Best Hockey Biographies
While playing the talented villain in the NHL, Avery broke far away from his on-ice character in the off-season, and Ice Capades takes the reader inside the other unexpected and unprecedented roles that Avery inhabited— Vogue intern, fashion model, advertising executive, restauranteur, gay rights advocate, and many more. Praise for Ice Capades : "The one-of-a-kind left winger gives an unparalleled inside look at the NHL lifestyle... whether you cheered or jeered him on the ice, any hockey fan will be interested in the stories he has to tell." — Hockey News "Ken Dryden's The Game rewritten by Hunter Thompson...This is the NHL you don't get from post-game scrums."
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"The pages drag with numerous mentions of how great a hockey player Avery believes he is and how adored he was."
"As a hockey fan I enjoyed this book."
"I grew up a Rangers fan and though there were many whom I liked Sean Avery was was always the one we were happy to watch at the games we went to."
"Sean Avery was a moonshot rocket playing for the NY Rangers."
"Fabulous inside look into a hockey player's life."
"Ok book."
"This book was a fairly interesting read about an NHL hockey player that is not the norm."
"Whether you’re interested in hockey, fashion, big city living, or just old-fashioned fun, this book will absolutely entertain you."
They don’t tell what he thinks of the game of hockey today. “A reflection on the nostalgia of playing hockey on frozen ponds growing up in Parry Sound, Ontario, the physical and emotional pain of knee injuries that cut his career short, and the off-ice struggles that the legendary Boston Bruins defenceman hasn’t talked much about … A how-to book by a grandparent about how parents, coaches, and children should approach the sport.” - The Canadian Press. “A must-read for anyone who fondly remembers the glory years of the Big Bad Bruins … Read Orr.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"If you know anything about the man, it was no surprise that he refrained from writing about himself for so long: he is the polar opposite of today's arrogant, self-promoting athlete eager to tell the world how great he is (or thinks he is); a humble, classy guy if there ever was one. And though he has now relented - after DECADES of self-imposed obscurity and silence - to write this book, don't expect any salacious stories of the Big Bad Bruins off the ice or passages about Orr's great feats on the ice: this is a straight-forward account of Robert Gordon Orr's life, as written by himself, with his usual modesty and discretion. From his childhood in Parry Sound, Ontario, where he delighted in the game of hockey at age 5 onwards, to his incredible teen years in Juniors (he signed his first pro hockey contract at age 14 and the contract stipulated - believe it or not - that his parents' house be stuccoed), to his debut in Boston at the age of 18 (as the highest-paid player in NHL history before he played even one NHL game), through the glory years, the bad knees, and then life after hockey (he was only 30 when it all ended), there are stories that even an Orr fan will be surprised by. I highly recommend the book to fans and the casual reader alike: this is a sports legend - considered by many as the greatest hockey player of all time - who is a genuinely nice guy, humble and modest, and his life story should be required reading for all young phenoms on the verge of turning pro."
"Anyone who is a lifelong Boston Bruins fan from back in the da, or anyone who genuinely loves hockey, y will be happy reading anything about Bobby Orr - especially when it comes from his own mouth, which was very rare indeed."
"I was disappointed of course there was no mention of the Vietnam Veterans in this book – but as a kid growing up in Canada I recall a CBC news article on television that showed a picture of U.S. Army Soldiers in Phu Bai South Vietnam that took a picture with the poster shown here in between all the players – one soldier was at the time also holding a poster or a flag of the Boston Bruin logo and #4 ORR sweater number. The final chapters of this book is where Mr. Orr opens up to his fans and public and in some ways was able to dispel and exorcise whatever small demons may have existed due to none other than the business mogul turned player criminal in both Canada and the USA in Alan Eagleson. There are other hockey players he references within these pages as well such as Jean Béliveau, Phil Esposito, Johnny Bucyck, Serge Sevard; announcers in Foster Hewitt; fishing trips with baseball great Ted Williams of the Boston Red Sox, and a deep respect for Larry Bird of the Boston Celtics, and a modern day reference and respect for Tom Brady Quarterback for the New England Patriots. As a kid I simply enjoyed the flickering sound as my wheels would turn and the spokes would hit whatever card dejour would be placed there on any given day."
"I can recall at a very young age my cousin getting my attention and pointed to the TV and telling me to remember this man."
and Dick, tell the inspirational and heartwarming story of how Missy became both a legendary athlete and a happy and confident woman, something they accomplished by doing things their own way and making the right choices for their family. and Dick Franklin, share the story of how Missy became the athlete she is today, a six-time Olympic medalist, five of them gold. The story that Missy, and her parents, share inside is both inspiring and heartwarming, explaining how she became both a legendary athlete and a happy and confident woman, something they accomplished by doing things their own way and making the right choices for their family, which includes Missy’s faith journey, something she writes about with inspirational candor. The family currently lives in Colorado and Missy attends UC Berkeley, where she is studying psychology with a minor in education.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"I was especially moved by Missy's conversation with the Oncology Doc on the plane from Rio and his ability to put failures in perspective and their family's pursuit of doing their best at whatever they do."
"As a swim coach in Colorado, I am always seeking to inspire my kids and reading the true stories of athletes like Missy can help to better understand how to help empower my swimmers to success."
"I have enjoyed reading this book by Missy Franklin."
"THE BOOK IS SO MISSY!"
"Uplifting and inspiring story with good lessons for life both in and out of the pool."
"Swimming grand daughter loves the book."
"Missy's story is a wonderful example of strength, faith, and family."
"My daughter loves it."
Best Soccer Biographies
A caddie since he was twelve and a golfer sporting a 1.8 handicap, Ollie decides to spend his gap year in St. Andrews, Scotland—a town with the U.K.’s highest number of pubs per capita, and home to the Old Course, golf ’s most famous eighteen holes—where he enrolls in the St. Andrews Links Trust caddie trainee program. A hilarious, irresistible, behind-the-scenes peek at the world’s most celebrated golf course—and its equally famous caddie shack— An American Caddie in St. Andrews is certain to not only entertain golfers and fans of St. Andrews but also anyone who dares to remember stumbling into adulthood and finding one’s place in the world. "This poignant, funny memoir by Oliver Horovitz, a Harvard student who finds his calling on the Scottish links, is an intriguing tour of life at the world's most celebrated course." “In this breezy memoir, the younger brother of a Beastie Boy spills insider tales about looping and living in St. Andrews…the characters—bitter old caddies, the author’s university pals and his 83–year–old uncle—are lovable. I loved his memoir so much I lingered over it, relishing my own memories of that mysteriously captivating town, historic links, and addictive Scottish game, and I recommend Ollie's book to those who've either already walked in the footsteps of Old Tom Morris or have a visit to the home of golf on their bucket list. " An American Caddie in St. Andrews is a funny, charming, coming-of age tale about golf and life ... Horovitz is a gifted writer, and an engaging storyteller ... and he can read putts! "While exposing the insular world of the St. Andrews caddie, Oliver Horovitz discovers a good deal of truth about golf, golfers, and himself.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"It is written lightheartedly autobiographically about a young American New Yorker trying to fit in with the caddies at St. Andrews, and thereby describes the unique world of the caddie shack, the relationship between caddies and players, and the various hilarious situations that occur in this most intense, obsessive, frustrating and patently ridiculous sport. The caddie is part teacher, part juggler, part psychiatrist, part weatherman, and part burro - performing at all hours of the day, in any clime, with a smile on his face and a wry comment, all while working for tips."
"Not only does he give interesting insights into the lifestyle challenges of making a living as a caddie, but he also captures the essence of the Scottish people very well."
"I enjoyed reading this just a couple weeks before I played the Old Course with my 14 yr old son who wants to start caddying this summer."
"I really enjoyed reading this tale of Ollie H working the links and bonding with his ancient uncle."
"A British St. Andrews caddy recommended this to me, a former caddy myself."
"Meeting the caddies and being invited to join them during the early mornings in the basement of the Dunvegan Hotel to hear their stories was priceless. Before we left the tee one caddie said "you know we had a group from Chicago two weeks ago that were not nice to us, they even talked down to us, so we gave them the distance as 150 and got three of them in the bunker"."
"Initially, Having made the pilgrimage to St Andrews, I loved reliving it from an insider's perspective. I loved the descriptions of the town itself and the people and their golf and gardening centric lives."
"Just returned from my maiden journey on the Old Course."
Best Boxing Biographies
Nor could he have anticipated that his diary would evolve into a book titled Instant Replay , first published in 1968, that would become a multimillion-copy bestseller and be celebrated by reviewers everywhere, including the Washington Post ’s Jonathan Yardley, who calls it “to this day, the best inside account of pro football, indeed the best book ever written about that sport and that league.”. This groundbreaking look inside the world of professional football is one of the first books ever to take readers into the locker room and reveal the inner workings of a professional sports franchise. “A classic when it was published and a classic still today.” —David Halberstam jerry kramer was a right guard for the Green Bay Packers from 1958 to 1968.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"My dad bought me this book when I was a little boy and I fell in love with football, the Packers, and Jerry Kramer."
"He thinks about each opponent, and which of his techniques will be effective. And yes, someone looks at the film of every single block on every play and grades your effectiveness."
"This diary of an already veteran player in a dominating team is not only about American football and experiences of new kind of total coaching discipline being brought into the scene."
"Well worth a close read."
"I liked the way Mr. Kramer described the day to day activities of the Packers, one of the greatest teams ever in the NFL. I loved the relationship he had with Vince Lombardi, Bart Starr, Paul Hourning and all the other players he work with daily on the team."
"While the book is as much about Vince Lombardi as the Green Bay Packers, and is virtually a paean to the Coach, Kramer also pulls the curtain aside from the inner workings of the locker room, and the experience of being a professional athlete, albeit in a different era."
"I haven't read the sequels, and probably won't; judging from reviews (I know, not a good method), I believe I'd like to preserve my memories and illusions without hearing about Kramer's future financial and physical woes..."
Best Baseball Biographies
A fascinating and authoritative biography of perhaps the most controversial player in baseball history, Ty Cobb—“The best work ever written on this American sports legend: It’s a major reconsideration of a reputation unfairly maligned for decades” ( The Boston Globe ). Setting the record straight, Charles Leerhsen pushed aside the myths, traveled to Georgia and Detroit, and re-traced Cobb’s journey from the shy son of a professor and state senator who was progressive on race for his time to America’s first true sports celebrity. The grandson of one of the few courageous abolitionist politicians in Georgia, Cobb was among the first to applaud the breaking of the color barrier, and there seems to be no evidence of his racism. The myth of Cobb's supposedly violent play was largely based on a handful of very minor affairs, which all the principals agreed were overblown, coupled with his psychological style, which tended to scare opponents but not hurt them physically. (Ron Keurajian Sports Collectors Digest). “No matter what you think of Ty Cobb, you’ll want to read Charles Leerhsen’s fascinating biography, as he dispels rumors, exposes frauds, and challenges everything you thought you knew about the most controversial individual ever to play the great game of baseball.” (Kevin Baker, author of Sometimes You See It Coming ). "Not only the best work ever written on this American sports legend: It’s a major reconsideration of a reputation unfairly maligned for decades." Leerhsen’s feat of research brings the real Cobb home at last.” (Roy Blount Jr., author of Alphabet Juice ). "Now Cobb has an advocate, one who's actually read all the old newspaper clippings (some of which flatly contradict common "knowledge"), visited the terrain, and interviewed as many relevant people as he could find. "Leerhsen's magisterial reexamination presents a detailed view of Cobb culled from actual research rather than hearsay. "Leerhsen wraps his penetrating profile of Cobb in gripping play-by-play rundowns and a colorful portrait of the anarchic 'dead-ball' era, when players played drunk and fans chased offending umpires from the field. "Charles Leerhsen has done baseball aficionados a great mercy by bringing to life Ty Cobb, the man and the ballplayer—warts and all, some might say. And even more, Leerhsen summons up the days when baseball was young and innocent and, one thinks, filled with a kind of raw vitality that is missing today. It showcases Cobb as a flawed and vulnerable human being who, after suffering a nervous breakdown his second season, came back to fearlessly embrace his talent in an era that was just discovering what it meant to love baseball."
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"I assumed he was simply a man of his time and place who could not overcome being born in the Deep South during segregation nor perhaps a natural inclination towards misanthropy. Largely thanks to scholarship that emerged only at the very end of Cobb’s life (and interestingly, at odds with evidence from much earlier periods) his reputation is that of a miserable, friendless, racist lout. Yet as Leerhsen notes this flies in the face of the simple fact that Cobb was not only in the very first Hall of Fame class, but received more votes than any other player including Babe Ruth, belying the notion that he was disliked by his contemporaries. Given how manifestly incorrect our current perception of Ty Cobb is, then, this may be the most important baseball history book to have been published in years."
"The low point in all of it was Ron Shelton's film "Cobb" (based on Stump's input) where Cobb was portrayed as a rapist, alcoholic, a murderer and drug addict who casually shot off guns in nightclubs without consequence when he wasn't being racist or fixing baseball games. Stump's reputation was destroyed a few years ago by revelations that he created large of fake Cobb items and forged documents when he sold to collectors. That somewhat set the stage for a reappraisal of Cobb's life going back to solid primary sources. Cobb's history, especially in retirement, is full of examples of him speaking in favor of integration in baseball. The book leaves the reader after somewhat with implicit questions about how far is too far in terms of competition and the literal will to win. The difference between the two books is that while Leerhsen acts almost as a defense attorney making a positive case for Cobb, Hornbaker in his book acts far more like a judge weighing facts impartially and carefully with regard to many of the famous incidents in Cobb's life."
"Ty Cobb had his faults yet his life and outstanding achievements as a baseball player have long deserved an objective assessment, which author Charles Leerhsen has finely constructed."
Best Rugby Biographies
Four travelers meet in Bolivia and set off into the heart of the Amazon rainforest, but what begins as a dream adventure quickly deteriorates into a dangerous nightmare, and after weeks of wandering in the dense undergrowth, the four backpackers split up into two groups. Yossi’s story of survival haunted me for weeks.” Bryce Courtenay, author of The Power of One. Reflecting on his harrowing experiences, Yossi moves his audiences through insights and realizations that result in deep transformation.Ten years after almost losing his life in the Amazon, he returned to the Amazon river valley that was the site of his remarkable adventure and made it his home.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"I am inspired by his ability to be vulnerable and tell his thoughts both good and bad."
"About twenty years ago, during a trip to the Bolivian jungle, I met a guide named Lazaro, on the river Beni (rio Beni), that told me about it, he claimed that he was part of the rescue team at the time."
"I'm so happy that Yossi Ghinsberg, has found such insight into his life that gives him such inter peace to the beauty of life."
"I can't wait to see the movie that has just come out."
"Great read about a true adventure in the Amazon."
"GRIPPING ENGROSSING READ."
"I learned some things and now have some insight into a world I have been largely unaware of."
"Quick read with adventure at every turn."
Best Golf Biographies
Lowery claims that two of his employees, amateur golfers Harvie Ward and Ken Venturi, cannot be beaten in a best-ball match, and challenges Coleman to bring any two golfers of his choice to the course at 10 a.m. the next day to settle the issue. In 1956, millionaires Eddie Lowery and George Coleman made an off-the-cuff bet on a golf match and inadvertently set up one of the sport's most climactic duels; this one casual game has become the sport's great suburban legend. Frost ( The Greatest Game Ever Played ) diligently covers the two pros slightly past their prime, Ben Hogan and Byron Nelson, who squared off against two top amateurs, Harvie Ward and Ken Venturi. The match happened near the sport's great cusp, as it transitioned from something for amateurs to a professional career, from a pastime for wastrel aristocrats and entertainers (and Bing Crosby, with his annual booze-soaked Clambake charity matches) to a mainstream suburban obsession. Frost has a penchant toward the florid, but as he writes, Because he was Ben Hogan, and it was just past twilight, and his like would never pass this way again, he captures an elusive magic in this improbable matchup and what it meant for those who played and witnessed it. "The untold story of golf's greatest money match, featuring Hogan and Nelson at Cypress Point, come to life in Mark Frost's gripping new book, The Match .
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"I was surprised to find that it was a wonderful read that gave me real insight to the people who played the game for all the right reasons."
"Was introduced to Mark Frost through his fantastic book, The Greatest Game Ever Played (the movie does not do it justice) and bought this to replace my copy I had bought a few years ago, lent out and have yet to have returned."
"I really enjoyed this in-depth story of some of America's greatest amateur and professional golfers!"
"and tries to play golf three times a week , the 2 ball team event has always seemed the most enjoyable golf."
"The biographies that fill the spaces between the updates on the match are adequate and mildly interesting."
"I have met Byron and you would never guess that he would be involved in this match, of course he was many decades younger at the time of the battle."
"This is an excellent story of four of the greats of golf, and the marvelous "casual" match they played one day at Cypress Point, one of the sport's iconic courses."
"You have the stories of two pros (Hogan and Nelson) who were so instrumental in the transition of professional golf from secondary entertainment status to recognition as one of the major sports we now know."
Best Football Biographies
• Learned the secrets of mindfulness and team chemistry while playing for the champion New York Knicks in the 1970s. • Managed Michael Jordan, the greatest player in the world, and got him to embrace selflessness, even if it meant losing a scoring title. • Forged successful teams out of players of varying abilities by getting them to trust one another and perform in sync. • Inspired Dennis Rodman and other “uncoachable” personalities to devote themselves to something larger than themselves. • Transformed Kobe Bryant from a rebellious teenager into a mature leader of a championship team. This book is full of revelations: about fascinating personalities and their drive to win; about the wellsprings of motivation and competition at the highest levels; and about what it takes to bring out the best in ourselves and others. To a casual fan, meditation, Buddhism, and Native American spirituality may seem an odd mix of resources with which to motivate highly paid, often egocentric professional athletes. "— The New York Times Book Review "Part sports memoir, part New Age spirit quest, part pseudo-management tract...But the primary thing with Jackson — as with all the old bards, who were also known for repeating themselves — is the voice.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"As a mom who spent 12+ years watching my daughter play volleyball, basketball, and throw discus/shot put, I have seen my share of coaching styles."
"The expression “the whole is greater than the sum of the parts” is often used to describe successful organizations, whether business enterprises or sports teams. Phil Jackson has embedded his recipe for leading that kind of success into “Eleven Rings.”. NBA fans will appreciate Jackson’s insight on the men he has coached."
"As a coach, he led the Chicago Bulls to six championships and led the Los Angeles Lakers to five championships, in addition to winning two championships as a player with the New York Knicks."
"Phil Jackson is one of the most inspirational and excellent Coach to ever participate in the game of basketball."
"Make no mistake about it, this book is about leadership."
"This is not just a book about Phil Jackson, but a book on how to be a better leader."
"I'm a wrestler and former UFC fighter, NOT a basketballer."
"As a basketball fanatic I truly enjoyed this end to end accounting of Phil Jackson's amazing career that produced 11 rings - most when he was acting as a coach."
Best Basketball Biographies
• Learned the secrets of mindfulness and team chemistry while playing for the champion New York Knicks in the 1970s. • Managed Michael Jordan, the greatest player in the world, and got him to embrace selflessness, even if it meant losing a scoring title. • Forged successful teams out of players of varying abilities by getting them to trust one another and perform in sync. • Inspired Dennis Rodman and other “uncoachable” personalities to devote themselves to something larger than themselves. • Transformed Kobe Bryant from a rebellious teenager into a mature leader of a championship team. This book is full of revelations: about fascinating personalities and their drive to win; about the wellsprings of motivation and competition at the highest levels; and about what it takes to bring out the best in ourselves and others. To a casual fan, meditation, Buddhism, and Native American spirituality may seem an odd mix of resources with which to motivate highly paid, often egocentric professional athletes. "— The New York Times Book Review "Part sports memoir, part New Age spirit quest, part pseudo-management tract...But the primary thing with Jackson — as with all the old bards, who were also known for repeating themselves — is the voice.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"As a mom who spent 12+ years watching my daughter play volleyball, basketball, and throw discus/shot put, I have seen my share of coaching styles."
"The expression “the whole is greater than the sum of the parts” is often used to describe successful organizations, whether business enterprises or sports teams. Phil Jackson has embedded his recipe for leading that kind of success into “Eleven Rings.”. NBA fans will appreciate Jackson’s insight on the men he has coached."
"As a coach, he led the Chicago Bulls to six championships and led the Los Angeles Lakers to five championships, in addition to winning two championships as a player with the New York Knicks."
"Phil Jackson is one of the most inspirational and excellent Coach to ever participate in the game of basketball."
"Make no mistake about it, this book is about leadership."
"This is not just a book about Phil Jackson, but a book on how to be a better leader."
"I'm a wrestler and former UFC fighter, NOT a basketballer."
"As a basketball fanatic I truly enjoyed this end to end accounting of Phil Jackson's amazing career that produced 11 rings - most when he was acting as a coach."
Best Motor Sports Biographies
Phil's education in the ways of the peloton, his discouraging negotiations for a better contract, his endless miles crisscrossing America in pursuit of race wins, and his conviction that somewhere just around the corner lies the ticket to the big time fuel this tale of hope and ambition from one of cycling's best story-tellers. As a college-educated latecomer to the sport, as an outsider who struggled to be given a chance, and as someone with the perspective to laugh at the absurdity of being paid to ride a bicycle for a living, Gaimon's insights into the pro cycling world resonate with a wide audience. His self-effacing humor, commitment to clean sport, and extraordinary talent have made him a bit of an everyman hero within pro cycling -- a rider you want to hear from, and know more about, win or lose." "An outspoken proponent of clean competition, Gaimon sports a tattoo of a bar of soap with the world "Ëœclean' on his right bicep, and he was attracted to Garmin-Sharp for its ethical code."
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"This book is a breath of fresh air for a sport that has struggled with its image over the past 10 years, written by a guy who found the sport late and made it to the pro ranks by hard work and sacrifice."
"I always knew Lance was probably doping (everyone starting with Indurain was doping) but seeing guys like Tyler Hamilton have these incredible results just killed my interest in following pro cycling."
"The book is definitely an eye-opener into what these guys have to go through (low or no pay, constant travel with bad accommodations and what sounds like really bad food and often times bad company) just to get to the pro level."
"Would love to find the same type of account from a Euro pro coming up through the ranks, and what the experience is like across the pond."
"Here is a passage from the book that provides a peek into his perspective on life (which I think is advanced for his age), humor, and ability to offer some truly useful advice: “A big goal like starting a business or writing a book can be daunting at first, but all you need to do is break it up into little pieces and keep working at it."
"If you are into cycling (or have enjoyed Phil's columns in Velonews), this is a good book to read."
Best Adventurer & Explorer Biographies
ABC News chief meteorologist Ginger Zee pulls back the curtain on her life in Natural Disaster. Natural Disaster chronicles Zee's hard work in all areas of her life and her ability to find the eye of any storm.― Booklist Ginger Zee is the chief meteorologist at ABC News. She para-hawked in Nepal, para-glided in the Himalayas and the Andes, dove with sharks in the Bahamas, rappelled 27 stories down the exterior facade of the Wit Hotel in Chicago, plus has gone ice boat racing and surfing.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"I struggle with depression and hearing others share their stories makes this less isolating."
"I love Ginger and her ability to make you feel like you're not alone on your journey in life is much appreciated!!!"
"Ginger Zee is from a town in Mi."
"Book is very poignant and written with plenty of humor as well as a great look into how to successfully handle depression."
"I read this book in 2 sittings."
"I could not put this book down."
"Perfect!"
"The book ordered, then pop up to read on kindle, which turned into other charge, but no link to cancel once I realized the charge processed with no confirmation."