price：$14.50
Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
Usually ships in 24 hours Core2Duoノートレビュー 's review (For Magic fans and Bird fans alike) 『I grew up a Lakers fan (more so Kareem than Magic), so the book When the Game Was Ours really caught my interest. Jackie MacMullan did a decent job incorporating what appears to be information obtained from in-depth interviews with Magic Johnson and Larry Bird. He made the intertwining of their stories interesting. However, it was slightly frustrating being bounced back and forth through time. Other than that, it was a very entertaining book. It was fun to read Bird and Johnson's perspectives regarding the other. It was also nice reading about several other peoples' opinions.
The Johnson/Bird rivalry epitomized friendly competition. Even if they had deep down jealousy towards the other's accolades, they also respected their foe. I have since lost interest in pro basketball because of the showboating, selfishness, and me-me-me mentality of many of the athletes, so it was refreshing to be reminded of how the game used to be.
As a Johnson fan, I thoroughly enjoyed this read. I also believe Bird fans will like it as well. For fans of the two, there will not be much new information discovered in the book, but it is definitely an entertaining read. More details and in-depth story telling would have been appreciated, but When the Game Was Ours was very entertaining and brought back many good memories. My brother in law is a huge Celtics fan, and Larry Bird is his ultimate sports idol of all time, so I am curious to see his opinion on the book once he reads it. He was hesitant when I told him it was about Larry Bird AND Magic Johnson, but I have convinced him to give it a try after explaining some of the book to him once I finished reading it.
I believe this book will be a hit among Magic fans, Bird fans, basketball fans, sports fans, and fans of feel good stories in general. I would recommend this book to most people, but I would warn sports fanatics not to expect any great revelations. A very good read indeed.』
(One Basketball Book That Covers An Era!) 『Bird and Magic were rivals throughout their career. Their mutual respect and competition between them was something to behold. The classic Celtic-Laker playoffs were great. This books sheds some good insight into their relationship and some of the behind the scenes issues that developed. A good read!
Basketball lovers and coaches might also enjoy these two best selling DVDs by Amazon. 48 Championship Basketball Drills Driveway Basketball Drills
』
(More than just talking about basketball) 『Having grown up during the reign of Larry Bird and Magic Johnson, I was delighted to see that they collaborated on the book, When the Game Was Ours.
Both my son and I read this book. My son was born just as Bird and Johnson were in their last years in the NBA so to him, this was all new stuff. For me, it was a nice trip down memory lane.
Both men are driven and ambitious who loved the game. They were also smart and savvy as well. Neither are perfect, but they are interesting and intelligent who became more than symbols of a game. They were the co-kings in an era of really good players.
My son knew he was going to enjoy the Larry Bird portion but he was surprised at how moved he was about Magic Johnson and his challenges with HIV and his friendship with the fractious and controversial Isaiah Thomas.
The narrative is easy to read. Almost conversationally as each guy gets his turn to tell his side. It isn't just about the game, but also about their lives and how they changed the game and it changed them.
I'd recommend this book to anyone who enjoyed Bird and Johnson. I'd also recommend it to any young person who is curious about that time. For both my son and I, it was a joy to read.』
(One of my favorite books) 『I was a little girl when these two titans took to the hardwood but I remember their fierce competition like it was yesterday. This book is a must read for basketball fans!
MacMullan skillfully sets up the rivalry and sends the reader right back into that special time when there were sooo many talented basketball players but the game wasn't seemingly as popular as baseball or football. Larry and Magic took the game to new heights with their enormous competitive spirit. They helped make the NBA what it is today! This book brought back many, many fond memories of watching these two greats. I do agree with the reviewer who mentioned how these two titans brought each other to new heights of competition and how wonderful it would have been had Michael Jordan had the same experience heavens only knows what he could have done.
I love the very end of this book..all that remains is respect.
I can't think of any negatives about this book. While everyone looking to buy this book obviously knows a bit about these two wonderful ballplayers I can assure you that you will certainly enjoy this read. And sorry, I never give out tidbits and spoilers in my reviews although some people don't seem to like that. ;)』
(For Anyone Who Was a of Basketball in the 80's) 『Many consider Michael Jordan the best of all time, but it was Ervin "Magic" Johnson and Larry Bird who made basketball what it is today. They are so intertwined, from their college days to competing for NBA titles all the while taking the sport from a tape delay when they entered the league, to the cultural landmark of the eighties, it makes perfect since that they would write their autobiography together (of course with a lot of help from Jackie MacMullan, it is pretty evident even though her name is smallest on the front cover, she did most, if not all the writing).
When the Game Was Ours made a big splash before its release when parts about Johnson's detraining relationship with Isaiah Thomas, and that is in there as advertised, but the book excels when Johnson and Bird stick to their relationships with each other. The book is set up by devoting certain chapters to specific dates, starting with the first meeting of the two, ironically as teammates on an international college all-star tournament.
With their first interactions together being teammates, you kind of wish that the book had ended with them as teammates again, and again for representing their country at the Olympics in Barcelona, Spain, but instead get two chapters devoted to Bird's retirement and Johnson's induction into the Basketball Hall of Fame. And of course all the important meetings in-between are represented: the college finals, the all star game, the NBA finals. The only thing missing is an accompanying DVD of the games mentioned in the book. And for the stat geeks, there is even an extensive look at their numbers throughout their careers at the back. 』 『From the moment these two players took the court on opposing sides, they engaged in a fierce physical and psychological battle. Their uncommonly competitive relationship came to symbolize the most compelling rivalry in the NBA. These were the basketball epics of the 1980s--Celtics vs Lakers, East vs West, physical vs finesse, Old School vs Showtime, even white vs black. Each pushed the other to greatness--together Bird and Johnson collected 8 NBA Championships, and 6 MVP awards and helped save the floundering NBA at its most critical time. When it started they were bitter rivals, but along the way they became lifelong friends.With intimate, fly-on-the-wall detail,When the Game Was Ourstransports readers to this electric era of basketball and reveals for the first time the inner workings of two players dead set on besting one another. From the heady days of trading championships to the darker days of injury and illness, we come to understand Larry's obsessive devotion to winning and how his demons drove him on the court. We hear him talk with candor about playing through chronic pain and its truly exacting toll. In Magic we see a young, invincible star struggle with the sting of defeat, not just as a player but as a team leader. We are there the moment he learns he's contracted HIV and hear in his own words how that devastating news impacted his relationships in basketball and beyond. But always, in both cases, we see them prevail.A compelling, up-close-and-personal portrait of basketball's most inimitable duo,When the Game Was Oursis a reevaluation of three decades in counterpoint. It is also a rollicking ride through professional basketball's best times.』 『
Amazon Exclusive: Bill Walton ReviewsWhen the Game Was Ours
Bill Walton played in the NBA for 13 years, and in 1996, was named one of the top 50 players in NBA history. He's been an analyst for CBS Sports and NBC Sports, and since 2002, he's been a game analyst for ESPN NBA telecasts. Read his guest review ofWhen the Game Was Ours:
Larry Bird and Magic Johnson are transcendent, iconic and timeless standard bearers of excellence who changed "The Game" forever, always bringing out the best in each other and never failing to put a smile on all our faces.
I was one of the lucky ones. I had the incredible good fortune to have witnessed firsthand the Bird/Magic rivalry. It was an intense and constant thing for us all. But even I didn't realize how powerful their connection was until I readWhen the Game Was Ours, a riveting and page-turning masterpiece that could only be written with the help of someone like Jackie MacMullan, who was there every step of the way and who sensed there was a whole lot more to their story than what happened on the court or got played over and over again on the highlight reels. In this book, Larry and Magic tell stories like they never have before. I was enthralled, page after page. Theirs was a unique relationship. They were polar opposites, but in ways few of us realized they were very much the same. They both wanted the same thing, day in and day out--to win. And did they know how to win.When the Game Was Oursperfectly captures the defining moments of their lives from the very beginning of their fiercest of rivalries through their constantly evolving historical relationship and friendship right up to the present. This epic tome is the capstone of their landmark careers. It is also so much more than anyone could ever dream for.When the Game Was Oursbrilliantly explains why "The Game" will always belong to Larry and Magic.--Bill Walton
Amazon Exclusive: A Q&A with Larry Bird and Magic Johnson
Amazon.com:It was interesting to learn that a fast break during an exhibition game sparked the start of your long friendship. Talk about that play and how it set the stage for future Bird vs. Magic battles.Larry Bird:What I remember about that play was we had the defender spinning around like a top because we moved the ball so quickly. I had never played with anyone who could pass the ball like Magic. I was blown away by the things he was doing on the court. But once we were done as teammates on that All-Star team, I moved on. And, a year later, when we played against each other for the NCAA championship, I treated him like he was just another guy. I wasn't too big on being friendly with people I was trying to beat. I think that upset him, but I didn't care. I was always taught, "Don't talk to the enemy."Earvin "Magic" Johnson:I already knew about Larry before we played in the World Invitational Tournament. I was dying to meet this guy who went to Indiana, quit school, worked on a garbage truck, then came back and started putting up really big numbers for Indiana State. We played on the second team together during those exhibitions, and the way we moved the ball, we were better than the starters! That one play was so fast, so amazing, those Russian players had no idea what hit them. We didn't spend a whole lot of time together off the court, because Larry kept to himself, but I was real excited the following spring when I realized our Michigan State team was going to play his Indiana State team for the NCAA championship. I went over to say hello to him at the press conference a day or two before the game, and he totally blew me off. I couldn't believe it. I left thinking, "That Larry Bird, he's kind of a jerk." And the rivalry was on.Amazon.com:Where did you each develop your love for the game?Bird:My two older brothers, Mike and Mark, played basketball all day long. They were bigger and stronger than me, so they were better in the beginning. But I loved the way it felt when the ball dropped through the strings, so I was out there all the time, day and night, working on my game. I wasn't going to stop until I could beat my brothers. And by the time that happened, I was hooked on the game. I couldn't live without it.Johnson:I honestly can't remember a time when basketball wasn't a part of my life. I grew up in a big family, so we played all kinds of sports, including basketball. I loved the way the ball felt in my hands. I took my ball with me everywhere--to school, to the store, to the school dances. People in Lansing, Michigan, got used to seeing me walking down the street dribbling my ball. I wasn't going to stop until I was in the NBA.Amazon.com:If you could each replay one game from the past, which would it be and why?Bird:I'd like to go back to the 1987 Finals, to the game when Magic sunk his junior junior hook. It was down to the final seconds, and Magic had Kevin McHale isolated out on the wing, and when he drove past him to the basket, our center, Robert Parish, came over to help, and I came over from the weak side, but probably a second too late. I never expected Magic to shoot a hook. I had never seen him do anything like that before. People forget that even after that basket, we still had a chance to pull it out. I got a great look from the baseline in the final seconds, but the shot rolled off. If I could go back and replay that game, maybe we would have won it, and possibly the series as well.Johnson:That's easy. I'd go back to Game 2 of the 1984 Finals, when we were in Boston and about to take a 2–0 lead in the series, and instead I called a time-out in the final seconds. If I hadn't called it, we would have run out the clock and taken total command of the series. Instead, because of the time-out, the Celtics were able to set their defense, and James Worthy's pass was intercepted by Gerald Henderson. That was one of the most disappointing losses of my career, and I've never forgotten it.Amazon.com:One of the most powerful moments in the book surrounds November 7, 1991--the day Magic announced he was HIV positive. Magic, why was it so important to you to contact Larry before the news hit?Johnson:You've got to understand that by this point, we're like Joe Frazier and Muhammad Ali. Nobody talked about one of us without mentioning the other. We were that connected. I knew the minute the news hit, people would be flocking to get a reaction from both Larry and Michael Jordan, so I felt I had to give them some warning. Also, by then, Larry and I had developed a bit of a relationship. In spite of all our battles, I felt a real affection for him. He needed to know, and he needed to know from me.Amazon.com:Larry, what do you remember most about that day?Bird:The feeling I had in the pit of my stomach. It was a horrible, awful feeling. I just remember lying in my room, trying to take a nap, and all I could think about was that Magic would be dead soon. At that time, we didn't know much about HIV. We all just assumed he had been given a death sentence, and that was really shocking to think about.Amazon.com:How did winning a gold medal with the 1992 Dream Team compare to winning an NBA championship?Johnson:That whole experience in Barcelona was amazing, fantastic. At that point, I was technically retired from the NBA because of my HIV illness, and I missed basketball so much. To be out there playing for my country, not to mention alongside Larry and Michael Jordan and Charles Barkley and Patrick Ewing, was one of the biggest thrills of my life. I savored every single moment of it.Bird:It was a little harder for me because my back was in such bad shape, and sometimes it was hard for me to enjoy it because of the pain. I just wanted to get into a game and make a contribution and be able to say I did it, that I was part of an Olympic team. And once I did that, I was happy. My goals were pretty realistic in Barcelona. Still, I didn't realize how amazing it would feel to be up on that medal stand, alongside Magic, John Stockton, Patrick, and all the guys, with that gold medal around my neck. That is one special memory.Amazon.com:Who carries the NBA torch today?Johnson:There's some great young talent out there, but I've got to choose the Laker, Kobe Bryant. I think he proved in the 2009 NBA championship that he learned how to balance his own individual skills with those of his teammates. That was a big step forward for him. What I liked best about Kobe was watching him enjoy himself. The game is supposed to be fun. Larry and I never lost sight of that.Bird:You certainly couldn't go wrong choosing Kobe, but I'm a LeBron James man. He is so strong. He's also fearless, and he's convinced he can do anything. That's what stands out to me. He still has some steps to take, like bringing the same effort defensively every night that he brings on the offensive end, but he has all the tools to accomplish that. He's going to have a long, successful career that will include some championships of his own.Amazon.com:If you both laced 'em up right now, who would win one-on-one in H-O-R-S-E?Bird:Nobody beats me in H-O-R-S-E. Besides, Magic can't shoot.Johnson:Larry, you'd have no chance against me one-on-one. I've got too many ways to beat you. Plus, as slow as I am, I'm still faster than you.
price：$17.50
ESPN
Usually ships in 24 hours Core2Duoノートレビュー 's review (Great Insights from a Passionate Fan) 『I have been a fan of Bill Simmons' online Sports Guy columns for several years and I liked his first book on the Boston Red Sox. His latest offering is a fascinating look at the history of the NBA through the eyes of an avid, Boston Celtics loving fan. Simmons' love of the game is evident, and it comes through in his writing. I found his rankings of the top players of all time to be interesting and his re-imagining of the Hall of Fame to be intriguing. However, as one previous reviewer mentioned, I was surprised by the lack of a separate section on referees, despite Simmons' frequent mention and criticism of them in his other writings. I was also surprised that there was not a separate section on the greatest and worst coaches, once again despite Simmons' previous material. Considering that this book ended up being over 700 pages long, perhaps Simmons felt that he could not do justice to these subjects without adding significant length to an already hefty volume. Maybe Simmons will include sections on referees and coaches in the second edition, which will supposedly arrive in 2016 when he needs a quick influx of cash (as humorously mentioned a couple times in this book). Some reviewers have expressed their dislike of the numerous footnotes, but I laughed out loud at a few of them and found myself nodding in agreement as I read many others. While reading the epilogue, I wondered why Simmons and/or his publisher didn't wait until the 2009 NBA season had concluded before putting the book out so that the most current information and statistics could be used. As much as I enjoyed this book, I felt compelled to only give it 4 stars out of 5 due to the numerous typos and other mistakes spread throughout. Those are the sorts of things that should be rectified in the editing process, and I hope that either Simmons' editor does a better job on his next book or is replaced by a better one.』
(Everything you wanted to know by a real sports fan) 『There is a reason this book is over 700 pages, and it's not just so it could stop a bullet. Simmons goes into such depth explaining the history of basketball and creating a tier system to rate the greatest players over the test of time and constantly changing statistics and amount of games played per year.
Despite all this information over the aforementioned 700 pages, Simmons constantly uses funny stories and antidotes to bolster his facts and in some cases amuse his readers and himself. These stories keep the book flowing and also gives the reader the option to put the book down and come back whenever!
This book is the history of basket ball told through one if it's biggest fans and not some historian or crazy stat jockey... Simmons shows us the way to the game of basketball not just by the level of play or talent, but the heart of teamwork and personal sacrifice.』
(A book of NBA arguments) 『This book is wildly entertaining, chalk full of footnotes showcasing The Sports Guy's usual sense of humor, and is a great way to brush up on NBA history, especially if you came to the NBA late as I did. Like his columns, this book is a blend of pop culture and sports, contains his unique opinions and insights as well as the research which he used to arrive at them, and it can be read in multiple installments without sacrificing the overall experience.』
(Player Rankings Need Some Serious Re-Working) 『In this book, among other things, Simmons ranks the 96 greatest players in NBA History and the 20 or so greatest teams. He also has a chapter on who was better Wilt or Bill Russell. He has many other Chapters wherein he opines on a variety of topics that would be good fodder for discussion in a bar.
Over half of the book revolves around his ranking of the 96 greatest players in NBA history. For me, this is the central core of the book and the part of the book that disappointed me the most. Although I realize that any ranking of the 96 best players is bound to include some players that are controversial, one would expect that the players selected would be very close to the Top 96. For me, the inclusion of Robert Horry as all-time player #85 is an unforgiveable joke and the notion that Dennis Rodman is the 69th best player of all-time leaves me speechless. At no time was Dennis Rodman any better than the 3rd best player on his team and he is the 69th best player of all-time? Give me a break.
I got the impression that selections like Horry and Rodman were supposed to add some spice to this book. It simply caused me to question the credibility of the author. Simmons' list excludes many players. I'll mention five- Marques Johnson, Maurice Lucas, Bob Love, Chet Walker and Alonzo Mourning. I would find it astounding that someone who watched basketball in the 70's and 80's would take Bobby Dandridge (Player 79) over Johnson, Lucas, Love or Walker. I would find it silly that someone would take Horry and/or Rodman over the aforementioned players.
I will acknowledge that Simmons' wrote a lengthy book and that he was not afraid to express strong opinions on the players. I'll also acknowledge that he did provide some good insights. A very significant portion of his player rankings was a function of how they "meshed" with the other players not only in terms of their game but also in terms of their attitudes, personalities, etc. Frankly, this was a "spin" that I think he handled pretty well. However, my assessment of this type of book will ultimately be a function of my assessment of Simmons' support for his decisions as to which players were included in the list (as well as their ranking on the list) and which were excluded. For me, Simmons' rankings are so poor that it causes me to question the value of his insights.』
(Great Basketball For NBA Gym Rats!) 『As a life long Knicks fan, some of the material (Celtics) is hard to digest. However, Bill Simmons does a more than credible job.
These two basketball products were also reviewed by this person. 48 Championship Basketball Drills Driveway Basketball Drills』 『There is only one writer on the planet who possesses enough basketball knowledge and passion to write the definitive book on the NBA.* Bill Simmons, the from-the-womb hoops addict known to millions as ESPN.com’s Sports Guy, is that writer. AndThe Book of Basketballis that book.
Nowhere in the roundball universe will you find another single volume that covers as much in such depth as this wildly opinionated and thoroughly entertaining look at the past, present, and future of pro basketball.
From the age-old question of who actually won the rivalry between Bill Russell and Wilt Chamberlain to the one about which team was truly the best of all time, Simmons opens–and then closes, once and for all–every major pro basketball debate. Then he takes it further by completely reevaluating not only how NBA Hall of Fame inductees should be chosen but how the institution must be reshaped from the ground up, the result being the Pyramid: Simmons’s one-of-a-kind,five-level shrine to the ninety-six greatest players in the history of pro basketball. And ultimately he takes fans to the heart of it all, as he uses a conversation with one NBA great to uncover that coveted thing: The Secret of Basketball.
Comprehensive, authoritative, controversial, hilarious, and impossible to put down (even for Celtic-haters),The Book of Basketballoffers every hardwood fan a courtside seat beside the game’s finest, funniest, and fiercest chronicler.
* More to the point, he’s the only one crazy enough to try to pull it off. 』 『Amazon Best of the Month, October 2009:The Book of Basketballis a 700-page work of hoops genius that would make Dr. James Naismith beam proudly– and probably blush. Author Bill Simmons, best known as ESPN.com's "The Sports Guy," explores the NBA with hilarious insight, brilliant analysis, and a bevy of irreverent footnotes. Simmons is a fan first – a fact best explained in an entertaining foreword by Malcolm Gladwell – and writes from the stands, not the press room. His knowledge and passion for the game provide him with few peers, yet his voice represents those who stick by their teams through thick and thin. As a result,The Book of Basketballis not just a tribute to hardwood heroes, but also a celebration of yelling at TV sets, revering lucky jerseys, and holding our breath until the final buzzer sounds. Throw in pages of nearly-insane statistical breakdowns (including a projected boxscore from the movieTeen Wolf), and it's easy to see why fans of all levels should clear shelf space for this instant classic. --Dave Callanan』
price：$6.00
Harper Paperbacks
Usually ships in 24 hours Core2Duoノートレビュー 's review (A wonderful, heartwarming story) 『This is a short review. I totally loved this book. I've gone back through it a number of times to re-read my favorite passages. Enzo is a fully developed character, even though he's a dog. I postponed reading The Art of Racing in the Rain because dog stories make me cry. This book is no exception, but the ending more than redeems the tears. I'm giving The Art of Racing in the Rain as Christmas gifts to all my dog-loving friends.』
(A dog's eye view of his life and family) 『This book was a gift to my daughter from her future in-laws. They know we love dogs, have 2 collies, and that my daughter is a veterinary nurse. I read it on a road trip in 1 sitting. Won't give any spoilers, and many reviewers have written excellent reviews of this work already.
I enjoyed the story told from the perspective of the dog Enzo. Enzo learned from a TV program that Mongolians believe when worthy dogs die, their souls return in human incarnations. Enzo believes this will happen to him, so he studies his human family intensely in order to be ready. This is the underlying basis for Enzo's narrative.
The story is a tear-jerker, yes. The prose is clear and simple (many people disliked it but I thought it was necessary, since a dog was narrating; florid prose would have detracted a lot). The actions of some of the characters is perhaps not terribly plausible to many of us, but if you read carefully, you will discover the authors gives us clues as to why those characters act the way they do (I'd write more details but I promised no spoilers).
My preferred rating would be 3 1/2 stars; I gave it 4 because I liked it more than I was indifferent to it.』
(The Art of Racing in the Rain) 『As a dog lover I loved this book and its wisdom. I had never thought of life from a dog's perspective before. It is a tear jerker but most dog stories are. The uniqueness of this one is that the reader is looking to the ending as the dog and from his standpoint.』
(great read!) 『I loved this book! It made me look at my dog in a new way---what is she thinking??? It was well written and easy to read. I recommend it hightly.』
(A "Must Read:) 『I loved this book! At times it dragged a little because of the race car descriptions, but the ending was well worth it. I recommend it highly!』 『
A heart-wrenching but deeply funny and ultimately uplifting story of family, love, loyalty, and hope—a captivating look at the wonders and absurdities of human life . . . as only a dog could tell it
price：$9.18
Tyndale Audio
Usually ships in 24 hours Core2Duoノートレビュー 's review (Uncommon is excellent) 『Tony's book gives a great explanation of how to be an uncommon person. Though written to men, can be transferred as to how to be an uncommon woman as well. Although there are references to football, the main content is about living life in general, and how letting God be the center of that life makes a difference. God can make you Uncommon in your actions toward others.』
(Excellent!!!) 『I highly recommend this book and/or CD to everyone I talk to. Tony Dungy is a positive role model that is sorely lacking in our society today. It is done in an easy, relaxed style that appeals to all age groups and yet is extremely impacting.』
(Must read for anyone with young adults) 『Tony Dungy continues to motivate me to aspire to be a better Christian man. This is a must read for anyone raising teens or young adults. Tony truly inspires a passion for greatness, whether on the inside or outside of sports. Single parents wondering how to raise your son(s) or daughter(s)? READ THIS BOOK!』
(Fantastic Read for Any Coach, Parent or Manager) 『Easy Read and Mr Dungy is direct, concise and very real. It is an simple yet terrific message for any coach, parent or manager.
』
(Excellent!) 『I know that this book is getting a lot of hype with the DVD's and now a study bible attached to it - but don't let the commercialism behind it fool you. It is a great a book with a lot of practical advise - none of which is bad. The bottom line in the book is character. It addresses the ups and down of life - the highs and lows - the in's and out's and ultimately how a man should handle all situations when they arise - with character. I have to say I was involved in the whole Promise Keepers movement when it was in its hey-day, back in the nineties - and in that time I never read a book on character and values that was written as good as this one is. It is refreshing to read a book by a popular Christian figure that isn't dressed up and fake with easy solutions and fix-it-to-make-it-all-better schemes. Knowing the personal tragedy that this man has faced in his own life just added to its authenticity. Tony Dungy speaks of having a positive attitude differently than others on this genre. He doesn't present "the positive attitude" as a way to solve and fix problems - but as a way to get through them and ultimately to build character. This book was better than his last one and refreshing to read. As soon as this baby hits the stores in paperback I'll be grabbing a bunch of 'em to pass on to friends and family.』 『Super Bowl–winning coach and #1New York Timesbest selling author Tony Dungy has had an unusual opportunity to reflect on what it takes to achieve significance. He is looked to by many as the epitome of the success and significance that is highly valued in our culture. He also works every day with young men who are trying to achieve significance through football and all that goes with a professional athletic career—such as money, power, and celebrity. Coach Dungy has had all that, but he passionately believes that there is a different path to significance, a path characterized by attitudes, ambitions, and allegiances that are all too rare but uncommonly rewarding.Uncommonreveals lessons on achieving significance that the coach has learned from his remarkable parents, his athletic and coaching career, his mentors, and his journey with God. A particular focus of the book: what it means to be a man of significance in a culture that is offering young men few positive role models.』
price：$8.40
Random House Audio
Usually ships in 24 hours Core2Duoノートレビュー 's review (a great addition to baseball history) 『How much fun would it be to read an account of Cy Young sitting down and talking about the pitcher/hitter battle with Ty Cobb? Or Warren Spahn with Ted Williams? We don't have any such account, but we do have Bob Gibson talking with Reggie Jackson! This book will only grow in importance over the years.
For those of us who remember Reggie's and Bob's playing career, this is a wonderfully vivid reminder. For those who do not, it will paint a detailed portrait of who they are and show why, even among vastly talented athletes, intelligence and will power decide true excellence.
The final pages on current issues is the weakest part of the book, showing that even these guys don't have much light to shed on steroids, pitch counts or the current gut of statistics. I suppose these issues had to be discussed, in the interest of full coverage.
The battle between hitter and pitcher is the ultimate baseball battle. These two warriors share with the reader how they survived the war so long and with so many victories.』
(WORTH EVERY PENNY) 『This book may be a little too technical for the casual baseball fan, but if you know and love the game, and want to learn a little more about the nuts and bolts of pitching and hitting, this is a great read. It's not great baseball literature like Roger Angell, or the best of Roger Kahn, more of an informal conversation between two hall-of-famers and World Series greats. It's a wealth of information about how the game is played, and more importantly, how it should be played.
What makes it great is that there are a lot of fascinating anecdotes from both Bob Gibson and Reggie Jackson interspersed with the technical stuff. Both men talk at some length about their early years in the game, and what they had to go through coming up as young black players in the 50's (Gibson) and 60's (Jackson). I already had great respect for Gibson, but have even more after reading this book. I wasn't as enamored of Reggie Jackson, but after reading Sixty Feet, Six Inches, I have new respect for him as well. Any serious student of baseball and baseball history would thoroughly enjoy this book.』
(Excellent training or fan manual) 『I am a casual fan. I like the game, but don't care much which team is playing.
This book is an excellent training book that gives you the inside scoop on what the pitcher is trying to do and how he does it and how the batter plans his attacks against the pitcher. Understanding their plans makes watching a game much more enjoyable.
This book should be required reading for any aspiring player. The two retired players share their thoughts about specific players in occasionally brutal detail.
I don't rate it at a five level because sometimes the two guys go on and on and on. Sometimes I wished they would just take the walk instead of repeatedly fouling off their ideas.
But overall, I strongly reccommend it to anyone who wants to more deeply understand what they are seeing during the game.』
(How Many Ways Can You Tell This Story?) 『Bob Gibson and Reggie Jackson are both world-class Hall-of-Famers that need no introduction, and anything they offer on baseball is worth paying attention to - up to a point. The problem with "Sixty Feet, Six Inches," a tale of the game between the pitcher and the hitter, is that there are only so many ways to tell this story. Hitters need strength and big hands, good hand-eye coordination, good eyesight that can even read the spin on the ball, and the ability to wait out bad pitches. Pitchers need arm speed, control, and a variety of offerings. Both Gibson and Jackson agree on the importance of constant practice, that getting ahead in the count is the most important part of being a good hitter or pitcher, that it is more important to respect each other as team players than to like each other, and that the psychological aspect of the contest between pitcher and batter, though sometimes overlooked, is also important. Nothing earth-shattering there.
Nonetheless, it was still quite interesting to read Reggie's explaining how he went about achieving a psychological advantage through dictating the timing to get the pitcher out of his rhythm and sense of control, but not mad enough to get thrown at. (Gibson denies he would ever throw at a batter for psychological harassment.) Jackson would also try to intimidate the pitcher by looking at him - this, however, he admits didn't work with the best pitchers. Gibson responded that pitchers might play the same psychological game - shaking off pitches just to annoy batters, even though he did prefer to get into a timing routine and finish the game within two hours. Gibson also wouldn't talk to opposing hitters or pitch vs. National league teams in spring training - he wanted to remain a mystery.
On steroids, Jackson says he would not have used them, Gibson says 'maybe.' Both are amazed at how useful slow-motion digital films are in analyzing oneself for improvement, though not so useful for analyzing competitors. Finally, they both also agree that pitchers aren't as good as they used to be - Gibson believes it is partly due to their not getting enough practice when young. (Too many other things to do.) Lowering the mound 5 inches didn't help either. 』 『Reggie Jackson and Bob Gibson offer a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to understand America's pastime from their unique insider perspective.
Mr. October and Hoot Gibson unfortunately never faced each other on the field. But now, inSixty Feet, Six Inches, these two legends open up in fascinating detail about the game they love and how it was, is, and should be played. Their one-of-a-kind insider stories recall a who's who of baseball nobility, including Willie Mays, Alex Rodriguez, Hank Aaron, Albert Pujols, Billy Martin, and Joe Torre. This is an unforgettable baseball history by two of its most influential superstars.
price：$8.84
William Morrow
Usually ships in 24 hours Core2Duoノートレビュー 's review (The Big Red Machine) 『Great book, couldn't put it down! The author made his work an easy read and exhibited class in telling the story. Highly recommended! Ray』
(reds history) 『Relives the team, and the series. like all reds fans we are still in awe of the resilience of the team.』
(OK for Cincy fans; The Sixth Game is far better) 『While this book contains a lot of detail for Cincinnati fans, a far deeper and better written book about the 1975 World Series is The Sixth Game by Mark Frost. Frost does a much better job of setting the series against baseball history and what was to come after 1975, especially the impact of free agency. He is also much better than Posnanski in detailing the "warts" on the players, and especially those on management.』
(1975 Revisited) 『If you followed the players of the Big Red Machine, as well as the BRM, then you will totally enjoy Posnanski's "The Machine". A great look back at what was a remarkable team, and the events of the world as we remember 1975!』
(Consumed this compelling and well written book in one sitting . . .) 『I confess I am a Cincinnati Reds follower so I may be biased, but the in-depth analysis of players' personalities was illuminating. The bad reviews of this book likely come from sour grapes Red Sox fans.』 『
There are memorable teams in baseball—and then there are utterly unforgettable teams like the 1975 Cincinnati Reds. From 1972 to 1976, the franchise known as the Big Red Machine dominated the National League, winning four division crowns, three league pennants, and two World Series titles. But their 1975 season has become the stuff of sports legend.
InThe Machine, award-winning sports columnist Joe Posnanski captures all of the passion and tension, drama and glory of this extraordinary team considered to be one of the greatest ever to take the field. Helmed by Hall of Fame manager Sparky Anderson, the lineup for the '75 Reds is a Who's Who of baseball stars: Pete Rose, Ken Griffey, Joe Morgan, Johnny Bench, Tony Perez, George Foster, Cesar Geronimo, and Dave Concepcion. Like a well-oiled engine, the '75 Reds ended the regular season with 108 wins and finished a whopping 20 games ahead of their closest division competitor, the Los Angeles Dodgers.
But that remarkable year was not without controversy. Feuds, fights, insults, and run-ins with fans were as much a part of the season as hits, runs, steals, and strikeouts. Capturing this rollicking thrill-ride of a story, Posnanski brings to vivid life the excitement, hope, and high expectations that surrounded the players from the beginning of spring training through the long summer and into a nail-biting World Series, where, in the ninth inning of the seventh game, the Big Red Machine fulfilled its destiny, defeating the Boston Red Sox 4-3.
As enthralling and entertaining as the season and players it captures,The Machineis the story of a team unlike any other in the sport's glorious history.
price：$6.38
Klutz
Usually ships in 24 hours Core2Duoノートレビュー 's review (Enjoyed by kids and grown-ups) 『This book has been sitting on the table ever since it was opened as a birthday present. Anyone who comes by reads something and laughs, whether it's kids or adults. And the 30-year-olds who've read parts of it are ready to try some not-growing-up tricks!』
(A great gift for 9 and up) 『I bought this book for my 10 year-old son and 9 year-old niece and not only have they enjoyed it, but so have all of the teenagers and adults in our extended family. This is one of those gifts you buy a dozen of, and are prepared for any gift-giving occasion for all ages and either sex. We have a few 40th birthdays this year and I've already bought the black over-the-hill gift wrap!』
(the encyclopedia of immaturity) 『This is a great book which all ages can get a good laugh. Not sure if we are going to try these such silly things but we enjoy reading it and laughing and sharing with other around the camp fire.』
(GREAT FUN!) 『This is a truly fun book, crammed with oddities. My 13 year old is devouring it. We got two extra copies to give as birthday gifts to our grandsons, who will also find it a challenge. It's well done, although the paper is a bit flimsy&I have my doubts how how they will work oin this ring-bonder format. The cover binding is beautifully done, also with wit&good design sense. An excellent purchase for kids or adults alike.』
(Encyclopedia of Immaturity) 『This was a gift for my 9 year old and he absolutely loves it. Some of the topics are silly but somehow he finds it funny. My son loves to read so this is just a good fun book to have.』 『How to never grow up, the complete guide.』
price：$12.45
Bulfinch
Usually ships in 24 hours Core2Duoノートレビュー 's review (Amazing Pictures!) 『I got this book for my husband who is a golf and photography fanatic and it was perfect. The pictures and little stories are great. I even read the whole book myself.』
(Great Gift) 『Really great gift for a golfer. Bought it for my husband but both of us have very much enjoyed. Photos are great, printing quality is very fine. There are recountings of several epic lays but there are plenty of other stories and images; widely varied, entertaining and interesting. So much so that we've been inspired to plan trips to a couple of the locations in the book.』
(A magnificent golf book) 『A truly inspired book made of pictures that are both nice to look at and evocative of the terrible places where our balls will lie every now and then.... A superbly shot series of images that will surely delight any golfer. Especially because he can have some relief in seeing other golfers' balls in places even worse than the ones where he sent his ones last week. Recommended!
Dr Stefano Pasini, Bologna, hcp 21』
(Great gift for golfers) 『Our son got such a kick out of the book we have him for Fathers Day. Actually, we really enjoyed reading it before we wrapped it up. Wish we could find a photo of the cover for framing. 』
(Lost Balls review) 『Thought it was a great book, loved the photos,he included a lot of courses that were unknown, but forgot Shiskine: http://forelinksters.com/course/shiskine_golf_and_tennis_club_isle_of_arran 』 『Charles Lindsay's photographs offer a humorous and inquisitive foray into the hazards where golf balls are lost--rough, woods, bunkers, and wetlands--as well as unexpected encounters with wildlife on and off the green. An avid golfer with plenty of experience losing balls, Lindsay photographs his way to the heart of the game with a light touch and an eye for telling details. In the process, he discovers balls ravaged by golfers, gators, and foxes--and lost for over a century.
Lindsay even encounters what is believed to be the world's oldest golf ball--unearthed in a cellar in the Netherlands alongside a primitive club.
The photographs were taken at celebrated courses in North America, England, Scotland, and Ireland: Pebble Beach, Bandon Dunes, Bethpage, Fossil Trace, Troon, St. Andrews, Royal St. Georges, Ballybunion, Old Head, and many others.
The foreword by John Updike is a celebration of golf and nature and where the two meet. A humorous story by golf giant Greg Norman rounds out the book.』
price：$8.50
Harcourt
Usually ships in 24 hours Core2Duoノートレビュー 's review (Best Dog Book I've Ever Read) 『I've read quite a few books about dogs and this one is the one I enjoyed the most. What a fine writer. Kerasote was able to convey the true spirit and unique personality of his beloved Merle, not an easy feat. I highly recommend this book.』
(Fairytales) 『If you enjoy reading fictions and fairytales, you'll enjoy this book. The author lives in a fantasy world where cartoon characters, Santa Clause, and the tooth fairy are real flesh and blood. Where we can carry on a full conversation with animals and interperate their replys and thoughts. Perhaps in rural Wyoming someone can live like a free spirit with his head in the clouds, but here in the real world, we have limits that ground us to reality. Ted doesn't』
(This One Got Me) 『I absolutely loved this book! When the author can make me laugh out loud or sob with sadness, then I consider him/her to be a good writer. Ted Kerasote did both with this book. I actually even reflected on the book and Ted and Merle's life together for several days after I was done reading it.』
(best dog book.) 『Ted Kerasote has written a great book that touches on how dogs think, what motivates them, etc. It is a warm loving story about the relationship between Ted&Merle. I loved the book. Terry Brown Avila Beach,CA』
(fabulous--from the heart.) 『this book was given to me last year by a friend. it was so good i read it slowly, and then read it again. you must also go on ted kerasote's website and watch the slideshow playing to bluegrass music. i just recently got this book for a friend at work with a big dog and they also enjoy alot of outdoor activities, and i tell all my dog- and outdoor-lover friends about it. one of my top five favorite books ever, and i have been a big reader all my life.』 『
While on a camping trip, Ted Kerasote met a dog—a Labrador mix—who was living on his own in the wild. They became attached to each other, and Kerasote decided to name the dog Merle and bring him home. There, he realized that Merle’s native intelligence would be diminished by living exclusively in the human world. He put a dog door in his house so Merle could live both outside and in.
A deeply touching portrait of a remarkable dog and his relationship with the author, Merle’s Door explores the issues that all animals and their human companions face as their lives intertwine, bringing to bear the latest research into animal consciousness and behavior as well as insights into the origins and evolution of the human-dog partnership. Merle showed Kerasote how dogs mightlive if they were allowed to make more of their own decisions, and Kerasote suggests how these lessons can be applied universally.
price：$11.50
Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
Usually ships in 24 hours Core2Duoノートレビュー 's review (RICK "SHAQ" GOLDSTEIN SAYS: "HOW LOMBARDI RESHAPED A TEAM OF QUITTING LOSERS INTO WINNERS THAT WOULDN'T QUIT IN GREEN BAY.") 『In June of 1959 at the first Green Bay Packer pre-season quarterback camp new coach Vince Lombardi addressed six quarterbacks of which only three would make the team. One of the players at that meeting was future Hall Of Famer Bart Starr. Starr was not only "not" on the way to a Hall Of Fame career at that point... but his first two years with the Packers had resulted in won/loss records of 3&9 and 1&10. In fact their most recent season 1958 had been the worst season in the forty-year history of the Green Bay Packers. Coach Lombardi who had never been a head coach in the professional or college ranks... though he was an assistant coach on New York Giant NFL championship's... knew what he wanted to accomplish in Green Bay... and how he would accomplish it. Lombardi did not mince words... and the entire future legacy of a franchise was set when Lombardi delivered the following *OPENING* salvo:
"GENTLEMEN... WE'RE GOING TO RELENTLESSLY CHASE PERFECTION, KNOWING FULL WELL WE WILL NOT CATCH IT, BECAUSE PERFECTION IS NOT ATTAINABLE. BUT WE ARE GOING TO RELENTLESSLY CHASE IT BECAUSE, IN THE PROCESS, WE WILL CATCH EXCELLENCE."
"HE PAUSED AND STARED, HIS EYES MOVING FROM PLAYER TO PLAYER. THE ROOM WAS SILENT."
I'M NOT REMOTELY INTERESTED IN BEING JUST GOOD," HE SAID WITH AN INTENSITY THAT STARTLED THEM ALL."
When there was a break in the meeting an hour later... Starr ran to a phone and called his wife at home in Alabama and said: "HONEY, WE'RE GOING TO START TO WIN," HE SAID BREATHLESSLY. THE GUY TALKED ABOUT PERFECTION!"
From that place in time forward the author details the fury and passion that defined the Italian-Brooklyn-born Lombardi who became a savior... in of all places... frigid Green Bay. He worked the ballplayers harder than they'd ever been worked. Former college All-Americans were throwing up on the practice field. Coach Lombardi threatened the team that if they didn't do things his way he'd get rid of them... and get rid of some of them he did. The players hated him... but in the end they loved him... for what he forced them to become.
What the Green Bay Packers were before Lombardi's arrival was not only a losing team... but a team known throughout the league as quitters. When Lombardi reviewed the prior season's game tapes... especially the November 2, 1958 game against the Baltimore Colts in which they lost 56-0... it wasn't just the score... it was the fact the players quit trying. This added even more fuel to his fire and passion... if that's humanely possible... and every practice became a personal quest to transform Lombardi's desire for a team that would always leave every ounce of sweat... blood... and tears... on every field... whether in practice or in a game... all towards the goal of excellence... victory... and being able to look each other in the eye... knowing they never quit.
Interestingly portrayed along with the Packer's coach and players are the opposing NFL stars of that generation... and the entire town of Green Bay whose lives are built around the fortunes of their hometown team. The reader will be made well aware of how Lombardi built the foundation of a team that in 1959 had its first winning season since 1947... that would play for the NFL championship in 1960 and win the NFL championship in 1961,1962,1965... and win the first two Super Bowl's in history in 1966 and 1967. And as all fans know today... the Super Bowl Trophy is called the *LOMBARDI-TROPHY*. All this reinvigoration of a once proud Packer franchise had to start somewhere... and where it all started was in... "THAT FIRST SEASON". 』
(Pro Football Became Magical When Lombardi's Packers Won The Super Bowl) 『Whether you are a fan of professional sports or not, the enchanting Hollywood movie-like story of Vince Lombardi and the Green Bay Packers' trek from the doldrums of their sport to its highest glory is nothing short of miraculous and awe-inspiring. Author John Eisenberg does a brilliant job of capturing all the sights and sounds of what it was like during that historic first season of Lombardi's eventual reign of dominance in the National Football League. You see Lombardi for exactly who he was -- warts and all -- to unveil exactly how he transformed this bottom-dweller of a team into world champions. If you think you know everything there is about the Green Bay Packers and Lombardi during THAT FIRST SEASON, then you may just want to get a copy of this book for a few surprises you may not know about. There are also several vintage photographs of Bart Starr, Jim Taylor, and the rest of that infamous Packers team that went from zeroes to heroes!』
(From Oblivion to the Spotlight) 『I was in high school when the Packers finished the 1958 season with one win, ten losses, and one tie. Red Smith wrote, "The Packers underwhelmed ten opponents, overwhelmed one, and whelmed one." The franchise was in disarray with a new coach needing to be hired. The first football game I ever saw was the game in which the Packers "whelmed" their opponent. The team they "whelmed" was the Detroit Lions, and it was Bobby Layne's last game with Detroit before being traded to Pittsburgh.
Author John Eisenberg does a marvelous job in recapturing that 1959 season in which the Packers finished with a stunning seven and five record. A number of future Hall of Famers were on that 1958 team wallowing on the bench, their careers being wasted. Lombardi came in and instilled the discipline needed to bring out the best in the roster. Star players such as Howard Ferguson and Billy Howton were shipped off to other teams when Lombardi didn't see them adapting to his program. Author Eisenberg illustrates the conflicting attitudes the players had towards Lombardi. They saw improvement on the field, but often resented the tongue lashings and boot camp practices they were required to go through. The season involved an initial winning streak that uplifted spirits, but a lengthy losing streak caused doubt to raise its ugly head. A final winning streak and the emergence of quarterback Bart Starr, along with Boyd Dowler, Jim Taylor, Paul Hornung, and others brought the season to a positive conclusion.
Sometimes an author can overdue game details in a book whether it be baseball or football. I did not find that to be a problem in this book. I haven't followed professional football since the end of the 1960s, but I found this book brought back many memories of the emergence of the Green Bay Packers under Vince Lombardi after several years of mediocrity (at best) during those forgettable years pre-Lombardi. I feel this book to be especially interesting to those old enough to remember this time period. If you are too young to remember buy the book and educate yourself. It will be time well spent.』
(Great Sports Book. Great Football Book.) 『This is an intimate story that has been well researched by the author.
The reader really gets a feeling of being with the team, during Lombardi's first year as coach of the Green Bay Packers.
Since Lombardi had only done head coaching work at a High School, but was also the Assistant Offensive Coach for the NY Giants championship team, the author lays out an uphill battle that the coach is up to surmounting.
The author takes us through the disciplined approach to practices, and prepping for game day.
The no-non-sense approach leaves an indelible mark on the reader.
If you enjoy football, and want to better understand the roots of how the league got a foot hold with such a strong and iconic, inspirational leader, you will enjoy this book. I highly recommend it.
』
(Great gift for the Green Bay Packer Fan!) 『This book was surprising! I thought I had read most of the books about Lombardi, and most regurgitated the same stories and anecdotes about Vince Lombardi over and over...This book held surprising new information and I learned things that I had never seen in another book! From about the 3rd chapter on, the book was just fascinating!』 『Product Description In the late 1950s the once vaunted Green Bay Packers were a laughing stock. They hadn't fielded a winning team in more than a decade and were very nearly in jeopardy of losing their franchise to another city. The ultimate low came in 1958, when, with 7 future Hall of Famers on the team, they went a lousy 1-10-1 under a too-soft coach, Scooter McLean. They were desperately in need of a savior, and he arrived via wood-paneled station wagon in the dead of winter from New York City.That First Seasonchronicles Vince Lombardi's remarkable first year as head coach with the franchise he would reinvent and etch forever in football history. In a single year, as the grizzled coach who took no bull, he would transform a team of underachievers into winners and reignite a city known for its passion for its sport. Based on exhaustive new research and interviews,That First Seasonis the seldom-studied prequel to a football career marked by greatness. Eisenberg pushes away the mist that surrounds the Lombardi legend to bring readers the real story of how the seeds of a football dynasty were sown. He also brings alive an incredible ensemble tale of a team, a town and their leader.
Photographs fromThat First Season (Click to Enlarge)
The Packer offense took off when Lombardi inserted Boyd Dowler
Paul Hornung, a key player in Lombardi's offense
Don McIlhenny runs the ball against the Colts
A fan congratulates Lombardi as he leaves the field
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Larry Bird and Magic Johnson are transcendent, iconic and timeless standard bearers of excellence who changed "The Game" forever, always bringing out the best in each other and never failing to put a smile on all our faces.
