Product Description

Once we bowled in leagues, usually after work -- but no longer. This seemingly small phenomenon symbolizes a significant social change that Robert Putnam has identified in this brilliant volume, Bowling Alone, which The Economist hailed as "a prodigious achievement."

Drawing on vast new data that reveal Americans' changing behavior, Putnam shows how we have become increasingly disconnected from one another and how social structures -- whether they be PTA, church, or political parties -- have disintegrated. Until the publication of this groundbreaking work, no one had so deftly diagnosed the harm that these broken bonds have wreaked on our physical and civic health, nor had anyone exalted their fundamental power in creating a society that is happy, healthy, and safe.

Like defining works from the past, such as The Lonely Crowd and The Affluent Society, and like the works of C. Wright Mills and Betty Friedan, Putnam's Bowling Alone has identified a central crisis at the heart of our society and suggests what we can do.Amazon.com Review
Few people outside certain scholarly circles had heard the name Robert D. Putnam before 1995. But then this self-described "obscure academic" hit a nerve with a journal article called "Bowling Alone." Suddenly he found himself invited to Camp David, his picture in People magazine, and his thesis at the center of a raging debate. In a nutshell, he argued that civil society was breaking down as Americans became more disconnected from their families, neighbors, communities, and the republic itself. The organizations that gave life to democracy were fraying. Bowling became his driving metaphor. Years ago, he wrote, thousands of people belonged to bowling leagues. Today, however, they're more likely to bowl alone:

Television, two-career families, suburban sprawl, generational changes in values--these and other changes in American society have meant that fewer and fewer of us find that the League of Women Voters, or the United Way, or the Shriners, or the monthly bridge club, or even a Sunday picnic with friends fits the way we have come to live. Our growing social-capital deficit threatens educational performance, safe neighborhoods, equitable tax collection, democratic responsiveness, everyday honesty, and even our health and happiness.

Customer Reviews (94)

Dated
Where to begin with this ponderous work?First, it's dated.It was written over 10 years ago.Where does this matter?Federal election turnout, for starters.The data ends in 1996 when the federal election turnout hit its nadir.The very next election (2000) - just after the book was published - turnout returned to the 1960s levels (think wars bring out the voters?).But the central critique I have and the only one I'll focus on is what Putnam misses.Maybe men don't go to Rotary clubs like they once did.But kids are in more organized activities and parents participate (and talk to other adults) while helping out with these activities.Maybe women don't go to garden clubs like they once did.But what about the rise of book clubs?What I'm saying is that Putnam talks about all the things we don't do and misses all the ways we still stay in contact with other people (what he calls, "social capital" - a concept worthy of critique, but I won't plague you with it). He also misses other ways that people stay in contact (partly because the book is dated) like texting and internet social groups (Facebook, etc), newspapers that allow commentary on published opinions, etc.

Putnam throws a lot at you and I think, in the end, he obfuscates the issues he's presenting (to both himself and his readers) instead of really saying something meaningful and enduring.In 2010, when this review is being written, you needn't take the time and labor to read this dated tome.

fantastic read!
I had no idea scientists were measuring things like social capital. Since the book is over 10 years old I would love to see an updated version.

Provactive but not gospel
Robert Putnam's "Bowling Alone" is a provocative and intriguing examination of the increasing isolation in the United States. Such isolation is visible, even to those unacquainted with Putnam's work. At his best Putnam takes a deep look into how the demographics have changed, including a lengthy exploration into historical and cultural factors. For example, people are living farther away, and spending more time commuting. Putnam offers some compelling explanations for why we are ostensibly more selfish today than in the past.

Putnam draws parallels between the Progressive Era and today, finding similarities between the fear of technological change then and today,ultimately concluding that technologydidn't hinder social capital. Moreover,Putnam seems fairly certain the internet will bring people closer together than apart. There would be no problemif it weren't for the fact that Putnam attributes television to playing a major role in social isolation. He also overstates the role of social capital in reducing crime. If isolation is as influential as Putnam claims it is, shouldn't we also expect to see higher crime in the exurbs? Finally, this book at times read more like a nostalgia for the 1950'swith the clichécurmudgeon-like attitude that later generations aren't like his (or his parents).

Call it anomie, or call it lack of social capital
Putnam, in _Bowling Alone_, traces the decline in group membership that happened in the later part of the twentieth century.He shows that we now lack a certain cohesiveness, termed `social capital,'that the generation before the boomers had in spades.In this book, which is heavily researched and supported with much evidence,he shows that this decline is real, that it is bad, there were analogous declines in American history, and tries to find the driving forces behind the decline.Don't tell my wife, but he sees the biggest factor as being the rise of television.Call it anomie, or call it lack of social capital, I feel Putnam's critiques in my own life every time I stay on my couch and watch television instead of going out and making and reinforcing social links.

Putnam also makes some prescriptions for what can be done to turn around our lack of social capital.Interestingly, these prescriptions are made in 2000 for full implementation in 2010.My sense, as I was reading them, is that we have not made adequate progress towards his stated goals.I don't think this is his fault or ours.One thing that struck me while reading this book is that while the book was written only ten years ago, it feels really dated.He was on the other side of the rise of social media, wars, the Bush presidency, cable news, 9/11, and everything else from our turbulent last decade.Many of these factors have helped, in my own opinion, ameliorate the distances we suffer from, while at the same time reinforcing the sense of the `other' we have with those who disagree with. I don't have the data nor the background to do this, but a reexamination of the decline needs to be done in light of these outside changes.I do not suspect that the broad scope would be different, but the details sure would be.

America's lethal weakness
David Mindich, in "Tuned Out: Why Americans Under 40 Don't Follow the News," frequently referred to this work while explaining the decline in news-awareness among Americans. Americans, he said, were not getting their news from the newspapers, TV, radio, or the Internet. His best explanation was the decline in social capital among Americans as described in this classic study by Robert Putnam. Americans are no longer joining groups of any kind or participating in any kind of political and social activities. They have traded in their citizenship for consumerism, following the lead of the media in doing so. Less active in groups of any kind, they are less interested in keeping up with them in the news.

The questions raised in both books is, "How can America survive without the underpinning of social and political networks that are required for a vibrant democracy? " ... Read more

Product Description
Take to the lanes and enjoy every frame! Bowling Fundamentals teaches as you play. Sequential instructions and accompanying photographs will guide you in proper execution of the game’s essential skills and tactics. All the fundamentals—grip, stance, footwork, arm swing, timing, and release—provide a base for solid technique.

More than XX gamelike activities and drills will speed your learning and improve your performance. You’ll also get great instruction on hitting the pocket, scoring strikes, picking up spares, and boosting your scores.

Bowling Fundamentals is a better way to learn the basics—in less time. With this book, you’ll be rolling strikes right away—and the right way—to a winning game. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (12)

Good guide for the beginner
My wife and I have taken up bowling.This was a good book for both of us.It refined my technique, improving my score significantly.Wife has also picked up her score too.I would definitely recommend this for the beginner and intermediate bowler.

fundamentals good.
I thought the writer did an excellent job explaining the basics needed for bowling well.The book walked you through equipment, lane set up, targeting, body mechanics, and mindset.It did come up short however, on advance skills and techniques, but a great starting point non-the-less.

Helped quite a bit
When I first bought this book I was a fairly new bowler who struggled to break 100, after reading Michelle's book I now regularly bowl between a 130-150 and have even broken 200 a few times! As a left-handed bowler with a reverse hook it was difficult to find instruction that actually worked for me, but she offered it. Her writing style can be a bit repeatitive at times, but she covers all the different techiniques available to both hands, any hook, and any approach you can think of. I think a bowler at any level could benefit from her advice.

Helpful
Got this for my husband to work on his technique, as he is a semi new bowler.The pictures and descriptions in this book are very helpful.Easy to look at and read, not overwhelming.Would be great, too, if you have ever had your bowling technique video taped so you can compare what is ideal to what you are doing on the lane.

Great book for the basics!!!
A very straight forward and easy to apply approach to bowl well.Well written and easy to read. ... Read more

Product Description
The fast and easy way to perfect your bowling game

Bowling is an inexpensive date, an affordable night out for the whole family, and a fun hangout activity for kids of all ages. Bowling For Dummies reveals the tips, tricks, and rules of play for this iconic American sport.

While not every player can hope to bowl 300, you can improve your average and show off for friends, family, and bowling league teammates. Bowling For Dummies provides easy-to-understand instructions for improving your bowling game. The expert tips and advice take you through every step of the game, from selecting the right shoes to the proper way to yell, "Strike!"

• Packed with photos and line drawings
• Step-by-step instructions and illustrations included for all techniques
• Covers beginner through more advanced techniques

Whether you're a casual bowler or on a bowling league, the practical, friendly advice in Bowling For Dummies will have you itching to hit the lanes to try out your new skills. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (6)

This book gets a high score
I stink at bowling, but this book is filled with lots of handy and easy to understand tips and instructions. The emphasis is on FUN although it certainly is chock full of skill building exercises as well.

The photography is terrific and very explicit - it makes the easy instruction even easier to understand.

This is a great book and belongs in every bowling bag in the country!

Chelle Cordero
[...]

Great especially for beginners!
This book says it's "for dummies" but it's really for the beginner or for parents of a child who wants to get involved in bowling. There is humor, too, which keeps it from being a serious textbook. The tips and advanced areas are helpful for the more seasoned bowlers.This would be a great gift for just about anybody!

Very helpful!
I found many tips in this book helpful for improving my game. Worth the money!

Big help to improving my game
This book was great.The pictures were helpful in showing form and the writing was precise.It shows the markings on the lanes which helped me a lot and explained the oils in the wood.Great help!

Exceedingly helpful; worth the money
Bought this the other day - I suck at bowling, and I saw this, and I had a gift card, so I thought, why not?

It's exceptionally helpful. It not only goes through the basic movements and how to improve your game, but the tidbits on the side (the extra information) was faaaantastic. And interesting.

SERIOUSLY worth the money if you want to improve your game. ... Read more

Product Description
The sport's definitive work, from the game's master instructor. In Bowling Execution, legend and PBA Hall of Fame coach John Jowdy shares his expertise on every aspect of the sport, from developing skills to refining techniques for improved consistency.

Bowling Execution will show you how to

• improve each phase of your shot, from stance to follow-through;
• increase the accuracy of your hook;
• incorporate the free armswing for smoother mechanics;
• generate more power behind your shot to create greater pin action;
• analyze lane conditions and adjust your game accordingly; and
• develop strategies for achieving your personal best.

Whether your style is power or finesse, Bowling Execution will raise your game and your scores. It's the bowling resource you will turn to again and again. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (15)

NOT recommended for beginners OR experienced bowlers
I should have listened to the bad reviews of this book.But, as a librarian, I trusted this publisher as well-known in the sports fields and wanted to improve my personal game.This book is terrible. It is poorly organized and poorly written.As a bowler with over 40 years' experience, even I did not understand most of the jargon.The "technique" descriptions (grip, stance, target, etc.) did nothing to explain how to implement or execute the technique - and the accompanying images didn't help a single bit.In fact, the whole book seemed like nothing more than a vehicle for the author to drop the names of pro bowlers.Don't purchase this book.

A great teaching book, and relevant to today's evolving conditions
From describing the basics of bowling (armswing, approach, release) to going into some of the more advanced techniques (hand position, equipment, lane play) Mr. Jowdy's book is one of the best out there on the subject IMO.Bowling has evolved a incredible amount since the days of rubber balls and lacquered lanes, and you must have a through knowledge of today's equipment and styles to be successful at a high level.

Advanced bowlers perhaps might get the least out of this book, since if they are averaging 220+ they already have a fairly good grasp on bowling fundamentals, but I do think this book is a MUST have for those below that level.There simply are not many books out there regarding bowling that are as through as Mr. Jowdy's.

I also throughly recommend the companion book, "Focused on Bowling".This book covers the mental game of bowling, which is what higher level average and competition bowling becomes and combining these books with coaching and practice will make you the most complete bowler you can be.

Written by the man who coaches champions.
There is no doubt that this book does not beling on the bookshelves of every serious bowler.It belongs, dog eared, marked up, pages worn to the feel of silk, in a bowlers bag -- able to be referenced during down time to refresh the mind and concentration.Jowdy is recognized as one of the greatest coaches ever, and is a fantastic communicator of his ideas and teachings.His style appears to have been tempered by the editor though, who seems to be a tad fond of the 'copy and paste' function - where anytime 3 specific people are mentioned, by the middle of the book you know exactly what the next 5 sentences will say. But that's really my only disenchantment of the book

The book is filled with pictures and examples that feature many of the current PBA tour's best bowlers.Jowdy also when he explains the various styles a bowler can adopt within a section of his/her game, he also provides names of PBA bowlers who also follow that style -- presumeably so that the serious student can go to youtube and type in the name and watch those bowlers in action.

On a personal note, there were finer concepts in my own game that I was struggling with -- couldn't quite wrap my head around them no matter how much I watched videos or read about them.Jowdy's book provided me with several "A-ha" moments that caused those concepts to click in my head -- and soon thereafter in my game as well.A solid book that is highly recommended.

Fundamentals
This book is a good read with more technical information than the other two that I purchased and a good addition to my growing collection. I definately recommend this book for anyone who wants to improve their average.

Satisfied (minus delivery issue) customer
I have 2 complaints. 1 about the delivery , the other one is about the condition of the book.
I understand that amazon has no influence about the delivery. I chose usps as my delivery carrier, somehow they delivered the packaga at the wrong address.It took 2 additional weeks to sort things out and they I has the book in my possesion.
The condition of the book is ok, I think they do not sell this item often, so at the side of the book there were some dust spots, most were easily removed, there is still 1-2 spots left that I have to be more carefull with on the removal process.

Minus the delivery issue I am satisfied with the whole process,

Leopold ... Read more

Product Description
Learn the mental techniques that professional bowlers use to perform their best and build high averages. Focused for Bowling provides proven advice to help you pick up spares more consistently, recover from and avoid slumps, and get more satisfaction from each trip to the alley.

From progressive muscle-relaxation techniques to positive self-talk and focus cues, Focused for Bowling gives you the mental edge that will help you excel in critical frames.

Considered the leading authority on bowling psychology, Dean Hinitz is a regular columnist in Bowling This Month. To pick up your game, pick up this book and see why some of the country’s most elite competitors trust Hinitz to give them the edge they need for more accurate, confident, and consistent performance when the pressure is on! ... Read more

Customer Reviews (9)

Focused for Bowling
This book is great for the bowler who has pretty much got the physical bases of bowling down.probably around 190 average on more than one bowling center.It's a great book for the mental aspectof moving into elite bowling.

Keeps you focused.....
If you're a true bowler- and want to learn how to maintain focus on your bowling game, this book is for you. I highly recommend this book for any avg bowler- from beginner , amateur, to pros. Now, I want to bowl and have Dean along my side! :)

Getting focused for bowling
This book is great if you have the technique down but are having problems with the mental parts of bowling. However, it's a good book all around but specializes in the mental part of bowling.

A must have!
This book deals with the mental game of bowling.It evaluates how you are right now and gives you tips on how to prepare for each shot.The book has charts that you can copy and evaluate your where you think you're currently at.After you use the tips it suggests, you can reevaluate yourself in the future to see where you have improved.This book is a must have for the bower that wants to improve their game.I have applied the tips to my game and still continue to improve my overall scores and averages.I find that reading this book will give me a tremendous edge on my opponents when I bowl tournaments.

Go on and give it a try!

PBA Member since 2007

Another good bowling book
This book also covers a lot of info that bowlers will need when they look to take their game to the next level. ... Read more

Product Description
Want to be a better bowler? Sport Psychology Library: Bowling - The Handbook of Bowling Psychology is the guide you need for improving your performance. Esteemed Sport psychologist Dr. Eric Lasser, and legendary coaches Fred Borden and Jeri Edwards, have combined their expertise to create a master teaching guide for beginner, intermediate, and advanced level bowlers. This book is designed to push any bowler to the highest level and enable professionals and elite amateurs to stay there.The Handbook is organized into five sections: preparation for competition, routines before and during competition, keys to peak performance, advanced strategies for tough challenges, and team and family dynamics. Each section details information and concerns most important to the bowler,providing techniques for self-evaluation and the development of specificpsychological strategies necessary for that sound mental game. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (6)

A Very Good Read!!!
I am still currently reading this book and it is very good!If you are a professional bowler or a league bowler this book is essential to build your mental game!It will get you through tough pressure situations and open your mind for things that you either have/have not experienced!I really recommend this book to anyone to kick their bowling up the extra notch!

Mental help for any bowler...
I found the book easy to read and understand. I have applied some of the things I read in the book and found them useful and I feel over time the new approach to bowling will improve to my good.

Great investment
When ever you buy a book containing psychology, you think to say "I knew that!", but this book pinpoints the essens of bowling psychology. I've focused on several things that for sure will make me a better bowler.

very helpful book
I purchased this book to help with my bowling, since as anovice bowler,
I was dismayed by my embarrassing performance when bowling with friends.
I would bowl a strike and then have a string of gutter balls.

I found this book really helpful, not just for bowling, but for achieving excellence
in other sports. I was able to apply the lessons to other challanging areas in my life.

The book gives a comphrehensive overview of this incredibly popular sport.The writers have laid out a step by step mental
plan of action that accounts for most contigencies and can used when someone has to psychologically prepare
onselfto perform at a high level.

The use of acronyms such as RALLY ( react, accept, learn, lean, yes )and the examples
of positive self talk particularly useful.

One of the best bowling books to date
I think this is one of the most up to date and detailed bowling books to date.It dives into the mental game aspect of the game and just helps you with the skills that most bowlers will need to take their game to the next level. ... Read more

Product Description

Customer Reviews (2)

E-Book
Terrible kindle addition.Hard to read, black and white illustrations, hard to turn the pages.Waste of money.

late arrival but great condition
The book came brand new, so my little boy was all happy about that. However, I PAID FOR EXPEDIATED SHIPPING and it took about TWO WEEKS! I was very unhappy with this, and my autistic child was confused when I told him it'd arrive in two days and he counts on the calendar and got upset. I saw other reviews later that this shipper does this, how RUDE, but like I said, at least the book arrived in PERFECT CONDITION. At least we were thankful and happy about that! ... Read more

Product Description
The most definitive guide to the sport of bowling, this book is sure to take your game and your average to the next level.

Parker Bohn III, the 1999 Professional Bowlers Association Player of the Year, clearly explains everything you need to know in order to shoot your maximum potential--from equipment, mental preparation, and practice regimens to stroke lines, spare conversions, and strategies for different lane conditions. Written for the beginner as well as the advanced bowler, the book features more than thirty detailed computer-generated lane diagrams that show the best paths to the pocket for both left and right-handers. Plus, a preface richly illustrated with vintage photos takes a fascinating look back at how the game came to be one of America's most-loved pastimes and how it is fast gaining popularity around the world.

Parker Bohn III reveals the secrets to success including:
how to exploit the technology of ball composition and drilling
the basic skid-roll-hook strike shot's trajectory and pin carry
recommended foot positions and targets for splits and spares
how lane conditioner (oil) and its breakdown affect your shots
pro-proven strike line strategies for conquering difficult land conditions
how to pinpoint problems and develop customized practice sessions
pointers for building a rock-solid mental approach
plans for reaching the college, amateur, and pro levels

You'll learn how to achieve perfect form in a skills section with photos showing how to position yourself at each step in the delivery:
starting stance
pushaway
armswing
release
wrist positions
timing
balance

Brunswick pro contributers include all-time favorites and new stars:
Mike Aulby
Chris Barnes
Cindy Coburn-Carroll
Johnny Petraglia
Mark Roth
Kim Terrell
Tammy Turner
... Read more

Customer Reviews (13)

Disappointing
Disappointing.

I am not sure who the intended audience for this book was.I not sure the authors knew who the intended audience was, either.

I bowled some as a young teenager.I'm in my 50s now and I have started to bowl some again.What I wanted and needed was a book of basic instruction on the proper techniques and strategy of bowling.Having read some of the reviews that is what I thought I was getting.

If I had been able to pick this book up in a bookstore and flip through it I would never have purchased it.

A big portion of the book is the history of bowling, bowling balls, pin boys, pin setting machines, and why there are 10 pins and not 9.It also devotes far too many pages to anecdotes of PBA pros.I wanted instruction.

I work in a technical field and I am used to reading manuals and sometimes obtuse material.I found myself skimming through this book trying to pull out some useful information.

Add to that endless page after page of spare diagrams with little explanation.Lane oil conditions may be where it is at on the pro bowling tour, but by the end of the book I was ready to sell my stock in Crisco.

Bottom line, if you want a good instruction manual save your money.If you want a nice coffee table book buy it.

Bowling Book

This book is mostly for beginners.

I had to get to page 60 before there was any details
for advanced bowlers.

There are little actual pictures for improvement.

Text descriptions are brief.

If your an advanced bowler - there are better books.

A Full Page of a Classic 50's Bowling Bag? Come on!
20% of the book is about bowling history. Another large chunk, about one-fifth, is about bowling equipment. A lot of photos provide no instructional value at all, and seem to be there merely for their aesthetic attribute. Several diagrams do not have any merit as well - do you really need to show a 2-page 3D depiction of the oil pattern in lanes? You're literally halfway through the book and still waiting when that glorious tip on 'how to master the game' will come.

The book's biggest flaw is that it lacks detail about how a bowler can improve his game - majority of the most relevant bowling topics were not really covered in depth. A huge chunk of what's supposed to be instructional material and meaningful diagrams is wasted on trivial topics and images. Also, while conveying his priciples, Bohn never fails to rub in how good he is - how much he scored in a game or so, who he defeated, how bowlers "at his level" play. Do we really have to hear those things?

There's some light though. Towards the middle and the end, the book does give you eligible but far from detailed this-is-how-to-do-it type of advice. It gives a lot of attention on how to adjust to varying lane conditions and how to be flexible during tournament play. The chapter on knocking out spare and splits gives some useful principles and techniques.

If you're buying your first bowling book, I can say Bowling Fundamentals (Sport Fundamental Series) is a better value buy, it only costs half as much while providing very detailed and solid no-nonsense advise.

Solid foundation
The book by Parker Bohn III is a very good book to get for a new bowler, or someone looking to solidify their basics. He discusses all the basics in learning to bowl in a way that is easy to absorb and apply. The more established bowler, will take away less from this book, but it does serve as an excellent reminder. I loaned it to a friend that averages well over 200, and have not gotten it back after 3 weeks. He is using it to troubleshoot his game and to reestablish good habits. I find it very useful to keep my game solid and fundimentally strong.
Overall Parker does a nice job bridging the gap between the beginner and the more advanced bowler. I have a deeper respect for his knowledge of the game, even if he is a lefty. This is solid instructional bowling book.

Bowling for experts
This book was bought as a gift for my partner, who is quite an established bowler. It is apparently very informative (he reads it before every tournament) and is also beautifully laid out. Would make a great coffee table book as well as an instructional text for those serious about the sport.Bowling: How to Master the Game ... Read more

Product Description
Master all of the essential skills of bowling to raise your average at the lanes. Bowling: Steps to Success contains in-depth, progressive instruction for each aspect of the game—from grip and stance to footwork and release—so you’ll be throwing strikes consistently in no time.

Build a strong skill base with clear instruction, precise illustrations, and dozens of drills that feature a scoring system to help you gauge your improvement and accelerate your progress. Then learn and practice the tactics of shooting strikes and spares to give you more confidence and success on every frame.

Step up to the line knowing you’ll deliver a well-executed shot with pinpoint accuracy. As part of the Steps to Success Sports Series—with more than 1.5 million copies sold—Bowling: Steps to Success will give you maximum results. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

Review of Bowling Steps to success
Great book for all bowlers wanting to go to the next level in their game.

Thumbs Up
Great book.
Didn't end up reading it but it sure did help to pass the test I had on it.
SMILE!
OPEN BOOK~! ... Read more

Product Description

Customer Reviews (8)

bowling book
This book is very good for someone just starting to bowl.It gives alot of
good advice on how to bowl. What you will need and so on.

Recommended for would-be bowlers
The author takes the effort to filter out the technical junks that might confuse new bowlers or people who are interested to take up the sports. All you need to know to get started is there. But it's a little pricey for a thin paperback.

Great starting off point
I have always enjoyed bowling, but never had any training. I am joining a league, and want to bowl better. This book taught me a lot. I practiced the "shadow bowling" technique at home, and on my next outing to the lanes - I improved my average by 40! (from a 150 to a 194)

Great book for anyone new to bowling
This is what every non-fiction book should be.Brief, to-the-point, and effective.And this book is very brief.You may probably be able to read it in a half hour and then head straight to the alley and practice.This book is very clear and provides easy-to-follow pictures, too. I understand everything the author is trying to say.Lastly, this book is effective because I followed its exact instructions and I'm able to bowl with a nice hook, something I always wanted to know how to do.Although you won't be able to learn more advanced skills or more fancier hooks, this is not suppose to be a comprehensive guide to bowling.

So THAT'S How Its Done
This book lived up to its promise.I am brand new to the 'real' way to bowl, and I found this book very helpful.The format is great.I think that the book would do any newcomer some good.There is a style to Werner's writing that can only be termed 'relaxed.'I am trying to develop what I have learned from this book.It is a great springboard into the sport. ... Read more

Product Description
Ages 6 to 9 years. Children of any age, size, or strength can enjoy an afternoon of bowling. Children will be bowled over by the sport's great subtlety and technique. This book uses bright photographs and diagrams to complement clear text that explains: The basics of five- and ten-pin bowling; The proper grip and how to get spin on the ball; The fun and challenges of bowling in a league; What to do when faced with difficult shots; How to keep score and ways to improve your average. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Great For the beginner
I am a bronze level bowling coach and always looking for books to help beginners to under stand the basics of the game. This is a very good book for new bowlers with good illistrations, it is also short and to the point. For the price you cannot beat this book. ... Read more

Product Description
Whether you bowl once a year or twice a week, The New Bowling Trivia Book will entertain and enlighten you. This fast-paced, humorous, and fun look at some of the little-known but real-life facts about bowling is the perfect gift for the avid or casual bowler.Packed with bowling facts and filled with history, records, and oddities, this amusing collection will help you know everything about bowling you never thought to ask. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

The New Bowling Trivia Book
I purchased this book for my father, who is an avid bowler.He just loves it.He has taken it with him to various PBA events and had bowling celebrities autograph the pages where they were mentioned.He and they get quite a kick out of it.

The New Bowling Trivia Book
If you are a bowler or know a bowling enthusiast, this book is a must have.The book is filled with facts about when and how bowling began to the modern day game and everything in between. There is not only trivia but some short quizzes to test your bowling knowledge.The book is fun and was written with a sense of humor.I enjoyed it and recommend it! ... Read more

Product Description
Our lives are filled with mountains to conquer. No matter our age or experience, we all have issues, obstacles, opportunities, and challenges that dominate our landscapes and force us to climb whether we’re ready or not.Making the Climb is a riveting first-person account of one man’s attempt to climb to the top of Mt. Kilimanjaro and the life-changing lessons learned along the way. John Bowling describes the challenges and difficulties he encountered during the nine days it took to reach the peak of Africa’s tallest mountain and the highest free-standing volcano in the world. With wisdom and fortitude, he shares how this exhilarating adventure has equipped him to face and overcome other personal challenges and mountains in his life. He illustrates how this physical challenge impacted and transformed his spiritual life and shares observations, principles, and insights to help others overcome and conquer the challenges of life&#151no matter how difficult they might seem. Making the Climb: What a Novice Climber Learned About Life on Mount Kilimanjaro invites you to follow John Bowling up one of the world’s most magnificent peaks. With intrigue and reflection, he’ll lead you on a challenging journey toward the life-changing reward that awaits you at the top. He offers one caution—’Don’t look down!’ ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Quick read
The book provides basic insight and information needed to climb Mt. Kilimanjaro. Based on a first hand climbing experience the reader is taken through a day by day experience of the 7 day Lemosho Route (Barafu route for Kibo ascend). The author is a novice climber and describes the challenges most climbers will face in detail. It is an easy and quick read especially if you skip the prayers throughout the chapters. I enjoyed the read but I would not recommend using this book in preparation for your trek however, this book provides enough information for anyone trying to decide whether to do the climb or not. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (6)

Good book
Even though Earl Anthony was a lefty this book is written and photographed as if he were a righty. Too bad. It is a great book, but if you are looking for tips from a lefty look elsewhere.

What You Didn't Know You Didn't Know.
Earl Anthony has managed to pack so much information into this book it's really hard to know where to start this review.

Let's concentrate on something that had never occured to me to ask my coach, among many others covered in this book.

What is lift?Here was the answer in black and white. It was also easy to follow the concept that Earl was trying to get across.Additionally, the simple demonstration that Earl uses in the book really makes the concept even more lucid. I finally see good rotation on my ball, and has it ever made a difference in how well the ball hits the pocket!

This aspect of the game that is so important for anyone who is just learning to throw a hook. Why was it so well kept a secret?It wasn't but I didn't think to ask, duh!!!

This book belongs on any bowling fans library shelves.

Review of Winning Bowling, by Earl Anthony
Earl Anthony's book, Winning Bowling, has several positivepoints.First, I found his concept of spare shooting in this bookvery helpful.Anthony outlines in shooting spares four basicpositions: Strike Position (which also corresponds to Crossover Line), Left Center, Far Left, and Far Right.Anthony essentially takes samples of each spare group and demonstrates what foot position and angle would maximize conversion.I have applied this to my technique, and I have been having greater spare conversion success.However, I found his discussion of shooting Strike Angles, and in particular the first Arrow Angle, somewhat unclear.This book is not one which will aid you in adjusting to given lane conditions, but rather, how to execute each kind of strike shot.In the book, there is no discussion of oily or dry lane conditions. Also useful are the "super secrets", and his description of faults in the swing.I discovered from this book that one of the major faults in my own swing was side-wheeling, and this discovery helped me to swing the ball straighter, as well as save the skin on my thumb!For the advanced bowler, it may not have as much pertinent information, but for the beginning and intermediate bowler wanting to understand the swing a bit better, it is a good book to have on the shelf.

Basic Guides of Bowling
This book entirely is a book more for a beginner. Yes,learning progressstarts from the basic however, if more writing for improving to higherlevel average bowlers will be a good credit. Not much pictures andillustrations.

Basic Guides of Bowling
This book entirely is a book more for a beginner. Yes,learning progressstarts from the basic however, if more writing for improving to higherlevel average bowlers will be a good credit. Not much pictures andillustrations. ... Read more

Product Description
Bringing Peace Into the Room examines the personal qualities that make a mediator effective. The eminent authors of this volume go beyond traditional descriptions of academic training, theoretical orientation, and refinement of technique to confront issues related to personal temperament and the crucial psychological, intellectual and spiritual qualities of the mediation professional— qualities that are often the most potent elements of successful mediation. In this comprehensive resource, Daniel Bowling and David Hoffman bring together a stellar panel of practitioners, academics, teachers, and trainers in the field— Michele LeBaron, Kenneth Cloke, Robert Benjamin, Don Saposnek, Sara Cobb, Peter Adler, Jonathan Reitman, Lois Gold, Marvin Johnson, and others— ¾who share their personal experiences as mediators. Each contributor demonstrates that at the very heart of conflict resolution is the subtle interaction between the parties and the mediator's personal and authentic style.

... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

More Fun Than Bowling
This two act comedy is written for two men and three women. While the owner of a midwestern bowling alley visits the graves of his two wives, both killed in tragic bowling accidents, he relives his own personal tragedies from the time his fingers were broken ending his promising carreer as a musician when his hands healed into a perfect bowlers grip. ... Read more

Product Description
A mystery set in a bowling alley? Nothing is too weird or wacky for the kids from Mystery, Inc.! And when a bowling boogeyman starts scaring away all the kids from the alley, it's up to Scooby, Shaggy, Fred, Daphne, and Velma to put on their bowling shoes and strike out that baddie! ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Wholly ungratifying
This book has been cited in at least one written Supreme Court decision but is very lacking and incomplete. Most of the content seems dedicated to (a) lists of proposed amendments, (b) the debate between inlining vs. appending the amendments (appending won, obviously, giving us a toilet paper roll of amendments rather than a concise constitution), or (c) the addendum of private letters at the end which focuses on sentiments of the Bill of Rights as opposed to actual decision-making. You will get very little substance of committee meetings where the more interesting decisions get made, or why most of the amendments are worded the way they are.

This book is a dud, a very weak followup to Madison's 1787 convention notes. Such a shame and such missed potential. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (5)

Hilarious, unpredictable, weird....thumbs up!
They may not be exactly curve balls, but the stuff Brautigan throws at his readers during this comic/tragic slice of life is unlike anything read before.Bowling trophies are stolen and thus become a murderous obsession for three bumbling brothers.An unfortunate case of STD leads to a strained S&M relationship that drives a couple apart.The title character is a paper maiche bird, and that's about his role.Each chapter is a short burst of hilarity, moments in sad characters lives that are funny to the outsider but quite painful to the characters themselves.Yet still the laughs come easily, guiltily, due to Brautigan's light yet commanding touch of the English language.
Amidst all the humor and pure irreverence, the character's gain a humanity in that all their foibles are so human, if not taken to the extreme.Thus, when the disparate threads crash in a violent climax, the result maintains a tragic edge while still being appropriate to the tone and craziness of the story.
Think Dali in Print: everything is warped, twisted, and out of proportion to reality, but it somehow packs an emotional wallop.

BEAUTIFUL.
If I could describe Richard Brautigan's word-art greatness, I'd be writing books, not reviews. Do yourself a BIG favor and buy ALL of Richard's incredible books.

tragic i think not
i found this book to be hilarious.it will never leave my top 10.its set up to look like a tragedy but really to me it just points out the hilariousness of our lives.a great relationship turned into uncomfortable sadistic love making due to stds.hilarious, it just pokes and pokes fun at are responses to things we find hard to deal with.three brothers become completely depressed and obsessed about finding their trophies instead of just winning more, its quite a magnificent look into the human behavior.

two thumbs up and and two pointer fingers to make two guns to shoot off for this wonderful, fabulous book.

Oh, Willard, Willard, Willard.
This novel is about fate and tragedy and people whose lives are connected by circumstance. It has all the Brautigan touches: poetry as prose, simple writing, great turns of phrase, and a story that is at once outlandish, hilarious, tragic and wholly original.

The story involves two couples and three brothers. One couple has a very healthy, happy relationship. In their apartment is Willard, a bird sculpture, and some bowling trophies they purchased at a sale years ago. These are second-hand bowling trophies. The other couple's relationship isn't as happy. The husband is depressed, and the wife, in an attempt to make him happy, participates in his S&M fantasies though she doesn't enjoy them. The brothers, as the story goes, were once good, upstanding citizens from a good upstanding family. That is, until several years ago when their bowling trophies were stolen, destroying their faith in humanity. They made a pact to recover the bowling trophies, whatever the cost, and began down a road of violence and murder.

You either love or hate Brautigan's work. I'm in the former camp. I don't know any writer so unique. Part of the beauty in his work is in the depth behind the simplicity. But like a simple painting, one person might look and say, "My seven-year-old could have done that," while another, like myself, finds that pretty much all of Brautigan's work speaks to them in some way.

Along with SO THE WIND WON'T BLOW IT ALL AWAY and AN UNFORTUNATE WOMAN, WILARD is one of Brautigan's tragic novels. In fact, in one of my favorite parts of the novel, the husband reads from a book of bits and pieces of Greek tragedies because only bits and pieces have survived through the years. But he's fascinated by them because he can feel the tragedy of the whole in just a few words. In the same way, in Willard we are given a thin slice of the life of these characters, but we feel the tragedy of the whole.

Mind boggling
This is the first Brautigan book I read and it was great.I feel that anyone who wants to get introduced to the writting of Brautigan get this book. ... Read more