Good if you already know the team
922602
If you are into European professional football, there's no way you could be unaware of the miracle that is the Barcelona team for the past 5 years or so.  This book is a fascinating glimpse into the people and the system behind that miracle.  The best parts are the mini-biographies of the key players and Pep Guardiola.  The historical power and money struggles of the team management are less interesting but informative.  The book is clearly written for the well-informed Barca follower who already know the team's style of play and its players.  The writing is a bit scattered and sometimes repetitive, but at its best it manages to vividly capture the behind-the-scenes feel and humanity of the best team in world football, and leaves you with a much better understanding of why they have been so successful.
4685265
Just finished this, as the Phillies were losing to the SF Giants in the 2010 playoffs, so bad timing.  This is an easy read and good addition to any Phillies fan library.

The book is split into several sections:
1. The good, bad, and ugly in Phillies history (as the title implies).  Several of these I was too young for like the 1964 collapse and the commentary and quotes around that collapse were great.
2. All time Phillies lineup.  Seems a bit weighted towards current Phillies, which he backs up with stats and data.  Pretty convincing, but I would have liked to have seen a bit more here (maybe several peoples views).  The all-time team is primarily from the two World Series teams (which kinda makes sense).
3. Lineup using above all time team.  This was well done as he had each manager set their lineup with reasoning.
4. Trades the made (both good and bad).  Good collection, but few notable left out like Von Hayes trade.

Good book, quick read, and most people will learn something or hear a new view.
2328581
This pub. was good before they dropped box scores .  Now w/o box scores, standings or schedules, its just a compilation of game summaries .  That would be acceptable if you were a "casual" fan but I thought this was specifically tailored
to the serious fan....guess not.  I"ll be back when the stat's return.
4329608
The Extra 2% boasts a few mangement gems that deliver on the subtitular "how..." story, but this book is really a very thorough history of the Tampa Bay Rays franchise, complete with MLB politics, the story behind the team's name and logo change, and comprehensive background on the who, how and why of draft picks and free agent acquisitions.

Like many of the business biography books that I have read, this one suffers a bit from a one-sided perspective: the team's founders were jerks and fools and the current crop of guys are savvy, fun and seem always to "get it." Its hard to argue with the results these last few years, but the bias is definitely ingrained in the narrative.

I am surprised how little "Wall Street" there actually was in the book...getting "value" for player acquisitions is not exactly rocket science; and, the Rays are not the first team to realize that in some towns a ball club has to spend money to make money - indeed, minor leagues have done it for decades. The reason I was so surprised is that I wouldn't think anything "Wall Street" necessarily sells these days, and I'm not sure a lot of people are beating down the door to learn their "strategies."

In any case, as a business book, I think the value here is in short supply...like five-tool players deep in the draft.
3701297
I knew nothing about field hickey and my daughter joined a team
there is actually a lot more too it than is apparent.
this is a nice straightforward book that describes the sport in enough detail to be of value to me.
Dont pay more than a few bucks for it though
3001879
This is They Might Be Giants fifth album, and it's their first album performing with a full band.  The extra musicians definitely produce a "fuller" sound than their previous records.  But the album is one of the less popular ones in They Might Be Giants catalogue.  I guess some people just don't care much for the songs on it, although I personally like most of them.  The fact of the matter is, only one song from this album ("Meet&nbsp;<a data-hook="product-link-linked" class="a-link-normal" href="/James-Ensor/dp/377571703X/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8">James Ensor</a>") made it onto TMBG's&nbsp;<a data-hook="product-link-linked" class="a-link-normal" href="/greatest-hits-album/dp/B0007XT8DA/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8">"greatest hits" album</a>.  I guess it's true that some of the songs aren't among the group's most memorable, but as an overall album, it holds together rather well.
968756
You need to know this is a collection of interviews so its first hand perspectives of their story. You have to be a serious fan to get into this.
2810904
I especially like the perspective of changing the team from within by starting with yourself. While I didn't find it ground breaking, I would still recommend this book for anyone interested in team dynamics or wanting to learn techniques for changing dysfunctional teams.
4565219
My son and I wanted more teams for our table hockey, so we could have a playoff style tournament.
The stiga Colorado Avalanche NHL table top hockey team pack that we ordered was delivered in a timely maner.
The players fit and finish was similar to the original players that came with the game, I would have liked a little more attention to detail, such as different numbers on the players, just a little more detail in general would be significant.
 The players fit was acceptable, most went on their post well, but one needed a help, I just trimmed a little material from the hole and the rookie was in his first game.
<a data-hook="product-link-linked" class="a-link-normal" href="/Stiga-Boston-Bruins-NHL-Table-Top-Hockey-Team-Pack/dp/B001MZ3B8K/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8">Stiga Boston Bruins NHL Table Top Hockey Team Pack</a><a data-hook="product-link-linked" class="a-link-normal" href="/Stiga-Play-Off-Table-Top-Hockey-Game/dp/B004ADDUS2/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8">Stiga Play Off Table Top Hockey Game</a><a data-hook="product-link-linked" class="a-link-normal" href="/Stiga-Colorado-Avalanche-Table-Rod-Hockey-Players/dp/B0048HW0WC/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8">Stiga Colorado Avalanche Table Rod Hockey Players</a>
2887458
This would make a nice gift for a Yankees fan.  It has a lot of information about the team in it.
1502441
This is a nice book for the casual spectator. I've always enjoyed watching hockey, but haven't necessarily understood what's going on all the time. This book explains things very simply and will allow you to understand what's going on in even the fastest paced games. If you're looking for something to actually be able to PLAY hockey, this probably isn't the best choice. There are other more detailed guides focused on playing that will better suit your needs. For a new fan, parent of a hockey player, or casual fan, this is an excellent guide.
2653603
Another quality cd from the band.  If you have never heard them before be sure to preview the music before you spend your cash.  Not everyone likes these guys.  But those of us who do are big fans.
496263
It is a useful collection of suggestions for beginner players. It might not be as helpful for more experience players who are used to playing the beautiful game
2526621
Good if you're new to the game. If you are familiar with how to play the game then it's pretty unnecessary. It has a lot of information but none that I couldn't live without.
3572448
If you are a fan, this is a great read.  If you are not a fan, but just interested in the game, it is still a great read.  What I find most amusing are the baseball "experts" who poo-poo Billy Bean's approach to fielding and running a baseball team.  "The proof of the pudding is in the eatin'" and the cognocenti appear to dislike the taste.  The Oakland A's have been one of the stellar teams, yet, it appears that success is not what is important.  What is important is success based on the recipe that the "experts" write.
3693664
Cool glass- but not a fan of the team. Would be 5
stars if it was a better team
107619
Take a look at the cover of this book. Note the Stanley Cup surrounded by a bunch of happy members of the Toronto Maple Leafs.

Your first reaction might be, "This is a really old picture."

Indeed. The Leafs haven't won the Stanley Cup since 1967. It's been quite a stretch then, and David Shoalts has captured many of the laughs and the stories of the team's history in "Tales from the Toronto Maple Leafs."

Here Shoalts finds some people with long connections to the Maple Leafs, turns on the tape recorder, and lets them tell stories. The list starts with Bob Haggert, a trainer with a relationship with the team that started more than 50 years ago.

From there we hear from defenseman Jim McKenny, front office worker Bob Stellick, announcers Joe Bowen and Bill Watters, and players Bob McGill and Glenn Healy. The first chapter is devoted to stories from a variety of sources of Shoalts. It includes an uncensored postgame "speech" from former coach John Brophy that hasn't seen print before. Indeed, some of these stories are definitely for the adult fans in the household.

Sure there are laughs and insightful anecdotes told here. But there's something of an underlying theme here at times. The Leafs haven't been too good for the most part in those last 45 years, and usually there are reasons for that level of corporate competence. Some of the ownership stories here are the most telling.

The book checks in at 168 pages, so you can plow through it in no time. Practically any hockey fan would enjoy picking up "Tales from the Toronto Maple Leafs." However, as you'd expect, Leafs' fans will really love it.