Book Description

At age six, Rodney Mullen was the family misfit who had to wear braces to straighten out his pigeon-toed feet. But by age fourteen, he was a world-champion skateboarder -- and for the next decade lost only one contest. Now, for the first time, Rodney tells the incredible story of his ascent to fame as the number one nerd in a sport where anarchy is often encouraged.

Rodney learned to skate by himself on the family farm, his only company the wandering cows. As a teenager he traveled the world for demonstrations, invented the flatground ollie -- a trick that laid the foundation for modern street skating -- and in ten years garnered thirty-five world skating titles. While acing skateboard contests Rodney also earned straight A's in school, but his father forced him to abandon his fame and the fortune he could make from the sport he loved. Rodney was unable to stop for very long though, even after freestyle skating went out of fashion and the skateboarding world abandoned him. He adapted to street skating and eventually became one of the most innovative and influential skaters of all time.

It's all here: everything from his eating and sleeping disorders to his comical experiences with loan sharks, occult-obsessed relatives, and the FBI. The Mutt is a look at Rodney's strange journey from penniless skateboarder to millionaire.

Book Description

3 Volume set with slipcase, 1,100 pages, 409 photographs and illustrations, all black and white, weighs 11 pounds, indexed.

Smokey got the idea for writing a history of stock car racing after giving a talk to explain racing to a group of kids at Lowe’s Motorspeedway, around 1995. He realized that all the people who were a part of the early days were dying and most of the ones who were still alive were too involved with racing to be able to tell the real stories. He started writing this book as a history of stock car racing and ended up with look at American history of the past 60 years through a very unique set of eyes.

The first volume, Walkin’ Under a Snake’s Belly, covers Smokey’s life outside racing, beginning with growing up in Neshaminy, Pennsylvania on a farm, dropping out of high school to take care of the family and going off to World War II as a B-17 pilot. The war stories are told through the eyes of a young man who believed all that the Army Air Corps taught him, but he had a mind of his own and was also hell-bent on having fun at all costs. (If that meant irritating a few generals, then that was just par for the course.)

After the racing years, Smokey ended spending most of his time working on his inventions and working in the oil and gold fields of Ecuador. Along the way, Smokey had a knack for finding fun and adventure everywhere he went. Alcohol, women and speed were his main addictions - he eventually gave up alcohol, but never did give up the other two.

The second volume, All Right You Sons-a-Bitches, Let’s Have a Race, chronicles the stock car racing years in living color. The warning on these books, that they are not to be read by those under 18 unless they are with a grandparent who can translate the social and moral implications of the stories, is not to be taken lightly. (Smokey even includes his own dictionary to explain the terms that racers used in the early days to the uninformed.) Smokey and his band of merry compatriots were racers and there were only two things on their mind when the sun went down – women and booze. Smokey had his share of both during 15 years of racing, when racers were looked down on as the dregs of society. Nothing could stop his dream of being the fastest at the sport he loved, no matter what happened along the way – the sign of a true racer.

During his years in stock car racing, Smokey fell in love with a mistress that he would visit every May for over 20 years – The Indianapolis 500. The first half of the third volume, Li’l Skinny Rule Book, covers his love of this famed event and the wonderful stories of the days before the big corporate sponsors; when it was just men and their machines, sleeping on the floor in the garage and most times coming home with nothing. As the title implies, Smokey loved Indy because the rules were so simple. His inventive mind and knack for thinking way outside the box were at their best when Indy was involved.

The second half of the third volume, Eatin’ an Elephant, covers his years of inventing inside and outside of racing. Smokey’s 10 patents don’t begin to cover the breadth and depth of his inventing. His work with the car companies and on the racetrack led to a host of developments that have improved surface transportation for everyone. The value of some of his ideas and inventions, like his famous hot vapor engine, were never fully realized.

Many books have been written about the last 50 years of American history, but few are this entertaining, revealing and introspective all at the same time. Real stories from World War II, stock cars, the automotive industry and the Mexican Road Race are just a few of the elements in Smokey’s autobiography. They combine to make Best Damn Garage in Town…The World According to Smokey one of the most interesting books in a long time. ... Read more

Reviews (5)

Tellin it like it is
Smokey tells it just like he sees it. No political correctness here. If he thinks something stinks, he says so. He has no love lost for Bill France and company, but respects many others.

His writing style is straight to the point, amusing and raw. But it's the way he sees things...and he repeats that point...that it's just his opinion and urges the reader to make up their own mind.

I highly recommend this set. And I salute you, Smokey.

Know Racing. Know Smokey!
Smokey Yunick, as many know, was a no non-sense guy who not only loved and lived cars and racing - he WAS cars and racing.

Whether you were a backyard teen-mechanic from the 60's, or a professional mechanic or racer, your entire life was -and still is- influenced by Henry "Smokey" Yunick.

I never met Smokey, but because of my older brother's avid passion as a mechanic and certified 'car nut', I heard all about him for years.

My brother told me about the book: hinting real hard that, "..he'd love to have it!" So, I hustled a copy of this book for my own reading from a 'grease monkey' friend. After only the first brief review, I knew this would truly be a life-time gift for my brother.

He loves it! Reading this tome on the history of the 'gas engine racing legend': Smokey Yunick; especially because it's in Smokey's own writing and words; is a treasure to him. Every week he thanks me for the gift.

Get the book - before you can't find it. It's not cheap now .. and will only get more expensive with time. The really good stuff does this, you know!

This is an heirloom - not just a book. Even if you're not 'into reading' a 'typical book' .. this is like picking up the ultimate Chilton's! You won't be able to put it down. And besides, with this book you'll learn more than you've already forgotten!

Enjoy !!!

Thinking outside the box
Don't let Smokey's style of storytelling stop you. When you finish all three volumes you will have probed the mind of a true hero. I wish Smokey had written this book sooner. I met Smokey, at Indy, in the early 90's. Today I would have much more to talk to him about. Smokey was the example of "Thinking outside the box"

Best Damn Book To Have In Your Racing Collection
When Smoke said he'd tell like it is, he didn't lie! The history lesson he gives you is worth its weight in gold.There is so much to learn and appreciate from his book. He was a unique man, with a colorful history and not just in racing. I have attended numerous lectures and roundtable discussions he held at the annual PRI shows, they were always one of my favorite things to go to. Only way to desribe Smokey in my book is, he was one smart cat! Whether some of his "Associates" will admit it or not, they will definetly miss his insight,his wisdom, and his courage to step over the line. Thank You Smokey for All That You Have Done.

I have never laughed so hard...
I couldn't believe that one man could do so much in one lifetime. He was a B-17 pilot in WWII, raced in the early days of NASCAR, won at Indy, served as a consultant to the big car companies and drilled for oil and mined for gold in Ecuador. There is not much he didn't do and he is such a great storyteller that it is impossible to put down.

His style is very much stream of consciousness and his language is straight out of the garage, but these stories would not be believable if the text was polished and cleaned up. When I first read these books, I didn't know anything about Smokey, but by the time I was finished, I felt like I knew how his mind worked on everything from engineering to chasing women.

I would recommend this book to anyone with an interest in cars, racing, war history or just learning more about a great time in the history of this country through a set of eyes that saw much more than their share. By the way, the chapters on his wife and his dogs will take you competely by surprise. ... Read more

Book Description

Al and Ron tell some of the real-life events and fishing experience that God used to shape and direct their lives and work and families. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Excellent book about life
The authors, both avid fishermen from their youth, share their life stories, successes and failures along with the lessons they have learned through their many years of fishing.
Their spiritual insight illuminated by their fishing adventures makes a person stop and contemplate their own situation in life.
A great book for those who love to fish and even those who don't but struggle with the ups and downs and meaning of life. ... Read more

Book Description

Triple Crown Winner: The Earl Sande Saga, 350 pages, 100 images, table of Triple Crown Winners, glossary of racing terms, horse racing statistics appendices, bibliography, index, hard bound.National turf historian and the leading authority on the history of horse racing, Tom Gilcoyne, captures Sande’s importance in the racing world, "Few jockeys were as good as Sande and certainly nobody was ever better."

Climb aboard for a terrific ride. Triple Crown Winner: The Earl Sande Saga is filled with adventure, love, tragedy, and triumph. The characters would make a Hollywood casting director envious. Meet Burr Scott, who entices Earl to quit school and join the racing game; Arizona’s Doc Pardee, who rode the rodeo circuit with Tom Mix and tutors Sande on the fine points of riding to win; Commander Ross, a Canadian war hero, who invades the American racing world and captures the first Triple Crown and ranks as the leading horse racing owner; Harry Sinclair, owner of Sinclair Oil and the famed Rancocas Stables; sportswriter Damon Runyon, who immortalizes Sande in many poems, noted trainers Sam Hildreth and "Sunny Jim" Fitzsimmons, Sande friend Will Rogers, and many more interesting characters.

The book includes original oil painting cover art, a Foreword by Earl Sande’s nephew, 100 vintage images capturing the life and racing career of America’s top jockey, detailed descriptions of races that make you feel you are in the grandstands cheering Sande along, a handy racing terms glossary, and appendices filled with racing statistics. It’s all packed into this handsome, 350-page book.

Don’t wait for the movie, pickup a copy today for a thoroughly enjoyable read.

Sande’s accomplishments include:
--World record six consecutive victories in one day
--Dramatic comeback after doctors said he’d never ride again
--The second American Triple Crown, on Gallant Fox
--Lifetime percentage of 26.4% winning mounts
--Lifetime percentage of 60.9% in-the-money mounts
--5 Belmont Stakes
--3 Kentucky Derbys
--1 Preakness
--5 Jockey Club Gold Cups
--4 Withers Stakes
--3 Lawrence Realizations
--3 Suburban Handicaps
--3 Dwyer Stakes
--Hall of Fame inductee with first class
--Winner of 1923 International Match Race aboard Zev vs Papyrus
--Winner of thirty-nine stakes races in 1923, a record that stood for thirty years
--Top Money-Winning Jockey 1921, 1923, 1927
--Top Money-Winning Jockey Record that stood for twenty years
--Riding noted mounts Billy Kelly, Bracadale, Chance Play, Chance Shot, Crusader, Flying Ebony, Gallant Fox, Grey Lag, Kai-Sang, Mad Hatter, Mad Play, Man o’ War, Milkmaid, My Own, Osmond, Sarazen, Sir Barton, and Zev. ... Read more

Reviews (5)

So, when is the movie?!?
A very well done, beautifully bound book that chronicles both the tragic and triumphant life of jockey, Earl Sande, culminating in his reaching the absolute pinnacle of his sport.Often, it has been the 4-legged characters that captured audiences' hearts in books and movies of the past; now finally, an incredible tribute to one of horse-racings' all-time greats, Earl Sande, will take your breath away.Humor, tragedy and triumph are all captured in this rich and detailed biography.The dozens and dozens of period photographs make this exciting ride all the more real while truly immersing one into the Golden Era of Sports.Let Maturi take you on a ride from the grandstands to the stables to the mud-flung tracks in early May as the story of one of the greatest jockeys ever, unfolds. Certainly deserving of a movie script, this epic account of one of racings' greatest contributors is definitely a "Triple Crown Winner" in my book!Highly recommended for every and anyone!!

Well worth the read
"The book chronicles the ups and downs of Sande's racing years, as well as his personal battles, and provides a descriptive account of racing during the early part of the 20th century. The main characters are brought to life with clarity. If you liked the movie "Seabiscuit," you will love this book about Sande."

Maturi Does It Again
Reviewner: "Bob" MN USA
Triple Crown Winner: The Earl Sande Saga is another well written book by Rick Maturi.Mr. Maturi put himself into the story as a fact finder which was a unique approach.I had never heard of Earl Sande before I read the book, but I learned all about him through Mr. Maturi's excellent mixture of actual facts and his own analysis of what was happening in Earl's life off the track. Mr. Maturi established Earl to be a "real gentleman" in the face of horse owners who were not.This is a great abook-excellent photos-it has everything.

A Wonderful Story
I thoroughly enjoyed reading the Earle Sande Saga!I had no idea there was a jockey as good as he was who had roots in South Dakota, my home state.The meticulous research and about the facts in Sande's life and the accompanying photos make the book a true page-turner.I didn't want it to end.As always, Richard Maturi tells a very good tale of human drama and history which keeps the reader enthralled.I recommned it to anyone who loves horses, who likes to see the underdog win, who enjoys stories about racing, or who just enjoys a well-documented biography of an interesting character.The Earle Sande Saga has something for everyone to enjoy.

Jockey Earl "Handy" Sande Rides Again!
Triple Crown Winner: The Earl Sande Saga is a beautifully written book recounting the exciting rise to fame and glory years of the man who was perhaps America's greatest jockey. From
Sande's youth on an Idaho farm to his rides into history on some of racing's greatest horses, this book gallops comfortably along and will keep you turning the pages. It is informative and fun to read, containing both narrative and a rich dialogue which helps bring Sande and his contemporaries alive. It includes rare photos, fascinating statistics and a glossary of racing terms.I loved reading about Sande's heart-pounding races, yet I was equally touched by the quiet passages telling of the devotion that Sande and his wife had for each other, through good and bad. Even if the reader is not a horse racing fan, the human element of this story will captivate them.Triple Crown Winner: The Earl Sande Saga will carry you away with courage, hope and tears. It is a story for everyone. ... Read more

Book Description

Actress and golf enthusiast Cheryl Ladd shares tips‚ techniques‚ and her love of the game.

Cheryl Ladd is best known from her many years on television, starring in Charlie’s Angels and currently appearing in the hit NBC-TV show Las Vegas. But what many people don’t know is that she’s an avid golfer who regularly plays on the celebrity pro-am circuit. In fact, she is one of the most sought-after players worldwide, and for over twenty years has partnered with many of the world’s best golfers from the PGA and LPGA tours. When playing side by side with these top golfers, Cheryl feels like the "ultimate hacker in heaven." Golf has become her passion.

But as she spent more time on the course, she noticed she was always the only female in a sea of men. There were other celebrities, athletes, corporate CEO’s, but all men. Then it dawned on her–she was the token chick. Determined to prove herself as a worthy opponent and equipped with a keen sense of humor, lots of determination, and some really good lessons, she developed her game and became one of the most respected players on the green.

In Token Chick, Cheryl shares her experiences from her years on the tournament circuit, with insights on how men and women approach the game differently, and helpful tips and techniques from the best golfers in the world. Heavily illustrated throughout, Token Chick is an entertaining and indispensable guide for any woman who loves the sport, or is even just thinking about picking up a club. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Even a Better Writer than she is an Actress
We loved her on Charlie's Angels, then she disappeared into the world of pro-am golf, taking her shots alongside the likes of Greg Kinnear and Sidney Poitier.

Cheryl Ladd soon discovered that often she was the only woman invited to play at these male gatherings, and began to call herself the "token chick."It's hard to say whether or not she really likes being the only woman good enough to compete for the big money.Her writing is smooth and always compelling, and she knows how to tell a story so that you can't wait to turn the page to find out what happened.Sometimes the book feels a little self-aggrandizing, as though there were really an alternate universe in which Cheryl Ladd sang the National Anthem at the Super Bowl, in which she was the #1 recording artist in Japan, and also she starred on Broadway in ANNIE GET YOUR GUN!Maybe these things happened, but the truth is that it is unlikely Cheryl will ever live down her starring role on the famous Aaron Spelling series, Charlie's Angels.She has some awfully good stories about golfing with male chauvinist pigs, including the late Burt Lancaster, whom she credits with turning his attitude completely around once he knew she was serious about her game.An unnamed Olympian gets the royal treatment however, as Cheryl reveals what a talentless braggart he really is and how he was even too cheap to pay her 20 dollars once she beat him at his own game and how her husband had to shame him into giving her the twenty at a later club round.This hilarious chapter is called: "BBB--Boys Behaving Badly."

Cheryl also gets off a plug for CHILDHELP USA, apparently her pet charity, but she doesn't really say what it is and i found her vagueness about this sort of sinister.

Some stars get two thumbs up from Cheryl for never, ever hesitating to accept her as a fellow golfer.These stars included men who just weren't threatened by a little woman of five foot three competing in "a man's world."Some of the stars she praises include Clint Eastwood, Andy Garcia, Robert Wagner and--surprise!--Jimmy Connors.Who'd have thunk it, Jimmy!

Read this book also if you want a crash course in improving your handicap and (if you're a woman) using your breasts to help your game, not damage it.She suggests to all wives who are thinking of taking up golf not to try practicing with their husbad's clubs because they will soon get discuraged from continuing.In TOKEN CHICK there are lots and lots of pictures of Cheryl Ladd looking foxy which will appeal to a lot of guys and, of course, a lot of women as well.

Cheryl Ladd is much more than a "Token Chick."
In her new book, Cheryl Ladd shows a side of herself that most people have never seen or heard. She is funny, witty, warm, charming, and an accomplished golfer who can hold her own on any course with anyone. Her book "Token Chick," written with Bob Hellman, will make you laugh, cry, and think. While providing great golf tips and great golf stories, Cheryl also provides a model for good sportsmanship on and off the green. Cheryl even makes a good case for using golf as a way to bring romance and friendship into a relationship. Although Cheryl writes this book primarily for women, there is something in it for everyone. It's well-written and inspiring. Get yourself to one of her book signings and meet one of the nicest and brightest ladies you'll ever meet. "Token Chick" is a "hole-in-one."
... Read more

Book Description

Pure Dynamite is a blow by blow account of the career of Tom Billington, who wrestled solo as The Dynamite Kid, and with Davey Boy Smith as half of the British Bulldogs tag team. Twice world champion, Billington was featured in the pages of Playboy magazine and was an international celebrity. Although he should have been a millionaire when he retired in 1993, after 16 years of professional wrestling, he had little but memories are scar tissue to show for it.

As one of the first bona fide superstars in the World Wrestling Federation, Billington's career parallels the development of the WWF, from the early days to the decade following the first Wrestlemaina event at Madison Square Gardens in 1985. He worked with every major promoter, and wrestled with some of the biggest names in the sport. His story is a candid expose of the highs and lows of a cultural phenomenon that is still growing today.

Now confined to a wheelchair as a result of serious damage to his back and legs, his years of steroid use have also damages Billington's heart and personal life. Pure Dynamite is as much a cautionary tale as it is a glimpse into the world of a wrestling legend. ... Read more

Reviews (29)

A Unique Look at Wrestling By One of the All Time Greats
Pure Dynamite is a unique book, written by one of wrestling's most gifted wrestlers, the Dynamite Kid. Many wrestlers have written books way too early in their careers, before they've accomplished enough. Dynamite, however, is now retired and his book covers his entire extensive career. Dynamite pulls no punches with his opinions on other wrestlers as well as the business as a whole. Being a huge fan of the British Bulldogs, I was very entertained by this book. It was interesting to learn of some of the antics that go on backstage in the world of wrestling. Dynamite has an interesting sense of humor, but the highlight of this book is his pure honesty. A must read 1980's wrestling fans.

Explosive Tale of Excess and Self Destruction
Like the film Wallstreet, Oliver Stone's vision of 80s excess but with the world of pro wrestling as its setting, PURE DYNAMITE is a riveting, part tell-all memoir, part guilty plea seeking redemption by former WWF mat virtuoso Tom "Dynamite Kid" Billington. Billington, a nice guy with a bit of a mean streak recounts his own rise to fame beginning as a thirteen year old runt in musty but legendary Riley's Gym a few miles outside of Wigan, up through his days as an international superstar thrilling crowds in packed stadiums and on pay-per-view events in Japan and in Vince McMahon's WWF, until his eventual forced retirement due to severe injuries which now confine him to a wheelchair. The book, much like the pro wrestling business, often makes the transition between gruesome and even comical within a few short gasps, as Billington provides tons of insight into the enormous and often fragile egos of the sport's top names, including Hulk Hogan, The Junkyard Dog, Harley Race, Terry Funk, the legendary Hart Family, and his former British Bulldog tag-team partner and cousin, Davey Boy Smith. Always a rebel without a cause, Billington holds nothing back here as he is no longer actively involved in the pro wrestling industry. With a colloquial tone like that of a good friend chatting over a few beers, Billington puts a microscope to the underbelly of the beast, where most wrestlers-turned-scribes fear to tread, giving much detail regarding the rampant steroid and recreational drug use amongst these self-desctructive athletes living life in the fast lane. Billington, a casualty of the lifestyle who barely survived to share his story, would likely do it all over again, and that's what makes PURE DYNAMITE so compelling, especially to those unfamiliar with what goes on after the three-count.

Dynamite Kid adds to his legacy
Dynamite Kid will go down in history as the most influential wrestler of the 80's and the most innovative pro wrestler of all time. He is also regarded as the best pro wrestler to ever live according to Bret Hart. This is a revealing autobiography that goes over his unusual start, England, Canada with the Harts in Stampede, Japan, WWF, and everywhere else to his tumultuous present. Billington a world traveler goes over in detail with clever writing and a wicked sense of humor not seen in pro wrestling. Highly recommended. A+++++++++++++++++++++++++

A great read, extremely honest
This autobiography really sets the standard of how an autobiography should be written. It is an alternative to Jerry Lawler and Hulk Hogan's silly fluff. The Dynamic Kid takes you through his entire career and doesn't conveniently leave things out. He is brutally honest about the positives and the negatives.

It is a very easy read. Dynamite has many great stories. Many of the stories will take fans back to the heyday of the British Bulldog. Dynamite's brash out spoken honest style is breath of fresh air over the politicians like Hogan who don't understand how to be honest.

"Pure Dynamite" is right!
This book is quite explosive, as it blows the roof off many issues in the world of wrestling. As a wrestling expose, it works really well, but I think that it works even better as a personal memoir. Tom Billington didn't hire a ghost writer to enhance his writing style or anything of that sort. This is a very bare-bones approach to writing and autobiography. It's unfortunate that this book is now out of print, because it's really good, and also because The Dynamite Kid, despite being one of the best and most influential wrestlers of all time, has been ignored completely the last several years. Long may your classic matches live, Dynamite! ... Read more

Book Description

Skywalker is the inspiring story of basketball legend David Thompson, chronicling his rise, fall and incredible recovery. Thompson, a once-in-a-generation player, came up in an era when basketball skill superseded athleticism. Thompson had both. In college, he led the 1973-74 North Carolina State Wolfpack to its first NCAA title, and a year later, he was the No. 1 draft pick in both the NBA and ABA. When the two leagues merged, Thompson signed the largest contract in NBA history in 1978. But Thompson disappeared just as rapidly as he had arrived when cocaine and alcohol abuse robbed him of his skills and his composure, his life and his soul. By the early 1980s, Thompson's life had hit rock bottom, and his career was over. In 1996, Thompson was elected to the NBA Hall of Fame and has been named numerous times as one of the five greatest college players of all-time. Today, he is a born-again Christian and been clean and sober for more than 15 years. ... Read more

Reviews (4)

a Strong Read
David Thompson was Awesome Back in the day.Imagine DR.J,Jordan,Kobe&Vince Carter&with Madd Hoops that was David Thompson. if the NBA of Today was Allowed Back in the day then David Thompson would Be talked about the same way Lebron James&Kobe are today.same goes with DR J. this Book tackles His Whole Career from college,ABA&NBA&also Off the court.David Thompson is One of the Most Gifted Atheletes that I Ever saw as well.Props to Him always.

An awesome book for any ACC hoops fan
This book tells the amazing story of the basketball protegy that goes to NC State, wins the NCAA championship, goes to the ABA and becomes the best player immediatly, then goes on to success in the NBA. Unfortunatly, drug use and a bad fall in a nightclub rob him of a MJ-like career. Now he has found God and cleaned himself up. A very inpsiring book.

By the way, he tells a story of how NC State was put on probation for his recruitment, and how UNC is to blame! Very juicy stuff.

Didn' Duck the Issues
Just like his basketball game, David Thompson didn't duck the issues and took it right to the hoop. From a large, poor, loving family, David rose to basketball fame @ NC State. Everyone remembers the great team that beat Ucla, but most aren't aware of the NC State history in the previous year. It was quite impressive also and it's unfortunate they weren't able to compete on a national level then.

After this great college career and significant credit given to family, coaches and teammates, Thompson chooses the ABA over the NBA and is one of the trendsetters that highlighted this league for exciting basketball. But while correctly relaying his significance to the league, Thompson is required to discuss his fall into drugs and alcohol. And quite a fall it is. Thompson doesn't leave anything out although I suspect his version of the scuffle @ Studio 54 may be a little one-sided probably to protect his wife to whom he is still married.

We all read of Thompson's drug problems but this book describes the depths of the fall and it's not sugarcoated. Frankly, it's amazing that he is still married to the same lady and I applaud her for her persistence that was more than he deserved. For a truly great hero, it's nice to see his complete rehabilitation to gainful employment again. I applaud David Thompson for having the courage to tell this story when most people would have swept in under the rug to reduce any embarrassment. Life is what you make it and David seems to now understand this better than most.

Skywalker Walks Tall
Three cheers for the new David Thompson book. As an afficianado of NBA history myself, it is great to see some of the top players of the past getting their due. David's story is one to learn from...about how a person can raise himself up from almost nothing to a premier position in life, only to see it all evaporate. Yet he has risen up once again to find a new beginning and a willingness to share his experiences. It goes a long way to taking away the self-created tarnish from his star.

Besides the personal narrative of David's, I enjoyed the prologue by Bill Walton (can almost seeing him deliver it on air) and the excellent photos.

I can recommend this book to basketball fans everywhere.

Enjoy. ... Read more

Book Description

A true legend, Harley Race has enjoyed almost unparalleled success in the world of professional wrestling. Having turned pro in 1959 at the age of 15, his work ethic and innovative style allowed him to become one of the three biggest names in wrestling during the 1970s and early ’80s. He won the National Wrestling Alliance (NWA) championship on eight occasions and was dubbed World Wrestling Entertainment’s first "King of the Ring" in 1986. In the autobiography King of the Ring, Harley Race tells his incredible life story for the first time.

In addition to his legendary ring career, Harley Race also became a successful promoter in the Midwest during the mid ’80s with a wrestling organization seen on 13 television stations covering five states. Although injuries and a car accident in 1995 effectively ended his wrestling career, he decided to give back to the sport he loved. Race opened the World League Wrestling (WLW) organization in 1999, which serves both as a training camp and as a touring organization for young wrestlers.

King of the Ring explores Race’s life and career, both in and out of the ring, detailing everything from the grind of traveling 300 days a year to the glory of being a world champion. From the pitfalls and vices associated with professional wrestling to overcoming career-threatening injuries and the death of his first wife, the Harley Race readers will meet in King of the Ring is as candid as he is successful. ... Read more

Book Description

In this beautifully written book, Guthrie tells her story from the beginning.Nearly two decades in the making, Lady and Gentlemen captures the poignant detail of the complexity of the racing business. On a deeper level, she conveys all that she encountered along the way as a woman in the most testosterone-charged of men's worlds. ... Read more

Book Description

Al McGuire was not only one of the most successful coaches in college basketball history, but arguably, as this insightful memoir shows, the most colorful and unpredictable as well. During his 13 years at Marquette, the fiery coach guided his team to more than 20 victories 11 times, earning them 11 straight postseason bids. In 1970, angered that the NCAA wanted to send his 26-3 Warriors to another region, McGuire instead took his team to New York’s Madison Square Garden and won the National Invitation Tournament. Seven years later, after announcing his retirement, the outspoken Irishman beat the odds and went out on top when Marquette defeated North Carolina to garner the school’s first and only NCAA championship. From 1977 until shortly before his death in January 2001, McGuire remained in the national spotlight as a successful TV commentator for NBC, CBS, and ESPN. A recipient of numerous "Coach of the Year" awards during his career, McGuire was inducted into the National Basketball Hall of Fame in 1992. On the court, McGuire was not just a coach, but also a fighter who would do anything he felt necessary to gain an edge. His scrappy, dance-hall teams were a reflection of his street-smart Irish personality. His screaming tirades and zany stunts were all part of the show. Off the court, however, McGuire was a totally different person. What few fans saw was the "other" Al McGuire, the philosopher behind the showman who spoke softly of the deepest issues of life. Like all great men, he had singular demons that haunted him, not just about his coaching career, but also about his place in God’s whole scheme of things. McGuire’s superior coaching skills and announcing talents made him unique, but so did his quick wit, remarkable intellect, and multifaceted personality. Over the years his entertaining and often controversial remarks and his altercations with fellow coaches, referees, and even the NCAA became legendary. Blessed with the gift of gab, he possessed a marvelous wit and an insightful mind. Depending on his mood or situation, he could be warm and friendly or cold and distant. In one moment of reflection he summed up in a sentence what he felt life was all about: "We reach for the stars as we rush towards our graves." ... Read more

Book Description

During the Golden Age of Sports in the 1920s, Walter Hagen was to golf what Babe Ruth was to baseball. The first professional golfer to make his living playing the game rather than teaching it, Hagen won eleven major professional tournaments over his long career -- two U.S. Opens, four British Opens, and five PGA Championships (including an amazing streak of four consecutive PGA wins) -- a record surpassed only by Jack Nicklaus. Hagen was also influential in helping to found the Ryder Cup and was the first American golfer to top $1 million in career earnings -- a figure equivalent to over $40 million today.

Award-winning sportswriter Tom Clavin has penned a thrilling biography that vividly recalls Hagen's dazzling achievements and the qualities that made him a star. Energetic, witty, and one of the best putters ever to walk the green, Hagen was a man who loved to party, was extraordinarily generous to his friends, and golfed the world over, giving exhibitions. He preferred to travel by limousine, and if he intended to stay awhile he'd bring a second limo just to transport his clothes, which were nothing but the finest. On his many trips across the Atlantic to compete in the Ryder Cup or British Open, Hagen was known to throw parties that lasted days, ending only when the ship reached the shore. He was also the first professional golfer to admit to playing not only for the love of the game, but also for the love of the winner's purse.

Walter Hagen, forerunner of today's sports superstars, is as dynamic a character as can be found in American sports history. Bringing Hagen to life with incredible detail and countless anecdotes, Sir Walter is the authoritative biography of the man who helped create professional golf as it's known today. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

A Bigger than Life Man
There are a handful of sports players who come into a game and leave it quite differently than they found it. I'm not sure that Hagen could be considered the intentor of professional golf, but I am sure that he is a major contender for the title. It seems like a lot of people in the time between the world wars lived life that was bigger than life.

Walter Hagen, like his friend Babe Ruth, seemed to live life the way he wanted. As he said, he didn't want to be rich, he just wanted to live that way. And it seems that he did. Hard parties, triumph on the golf course the next day. Travel was by limousine with a second one for his clothes.

There was a darker side of course, two failed marriages, the death of his son by an accidental gunshot wound, and his own death from cancer - a legacy of 45 years of cigarette smoking.

Mr. Clavin has done a supurb job of bringing this man and his life to us.

The Original Sports Celebrity
Even if you are not a golfer, you will enjoy this biography which vividly portrays a man who pioneered the role of the celebrity sports star.The Tiger Woods of his time, Sir Walter Hagen brought attention to the sport of golf as well as himself.Clavin brings alive the era of the roaring twenties and breathes life into his subject with numerous anecdotes which make you feel like you were there on the green in the tie-breaker with Hagen himself. And for someone like me who doesn't know a lot about the history or specifics of the sport of golf, it proved educational on the fine points of the game.Hagen also emerges personally as a real dandy, and a larger than life social figure who always created excitment wherever he went.He sounds just like the type of guy you'd like to hang out with at the pub.

brilliant
More than a golf book for people who love golf. Seabiscuit, Jack Dempsey, Babe Ruth, and, especially, Sir Walter evoke a bygone era of both professional sports and American culture that will never be duplicated. Clavin captures the essence of that era like no other golf book, or sports book, for that matter, that I have ever read. More than anything, when I finished this delicious narrative, I wanted grab my clubs and run out to play a round with Hagen - and then hang out with him and his famous friends in the Nineteenth Hole.

... Read more

Book Description

This is a book about a man who excelled in a game of soccer. Pele is a athlete best know throughout the world. He is the only three-time world champion in soccer."I dedicate this book to all the people who have made this great game the Beautiful Game." - Pele ... Read more

Reviews (8)

Edson Arantes do Nascimento: Pele' and his beautiful game.
Few athletes have captured the world's collective admiration and respect as Edson Arantes do Nascimento. Known affectionately to his family as Dico, but to the rest of us as Pele', his influence far exceeded his tremendous exploits on the soccer field. He is one of the most recognized people in the world.

This well-written, extremely detailed, and intriguing autobiography takes us deeply into Pele's world. He describes in great detail his impoverished youth in Bauru, his rapid ascent into the Brazilian National Team, his stellar years at Santos Football Club, and finally, his desire to bring soccer to the skeptical masses in North America. But throughout it all, we see his humility. "I only wanted to be as good as my father, Dodinho."

I had the opportunity to play soccer with a Brazilian who played with Pele' at Santos. My friend was very young at the time, and told me that Pele' treated him very well. "He was well-liked by everyone, and always helpful to his teammates. You never knew he was the best player in the world. He acted just like a regular guy."

Out of his many feats (playing in the World Cup final at the age of 17, the only three time winner of the World Cup, scoring almost 1300 goals), one stands out. Pele' is perhaps the only athlete to ever stop a war. During the Biafran Civil War in Nigeria, a three day truce was called to watch him play two exhibition games.

Pele' was declared a national treasure by his native Brazil. But for the millions of us who had the privilege to see him play, he was our treasure as well.

Thank you for the opportunity to review this excellent book.

Excellent Book
After reading some of the reviews posted online here, especially the ones that claimed the book had nothing in it about Pele's childhood and days before stardom, I bought this book. to my surprise this book starts with great detail from when Pele was born, it seems every single detail about his childhood, school, first club, everything is logged in. one may wonder whether a diary was kept, to give such accurate detail.
i am only 21 years old, but i get the feeling this will be one of the best books i will ever read.
The writting itself is fantastic, it is written in narrative form. (I, me, as though Pele is talking to us via the book) and i think thats what makes this book so good, reading what Pele has to say in his own words. I highly recomend this book it has Pele's history, everything, his humility, his love for the beautiful game.....just wonderful.

world best player pele
" WORLD BEST SOCCER PLAYER"

PELE

My name is Jairo Torres, I read your book about the super star Pele', I live in Torrance on California, I was born in Mexico I'm a big fan of Pele, when I so your book I said that book has to main and after reading the book it just tell about when he was a star not when he was beginning to play, like his first club that he had play for like two years and after those year's he went to play with the bigger club's. Santos was his first pay job that he had, after playing for that club the team of his country wish was Brazil was interested on him they took he to play a world cup with other countries.
I have seen the movie about his life and the book is almost teal's all what the movie show, but I think that you mist wear and with ho he started plying most of the time some of them wear with his chill friends just out of his home. He maid a lot of History because he was the only player that stared playing sense he was fifteen year's old he was discover by a coach that had been washing hem from some years. When he was seventeen he had play his first world cup and he was the star of that tournament wear only the best country of the world play, after those games he was known for the King of soccer even that he was famous he was ask to play for some events, he use to pay like five games a week for a player this day two games a week is a lot but for Pele' was not that many but has he got older the injuries stared happening for him he had a lot of problems with his knee and with his muscles. But after many years of playing soccer he had to retayer and he was name has the King of soccer and he is the King and he will be the only soccer player that had score 1,262 goal's.

Magical
This is a wonderful book about Pele's career and life; how from the "barrios" of Brazil to the greatest sporting stage in the world, the World Cup, Pele earned the title of the greatest soccer player of all time. The book covers Pele's triumphs as a 17 year old in the 1958 final to his dismay in 1966 and the grand finale victory in 1970. This is a well written thorough book that I purchased and read in 1977 but subsequently lost. I am happy to be purchasing it again today, to read, enjoy and share it with my children.

Simply sublime! A MUST-READ for all Pele/football fans!
This book will make a Brasilian football fan's heart beat twice as fast as any other book.

The writing will not win any awards(!!) but the CONTENT is simply sublime. The book is about God himself; the pages take you through his incredible life as the world's greatest sportsman.

The 'commentary' describing the numerous World Cup matches - and goals - is EXCELLENT! I swear I could hear the crowd roar as I read on.

Football fans (Brasilian or not), BUY THIS BOOK; you'll LOVE it! ... Read more

Book Description

Ever wonder what it would take to turn all of your dreams into reality? In The Life You Imagine, All-Star New York Yankees shortstop Derek Jeter shows how you can use the same game plan that helped an eight-year-old boy who fantasized about playing baseball for the Bronx Bombers grow up and become MVP of the 2000 World Series. With the help and support of both of his parents, Derek developed a practical program that would assist him in achieving all of his personal and professional aspirations-and now he shares his secrets to success so that you can get closer to living your dream, too.

In this inspiring, information-packed book, Derek provides you with the ten lessons that have guided him throughout his life on and off the field, from his dream of being a gifted, hardworking athlete to his goal of becoming an active community leader. Using personal stories from his own life as a student athlete in Kalamazoo, Michigan, and as a Yankee team player, Derek writes about the simple steps that put him on course for success, including:

* Setting your goals high and finding the right role models
* Being serious but still having fun
* Challenging yourself daily and not being afraid to fail
* Surrounding yourself with a strong supporting cast

Filled with rare family photos and pictures of Derek playing for the Yankees, The Life You Imagine is an intimate look into the life of a superstar athlete -- including the remarkable relationship he has with his family, what it's like to play with the Yankees, and how he's used his baseball celebrity to found the Turn 2 Foundation, a drug and alcohol prevention program for kids. ... Read more

Reviews (28)

An inspirational book from a true role model
Derek Jeter is young by most all standards. At 26 years old he has his whole life ahead of him, but the story he has lived so far is incredibly rich in inspiration. As an athlete in the dawning of the 21 st century the way he chooses to live his life in the spotlight is even more commendable considering the alternative routes he could have chosen to go down. Instead of a money hungry, media blasting, bitter ball player, Derek Jeter has become a man we all can admire because of the little boy with a dream that he was... someone we can all identify with. This story solidifies his standing as a great role model for young and old alike. In this book you will see Derek's childhood and his ongoing journey through this life he has imagined. You will find out how deeply his family has grounded him and how wonderful a job they did. This story is great if you want to be inspired by a truly wonderful young man!

The Life You Imagine: Life Lessons for Achieving Your Dreams
Who wouldn't want to be Derek Jeter? The money, fame, and women. The truth is, Jeter never really had it this good. This book, The Life You Imagine: Life Lessons for Achieving Your Dreams, talks about Jeter's struggles growing up, and his inspiring life-long dream he fulfilled when he reached the major leagues. In this book, Jeter talks about setting goals no matter how high, and striving hard to accomplish those goals. This is a book about life lessons, and using perseverance to get passed any stumbling blocks that may occur in one's life. Jeter encourages kids to dream, and believe they can accomplish their dreams. Even Derek Jeter faced difficult problems he had to overcome. In this book, Jeter gives a positive message to everyone, to believe in yourself, and you can do anything!

This book is unlike any other. Sure other books give positive messages about life, but this book gives lessons about life also. Anyone could tell a person that the problem they're facing is common and will work out, but it helps to hear from a professional athlete that experienced that same problem. Another thing that sets this book apart from others is its mood. The mood in this story is changing often. One chapter the story could be sad because of a bad situation Jeter faced, and the next chapter of the story could be happy because Jeter overcame his problem. The story goes back and forth, with Jeter facing a problem, then solving a problem. In the end Jeter is always able to persevere enough to get past whatever situation he faced, big or small. This book gives positive messages to everyone, but especially to kids. It talks about not using drugs, making right decisions, and being a good person. Derek Jeter is a great role model for any kid, not because he's a great baseball player, but because he's a great person.

My favorite book of all time..
I'm about to read this book for the third time and I'm sure I'll love it just as much as the last. Reading this book always refreshes my outlook on life, it makes me see things in a more positive life. Jeter not only shines on the field, but off the field as well. He is one person that I will look up to for the rest of my life.

Best book you can buy.
This book is incredible. I bought it 2 years ago thinking it was just about baseball, but it was much more then that. He talks about achieving your dreams. As a kid little Derek Jeter wanted to play Shortstop for the New York Yankees. Look where he is now. Short Stop for the Yankees. This dream wasn't just handed to him. He had to overcome a lot of challenges he dealt them in different ways. His parents where very supportive of anything he and his sister wanted. They deal a big part of his success.

This book was very useful to me. When I read it back in 8th grade I didn't want to put it down. SSR became my favorite part of the day so I could read it. I don't know how it happened, but the book was so inspiring. As I read it I would think, "Hey if Derek can do it so can I." Being in Special Ed. I though, "I'm not as smart as other people so why bother." After reading it I began to focus on my grades a lot more. I did all my homework and suddenly I had all these good grades. In the middle of the year I got moved up to regular classes and at the end of the year I was moved out of Special Ed. I now think anyone in Special Ed. can do well they just have to work hard and focus on school.

I'm now in 10th grade and I'm working hard to graduate and get into college teachers have asked me what encouraged me and I always say, "Derek Jeter." For some teachers that I have loved I bought them a copy of this book and they loved it. Because of this masterpiece book my whole future has been changed. I now know what I want in life. There have been so many wonderful things that have happened to me just because I focus in school and I owe it all to Derek Jeter.

Jeter should be #1
This book was well written and made you want to be a part of the jeter houshold!!! ... Read more

Book Description

In the follow-up to the shattering bestseller Out of Control: Confessions of an NFL Casualty, former Dallas Cowboys star Thomas "Hollywood" Henderson shares the story of his recovery from the abuse of alcohol and other drugs. Henderson has been clean and sober for over 20 years and has not had a drink or done any drugs since November 8, 1983. In Control takes readers from Henderson’s 1986 prison release to his current life as a community activist, philanthropist, and distributor of alcohol and drug education films to prison programs and rehabilitation centers. He also discusses how his life has changed since March 22, 2000, when he won a $28 million jackpot in the Texas lottery.

Since 1986, Henderson has been seen or heard by patients and communities as he has traveled throughout the country sharing his experiences and offering strength and hope. Over a million Americans have heard him live or seen him on one or more of his alcohol and drug education films. The inspiring In Control, written with popular longtime Dallas Morning News sportswriter Frank Luksa, focuses on Henderson’s recovery, atonements, charity, his children and grandchildren, and the handling of his new-found wealth. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Worth your time
This is simply a straightforward account of Nelson's life by The Man himself. It's primary focus is his poor-as-dirt childhood and rise to stardom on the PGA Tour, culminating in The Streak of eleven straight wins in 1945 (he retired the next year). His television work is also covered, as is the death of his wife of 50 years and subsequent remarriage, but the primary focus is on his rise to stardom and retirement to ranching. It turns out that he doesn't have hemophilia as I'd always heard, nor did he retire because his "nervous stomach" couldn't take the stress of competition. The big virtue of the book is that it's written in a homey style that makes you feel as though Nelson is right there speaking to you in his Texas twang. It was written with assistance from his second wife, and it reads as though she must have been transcribing tapes. There is very little discussion of swing theory and no tips to help your game, but it's fascinating if you have an interest in what it took to make a living in professional golf in the 1930s and 1940s. It should be required reading for today's pampered pros who make more for one fifth-place finish than Nelson made in his entire career as one of the all-time greats. He comes across as an extremely decent, religious man that you would've liked to have known. ... Read more

Book Description

"There’s a fly ball out to right field...that ball is going, going...it is gone!" The voice was unmistakable. From the 1930s until his death in 1996, Mel Allen riveted generations of sports fans with his resonant Southern tones on radio and television. His signature calls of "How about that!" (after a spectacular play) and "Going... going... gone!" (to frame a home run) made him an American icon.

How About That! The Life of Mel Allen is the first biography on perhaps the most famous sports broadcaster. Author Stephen Borelli, who, like his father and grandfather, attentively followed Allen’s on-air accounts, traces the announcer from tiny towns in Alabama to the glares of Yankee Stadium and the Rose Bowl. You brush shoulders with legendary college football coach Bear Bryant, famous radio host Ralph Edwards, and a lineup of New York Yankees legends that includes Babe Ruth, Lou Gehrig, Joe DiMaggio, Mickey Mantle, Yogi Berra and Casey Stengel. Allen had a fan following as frantic as theirs, including legions of female admirers. You experience baseball’s glorious radio days, when announcers like Allen and his Brooklyn rival Red Barber gave listeners sight and sound and their depictions made ballplayers seem larger than life. Through Allen’s folksy words, you follow a Yankees dynasty at its height, from the intensity on the field during a feverish 1949 pennant race with the Boston Red Sox and numerous "Subway Series" to the camaraderie in the clubhouse and on overnight train rides. You learn about Allen’s fade from the national eye after the Yankees mysteriously dismissed him in 1964 and his second broadcasting life in the late 1970s through mid-1990s as host of the groundbreaking television show This Week in Baseball. During this period, a unique friendship with George Steinbrenner allowed Allen to call one last no-hitter as he became the voice of baseball again.

How About That! is the story of the American dream. A boy raised by Russian Jewish immigrants who face Ku Klux Klan persecution and Depression-era hardship rises to national fame with a magical voice and a touch of chance. He stays on top with a relentless drive to succeed that leaves him a lifelong bachelor, though always a devoted family man. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

The Grain of the Voice...
Mel Allen's voice echoes throughout the pages of Borelli's book. Considering Allen's biography within the history of the game and its mass-mediated transmission, HOW ABOUT THAT! is a real pleasure for fans of the game of calling the game...

a home run
a resonant,affectionate detailed chronology of the voiceof thebronx bombers. especiallyenjoyed the segments discussing his relationship with his peers- both within as well as remote to- the Yankee broadcast booth. evokes fond memories of my baptism as a fan,Jersey summer nights, and transistor radios under the pillow.

a must have Book for a Baseball fan
Mel Allen truly made Baseball must see TV just for His Signature voice alone. I grew up watching this week in baseball which was always a Saturday must no matter what was going on.this Book also explores the hardship&various things that Mel Allen went through in his early Journey. He truly is one of the Spirits of Baseball as we know it.a Very Detailed Book that pays tribute to One of the Greatest voices in Sports History. ... Read more

Book Description

Life was one big act for wrestling super star Steve Borden, a.k.a. Sting. On the home front, however, his marriage faltered on the brink of failure while he took the fast track in his wrestling career—and to a radical entertainer lifestyle, including an addiction to prescription drugs. Confessing his problems to his wife was the beginning of a process that brought the prideful, self-sufficient champion to his knees. It was to be the greatest wrestling match of his life, and God was taking him to the mat.

God had been planting seeds in Borden's life from the time he entered professional wrestling—his brother and sisters's conversions and witnesses, his family's prayers, the witness of wrestler Ted Dibiasi—and the peace and joy he saw in the lives of other Christians. Now, the confrontation by his wife, whom he didn't want to lose, plus the fear of life without his two young sons, made his fame and fortune worthless. He was humbled. That was in August 1998. Sting became a new man in Christ and his marriage was restored. Today, he drops scriptures into conversation as easily and naturally as he once dropped opponents in the ring. He still loves a challenge, but where he once relied on a fluorescent face and shocking stunts, he now tackles each challenge with a firm faith in Christ alone.

Book Description

Sharing the Wealth is the incredible true story of how a $40 a week baker became a multi-millionaire owner of a Super Bowl NFL team and an unprecedented philanthropist. The road Alex Spanos took to riches was not a common one. Without the advantages of money, background, education, or connections, Spanos relied on his own heart and determination to achieve success.

Spanos recounts how his first gamble was his hardest and most important. As a husband and father of one child, with a second on the way, Spanos was barely making ends meet working in his father's bakery. When his father refused to give him a raise to equal the going rate for bakers, he walked out, vowing never to return to his father's employ. His first venture, selling bologna sandwiches to migrant workers, was earning $700,000 annually just five years after he left the bakery. He ultimately made his fortune in the construction business, becoming the #1 builder of apartments in America.

Sharing the Wealth also shares the personal side of Alex Spanos. He struck lasting friendships with such celebrities as Bob Hope and Telly Savalas. He was given the key to the city of San Francisco, he provided relief funds after floods ravaged Northern California, and assisted with humanitarian aid when an earthquake struck Greece. Whenever a need arose, Alex Spanos was there to help. Finally, Spanos shares his odyssey of first buying an NFL team, and then ultimately reaching the Super Bowl. ... Read more

Reviews (12)

Sharing the Wealth: My Story
In my opinion, Sharing The Wealth: My Story by Alex Spanos is a must read, a gift to people across-the-board, no matter their station in life. I feel this book can be an inspiration to those just starting out in life, as well as a wake-up call to those millions of us who need to re-evaluate our lives, our values and our goals. A real Horatio Alger character, Alex possessed a spirit that could not be shot down by the lack of money, connections, education, or background to realize success beyond his wildest dreams. His father and mother had the same kind of spirit when they chose to leave their native Greece and to raise their family in America. His love of family, his devotion to his beautiful and soul-sustaining wife, Faye, his heritage, and his business adventures never wavered in the face of adversity. Very early on, Alex mustered up the courage to step outside the box by walking out the basement door of his father's bakery, with no job, no money and a wife with child. What Alex did have was faith, and an unshakable confidence in self, and right or wrong, he trusted his own decisions. Alex took full responsibility for his actions, taking risks and creating his own opportunities and never looked back.

A truly inspiring story...
If you ever feel that you life or career are not where you want them to be, then pick up a copy of "Sharing the Wealth" by Alex Spanos for inspiration! As the charismatic billionaire owner of the San Diego Chargers, Alex's life story reads like a how-to book for calculated risk and the pursuing of one's dreams.

Alex's real story starts when he's 27-years-old. He's working as a baker for his father, making $40 a week, working 15 hours a day, and his wife is about to deliver their second child. He doesn't have the money to pay the hospital bills, so he asks his father for a raise. The answer is no. Without looking back, Alex Spanos quits his job with no prospects and no idea of how he's going to support his family.

Within a week, he's got a great idea for a business - selling sandwiches to immigrant workers in the community's surrounding fields. He soon finds that overcoming his fear and making that initial step to quit his dead-end job was the hardest part of his journey. Six months later, his business is making $500,000 a year, and Alex is well on his way to financial freedom. In the coming decades, he would become the preeminent builder of apartments in America, the owner of a NFL franchise, and live a life most people only dare to dream.

Along the way, Alex reveals many of his secrets to success: a wife that wholeheartedly supports him, the principle that cash is king, and the self-confidence that whatever has to be done, he'll do. Through every page, the infectious enthusiasm of Alex Spanos springs to life, uplifting those around him and those who celebrate his success and happiness. With this book, he passes on his life lessons for the benefit of posterity and creates a personal bond with his reader - leaving us wishing and hoping that someday soon the Chargers will win the Super Bowl...!

Britt Gillette
...

A Wealth of Knowledge and Inspiration
This is not a "get rich quick" or "how to make a million in 5 minutes" book. This book takes the reader on a journey during which (s)he experiences the life of Alex Spanos. The book is well written and perfectly paced. After reading the book you will believe that you could achieve your goals if only you dare try. The book contains so many acecdotes and stories of inspiration that when you have finished reading it you will feel as though you have actually met Alex. The only negative is the amaturish, self-indulgent forward written by Rush Limbaugh. Once you've gotten past the forward, the excellence in reading begins. Read and prepare to be inspired.

Taking a chance can make a difference!
I never knew who Alex Spanos was until I read the jacket cover of his book and then I knew I had to read it.

Mr.Spanos's writing style is very easy going, unfortunately the breadth of his subject, his life, could actually be dissected and written into multiple books.

The primary lesson that I took away from this book was "Take a chance." It is just that simple. From that lesson I became more confident in my own business.

Mr.Spanos broke away from his domineering father and then started his first business on gut instinct, dumb luck, and by taking a chance.

When you are down and out all you have is time and nothing to lose. That is the situation for many entrepreneurs, but many of them let imagined fears get in the way of them taking a chance, myself included.

If you do nothing else, buy this book simply to see where taking a chance can possibly take you. At the end of the day you might own a sports team and perform with your favorite star on stage as well.

You never know. Just take a chance.

Loved It!
What an incredible example of whether I think I can, or
whether I think I can't, either way I'll be right. Spanos is
a living model of how easy we have it in the good old USA.
A wonderful person and business man we can all learn something from. Thank you Mr. Spanos! ... Read more