Review of "Into Thin Air"

While this book has been in publication for 16 years, it is still a haunting account of an expedition to the top of Mount Everest. That it is told in first person by a survivor of the climb is even better. As I consider mountain climbing to be a sport, I wanted to post my review of this excellent book here. This is my review of "Into Thin Air." 

Title/Author:

“Into Thin Air” by Jon Krakauer, narrated by author

Tags:

Mountain climbing, non-fiction, history

Publish date:

November 12, 1998

Length:

293 pages

Rating: 

5 of 5 stars (outstanding)

Review:

In the spring of 1996, journalist Jon Krakauer volunteered to embark on an expedition to climb Mount Everest with a guided group to learn first-hand what these groups are like.  The mountain climbing community believed that the expedition to the peak was becoming too commercialized and that a trip to the top of the mountain could be bought by any climber regardless of ability. Krakauer was to write an article for Outside magazine on this topic and this would give him that experience.

The trip became deadly as not only members of his group perished, including the leader Rob Hall.  Scott Fisher lead another group who also had members perish on this climb and the first person narrative from Krakauer of this disaster is a gripping account that pulls no punches on opinions, speculation on what went wrong, and also what could have been done differently.

When reading or listening to the book, the reader will be immediately sucked into the dangers that the climbers, guides and helpers (also known as sherpas) must endure during each phase of the expedition.  Even the time spent in Himalayan lodging while waiting to begin the actual climb will make one stop and wonder why someone wants to take on such an apparently unpleasant task.  Because Krakauer is a seasoned climber himself, the explanation of the many reasons why someone would do this is given more credence.

While there are some passages that may not be clear to people with no experience in the sport, it is explained in easy to understand language so that it does not detract from the story.  I also believe that because I listened to the audio book, it was even more compelling than reading because the inflection in Krakauer’s voice while recalling the events added to the drama even more.

This book is more than a sports book – it is a reflection of the human drive and spirit, it is a tragedy and it is also an example of what a survivor of any disaster goes through with the remorse and guilt that he or she survived while others perished.  This book covers all of that and more.  An excellent read for anyone, no matter what interests him or her.

Did I skim?

No

Pace of the book: 

For the most part, it moves along very well.  Not being a climber, I was a little lost when it got too technical, but that was minor and these were explained in a manner that helped explain the gear or terminology for readers like me with no experience.

Do I recommend? 

Anyone who likes a true account of any type of adventure, whether it results in tragedy or not, will want to read or listen to this book. 

Book Format Read:

Audiobook

Buying links:

http://www.amazon.com/Into-Thin-Air-Personal-Disaster/dp/0739343793/ref=tmm_abk_title_0?ie=UTF8&qid=1418865784&sr=1-1

http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/into-thin-air-jon-krakauer/1103277505?ean=9780385494786

Review of "Among the Giants"

When I recieved an email from the publisher of this book, I was intrigued - a "giant" in the basketball world that wasn't a well known coach or professional all-star?   It is a very good book for teens and young adults with a message that is familiar but told in a unique manner.  Here is my review of "Among the Giants." 

Title/Author:

“Among the Giants: How One Underdog Pursued His Dream and You Can Too” by Jesse LeBeau

Tags:

Basketball, young adult, goals

Publish date:

October 23, 2014

Length:

254 pages

Rating: 

4 of 5 stars (very good)

Review:

Jesse LeBeau did not grow up in an area where basketball was an important part of the culture.  As an undersized kid in Alaska, he realized that if he was going to be able to pursue his dreams for success in the sport, he had to work hard and make sacrifices.  While he didn’t become a star in the NBA, LeBeau has had success with the game by playing charitable games and shooting commercials with professional stars like Allen Iverson and Kevin Durant.  He doesn’t take his success for granted and wanted to share the message of what it takes to succeed in this book.

The format of the book is like a basketball game, divided into four quarters, two overtime periods, the locker room and “post-game training.”  A total of 28 lessons, on everything from the right attitude to setting goals and always giving your best effort, are told in short chapters that are easy to read and follow.  LeBeau tells them in a manner that the reader will be able to feel his emotions, which are mostly joy, and will want to apply them to his or her endeavors.

There are also plenty of stories of Jesse’s interactions with famous people.  These are not just with basketball players, but other celebrities such as Heidi Klum and Dr. Dre.  Just like with the chapters on which LeBeau is advising the readers of life’s lessons, Jesse tells these stories with enthusiasm and joy.  Here the reader can feel the little kid in LeBeau as he shares these anecdotes – which have valuable lessons as well.

While this book is geared for young people, older adults will enjoy it as well.  Many of the traits and lessons can be applied in a grown-up world as well.  It was fun and entertaining to read as well and there are even some good basketball stories thrown in, especially the charity game that Jesse played with Iverson. 

Whether the reader wants to get some advice on what to do for a successful future, a parent wants to find out how to talk to his or her children about it or even just for a fun read, this book will do the trick. 

I wish to thank Mr. LeBeau and Familius for providing a copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

Did I skim?

No

Do I recommend? 

Absolutely – great message for teenagers and young adults presented in a way that they will enjoy reading. 

Book Format Read:

Ebook (Nook using the Google Play Books app)

Book site (for more information)

http://www.familius.com/among-the-giants

Other Buying links:

http://www.amazon.com/Among-Giants-Underdog-Pursued-Dreams-ebook/dp/B00OVAKH4O/ref=sr_1_2?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1418177022&sr=1-2&keywords=among+giants

http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/among-the-giants-jesse-lebeau/1118175344?ean=9781939629326

Review of "Endgame"

While reading multiple books at one time can be fun and challenging, it does take some time to get everything in your mind organized.   With that thought, what better book can be reviewed than one on the greatest chess mind in our lifetime?   This is a review of a biography on Bobby Fischer. 

Title/Author:

“Endgame: Bobby Fischer’s Remarkable Rise and Fall – from America’s Brightest Prodigy to the Edge of Madness” by Frank Brady

Tags:

Chess, biography, non-fiction, history, Fischer, Spassky, Cold War

Published:

February 1, 2011

Length:

465 pages

Rating: 

4 of 5 stars (very good)

Review:

No other chess match or game has captured the world’s attention more than the 1972 World Championship match between challenger Bobby Fischer of the United States and champion Boris Spassky of the Soviet Union.  After winning this match, Fischer became a huge celebrity and this extra attention also showed the world the other side of the man.  His life both before and after this event is covered in this biography written by Frank Brady.

It illustrates a young man who was raised along with his sister by a single mother who was chasing dreams of her own.  He would spend a lot of his free time at chess clubs or in the library learning as much of the game as he could and using a small chess set to simulate the games.  Fischer’s ability to memorize and analyze thousands of games and game situations is well documented and helped him on the way to the championship.

What is also well documented and described is Fischer’s personality, which shows some bizarre characteristics as well.  He would often make outrageous demands for business deals or for conditions before he would participate in matches.   Most of the time, these demands were eventually met, but it showed his lack of negotiating skills, taking the “my way or the highway” approach.

It is also well-known that Fischer would engage in behavior or outbursts that were paranoid, anti-Semitic, or otherwise far from ordinary.   These eventually caught up to Fischer and led him to isolationism, eventually landing him in Iceland where he settled after a nomadic life that had to end because he wore out his welcome in most nations.  It is also important to note that he was facing tax evasion charges in the United States.   His family was also regularly investigated by the FBI because of their connections with Russia – his mother for her studies and Fischer for his interest because chess was highly regarded there.  

All of these are combined together to make a very intriguing and entertaining biography of a brilliant but troubled man.   There is chess talk in the book as well, but not too far in depth. Therefore, a non-chess buff will enjoy this book as well as an enthusiastic player or fan.

Did I skim?

No

Did I learn something new?

Yes.   Most of what I learned that was new was about his relationships with his mother and sister, as those were reported in the media as strained.   While unusual, the book portrayed these relationships as loving, not estranged as was often reported.  The regret that Fischer shows when he cannot attend his mother’s funeral or face arrest in the United States is a good example of this.

Pace of the book: 

Very good.  It doesn’t drag too slowly and the sections on Fischer’s important chess matches make you feel you are there in the chair next to him.

Positives:

Outstanding research is evident in this book as many minute details of Fischer’s famous rants and demands from tournament officials are shared.   The author was able to glean many minute and obscure details that made this very rich and vivid for the reader.

Negatives:

I would have liked to see more in-depth writing about the actual chess games in some of the matches.  An example is during the second match with Spassky, many games toward the end ended in a draw as Fischer wrapped up the match early.   Yes, these games may not have been key in deciding the outcome, but more than a simple sentence saying they ended in a draw would have been better.

Do I recommend? 

Yes.  Even if the reader is not interested in chess, Fischer’s biography is a very interesting tale and any reader who likes good biographies will enjoy this book.

Book Format Read:

EBook (Kindle)

 

Buying Links:

http://www.amazon.com/Endgame-Fischers-Remarkable-Americas-Brightest/dp/0307463915/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1373799028&sr=1-1

http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/endgame-frank-brady/1100054183?ean=9780307463913

Review of "The Boys in the Boat"

This book is about the "other" American Olympic champions in 1936, nine young men from the University of Washington who rowed their way into history.

Title/Author:

“The Boys in the Boat: Nine Americans and Their Epic Quest for Gold at the 1936 Berlin Olympics” by Daniel James Brown.

Genre:

Rowing, Crew, Olympics, Non-fiction, historical

Published:

June 4, 2012

Length:

416 pages

Rating: 

5 of 5 stars (outstanding)

Review:

The 1936 Olympics may be best remembered for Jesse Owens winning gold medals, by nine young men from the University of Washington rowing team also had their moment of Olympic history at those games as well.  Their story, from the time they were a rag-tag bunch of college freshmen to a polished team representing America in Nazi Germany, is well-documented in this outstanding book by Daniel James Brown. 

The book is driven by personal stories, especially that of Joe Rentz, a young boy whose father and stepmother abandoned him and his siblings during the Great Depression.  Left to fend on his own, Joe was able to keep the family alive and also find a way to the University of Washington, where he was part of a seemingly rag-tag bunch of young men thrown together to form the freshman rowing crew.

These young men became a team through hard work, camaraderie, excellent coaching, and a lot of perseverance.  The research on this team – everything from the results to the coaches to the lives of the young men – is outstanding.   Much of the knowledge came from accounts provided by either the team members or their surviving family members.   Painstaking detail is written for some of these stories, such as the courtship of Joe and his future wife Joyce, the conditions the team endured in Poughkeepsie during the regatta championships (Washington became the first school to sweep the three events – varsity, junior varsity and freshman), and the experiences they each shared during their time in Berlin at the Olympics.

The events of the time shaped how this team would be viewed at the Olympics, and the author does a good job of writing about the history of that time without getting too deep.  The references made to the rise of the Nazis, the Dust Bowl gripping the country and the effects of the Great Depression all are important to the story but do not take away from the central theme – namely the nine young men from the University of Washington rowing team.

Every aspect of the book is well researched, well written and told in the proper amount of detail.  This was an inspiring tale and a book that kept my interest from beginning to end.  An outstanding read that anyone will enjoy.

Did I skim?

No

 

Did I learn something new?

Yes.  Having no knowledge of rowing, the history of the sport or any of the strategy involved, I found the passages on the actual races undertaken by the Washington crew, whether in their hometown of Seattle, the regattas at Poughkeepsie or the Olympics, the manner in which these races and the strategy involved made me feel like I could coach these men.

Pace of the book: 

Excellent.  It moves between the sport, the personal stories and the current events of the time smoothly.  Each time there is a change, it is for the good of the book so the reader can catch up on that aspect.

Positives:

Just about everything – the research, the writing, the sport and the personal stories, especially that of Joe Rantz.  Even mundane items such as how the team traveled to first Poughkeepsie and then to Berlin for the Olympics was made interesting by the style of the author’s writing. 

Negatives:

No major problems – well edited, researched and written

 Do I recommend? 

Yes.  Just about anyone will enjoy reading this book – whether for the sports, the history or the personal stories.  Even fans of romance will be touched by the story of Joe and his lady Joyce.

Book Format Read:

EBook (Netgalley)

 Buying Links:

http://www.amazon.com/The-Boys-Boat-Americans-ebook/dp/B00AEBETU2/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1373237870&sr=1-1

http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-boys-in-the-boat-daniel-james-brown/1114985036?ean=9780670025817

Review of "How's That! A Layman's Guide to Cricket"

Thought I would try to add a little variety as one goal of this blog is to cover a wide variety of sports and the books written on them.   Here is a review of a book that introduces the reader to cricket.

Title/Author:

“How’s That! A Layman’s Guide to Cricket” by Tony Whelpton.

Genre:

Cricket, instruction, introduction, non-fiction

Published:

December 21, 2012 (second edition).  Originally published 1998

Length:

71 pages

Rating: 

2 ½ of 5 stars (okay)

Review:

Written for those who have little or no knowledge of the game of cricket, “How’s That!” introduces the reader to the terminology, field layout, basic roles for players and an explanation of the scoring in the game.   Cricket is not a game that can be easily explained to the person who has never seen it before, and the author makes an admirable effort to do so here.  

The biggest problem I had reading the book was the complexity of the game itself.  By trying to keep it as simple as possible, there was a lot of information that felt incomplete.  Trying to explain how a team scores its runs was an example.   While reading the concept of the runs, and introducing the second batter into the explanation, I found myself reading certain sections over and over just to be sure I understood the author’s explanation of the game.  Admittedly, I still had some troubles understanding some of the lingo, such as breaking the wicket, even after rereading the appropriate passages. 

As an American, I can appreciate the attempt by the author to do this.  I have similar issues when trying to explain the similar game of baseball to someone who has never seen the game before.  That can be met with frustration on both the part of the person learning the game and the one teaching the game.  I got that same feeling while reading this book.  I know the author was doing his best to keep it simple, but after I finished the book, I don’t believe I understand the game much more than I did before.   The terminology and glossary of the game was covered well and I did learn a lot there.   I was hoping to learn more about the game than I did, and for that, I felt the book fell short of that goal.  

Did I skim?

No

Did I learn something new?

Yes.  Many things, mainly the basic rules and terminology for cricket.   I didn’t get a good feel for the game having not watched it or played it while reading this.  

Pace of the book: 

Good for the most part.  I found that I needed to go back and refer to other terms that were already mentioned because now in the new context, I had to go back and reread that passage.

Positives:

The book is written in simple language, easy to understand and does not delve too deeply into the nuances of the game.  For a beginner or non-fan, this is a good format.

Negatives:

There were numerous typing and grammatical errors throughout the book, even allowing for a “language” barrier with the author British and the reviewer American.   The diagrams of the field, the wickets and the position of the bowler, batter, and fielders were far too small in the ebook edition to be helpful while reading. 

Do I recommend? 

Only for those who just need to gain a basic understanding of the object and terms used in cricket.  If a more detailed book on the strategy and intricacies of the game is wanted, this is not the book to buy.

Book Format Read:

Ebook (Kindle)

Author Media Links:

www.tony-whelpton.co.uk .

Buying Links:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00ARYAZPE/ref=cm_cr_mts_prod_img

Review of Hank Greenberg: The Hero of Heroes

For the 4th of July, it is only appropriate to celebrate America's birthday with a review of a biography of one of the all time greats of America's Pastime. 
 

Title/Author:

“Hank Greenberg: The Hero of Heroes” by John Rosengren

Genre:

Baseball, non-fiction, biography, Tigers, Pirates, Indians

Published:

May 2013

Length:

400 pages

Rating:

4 ½ of 5 stars (Excellent)

Review:

Before Jackie Robinson broke the color barrier in Major League Baseball, another player had to endure taunts from ignorant players and fans as well as wonder what would become of his people as he played the game during a tense time in world history.   Hank Greenberg was a New York kid who became a star first baseman for the Detroit Tigers.  Born of Jewish descent, Greenberg’s best years on the field coincided with the rise of Hitler in Europe and his plan to wipe out the Jews.  Author John Rosengren writes a wonderful biography with the emphasis on this time in Greenberg’s life that is filled with much success as well as trouble. 

The book covers events in the world at the time as skillfully as it does Greenberg’s baseball career which included many records, including becoming the first player in baseball history to win the Most Valuable Player award twice in different positions.   Greenberg also lost time to military service – nearly four years – and this part of his life, as well as his comeback is well documented.  The book wraps up with Greenberg’s career in the front office of the Pittsburgh Pirates and Cleveland Indians, his subsequent divorce and remarriage and his later years when the Tigers gave him a long overdue day of honor.

While these topics are well researched and documented, the book is also a very good source of information on some of the hot-button topics in baseball of that era.  Race relations in baseball were mentioned, including Greenberg’s interactions with Robinson as they both felt the heat of being a “minority” in a game with mostly white Christian males as players.   Salaries and negotiations with players are frequently covered as the yearly negotiations Greenberg had with the Tigers always seemed to show his petulant side, yet there was always an agreement reached.  It was especially ironic when Greenberg was later a general manager and would employ the same negotiating tactics with his players that infuriated him during his playing days.

This book is a thorough and enjoyable read on the life of one of baseball’s greatest players.  Fans of all generations of baseball should read this book to gain insight into not only one of the best players but also into the events and mindset of that time.   Excellent book. 

Did I skim?

No

Did I learn something new?

Yes.  Many things, but what struck me the most was how much of a hero Greenberg was considered for Jewish people all across the country.   I was also fascinated with his seemingly petulant behavior every year when he negotiated his contract.  Considering this was during the time of the reserve clause and no agents, it was understandable, as it was usually the only leverage a player had during negotiations.   But it was still surprising to me as it seemed to be the complete opposite of the persona that was portrayed.

Pace of the book: 

Excellent – the narrative never was bogged down with unimportant information or overloaded the reader.

Do I recommend? 

Yes.  For any baseball fan or historian, this is a complete and entertaining account of Greenberg’s life and baseball career.

Book Format Read:

Hardcover

Author Media Links:

http://www.amazon.com/John-Rosengren/e/B001JS36DU/ref=ntt_athr_dp_pel_pop_1

Buying Links:

http://www.amazon.com/Hank-Greenberg-Heroes-John-Rosengren/dp/0451235762/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1372897555&sr=1-1&keywords=greenberg+hero

http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/hank-greenberg-john-rosengren/1113067064?ean=9780451235763

Review of "Hit Man: The Thomas Hearns Story"

Title/Author:

“Hit Man: The Thomas Hearns Story” by Damian Hughes and Brian Hughes

Genre:

Non-fiction, boxing, biography, championship

Published:

May 4, 2011

Length:

272 pages (Paperback)

Rating:

4 of 5 stars (very good)

Review

Thomas (Tommy) Hearns was considered one of the most ferocious punchers during the heyday of great welterweight fighters in the 1980’s.   This biography of his life and his career, which focuses more heavily on the “career” portion, is detailed and well researched.   Some of his more epic fights are described in rich detail.

One of those which I thoroughly enjoyed, both as a fan of Hearns during his career and as a reader of this book, is the epic 1985 fight with Marvelous Marvin Hagler that was billed as simply “The War.”   While it lasted only eight minutes with Hagler knocking out Hearns, it is still remembered as “the most electrifying eight minutes of mayhem ever seen in a ring.”   Both men were punching with fearless abandon and no thoughts of defense.  Hagler landed the knockout blow despite having his vision seriously impaired by the blood flowing from his cuts.   Hearns was impaired by his opponent’s power and will, but it was the fight that defined his legacy, even more than his accomplishment of winning the championship in five different weight classes.

 
While this was the fight with the most description and is the best remembered fight in Hearns’ career, the other major fights, including all of those which resulted in a new championship, are documented well in this book.   Hearns’ drive for fighting certain opponents such as Sugar Ray Leonard and Hagler is a constant source of motivation.   The relationship between the boxer and his trainer/promoter, which was an on/off/on love affair, is also well written with viewpoints from both men’s point of view. 

Overall, this was a very good book and should be read by anyone who enjoyed boxing’s golden years of the 1980’s or is a fan of the boxer.

 

Did I skim?

No, with one exception.   In the chapter describing Hearns’s 1983 bout against Roberto Duran, much of the information the Hughes brothers cited came from Christian Guidance’s biography on Duran, which I had previously read.   Therefore, I skimmed that part until the recap of the actual fight started.

Did I learn something new?

A few things I already knew were explained in more detail than I already knew such as Hearns’s falling out with his longtime trainer Emmanuel Steward.   This and other aspects of Hearns’s life and career are told in good detail.

One very interesting fact that I did not know is that Hearns wanted to be known as the “Motor City Cobra” instead of “Hit Man”, because he was sensitive about the latter tag when Detroit had the highest murder rate in the United States.

Pace of the book:

Good for the most part.  I did feel it dragged at times with the stories of Steward and Kronk gym, and also at times I felt that some of the important bouts in Hearns’s career were skimmed too quickly.

 Positives:

 

The research was well-done for the most part and the reader is in for a treat if he or she was a fan of Tommy Hearns.   His psyche and his will to battle in the ring, no matter how badly his hand was hurting, were legendary and this book illustrates that desire.   I also appreciated how the book focused more on his boxing career and did not delve too deeply into the other aspects of his life.   Many people do like that in biographies, but I always prefer to read more about the career of an athlete and this book did that.

 
Negatives:

There were some editing errors for both punctuation and grammar in the ebook version.   Also, another reviewer at Amazon.com pointed out an error in the date and TV network of a fight early in Hearns’ career.   Upon researching this claim, it was noted that the reviewer was correct.   This error, along with the editing, was the only major problems with this book.   They are not a reason to avoid the book, nor were they grave enough to keep me from enjoying it.

Do I recommend?

Yes, for fans of Tommy Hearns or boxing, especially during the 1980’s.     

Book Format Read:

Ebook (Kindle)

Author links:

www.brianhughesbooks.bravehost.com (Brian Hughes)
www.liquidthinker.com (Damian Hughes)

 

Buying Links:

http://www.amazon.com/Hit-Man-Thomas-Hearns-ebook/dp/B004ZGWBQ6/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1370900825&sr=1-1&keywords=thomas+hearns

Review of “Boycott: Stolen Dreams of the 1980 Moscow Olympic Games”

A great book on an often-forgotten piece of US Olympic history

Title/Author:

“Boycott: Stolen Dreams of the 1980 Moscow Olympic Games” by Jerry Caracciloi and Tom Caracciloi

Genre:

Non-fiction, Summer Olympics, History, Politics, Boycott

Published:

May 1, 2008

Length:

272 pages (Hardcover)

Rating:

5 of 5 stars (Outstanding)

Review

A dark chapter in the history of the Summer Olympic Games is remembered in this outstanding book that is one part politics, two parts stories from the athletes who did not get the chance to complete against fellow athletes from other countries and a dash of opinion about the United States-led boycott of the 1980 Summer Olympics held in Moscow.

For those who may not know or remember this, the Soviet Union invaded Afghanistan in late 1979 during the height of the Cold War.   President Jimmy Carter responded with various actions such as cutting off trade with the USSR and other diplomatic measures.  In addition, he also requested that the United States Olympic Committee not send athletes to compete in the upcoming Summer Olympics to be held in Moscow.  They did just that and 1980 became the only year in which the United States failed to send athletes to the Summer Olympics.

The book interviews 30 athletes of various sports who made the Olympic teams in their sports and tells their stories. The athletes came from various places and backgrounds and the stories reflect the variation. Some are still bitter 30 years after the boycott that they were denied the chance to compete over circumstances they could not control.  Some backed the boycott fully and understood why it was done.  Some addressed it with indifference.  The stories also included their lives after their experiences with the Olympic team.  .

What I really liked about these stories is that many different sports were represented and not all the athletes were the stars in their games.   There was a gymnast who was 13 years old who was not considered ready for international competition yet won a spot on the team.  There were two basketball players who were not upset with the decision because for them, the Games were merely a stepping stone on the way to the NBA.  (Note:  one of these players, Isaiah Thomas, went on to become one of the best point guards in NBA history).  There was a wrestler who was very bitter and outspoken about the boycott.   These all made for great reading.

A chronological timeline of the decision to boycott the Games was included, starting with the invasion and ending with the opening ceremonies in which the United States and 57 other nations were absent.   Some of the nations who decided to participate still protested the invasion in other ways, such as carrying the Olympic flag in the opening ceremony instead of their national flag.  This helped the reader not only understand why the boycott was demanded by the President, it also illustrated the actions taken by the Olympic Committee and other organizations leading up to the historic vote for the boycott.

Overall, the book is an outstanding work of research, interviews, writing and recollection.   Anyone who enjoys the Olympic Games, reading about political maneuvering to get an action done, or good yarns from years past will enjoy this book.

Did I skim?

I did not fully read and digest the lists included, such as the complete results of the Games after they took place.   I did fully read each athlete’s story and the political chapters. 

Did I learn something new?

Yes, many things.  There are too many to list here since most of the athletes were not known outside of the sport in which they competed.  Also, the chapter on the build-up and politics of the Soviet Union’s invasion into Afghanistan was revealing.  Finally, a little known fact was revealed that was never told during that year.   A ceremony was held at the White House about a month before the Games to honor the US Olympic athletes.  A medal was given to each one of them, but many felt it was just a token to try to make them feel better.   Later on, it was revealed that this was the Congressional Medal that is the highest honor given to non-military citizens.   Why that was not told to the athletes or the press was never fully explained. 

Pace of the book:

Excellent.  With the format of beginning each chapter on the political actions taking place, then the stories of two athletes before the next chapter, it was the perfect mix of stories and research.

Positives:

There were a lot.  I loved everything about this book.  The stories, research, history, politics – everything was researched and written well.

Negatives:

I did not believe any part of this book was less than excellent.  The closest that could be considered a negative is that in some of the writings on the politics, the authors did let their opinions be known at times.  Some readers may not appreciate that, but I felt it helped strengthen the writing. 

Do I recommend?

YES!  Read this book if you like sports, politics or history. 

Book Format Read:

Ebook (Nook)

Buying Links:

http://www.amazon.com/Boycott-Stolen-Dreams-Olympic-ebook/dp/B00440D9BE/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1370310051&sr=1-1

 

http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/boycott-jerry-caraccioli/1100309336?ean=9780942257403

Review of "Moron"

Anyone who has been involved in youth sports, whether as a player, coach, parent or official will want to check out this book on one man's drive to ban body checking in minor (youth) hockey in the city of Calgary, Alberta.

 

Title/Author:

“Moron: The Behind the Scenes Story of Minor Hockey” by Todd Millar

Genre:

Non-fiction, Ice hockey, youth sports, policies, safety

Published:

April 15, 2013

Length:

186 pages (paperback)

Rating:

3 of 5 stars (Okay)

Review:

When an official of Hockey Calgary published a blog post that used the word “moron” 17 times, it brought light to a controversial topic that had not gained much traction.   In order to protect young hockey players in minor hockey (Canada’s term for what would be called youth hockey in the United States), a proposal to eliminate body checking was defeated.   Todd Millar took the opponents of the proposed rule change to task and published the infamous blog post.  

The book is a call to correct this situation as Millar uses statistics, anecdotes and instances of rule infractions to make his point of how the game would be safer and more fun for everyone involved – players, coaches, parents and officials.   While the book has its moments, good research and a theme that is hard to argue with, it comes across as overbearing at times.   Anyone who had played in youth sports, been the parent of a player in these games, or has been a referee or umpire can share similar stories.  The book makes a great point and presents a worthy case – but in the manner of a sledgehammer driving it into the reader’s head.   That was the main drawback I had with the book, and why I lowered my rating to three stars.  The anecdotes were great, the research good and the cause worthy.  Those alone should be powerful enough to make the case.

 

Did I skim? 

I did skip some sections that were repeats of the same points made in earlier chapters.

 

Pace of the book:

At times, I felt it was slow and repetitive.  Otherwise, it moved along fine.

 

Positives:
The passion that Millar has for this issue is evident and he has performed extensive research to illustrate the dangers of body checking in minor hockey.  He uses his own Hockey Calgary experiences to illustrate his points as well as the research.  He also is a great story teller.  One that I particularly enjoyed was his story about a father who was climbing over the glass so he could scream his displeasure about an official’s call.  The referees in these games are not much older than the players, so they are impressionable as well, and Millar reminds the reader of this as well.

Negatives: 

Two big ones curbed my enjoyment of the book.  One, while I commend Mr. Millar for his passion to this cause and his tireless effort to get the rules changed, the message came across as preachy.  I felt like it was either “Do it my way or, of course, you are a ‘moron.’”   Two, while the title word is important in the context of the book, I felt it was used far too often.  Yes, we got the message of who are the “morons” and who was wearing the “moron helmet.” 

 

Do I recommend?
Only for those people who are associated with youth sports in some way, such as parents, coaches or officials. 

 

Book Format Read:

ebook

 

Author Media Links:

www.toddmillarspeaking.com/hockey

www.toddmillarspeaking.com/blog

 

Buying links (free as of the posting of this review on May 31, 2013)

http://www.amazon.com/Moron-Behind-Scenes-Hockey-ebook/dp/B00CFAZ68E/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1369865889&sr=1-1&keywords=moron