Customer Reviews:
Black Belt Memory Yogger .......2007-03-09
The Black Belt Memory Yogger is a handy pocket guide for people involved with six sigma processes. I like the why use it and what does it do questions. Good quick review of basic statistics and tools.
Handy and Useful, but pricey.......2003-02-21
This book is a concise reference for use by practitioners and those on the shop floor. I use it daily in our one square mile manufacturing complex.
Our people understand the tools with help of the illustrations. The how to use the tools is clear. Sure some may be overwhelmed by the statistical detail; however, the graphs are useful in showing folks what we as a team are working towards.
At only 265 pages, this spiral book is pricey, but that's expected from the millionaires of the Six Sigma Academy. ASQ's entries into this segment pale in comparison. Overall, I use it in any public course offering I teach. Keep it simple!
Book Description
Freakonomics meets Moneyball in this provocative exposé of baseball's most fiercely debated controversies and some of its oldest, most dearly held myths—explained through the language of numbers and cool cash.
Two hot topics team up in The Baseball Economist, and the result is a refreshing, clear- eyed survey of a playing field that has changed radically in recent years. Utilizing the latest economic methods and statistical analysis, writer, economics professor, and popular blogger J. C. Bradbury dissects burning baseball topics with his original Sabernomic perspective, such as:
• Did steroids have nothing to do with the recent home run records? Incredibly, Bradbury's research, reviewed by Stanford economists, reveals steroids had little statistical significance.
• Is the big-city versus small-city competition really lopsided? Bradbury shows why the Marlins and Indians are likely to dominate big-city franchises in the coming years.
• Which players are ridiculously overvalued? Bradbury lists all players by team with their revenue value to the team listed in dollars—including a dishonor role of those players with negative values.
• Is major league baseball a monopoly that can't govern itself? Bradbury sets out what rules the owners really need to play by, and what the players' union should be doing.
• Does it help to lobby for balls and strikes? How would Babe Ruth perform in today's game? And who killed all the left-handed catchers, anyway? The Baseball Economist knows.
Providing far more than a mere collection of numbers, Bradbury shines the light of his economic thinking on baseball, exposing the power of tradeoffs, competition, and incentives. Statistics alone aren't enough anymore. Fans, fantasy buffs, and players, as well as coaches at all levels who want to grasp what is really happening on the field today and in the coming years, will use and enjoy Bradbury's brilliant new understanding of the national pastime.
Customer Reviews:
Inquiring Minds Wander from This Book.......2007-08-26
I work with economic theorists all the time, but I am not going to tell you this is a good book. Pieces of it are. Bradbury dwells on the steriods issue, prattling on and on about the lack of evidence. Yet, no where does he accept the challenge of studying the relative performances of the individuals to determine the effect of steriods. Rather, he just says it has never been proven. He even blurs the distinction of taking steriods for performance reasons vs. health reasons (and he never considers the differences in the steriods themselves!)
Some of his economic observations are interesting, those where he really studies the game and statistics. I, for one, can find other, more rewarding but boring books to give me a Saturday afternoon snooze. And Bradbury should stick to his statistical analysis of the game (where he excels), not the policy points (where he only debates under the ruse of economic theories).
Didn't care for the book.......2007-08-14
I'm a rabid baseball fan and have read most of the sabermetrics books and have enjoyed most of them. I bought and read all the Elias Baseball Analysts books (if you have to ask you're not a hard core fan) in the series. That said, I didn't care for the subjects or writing in this book. The books needs more punch to make it enjoyable and interesting. I got through the first couple of chapters, then rapidly skimmed parts of the rest of the book.
If you thinking about buying the book for a friend don't. If I didn't care for the book, I can't imagine casual fans even going past its cover.
"Good things tend to be scarce, ...".......2007-07-01
This quote starts chapter 13, and applies to this book as well. The Baseball Economist holds its own and then some when compared to most sabermetric stats books out there. It contains an ecletic but interesting collection of subjects like Freakanomics, presented within a baseball/economic context like MoneyBall. This isn't a book specifically about the economics of baseball, it is more about how the author applies economic methods to answer certain baseball related questions.
That sounds kind of dry, but the author is a better writer than I am, so the book is quite interesting. The first section I found particularly convincing, as it applies principles of economics to identifying why the DH promotes more hit batsmen, why there are almost no lefty catchers, and the over-ratedness of the protection afforded by the on deck hitter. Latter chapters discuss how baseball differs from a true monopoly, and how this has worked to the benefit of the fans.
In the Epilogue, the author writes that he considered calling this book, "An Economist Ruins Baseball", which I'm glad he didn't. That would have done a disservice to this book. Very interesting book to the general baseball fan, and not just a number cruncher book. Probably the best baseball book I have read since MoneyBall.
An economist writes about baseball.......2007-06-02
Bradbury is an associate professor of Economics. He wrote this book with an economists' viewpoint on baseball. He may have gone too in-depths in economics for some people's taste, but being an economics major in college, I enjoyed it and re-learned a few concepts. He covers some topics that have were previously discussed by folks like Bill James, Voros McCracken, Michael Lewis and Jay Gould (and gives them due credit). Topics that were new to me that I found interesting included the effect of "protection" by the on-deck hitter, managers lobbying for balls and strikes, and the baseball monopoly.
I enjoyed this book and I recommend it to baseball fans that are not afraid of charts, numbers and economic concepts. I would be the first in line to buy his second book if Bradbury expands his economic analysis and writing into other sports.
Very interesting look at baseball from a unique perspective.......2007-04-11
Very accessible, very interesting look at baseball. Bradbury tackles both high-profile issues in baseball (steroids, spending disparity amongst teams) as well as ideas you might not have even considered. (What can we learn from trends in hit batsmen?) I recommend this book to baseball fans with an interest in learning more about the inner-workings of the game as well as economists with even a passing interest in the sport.
Book Description
Complete guidance to the ins and outs of gaming operations
Management personnel need a thorough understanding of the business side of the casino industry to ensure profitsâand to avoid losses. It's a sure bet that Casino Operations Management, Second Edition will help current and future gaming management professionals better serve any casino.
Written by experts with over 65 years of combined experience in the field, this Second Edition offers all the critical skills and know-how to equip gaming and casino operators with the knowledge needed for the management office, cage operations, and table game and slot operations.
This updated edition features detailed coverage of:
- Current high-roller marketing tactics and their effect on profitability
- The effect of popular money management systems on casino profits
- The initial development process of an Indian casino
- Studies designed to identify the patronage motives of gamblers, including those of riverboat customers
- Slot club design: player rating issues, point accumulation schemes, and more
- Principles of casino floor design: managing table game and slot location
- Studies designed to measure the profit contribution of popular slot promotions
Casino Operations Management, Second Edition uses simplified mathematics and statistics throughout, and provides readers with a thorough understanding of all aspects of the casino industry business. It is a must-have reference for students and casinos that develop managers internally.
Customer Reviews:
Great Overview.......2007-04-25
An invaluable primer on casino management. This book should be on the shelf of every executive in the gaming industry.
The Best of Its Genre.......2007-02-03
"Casino Operations Management" is the best book on the market now focusing on operational issues that confront casino managers. It is arguably "too much" for an undergraduate course, but the book is highly recommended for casino managers who want to strengthen their understanding of what makes a casino really tick. Those simply interested in in-depth knowledge of the industry's operational issues will also find the book helpful.
casino operations.......2006-06-30
Good overview of casino operations. It covers Indian gaming as well as Nevada and mentions where there are difference. I am the controller and I wish it had more accounting /finance.
Excelent operations overview.......2005-10-29
This book is a must read for everyone entering the casino business. It's a clear reference, and it shows derails some myths about gaming operations.
Great read.......2005-06-14
This books assumes you know nothing about Gaming Operations and goes from there, taking you on an in-depth exploration of the gaming industry, from it's beginnings through modern-day operations. This book was highly beneficial. I also read "The Gaming Industry: Introduction and Perspectives" from the UNLV International Gaming Institute, both of which I would strongly recommend. Well written and dives to the appropriate level of detail.
Book Description
Read the Preface, Introduction, and Chapter 1 at thewellnessrevolution.paulzanepilzer.com.
Five years ago, Paul Zane Pilzer outlined the future of an industry he called “wellness” and showed readers how they could get in on the profitable bottom floor. The New Wellness Revolution, Second Edition includes more guidance and business advice for entrepreneurs, product distributors, physicians, and other wellness professionals. It’s an industry that will only grow, so get in while you can.
Customer Reviews:
Wellness is worth it!.......2007-08-07
Paul educates the reader about how to take part in the next trillion dollar industry by getting into health and wellness.
Question about something.......2007-07-30
I have read some of this book in the bookstore because it looked rather interesting - and is. And maybe I'm stretching things, but I was 'confused' by some things in it, and here is one example. He talks about Dr. Mercola's website, which I had previously learned about and registered on. Then later in the book, he touts how GREAT soy is. Well anyone that follows Mercola's website knows that Dr. M does not promote soy and actually has articles detailing the adverse effects that regular consumption of soy can produce. And with Pilzer writing about Mercola and later about how good soy is, well those two items are in conflict to me. I suppose I should see this book more along the lines of reference material as well as a promotion of how trends will tend toward pro-health activities and lifestyles, not forgetting to mention the potentially profitable opportunities that exist. I guess when I read a book, I expect topics and information to run along similar lines. It would be like say a democrat writing a book about his liberal views, with a chapter detailing how Roe vs. Wade should have been thrown out altogether. It just wouldn't be the expected fit for me. I welcome any comments to help me see things more accurately. Feel free to write to me at purpleshake on gmail if so inclined. Thank you.
The New Wellness Revolution - Rocks`.......2007-07-03
Being in the Health and Wellness industry i found this book to be state of the art. A definite read for everyone.
Brian Brown.......2007-04-11
This book was amazing. Paul is dead on the money. As the owner of a fast growing Health & Wellness company, it is affirming to hear that I am doing the right things. It also gave me a lot of new ideas for my current projects. If anyone is considering being involved in this trillion dollar industry, this book is a must read!
A must read for anyone concerned about their health and the future!!.......2007-03-22
This is a great book to open your eyes about health and your responsibility in being responsible for yourself. I was amazed to read about milk!!
Take charge of your life and read this book!
Customer Reviews:
Excellent.......2001-10-29
It tackles the various topics in sports marketing with great clarity and all the chapters integrate seamlessly. It explains concepts with good, clear everday sport examples.
A well structured approach to the subject........1999-02-17
Shanks has produced a solid undergraduate text. It has many examples and is well supported by case and discussion material. Also, the book makes good use of the Internet as a support medium. I am not aware of whether or not an instructors package is available. If not, that is a failing.
Book Description
When a heart attack claimed Bert Boyle's husband in 1970, the forty-six-year-old housewife and mother of three found herself at the helm of Columbia Sportswear, a small and financially struggling outerwear manufacturer in Portland, Oregon. With no business experience whatsoever, Boyle was faced with the challenge running Columbia, which had been founded in 1937 by her father-a Jewish immigrant who fled Hitler's Germany to come to America. Though many expected Boyle to fail, she and her son Tim persevered, and kept the business afloat through very challenging times. In 1970, Columbia Sportswear boasted forty employees and $800,000 in annual sales. Under the leadership of Gert and Tim Boyle, the company now has more than two thousand employees, annual sales approaching one billion dollars, and is the leading seller of skiwear in the United States. And thanks to a creative advertising campaign that billed her as "one tough mother," Gert Boyle has become an icon in her industry, and she is the first woman ever inducted into the International Sporting Goods Hall of Fame. In ONE TOUGH MOTHER, Boyle presents and honest, open, and often irreverent account of her truly remarkable journey from a childhood in Nazi Germany to fame and fortune in America. Boyle offers insights into succeeding in business and in life, and shares many of the advertisements and strategies that have made her so recognizable. Her story is one that will inspire anyone who dreams of turning a small business into a bigger business, as well as individuals who find themselves facing circumstances beyond their control.
Customer Reviews:
Quick bites of inspiration........2006-05-30
If you're looking for a hard hitting business manual, or even a thorough history of Columbia Sportswear, look elsewhere. But if you're looking for a very quick read full of no-nonesense advice, straight talk and a few laughs, then this is for you.
Gert Boyle, from what I read here, is rather straight forward. She won't get all gushy about management approaches, philosophies and the like. Truth is, her manual would read something like this: work hard, use your head and when you aren't smart enough to figure something out, at least be smart enough to find someone else who can. And that's what I found refreshing about this quick entertaining read.
Thank God for this book.......2005-12-02
I was lucky enough to have this book with me on a recent accounting seminar. Thank God for that. It is a very quick read, and does not offer many details about the specific challenges the business faced.
But it is still very inspirational, funny and informative. It is a great book to give as a gift to someone that is feeling a little down or needs more motivation.
I love stories like this because they prove that persistence and sucess go hand in hand.
Great history....but incomplete storytelling.......2005-08-30
The Columbia Sportswear story is one of the most compelling business building stories of our time. However, this books is a totally incomplete treatise. It is well written and somewhat captivating, but way too summarized if you expect to learn anything useful. It is a waste of time to read, although you'll only have to waste 20 minutes to read the entire book.
Outstanding book!.......2005-08-23
What a wonderful treat to read about Gert Boyle's unique life. It's not only about success in business, but it's about triumph, history, the Pacific Northwest, advertising and motherhood. It's a great way to learn how to live a meaningful life!
The best part about this book is that all of Gert's royalties will be donated to CASA and the Special Olympics. It's an all around feel great experience.
One Tough Mother.......2005-08-08
By the time you finish the book, you feel as if you are having a one on one meeting with Gert. It's a fast read -- and even has great illustrations from past advertising campaigns. It feels good to read a book with a happy ending -- and shows that hard work, listening to others, and caring is what it takes to succeed. I too have a business and have gone through hard times. Gert's words made me think I can still pull myself up, dust myself off and get where I want to go. I have purchased 4 additional copies and have already sent them off to business friends of mine.
It's not a Harvard Business School type of book. Some may find it too short and sweet. I found it delicious -- (and I don't mean just the recipe).
Book Description
The story fo the evolution of the gambling racket from mobbed-up vice to corporate success story as told through the biographies of the men who made it happen.
Customer Reviews:
Sloppy, Fragmented and Unfocused.......2007-03-22
This is a book that appeals to no one. If you're not already familiar with Vegas history, it is not a good place to start. And if you already know something about Vegas, it will not teach you anything new.
In theory, the structure of this book seems like a good idea -- devote a chapter each on the movers and shakers who built Las Vegas. The problem is that they all influenced each other, so separating them results in an arbitrary, fragmented, sometimes difficult-to-follow, narrative. Even the chapters themselves tend to jump back and forth in time and place. Structurally, the book just doesn't work.
Then there's the problem of sketchy information. Smith doesn't go into great detail explaining the why's and how's of events, leaving the reader with a great longing to know more about the individual characters of these men and what makes them tick. If you're looking for some good dish on Vegas -- which is what the snappy title promises -- there are better choices.
Compounding the reader's frustration are the numerous typos, spelling, and grammatical errors. Smith either had no editor or edited this himself. It feels like a first draft in serious need of a major rewrite and fact checking. It's difficult to believe Smith makes a living as a journalist. He must have a good editor at the Review/Journal.
The Real McCoy........2007-03-05
This book gives you the real story behind the Vegas gaming legends. Nobody does justice to this topic like John L. Smith. His research is impeccable.
It delivers on the title but in a less than thrilling way.......2006-10-31
This book is a fun read if you are someone who is familiar with Las Vegas. The book indeed delivers on what the subtitle, "..The Founding Fathers and Current Kings of Las Vegas" states. Each chapter is more or less devoted to discussing a specific person and the impact they had on setting the stage for the evolution of Las Vegas. I imagine those of you who have never been infatuated with Las Vegas will want to pass on this one.
Based on some of the anecdotes, it seems amazing that some of the Vegas hotels are still open today. The mobsters and the so called "straight laced" owners who ran (or still run) the hotels come off as either extremely brilliant or totally incompetent. It is no wonder that most of the Strip hotels have all been swallowed up by one or two companies. The author also seems to question if some hotels are completely honest when it comes to gaming.
The problem I had with the book was perhaps I was expecting something more chronological and dramatic. Instead, the book is like a compilation of old newpaper columns that are all put together in one place(of course, maybe that is not a surprise since the author is a newspaper reporter). Much like other books of that nature, the reading becomes almost repetitive and seems easier to take over a long haul rather than a week or two of reading cover to cover. Also note that there are a few typos and errors that make it seem like someone did a spellcheck with a computer rather than really proofreading it.
If you can stick with this type of book, you will probably enjoy it. Now this is the first book about Las Vegas I have read so I can not compare it to anything but I've got to believe there is probably something a bit more compelling.
Las Vegas history: from mob to corporate.......2006-03-16
The complete saga of Las Vegas from its early roots with the mob to modern corporate times is presented in a lively history of the city's real rulers in SHARKS IN THE DESERT: THE FOUNDING FATHERS AND CURRENT KINGS OF LAS VEGAS. Many made their fortunes developing the casino business the city is most famous for today - but many myths have surrounded their activities - myths which columnist Smith dispels in an investigative history which tracked mobsters and their connections to the city's rich and monied.
Great book and great shipping time.......2006-02-17
I received this book almost right away. It's a very good summary of the people of Las Vegas written by someone who knows, John Smith.
Amazon.com
Billy Beane, general manager of MLB's Oakland A's and protagonist of Michael Lewis's Moneyball, had a problem: how to win in the Major Leagues with a budget that's smaller than that of nearly every other team. Conventional wisdom long held that big name, highly athletic hitters and young pitchers with rocket arms were the ticket to success. But Beane and his staff, buoyed by massive amounts of carefully interpreted statistical data, believed that wins could be had by more affordable methods such as hitters with high on-base percentage and pitchers who get lots of ground outs. Given this information and a tight budget, Beane defied tradition and his own scouting department to build winning teams of young affordable players and inexpensive castoff veterans.
Lewis was in the room with the A's top management as they spent the summer of 2002 adding and subtracting players and he provides outstanding play-by-play. In the June player draft, Beane acquired nearly every prospect he coveted (few of whom were coveted by other teams) and at the July trading deadline he engaged in a tense battle of nerves to acquire a lefty reliever. Besides being one of the most insider accounts ever written about baseball, Moneyball is populated with fascinating characters. We meet Jeremy Brown, an overweight college catcher who most teams project to be a 15th round draft pick (Beane takes him in the first). Sidearm pitcher Chad Bradford is plucked from the White Sox triple-A club to be a key set-up man and catcher Scott Hatteberg is rebuilt as a first baseman. But the most interesting character is Beane himself. A speedy athletic can't-miss prospect who somehow missed, Beane reinvents himself as a front-office guru, relying on players completely unlike, say, Billy Beane. Lewis, one of the top nonfiction writers of his era (Liar's Poker, The New New Thing), offers highly accessible explanations of baseball stats and his roadmap of Beane's economic approach makes Moneyball an appealing reading experience for business people and sports fans alike. --John Moe
Book Description
"One of the best baseball—and management—books out....Deserves a place in the Baseball Hall of Fame."—Forbes
Moneyball is a quest for the secret of success in baseball. Following the low-budget Oakland Athletics, their larger-than-life general manger, Billy Beane, and the strange brotherhood of amateur baseball enthusiasts, Michael Lewis has written not only "the single most influential baseball book ever" (Rob Neyer, Slate) but also what "may be the best book ever written on business" (Weekly Standard).
I wrote this book because I fell in love with a story. The story concerned a small group of undervalued professional baseball players and executives, many of whom had been rejected as unfit for the big leagues, who had turned themselves into one of the most successful franchises in Major League Baseball. But the idea for the book came well before I had good reason to write it—before I had a story to fall in love with. It began, really, with an innocent question: how did one of the poorest teams in baseball, the Oakland Athletics, win so many games?
With these words Michael Lewis launches us into the funniest, smartest, and most contrarian book since, well, since Liar's Poker. Moneyball is a quest for something as elusive as the Holy Grail, something that money apparently can't buy: the secret of success in baseball. The logical places to look would be the front offices of major league teams, and the dugouts, perhaps even in the minds of the players themselves. Lewis mines all these possibilities—his intimate and original portraits of big league ballplayers are alone worth the price of admission—but the real jackpot is a cache of numbers—numbers!—collected over the years by a strange brotherhood of amateur baseball enthusiasts: software engineers, statisticians, Wall Street analysts, lawyers and physics professors.
What these geek numbers show—no, prove—is that the traditional yardsticks of success for players and teams are fatally flawed. Even the box score misleads us by ignoring the crucial importance of the humble base-on-balls. This information has been around for years, and nobody inside Major League Baseball paid it any mind. And then came Billy Beane, General Manager of the Oakland Athletics.
Billy paid attention to those numbers —with the second lowest payroll in baseball at his disposal he had to—and this book records his astonishing experiment in finding and fielding a team that nobody else wanted. Moneyball is a roller coaster ride: before the 2002 season opens, Oakland must relinquish its three most prominent (and expensive) players, is written off by just about everyone, and then comes roaring back to challenge the American League record for consecutive wins.
In a narrative full of fabulous characters and brilliant excursions into the unexpected, Michael Lewis shows us how and why the new baseball knowledge works. He also sets up a sly and hilarious morality tale: Big Money, like Goliath, is always supposed to win...how can we not cheer for David?
Customer Reviews:
Thorough and prescient.......2007-10-25
Not much I can add that has not already been mentioned about this revolutionary book. It does get a tad repetitive and wordy in the economic theory portions, but the fact that pro baseball teams, their scouts, and other top brass utilize Lewis and Beane's theories prove this book has merit. Moneyball is an indictment of all the socialist baseball haters who think money wins baseball games. This is clearly proven false each year, starting with the Athletics nearly a decade ago.
Moneyball.......2007-10-16
If you love baseball and have any kind of appreciation for statistics, you'll love this book.
Moneyball as antidote to stupidity.......2007-10-05
Read Michael Lewis' Moneyball before the playoffs get too far along. As Lewis quotes someone in the book "Up till I was 14 years old, everything I learned about baseball came from broadcasters. And it was all b------t!" So before Joe Morgan et al start waxing eloquently about "manufacturing runs, etc." (which means abandoning the game that got you to the playoffs), you better immunize yourself with this book. It's simply the best baseball book ever.
Amazing Insight.......2007-10-03
Provides intriguing insight into the real skills that are required by a major leaguer and those coaching decisions that do and don't make sense.
A Must for Baseball Fans.......2007-09-28
Anyone who considers themselves a die-hard baseball fan must read this book.... but you knew that already.
Book Description
There are very few American coaching heroes better known than Coach K. The long-time head coach at Duke University is at the top of the class when it comes to those who believe in doing the right thing and who stress leadership, accountability, responsibility, and academics to his players. Now, in this powerful collection of essays, written with one of his daughters, Jamie K. Spatola, readers will discover this incredible leaders personal philosophy on winning, losing, and sportsmanship, as well as dozens of everyday lessons that apply to life on and off the court. On trust: There are four words that, when said, will bring out the best in your team, your employees, and your family. They are: I believe in you. On discipline: All leaders, whether they be coaches, CEOs, or parents, should be wary of relying too much on predefined rules.
Customer Reviews:
Real Leadership.......2007-04-10
Learn great leadership skills that apply in the business world, sports world, or anywhere else in life. This book makes a great gift.
Doug.......2007-04-10
Coach K is an awesome coach but an even better person. I encourage everyone to read his books.
Just what I expected.......2007-01-16
Coach K says a lot in a few pages. Everything I read applies to me or it also can apply and be enjoyed by my 13 year old son or 11 year old daughter. I appreciate Coach K and his daughter taking the time to share the insights contained in this book.
Real words; real meaning!.......2007-01-11
COACH k HAS AMPLIFIED THROUGH LIFE EXAQMPLES THE REAL MEANING OF WORDS THAT ARE TOO OFTEN USED CARELESSLY. HE GIVES "COURAGE" AND "LOYALTY" AND ALL OF THE OTHERS HE ADDRESSES IN HIS COMPACT BOOK REJUVENATED MEANING! i GAVE COPIES TO BOTH OF MY GROWN CHILDREN WHO, THEMSELVES ARE IN THE BUSINESS WORLD AND THEY LOVED IT
Great reading!.......2007-01-11
I purchased this book as a gift for my daughter. I started to skim thru it and could not put it down! My daughter loved the book so much she ordered one for her basketball coach as well. Great book on leadership and would highly recommend it to share with coworkers, family and friends.
Book Description
A private war is being waged on city playgrounds and in high school gyms in the never-ending search for the next big player, and the potential millions in sales that player could bring to the major athletic shoe companies by endorsing their products. For every legitimate spokesman like Michael Jordan and Kobe Bryant (the respective endorsers for Nike and Adidas) there are dozens of teenage kids all over North America who are lavished with brand new sneakers, expensive clothes, new athletic gear, or free trips in an attempt to gain their athletic shoe brand loyalty. And that's just where this sordid story begins.
Download Description
A private war is being waged on city playgrounds and in high school gyms in the never-ending search for the next big player--and the potential millions in sales that player could bring to the major athletic shoe companies by endorsing their products. Far from the glamour of the NBA or the NCAA Final Four, the sport has changed into a high-stakes war of greed and includes such tactics as expensive gifts, pampered perks, grade fixing, standardized-test fraud, and kickback recruitments. For every legitimate spokesman like Michael Jordan and Kobe Bryant (the respective endorsers for Nike and adidas) there are dozens of teenage kids all over America who are lavished with brand new sneakers, expensive clothes, new athletic gear, or free trips (parents included) in an attempt to gain their athletic shoe brand loyalty. And that's just where this sordid story begins.
Customer Reviews:
i dont like what they say about my friend myron piggie.......2003-11-13
Hi my name is quin and I live in Missouri. I dont like what they say about myron piggie. he is a good man. otherwise the book was pretty good. i recommend it for college basketball fans.
Interesting delve into amateur athletics ..........2003-04-27
However not always balanced, SOLE is a page turner for sports fans that enjoy the stories off the playing arena.
Wetzel and Yaeger provide interesting cases and a great work of journalism, however the line between reporting and storytelling is often blurred.
The best way to enjoy this book is to come away entertained, informed, but not disillusioned.
A Classic Hoops Book!!!.......2001-06-02
Buy this book. Love it.
A great look at how the big corporate money of the shoe industry has tainted high school level and college basketball, not to mention all of those who are involved in it.
A surprising aspect of the book is the names of villians who you would not believe; Billy Packer, Dickie V, George Raveling, and Roy Williams are a few who are found "guilty" of killing the game that I love.
This book will expose you to the negative underworkings of the great game of college basketball.
It explores the seamier side of sports........2001-02-24
I knew that high school and in some cases elementary school athletes in sports like basketball and football that are extremely gifted can get free perks, but I didn't think it would go as far as it did. The fact is there is a lot of fingerpointing at the athletes, but very little at the others involved in the game. Let's face it, no one would care about these sports if there wasn't a relatively high standard of quality players available. Everyone involved in the game makes money off the players, from the coaches,universities,athletic apparel companies,broadcasters, etcetera, you name it. It's about time that college athletes and high school athletes receive fair market value for the money they generate. The point is many schools would be probably be in a lot worse financial shape if it weren't for basketball and football. Yes, it exposes the greed behind the players, but it's human nature at work. I don't agree with the tactics employed by the agents and companies involved to get players, but I do understand the motivation for doing so. If they don't get these players, some other competing agent or company likely will get their services. It's no different than when univerisities engage in recruiting practices, and some of these universities can get put on probation for recruiting violations. All in all, this was a realistic look at what goes on in youth basketball. I enjoyed it, and would recommend it to anyone who wants to explore the dark side of amateur basketball. An excellent companion book to this would be the book Money Players, which looks at things from the NBA perspective.
Outrage, a complete lack of ethics..........2000-06-19
I've suspected for decades that the college recruiting process was (is), to a certain extent, corrupt.
To even the casual observer of college basketball, at the upper echelon of Division I, there is (has been) an uneven playing field. It's as if some colleges have had the top five picks in the annual draft for several years in a row.
On the surface the uneven playing field seems impossible to explain, but books like "Sole Influence" begin to shed light of the corruption that mars college basketball -- the search for the next Michael Jordan.
In a series of anecdotes, the authors provide case studies of how, especially, Nike and Addidas have made a mess of AAU basketball, especially in large urban centers.
It's difficult, almost impossible, to get first hand information, especially from big-name college coaches -- few go on the record. What "Sole Influence" reveals, seems to me, is the tip of the iceberg.
The most shocking revelations surround the role played by George Raveling, the former head coach at Washington State, Iowa and USC. Thankfully, Raveling made himself available to the authors and provides candid comments which, while attempting to rationalize his role in this sorry mess, tend to indict him as one of the prime offenders.
The book, although poorly edited, contains much food for thought and is worthy of reading and reflection by serious college basketball fans.
The authors include a good index, but omit footnotes and a bibliography of sources. Also, a complete list of names of persons interviewed for the book would have been appreciated. To the layman, many of these "characters" are complete strangers.
The authors have included capsule introductions to the book's key "characters," which are especially helpful for those of us unfamiliar with the shoe company corruption of AAU basketball.
I agree with those who've commented about the book's excessive repetition, as the authors do a thorough job of indicting the shoe companies.
The authors do provide some implied remedies for the problems they've documented. Whether these recommendations are feasible, given the hunger for dollars, is questionable and discouraging.
Again, this title is recommended for college basketball fans who care about the integrity of the game. The book makes me wonder to what extent college basketball has integrity.
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