Core2Duoノートレビュー 's review (ENDURANCE) 『"ENDURANCE", what a tale. It is hard to imagine a modern group of men from the civilized world enduring such an adventure. Surrounded by all our modern technology, modern civilized man is probably not capable of "enduring" such a physical and mental epic. Modern technology would not allow the "Endurance" epic to unfold, the crew would be rescued within hours. Ernest Shackleton's tough physical and mental leadership would serve him well as a whale of a team leader in one of our modern professional sports leagues.
Nevada BookWorm』
(Amazing tale of some remarkable men) 『Fascinating story which is very well written. The willpower of these men, especially Shackleton, cannot be surpassed. By no rights should these men have survived and yet not a single man died. It's a testement to the sheer heroism and the sheer willpower to survive that these men survived well over a year on the most remote region of the planet. A very good story and very well written. Highly recommended!』
(Timeless incredible survival story) 『This is simply one of the most amazing survival stories of our time. The writing is superb, formulated from the many accounts as recorded in personal journals and testimonials of the crew of Endurance. Several things appealed to me in this page-turning narrative that are, I believe, unique to the time of this expedition as well as to the type of person who persevered through this doomed historic attempt to land-cross the Antarctic, known as the Imperial Trans-Antarctic Expedition of 1914. The summary of the content of the book is well-documented through other reviews. These are only a reflection of some personal observations.
Ernest Shackleton and his crew were a rare combination of men who decided, early on, that despite the odds against them they would not give in to hopelessness, they would maintain order in their days and respect in their relationships, and that above all they would remain supportive of one another, to the last man. It came to me time and again that these men were intelligent, level-headed, and compassionate. When the journal entries were quoted directly, I was amazed at the grammatical accuracy and their choices of vocabulary and style in their narratives. Many of these men might have written stunning publishable accounts on their own accord.
Throughout the story, it becomes clear that the skills of each special crewman were drawn upon for sustenance and literal survival. It's a tribute to them all that they were able to use their brains foremost as the most important tool in the battle against a frozen nature and the relentless and restless sea. To have navigated to a small island (South Georgia) through Drake's Passage in an open boat, with staggering fatigue and with all the elements stacked against them, the men devoted to reaching the whaling port for help were nothing short of incredible. As a telling tribute, the Norwegian whaling captains gave these men a standing salute for having navigated, much less survived, the trip. Their overland trip to reach the whaling station was another super-human feat that even today rattles the most technical ice-climbing specialists.
This story came after my reading of "Into Thin Air" by John Krakauer and another reading of "The Perfect Storm" by Sebastian Junger. All demonstrate the resolve of the human drive-to-survive in the face of the terror of unrelenting nature. The crew of the Endurance accomplished the near-impossible feat of almost two years of abandonment amongst the most terrible environment on earth; an accomplishment I wonder whether could be done today without the technological advances and comforts we depend upon. It was actually refreshing to read of a real-life situation where the men were devoted to each others well-being, and where all the men survived the ordeal with the skilled leadership of Shackleton.
The crew of the Endurance should be an example of what good can be seen and realized in human endeavors.
I wish someday an up-and-coming Peter Jackson would create a film that included the experiences of the men on Endurance, as well as the similarly ill-fated Aurora, sister-ship of the Expedition approaching the Antarctic continent from Australia as the supplier and ride home!
』
(Adventure and heartache) 『This book is well written and gives a harrowing account of early explorers to an extreme and inhospitable place. The author doesn't cut corners or use unnecessary literary devices, because the truth is way too interesting to bother with embellishments. I wouldn't hand this to a 10 year old, but jr high or older would enjoy this history adventure.』
(Item has not been received!!) 『I am disappointed to tell you that I have not received this book. Where is it?』 『Outline In the summer of 1914, Sir Ernest Shackleton set off aboard the Endurance bound for the South Atlantic. The goal of his expedition was to cross the Antarctic overland, but more than a year』
price：$8.48
Potomac Books Inc.
Usually ships in 24 hours Core2Duoノートレビュー 's review (A great read for hockey fans, young players, and business folks) 『As a long suffering Washington Capitals fan, I have seen a series of managers ranging from the mediocre (Glen Hanlon, "Butch" Cassidy, etc.) to the good (Brian and Terry Murray). But none are what noted business author, Jim Collins, would refer to as a "Level 5" manager -- the one who generates extraordinary results by winning both with this team ("the workplace") and the fans ("the marketplace").
Until now.
Gabby is a light, pleasant read -- no heavy hockey philosophy here. But it reveals genius through simplicity and passion. Bruce Boudreau's success is spelled out beautifully in this book through a series of stories about his less-than-stellar playing career, lessons learned from minor league coaching, and becoming one of the NHL's most successful coaches.
This book is an idea read for the following: A rabid Washington Capitals fan; a youth hockey coach; high school and up hockey players; and young business professionals looking to glean secrets and tips for being a successful leader. I see a lot of my own company's president (highly successful and a joy to work for) in Bruce Boudreau.
Gabby talks about his experiences, both on and off the ice, in an entertaining way, but if you're not careful, you'll miss the many life-lessons he's trying to convey, such as the one trait, evident on almost every page, that underlies his strength and success -- genuine humility.
There's a few things I thought he glossed over a bit much, such as his divorce from his first wife (but it took some courage to even talk about it), a bit more about some of the players he's coached for, especially some of today's stars on his and other NHL teams, and perhaps a bit more about his own personal background and how he developed his passion for hockey. Then again, I'm not quite done with the book yet.
I suggest this book as a Christmas or birthday present, or a gift, for the young hockey player or coach in your life. But don't forget a copy for yourself, too. 』
(Such a fun book, really captures Gabby) 『What a great, fun book. As a Capitals fan, I've enjoyed having Bruce Boudreau as the head coach. He's a very open, very talkative guy -- hence the nickname of Gabby. And unlike most coaches, he speaks his mind. He'll tell jokes, he'll be blunt, he'll be honest. It's refreshing to see in sports.
The book is also very refreshing in its openness and honesty. He pulls no punches, spreading praise and asking blunt questions. He doesn't just shine the light on others, questioning his own approach to the game as a player and coming to the conclusion that he can use himself as an example of how NOT to play the game. He admits that he didn't do what he could to be the player he could (even though he's been inducted to the AHL Hall of Fame, he didn't reach his potential in the NHL). That kind of honesty isn't seen much, and lends a nice air to the book.
Boudreau covers his playing and early coaching career in some depth, too, talking up the up-and-down career he had with multiple teams in multiple leagues, admitting when perhaps he made a wrong decision in his contracts, and pointing out a few instances when he could have gotten off track but for one minor choice. He also gives readers a great look at the evolution of his coaching style and background, talking about who he coached, for, with, and against, and what he learned from each of them. It wasn't all peaches and cream, and he bluntly discusses why -- even when it was due to his own actions or decisions.
But where the book is really fun for Caps fans is when Boudreau is promoted on Thanksgiving Day 2007 and takes the worst team in the league on a magic carpet ride to the playoffs, making DC one of the new Hockey Towns in the league. Yes, Boudreau had some help -- Ovie, Greenie, Feds, Nicky (aren't hockey nicknames great?) and more -- but he really gives an inside look into coaching the Caps, coaching in hockey, and how he turned the team around.
Boudreau has really led a full life, and it comes through in the book. His co-author, Tim Leone, covered Boudreau when he was coach for the Hershey Bears, and the two have an obvious rapport that shines through. Leone lets Boudreau's personality do the heavy lifting in the book, opting to present him unvarnished without the cleaning up some autobiographies do. It's a really refreshing approach, and makes you believe you truly got to know Bruce Boudreau in reading the book.』 『Bruce Boudreau is living a hockey Cinderella story. After more than three decades in the minor leagues as a player and coach, he was promoted to head coach of the Washington Capitals in 2007. Boudreau revived the Caps, written off as dead, to a division championship and received the Jack Adams award as the National Hockey League’s Coach of the Year in June 2008.
His story is an entertaining odyssey of triumph, disappointment, and perseverance, stretching from Toronto to Washington. As a pro rookie, Boudreau had a cameo appearance inSlap Shotwith star Paul Newman. Today Boudreau coaches superstar Alexander Ovechkin and a young Washington club poised to become an elite NHL team vying for the Stanley Cup.
Boudreau stole the limelight at the 2008 NHL Awards Show with his self-deprecating and folksy manner, which has made him a popular personality at every stop he’s made. Hockey fans know there’s only one Boudreau.』
price：$8.48
Triumph Books
Usually ships in 24 hours Core2Duoノートレビュー 's review (Must read for any hockey fan) 『I have a lot more respect for Theo after reading what he was going through. I followed him since his rookie year, this book helps answer a lot of questions at to what was going on behind the scenes. Its actually a really good read and Im happy to see Theo where he is today. It says as much about abuse and addiction as it does about hard work and determination. Im a hockey, Flames and Theo fan so for me this book was a 5 out of 5.』
(Author) 『While I have NEVER been a real fan of Theo Fleury nor a fan of the Flames, I got the book because I always had respect for the little man that chose to play hockey like he was 6 foot 2. (plus the Flames were my dad's team since they were in Atlanta). It has given me alot of insight into why he played the game the way he did. I may not have liked Fleury, but I still respected him.』
(Fleury bragging about his party days.) 『Theoren Fleury is only a few years older than myself, I grew up in Winnipeg and played hockey, I wish I had half the natural talent that Fleury did. The book has far too much information about Fleury's partying and is sexual conquests. Fleury sounds like the stereo-typical hockey player from the 80's. If Fleury is hoping to be a role model for younger players, what are they going to learn from the book, if you smoke cigarettes, consume alcohol, abuse drugs and party all the time you can still make it as an elite level hockey player. For some reason, Fleury continually uses the "f_Word" in the book. Fleury continually describes himself as one of the most talented hockey players of all time, Fleury was good, but his play does not warrant calling himself the best of all time. Fleury correctly describes himself as a jerk. It was interesting and enjoyable reading about hockey part of the book 』
(A little superficial) 『Must give Fleury kudos for opening up the way he did about being molested as he's trying to fulfill a dream to make it to the NHL. It's difficult to comprehend.
Had the good fortune of covering Fleury during the ups and downs during his NHL career. He was always forthcoming about his play on the ice.
Was it a great memoir? It was OK. Not great and not horrible. More of a run-of-the-mill productions you read, seemingly rushed to make a quick buck. It is not on the level of some of the best sports memoirs ever written - Ken Dryden's "The Game" and Thomas "Hollywood" Henderson's "Out of Control."
Fleury weaves his tale through the first-person 'I' narrative the entire way. The re-occuring "poor me" theme was re-played ad nauseum. He paints a tragic childhood in which his father is an alcoholic and mother a pill popper. That, coupled with the molestation charges, seems to be a never-ending crutch for ruining relationships, being a neglectful father and always turning to addictive measures. Only near the end does Fleury retreat and take responsibility. But the interpretation can be made that the crutches are always within arms' reach.
Unfortunately, this is what those in NHL circles remember most. At times he could be a destructive presence within management circles, self-centered with few social graces.
There are notable anecdotal behind-the-scenes stories that add to the book. There are needless pot shots delivered for the sake of taking a shot. It was clear he didn't like certain coaches, ala Mike Keenan and Dave King - and forced in other asides about each that didn't have much relevancy. He used a cop-out that because they never played at the NHL level, they had no right to be coaches. It's a weak argument considering Keenan won a Cup and came close a couple other times.
Fleury even suggested that superstars don't have to listen to coaches. Whether that's true or not, Fleury seemed to deem himself as a superstar. Sorry, superstar status was reserved for the likes of Gretzky, Lemieux and Yzerman types. Fleury was a star, no doubt about it, but more in the mold of a Modano level.
Not sure of the purpose of relating his Flames career. He intimated that he was the primary reason why the fans came, he made the Flames a ton of money, the Flames would have tasted more success had they not gutted the team in the 1990s and paired him with competent players, going insofar to knock various teammates by name. It came across as nothing more than petulent.
Here's hoping that after all the drugs and gambling, he is on the right path to recovery. Wish him nothing but the best. No one wants to see any other human form suffer or self-destruct.
』
(Put your hand into the flame -- you'll be glad you did) 『This is one of the best memoirs I've ever read. Actually, it's one of the best books I've ever read. I've read a lot of memoirs and biographies, and this one is brutally honest -- heartbreakingly so.
Theo Fleury's book contains many stories. It's the story of a Canadian who grew up poor on the prairies and clung to his dream like a lifeline. It's a story of a broken, lonely childhood plagued by demons and abuse. It's a story about the drive to be the best at a particular sport. It's a story of addiction to booze, drugs, and sex. It's a story of both dizzying success and financial failure. But most of all, it's a story about what it means to be human and what it's like to live in constant pain...and to find relief in things that only make matters worse.
Anyone who loves hockey (especially the Calgary Flames) will love this book. Ditto anyone who's been abused or anyone who struggles (or struggled) with substance abuse and suicidal impulses. Theo has written a book for both sports fans and those who don't care about sports. His story is painful, but it deserves to be heard. And hopefully it will help anyone who struggles with the same issues that affected him.
price：$10.18
Mountaineers Books
Usually ships in 24 hours Core2Duoノートレビュー 's review (Without hyperbole, the greatest book on mountaineering in the history of human civilization!) 『Someone once told me "Mountaineering is just like backpacking with less margin for error". Of course the reality is that there are additional skills, concepts, and so on that you absolutely need to know before hauling yourself onto a rock face or glacier. This book contains all of that - the accumulated wealth of knowledge based on the experience of more than 40 of the world's best mountaineers. What makes this book so unrivaled?
- Topics are effectively separated into chapters that allow you to find what you need fast - Information is presented with photos and diagrams to clarify each and every detail - The writing style is pleasant to read - neither frivolous nor obfuscating - Everything you ever wanted to know (about mountaineering) is in the book
Buy several copies, sleep with one as a pillow in the hopes the information will naturally osmose into your brain, love mountaineering, be safe, and in your many travels please respect our natural resources!』
(The Bible for Mountaineering) 『Before about 1990 there was no deliniation in mountaineering sports. There was none of this, "I am an indoor climber" or "I am a boulder" or "I only do Winter Climbing" etc -- if you climbed you did the lot reasonably proficiently. This book was spawned in that era and as such covers just about everything you need to know to climb and stay alive on the slopes. You won't find tremendous descriptions of all the redundant systems for anchoring, or every sort of arrest for glacier travel, but you will find a good intro to them in this book.
There is also a great section on mountain travel and the basics of rescue as well.
In sum this book is for the all-rounder who seeks to not just max out on his 5.14 move 3 inches off the deck, but also wants to know how to stay alive on a long 3 day 5.4 route along a mountain crest when bad weather closes in. With the desconstruction of society and knowledge getting boxed and marketed in smaller and smaller areas of specialisation, you have people who are competent crag climbers, but who have absolutely no basic skills when it comes to knowing the mountains -- in this sense this book is geared towards more that increasingly rarer of species, the mountain man. If more people buy it and use it this breed will not dissapear.
I have three editions ... at home spread over three decades... It is also a wonderful reference and good bathroom reading material.』
(GREAT BOOK) 『Good book, very informative! Im actually selling this under my Amazon, I have learned almost everything I need to know about rock climbing.』
(This Is My Bible) 『The title says it. I won't go too far into depth, but let me just say that this is the best mountaineering/climbing book I've ever owned. Of course nothing will ever make up for experience and proper training, but this book is filled with information on everything from stacking trad gear to proper loading of a backpack and building a snow shelter. Definitely a great investment for any outdoorsman or climber.』
(great all around book) 『While i am still relatively new to the whole mountaineering culture, i do have plenty of climbing and hiking experience. "Mountaineering" does an excellent of job in filling in the gaps of my skill set, as well as gives excellent descriptions of how to hone in and perfect my already used skills. I highly recommend this book for both anyone new to the outdoors and those who already have summit notches on their belts. I do wish there were more knots included in the ropes section, but there are plenty of good, graphic, cheap knot books out there already. OH! never forget, proper training is always going to be better than just reading a book, but, if you are going to just read a book, this is it:)』 『The "climber's bible"--now updated in a new 7th edition
From choosing equipment to how to tie a particular knot; from basic rappelling technique to planning an expedition; it's all here in this essential mountaineering reference.
· More than 500,000 copies sold in previous editions · Written by a team of more than 40 experts · Fully revised to reflect evolution in mountaineering equipment and technique · Expanded Ten Essentials list · All 415 illustrations updated and redrawn · New chapters on: waterfall ice climbing and mixed climbing, physical conditioning, access and land stewardship, and much more · Now includes a glossary of climbing terms』
『This sixth revised edition of the mountaineering classic is an essential reference for novices and experts alike. Chapters are devoted to in-depth discussions of outdoors fundamentals; climbing techniques for rock, snow, and ice; safety procedures and emergency response; geology and weather; and appendices for climb ratings and supplementary reading, among other topics. Detailed sections on navigation, ropes, knots, and protection include drawings, diagrams, and maps. Enjoy the freedom of the hills to the fullest with this thorough guide.』
Core2Duoノートレビュー 's review (Perfect companion to a level 1 Avy class) 『This is a phenomenal book. Clear, engaging, accessible, and thorough. Tremper helps you understand the science of avalanches, points out the key takeaways, and gives you decision-making criteria that statistics support. Written with a touch of humor to keep you on your toes if you're not a meteorologist. His first-hand experiences give this book all the street cred it needs, and then some.
I'm glad I waited till after my three day avy class to read this because it helps a lot to have been in a snow pit, seen a fracture line, and learned the basic foundations already- it was still somewhat tangible when I began reading. That said, this book is the absolute necessary second half to that field education. I intend to reread it or reread my highlighted notes before every season.
』
(excellent technical text) 『Only up to page 128 the moment, but I find this to be an excellent text. One potential drawback, for those of us in the southern hemishpere (i'm in Australia), beginners like me are not too sure of its relevance here or in New Zealand, where I imagine the climates are vastly different to that of Canada and the US.』
(In depth book) 『I took my Avy course 3 years ago, and before heading to the alps this past winter, bought this book to refresh.
it is very well written, and brought back to memory everything I had learned in my course.
Worth every penny.』
(Stay Alive) 『If you want to know how avalanches happen, why they happen, and steps to avoid them, then this is the book. It won't make you an expert, but it will give you a solid foundation for future avalanche courses/education and also let you know what you don't know.
The same slope could be perfectly safe one day, a death trap the next, or ambiguously in between. If you use the back country, it's worth it to know what's going on.
Also, the author, Bruce Tremper&Utah Avalanche Center, has a channel on Youtube with some interesting stuff.』
(Staying Alive in Avalanche Terrain) 『This book cleared up a lot of misconceptions I had about avalanches (most likely triggers, survivability etc). I expected a somewhat tedious book full of tables, but it turned out to be quite readable and easy to understand.
While the book does give you some quick checklists, it also presses home the point that evaluating avalanche risks reliably requires years of experience (and even then can fail you), so you definitely can't accuse the author of leaving you with a false sense of security.
Part of the book was a bit too detailed for me (e.g. a dozen different ways to test snow stability), though it might be handy when doing a practical course (which this book obviously does not replace).
Throughout the book there are great pictures, some of them chilling. I'd have liked to see more pictures (e.g. terrain examples, snow crystals) and in better print quality, even if that had increased the cost of the book a bit.
I'm not an expert, and this is the only book I've read on the topic, so I can't judge the accuracy of this book. However the list of reviewers in the acknowledgments section looks like a who's who of avalanche research, so I'm reasonably confident that the information in this book does represent the current knowledge accurately.』 『Winter recreation in the backcountry has increased steadily over the years and so has the number of deaths and injuries caused by avalanches. As search and rescue teams are increasingly strapped for funding, self-education has become a larger necessity for snow-sport enthusiasts. The new edition of Bruce Tremper's seminal book is organized according to the structure of American Avalanche Association classes and all chapters have been updated and reviewed by peer experts.』
price：$8.50
Little, Brown and Company
Usually ships in 24 hours Core2Duoノートレビュー 's review (Offering a poetic, involving and moving account of the author's experiences of cold) 『COLD: ADVENTURES IN THE WORLD'S FROZEN PLACES is packed with examination of cold and ice, offering a poetic, involving and moving account of the author's experiences of cold and its importance in a warming world. From a history of the influence of cold on the planet to a personal quest for ice and cold mid-summer, this blends history with natural history in an unusual, passionate guide to cold and ice. Any science, environmental studies, or nature collection will find it a moving survey.』
(Fascinating anecdotes, beautifully told) 『"Cold" by Bill Streever is a beautifully-written book, one of the best I have read in this genre.
Streever goes on a year-long quest for cold, with a Chapter devoted to each month. In each month he discusses particular "cold events" that occurred in the month, such as the severe US blizzard of January 1888 - the School Children's Blizzard.
These examples are interspersed with personal details of his own life and studies of cold as the year unfolds. In Streever's book this works well, and some of his descriptive passages are very evocative. This is a pleasant change from some other books in the genre that are simply vehicles for narcissistic display by the author. In "Cold" the subject enjoys the limelight, not the author elbowing the actors out of the way.
Some of Streever's anecdotes are truly surprising: lumps of ice falling out of the sky the size of a man in the 19th century, snowflakes 15 inches across. He explains how the Year Without a Summer (1815) contributed to the invention of the bicycle.
He gives an excellent account of hypothermia, and why some of its victims die soon after being rescued.
Streever lives in Alaska, and life there is very different to life in more temperate places. Houses sink as permafrost melts. People burn down their homes trying to un-freeze frozen pipes with blowtorches. Frost heave pushes posts out of the ground.
Most living tissue cannot survive being frozen. Streever gives some graphic accounts of how freezing affects cells. So I am not too optimistic for the future of James Bedford, who has been stored in liquid nitrogen since 1967, awaiting a cure for cancer.
Remarkably, a surprising number of living creatures can survive freezing. There is a caterpillar in Alaska that routinely "hibernates" over winter by freezing solid, and thawing out in spring to go about its business. Some frogs freeze. The most striking example of cold tolerance is the African desert fly that can even survive liquid helium at -450 degrees F.
When skiing I get ravenously hungry. Streever explains why this is so. Apart from the calories needed to sustain vigorous exercise, we also need a remarkable amount of energy simply to counteract the effects of cold. Early Polar explorers did not appreciate this aspect of nutrition sufficiently when planning food supplies for their expeditions and many died because they simply did not have enough food.
One could go on listing the fascinating aspects of cold discussed in the book. Naturally, not everything can be included. But I would have liked some mention of cold-induced brittle fracture of Liberty ships in World War 2. Twelve Liberty ships broke in half without warning because the grade of steel used suffered from embrittlement. Ships in the North Atlantic were exposed to temperatures that could fall below a critical point and thus the hull could fracture relatively easily.
』
(Strange worlds of cold) 『Thoroughly fascinating read. Streever exposes a most peculiar world that few of us will experience. If there's any criticism I can levy toward the book it's that I wanted more. When you're sorry you've reached the end, that's a good sign to me. I recommend this highly to anyone with an interest in the natural world.』
(Bundle Up!) 『"Cold" goes down like the best ice cream--smooth, rich and bursting with flavor.
The concept is simple enough--to study the "consistent, ongoing influence of cold on the planet." That's from the book jacket. If that sounds like a recipe for snooze, it's not. "Cold" is as entertaining and fascinating as science (and history) can be. In the hands of Bill Streever, "Cold" moves quickly. Streever is like your favorite science teacher-- somebody who knows how to light up all the students in the room. This is a fairly breezy book. It rarely deals with scientific jargon (which meant I could understand it).
Carved into twelve chapters--one for each month, starting in July--Streever goes on a journey around the world, back in time and down to deep spots in the ocean. Streever recounts various cold weather expeditions to the North and South Poles, including Adolphus Greely's doomed venture to the North Pole, which turned so desperate without food that the men ate their leather shoelaces. "Cold" relives the stunning 1888 blizzard that swept through the Midwest, walks us through hypothermia, takes us on a hike up Scotland's highest peak, makes us stop and wonder about birds and their migratory abilities (one of my favorite sections) and contemplates early attempts to cool vast interior places such as Westminster Abbey in the era of King James I (1620).
All along the way, Streever reveals his keen curiosity--and his sense of humor.
In a London taxi, Streever is telling the a disinterested driver that polar bear skulls found in Kew Gardens dated back to the Pleistocene. "During the Pleistocene, I tell him, polar bears roamed through what would become downtown London. `The bears,' I say, `were as big and white as German and American tourists visiting Westminster Abbey.' We ride the remaining twenty minutes in silence."
Throughout, "Cold" drips with fascinating details, from squirrel hibernation to fish surviving in gravel pit ponds through the winter (under six feet of ice) to how nomads from the Stone Age learned to use skis. At every step, Streever is interesting--and interested. "Take an African desert fly, dry it out, throw it in a liquid helium at temperatures below minus 450 degrees, warm it up, and pour some water on it, and it will demonstrate what it is to be a survivor."
Utlimately, "Cold" closes with some thoughts on global warming and makes a compelling case for the damage we have done--and the process we have already set in motion. Yes, cold temperatures have a tremendous impact on the planet. So does warmth. I hope Streever's next book is "Hot." 』
(Wonderfully informative and entertaining) 『Mr. Streever definitely did his research for this chilling book! It's a wonderful traveloque through the arctic with great bits of information and anecdotes from around the world (and outer space) and throughout the history of arctic/antarctic exploration. However, I got the impression that Mr. Streever needed to hire a better editor as I wanted to get out the red pencil several times in the first chapter. After awhile I either got used to the overabundance of commas, redundancies, and non-parallels, or his writing got better over the course of the book. Either way, I didn't notice it anymore, which is a wonderful testament for a writer to keep a "wordinista" reading, despite some sloppy grammar. In any case, it's a wonderful, quick read that will inform and astound you! 』 『From avalanches to glaciers, from seals to snowflakes, and from Shackleton's expedition to "The Year Without Summer," Bill Streever journeys through history, myth, geography, and ecology in a year-long search for cold--real, icy, 40-below cold. In July he finds it while taking a dip in a 35-degree Arctic swimming hole; in September while excavating our planet's ancient and not so ancient ice ages; and in October while exploring hibernation habits in animals, from humans to wood frogs to bears.
A scientist whose passion for cold runs red hot, Streever is a wondrous guide: he conjures woolly mammoth carcasses and the ice-ageClovistribe from melting glaciers, and he evokes blizzards so wild readers may freeze--limb by vicarious limb.』
price：$14.15
Ulysses Press
Usually ships in 24 hours Core2Duoノートレビュー 's review (Very good !) 『This book is complete. I'm a krav maga pratictioner in Brazil, and the details of the book make it's very easy to learn. With photos that explaines step-by-step the punch, kicks and everything. Better than any book i ever seen.』
(Excelent for beginners) 『If you are new into Krav Maga, this book will let you understand it's approach to personal defense and will introduce you to basics involving this great method. A must have!』
(Excellent introduction to the Krav Maga Martial Art System.) 『Many years ago I had the pleasure to train under Darren Levine in an intense 60 hour 6 day course held for defensive tactics instructors at the Illinois State Police Academy. This text provides an excellent guide to achieving belt ranks in this martial art system, if that is your goal. Though I can understand some of the critical reviews of this book; however, no matter how good or bad a book may be, it can never take the place of actual intense hands-on training under a competent instructor. The reason this book should be read by anyone interested in Krav Maga is because it is organized into specific skill levels that a student should master before moving on to the next section. In conclusion, the real value of this text cannot be appreciated without actual physical training under a krav maga instructor. Rating: 4 stars. Joseph J. Truncale, (Pro-Systems Combatives: Author: Monadnock Defensive Tactics System&Advanced PR-24 Baton Techniques)』
(What it claims to be.) 『Negatives: Text is too brief sometimes, it leaves you guessing as to exactly how a technique is done. Positives: Good price for what you get. Excellent overview of the system with well done photos to demonstrate the techniques. Recommend it: Yes. Very helpful for your KM solo training.』
(Good) 『For a beginner, this book is good for supplementing your existing training. They sell this book at my Krav training center and the moves match the tests so it is good for reviewing what you have learned also.』 『Developed for the Israel military forces and battle tested in real-life combat, Krav Maga has gained an international reputation as an easy-to-learn yet highly effective art of self-defense. Clearly written and extensively illustrated,Complete Krav Magadetails every aspect of the system including dozens of hand-to-hand combat moves, over 20 weapons defense techniques and a complete physical conditioning workout program.
All the moves are described in depth from beginning Yellow Belt to advanced Black Belt, yet they are easy to learn because one of Krav Maga's strengths is its simplicity. Based on the principle that it is best to move from defense to attack as quickly as possible,Complete Krav Magaoffers fast-escape maneuvers from attacks and holds. It then follows them up with specific counterattacks, including punches, kicks and throws.
The authors show how anyone (big or small, man or woman) can practice self defense by using Krav Maga to protect weak spots, exploit an assailant's vulnerabilities and turn the attacker s force against him.Complete Krav Magateaches the reader how to get in shape, gain confidence and feel safer and more secure every day.』
price：$10.18
Knopf
Usually ships in 24 hours Core2Duoノートレビュー 's review (Remarkable Voyage Told in Text and Photos) 『Explorer Ernest Shackleton didn't know when he named his boat "The Endurance" that he would be foreshadowing a survival experience for the ages. The story of his nearly two years of survival in the Antarctic and southern polar areas is one of endurance and fortitude in the face of unimaginable physical hardships.
The text and the photos evoke the many emotions and thoughts that must have occurred to Shackleton and his men: loneliness, fear, raw beauty, untamed nature, comradeship, dirt, exhaustion, hopeless, and triumph. This book, more than any other I can think of, makes the case for having photos accompany non-fiction works whenever possible. The photos are stunning, especially when it's considered that they were done with glass-plate technology that had to survive the incredible journey to safety of Shackleton and his men.
A recap of the tale. Unlike some polar explorers, Shackleton was well-prepared when he went on his fateful journey in 1914. He'd held the record at one time for the overland voyage closest to the South Pole -- and almost perished on the journey -- and so he knew what to do and not to do to overcome the harsh conditions. So when he set out to make the first crossing of the Antarctic ice cap, he was ready for spending a long time on the unforgiving ice. However, due to bad luck of setting sail (yes, sail) in a wood boat during a year when the winter storms came early, he was trapped on the ice with 22 men and their dog teams.
After they wintered on the ice, living in the boat for a while and then on tents when the boat sank, Shackleton and his men truly began to suffer as they tried to find a way home. First, they tried to walk. But the terrain was so rough and they had to carry so much stuff for the long walk that they were averaging 1.5 miles per day. Then they sat on ice floes, waiting for the water to clear so that they could sail their lifeboats through treacherous waters without being crushed. And then in three boats of less than 30 feet length, they sailed several hundred miles through gales and storms over six days, only to land on one of the most isolated, desolate spots of rock in the world. From there, Shackleton set sail again in a single boat with a crew of five, and they went more than 800 miles to a speck of an island, where there was a whaling station. Of course, he landed on the opposite end of the island and had to walk over ice-covered mountains thousands of feet high in order to reach the station and ultimate rescue.
It's simply impossible to imagine living in a tent on an ice floe, with 80-mph gales blowing for days, and eating penguin or seal stakes every day for months on end. It's impossible to imagine not having a hot bath for more than two years, or enduring a ride in a waterlogged boat for in icy waters for six days, especially after already having been worn down by more than year of living in sub-human conditions. But Shackleton and the other men did it -- apparently with mostly good cheer and optimism.
』
(Amazing skill of blending diary detail and pictures) 『The Endurance: Shackleton's Legendary Antarctic Expedition (Alfred A. Knopf 2008, original printing in 1998)
The story of the trek of Ernest Shackleton and his crew across Antarctica in 1914-1915 is told in this magnificent biography in a manner so that the reader feels a part of the crew. The trip was undertaken in the wooden ship Endurance with sails billowing and steam engines throbbing on its way into the icy domain of South Georgia and the South Pole. It was not the first mission to the frozen world.
Danger vested immediately as the ship was consumed by the icy forces of raw nature and the crew, including 69 sledging dogs and a cat named Mrs. Chippy, was on its won with no means of escape. The adventure was captured with the artistic photography of Frank Hurley, with many previously unpublished photos prominent in this story.
Endurance was entombed by ice in the early months of 1915. The story touches on the lives and feelings of the crew, as well as the amazing leadership of Shackleton. He seemed to prize optimism in his men, which he referred to as "true moral courage." The reader is there with these brave souls, anticipating each step in the process with the enduring question of whether they will survive to return to England (and World War I) -- boiling whale blubber, catching penguins for food, tending to the parasite infested dogs, addressing the aches and fears of the crew, giggling at the antics of the dogs, or the seeing the natural beauty of the icescape.
By August of 1915, the blocks of young ice were grinding on Endurance, eventually breaking it up and sending crew and dogs on their way, even teams of men pulling the life boats. In April 1916, the team finally came to land at Elephant Island ending their trek across thin ice. The n Shackleton led a crew across 800 miles of ocean and ice back to South Georgia. Rescue of the men and dogs on Elephant Island finally occurred in August 1916.
Caroline Alexander has an amazing skill of blending diary detail and pictures to allow us readers to enjoy the optimism of the beginning, the agony of the shipwreck, the leadership of Shackleton, and the strength of character to endure the way forward. I felt as if I was on the journey, relieved at last to be on my way home with not a life lost! Simply Amazing!』
(Unexpected pleasure) 『This was a book that I thought would be an interesting adventure, but what I got was so much more! It was the story of a Captain, who you can only grow to respect, that led his men through the toughest of situations with the fairness and heroicism of a true leader. Written in textbook style, it is a book that, surprisingly, you will not be able to put down.』
(A remarkable account that takes you with the explorers) 『This expedition was a failure in that Shackleton and his fellow explorers never accomplished the intended exploration. But this is a monumental story of survival I haven't read anything like this since, I believe, I was in my teens and engrossed in the arctic and antarctic explorations.The ship which carried the men to the South polar region was aptly named although the ship itself was ultimately lost in the wastes. Personal journal accounts and photographs taken during the ordeal are liberally used to tell us this story which is as enthralling as any fiction and yet is totally true. The fact that no human lives were lost during the months these men were trapped in the ice is of course incredible. This would be a great gift book for those armchair adventurers on your list.』
(Inspiring and Beautiful) 『A dear friend gave me this book when it was released and I became hooked on all things "Polar". The Frank Hurley photos alone are worth the price of the book. If you really want a treat, check out the photos under a magnifying glass---there are many interesting details missed with a casual glance. This is Ms. Alexander's best work (I read The Bounty a few years ago, and while a nice read, it pales in comparison to this gem.) I've given at least a half-dozen copies of this book to friends and family. And, while it may have the dimensions of a coffee table book, please read it if you have it; the prose is tight---and the Hurley photos. This book would be an excellent gift to a young person, as the photos are spectacular, but more importantly, the example of leadership of Sir Earnest Shackleton (a true leader) is inspiring to say the least. Very highly recommended.』 『In August 1914, days before the outbreak of the First World War, the renowned explorer Ernest Shackleton and a crew of twenty-seven set sail for the South Atlantic in pursuit of the last unclaimed prize in the history of exploration: the first crossing on foot of the Antarctic continent. Weaving a treacherous path through the freezing Weddell Sea, they had come within eighty-five miles of their destination when their ship, Endurance, was trapped fast in the ice pack. Soon the ship was crushed like matchwood, leaving the crew stranded on the floes. Their ordeal would last for twenty months, and they would make two near-fatal attempts to escape by open boat before their final rescue.
Drawing upon previously unavailable sources, Caroline Alexander gives us a riveting account of Shackleton's expedition--one of history's greatest epics of survival. And she presents the astonishing work of Frank Hurley, the Australian photographer whose visual record of the adventure has never before been published comprehensively. Together, text and image re-create the terrible beauty of Antarctica, the awful destruction of the ship, and the crew's heroic daily struggle to stay alive, a miracle achieved largely through Shackleton's inspiring leadership.
The survival of Hurley's remarkable images is scarcely less miraculous: The original glass plate negatives, from which most of the book's illustrations are superbly reproduced, were stored in hermetically sealed cannisters that survived months on the ice floes, a week in an open boat on the polar seas, and several more months buried in the snows of a rocky outcrop called Elephant Island. Finally Hurley was forced to abandon his professional equipment; he captured some of the most unforgettable images of the struggle with a pocket camera and three rolls of Kodak film.
Published in conjunction with the American Museum of Natural History's landmark exhibition on Shackleton's journey,The Endurancethrillingly recounts one of the last great adventures in the Heroic Age of exploration--perhaps the greatest of them all.』 『Melding superb research and the extraordinary expedition photography of Frank Hurley,The Enduranceby Caroline Alexander is a stunning work of history, adventure, and art which chronicles "one of the greatest epics of survival in the annals of exploration." Setting sail as World War I broke out in Europe, the Imperial Trans-Antarctic Expedition, led by renowned polar explorer Sir Ernest Shackleton, hoped to become the first to cross the Antarctic continent. But their ship,Endurance,was trapped in the drifting pack ice, eventually to splinter, leaving the expedition stranded on floes--a situation that seemed "not merely desperate but impossible."
Most skillfully Alexander constructs the expedition's character through its personalities--the cast of veteran explorers, scientists, and crew--with aid from many previously unavailable journals and documents. We learn, for instance, that carpenter and shipwright Henry McNish, or "Chippy," was "neither sweet-tempered nor tolerant," and that Mrs. Chippy, his cat, was "full of character." Such firsthand descriptions, paired with 170 of Frank Hurley's intimate photographs, which are comprehensively assembled here for the first time, penetrate the hulls of theEnduranceand these tough men. The account successfully reveals the seldom-seen domestic world of expedition life--the singsongs, feasts, lectures, camaraderie--so that when the hardships set in, we know these people beyond the stereotypical guise of mere explorers and long for their safety.
Alexander reveals Shackleton as an inspiring optimist, "a leader who put his men first." Throughout the grueling ordeal, Shackleton and his men show what endurance and greatness are all about.The Enduranceis a most intimate portrait of an expedition and of survival. Readers will possess a newfound respect for these daring souls, know better their unthinkable toil and half-forgotten realm of glory.--Byron Ricks』
price：$5.42
McGraw-Hill
Usually ships in 24 hours Core2Duoノートレビュー 's review (Good Stuff) 『Pretty good book if you need some general motivation... The author knows the topic and gives some good examples, but doesn't really get into specific actions to help resolve issues. Also, alot of baseball and golf examples, I found it hard to relate it to the sports I am involved in. Tons of great quotes, etc to get you amped.』
(marathon runner) 『I am an 1,90 and 120kg marathon runner. When I announced that I intend to run a marathon the reactions varied from amusement to worry that I will not survive. That might have been the case if I wouldn't have had THIS book. It made all the difference in the world. Maybe half of the training time was "mind gym". The result? Not only I have finished alive but I made quite a good time (3h44). This performance changed not my weight (I am still 120kg) but my self-image. I know now that the only limits are in my head. I changed. A lot. From the introvertit obese to the cocky, confident obese :) I fired my boss. Actually, the company fired him for mobbing. I got a fat settlement. I switched careers. I took one sabbatical year and focused on learning trading. Here, again, the "Mind gym" made a huge difference. I become profitable and then ... very profitable. I don't own a Porsche but I am free (of worries, schedules, bosses)
If you intend to buy only one book for the next year: BUY THIS ONE !!
』
(Mental training for the professional sports fan) 『This book includes many of the basic mental concepts discussed in sports: staying positive, etc. Although there were some helpful tips, it was a task to sort through the excessive name dropping. As an athlete, I don't need to know the names of everyone the author has ever helped. I assume, since I am buying and reading the book, that I will at least somewhat trust what is being said and that I will be willing to try it myself. If you need the 150/224 pages of professional athlete anecdotes, then this book is for you. If, like most athletes, you don't have time to sit and read fluff, find another book.』
(great book for any athlete) 『My daughters are 14 and 17 and have read this book more than once. They run cross country and that 2 miles can be grueling. This book have really helped them get in the right frame of mind. They both won medals at district last year too.』
(Easy read) 『If you are expecting substantive theoretical sports psychological insights from this book, you will be thoroughly disappointed. While the anecdotes presented by the author are amusing, they provide little to no substance. Often, they are redundant to the point where it seems the author is beating the stain where the dead horse used to be. Each chapter ends with a short 1-sentence summary. In my opinion, the book could easily be condensed to only the chapter headings and the 1-sentence summaries, although it would be much less entertaining that way. The 1-liners do contain good information, but, unfortunately, much of it is what I would consider common sense.
Unless you can relate to baseball and other American sports, don't bother picking up this book. Most of the anecdotes are from the world of baseball.
That said, the book is a very easy read. I do not question the author's abilities as a sports psychologist. But I had expected a book with much more substance.』 『Drawing on his work with some of the top teams in professional sports, noted sport psychology consultant Gary Mack shares with you the same techniques and exercises he uses to help elite athletes build mental "muscle." These 40 accessible lessons and inspirational anecdotes will help you gain the "head edge" over the competition.』
price：$7.02
Mountaineers Books
Usually ships in 24 hours Core2Duoノートレビュー 's review (good refernce book) 『this book is like a small dictionary defining various aspects of skiing. It has the different types of skiing that can be done, along with the equipment that is neccessary for that type. The book shows various examples of bindings for tele skiing as an example. I have been wanting to get into ski mountaineering and this book helped me form an opinion on what type of skis i need to purchase and what further equipment or training i would need』
(Volken, Schell,&Wheeler have an instant Classic!) 『This new "Backcountry Skiing" guidebook is destined to become a classic in The Mountaineers Books collection ... one that will be considered an indispensible reference in the libraries of mountaineers, skiers, and outdoor enthusiasts of all stripes. Authors Martin Volken, Scott Schell, and Margaret Wheeler have each guided ski tours in the Alps throughout Europe, where Ski Mountaineering has been popular for quite some time ... and have introduced their clients to the famous summits of the Alps, as well as the local peaks of the Cascade Range. We have a large number of Alpine Climbers in the Pacific Northwest, many of whom may find that their "next step" is Ski Mountaineering ... thanks to the information in this new and comprehensive guidebook. The large number of excellent pictures makes the text all-the-more understandable. Those Reviewers preceding me have already given a good account of some of the specifics that they've found valuable ... so I won't elaborate here, except to say that the information on avalanche safety is invaluable for ANY one who ventures into the backcountry. We have lost nine lives to avalanches in Washington State already in this season! The authors of this guidebook are Instructors of the AIARE courses, and are passionate about personal safety above all else. I've already sent copies of this "new classic" to some of my best friends! Armed with the knowledge from this book, the readers can venture into the backcountry with newfound confidence and enjoyment of a sport that is bound for increasing popularity worldwide.
』
(Great Book) 『This is a great book. It allows beginners to develop a good base of knowledge and provides a great reference for those with years of experience. It is exactly what we have come to expect from the Mountaineers.』
(Good Primer, But Not The Definitive Handbook) 『This probably is the sixth of the Mountaineers Outdoor Expert Series books that I have purchased as published by the Mountaineers Books. As with those other texts, I was able to learn some things and was surprised and disappointed at the information which was not covered. This book is no exception.
On the positive side, there is very good instruction on roped skiing and on situations requiring belay stations and stances with skis. The avalanche safety section is good, but not definitive. The strong point of this book is the techniques for skiing in various terrain, along with the transitions that inevitably occur. For this, I would say this is one of the better, more up-to-date instructional books.
A big disappointment comes with the lack of depth in discussing the merits of various gear options. For example, in the beginning there was a brief illustration of the history of telemark vs. alpine touring setups, followed by a bare discussion about the merits of each. This fundamental question is then quickly dismissed simply by the statement "the best answer remains to choose the right tool for the job, or quite possibly to go with whatever style you prefer." That completely misses the point on why someone would buy this in the first place; these experts should give much more information to the reader before the readers embark on the very expensive quest to discover this for themselves...the reason for an "expert" series in the first place.
Another example is their discussion on ski weight. It starts out good, but then the authors punt again by saying "Shop at a store where the salesperson can answer technical questions and can point you in the right direction for your intended application." But isn't this the reason one would buy this book?? Having very frustrating experiences with so-called "expert" salespeople in many of these stores leaves much to be desired, which is why I would like the opinions of the experts who wrote this book. This punting on fundamental gear questions grows tiresome quickly...
There is no discussion on the merits of wax or XCG/Crown/Fishscale means of level or uphill locomotion. And there is nary anything about using mountaineering boots in conjuction with ski setups...only an acknowledgement that you can. These examples of lame treatment of important gear questions frankly minimizes the utility of this book. Certainly, the authors have an opinion about such things; the reason people like me buy books by experts is to read their reasoned opinions. This gives nothing of the sort in order to be "gear" neutral (a sort of "political correctness" imported to an "expert" book so as to perhaps not offend any company or various gear afficionados...)
A second and larger disappointment is that this book deals minimally with hauling gear for winter camping/expedition purposes. For all intents and purposes, this book should be entitled "Day-Trip Backcountry Skiing" because there is hardly anything referring to the load-carrying complications of overnight and/or expedition-type traveling. There is no instructions on how to rig a pulk/sled, or how to rig a backpack even for overnight use. Absolutely nothing on winter camping after the skiing, which to me is the essense of ski mountaineering.
In sum, the good technique instruction in this book is worth the purchase price. But this definitely is not the definitive Ski Mountaineering book...if this is what you are looking for, you might need to look further...I'm still searching.』
(Great Book on the Best Type of Skiing) 『This is a great book. Not too basic and not too advanced for someone wanting to get into the best way to ski-the earn your turns way.
I used to teach alpine touring and ski mountaineering in the army and this would have been a great book to have around as the textbook. We taught all of this and then went in depth on the important items like avalanche safety (avoidance) and rescue. This book gives a beginning or intermediate ski mountaineer a taste and encourages AIARE level one certification (I recommend level two personally...)
I still have my copy of the past standard, Peter Cliff's out of print classic "Ski Mountaineering" (no, I won't be selling it on EBay) and this is an improvement on it.
It is great for learning and a great review for those that think they remember everything. I got some good tips on gear that, damn, I SHOULD have known!!!』 『Martin Volken and his co-authors provide skiers with all the tools and knowledge they need to safely and successfully travel in the mountains. The guide features intermediate-to-advanced techniques for ski touring and ski mountaineering, from planning wilderness trips to perfecting turns in rolling terrain and mastering uphill climbing. For those skiers ready for a more technical, high alpine environment, they draw on traditional mountaineering skills, including roped climbing, setting protection anchors, using ice axes, climbing on bare rock, and more.
In addition to mastering techniques, Backcountry Skiing also features information on recent evolutions in ski equipment; avalanche safety tips; a primer on mountain weather and glaciers, trip planning tools, a discussion of emergency situations, nutrition and fitness advice, and winter camping basics. Throughout this guide, a special emphasis is put on being well-informed and making good decisions-whenever you strap on your skis and skins and head out into the backcountry.』
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