Book Description
By the author of the bestselling Moneyball: in football, as in life, the value we place on people changes with the rules of the games they play.
The young man at the center of this extraordinary and moving story will one day be among the most highly paid athletes in the National Football League. When we first meet him, he is one of thirteen children by a mother addicted to crack; he does not know his real name, his father, his birthday, or any of the things a child might learn in school—such as, say, how to read or write. Nor has he ever touched a football.
What changes? He takes up football, and school, after a rich, Evangelical, Republican family plucks him from the mean streets. Their love is the first great force that alters the world's perception of the boy, whom they adopt. The second force is the evolution of professional football itself into a game where the quarterback must be protected at any cost. Our protagonist turns out to be the priceless combination of size, speed, and agility necessary to guard the quarterback's greatest vulnerability: his blind side.
Customer Reviews:
A remarkable story of sport and life.......2007-10-17
This is the most unusual sports book. Michael Lewis, the author of books like Moneyball, has written two stories, intertwined with each other to illustrate his point about how football has radically changed since the rise of what is known as the "West Coast Offense" and its secondary reaction, the rise of fast, large defensive players, and the final reaction, the rise of particularly the Left Tackle position, now the second highest paid position in the NFL.
Lewis begins by telling the story of Bill Walsh and the rise of the West Coast offense in the NFL in the early 80's, and how it was almost rejected out of hand by the powers that be. The success of the San Francisco 49er's and it's role in changing the financial resources of the sport from a TV football viewing audience, led to the need for fast defensive lineman, like Lawrence Taylor, which led in turn to the development of the left tackle position, which is now the second highest paid position in the League, due to a demand for specific physical skills which are almost impossible to find for that role.
Then Lewis telescopes to a most remarkable story: the young, troubled life of Michael Oher, from Memphis, TN. Lewis does show how the colleges have developed NFL tendencies, and how the demand for information about specific talent has been met by people like Tom Lemming and his ground breaking recruiting services of the past 30 years. Oher is a most unlikely story. He was given up by his family, the state welfare agencies, schools, foster agencies, etc., until one day, an older friend took him to an evangelical school in a wealthy, mostly white, suburb of Memphis in hopes of giving him a Christian education.
Oher has no academic skills and has been beat down by life so much, he has no social skills, and does not fit in at all with the other students, until one day, out of kindness and mercy, he is given the opportunity to try out for the school's football team, where runs one drill and stuns the team. Soon at practice, the school field is lined with representatives of nearly major college football in the southeast, and the first drill is interrupted by Clemson assistant Brad Scott telling the staff, in Oher's presence on the field, that Oher has a full scholarship waiting for him at Clemson. Oher is eventually adopted by the Tuohy family, a millionaire family, well connected in sports and business, and the culture clash, between a wealthy, devout family and a social reclusive, poor, giant of a kid takes up the remainder of the book, until Oher eventually enrolls at the Tuohy's alma mater, Mississippi.
Lewis's story is satisfying from many perspectives. He goes deep into the modern cultural and financial behemoth of American football to show why it is working the way it is today. He illustrates well, the lingering tensions in America today between white and black, poor and wealthy, urban and suburb, family breakdown, and college admissions. This reviewer, a graduate of a southern Christian high school, sees where Lewis gets right many things about that movement: a deep sense of piety, a dedicated work ethic, and at many times an oblivious nature to how the rest of the world works, and an inability to deal with many problems endemic to modern children in a deep way: poverty, family breakdown, etc. Though Lewis does get right the sense of mercy that exists among many, motivated by their faith, to help someone in need, whether they understand the costs or not.
Lewis, unfortunately, does not reveal his longstanding personal relationship with the Tuohy family, going back to their undergraduate years until the end of the book. It would have been helpful for a journalist to reveal that early on. And, Lewis is a bit too sympathetic in explaining a fight Oher got into over a personal insult in his freshman year at Ole Miss, that led to a small child being hurt accidentally.
The Blind Side is a remarkable tale of sport, money, class, culture, family and how faith interacts with real individuals dealing with impossible situations.
Book of the Year.......2007-10-11
I've enjoyed all of Lewis' work, but this is his best yet. It's a wonderfully complex story of football history and social commentary. It's one of those books that you shouldn't pick up late at night, because you won't be able to put it down.
Real, inspirational, and alarming.......2007-09-23
The storyline of this book is well known, so I won't review it.
I was highly entertained - the writing is excellent, the story compelling and true.
At the same time, the clear inequities in rescuing just one person from the millions in similar situations was laid bare. Even more troubling to me was the apparently delusional notions of the good Samaritan that he was driven to help the poor rather than the basketball and football teams of his high school and college. Ethical lapses were rampant - The father lied to the NCAA investigation about ignorance of details, he inflated grades with questionable correspondence courses, and generally compromised the academic standards of the high school. The mother lobbied teachers for special treatment, and they intervened with the Ole Miss administration to mitigate the potential criminal charges when Michael nearly badly injured someone just for some insulting comments, which resulted in injuries to a small child. The parent had a friend of Michael's offered scholarships so he could attend the same school, and were proud of their younger son for asking for his own personal favors from the visiting coaches during recruiting season.
The author was not immune, recounting the way the likable giant Michael dominated his high school games as though it was Hercules saving the day, when my impression was more of subverting into a cult of personality for the future pro an amateur contest in which many kids might otherwise get some recreation.
The saving grace is the author includes all the facts (so far as I can tell), and I wound up liking all the people involved despite their flaws, as well as being impressed by their accomplishments.
An enlightening and engaging book, which I highly recommend for people with at least a moderate interest in and knowledge of football.
A good story, but not very insightful.......2007-08-23
First and foremost: The Blind Side is not Moneyball for football, so if that is what you are hoping for look elsewhere.
There are two primary storylines. First, the inner-workings of modern professional football as told through the evolution of the left tackle (aka the "blind side"). Second, the lives of top high school football recruits, as told through the story of one impoverished high school student who happens to be a "freak of nature" football prospect.
I would have liked to have seen more of the first, Moneyball-esque, "inside look" storyline, and less of the second. Unfortunately for me, Lewis focuses on the second.
Great story & read!.......2007-08-11
Buy this book! I enjoyed it so much that, after reading it, I immediately went online and searched for more information about the main character and his current team. The author, Michael Lewis, also does a wonderful of job of weaving in pertinent background information about the history of the NFL passing game, and the importance of the left tackle position in football. If you're looking for a great read, look no further! Michael Oher's story is as inspiring as it gets!
Book Description
Coaching Youth Softball is written especially for the unprepared parent thrust into the role of coaching his or her 8- to 12-year-old child's softball team. Upbeat and inspirational, it schools new coaches in the fundamentals of controlling, motivating, and encouraging a disparate group of kids in the art and science of softball.
Parents learn the logistics of running a youth team and the specifics of coaching softball. They learn how to match drills to a player's skills and motivation level and gain a wealth of detailed instructions on such specifics as how to run a successful practice and manage during a game.
- Takes a drill-based approach to teaching basic skills
- Reviews softball fundamentals for inexperienced parents
Customer Reviews:
Great Book!.......2005-04-22
This book is another great in the series of A Baffled Parent's Guide. These books are thorough and complete - a coach's bible, especially a new coach. The book covers everything from basics of the game to working with the children and dealing with the parents. I highly recommend books from this series.
good book for beginning coaches.......2002-06-23
I have yet to coach a girls' softball team, but I am really interested in doing it. This book has some great advice on how to handle beginner players and their parents. The thing about this book that I found great was that it told you some characteristics to look for when selecting a pitcher, something that I would not have had a clue about doing. Highly recommended.
Excellent for beginner or experienced coach.......2002-05-11
This is an AMAZING book! Even if you have never coached, played, or even heard of softball, it helps you out. It breaks every aspect of the game down and puts it in simple terms so you can explain it to your team. It gives you practice advice and schedules as well as drills you can use for team members to improve, or establish, softball skills. It also gives you advice on how to become the best coach, dealing with gender issues and how to handle difficult parents. This book is a MUST for EVERY coach!
Excellent Coaching Book for New Coaches.......2001-04-28
I am not a parent but nonetheless, this book is excellent! This book gets right down to the heart of coaching. It tells you step by step how to teach someone how to throw, catch, pitch, hit and play every position. It also tells you what type of girl would be good for positions of pitchers and catchers which is important since most girls at this age have no experience in many positions. The drills have diagrams and there is glossary in the back to help with the terminology. There are not that many good softball coaching books (believe me I've looked), so grab this one!
Amazon.com
The global power of soccer might be a little hard for Americans, living in a country that views the game with the same skepticism used for the metric system and the threat of killer bees, to grasp fully. But in Europe, South America, and elsewhere, soccer is not merely a pastime but often an expression of the social, economic, political, and racial composition of the communities that host both the teams and their throngs of enthusiastic fans. New Republic editor Franklin Foer, a lifelong devotee of soccer dating from his own inept youth playing days to an adulthood of obsessive fandom, examines soccer's role in various cultures as a means of examining the reach of globalization. Foer's approach is long on soccer reportage, providing extensive history and fascinating interviews on the Rangers-Celtic rivalry and the inner workings of AC Milan, and light on direct discussion of issues like world trade and the exportation of Western culture. But by creating such a compelling narrative of soccer around the planet, Foer draws the reader into these sport-mad societies, and subtly provides the explanations he promises in chapters with titles like "How Soccer Explains the New Oligarchs", "How Soccer Explains Islam's Hope", and "How Soccer Explains the Sentimental Hooligan." Foer's own passion for the game gives his book an infectious energy but still pales in comparison to the religious fervor of his subjects. His portraits of legendary hooligans in Serbia and Britain, in particular, make the most die-hard roughneck New York Yankees fan look like a choirboy in comparison. Beyond the thugs, Foer also profiles Nigerian players living in the Ukraine, Iranian women struggling against strict edicts to attend matches, and the parallel worlds of Brazilian soccer and politics from which Pele emerged and returned. Foer posits that globalization has eliminated neither local cultural identities nor violent hatred among fans of rival teams, and it has not washed out local businesses in a sea of corporate wealth nor has it quelled rampant local corruption. Readers with an interest in international economics are sure to like How Soccer Explains the World, but soccer fans will love it. --John Moe
Book Description
Soccer is much more than a game, or even a way of life. It is a perfect window into the cross–currents of today's world, with all its joys and its sorrows. In this remarkably insightful, wide–ranging work of reportage, Franklin Foer takes us on a surprising tour through the world of soccer, shining a spotlight on the clash of civilizations, the international economy, and just about everything in between. How Soccer Explains the World is an utterly original book that makes sense of our troubled times.
Customer Reviews:
a fun read.......2007-10-17
I really enjoyed going through this book. Whie I wouldn't say that it's in any way definitive, nor that I completely agree with everything, his points were well put forth and argued. And it made me think. For Americans, it's a must read to see why the rest of the world cares so much about the game and we care so little. Pick this up and explore the world of football.
Quick, informative read for an American.......2007-09-23
Just finished up this amusing set of essays about soccer and how it relates to "globalization." The book isn't quite what it promises to be on the cover -- I mean, no real "theory" emerges. It's more just a set of observations relating to this particular author's travels around the world experiencing soccer in different locales and writing about it. The transitions between chapters are usually smooth but this is really 10 essays that all have to do with culture and soccer.
But they're fun to read. The author covers:
* Soccer in Serbia and how nationalist fans of Red Star Belgrade formed the nucleus of the Serb paramilitary forces created during the Milosevic regime (and the ties between the most notorious Serb thug, Arkan, and soccer -- I had no idea he ran the Red Star fan organization and then bought a soccer club),
* Celtic vs. Rangers and how the two clubs exploit Catholic/Protestant resentment
* How Tottenham became "Jewish" and the history of Jewish and Zionist soccer clubs (and other clubs like Tottenham associated with Jews and how it hurts them)
* Corruption in Brazilian soccer and why all the Brazilian teams are no good (it's not just because Brazil is less affluent)
* The results of a traditional Ukranian club recruiting several players from Africa
* The role of soccer in the rise of Berlusconi (once and perhaps future Italian prime minister)
* How soccer intersects with Iranian history and society
* The role of FC Barcelona in the Catalan nationalist movement over the years
* The overlap between Americans' attitudes toward soccer and those same Americans' attitudes toward globalization
I enjoyed learning more about these people and places through the lens of sport. As an American, it's interesting to be reminded how passionate some of the feelings are about these teams -- but I guess our media is a bit more ginger in covering the less politically correct aspects of how these teams have come to represent cultural resentments, etc., in so many places.
It's a bit like a P.J. O'Rourke book (without the ideology and with fewer punchlines) in the sense that it's a very first-person account of places you're never going to go, told by someone with a fresh set of eyes who lacks background but nevertheless sees a lot. And It's a pretty fast read -- about 250 pages but the pages are very narrow with larger print -- perhaps an effort to disguise just how short the book actually is.
Very much worth it. Whether a non-soccer-fan would enjoy it is more dodgy, but it's possible. And that's probably as good an endorsement as any.
Quirky--but intriguing--book.......2007-09-03
This is a quirky work; it ends up proving more satisfying than one might have imagined. The subtitle:"An Unlikely Theory of Globalization." That subtitle provides a takeoff point for the book. The author notes that (Page 5): "On my travels, I tried to use soccer--its fans, its players, and strategies--as a way fo thinking about how people would identify themselves in this new era."
He explores the role of soccer by a series of case studies of teams--in Serbia, Scotland, Brazil, England, Jewish teams, the Ukraine, and so on.
In the end, I am not sure how well he links these various nationalistic loyalties to teams with globalization.
However, this is an intriguing book that gets one to thinking about much larger issues.
Wow.......2007-06-22
This book is an amazing combination of football, history, and politics on an international level. It exceeded my expectations by far. If you like the above topics, then you shall enjoy it.
Great Read...........2007-06-15
As a first generation american (Italian/Polish) and a fan of football and politics I found Foer's book to be an intriguing read. I'd recommend it to anyone that either loves the game and would like to know more about the integration of the sport and religion/politcs as well as American detractors and novice soccer fans who'd like to know more about why the rest of the world is so infatuated with the game.
Customer Reviews:
Your kidding right?.......2006-10-22
Is it possible to rate this rag as less then 1 star??
I love this statement from the book: "I did not win the America's cup. The entire team did". Bill Koch
Not for ONE MINUTE did ANYONE think that you, Bill, had "personally" won anything! You simply paid the bills so Buddy Melges and Dave Dellenbaugh could!
This book discribes Bill Koch as the "skipper" of America3. I haven't laughed this hard in a long time!
An excellent primer for success in any field........1998-07-04
Mr. Larsen carefully details Bill Koch's diligently applied Total Quality Management philosophy, which always places attitude and teamwork first; it's an expert treatise on personnel management. Koch's no-nonsense approach to the pursuit of excellence in scientific research (boat design and building) is also very illuminating. Koch won the America's Cup because he earned it; money alone cannot buy victory in such a contest. A great book.
A superb account of victory against overwhelming odds........1996-07-24
Set against the backdrop of the America's Cup, Bill Koch demonstrates his plan for success and beats Dennis Conner, the most famous sailor in the world, in his own backyard. Koch's approach to the America's Cup can be applied to yacht racing, business and life. As a testimony to the validity of his approach, while Koch spent eighteen winning the America's Cup his business recorded very respectable profits in his absence by following his plan for success. Anyone who wants to excell as an employee, employer or entrepreneur can benefit from this well written chronicle of achievement. A revealing look at a master of his environment. This book should be required reading for anyone who wants to achieve their goals
Average customer rating:
- Insughtful: another Hornby winner!
- Obsessive sports fans need only apply.
- Fever Pitch
- Great read
- A great look at sports and life
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Fever Pitch
Nick Hornby
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Amazon.com
In the States, Nick Hornby is best know as the author of High Fidelity and About a Boy, two wickedly funny novels about being thirtysomething and going nowhere fast. In Britain he is revered for his status as a fanatical football writer (sorry, fanatical soccer writer), owing to Fever Pitch--which is both an autobiography and a footballing Bible rolled into one. Hornby pinpoints 1968 as his formative year--the year he turned 11, the year his parents separated, and the year his father first took him to watch Arsenal play. The author quickly moved "way beyond fandom" into an extreme obsession that has dominated his life, loves, and relationships. His father had initially hoped that Saturday afternoon matches would draw the two closer together, but instead Hornby became completely besotted with the game at the expense of any conversation: "Football may have provided us with a new medium through which we could communicate, but that was not to say that we used it, or what we chose to say was necessarily positive." Girlfriends also played second fiddle to one ball and 11 men. He fantasizes that even if a girlfriend "went into labor at an impossible moment" he would not be able to help out until after the final whistle.
Fever Pitch is not a typical memoir--there are no chapters, just a series of match reports falling into three time frames (childhood, young adulthood, manhood). While watching the May 2, 1972, Reading v. Arsenal match, it became embarrassingly obvious to the then 15-year-old that his white, suburban, middle-class roots made him a wimp with no sense of identity: "Yorkshire men, Lancastrians, Scots, the Irish, blacks, the rich, the poor, even Americans and Australians have something they can sit in pubs and bars and weep about." But a boy from Maidenhead could only dream of coming from a place with "its own tube station and West Indian community and terrible, insoluble social problems."
Fever Pitch reveals the very special intricacies of British football, which readers new to the game will find astonishing, and which Hornby presents with remarkable humor and honesty--the "unique" chants sung at matches, the cold rain-soaked terraces, giant cans of warm beer, the trains known as football specials carrying fans to and from matches in prisonlike conditions, bottles smashing on the tracks, thousands of policemen waiting in anticipation for the cargo of hooligans. The sport and one team in particular have crept into every aspect of Hornby's life--making him see the world through Arsenal-tinted spectacles. --Naomi Gesinger
Customer Reviews:
Insughtful: another Hornby winner!.......2007-09-10
I pretty much hate all forms of football. The fact that I read a book about football (to the British, that is: the rest of the world calls it soccer) from cover to cover, smirking, chuckling and at times laughing out loud, attests, once again, to the talent of Nick Hornby as a wordsmith. This book is witty and clever, incredibly insightful about obsession and definitely worth a read!
Obsessive sports fans need only apply........2007-07-13
A 2007 summer reading list mini review
If you are so passionate, it's scary about sports you must read this book. Many reviewers have said here and elsewhere that a rudimentary understanding of British Football is imperative to enjoying this book. Quite simply, they are wrong. All I knew about soccer in Britain, prior to reading this, was from watching Bend it like Beckham. However,I had no trouble following the book, as obsession translates for itself.
When Hornby tries to take partial credit for Arsenal's championship seasons simply because he attended their games I related. I still feel partially responsible for the White Sox winning the World Series in 2005. The previous 2 seasons the Sox had excellent records at home but were 0-8 when I attended. The sign that states welcome to the ballpark was modified adding except Dave Roller. But that did not stop me. I bought my first and only multi ticket plan and the White Sox went on their winning journey (musical pun intended).
I encourage obsessive fans of any sport to put the lessons of Fever Pitch in their arsenal (again pun intended) of sports literature.
Fever Pitch.......2007-02-16
Great book. An excellent account of what it means to be a loyal fan or supporter.
Great read.......2007-01-06
The only thing keeping me from giving this book 5 stars is my own complete lack of interest in anything soccer-related. Take that personal bias out, and its a great read. The insight into the soccer culture in the UK is frankly frightening, but in a very funny way. Having lived through the Denver Bronco Super-Bowl failures of the 1980's as a kid, I empathized with Hornby as he details his own irrational emotions growing up as a fan.
I think anyone, sports fan or not, will enjoy this book. Sports fans because they empathize, non-fans because it will help explain the mystery.
A great look at sports and life.......2006-10-15
Let me begin by noting that I find soccer/football incredibly dull. Dull, dull, dull! But Hornby's book is a great read.
He gives excellent insights as to sports obsession, one with which many men can identify. He is never sentimental or glorifying of the game or of his own actions, which are sometimes far from noble. He admits to placing his love of Arsenal above his relationships. But he also never comes across as a jerk.
I would love to sit down and have a few pints and watch a game with him.
The one thing I can't understand is how this could be made into a movie about the Red Sox. It just couldn't work, in my opinion.
Book Description
A PAPERBACK ORIGINAL
A games-based alternative to tedious rote exercises, guaranteed to keep practices fun, engaging, and productive
Great Soccer Drills provides soccer coaches with a great way to make every soccer practice active, fun, and productive. Coaches get 125 games guaranteed to keep kids moving and excited while teaching them basic skills, sharpening their reflexes, and building their confidence and decision-making ability. Written by two of North America's foremost names in youth soccer coaching, it also includes guidelines on how to create just the right blend of drills to hold the attention of six- to twelve-year-old players.
Great Soccer Drills can be used in conjunction with the bestselling Coaching Youth Soccer: A Baffled Parent's Guide or as an excellent stand-alone resource for spicing up any practice.
Customer Reviews:
Soccer drills found here.......2007-09-24
My wife bought this for her youth boys soccer team and found it to be very helpful in setting up drills to keep the boys busy and learning. She played soccer through highschool and still found the pages to be full of helpful ideas.
Worth the price.
Excellent coaching primer for all levels of youth soccer.......2007-09-12
I received a copy of this book as part of a U6/U8 coaching clinic that I attended last fall. The instructor had a lot of praise for the text, and incorporated a lot of the coaching philosophy and the drills into his presentation.
The book is full of good, common-sense coaching advice that's particularly useful for the novice coach, although I think that even seasoned coaches will find some great ideas here.
I've used quite a few of the activities in my practices, and they really do work quite well. The backbone of each and every one of these drills is that they get ALL of your kids involved in practicing. There is nothing here that puts your athletes in enthusiasm-sapping and attention-deficit producing lines. Every drill is carefully designed to keep your kids moving and learning at all times.
The text is clear and well-written and the pictures and illustrations do a good job of supporting the activities. Overall, it's very well-done. I've been coaching for 6 seasons now, and I really wish that I had discovered this book sooner.
Highly recommened, especially for new youth soccer coaches.
Wonderful even for seasoned coaches.......2007-09-06
I've been coaching for at least five years now and this book has some really fantastic drills in it. My under 11 team was cracking up while working hard and that is the best thing to see. This is an especially great book for working with children even younger. I'm enjoying all the drills.
Just Get It.......2007-09-05
I have been coaching youth soccer for about 5 years now after having played from age 4-18. This book truly helped my practices become more fun, developmental and organized for the kids. I love the section that has pre-set practices for different skill sets.
Couldn't be better!.......2007-08-13
I've been coaching my sons team for 2 years now. Under 8, Under 10 and getting ready to begin our 2nd Under 10 season. This book is essential to my success as a coach! Wonderful drills and skill builders that are broken down by skill type and age group. Great directions and diagrams. My favorite part of the book is the way it teaches you how to make a soccer practice plan for each practice. You can pick and choose the drills and games you like in order to customize your practices the way you see fit. This is a great book for any soccer coach. Learn to maximize each and every minute of practice while your players have a blast and actually learn something too!
Book Description
Former Sports Illustrated senior writer Tim Crothers took a year off to write a book; that year became a five-year odyssey chronicling one of the most successful coaches in the history of sports.
The Man Watching reveals, for the first time, the story of the man, Anson Dorrance, who built the University of North Carolina soccer program that Sports Illustrated hailed in 2003 as "The Greatest College Sports Dynasty Ever." Dorrance, in 2004, was named one of the top 25 coaches of the past 25 years by an expert panel at ESPN.
Customer Reviews:
A Fascinating Journey Inside the Life of the Man Who Watched.......2007-09-27
I've been a college coach my entire life working with male and female athletes at the Division One level. Over a 30 year career I've read many many books on leadership, motivation, management and relationship building. Walk into any book store- there's thousands of them.
This book stands apart in my mind as one of the best simply because it takes you inside the UNC program that Dorrance built and shares his thoughts, observations, beliefs and practices. What is so powerful about the man and the story is the simple things he values most and how he reinforces them over and over within his teams daily regimen.
If you coach college sports at any level, this is a valuable read. If you coach female athletes at any level, especially high school or collegiate, this is a must read.
No two people ever think alike and Anson's style is unique to him. But the lessons that any leader can take from this book will be well worth the time spent. There are certain universal truths that all coaches have to come to grips with if they hope to be successful. It's clear from the beginning to the end of this read, that Anson's ability to grasp these truths and consistently weave them into his daily life lessons to his players is what sets him and the UNC program apart. His style may not appeal to everyone, his approach may not be your cup of tea, but it's hard to read this well written book and not come away with a sense of admiration for way he molds his athletes into champions.
This book is well worth reading and for anyone in the coaching profession, it will force you to re-evaluate how you approach your mission.
Would recommend it more for a player than a coach.......2007-07-05
As a previous review noted the first half of the book, which dwells on the coaches life, is much more of a "biography" than the second half.
The second half is more of a description of the "feel" of the UNC program, which based on the writing, seems authentic.
The programs description doesn't really add much to the biography unless you have an opinion about the UNC program.
The rituals and idiosyncracies of the program are no more interesting or poignant than any other D1 successful sports program.
I believe this book, through its many quotes and reprinted letters, gives a sense of what the emotions of college soccer are like for the athletes. As a coach of male and female soccer players, I would recommend it for female players who wonder what college soccer is like. Of course, any fan of the UNC girls program would find this an inspiring read since it holds true to the title and praises the program at length.
Parts are excellent; skim the over-the-top parts.......2007-04-26
The biography of Coach Anson Dorrance of UNC should appeal to soccer fans and coaches. As a general biography, I wouldn't recommend it, because the focus is clearly on soccer and not much else outside of the game, the Tar Heels, and Dorrance's personal life and family. The bigger view of the context in the greater world is mostly limited to some general trends, such as the rise of women's sports from virtually nothing to their much stronger state today.
The historical background was easily the most interesting part, and the first half of the book is much stronger than the second. Coach Dorrance's background as a child of the world and an aggressive, competitive youth was surprisingly engaging. Even better was the origin of women's varsity soccer at UNC and elsewhere as women's soccer germinated to a critical mass within American colleges. Similarly, the creation of the women's national team with early stars such as Michelle Akers and its evolution into a dominant power with and without Coach Dorrance was also very informative. Tim Crothers has added a valuable historical record by capturing these stories with factual reporting and extensive interviews.
Coach Dorrance is of course famous for the exceptional success of the program at UNC, and the Heels even won the next national championship after the book was published. The author draws out Dorrance's coaching philosophy, recruiting style, motivational approaches, and other aspects of his personality and performance. The various "aha!" moments where Dorrance learned to appreciate and exploit the differences between men and women have been fodder for stories and lectures for many years, and they make for excellent material and opportunities to compare with our own observations and attitudes.
What got a little tiresome was the volume of material on how competitive Dorrance is and how great Carolina is and how special Carolina is, almost as if other teams don't have their own special bonds among teammates or play with intense effort and dedication. I ended up skimming a bunch of that as too much rah-rah and of little additional value. Fortunately, Crothers added a chapter on Dorrance's "dark side", such as his arrogance. Some juicy, bitchy stories can make up for an excess on the praise side.
Crothers naturally had to cover the lawsuit. Based on the tone of the book, I surmise that the author has put the whole situation in a relatively positive view. Debbie Keller isn't exactly presented as sweetness and light. However, on the contrary side, the author reviews Dorrance's admitted mistakes, his agreement to training, his change in approach, and some remarks by people who were at least neutral on the whole matter. I'm not sure what to think, and the reader can still gather a lot from the biography if the lawsuit is secondary to one's interest in the book.
Be a Better Leader.......2007-04-12
Gain inspiration for leadership in this well-written autobiography. Find your own style and develop yourself personally while you become a better leader.
The Man Watching: A Biography of Anson Dorrance.......2007-03-29
If you coach or play any sport, want to improve your leadership capability, or just enjoy a well written biography, The "Man Watching" is an inspirational must read. The "dynasty" in women's soccer at UNC did not happen by accident and, other than the way Anson got the job, the architect, contrary to the title, was not "unlikely". Tim Crothers, in a very entertaining style, aptly dissects Anson's personality, coaching style, and leadership theories, using words from Anson's former players, colleagues, friends, enemies, opposing coaches and from Anson himself. The book almost reads like a mystery novel as you wonder how the women's soccer program at UNC could consistently attract and produce world class athletes, winning game after game, year after year, with different players, a small budget, and the primary constant being Anson Dorrance and his staff. Having coached soccer for about 17 years, the feat seems impossible until you read the book and the mystery is slowly unraveled.
Book Description
Are you among the millions of kids who live to play soccer? If you are, you'll love The Everything Kids' Soccer Book! Inside this exciting book, you'll find out how to excel at this hugely popular sport, with professional instruction on:
The complete rules of the game
Techniques for dribbling, trapping, and heading the ball
The arts of defense and goaltending
Winning techniques and drills
Tips on how to maintain possession of the ball
Soccer player and coach Deborah W. Crisfield gives you lots of advice on stretching, endurance building, and strength training. Along the way, she includes some amazing facts on the World Cup and American soccer stars, such as Landon Donovan and Mia Hamm, and offers dozens of puzzles and games. The Everything Kids' Soccer Book is definitely a GOAL!
Customer Reviews:
Daughter Enjoys.......2007-01-15
My daughter has learned a lot from this read, it is informative and talks about rules of the game as well as moves.
Has alot of information, but not enough to capture an 8 year old.......2006-12-25
I bought this for my 8 year old and even looked over it myself. It has alot of info but she didn't seem too interested. Maybe she just doesn't like to read - but she did it one day and hasn't touched it in a year. I never wrote my reviews - it's been a year and the book looks like brand new . . . should have saved my money - but is a good source of learning for kids who actually LIKE to read! LOL
Good for 8-11 year olds.......2006-04-05
I think this book has a good amount of information in it for kids in the 8 - 11 year old age bracket. They introduce skills and strategies that many novice coaches may not be providing. I wish that some of the skills were illustrated in more detail. For example, just mentioning that you should keep your toe pointed down for an instep kick is not sufficient; it is critical to have the heel locked down. A better illustration would help emphasize points like this. Overall I would very much recommend this book.
a GREAT way to kick-off a love of SOCCER. .......2006-01-24
Attention soccer kids and soccer moms!
Deborah W. Crisfield, author of "Winning Soccer for Girls" and "The Mom's Guide to Sports," has produced this challenging, educational book great for young soccer-players-to-be. This softback included professional instruction on the: RULES of the GAME, TECHNIQUES for DRIBBLING, TRAPPING, and HEADING the BALL, defense, GOALTENDING, DRILLS, TIP on maintaining POSSESSION of the BALL. The book also includes loads of PUZZLES and GAMES to play that relate nicely to DRILLS provided.
The book is easy to read for juvenile readers (8-10 yrs) full of fun graphics, tips, terms and soccer fun facts, and World Cup and American soccer star bios. The Everything Kids' Soccer Book even includes soccer jokes, like:
"Why won't CINDERELLA ever be a great goalkeeper?
BECAUSE she runs away from the BALL
Super Book!.......2005-07-16
Excellent book! I am happy to have it in my library! Learned a lot of new techniques! Highly recommended!
Book Description
This is a book about a man who excelled in a game of soccer. Pele is a athlete best know throughout the world. He is the only three-time world champion in soccer. "I dedicate this book to all the people who have made this great game the Beautiful Game." - Pele
Customer Reviews:
O Rei Pele!.......2006-07-29
I read this book as a kid in Nigeria...Pele's legend cannot be imitated or duplicated...his feats are simply majestic...very humble, classy superstar who never let the accolades get to him..97 goals for Brazil and 1283 club goals is ridiculous! People dont even score 300 goals anymore..You would think that by playing 1300 games, he'd break down at some point...the book was a great read...get his new one "PELE" (autobio)!
The Best Player Ever........2006-07-21
This is an exceptionally detailed biography. The statistical chart at the back of all the games he played in was a very pleasant surprise. The only things missing was some tactical diagrams and a map of Brazil. Every chapter added colorful insight into his life-Ch's-2,6,8-facts of life, 9-Pele in love and 17. He also gave the reader the fine nuances of the "beautiful game." Chapters-1,3-5,10,12,14-1,000 goal,15-16,18,19-20-Cosmos years. I found chapters 7-race relations in Brazil,11-the trainor, and 13-Santos years to be the most interesting. Lastly, I could not agree more with Pele's distaste for defensive Football on 310-11.
A well-written autobiography.......2006-02-19
It's fortunate for the soccer-fan readers that the author focuses his writing on what happens on soccer field. I don't really care that much about his company, although it helps to understand the author's personalities as a whole.
It would be even better if the author describe how he thought of scoring those famous goals (even just say subcouciously I scored).
Some diagrams would help too.
A Good book about The Greatest of The Beautiful Game.......2004-10-05
I was too young to see Pele while he still was an active footballer, but growing up in a football loving home I've been fed with the legend of this fantastic athlete. My Dad always told me about the greatness of Pele, and I always felt that I lost our "arguments" about whether "my generations" superstar Maradona or "his generations" star Pele actually was the Greatest One.
I bought this book to find out more about the legendary Pele. Wow, wasn't this a great book? When understanding what impact this man had on the beautiful game it's easy to see how he can be recognized as the Greatest. He wasn't only an extremely talented athlete; he was also a man with a wonderful heart and who had his morals in order. I'm sure you find a picture of Pele in the dictionary if you look up the word "sportsmanship".
I think this well written book is a worthy tribute to this great athlete. It tells us the this to-good-to-be-true motivational story about a man with an extreme talent that goes all the way from poverty thru a triumphant career all the way to the top of the beautiful game...and he do so with style!
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED
Edson Arantes do Nascimento: Pele' and his beautiful game.......2004-03-06
Few athletes have captured the world's collective admiration and respect as Edson Arantes do Nascimento. Known affectionately to his family as Dico, but to the rest of us as Pele', his influence far exceeded his tremendous exploits on the soccer field. He is one of the most recognized people in the world.
This well-written, extremely detailed, and intriguing autobiography takes us deeply into Pele's world. He describes in great detail his impoverished youth in Bauru, his rapid ascent into the Brazilian National Team, his stellar years at Santos Football Club, and finally, his desire to bring soccer to the skeptical masses in North America. But throughout it all, we see his humility. "I only wanted to be as good as my father, Dodinho."
I had the opportunity to play soccer with a Brazilian who played with Pele' at Santos. My friend was very young at the time, and told me that Pele' treated him very well. "He was well-liked by everyone, and always helpful to his teammates. You never knew he was the best player in the world. He acted just like a regular guy."
Out of his many feats (playing in the World Cup final at the age of 17, the only three time winner of the World Cup, scoring almost 1300 goals), one stands out. Pele' is perhaps the only athlete to ever stop a war. During the Biafran Civil War in Nigeria, a three day truce was called to watch him play two exhibition games.
Pele' was declared a national treasure by his native Brazil. But for the millions of us who had the privilege to see him play, he was our treasure as well.
Thank you for the opportunity to review this excellent book.
Book Description
“Entertaining, very informative, and essential for parents, fans, and players.”
—Tony DiCicco, Head Coach, 1999 Women’s Cup Champions
“Two thumbs up.... This book will broaden your knowledge of the game.”
—Ron Newman, all-time winningest American Soccer Coach
“This book will help people to understand why soccer is the world’s sport and why we love it so much.”
—Tiffeny Milbrett, Forward, U.S. Women’s National Team
“Fans will love it, and those who want to become fans will devour it.”
—Bob Ley, ESPN/ABC Broadcaster
Simplicity alone doesn’t explain soccer’s enormous popularity worldwide. Soccer is a game that can be as frustrating as golf, as physical as football and hockey, as sporadic as baseball, and as graceful as basketball. It can also be addictive. Whether you are a youth league player, a soccer parent, or a World Cup fan, here, at last, is the book you’ve been waiting for. Written by New York Daily News soccer columnist Michael Lewis with the full support and participation of the United States Soccer Federation, Soccer For Dummies shows you how to:
- Get a handle on soccer rules and regulations
- Learn the basic moves and plays
- Improve dribbling, passing, and other basic skills
- Find a league to play in
- Coach kids effectively
- Get more out of the game as a spectator
Featuring expert tips from U.S. Men’s and Women’s National Soccer Team stars and packed with hundreds of action photos and illustrations, Soccer For Dummies is the ultimate beginner’s guide to the sport. You’ll discover:
- The where and wear of soccer
- Laws of the game
- Footwork, passing, shooting, receiving, goal tending, and other game fundamentals
- Staying in soccer shape
- Teamwork and strategy
- Coaching youth soccer
- Everything the informed spectator should know
- The current state of soccer at all levels from youth leagues to geriatric leagues
Get Soccer For Dummies and get the lowdown on the world’s most popular sport from some of its most celebrated players.
Customer Reviews:
Not very good........2007-05-30
This book isn't particularly good for anything. It covers many aspects of the sport, but doesn't do any one aspect justice. I was especially unhappy with the the rules section. And who could forget Brandi Chastain ripping off her jersey after the penalty kick . . . .
Soccer for Spectators.......2005-10-14
An excellent refresher for those out-of-touch with soccer as well as for those just learning the game. As the parent of a former high school and college soccer player, but that was a few years back, I thought I knew the game. Now with 4 grandchildren playing, I wanted a easy-to-read refresher. This is it. I applaud the writer and encourage all who are players, or spectators, to spend a few evenings with this easy, and fun to read, book. It is very well done.
Phil
Great intro.......2002-06-15
This is a book, especially for parents who are trying to figure out the game and people who'd like to learn more about it.
A complete waste of time.......2001-12-11
This is the first time I have reviewed a book for Amazon. I am doing this because I consider this book to be 100% garbage.
If you are looking for a book full of annoying cross references (i.e. see page 118; see page 73) and for a book which repeats the same quotes or phrases in different chapters (was there really no editor?) BUY THIS BOOK.
Also, if you are looking for cheap tid-bits and trivia about the US women's soccer team (was it really necessary to write three times about one female ripping her shirt off after a goal?) BUT THIS BOOK.
If you want to have a general overview about the rules of Soccer but want nothing of strategy, technique, training, then BUY THIS BOOK. (or why not just go to the FIFA website and download the same rules which make up 50% of this book)
But if you want to learn how to play or coach soccer, forget it. This book is a COMPLETE waste of time.
Excellent intro for newcomers; solid content for veterans.......2001-02-20
Carries on the excellent tradition of the "for dummies" books: offers solid content and information for veteran soccer afficionados while organized as a well-written, well rounded introduction for the novice. Gives comprehensive overviews about all aspects of the game -- rules, strategies, the world of professional soccer (the leagues, tournaments, events), as well as an excellent history of the game and its development. It's refreshing to see a book for newcomers that doesn't strip things down - there is a wealth of well-researched information here that is useful for the experienced fan or participant.
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