Book Description
This new educational and clinical reference provides a comprehensive discussion of general medical conditions and associated pathologies confronting athletes, coaches, and athletic trainers of all levels. Featuring NATA Educational Competencies, it covers evaluation techniques and equipment, pharmacological principles, complete coverage of all body systems and conditions, and special populations. Red flags for serious or life-threatening conditions are highlighted throughout, as well as implications for practice and participation in sports and competition. An accompanying DVD provides 45 minutes of video displaying narrated procedures, animations of important concepts, and self-assessment exercises designed to reinforce the skills and information presented in each chapter of the book. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Good for Athletic Training majors
Easy to read and comprehend...clear and to the point.Not as in depth as a pathophys. text. ... Read more

Book Description
At the turn of the 20th century, hundreds of handsome, lightning-fast racers won the hearts and minds of a bicycling-crazed public. Scientists studied them, newspapers glorified them, and millions of dollars in purse money was awarded to them. Major Taylor aimed to be the fastest of them all. A prominent black man at a time when such a thing was deemed scandalous, his mounting victories, high moral virtue, and bulletlike riding style made him a target for ridicule from the press and sabotage by the white riders who shared the track with him.

Taylor’s most formidable and ruthless opponent—a man nicknamed the “Human Engine”—was Floyd McFarland. One man was white, one black; one from a storied Virginia family, the other descended from Kentucky slaves; one celebrated as a hero, one trying to secure his spot in a sport he dominated. The only thing they had in common was the desire to be named the fastest man alive. Their rivalry riveted first America, and then the world. Finally, in 1904, both men headed to Australia for a much-anticipated title match to decide, beyond dispute, who would claim the coveted title.

Major is the gripping story of a superstar nobody saw coming—a classic underdog, aided by an unlikely crew: a disgraced fight promoter, a broken ex-racer, and a poor upstate girl from New York who wanted to be a queen. It is also the account of a fierce rivalry that would become an archetypal tale of white versus black in the 20th century. Most of all, it is the tale of our nation’s first black sports celebrity—a man who transcended the handicaps of race at the turn of the century to reach the stratosphere of fame. ... Read more

Book Description
As a competitive athlete, you know that what you eat and drink can significantly affect performance. And when you compete at a high level, the types, amounts, and timing of foods, fluids, and supplements is especially critical. Nutrition for Serious Athletes combines the latest research and the training experiences of top athletes to provide detailed eating plans for strength, power, and endurance sports.

Author Dan Benardot helps you tailor your diet to the needs of your sport and time your meals for training and competition. As the national team nutritionist for USA Gymnastics, Benardot helped the 1996 Olympic women's gymnastic team to a gold medal. Currently the co-director of Laboratory for Elite Athlete Performance at Georgia State University, he has also worked with professional basketball and hockey teams as well as other individual sports professionals.

If you are dedicated to being the best athlete you can be, you owe it to yourself to bring this book to the training table. No matter what your sport, Nutrition for Serious Athletes will provide you with expert advice to maximize your training and improve your performance. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (6)

Serious Nutrition
As much as people dont think that nutrition is important to the serious athlete, they are wrong. One of the keys unlocking your potential is what you put into your body. Before i had read this book, i had a few ideas/thoeries about what i put into my body and what foods i should eat and this book backed my ideas and gave me new ones. This book is one of my favorites, and serious athletes should follow it to a T.

Serious Nutrition
As much as people dont think that nutrition is important to the serious athlete, they are wrong. One of the keys unlocking your potential is what you put into your body. Before i had read this book, i had a few ideas/thoeries about what i put into my body and what foods i should eat and this book backed my ideas and gave me new ones. This book is one of my favorites, and serious athletes should follow it to a T.

Fundamentals for Success
Dr. Benardot's text, Nutrition for Serious Athletes, is essential for both coach and athlete. It lays out in clear and precise fashion what is required, with regard to nurtition, for athletic success. Crucial topics,for athletic success, that are comprehensively discussed include: propernutrition, hydration, supplements, meals for anaerobic and aerobicactivities, and timing of meals. What also adds to the immense value of thetext is the massive index of food sources of essential nutrients located atthe end of the book. If you want to achieve your best athletic results,i.e., to maximize and actualize your true athletic potential, then thistext is for you. It will not only show you how to fuel your body for theparticular athletic you are training for and competing in, but also helpyou to understand why you should be fueling your body in that particularmaner. All in all, this is an excellant text for the athlete, coach, oreven the individual who just wants to have a clear understanding of propernutrition.

nutrtion for serious athletes
Best book I've read for the "semi serious" athlete. Although I don't compete anymore, I'm 74, I thought the info. for nourishing food and mealsvery helpful to me .Also,I never realizedthat hydratingafter exercise was also important.

Fundametals for Sucess
Dan Benardot's book 'Nutrition for Serious Athletes' is a must for the coach or athltete who desires to cover every base when it comes to athletic performance. Fundamental topics discussed include proper nutrition, hydration, supplements, timming of meals, good diets/bad diets, and sportspecific diets. But what also adds to the immense value of Dan Benardot'sbook is the excellant index of meal plans, and nutritional values offoods.

What is of great importance in gaining knowledge is the issueof authority. It is something that is very important to me, for there aremany individuals who claim to actually know something about athleticperformance, yet they lack proper training and education. It is clear thatDan Benardot is not one of those individuals. Not only does he have PhD andRD distinction, but the text is also clear, logical, insightful and basedon scientific evidence.

Terrance Grant ... Read more

Book Description
Are most athletes "naturally" born or should the phrase `practice makes perfect' be followed?

The truth is that anyone can be a better athlete. What's Wrong with American Sports explores the ways all types of athletes are being trained and how they are not, by looking at different areas of technique and developing the player's physical abilities to perform. This book also answers a wide range of questions that anyone who might want to improve their running or playing ability.

If you're interested in strength training, this book covers ways to maintain flexibility, improve breathing abilities and different forms of strength. Athletes can also improve their flexibility, which is important to help prevent njury. Any athlete can gain knowledge and improve in their sport by following the simple steps put forward for athletes and their coaches in this book. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Helpful manual for serious athletes
Even though I classify myself as a "recreational runner," I still take my training and performances very seriously.I found Dr. Yessis's book to be extremely helpful and inspiring in terms of tailoring my present workouts and looking forward to developing new ones.

Much of the information the book may seem like it's for a professional athlete or for younger people who are starting out on their fitness journeys, but don't be mistaken: there is plenty of practical guidance and information here for athletes of all fitness and skill levels.

Definitely a good addition to your workout library.Maybe you should even consider giving a copy to your coach or trainer! ... Read more

Book Description
With 100,000 books already sold in the little black book series, author and youth minister Blaine Bartel now introduces five more titles to this growing book trend. Teens and adults alike love the short, simple lists and bullet points filled with humor and hard-hitting truths. These quick and powerful books are perfect for teens on-the-go and have sound scriptural advice that will help them succeed in life. Blaine Bartel is youth pastor of Oneighty®, one of America's largest local church youth ministries, reaching more than 2,500 youth weekly. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

Thank you, Dr. Kogler
I don't have much to add to the insightful comments made by Mr. Weinstein above.This is the most valuable sport-training book that I own, period. Not only for fencers.Very highly recommended.

For lots of reasons the best
I am actively retired and a very good, goal oriented skier.My background was hi tech where I was a lead manager at (perhaps) the most significant R&D Company of all time (Bolt Beranek and Newman - inventors of all things Internet).I mention this only since designing and then implementing networks is an exercise based on process understanding as the basis for detailed system design.So as I pursue my effort to become the best bump skier on my local mountains (Aspen Colorado) I am very focused on first understanding and then designing my training program ... toward which my current skills assessment is

a) coordination and active skills - very good
b) aerobic capabilities - good to very good
c) strength - so so to good ('HIT' weight training at the gym focused
mostly on quads and hamstrings)
d) flexibility - Horrid (I hate stretching)

But, I am anything if not committed so my chosen vehicle this year is Yoga and since I am skilled at process design and following a long search of so many books on yoga as it relates to sports improvement my review)

This is the best of so many books bought, scanned and then retired to my many book cases - most likely never to be read again.What makes it the best

1) It is written by an author who used the techniques recorded to
accomplish specific goals.Aladar Kogler is a PH.D. was trained under
in Czechoslovakia under the soviet systems (for my money the best in
the world) where he coached the highly successful Czechoslovakian
Fencing Team before escaping to U.S.Throughout his coaching career he
has trained an astonishing number of world class fencers, first from a
smaller Eastern Bloc Country and later a smaller U.S. University.

This is significant in the author's adoption and application of Yoga as
central to his training was TOTALLY driven toward measurable tests and
standard - where his fencers the best in the world.Contrast that with
so many yoga books written for distraught women and yuppies looking for
general health, happiness and renewal (whatever these conditions mean).

2) The book is clear, understandable and result oriented - rather than
general explanations this book details a specific regimen and plan -
pleasantly based on system design and mechanics.Kogler explains what
to do, why you are doing it, and what to expect.

So while I still hate stretching, I now have a highly accomplished coach who is providing me with a very good map - I know what and why I am doing each step and can gauge progress against clear interim and end goals.

And herein lies the magic of the book - while I am moving across well plotted terrain my coach is clear in having me not to take account interim or end point goals - while I am to create and record results in a journal, I am to push for progress.I am to follow the plan and take encouragement if (AS) progress is made.So even though I start unable to touch my toes I can see and have recorded some progress and have come to believe (given I understand how and why) that if I will remain true to the attempt and pay close attention to the asanas I will improve against my real goals (be a better bump skier on very steep and demanding slopes).

This book (in the best of the Chinese definition, is becoming my Tao) for turning a glaring and difficult weakness in a strength.And for that I thank (via this review) the author.

regards

Just what you need
Having had Aladar as a fencing coach, I can say that he definitely knows what he's talking about.In fencing, one's muscles tend to develop unevenly (the front arm and leg work harder than the others) and yoga helpseven them out and keep you balanced.It is also a good practice to comedown from the athletic high that you can get after competition.Themindful practice of these exercises keeps you balanced as an athlete, aswell as a person. ... Read more

Book Description
Sports/Sport Psychology

"What does it mean to be Ready to Play?"

Coaches and athletes understand the importance of being ready to play.In post-game interviews with the losing team, you will often hear players and coaches say, "We were not ready to play tonight."However, many competitors find it difficult to define mental readiness and a challenge to be ready to play each and every time they perform.Ready to Play:Mental Training for Student-Athletes is written to help athletes better understand what it means to be ready to play and how to create and maintain a positive mindset for performance.

By reading this book you will discover:

§The building blocks for success in any endeavor
§The three critical aspects of mental readiness
§How to use proven mental training strategies to consistently perform well at practice and in competition
§How mental training can be applied to life outside of sport

Ready to Play: Mental Training for Student Athletes is a must read for any college or high school performer.It presents valuable applied sport psychology information that can help any competitor enhance their performance competencies.Dr. Keith Henschen, Sport Psychology Consultant

Dr. Chamberlain has helped my team members realize their potential by following the principles set forth in Ready to Play: Mental Training for Student-Athletes.Patrick Shane, 3-Time NCAA National Coach of the Year in Cross Country, Coach of 4 NCAA National Championship Teams

Ready to Play: Mental Training for Student Athletes is simple and straightforward.I like the way Ron dissects each topic and makes it so easy to grasp.As a professional athlete, I read it regularly.It is not only for student-athletes.Leonard Myles-Mills, 2-Time NCAA National Champion in the 100M Dash, 2000 Olympian in Sydney, Australia

Reading and applying, Ready to Play: Mental Training for Student Athletes, is a must for athletes who are seeking to find success at any level.The information presented gives athletes an edge that can take them to higher levels of performance. Tara Northcutt, 7-Time NCAA All-American, NCAA National Champion in the 10,000M Run

Ron Chamberlain, Ph.D. is the Sport Psychologist at Brigham Young University.He has helped numerous athletes, coaches, and teams from a variety of sports excel in collegiate athletics.His approach to mental training is simple to understand, practical to apply, and useful in a variety of settings. ... Read more

Product Description
Massage away your aches and pains. Self-Massage for Athletes will have you feeling better fast by showing you how to apply the same strokes and techniques used by professional massage therapists. With chapters on acupressure, trigger point therapy, shower massage, and more. Clearly written and beautifully photographed, this handy guide is your invitation to join the millions of active people who already use self-massage to improve the way they feel and perform. Complete with more than 100 photos, 176 pages, and index. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (16)

Self-Massage -- not just for athletes
I go to a massage therapist regularly and know the benefits of massage.I thought SELF-MASSAGE FOR ATHLETES would be a book that I would like.

It is divided into three sections.Section 1 covered why every athlete needs massage.It could have gone further and said why every PERSON needs massage.Since I do massage, I am versed on the benefits and didn't learn anything new.BUT for someone thinking about massage or wanting to learn more, this Section covered the whys/benefits extremely well.

Section 2 explained the how-to's by describing the seven strokes and then gave instructions on how to massage the various areas of the body.It also included when to use self-massage.

Section 3 explained other types of massage and tools that can be used to provide the massage such as a shower - water pressure is a great reliever!It talks about coaches and personal trainers and when to consult a medical professional instead of using massage.

All in all, it covers self-massage in terms and words that any layperson can follow.If you have never considered self-massage to relieve everyday aches and pains, don't let the title fool you.It is a book not only for athletes but for EVERY person!

Go On, Touch Yourself, You Know You Want To.
OK, so I am not an athlete by any stretch of the imagination, but I do try to exercise frequently and I do get normal aches and pains.And who doesn't love a massage?Rich Poley has designed a book that has a little something in it for everyone.Whether you are a tri-athlete or a couch warmer, there are massages in this book, probably more than a few that you can use regularly.

The book has 20 chapters broken into three parts:
Part 1: Why Every Athlete Needs Massage
Part 2:Learning Self Massage
Part 3:Going Deeper:Getting More From Your Massage

The steps to self-massage are very straightforward, detailed and easy to follow.Beyond the How To instructions of self-massage, there is a lot of information regarding the human body, the muscles, endorphins, circulation, acupressure points, etc.Some of the contents and steps are a little repetitive, but overall I found this to be a very interesting and informative book and one I will benefit from repeatedly.Does it replace the good time feelings of being massaged by someone else?No, but it's a powerful and very handy substitute.

Very Useful and Easy to Do
"Self-Massage for Athletes" is divided into three parts: Why Every Athlete Needs Massage; Learning Self-Massage; and Going Deeper: Getting more from your Massage. Each section has several chapters explaining in detail why self-massage can be helpful and how to do it.Each chapter also has a section titled "In Summary" that does a good job of summarizing everything in the chapter. There are pictures throughout the book that help illustrate the massages.

"Self-Massage for Athletes" is a wonderful tool not just for professional athletes but anyone that attempts any kind of exercise program, even a simple one like walking, or even non-athletes who suffer the every day aches and pains we all get. The first thing you realize when reading the book is how easy self-massage is and how we already practice it even if we don't realize it, such as when using body wash in the shower or shampooing your hair. There are a number of useful points in the book including the seven simple massage points: Gliding; Squeezing; Squeezing and Rolling; Pressing; Pressing and Rolling; Drumming; and Rock and Rolling. Author Rich Poley takes the time to explain each of these techniques thoroughly and has photos and tips on each technique that are easy to use and do. He also gives detailed explanations on how to massage various body parts including your hands, feet, arms, shoulders, neck, back, and much more.

There were some other parts of the book that I also found very useful. There is a chart showing some of the most needy muscles in the body that can benefit from a massage. Also, the discussion on accupressure was quite interesting, as was the chart showing 25 power points for athletes. I immediately tried some of them and was amazed at how well they worked. Finally, the discussions of when and when not to self-massage and various tools to use for a deeper massage (Thera Cane, Dolphin Massager, Foam Roller among others) was very informative.

The beauty of "Self Massage for Athletes" is that almost anyone can do it. Highly recommended.

A Valuable Book For Anyone
This superb book would be an asset for anyone.Although written by an athlete (triathlons and several other sports) for athletes, its benefits may be enjoyed by anyone.

Any athlete who has ever experienced massage is aware of the benefits that it has in terms of recovery, pain relief, and improved performance.Rich Poley makes those available to anyone at anytimewithout the high costs of paying a massage therapist.

Almost everyone has probably performed self massage at times for aching necks, feet, calves, etc.After reading this book and practicing the techniques, one can do so with much more skill and effectiveness.There are high quality pictures along with the instructions to illustrate the different techniques.The author trains readers in seven different massage strokes along with accupressure points to increase their effectiveness.He also reviews different massage tools that will assist even in very hard to reach spots such as the back.

The methods are very simple to learn but very effective.In just a few days, I have increased my skill level considerably and I can clearly feel the effects of it.

I would strongly recommend this book for athletes as well as everyone else.

Self Massage For Better Performance
'Self-Massage for Athletes' by Rich Poley is a book tailored towards physically fit individuals that are looking to add something to their daily routine to keep their bodies running better than before.With this book you will learn the benefits of why self massage is important to stay loose, limber, and feeling better overall.With 150+ pages of material, you will learn the different areas of the body that you can massage, how to do so, and most importantly... WHY.From the shoulders to abs to arms, legs, feet and more, you will discover why so many professional athletes believe in doing said activity and unlike lots of other activities, this one feels good!!

Written by a fitness buff who has run triathlons, the subject matter is well researched, written, and broken up into logical parts.Full of black and white photographs of athletes showing how and where to perform the massages spoken about, this is a book that is easy to read and follow.

If you are looking to add something new to your workout regime, learning to self massage may be just the ticket for you, knead away!!

***** RECOMMENDED ... Read more

Book Description
The sculpted speed of Marion Jones. The grit and agility of Mia Hamm. The slam-dunk style of Lisa Leslie. The skill and finesse of these sports figures are widely admired, no longer causing the puzzlement and discomfort directed toward earlier generations of athletic women. Built to Win explores this relatively recent phenomenon-the confident, empowered female athletes found everywhere in American popular culture.

Leslie Heywood and Shari L. Dworkin examine the role of female athletes through interviews with elementary- and high school-age girls and boys; careful readings of ad campaigns by Nike, Reebok, and others; discussions of movies like Fight Club and Girlfight; and explorations of their own sports experiences. They ask: what, if any, dissonance is there between popular images and the actual experiences of these athletes? Do these images really "redefine femininity" and contribute to a greater inclusion of all women in sport? Are sexualized images of these women damaging their quest to be taken seriously? Do they inspire young boys to respect and admire female athletes, and will this ultimately make a difference in the ways gender and power are constructed and perceived?

Proposing a paradigm shift from second- to third-wave feminism, Heywood and Dworkin argue that, in the years since the passage of Title IX, gender stereotypes have been destabilized in profound ways, and they assert that female athletes and their imagery are doing important cultural work to that end. Important, refreshing, and engrossing, Built to Win examines sport in all its complexity.

Leslie Heywood is professor of English at Binghamton University. She is the author of Pretty Good for a Girl: An Athlete's Story (Minnesota, 2000), Bodymakers (1998), and coeditor of Third Wave Agenda (Minnesota, 1997). A former track and cross-country runner who is currently a competitive powerlifter, Heywood is a vice president of the Women's Sports Foundation.

Shari L. Dworkin is a sociologist and works as a research fellow at the HIV Center for Clinical and Behavioral Studies at Columbia University. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

A thought-provoking analysis
Heywood and Dworkin draw on a variety of sources in this thoughtful examination of female athletes, including content and textual analysis and critical and gender theory. Their writing is scholarly and thouroughly researched, yet will also be interesting to non-academic readers. The commentary on various advertisements and other cultural artifacts such as the movie "Fight Club" are very good, as are their explorations of the conumdrums and contradictions encountered by women athletes over how they represent themselves and are represented by others. They also touch more generally on how gender roles and images have changed, not just for women but for men as well.

This is a must-read for women athletes, those who support them, and anyone interested in the topics of sports and gender.

--Vince Prygoski, author of "Worst to First, or, a 'Shock'ing tale of Women's Basketball in Motown" (available from Amazon.com) ... Read more

Book Description
It's never too early to begin a sound strength-training program. Significant gains in muscle mass, strength, and power are possible from the age of six. And the benefits of added strength and power are apparent in the amazing athleticism displayed by young athletes in all sports.

Authors Avery Faigenbaum and Wayne Westcott provide detailed instructions for 82 free weight, body weight, machine, cord, and medicine ball exercises. Emphasizing safety and technique, the programs include stretching exercises and nutritional guidelines to prevent injuries and ensure an overall fitness base. Also included are proven training programs tailored to power, jumping, striking, and endurance sports.

Arm yourself with the tools to set up a strength-training program for your future superstar. Strength and Power for Young Athletes will improve body composition and self-esteem, and enhance sports performance, giving young people the advantage they need to excel in sports. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (4)

Excellent Basis for a Youth Program
This book was an excellent reference that I relied heavily upon to create a strength training program for our Pop Warner football team. Faigenbaum has published results of studies documenting the benefits of strength training for children.This book provides good description of exercises for each muscle group and provides variations using different equipment, .i.e. free weights- dumbbells and barbells, resistance bands and weight machines. One ommission in the book was that his published paper revealed a program that proved superior to others in controlled experiments in terms of results gained.
Program: 3 sets with set #1 being 50% of 10 rep maximum resistance (warm-up), followed by set # 2- 10 reps with 75% of 10 rep max (moderate), and set #3 - max number of reps with 10 rep max resistance.

Required for parents of active children
Even if you are an experienced athlete yourself, and former power lifter (like me), this book is great for the research it presents about children and weightlifting, and for the organization of the material.I found the medicine ball portion particularly helpful.Very good pictures.

Strength in a powerful book
Strength and Power for Young Athletes is a tremendous help to athletes with both high and low athletic standards and abilities.It is very easy to read and follow.It has appendixes for each sport and categories for each age group.Pictures and a key of what each machine works helps you understand each machine easier.Nutrition guides of carbs and protien is also a big help.This book is great for keeping you in shape.

Great Book!
As a former Olympic Athlete I appreciate the importance of keeping children healthy and strong. This book provides all the tools you need to develop safe and effective strength programs for boys and girls. It is aneasy read and the photographs are outstanding. This book is a real WINNER! ... Read more

Amazon.com
Is there a genetic reason that African-Americans dominate professional sports? Even raising the question seems tantamount to heresy. Jon Entine not only raises the question, he strives to answer it in Taboo: Why Black Athletes Dominate Sports and Why We're Afraid to Talk About It.

Entine is no stranger to controversy, having worked with Tom Brokaw on the award-winning NBC News documentary Black Athletes: Fact and Fiction in 1989. He's also willing to ask tough questions--and come up with answers that anger people on all sides of the issue. Entine starts off with some statistics indicating that African-American athletes are disproportionately represented in professional sports: for example, 13 percent of the U.S. population is black, but the NFL is 65 percent black, the NBA is nearly 80 percent black, and the WNBA is 70 percent black. He also examines cultural issues, laying to rest the long-held idea that blacks excel in sports because it is the only avenue open for advancement.

Some scholars cry foul at the idea that blacks are physically gifted, seeing this as a subtle way of saying that they are therefore intellectually stunted. Entine carefully argues that historically athletic ability and intellectual prowess were linked--with a positive bias. The "dumb jock" stereotype is a relatively recent construct--perhaps a defensive mechanism that arose when blacks began to participate on a level playing field and gain prominence in the sporting world. There's no reason to suppose athleticism and intelligence are inversely related; Entine quotes respected sports reporter Frank Deford: "[W]hen Jack Nicklaus sinks a 30-foot putt, nobody thinks his IQ goes down." The issue of physical superiority is further complicated by fears that a genetic explanation results in a belief that blacks don't succeed because of hard work, dedication, and drive, but rather (in the words of Brooks Johnson, who doesn't believe Entine's claims) "because God just gave 'em the right gene."

Is the fear of sounding racist hindering legitimate scientific inquiry? Entine believes so, noting that, "Anyone who attempts to breach this taboo to study or even discuss what might be behind the growing performance gap between black and white athletes must be prepared to run a gauntlet of public scorn, survival not guaranteed." Taboo is destined to make most of its readers uncomfortable. Hopefully this discomfort will serve as a wedge to open up discussion of an issue too long avoided. --Sunny DelaneyBook Description
Now in paperback, the book that jump-started a debate that shows no sign of ending. "Could well be the most intellectually demanding sports book ever written."-Washington PostAward-winning journalist Jon Entine's Taboo: Why Black Atheletes Dominate Sports and why We're Afraid t Talk About It created enormous controversy when PublicAffairs released it in hardcover in the fall of 1999. Rarely does a book so highly lauded by critics also elicit letters to the editor so passionately praising or damning the author for even daring to raise a subject.Drawing on the latest scientific research, and addressing all the major sports of North America, Entine persuasively shows why biology and ancestry are significant components of the stunning ascension of black athletes. He offers a gripping history of blacks in sports and a fascinating examination of the circumstances that have made addressing the facts so difficult and controversial. Artfully, and carefully, combining science, sports history, and sociology, Taboo has already proven to be one of the most controversial and illuminating books in recent memory.Paperback edition includes new Afterword by author. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (46)

Pretty thin soup
And I might be a little generous with the second star.

I, as a few other reviewers, note two problems off the top of the bat.

One is Entine's uncritical handling of "The Bell Curve."

Two is that he ignores the many sports that don't have a lot of black athletes.

Beyond that, he gets selective within some sports that he does address, such as seeming to focus on track more, and field events less.

Also, he ignored the rise of non-American white and non-black athletes in several sports in recent years.

I think of the white Europeans in the NBA, and the non-black Caribbean players and a few Japanese in MLB.

Finally, contrary to his claims otherwise, all too many children of all colors who are lower down the socioeconomic rungs tend to focus on sports as salvation. Unfortunately, more of these children are minorities.

Surprisingly short on substance
There is some interesting information here, but ultimately much of this book is simply a history of African-American athletics, which is not exactly obvious from the book's title.Hey, I'm as interested in the story of Jack Johnson as the next guy, but does the treatment he received really belong in this book?Given that the book weighs in at 400 pages, you've got to wonder what his editor was thinking about some of these anecdotes.

On another note, I'm tired of seeing Tiger Woods be referred to as a "black golfer."For the record, Tiger is 1/2 Asian, 1/4 black, 1/8 white and 1/8 Native American.Why does his black ancestry somehow trump the other 75% of his heritage?

Misleading title, doesn't even address the topic
After hearing the controversy surrounding this book, I decided to shell out twenty bucks and pick up a copy myself. As a social scientist with a strong interest in racial inequality and identity, and especially as a major sports fan, I figured that this would be a rather intriguing book. It certainly is, but in a different way than which the author/publisher market it.

Entine provides very little evidence and data to explain to us "why black athletes dominate sports." Mostly, he gives us a collection of statistics on the number of black players at the so-called speed positions in various sports (providing a numerical relationship, but no explanation). Quite disappointing - With such an adamant title, I was expecting the author to give us the concrete, infallible scientific proof explaining "why black athletes dominate sports," but I guess my expectations were too high.

Entine has a point up to a certain extent. Body form is, in fact, a major factor in calculating competitive advantage in certain sports. For example, a 5'3" man can forget about playing center in the NBA, just as a seven-footer has no shot at being the winning jockey at the Belmont Stakes. But to assume body form to some innate, hard-wired, racial sports gene is absurd and ultimately undermines the valid points that Entine does bring up.

I half think that Entine chose such a title for this book for the sensational reaction he knew it would garner. Sports consists of much more than speed and running, and clearly, black athletes do not dominate in sports such as weight lifting, skiing, field, wrestling, gymnastics, or hockey. By the title of this books, blacks rule the entire world of sports - which is not the case.

Something else also comes to mind. I find it quite amazing how people are always quick to point out that the high proportion of African-Americans in the NBA is scientific proof that blacks are genetically gifted basketball players. However, those folks must remain oblivious to the fact that after the United States, the basketball powerhouse nations are found in Eastern Europe...NOT western Africa! If African-Americans' ancestry to equatorial west Africa was responsible for their basketball abilities, then we should expect to find the nations of Nigeria, Ghana, and Zaire winning international basketball medals over the likes of Lithuania, Germany, Russia, Croatia, and Serbia. The fact of the matter is that growing numbers of NBA players are comming out of the former communist bloc of Europe. In 20 years, I believe the NBA will be 50 percent European. Even sports reporter Jason Whitlock of the Kansas City Star has bemoaned the fact that African-American players are "losing their jobs" to foreign players.

Also, Entine attributes the pheonomenal success of Brazil in World Cup Soccer to the African ancestry of most players on the national roster. This is quite ironic, since Germany, Italy, and Argentina are also soccer powerhouses and have accomplished this with few African-descent players on their respective clubs. England, Colombia, and Mexico each have far superior soccer squads than any national teams from West Africa (the area of the world where the nature's most gifted athletes trace their ancestry, according to Entine). And if any sport ever relied on speed, quickness, explosiveness and agility, certainly it is soccer.

I bring up these points to illustrate the absurdity and inconsistencies in attributing innate racial abilities of any particular group of people with regards to any particular sport. If African-descended players dominate basketball and baseball for their superior speed and agility, then why does this fail to yield results in soccer? "Racial realists" can not have their cake and eat it to.

Despite the failure to produce scientific evidence for black athletic superiority, I do like this book for one big reason. Entine provides an excellent account of the history of racism and racial politics of sports, from the days of Jack Johnson and the Negro Leagues of baseball up until the steroid scandals of communist East Germany and the USSR in the 1980s. We are given chapters on Joe Louis, Jewish basketball teams, Jackie Robinson, and the social significance of all of these historical events.

The real value of this book is found in its second half, when the author provides a nice account of race in sports throughout the 20th century. The fact of the matter is the right-wing lunatics have no ability to engage in scientific debate on race whatsoever. Their only recourse is to point out correlations, and assume there is a biological explanation. Such is not the nature of science, but the nature of charlatans motivated by personal agendas. Entine's lack of scientific evidence proves he can not discuss this subject matter, and as such, makes a bold claim and then sits back, labeling anyone who challenges him as a politically correct crackpot. The truth is, Entine and his backers are the ones motivated by political agendas.

Talk about false advertising. The book implies it will provide a scientific explanation for athletic performance, and does not even come close to doing anything of the sort.

Thoughtful book
I picked this book up because I run marathons and have become aware of the Kenyan domination of this event. What an eye-opener this book is! Jon Entine has very carefully explained how evolution has shaped different body types. I finally understand population genetics. He doesn't preach and "Taboo" doesn't ignore the cultural impact on sports accomplishments. In fact, if you have little interest in genetics, this book is a gem for understanding the history and travails of the African American athlete in the United States. I was also fascinated by his history of sports in the former Communist East Germany, which built its success on pumping its young women athletes full with performance enhancing durgs. This book is truly indispensible for anyone interested in a balanced look at the range of factors that contribute to the success of athletes. Anyone who suggests this book is "racist" just hasn't read it. It's the opposite -- a thoughtful discussion of why discussing human differences doesn't mean you have to resort to the lowest common denominator. And now I understand why Kenyans and other Eastern and Northern Africans are so dominant in endurance races.

Brave and important writing
Although it's not often discussed, among those who pay attention the wildly disproportionate success of black people in major sports is a reality so obvious it's just taken for granted these days.I've been watching the NFL religiously since I was about 11, and in that time I haven't seen a single successful white running back, and even the number of black quarterbacks is increasing as the game gets faster.Here in Massachusetts, nobody even wonders what country the Boston Marathon winner will come from, just which Kenyan will finish first.And of course, whites in the NBA are virtually nonexistent, except as backup centers.As its subtitle suggests, "Taboo" poses two central questions.First, why are black athletes so overrepresented in the above sports, and several others for that matter?Is it biology or culture?And why can't we have a reasoned discussion of the facts without accusations of "racism" being tossed around?

Fortunately, Jon Entine is committed to providing a comprehensive treatment of race differences and sports, and this book covers its subject with an approach that combines anthropology, sports history, and a bit of sociology to boot.Entine represents the full spectrum of opinion on this issue, giving racial demagogues on both sides enough rope to hang themselves before getting down to the facts. It's not until late in the book, in the chapter "Winning the Genetic Lottery," that Entine really gets into the genetic differences that give blacks an advantage over their peers in certain sports.As he notes, anyone has to put in a lot of work to become a star athlete, but "all the hard work in the world will go for naught if the roulette wheel of genetics doesn't land on your number."And Entine sites all sorts of evidence that that roulette wheel has landed in Africa more than in other places: sleeker musculatures; faster patellar tendon reflexes; higher levels of plasma testosterone; higher percentages of fast-twitch fibers; and in the case of East Africans, most notably Kenyans, much higher levels of running economy.

The book's case for why black athletes dominate sports, or at least many of the more popular ones, is certainly compelling.Of course, the book's second proposition, why we're afraid to talk about said dominance, is a bit trickier.In an effort to get to the bottom of the issue, Entine provides an exhaustive discussion of American sport's racial history and the obstacles that blacks have had to overcome over the past century or so.Around the turn of the century, as Entine shows, black access to sports, and everything else for that matter, was restricted by the common belief among whites that blacks were inferior morally (ummm, probably not), mentally (the jury's still out on that one), and physically (whoops!).Detailing the struggles of legendary black athletes from Jack Johson to Jesse Owens to Joe Louis, Entine writes that while the ultimate success of blacks in sports did manage to shatter the myth of white physical superiority, blacks wound up saddled with a new stereotype: their athletic success was merely a sign that blacks were a more primitive type of human than everyone else, with more brawn and less brains.

Of course, as Entine puts it, intelligence is "the elephant in the living room" when it comes to talking about race in sports, as black athletic success has led to the stereotype that IQ and athletic ability must be inversely proportional.As the book ultimately concludes, that's why there's so much reluctance to talk about this subject.After the horrors of World War II and the Holocaust, there was suddenly a rush to emphasize the shared humanity of all peoples, and this universalist ethic has ruled mainstream science to this day.Since studies of race differences have been used by people like Hitler to justify so much hateful nonsense, the current orthodoxy goes, it's better to just ignore the evidence of differing capacities even when it's staring us right in the face.Of course, just because racists have often distorted race science for their own nefarious ends doesn't mean it's all invalid.After all, failure to acknowledge reality is itself a prejudice whether it's well-intentioned or not, and nobody benefits when the elites try to prevent an objective analysis of the facts.

Although it can get a bit too politically correct at times, "Taboo" is still largely a candid and thorough analysis of a divisive and compelling topic.Entine's writing sytle is extremely straightforward for such complex subject matter, making the often tricky science of genetics, evolution, and society accessible to just about anyone who's interested.For sports fans it ranks right up there with Michael Lewis's brilliant "Moneyball" in the pantheon of thinking man's sports books.And for those who are just interested in controversial subjects, this book is still worth reading. ... Read more

Product Description
Keys for Coaching and Parenting ADHD Affected Athletes, with suggestions, tips and techniques for understanding, communicating with, coaching and parenting ADHD affected athletes. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

A Book for Coaches and Parents
This book is an easy and enjoyable read; at times you even find yourself smiling at the examples Michael Stabeno uses to illustrate his points.The book is comprehensive as it discusses what ADHD is, common misconceptions of ADHD, communication and coaching strategies, the implications of medication, and parenting tips for the athlete.I appreciated the discussion on perceiving common behavior traits of ADDers as assets rather than liabilities for the athlete.The strategies and tactics he provides are common sense and easily applied.As a parent of a child with a head injury who presents with ADHD-like symptoms, I have found the communication and coaching tips very applicable to life skills...getting ready for school, completing homework or chores.The information is straightforward, thought provoking and useable!I recommend it to all parents and coaches who interact with ADDers of any age.

First work focused on needs of ADHD athletes
An excellent introductory study of the issues which affect the ADHD athlete. Very readable. Interesting discussion of interplay between styles of concentration and different sports: eg. in which sports is ADHD an asset or a liability?Emphasizes the important role ofthe coach in giving consistent positive feedback. Gives suggestions re. ways to talk with coaches about ADHD and child's needs. Intriguing discussion of effects of medication on level of play. Summary of ways in whichtechniques aimed at improving the mental game (such as anxiety management or improved focus) can improve performance and enjoyment of their sport for ADHD kids. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

brief guide of a truly gifted athlete
Carly Patterson is arguably one of the strongest and most confident young gymnasts that the United States has ever seen. She is an image of a classic American teenage gymnast, and her confidence in what she does is clearly one of her most distinctive traits. Is is this that helped her win that Olympic title at the 2004 Summer Games in Athens at age 16. Now almost 18 years old, Ms. Patterson seems to be looking toward different goals (i.e. studying dentistry in college, getting a record deal and singing), but her amazing success as a gymnast will always serve as a strong identity for her.

This book has a few pages of photos and broad information about Carly that young readers might enjoy. It talks briefly about how she began gymnastics, what it was like when she first entered longtime coach Evgeny Marchenko's gym, and how she gradually evolved from an awkward beginner who couldn't keep her knees straight in her routines to one of the top gymnasts in the world. It isn't really the book to get if you're looking for something with new and developed information about this athlete; it talks a little about that classic birthday party that lured Carly toward gymnastics, as well as her 2003 elbow injury and her ups and downs in some of her major competitions, but again not much depth is provided to satisfy a reader looking for something more.

Hopefully a more detailed account on Carly's life and experiences will be published in the near future. It would be interesting to see her write an autobiography about her career. It looks like a new book just came out about her on April 1 (it's called Carly Patterson: Be Strong) but I'm not sure what is in it. In any case, Carly Patterson really made it big two years ago in Greece, and it will be interesting to see what she does in the future. ... Read more

Book Description
Intended for the high school athlete wishing to leverage his or her talent to get into the best possible school, this book explains how a student-athlete can package and present him or herself to college recruiters. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

A must read for student athletes!
A very informative book for student athletes and their parents. Every page has important information for high school athletes considering playing sports in college. You will not regret this purchase. I highly recommend it. ... Read more

Book Description
Of the thousands of childrens sports injuries that take place each year, many could be prevented through a proper understanding of conditioning and fitness. In one volume, The Sports Medicine Bible for Young Athletes contains everything you need to know about how to prevent or respond to every kind of childrens sports injury. This comprehensive guide addresses:

--Childrens fitness levels
--Nutrition for the young athlete
--Special considerations for young female athletes
--Guidelines for young athletes with chronic medical conditions (e.g., asthma)

Much of the book is devoted to the treatment of various injuries, from foot and heel to head and neck injuries. In addition, you will receive hands-on advice on the specific risks and dangers of each sport, from basketball and baseball to soccer and football. Whether your child is a seasoned athlete or simply enjoys playing sports, this is a must-have reference book.

I urge anyone who has an interest in childrens sports to make room for The Sports Medicine Bible for Young Athletes on their bookshelves.-T. Berry Brazelton, M.D. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Very Well Written
This book is very well done.Very informative, useful information. I recommend this to anyone who has a youth involved with sports.Young athletes, parents and coaches should take the time to read this book.Dr. Micheli's insight and knowledge is very very valuable to youth sports.A great deal can be gained from reading this book. ... Read more

Book Description
Young superstar athletes have dispelled long-standing misconceptions that strength development should start in the late teens. But much discussion has continued regarding what type of training is most beneficial.

Strength Training for Young Athletes provides all the answers as the authoritative guide to strength development for 7- to 18-year-old athletes. World-renowned strength and conditioning experts William Kraemer and Steven Fleck present the latest facts on the effects of strength training on growth, development, and performance. The authors then make recommendations relative to starting age, choice of exercises, frequency of training, rate of progression, and philosophical aspects of program design.

Learn how to individualize the age-appropriate sample training programs provided, based on the athlete's physical, psychological, and emotional maturity as well as the demands of the sport. Such carefully designed programs not only improve athletic performance and prepare young athletes for higher competitive levels, but they also help to decrease the incidence of injury along the way.

Strength Training for Young Athletes is the most complete and credible resource for developing the muscular foundation for athletic success. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (5)

"Must-have" guide for anyone responsible for a young person
Now in an updated second edition, Strength Training For Young Athletes: Safe And Effective Exercises For Performance by co-authors William J. Kraemer PhD (Editor-In-Chief of the Journal Of Strength And Conditioning Research) and Steven J. Fleck PhD (Chair of the Sport Science department at Colorado College in Colorado Springs), both world-renowned strength and conditioning experts addresses how to apply beneficial strength training to young people without risking harm to their physical, psychological, or emotional development, and keeping the odds of injury in athletics and athletic training to an absolute minimum. Chapters address how to determine individual needs, creating safe training environments, single and multi-joint upper and lower body exercises, total-body exercises and sport-specific regimens, and much more. Black-and-white photographs, detailed explanations and instructions, and no-nonsense prose fully accessible to lay readers and parents as surely as it is to coaches and professionals distinguish this "must-have" guide for anyone responsible for a young person involved in serious sports.

Safety first and always; your physical body is not immortal.
Young superstar athletes have dispelled long-standing misconceptions that strength development should start in the late teens. But much discussion has continued regarding what type of training is most beneficial.

Strength Training for Young Athletes provides all the answers as the authoritative guide to strength development for 7- to 18-year-old athletes. World-renowned strength and conditioning experts William Kraemer and Steven Fleck present the latest facts on the effects of strength training on growth, development, and performance. The authors then make recommendations relative to starting age, choice of exercises, frequency of training, rate of progression, and philosophical aspects of program design.

Learn how to individualize the age-appropriate sample training programs provided, based on the athlete's physical, psychological, and emotional maturity as well as the demands of the sport. Such carefully designed programs not only improve athletic performance and prepare young athletes for higher competitive levels, but they also help to decrease the incidence of injury along the way.

Strength Training for Young Athletes is the most complete and credible resource for developing the muscular foundation for athletic success.

About the Author
William J. Kraemer is a professor in the department of kinesiology working in the Human Performance Laboratory at the University of Connecticut at Storrs. He also is a professor in the department of physiology and neurobiology and a professor of medicine at the University of Connecticut Health Center.

Dr. Kraemer held multiple appointments at Pennsylvania State University, where he was professor of applied physiology, director of research in the Center for Sports Medicine, associate director of the Center for Cell Research, and faculty member in the kinesiology department and the Noll Physiological Research Center.

Kraemer had served on the Sports Medicine Committee for the United States Weightlifting Federation and on the Sport Science and Technology Committee for the United States Olympic Committee. He received the National Strength and Conditioning Association Lifetime Achievement Award for bringing science into the development of strength and conditioning programs.

He is editor in chief of the Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research, an associate editor of Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise, and an editorial board member of the Journal of Applied Physiology. A former junior high and college coach, Kraemer has coauthored many books and articles on strength training for athletes.

Steven J. Fleck is chair of the sport science department at Colorado College in Colorado Springs. Previously, he headed the physical conditioning program of the U.S. Olympic Committee; served as strength coach for the German Volleyball Association; and coached high school track, basketball, and football.

An internationally known expert on strength and anaerobic training, Fleck was a vice president of basic and applied research for the National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA). He is a fellow of the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM). He was honored in 1991 as the NSCA Sport Scientist of the Year.

Fleck has authored many books and numerous articles on strength training and physical conditioning. He is also a columnist for Muscular Development.

Table of Contents
Chapter 1. Strength Training and Your Child
Chapter 2. Physical and Psychological Development
Chapter 3. Determining Individual Needs
Chapter 4. Creating Individualized Programs
Chapter 5. Safe Training Environments
Chapter 6. Teaching Technique
Chapter 7. Multi-Joint Upper Body Exercises
Chapter 8. Multi-Joint Lower Body Exercises
Chapter 9. Single-Joint Upper Body Exercises
Chapter 10. Single-Joint Lower Body Exercises
Chapter 11. Single-Joint Abs, Low Back, and Shoulders
Chapter 12. Total-Body Exercises
Chapter 13. Sport-Specific Regimens

"In Strength Training for Young Athletes, Dr. Kraemer and Dr. Fleck teach how to develop a safe, effective program, addressing the physical and psychological maturation of each individual. This book should be required reading for anyone training young athletes."

Robert Jursnick
Executive director, National Strength and Conditioning Association

"I know first-hand that a successful young athlete has a well rounded training program that includes strength training. An ideal resource for those who want to get it right, Strength Training for Young Athletes will help you design a program that will prepare your athletes for their next level of performance."

Mike Nitka
Director of strength and conditioning, Muskego High School
Former Vice President, National Strength and Conditioning Association

Nice reference and clear instruction
I am a fight trainer and I train athletes to compete in full contact and mixed martial arts style fights.I do have some young people that come to me for training.They are between the ages of 12 and 16 and obviously their training must be done differently than a full grown advanced athlete.This book gave me some direction and acknowledges many myths about youths training with weights.It is not a book for body building.Children should not be trying to "bodybuild".This is training for "strength and power".

Great for Parents, Coaches and the Motivated Young Athlete
Great sourcebook for young athletes, coaches and parents that debunks the myths associated with physical fitness for children.Provides great guidance to help children safely improve their performance while alsohelping to prevent injury.A wise investment for the serious youngathlete.Recommended by the renowned sports orthopedic practice atBoston's Children's Hospital.Written for adults but readable by children.

STRENGTH TRAINING FOR GRANNIES?
This is book really isabout toning not forbodybuilders ( esspecially young ones) i think that a young bodybuilder shouldread magazines and go to a gym to find a routine that could suit ones self, this bookgives youlittle knowledge on why the exercises should be performed.

all in all ,save your money ,i wish i could get mine back! :) ... Read more

Book Description
We are born with the God-given right to move efficiently, gracefully, and joyfully. We lose this right only through society's mind-body split, faulty modes of physical education, and overemphasis on "winning." George Leonard's simple and radical notion is that within each of us, regardless of age, sex, or physical condition, there exists an ultimate athlete waiting to be born. With a poet's passion, fifth-degree aikido black belt Leonard evokes the transcendent moment in sport--the catch that defies gravity and chance, the play that makes time stand still--as emblematic of the Greater Game of embodiment itself, of life and death, a Game we all can play to depth and breadth of body and soul. The Ultimate Athlete helped create the participatory sports boom of the 1970s and 1980s. This revised edition is addressed to a new generation of ultimate athletes. ... Read more

Book Description
Favorite athletes from sports such as baseball,  basketball, football, tennis, skiing, gymnastics  and track-and-field are presented here.

An American  Bookseller Pick of the Lists, New York Public  Library -- Books for the Teen Age. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

Great book for drawing enthusiasts
This is probably one of the best in the "How to Draw series..." The pictures in this book are very easy to follow and results can be expected. The book seems to have a "thesis" if you will, the goal is to teach the patron how the muscles of the human body are to be drawn, and how they move in different actions and by the end of the book you can expect to be very good at it.

Be sure to do each drawing numerous times, you will see your improvement and get motivated for other drawings.

I recommend this book to everyone; even the most novice of artists can enjoy it.

In My Humble Opinion

Lots of fun for athletic artists
I liked drawing hockey, basketball, football, karate and fencing the best. It was easy when you followed the diagrams.Now I can draw them betterwithout the book too.I liked learning how to draw all the sports, but Ihaven't got all of them yet. (Susie - age 8) The book provided good visualstep by step drawings to follow, to show how the body parts can be addedand changed.There was a lot of variety of sports depicted.It kept herattention for quite awhile! (Her mom)

Great!
I bought a book called Draw 50 Athletes. First I started with the easythings. Then I started working on harder things. Then I could drawanything. This book is good for kids who like drawing and sports. I thinkthis book is good for kids and I recommned it. ... Read more

Amazon.com
A friend was looking for a great book for a young woman, to help ease her into adulthood. The usual fiction fare came to mind, A Tree Grows in Brooklyn, Anne Frank: The Diary of a Young Girl, To Kill a Mockingbird, and so on. Then I came across Game Face: What Does a Female Athlete Look Like? and immediately decided this was the perfect choice for a preteen girl. In fact, it's a great addition to your mother's coffee table, your best friend's bookshelf, and your sister's "girls rule" collection.

Created and edited by Jane Gottesman, and including a foreword from Penny Marshall, this book takes you on a romp through women in sports from the 19th to the 21st century. The pictures capture superstar athletes like Serena Williams and Jackie Joyner-Kersee, along with small-town sports victors like the determined young "tomboy on a skateboard." The photographs range from showing the agony of defeat to the gritty triumph of victory on the faces of women from all around the world. It's a truly magnificent display of woman power on the field and court, in the ring and stadium, and beyond. Definitely recommended for all the "girlz" in your life. --E. Brooke Gilbert Book Description
On playing fields and street corners, in backyards and gyms, the people in this arresting array of pictures are unselfconsciously exploring the physical and emotional pleasures of competition and play. Each image offers an affirming and satisfying answer to the question at the heart of Game Face: What do girls and women look like when freed from traditional feminine constraints, using their bodies in joyful and empowering ways?

To show America what women’s sports looks like, Jane Gottesman searched through the work of our country’s best photographers, from the newest photojournalists to artists such as Annie Leibovitz and Ansel Adams. The result is a unique and inspiring document of the tremendous impact that the growth of female sports at all levels is having on society—and on women themselves. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (11)

This book fell apart!
The book may be all of the things everyone says, but my copy has completely fallen apart. We did not abuse this book in any way, pages simply started falling out of it.It was poorly made.Amazon has refused to replace it since it purchased it over 30 days ago.Apparently, they do not stand behind faulty merchandise they sell.In any case, who wants a book where 1/2 the pages are falling out?I recommend that you do not purchase this, simply because it's poorly constructed. Or, buy it from a different retailer who will replace it if your copy starts to self destruct as mine did.

Shows the true female athlete
I saw the exhibit of the photographs in this book at the Smithsonian a year and a half ago and I was captivated.I knew immediately that I wanted this book.As an athlete myself, I know what all the stages of sports really are and I connected with the emotions expressed in the litte stories throughout the book. I would recommend this book to anyone, especi