you are not. He is condescending of the villages, cultures and people in the climbing regions and his jokes are misplaced. He is looking for excuses for his own mistakes. If the book was meant to describe an emotionally disturbed person with low self esteem trying to be somebody, it would have been a great success, yet everything points to the fact that Beck wants to be liked and appreciated for what he has done in the mountains and the person he has become. He survived an amazing thing, nobody has ever stood up from the death and could talk about it, why not write about that experience? The family story? Sorry no interest and bad book filling. The power of books in this genre is often the understatement and the matter of fact story telling, like: `Endurance, Shackelton's incredible voyage', or `In the land of White Death', or `the Climb'. Do yourself a favour do not waste your time,energy and money on this book, and remember Beck Weathers for the extraordinary accomplishment of determination by walking of Mount Everest alive, against all odds.

Absolutely horrible
This book should have been fantastic. Beck Weathers went through hell on the side of the mountain and could tell one of the greatest adventure stories ever. Unfortunately what the book contains is a lot of self congratulating about past accomplishments, needless anecdotes,and most irritatingly, a lengthy argument between him and his wife about who is the worse spouse.
If you want to read about the Everest disaster go out and get Anatoli Boukreev's The Climb or Jon Krakauer's Into Thin Air. Both of these books focus on the event itself, not boring filler.

Spirit, Courage, Survival and Unbelievable Strength
I am very fond of the Mt. Everest climbing books. They show so much bravery, courage, determination and spirit. Beck Weathers journey to and then home from Mt. Everest did not let me down.

He was on the mountain on May 10, 1996 along with nine other climbers who perished in a blizzard high on the mountain. On the following day Beck Weathers, who had been left for dead, was given a second chance at life. The true story is thrilling and inspirational.

Audio version: YUK!
I'm laughing from reading the other reviews....this book was definitely a bait and switch but I still mostly liked it even though Mt. Everest figured only as a backdrop. It was more like reading someone's personal journal and I did find it interesting. Actually, I listened to the unabridged tapes. I am sorry to say this but the reader was horrible and grated terribly on my nerves... almost to the point of not finishing. My biggest complaint was the reader's rendition of a woman's southern accent. Maybe the real Peach really sounds like that but I live in the south and the accent sounded totally fake to me....the way a non southerner would imagine it. Also, I'm nit-picking but there were several mispronounciations: the worst for me as a nurse was calling an AMBU bag an "AMU" bag. I guess Beck didn't listen to the tape???? Also....hello, Beck? One doesn't walk into a hospital for a summer job and work as a "Scrub NURSE". Last time I checked we still had to go to nursing school and take state boards before practicing as an RN. I'm splitting hairs...I guess he was referring to a scrub STUDENT? nurse/tech position but as a doc he should have known better. Like Peach said, he was NOT aware of how other people reacted to him....still isn't, I guess.As one other reader mentioned, my favorite part was about their cats. That was pretty creative and made me laugh. I did like what Beck says at the end about his spiritual side being a "work in progress." but I didn't get the feeling he'd really made ammends with his family. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

hanging out with mick
I enjoyed this causually written account of Mickey Mantles' summer of 1956. It's like sitting on the front porch with Mick as he tells you the events and feelings of what he and the yankees experinced that year,on and off the field.and he spares you his war stories by leaving it at "we went out and partied that night". He talks about his triple crown, his homerun race agianst Babe Ruth(also in the back is a season schedule of dates,hr's,pitchers faced,site, opponents, and runners on base).Mick also discusses the 1956 world series agianst the dodgers and descibes the perfect game by don larsen. Also there are game and team photos. i think you will enjoy micks account of his favorite year.

Best Book I ever read, and I am not even a Yankees fan!
When I read this book I could not put it down. The detail of the 1956 season that Mickey goes into is unmatched because the words come right from the source, MICKEY! I think you must be a baseball fan to enjoy this book, but you definitely don't have to be a Yankee fan. I strongly dislike Steinbrenner's Yankees, but this is before he ruined the organization. Who doesn't have a small spot in their heart for the oldtime Yanks? This book tells you about the relationships between Mickey and Billy Martin as well as Whitey Ford, straight from Mickey's mouth!! Mickey hired the great Phil Pepe to help edit his book, and Pepe's editing always makes the reading just keep flowing. Outstanding read, and I recommend it to any baseball fan!

My favorite book 2000
This book is one of the best books I have ever read. Not necessarily the best book ever written, but the best book I have ever read. It is my favorite book because it is about my favorite subject, baseball and of course the New York Yankees. Someone who does not like baseball or the New York Yankees as much as me would probably not like the book as much as me. But for a real baseball fan, it is a must read. The '50s were a great time for baseball, and the Yankees, and this book documents one of those spectacular seasons. To keep interested in this book, you must be a baseball fan, and at least like the Yankees in order for the book to be a good read. I say this because the Yankees are so good, that a lot of people despise them because they are so outrageously good. Either way I loved the book, it informed me on a time of baseball when I was not around to witness it, and now after reading the book, I feel I lived it. I felt like I was there, I watched Mickey win the Triple Crown, I watched the Yankees win the World Series. I was there. This was a great book, and I would recommend it to anyone with a heart of baseball, such as I do. ... 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

Reviews (2)

This is a very inspiring book
This is a book that you can often compare to times in your own spiritual life.I am 12 years old and got this book last Christmas.I have read the whole way through it lots of times, and it has never been any lessexciting.

Inspired me and changed me!
When I read this book three years ago I never heard of a Decathlon and I never thought I'd be one.When my mom got me this book for me for the first time I was interested, and wanted to find out what this book was about.I was in track but I only ran the mid-distants runs.I do like to play around with different events and when I did I would do better then the best on the track team.So I began to compete in some events durning track meets just to find out that I was doing well in them.But my track coach would disapprove of trying too many events and not concentrating on my mid-distant runs.Well, I read this book and was introduced to the decathlon and I wanted to do it, and I did.I have competed in the decathlon for two years and have increase my score by 1000 points over that time and plan on doing even better next time.I am now training very hard for it and this time I'm going to be more ready then ever.This has done great things for me and Dave Johnson's life is so similar to mine.I was also a rebal in my early years and then I got a sign from God and was instantly changed. I would appreciate it if Dave Johnson's would read this.I want to think him for changing my life. -Aaron M. Mills ... Read more

Book Description

He's wrestled under many names, "Stunning" Steve Austin, The Ringmaster, he even wrestled for a time under his own name, Steve Williams. But to fans he is and will always be Stone Cold Steve Austin. His quick wit and colorful use of language combined with his everyman character captured the hearts of fans worldwide.

Steve grew up in a small town in Texas. Always a fan of wrestling, Steve seized the chance to study wrestling at a school in Dallas. His ability to take the bumps and hard falls required by his new profession, and his never-say-die attitude, connected him with the fans and his fellow wrestlers. His capricious firing by the WCW, World Championship Wrestling, lead to his being hired by World Wrestling Entertainment.

However, it was Steve's own ability inside the ring and his quick-witted responses that lead to his becoming one of the most popular WWE Superstars of all time. It seemed nothing could stop the Texas Rattlesnake, except himself. In 2001 Steve's life seemed to spiral out of control and he walked away from it all. Now, with his triumphal return to the world of professional wrestling, he is finally ready to tell his story, his way.

The Stone Cold Truth is an unvarnished take on his life, his loves, and his days as a wrestler told in a way that only he could, and you know it's the truth "'cause Stone Cold says so!" ... Read more

Reviews (22)

Here's cheers to the man that drinks beers
A top read for any Stone Cold fan! He goes through moments in his life, nothing in great detail but definatly picks out little pieces that were obviously important to him. it's pretty quick to get to him getting a start in wrestling. Probably not getting enough perspective from his parents and what they thought (they had editorial pieces during the book along with Jim "J.R." Ross). He probably doesn't say enough about his WCW days, and that might be because he truely doesn't want to remember them to much. It's enough to let us know what's happening but really, most of that and the ECW stuff is covered in the DVD (which I saw before reading the book).

What I was mostly interested in was why he left WWE which, although might be true, kinda left me thinking "is that it?" It's a fair enough excuse but I get the feeling it might have been a little sugar coated. Not much but a little.

It is a good read! And all wrestling fans will enjoy it. Others might not quite get into it but that's the audience. It's a wrestling biography. It's dominated by wrestling stuff.

Maybe Not Perfect But Still Satisfies
All Austin fans will love the Stone Cold Truth. For all his fans, they will get to know everything about Austin they did not know. Any wrestling fan in general should like the book as well, since it has more than enough information to satisfy the reader. I do have to say they really could have been more, but the bottom line is information wise it gets the job done. I thought maybe Austin should have commented more on the people who had had such a great impact on his life. Also some chapters in general are bit short such has the WCW section which, could have been longer since Austin made his debut as a well known profesionally wrester in WCW. Th book in general follows all previous wrestler bios with 300 plus pages broken down to plenty of chapters. Even though Austin did not write evry single bit of the book, the majority is Austin's words. I would have to give it 4 and a half stars, maybe not perfect but still satisfies.

Very enjoyable for the most part
What a great read. This book was very interesting, altough some parts were a liitle too brief there is certainly more than enough information on the life of on of the greatest Wrestling stars and maybe even the best superstar in the wrestling bussiness. Peronally, I really enjoyed reading the whole story invoving Owen Hart. The whole story of him breifly leaving the company was also ver interesting. Overall, thereis plenty of information for any fan to enjoy this autobiography of Stone Cold Steve Austin.

a typical WWE biography, but we get a sense of the man
"Stone Cold" Steve Austin is, arguably, one of the most popular professional wrestlers of all time. Without question, he is one of the most successful in the World Wrestling Federation (currently World Wrestling Entertainment). He has sold more merchandise and sold out more arenas than any other WWF/E superstar with the possible exception of Hulk Hogan. He was that big. "The Stone Cold Truth" is his story, told in his own words (or at least in his own voice).

Steve Williams takes the reader on the journey of his life, through his days playing high school football in Texas, through college and into his first days as a professional wrestler. Steve tells the reader, in general terms, what he was thinking and feeling and why he made the decisions he did in his life. We follow Steve through the indy wrestling feds, through WCW, ECW and finally the WWF. What is valuable and interesting in this book, other than the easy tone the book takes, is that we get Steve's side of the story in why/how he left WCW, and the story of why he walked out of the WWF following Wrestlemania 18. We also get his side of the story and his thoughts about having his neck broken in a match against Owen Hart.

Every wrestling biography inevitably gets compared to Mick Foley's book, and in comparison, this one does not have the level of detail that Foley provided. It is a typical WWE autobiography in that there are short, fast moving chapters that give us a sense of who Steve Williams is a person, but not quite giving us the full details (without the glitz) that you might find elsewhere. Nonetheless, I did get the feeling that Steve was being honest in the details that he provided, and that this is the way that he sees things about his life and career. This may not be the best wrestling book out on the market, but it's a pretty good one and entertaining.

Jim Ross ruins this book
I was under the impression this was supposed to be Steve Austin's autobiography, but I was wrong. What it turns out to be be is part Austin's book and part some fat man with one eye crying about people he doesn't like. Ross makes many tasteless comments that should not have been printed. Most have nothing to do with Austin or his career. It just has to do with many personal vendettas of this mutant. This was unnecessary and Ross should have just wrote the preface like normal people do. He totally butchered and destroyed the book and this will turn off the reader. Its a shame because Austin was very honest bu ti ti is overshadowed by Ross's crying. ... Read more

Book Description

It is a challenge few top kayakers could resist.The Tsangpo remains one of the world's few uncharted, unconquered whitewater rivers, epic in both scale and beauty.Plunging 10,000 vertical feet, its waters run beneath snowcapped Himalayan peaks, past verdant jungle, and through the treacherous Tsangpo Gorge.Ancient Buddhist monastic textx name the region Pemako and suggest a real-life Shangri-La within its unexplored depths, along with mist-shrouded waterfalls and other wonders witnessed by few, if any, human eyes.

In October 1998, a team of four expert kayakers, partially funded by the National Geographic Society, attempted the first end-to-end descent of the gorge.The expedition ended in tragedy when the team's strongest paddler, Doug Gordon, executing a perilous but not impossible jump, was swept into the river's main current and never seen again.

The Last River is the story of that ill-fated adventure and a riveting evocationof one of our planet's wildest and most alluring places.In the words of an eighth-century monk, "Even to take one single step toward Pemako is to be liberated from mundane existence." ... Read more

Reviews (35)

Writing doesn't flow in this "Into Thin Air" wannabe
I picked up this book based on the intriguing cover, and the back cover description likening it to Into Thin Air by John Krakauer, only with kayaks.

The author insists on comparing this kayak expedition down the Tsangpo river to Everest, to the point of becoming repetitive and annoying. He takes a cookie-cutter approach to an adventure/survival non-fiction work, with history, character sketches, logistical work, a flashback, and then the actual attempt.

The historical part of the book is boring and not very well fleshed out, and is extremely American/Anglo-centric. An Indian explorer who spent 5 years trying to penetrate the area, including being sold into slavery, is treated as a bungling incompetent. During the present-day part of the book, a Chinese team is trying to run the river, but they are ignored almost completely.

Parts of this book are extremely trite - "legendary Valley Mill outdoors camp"? And the references to one character's previous military/CIA experience are just plain fawning.

I think this book would have been written much better by one of the river team who was actually there, so I look forward to reading Wick's book on the subject. The story is there, but the author couldn't capture it.

Last River or Diamond Sow?? It's a toss up.
My comments come after finishing the books "The Last River" and "Courting the Diamond Sow", both of which I read over the last 2 weeks, and was provoked to write by a couple of factors. Reading the existing reviews for "The Last River" particularly, I was struck by the number of people who felt it necessary to slam the book.

First, after reading these books I have a better appreciation for the writing skill needed to write a book that is entirely engaging, brings the personalities to life, allows the reader to become part of the adventure, all the while being true to its subject.

Second, I appreciate that the writers made the story available so that we could learn about this trip and I don't mean to suggest that either effort was a waste of time and that the writers should hang up their quills.

Sadly, in my opinion neither of the books written about the same 1998 Tsangpo journey is terribly engaging. Last River is an easier read while I found the first half, particularly, of Sow a literary slog. Not sure if it was bogged down in description or what; I just found it slow going.

Neither book had much of an ebb and flow in the narrative. Even as the tragic events of Doug Gordon's death neared, there was nothing to indicate that one's blood should be heating up and that now was not the time to put the book down. They were very flat in that regard. I differentiate between sensationalism and a literary tidal cycle; perhaps the authors were extremely cognizant of avoiding the former.

The Last River spends a greater percentage of ink relating the experiences of the 4 paddlers on the river and off while Sow balances more equally the stories of both paddlers and support team. Also, Wickliffe Walker in Sow deals with the 'fallout' from Gordon's death much more comprehensively than does Todd Balf; Walker spends several pages relating the effort needed to battle rumours and judgments that were circulating at home half-way around the world.

While the actual journey and the salient events I expect to remember, these books I expect to forget quickly (but then, I forgot Into Thin Air fairly quickly also). If there are poignant moments from the tale and thoughts to come away with, the one I recall most easily is the second-guessing of Gordon's paddling buddies as described most clearly in The Last Rivers account of Roger Zbel's "What if" self-flagellation. As a paddler, I pray that I am never faced with that.
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It was disappointing that The Last River did not have any photos at all of the area and only a minimalist map. On the other hand, Sow's small collection of photos was hardly comprehensive though the satellite photo was helpful in placing the story.

Nether book rates more than a 2.5 - 3, in my mind, nor does one stand head and shoulders above the other.

My context: Canadian class IV kayaker; 3 Himalayan river trips in Nepal (in fact and unbeknownst, I was on the Tamur River at exactly the time this group was on the Tsangpo); read years ago the American Whitewater article of the Gordon/McEwan trip down the Homothko in BC.

The Last River
This book is a true story about a team that goes on an expedition to kayak the Tsangpo Gorge in Tibet. The book begins out in the United States describing how the characters have grown and why they came to like kayaking so much. It tells of their families and how they met, and also if they had any influences to the sport of kayaking. After it describes the characters and their backgrounds, it goes into the team coming together and meeting one another to get the idea of planning an expedition to go to the Tsangpo Gorge in Tibet. They get to the planning stage of the expedition, which was to try to kayak the gorge as long as they can. The planning goes over for them to all take a flight to the Tsangpo Gorge. Once they are there they meet many different people who are on other expeditions. They practice techniques for kayaking the river and even practice safety techniques in case of any danger on the expedition. Once it gets into the part where they're in the gorge it gets exciting and really tells in detail what happened. It contains many surprises and lots of information.

I recommend this book to any adult who wants to read an exciting true story and that wants to learn about a kayaking adventure on the Tsangpo Gorge in Tibet.

Book-on-Tape Review
Although I "listened" to this book on tape, I too was lulled into thinking this is like Jon Kraukauer's "Into Thin Air" -- hardly. It is interesting and at first I didn't realize it was a true story. Balf's book does give a bit of a behind-the-scenes glance at how a trek like this is set up & the importance of the personalities of the people undergoing the trek....but I agree with previous reviewers that this was no page-turner (or let's put it this way, I wasn't sitting in my garage, after coming home from my commute, to stay listening to the tape). If you are a kayaker, maybe this is for you - having trekked in Nepal, I found some of the countryside info of interest, but can't really recommend this book.

Sweaty palms
This book is a measured and gripping account of the ill-fated attempt by 4 ultra-rational guys to attempt the seemingly irrational - a run down the long and extremely remote class VI wild water gorge in a remote section of Tibet. If you're a whitewater paddler and /or know any of the participants the book is especially vivid - it gave me sweaty palms and pumped heart rate just reading about it. One big problem was the lack of a decent map, and a photo of one sort or another would have been nice, but overall it succeeds in taking you along on a wild ride, with tragic consequences. ... Read more

Book Description

Laurence Leamer, author of three Kennedy bestsellers, presents the definitive biography of Arnold Schwarzenegger, his rise to fame and power, and his marriage to Maria Shriver.

The life of Arnold Schwarzenegger is one of the most extraordinary success stories of our time. An immigrant with an heavy accent from a village in Austria, he became the greatest bodybuilder in history, the number one movie star in the world, the Republican husband of a Kennedy Princess, and the governor of the greatest of American states.

Fantastic shows how and why this man of willful ambition and limitless drive achieved his unprecedented accomplishments. Leamer has had exclusive, intimate interviews with Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, his closest associates, including his elementary school friends in Austria, his mentors, bodybuilding competitors, lifelong friends, first serious girlfriend, political rivals, agents, publicists and producers, many of whom have never been interviewed before. Leamer captures the public and private Schwarzenegger, a political/cultural figure unlike any other, who could change the face of politics in our country.

This intimate book is studded with news-making revelations:

- The untold story of Arnold's traumatic relationship with his father
- How Arnold's first mentor, a Jewish partisan in WW II, helped shape the youth
- The intimate story of Arnold's first great love and the five years the couple lived together
- Why Arnold married Maria Shriver and the startling story of their wedding day
- The star who hated Arnold and tried to ruin his career
- How Arnold overcame the sordid sexual revelations and prevailed politically
- How Maria took over management of her husband's campaign
- The game plan that may bring Arnold to the White House
... Read more

Book Description

In between Babe Ruth and Michael Jordan there was Joe Namath, one of the very few sports heroes who transcended their game. The son of a Hungarian immigrant, Namath left the steel country of Beaver Falls, Pennsylvania, for the Deep South, where he played quarterback for Bear Bryant at the University of Alabama. Almost four years later, he signed a $427,000 contract with the New York Jets that changed football forever, transforming a crude, violent game into show business. Namath became the most glamorous athlete in America––his fame nurtured by the age of television, the point spread, and the sexual revolution. His hair, his draft deferment, and his white shoes became symbols for a generation. But it was his "guarantee" of victory in Super Bowl III that ensured his legend.

In the tradition of Richard Ben Cramer’s Joe DiMaggio, David Maraniss’s A Life of Vince Lombardi, and Nick Tosches’s Dino, Mark Kriegel details Namath’s journey from steeltown pool halls to the upper reaches of American celebrity––and beyond. He renders Namath as an athlete and a man, a brave champion and a wounded soul. Here are Namath’s complex relationships with pain and fame plus his appearances in pantyhose ads, on The Simpsons, and Nixon’s Enemies List. Namath is not just for football fans, but for any reader interested in the central role of sports in American culture. ... Read more

Reviews (6)

A Fantastic Read!
There are so many wonderful moments in this book that I don't know where to begin:the naive and persistent phone calls that led to the job, the letter McGough's father wrote him on his first day of work (read it and see if you don't shed a tear), the part where McGough loses his meal money to fellow players playing blackjack on the team plane, and a relief pitcher gives him a $100 bill, the road trip to Fenway Park, where the players set him up on his first date...the list goes on, but even more poignant are the personal experiences McGough had with heroes Don Mattingly and Jim Abbott, who are portrayed as both noble and funny.Talk about meeting your heroes and having them exceed your expectations.

This is a beautiful book written with great sensitivity and insight.

A Touching and Insighftul Memoir
McGough really nailed it with this memoir. He takes us back to an era when the Yankees weren't ferociously competitive every year, but instead more closely resembled perrenial losers. The narration is seamless, and McGough very effectively incorporates numerous aspects of clubhouse life into his book. As an avid Yankee fan, this book rings a certain bell with me, but in no way do you have to be a Yankee -- or even basbeball -- fan to enjoy this book. It is a book that begs its pages to be read, and it is often hard to resist the temptation. Bat Boy is well-written and demonstrates the power of sheer determination and persistence.

A perfect summer read
For a transplanted New Yorker who did not grow up a Yankee fan, Bat Boy tells a story that is relatable to everyone.It is a quintessential summer read, full of funny anecdotes while delivering a message that hard work and perseverance pay off.

Not just for baseball fans
Bat Boy is a compelling and entertaining book, even for someone who isn't necessarily a baseball fan.It is a story about the dreams of youth, when everything is still new and possible because we haven't yet been made timid by caution and restraint.Bat Boy is about deciding what you want, going for it, and miraculously getting it.And what is perhaps even more rare, finding that achieving and living a dream can be as good or better than the fantasy.

Hate the Yankees, love the book!
It's a tribute to the author that I, an ardent Mets fan and Yankee-hater, really enjoyed the book. Maybe that's because, for all the funny baseball anecdotes and fascinating insider scoops, this isn't just a baseball book--it's a memoir, and the coming-of-age thrust of the narrative is quite effective. McGough manages to convey both the arrogance and insecurity that a 17-year-old boy in an infinitely enviable position--hanging out with his heroes, traveling with them, getting paid (among other perks)--must have felt.

The story is touching without being overly sentimental, and it rings true. Best of all, this isn't one of those corny "Baseball=life" stories; McGough skillfully interweaves the two main elements of his story with humor and a light touch. I actually laughed out loud in some parts, and was genuinely moved in others.

While baseball fans will surely enjoy this book on another level than their non-baseball-loving peers, any reader with an appreciation for clever writing and hilarious tales of hubris and naivete should read this book. ... Read more

Book Description

He calls it as he sees it...

Big, loud, and beyond intimidation, Durwood Merrill is one of the most colorful characters in baseball. The man Reggie Jackson calls "The Reggie Jackson of umpires" has brought a new level of showmanship and excitement to the ballpark and has attracted his own legions of fans. In You're Out And You're Ugly Too!, Merrill gives fans an in-your-face dose of hilarious anecdotes, hard-hitting opinions, and gushing admiration for America's favorite pastime. Find out the real deal on:

* The Managers: From Anderson to Piniella to Weaver, Durwood reveals his explosive relationships with baseballs's most notorious managers

* The Players: No one knows Reggie, Junior, or Cal the way Durwood does-- read his dead-on observations of baseball's most talented players

* The Big Picture: Get behind the diamond with Durwood to discover what goes on in the clubhouse, in the umpire's room, on the mound, at the plate, and beyond

No corner of modern baseball is "safe" from Durwood Merrill's razor-sharp wit, and no fan can afford to miss his fascinating and revealing play-by-play.
... Read more

Reviews (23)

From the Heart
Durwoods book is from the heart. There are some typo's but, his book shows the real side of umpiring. I am an ump on the non pro end of baseball. He is the type of person he says he is in the book. I read the book and wrote him. He did write back and told me to stay in touch. This book is highly recommended for all to read. It is funny and sad but you do get a good feeling while reading it.

A must read for any and all who love the game of Baseball
Durwood's Book is without a doubt probably the one of the best books I've read in a long time. His insight on the game of Baseball and the perspective that he gives is truly unique. Being graduate of the same Umpire School that Durwood went to, and Umpiring at the High School and College Level, I know what all Umpires face while trying to do their best. His stories about situations with players and managers made me laugh. He has drawn a lot of heat for what he has written, about the players, managers, and owners, "The Baseball Lords." Why you might ask? Because someone needs to tell the "Real Fans" of baseball what happens behind the scenes. He has such a way to tell his story that is unreal, he fires right back at all umpire attackers that truly don't know their head from a donkey's butt(like Tim MacCarver), and in one moment he'll make you laugh (like his story about his grandson and Nolan Ryan), and the next he'll make you cry (when he talk! s about the death of fellow Umps, Lou DiMuro, Nick Bremigan, & John McSherry, or the untimely loss of truly one of the Greatest Umpires of Baseball Steve Pallermo, or even his work with his home town at Christmas time). You feel for him and everyone around him when he tells the story, you feel the emotion as he prepares to the plate for tonights game. I think it would be a total shame if you don't read this book because you will miss out on the story of one of Baseball's Greatest Ambassadors.

You can't write and your publisher stinks too.
Somebody messed up badly. Being an amateur baseball umpire I am biased towards umpires in general and those in baseball in particular but Merrill does not do himself and his profession justice. The ghostwriter, assuming there was one, must have been drunk and illiterate and the publisher too lazy, or do we call that cost conscious, to proof read the manuscript. I ended up reading a book that should not have been published and does not do justice to a man who became an umpire in a different and much tougher era. The book does not do him justice, god rest his soul. Maybe the publisher could be so kind and honor him with and revised edition.

Some very funny stories, and some that are serious, too.
When I first bought this book, I wasn't quite sure what to think. I had heard a few negative things about it, and kind of had a prejudice against it. Boy, was that wrong! I found this to be a very funny, lighthearted read (for the most part). There's some really wonderful insights into what it takes to become a big league umpire - never quite realized all they went through in "Umpire boot camp" (my term). It's not all fun and games, there's a few stories about how an umpire friend of his was attacked and crippled on the streets of Dallas, and the latter part talks a lot about his charity works.

A great book - funny, light, and to be honest, something that surprised me in a very good way. What was personally annoying was that after I read this (during the last month of the 99 season), I wanted to watch Durwood, and then he up and retires during the playoffs (and then died a short time later). Damn. Really wanted to see him after reading his book. Oh well. Check it out, a good light read.

RIP Durwood
Durwood Merrill just passed away today, after suffering a heart attack last Sunday. Godspeed, Durwood. ... Read more

Reviews (6)

King of the Hill
This is one of the best books I have ever read. Joe Torre, through his life's journey, is in my eyes the King of the Hill. All the things he went through in life that he conquered make him the man he is today, and what a gift the Yankees got!

For everyone who said 'Joe who?' when George hired him as manager, I hope you read this book and find out the man behind #6!

The Best Encourging Book I've Ever Read
Chasing the Dream is the best book I've ever read. It let's people know that goal reaching is possible, if you work for it. I now know that I can't procrastinate practice. If I want to achieve my dream I must work for it. Most people believe that goal reaching is impossible, but since I've read this book, my dream is coming closer, and closer to being achived. I defiantly would like to thank Joe Torre and Tom Verducci for making my dream possible and encouraging me to get on the right track. Thanks a million and one. Hopefully you'll see me in the 2008 Olympics for softball (i'll be the one pitching in the final games for the USA team) :)

A must-read for any New York baseball fan.
Chronicles Joe Torre's life from childhood growing up in Brooklyn to his Championship Season with the Bronx Bombers. Insightful and honest look into Torre's personal life and all his days spent on the field and in the dugout.

an excellent baseball biography
Joe Torre does an outstanding job of re-creating the 1996 World Series in stunning and emotional detail. He proves that baseball managers are as much team psychologists as they are the men who make decisions on the field. Clearly for Yankee fans, this book will nevertheless appeal to all baseball fans and readers.

A poignant and emotionally revealing book .
This book is a must for die-hard Yankee fans and admirers of Joe Torre. Joe speaks about his life and the 1996 World Champion New York Yankees in an critically honest and emotionally revealing manner. Joe takes us on his journey in such a way that you feel as if you are side-by-side with him every step of the way. His roller coaster journey of the highs and lows of the 1996 baseball season compounded by personal tragedy, and the miracle of his brother Frank's successful heart transplant are especially riveting. I loved this book! ... Read more