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Dry - A Memoir

5 stars (Not So Dry After All) - Perhaps the most astonishing thing about this powerful memoir is its essential kindness and good feeling for humankind, an attitude sustained through a series of dizzying life experiences which could have soured the Dalai Lama. Burroughs' cheerily ironic point of view encompasses his terrifying childhood,his surreal career in advertising, and, most powerfully, his experiences in rehab. While on this journey with him, you experience his growth through a process of discovery, as layer upon layer of denial is peeled back and his true history and true self are revealed to him and to us. The dryness of the wit lies entirely in his refusal to feel sorry for himself; and the final phase of his recovery begins when he is at last willing to open that hardest of all human doors, love. Once I started this book, I couldn't put it down, and read entranced on the bus, at the lunch counter, and through one very dull concert. It will certainly offer you several of the more entertaining hours of your life. 4 stars (Excellently written) - Mr. Burroughs has done an excellent job in communicating his experiences of alcoholism and the struggle of rehab and the 12 step programs. He has been able to share the reality of his experiences and at the same time show a great deal of humor and sophisticated irony. A very good book and one that I will read again. 4 stars (Very Good) - I started this book yesterday and read about 3/4 of it in one sitting. It's an interesting read - and the subject matter is a little less uncomfortable than "Running with Scissors". I can't help but compare this to "A Million Little Pieces", which also deals with someone going to rehab. I feel that James Frey's book was more upsetting but geniune. There were times that I had to put the book down because it was so graphic and heart rending. Anyway, "Dry" is a good read, and if you liked "Running with Scissors" or books in the vein a la David Sedaris, read it. ...
Picador :: Reading Group Guide :: Biography & Autobiography & General :: United States :: Personal Memoirs :: Novelists :: American :: New York (State) :: New York :: Literary :: :: Dry - A Memoir

 

A Widow-s Walk - A Memoir of 9-11

5 stars (An unbelievably touching book) - I originally bought this book for the sole reason that Marian and i were childhood friends who grew up on the same street together in Staten Island. I knew of Dave's death shortly after 9/11 and kept Marian and her family in my thoughts daily. I knew Marian was gifted but was totally unprepared for how much this book would touch me and change my life. I now view the people i love in a different way. Her book was beautiful and so well written. I felt like i can somewhat understand what all of these brave people went through both firefighters and their families, in the wake of 9/11. 5 stars (More than a Memoir) - To be honest, I am generally not a fan of memoirs of this type. I mean yes this is a woman who suffered a profound tragedy but does this mean she can write? Well, after devouring it's nearly 450 pages in a couple of sittings, I think it can be said, that Marian Fontana is a writer. A damn good one. She deserves not only to have her story told but to tell it herself. This is both an honest and humorous look at the grieving process as well as a fascinating piece of history. Fontana's account of how she and her some of her fellow widows organized and stood up not only for 911 victims and their families, but for firemen themselves, gives us an inside look at just how these men who perform the most dangerous and lauded of work, are basically treated like crap. There is something very special about this book and just how close it puts you to the incredilby profound grief that enveloped Ms. Fontana's life. Yet, I never really felt sorry for her because I don't think she allows the reader to do that. She is a strong person yet she admits her flaws, thus making her even stronger. This is a must read for anyone interested in 9-11 as well as anyone interested in grief, love and loss. 5 stars (Sharply observed and moving) - One of the memorable images seared into the world's consciousness on September 11, 2001 was ...
Simon - Schuster :: Biography & Autobiography & General :: Women :: Widows :: September 11 Terrorist Attacks :: 2001 :: Psychological Aspects Of Bereavement :: Political Terrorism :: P :: A Widow-s Walk - A Memoir of 9-11

 

The Glass Castle - A Memoir

5 stars (Excellent) - This book was excellent. Recently i have started to get into "memoirs" and Jeannette Walls memoirs was one of the best! Her parents...they give new definition to the word crazy! Jeanette cooked her own hotdogs at the tender age of 3 she was also caught fire by cooking those very same hotdogs at the age of 3...her family was always doing the "ske-daddle" from bill collectors so they were constantly on the move. Jeannete has two sisters and one brother. Her mom is a very eccentric woman who loves to paint and teaches her children to always be "self-sufficient" her father is a drunk but she loves him deeply. They move from town to town all over the mid-west to the west coast. They go from rats being on their kitchen counters and in their sugar bowls to eating "lard sandwiches" at her grandmother Erma's house. This is a book that will keep you interested from start to finish. Never a dull moment. I highly recommend it. 5 stars (Shocking Yet Truly Charming) - I loved this book. The author writes in such a style that enables the reader to absorb the harshness of her tale - without being angry. Her childhood was what it was. As adults, we cannot do anything about a tough or neglectful childhood. I applaud the author for telling it like she remembers it. Best book I have read in a while. 3 stars (Horrifying if True) - There seems to be some doubt as to the veracity of Walls's memoir. It does seem as though certain situations are far too detailed to be credible rememberances of a 3-year-old or even a slightly older child. However, the book is an absorbing read, which is why I gave it three stars. No stars, even as birthday gifts, for the self-absorbed, sick parents who brought their children up in such a lazy, dangerous way (if Walls's account is true). A mother who hides candy from her starving children? Refuses treatment for her burned, blistered daughter? A father who throws the family cat out of a moving car but protests when a mountain lion is...
Scribner :: Biography & Autobiography & Literary :: West Virginia :: Welch :: Walls :: Jeannette :: United States :: Problem families :: Personal Memoirs :: Literary :: Family Deve :: The Glass Castle - A Memoir

 

To Live Is Christ- Member Book

5 stars (Beth Moore is always excellent) - I really can't explain how helpful Beth Moore's workbook studies have been in my life. They've helped me to find a discipline with God that I never had before. I've learned so much about the Bible, and more specifically, about the real, true, loving God who cares so much for me and for you. If you're at all considering this study, please try it. I think you'll like it. Beth Moore seems to really try hard to keep her studies accurate, relevant, meaningful, and NOT shallow. They're as deep as you want to go with them. They're not fluffy stuff, they're studies that honor God and the women who love Him by assuming that you have a brain, that you love God, and that you want to be closer to Him, and frankly, that you're human with human weaknesses. Beth understands women, because she doesn't seem to be afraid to really be a real woman after God's own heart. 5 stars (Awesome study of Paul's life journey to Live in Christ) - What an awesome, in-depth look at the life of Paul! Beth Moore has obviously studied scripture with a prayerful heart to allow God to reveal this study through her. I have been challenged and enlightened through her words. Be ready to have your heart changed and experience a greater love of the Lord. ...
Lifeway Christian Resources :: Religious :: Religion :: Inspirational - General :: Christianity - History - General :: Biography & Autobiography :: Beth Moore :: :: To Live Is Christ- Member Book

 

Night

5 stars ( Night ) - Night Author Elie Wiesel Have you ever been tortured to the point when you just want to give up and die? Well, Elie and his father have been through this experience. Elie is a young fifteen year old teenager who would battle for his right in any situation. He also lives with his father. He was born in a little town called Sighet in Transylvania and lived a modern life until the Nazis came to Elie's home town and started to gather up the jews. They were put into trains that were so crammed that you couldn't even sit down. No one had a clue where they were going. They then arrived at a concentration camp called Auschwitz. The sight of seeing children being thrown into the crematories made Elie think...is my life going to end here? Elie and his father were treated like rats and lived off of every scrap of food possible. All of a sudden Elie and his father had to change camps and head out to another concentration camp called Buchenwald. They had no transportation. The officers forced them to run nonstop to get there. Elie's father tried to give up and die in his sleep, but Elie kept trying to pursued his father to keep running until they could reach the camp. People were being trampled and many were freezing to death from the cold. No one cared, no one bothered to give any food, and the only thing Elie could think about was is there a way to survive? Or is this the end? Find out yourself and read the heart stopping thriller called Night (You won't believe what you will read!). Night is my most favorite book of all time, even though it is the most disturbing book that I have ever read. If you are not into the type of books that have love stories, drama, and happy endings I suggest you read this book. If you did not like The Diary of Anne Frank it would be better to read this book because it really explains how cruel the Nazis were to the poo...
Bantam :: Biography & Autobiography & Entertainment & Performing Arts :: World War :: 1939-1945 :: Personal narratives :: Jewish :: Personal narratives :: Literary :: Jewish :: Night

 

My Horizontal Life - A Collection of One-Night Stands

5 stars (WOW!!) - I am currently reading this book and think it is absolutely great! I've read parts to my fiance and my friends. I've even recommended the book to my sorority sisters since I know they can all relate in some way to the authors experiences. This is a great book for anyone who loves sex, alcohol, and a great time!!! I can't wait to see what other books she comes out with in the future! 5 stars (The funniest book I've read in over 10 years!) - I had to read this book alone, because I laughed out loud so many times that people were wondering what the hell I was reading! 5 stars (AHHHHHHHHH...it's about time a good book came along.) - Normally wouldn't take the time to write a review...but I absolutely LOVED this book! I had heard about this book from my best friend who had been raving about it since the day she read it. Soon after, I caught Chelsea Handler's segment on the Tonight Show with Jay Leno...and immediately knew I had to buy the book. It's the kind of book you pick up and can't put down. Hilarious scenarios that we can all relate to. Even the guy with the negative comment below can relate. Clearly he needs to get laid, and has been turned down on more than one occasion. haha. Anyway...it was really fun to read and left me wanting more, so I thought it was only fair for me to leave a review to show my appreciation :) Thanks for the much needed laughs! Can't wait for the next one. ...
Bloomsbury USA :: Biography & Autobiography & Entertainment & Performing Arts :: Chelsea Handler :: :: My Horizontal Life - A Collection of One-Night Stands

 

Gift from the Sea - 50th Anniversary Edition

5 stars (excellent) - Excellent service; received book immediately and in excellent condition. Would definitely use again. 5 stars (Truly a gift to anyone who reads it!) - This is my new favorite book of the summer... when I usually reads books like this, I like to highlight passages that are especially meaningful to me, however, in this case, the entire book would have been filled with highlighting. Every page seemed to speak to my soul in ways that were totally unexpected. 5 stars (Gift from the Sea: 50th Anniversay Edition) - This book will appeal to beach lovers everywhere. A great read for all women and this book goes to show the more things change the more they stay the same; the joys and struggles of family life are timeless and the time that we spend on the beach is priceless. I highly recommend it and plan on ordering some additional copies for my special friends and family. ...
Pantheon :: Biography & Autobiography & Literary :: Religion :: Philosophy (General) :: Literary :: Life :: Inspirational - General :: Inspirational :: Inspiration & Personal G :: Gift from the Sea - 50th Anniversary Edition

 

Mother Angelica - The Remarkable Story of a Nun- Her Nerve- and a Network of Miracles

5 stars (The Return of Orthodox Catholicism) - This is an exciting, well written book, something that I was not expecting at all. I began watching and contributing to EWTN during a difficult period of my life and Mother Angelica's network is a blessing to all, but especially those who are going through hard times. This book is a terrific read about how it all came about and it spends a lot of time on her battles with certain members of the American Church hierarchy - many of whom were exposed in the 2002 sex scandals for their less-than-Catholic actions and unconscionable lack of leadership. Mother Angelica is the primary figure in the ongoing renaissance of orthodox Catholicism among the laity and, equally important, in the seminaries. Mother Angelica and EWTN are providing wonderful tools for taking back our Church from what Raymond Arroyo (charitably) calls the "progressives" in the USCCB and their bureaucracies. What a wonderful book! It makes me ready to join the fight! 5 stars (BUY THIS BOOK) - This is one of the most exciting, well written biographies to come out in a very long time. Its about an underprivileged woman who became a cloistered nun and changed the world. Mother Angelica is a woman who somehow balanced real orthodoxy with brilliant management vision and skill without what seems any worldly qualifications whatsoever. Moreover, here's is a story of overcoming great suffering -- both physical and emotional -- and allowing God to transform her life without ever looking back or counting the cost. (It's worth noting too this is no saccharine sweet nun's story, to be sure!) This wonderful biography really shows us she is "The Patron Saint of CEOs" -- and patron of anyone else who by God's grace, must overcome a legion of what seem like insurmountable problems. Mother Angelica's life turns our natural aversion to personal suffering on its head and makes clear that miracles really do happen. --Enjoy. M. Hart Volant, PA 4 stars (A Dangerous Book) - ...
Doubleday :: Biography & Autobiography & Religious :: Women :: United States :: Religious :: Religion :: Poor Clares :: Mother :: :: M Angelica :: Eternal Word Television Network :: :: Mother Angelica - The Remarkable Story of a Nun- Her Nerve- and a Network of Miracles

 

The Heavenly Man- The Remarkable True Story of Chinese Christian Brother Yun

5 stars (Brother Yun- a servant of the Lord) - This book will impact you. What really struck me is how God shows Himself in vessels who willingly surrender themselves. "The Heavenly Man" is a story of a simple man who on his own did not do anything extraordinary. The one thing that Brother Yun did do was believe. He believed, trusted and obeyed. This book puts a human face on what it means to trust and obey. It has helped me immensely to realize that even today, God still works miracles. I have come to realize that we often don't see the hand of God because we don't really believe. There is really nothing more that I can say about this book than to say that it will impact you. I am very thankful that Brother Yun has shared his story. I give it my highest recommendation. 5 stars (Take up your cross and follow me) - This remarkable true story of brother Yun is a counter balance to the current prosperity teaching now prevelant in the West. It brings to life the words of our Saviour "take up your cross and follow me." Though the continual brutality of the Chinese prison authorities towards brother Yun can be a bit depressing his continued faith and deep relationship with the Lord is amazing. It is a true story which will challenge and inspire every true Christian. A MUST READ! 5 stars (I will show you what you must suffer for my names sake!) - This is the incredible and miraculous story of Brother Yun a Chinese Christian who risks everything to serve the Lord. This book is full of miracles and in stark contrast the horrible torture and beatings and prison time that Brother Yun has experienced serving his Lord. The book is very engaging and one gets views of what is happening from Yun's wife and fellow Co-workers. The book is very truthful as Brother Yun narrates his story and his failures to listen to the Lord and the consequences for his actions. He also suffered while being in the perfect will of the Lord. This maybe a very hard book fo...
Monarch Books :: Religious :: Religion :: Missions & Missionary Work :: General :: Biography & Autobiography :: Paul Hattaway :: :: The Heavenly Man- The Remarkable True Story of Chinese Christian Brother Yun

 

The Big House - A Century in the Life of an American Summer Home

4 stars (Great reading) - Owning a summer home that has been purchased from an extended family, the story is so familiar, but I could never tell it as George Colt has told it. I gave it four stars because I think you have to have lived the experience to appreciate the subtle touches in the story. 5 stars (The Big House - A Bigger Book) - If you have ever had a "summer place" - large or not so large - and people to take there whom you love, this is your book, assuming you are still able to read. Rich and sensitive, loving and intelligent, it takes you back to re-savor those days when the world was younger, better and hopeful. 3 stars (House is Interesting. WASPS: not so much.) - Both of my parents are from New England, and I've spent some time in both Cape Cod and Connecticut. I expected to enjoy this much more than I did. It's written well and impeccably researched. But the forward motion really meanders, with only the question "will the house stay in the family or be sold?" to keep you reading. It makes sense that the author then tries to describe his family, to keep you invested. But, though the author clearly adores his extended family, they never became vivid to me. He keeps telling us how charming and "attractive" (the highest WASP compliment) they are, but I keep saying people who are cold, antisemitic (a section where a mother refuses to let a duaghter who's married a Jewish man stay at the house is glossed over as if the genteel antisemitism is just another trait of a vanishing society). The house itself does fascinate. Colt is most interesting when he writes about himself-- my favorite section was the section where he describes the books in the house. I think the book will mean a lot more to you if you either are from that area (try as he might Colt never succeeded in making Wings Neck sound appealing to me-- full of rocks, poison ivy, weeds, and inscrutable people)... or know the world he's writing about. Somehow Colt does NOT succeed in evo...
Scribner :: Biography & Autobiography & General :: United States - State & Local - New England :: Sociology :: Social Science :: Reference :: Personal Memoirs :: Customs & Tr :: The Big House - A Century in the Life of an American Summer Home

 

Luckiest Man - The Life and Death of Lou Gehrig

5 stars (The Way Baseball Should Be!) - This book is tremendous ... on so many levels. Most importantly, it gives the reader a good and solid understanding of the man. I have always been a Lou Gehrig fan but I have never fully appreciated the complete humility of the man. Additionally, the description of baseball and its players, clearly illustrates the tremendous differences between the game as we know it today and the way it once was. 4 stars (Moving and Lively Book) - This was a very well-written and moving book. As a huge Yankee fan and someone who has read many baseball books, this book is great. One gets a real sense of the times, along with Gehrig the person, and the beauty of the sport of baseball. As a student of the important philosophy Aesthetic Realism (www.aestheticrealism.org) founded by Eli Siegel, poet and critic, I've learned what makes a thing beautiful from a work of art to a great leaping catch in baseball. Mr. Siegel stated, "All beauty is a making one of opposites, and the making one of opposites is what we are going after in ourselves." Certain sentences and descriptions in this book I found beautiful -- they have a relation of energy, zip and also exactitude. These are opposites that the game of baseball has too. I have recommended this book to others. 4 stars (What made Gehrig tick) - You don't have to be a baseball fan to appreciate LUCKIEST MAN. Certainly there's enough diamond action to satisfy the sport fan, but Eig's objective seems to be more of a psychological analysis of the great Yankee clean-up hitter (Ruth hit third). Eig goes into great depth about Gehrig's relationship with his mother. Apparently no woman was good enough for her son. Gehrig was thirty before he finally took a wife and that seemed to be an act of desperation as he sent Eleanor a diamond necklace before they actually went out on a date. For me the best part of the book was when Gehrig found out he had amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Talk about grace u...
Simon - Schuster :: Biography & Autobiography & Sports :: United States :: Sports - General :: Sports - Baseball :: Patients :: Gehrig :: Lou :: :: Biography&Autobiography :: Biography & A :: Luckiest Man - The Life and Death of Lou Gehrig

 

Juiced - Wild Times- Rampant -Roids- Smash Hits- and How Baseball Got Big

4 stars (Thoughtful and Important) - Conseco begins by stating that he believes inteligent use of steroids, combined with human growth hormone, will one day be accepted and standard practice. (Add genetic engineering to the list - my opinion.) Conseco was a fair-to-middling minor-league player until he vowed to his dying mother that he was "Going to be the best athlete in the world." Shortly after that he began using steriods after reading up on the topic and considerable discussion with a "regular." Initially it was scary - he wasn't certain what would happen, or even if anything would change. After about two weeks he began to see and feel changes. At the same time, Conseco also undertook a strenuous program of exercise - particularly exercises that emphasized speed, not muscle mass. A third enhancement came from intense studying of pitchers to better guess their next pitch, rather than just reacting. Eventually Conseco added about 70 lbs. of muscle, and increased his running and swinging speeds. An additional benefit was building endurance - he no longer lost energy as the season wore on - like most players. Mark McGwire soon became a pupil and followedd a similar regimen - adding 50 lbs to his frame. Both McGwire and Conseco had great swings at the start, and Conseco stresses that steroids will not make a great athlete out of someone lacking talent. Conseco is sensitive to possible damage from steroid use, and credits his avoidance to careful attention to amounts and types used. He also believes that baseball players have an advantage over football players when it comes to steroid use because they are not so inclined to overdo it in an effort to reach 300+ lbs. Conseco eventually became well-known for steroid use - probably because he taught so many other players and trainers about it. Conseco, however, also thought it was due to racial bias - he was from Cuba. Clearly Conseco, McGwire and others reached great success via steroids, and do not appear t...
Regan Books :: Biography & Autobiography & Sports :: United States :: Sports - General :: Sports - Baseball :: Sports (Specific Aspects) :: Salaries :: etc :: Personal Memoirs :: D :: Juiced - Wild Times- Rampant -Roids- Smash Hits- and How Baseball Got Big

 

Fever Pitch

5 stars (Reveals the behaviour of a typical fanatic soccer fan!) - All Arsenal soccer fans should read this book by Nick Hornby. It shows his obsessions for Arsenal with a fine sense of homour and wit. It is filled with RAW honesty which will definately increase the male hormones of the British working class-soccer fans. Hornby also shows his passion for the ups and downs of the typical fan of Arsenal. His emotional outbursts are extreme (to say the least) and would leave the reader laughing on the floor. A MUST read! 3 stars (Not bad, but never engaged me) - I like Nick Hornby and I'm an Arsenal fan, so I should have loved this book...but I didn't. Maybe I'm just not a fan of memoirs, or maybe a memoirist has to have a more interesting life than Hornby's, but I was just never caught up in this book. I was never wondering what was going to happen, never wondering how things were going to work out. If I hadn't been an Arsenal fan, I probably would have put this down one day and never picked it up again, not because it's bad but because it's forgettable. It just meanders from one random, wry musing to another. A word of warning: if you don't know anything about English soccer, you might have a hard time following this book. Do words like "Anfield" and "Gazza" ring any bells? If not, you're not part of the target audience, and it could be tough going. 5 stars (Oi! A Confessional of Passion and Frenzy by Hornby) - FEVER PITCH is basically a tribute to English football. Hornby (as a real-life Arsenal fan) has a unique talent here in weaving a story out of autobiographical moments with a slight narrative where the glory and obsessive nature of football is eeked out on every page. Within this you can quickly deduce that the thing always and forever on a football fan's mind is HIS fixture list and everything else (friends, family, love and moments) is second best. Each year, each month, each season of the narrator's life can be calculated and described by footballing m...
Riverhead Books :: Sports - General :: Soccer :: Literary :: Hornby :: Nick :: Historical - British :: Great Britain :: English authors :: Biography&Autobiography :: Biography & Autobiogr :: Fever Pitch

 

Every Second Counts

5 stars (An inspiring and honest at the real Lance Armstrong) - Just as good as his first book, this book is a great "pick me up". It is good to learn a little about the dynamics of the Tour de France and how the result of one man standing on the podium is the work of many - often thankless. A real insight to what sets Armstrong apart, yet making him still so human. Definitely recommend! 3 stars (Very Inspirational) - Overall, it was a great book. Since I had read the first one, I felt it was a little repetitive, but you can never get enough inspiration, encouragement and motivation from Lance Armstrong. 5 stars (Thank You Lance) - Lance Armstrong shows in both this and "It's not about the bike" that he really is an average Joe deep inside. He shows the same fears, questions the same problems, and makes you feel that he could be your next door neighbor or a friend at work. He shows that with all he's done that what really matters is being honest, caring, and human when others may not. Thank you Mr. Armstong for giving so many people hope, and showing the rest that we can help do more. ...
Broadway :: Biography & Autobiography & General :: United States :: Sports - General :: Patients :: Motivational & Inspirational :: General :: Diseases - Cancer :: Cyclists :: Ca :: Every Second Counts

 

Juicy - Confessions of a Former Baseball Wife

1 stars (Oh, please) - You can put your clothes back on now, Jessica. Also, just wondering why you didn't retain your maiden name. Maybe you wouldn't have sold any books? 1 stars (how spouses of celebrities get even) - After the media coverage of Jose Canseco's whistle blowing on steroid users, I had to read his wife's tell all. Of course I wouldn't pay for it; it took me about an hour to read it in the bookstore. Jessica reveals herself to be the female version of her celebrity husband: egocentric, two-dimensional, silly cheerleader type who has nothing to offer but what's only on the outside. She has a penchant for using the "F" word and talks about their screaming sessions which I'm sure often took place in front of their daughter. What a good mom, what a good dad. This book should cause her nothing but shame and embarrassment, but laughably she says she is mentally well. Mentally well people don't live the shallow, meaningless life she did and then brag about most of it. What a dope. ...
Regan Books :: Biography & Autobiography & Rich & Famous :: Women :: United States :: Sports - Baseball :: Rich & Famous :: Personal Memoirs :: Family relationships :: Biography&A :: Juicy - Confessions of a Former Baseball Wife

 

Between a Rock and a Hard Place

5 stars (Most moving and gripping) - I was not sure when I started this book whether I really wanted to know the details the author went thru, and early in the book I was astounded at how imprudent he was. But the account soon caught me up and I was totally mesmerized, and the book I found to be a triumph, ranking with Alive, by Piers Paul Read, as one of the most gripping survival stories I have ever read. I felt it was better than Touching the Void, by Joe Simpson, even though that book is on edge of the chair reading. Despite Ralston's imprudent behavior I found him an admirable person and the fact that he is still climbing mountains and doing other unbelievable things I concluded was inspiring, imprudent as it no doubt is. This is a great reading experience. 5 stars (Hard place felt) - This book was very good at describing the surroundings in such detail that the mood was set for the story. Granted, even though it is a true story, one could just feel the tension mounting, and could follow the time line of events that led to Ralston's freedom from his rock/hardplace captors. 1 stars (Dont Read this Book) - This is the most boring book I have ever tried to read. It was a Summer Reading book and I couldnt even finish it. It is soo technical, it is courageous how he lived through that ordeal, but the book dragged and was horrible, i give it 0 stars. ...
Atria :: Biography & Autobiography & General :: Outdoor Life :: Mountaineering :: Inspirational - General :: Hiking :: General :: Biography&Autobiography :: Biography & Auto :: Between a Rock and a Hard Place

 

The Sixteenth Round- From Number 1 Contender To -45472

4 stars (Brilliant and Touching) - Obviously no one can write his story better than Rubin himself. This story is both and inspiring story of a man who has never stopped fighting and a terrifying reality check into the American judicial system. This book is filled with an anger that is only kept in check by the author's own love and compassion. The reader whould of course keep in mind this is an autobiography and therefore is skewed to the writer's point of view and emotional state. 2 stars (The rounds go on and on...) - I purchased this book, after viewing the much celebrated movie, "The Hurricane." The book is mediocre. I found it difficult to believe much of the writer's exaggerated boasting regarding his many talents. I had erroneously gathered from the movie, that this was a self-effacing, self-made man, not so. The reader is ever searching for the "real meat" of the story, however, the bulk of the story is about the author as a "ghetto-bad boy." The last few chapters of the book are short and quickly race you through the actual murder and trial. Overall it is not well written and disappointing. 5 stars (A touching story inspires child.) - This story reached out and touched the lives of many people. It also made people realize not to be racist. I know that I used to be racist and this turned my life around. The fact that rubin was in jail for a crime he didnt commit just because he wasnt white isnt at all fair. His story inspired me not to be racist and to get others not to hate the non-white. It has touched many lives and i like that. I am one of Rubin's biggest fans. ...
Penguin Global :: Biography & Autobiography & General :: Sports - General :: Sports & Recreation :: Sports :: Prison Life :: Personal Memoirs :: People of Color :: Criminals & Outlaw :: The Sixteenth Round- From Number 1 Contender To -45472

 

No Mountain High Enough - Raising Lance- Raising Me

5 stars (Dynamos Run in the Armstrong Family) - I am glad Lance's Mom decided to write her story. After I read It's Not About the Bike, I was inspired and eager to learn how a seemingly super-human came to be. Now I know: his Mom exudes energy, enthusiasm, and optimism without bounds: who could lose with such incredible and selfless support screaming in your ear on each lap of the race. This is a book that focuses primarily on Linda Armstrong Kelly. Lance plays a pivotal but supporting role in the story. She is honest and forthright about the men in her life; other women have just shriveled and become bitter. She is unabashedly supportive of her son, in spite of his adolescent fixation with speeding and dangerous shenanagans with his pals. And... she raised a smart son who loves and respects his mother, especially shielding her from some of the pranks that would drive many parents to pack their son off to some military academy. The fireballs come to mind as I write this. She is a mom that celebrates Mother's Day, everyday. Now, if she can figure out a way to bottle and sell her optimism and energy! Enjoy the read. 5 stars (Never Give Up) - A very well written book bringing the reader the life of an adoring Mother and her son. Neither would give up on their individual dreams in their respective pursuits of happiness in their lives. Enjoyable, insightful reading start to finish. Many congrats to both, and a special congratualtion to Lance for winning his seventh Tour deFrance. 5 stars (Five Star Mom!) - Linda Armstrong started out with enough strikes to doom most to a mediocre life - daughter of divorced parents and a drunkard father (stopped drinking when Lance was born), married at 16, mother at 17, expelled from high school for being pregnant, and abused by husband whom she eventually left. Instead, she raised (inspired, cheered, protected, funded, and assisted his early development and becoming a champion, and then added her inner strength to Lance...
Broadway :: Biography & Autobiography & Women :: Women In The U S :: Women :: United States :: Sports - General :: Parental Memoirs :: Mothers :: Kelly :: Linda Armstrong :: Famil :: No Mountain High Enough - Raising Lance- Raising Me

 

Embedded Balls - Adventures On and Off the Tour with Golf-s Premier Storyteller

5 stars (Great writing team) - Once again Jacobsen and Sheehan have outdone themselves writing a book about their love of the game and the great stories that have ensued from the fairways worldwide... I laughed until I cried and am going to pass the book on to my friends in the dental society (and huge golf fans) in golf course mecca in Central Oregon.. 5 stars (Jake does it again) - Peter Jacobsen returns from a decade-plus absence with a book that is better than his first effort - and that's saying something. "Embedded Balls" includes a look at what is wrong with the Tour today and how to fix it. Along the way, you will laugh out loud and get an insiders look at many characters on the Tour. ...
Putnam Adult :: Biography & Autobiography & General :: Tournaments :: Sports - General :: Sports & Recreation :: Sports :: Personal Memoirs :: Humor :: Golf - General :: Golf :: Biogra :: Embedded Balls - Adventures On and Off the Tour with Golf-s Premier Storyteller

 

The Last Coach- A Life of Paul -Bear- Bryant

5 stars (THE LAST COACH - THE END OF AN ERA) - Okay, I'm only half way through this book, but I have to say that this is truly one of the best books I have ever read. It's a funny feeling you get when you read this book. As a man, I don't know if I respect Paul Bryant more or less (as a coach, no one compares). What I do know is that I have learned a lot. I love the game of college football, and I long for the days of men like The Bear. 5 stars (researcher par excellance) - Allen Barra is the finest researcher author in the area of sports books. His ability to delve into Bryant's character and his coaching career speaks volumes on his researching ability. Allen has an interesting writing style that captures the readers attention, and makes the book that much more enjoyable. As a fellow historian/researcher and former college football coach I highly recommend this book. 5 stars (An American hero) - It's hard to believe, but it took more than twenty years after Bear Bryant's death to produce a book worthy of a great American hero. Barra has accurately summed up Bryant's greatness as well as his shortcomings and gives an honest objective look at both. Nitpickers with grudges can criticize all they like, but this book will stand up over the years. Paul Hornung was indeed the most sought after football player to come out of Kentucky in his senior year; I know, I was there, and Barra tells the story of his unsuccesful recrutiment by Coach Bryant with total accuracy. Alan Page was indeed the first black starter on the Notre Dame football player, a fact recorded in many places. As for Coach Bryant's drinking, the subject is handled with fairness and taste. Anyone who doesn't approve of Bryant's drinking would be well advised to remember Lincoln's reply when he was told that General Grant drank; every football coach in the country should be given a case of whatever Bryant liked. ...
W W Norton :: Sports & Recreation & General :: Sports & Recreation & Football :: Biography & Autobiography & Sports :: University of Alabama :: United States :: Sports - Gene :: The Last Coach- A Life of Paul -Bear- Bryant