Dez Burke is on point with what reader are looking ...
919750
Dez Burke is on point with what reader are looking for. Strong sex men who know how to take the women they desire. Add in suspense and and adventure and you will be hooked. I can't stop reading her books!!!! I can't wait for Toby and so hope she does Erik!!!!
3386494
You never quite know how good a "dummies" or "Idiots" guide will be until you dig in.  Like the nursery rhyme, some are too much, some are too little, and a few are just right.  Put this book in the latter category.

Covering items as varied as the 4-3 Over defensive line alignment and tailgating foods, Theismann and Tarcy entertain and inform in such a way that even fans that are somewhat knowledgable about the game will likely enjoy the book.  Written with the casual fan in mind, this book may be a bit "too much" for the complete novice, and certainly an expert in teh game will not gain a whole lot here.  However, if you are a casual fan, or even a bit beyond that and looking for more insights into a fascinating game that has captivated America - this is a good book to read.
1162337
This is another one of author Terry Pluto's books that is on point.  It is written with the knowledge that the author has of local sports.  He has his finger on the pulse of Northeast Ohio sports fans.  His viewpoint and analysis is on target.  A great read.  GO BROWNS!
4225310
This book is a collection of semi-autobiographies of many of the most famous NFL football players of the 1920s, 30s, and 40s when the league was just getting started and fighting for its spot in the sun. Each chapter centered around one player such as Sammy Baugh, Sid Luckman and host of other legendary players still alive to write their story. Its an insightful look of the "good old days" NFL, often funny and other time, amazing. The book has been well edited and reading is superbly entertaining as well as educational. Each chapter also got couple of short anecdotal stories on some of the legends of the game long gone like Jim Thorpe or Bronko Nagurski.

When I read this book, there is no doubt in my mind that men who played this game back then, were probably the toughest players ever to played NFL football. Sure there are guys today who are built bigger, faster and all that, but these stories in this book make any reader realized how tough and mean, NFL used to be compared to today's soft touch rules design to lessen injuries. These players were in the game for 60 minutes, they have to be good in both offense and on defense. Compared that with the specialized players of today.

This book is should be read by any fan of the NFL to give such a fan a good perception on how the NFL evolved and developed during the past 75 years.
4679882
Having read Pat Kirwan's articles on NFL.com for a number of years, I wasn't surprised that this book was both an easy, entertaining and educating read.

In a nutshell, Pat takes the reader on a tour through all the positions on the field (except, sadly, the kickers, but that's always been the orphaned part of football). He explains the demands, intricacies and details that may have been lost on the monday morning quarterback, and it really has changed the way I personally watch the game on TV.

While some of the insights really aren't (if the offensive line is standing up, it's gonna be a pass play - duh), most of the book more than scratches the surface of what's really going on on the field, on both sides of the ball, as well as off the field in terms of preparation for a game, a season, how the scouting department does its job, why the play sheet of the coaches aren't restaurant menus and what the guys in the press boxes are really doing.

The last chapter (a look ahead) was sometimes too far out for my taste, and seemed to me like it was filled up with "we-gotta-get-more-pages-with-stunning-predictions" type issues, but as a whole, this is an awesome read for people who have a general understanding of the game - it may be a lot of old news for college coaches, and a little too much information for someone looking for a book to get into the game initially.
1376337
Dr. George has the analytical mind of a genus therefore sees things in the Scriptures that most overlook.  Most others only repeat what they've read in the mainstream teachings of prophesy.  THE END is not Clarence Larkin warmed over neither is it shallow sensationalism. George is rock solid and considering this book was written in the '90s he is right on target as verified in today's news.  A recommended read to mediate there on.
4126191
I enjoyed reading this book. Having read all of Burke's Dave Robicheax series and several of the Holland family books as well, I confess that there are some pretty consistent themes; alcohol, dysfunctional family situations, a flawed main character with aggressive tendencies, a lot of thunderstorms, the sense that the dead are always among us/visions & dreams, Biblical references, etc.  All that being said, this story was reasonably complex, had some nice plot developments,  Structuring the story chronologically helped move the story line along and provided some good context.  The thing I find most enjoyable about Burke's writings is his ability to use metaphor and simile to paint verbal pictures of situations and landscape.  His ability to create a turn-of-phrase that captures a thunderstorm, prairie, streetscape, etc., never ceases to amaze me.  Unlike many mystery writers whose writing style and vocabulary is VERY (sometimes SEVERELY) limited, Burke has an uncanny ability to put words together and structure sentences that reveal more about a character or a place than one finds in most of what passes for mystery writing these days.  This is an engaging read; anyone who has NOT read Burke before would give this book 5 stars.  In fact, the only reason I took one star away is the fact that - after having read over 23 of Burke's novels - his themes do get a bit predictable.  But his use of language is always worth reading, and he creates well-developed characters that are always genuinely interesting.  If you've never read Burke, buy this book; if you have, enjoy it for the master craft that he brings to writing.
869716
While most series fizzle out, Donohue has done it again with this new installation to the Connor Burke series. Kage blends the current and realistic threats of the common world with the mysterious traditions of ancient culture. I guarantee if this is the first Burke book you have read, you will yearn to complete the series (Sensei, Deshi & Tengu).&nbsp;<a data-hook="product-link-linked" class="a-link-normal" href="/Sensei-A-Thriller/dp/0312288123/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8">Sensei: A Thriller</a>&nbsp;<a data-hook="product-link-linked" class="a-link-normal" href="/Deshi-A-Martial-Arts-Thriller/dp/B001PIHWR0/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8">Deshi: A Martial Arts Thriller</a>&nbsp;<a data-hook="product-link-linked" class="a-link-normal" href="/Tengu-the-Mountain-Goblin-A-Connor-Burke-Martial-Arts-Thriller/dp/1594391238/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8">Tengu the Mountain Goblin: A Connor Burke Martial Arts Thriller</a>
4742680
Bill's book is warm, accessible, and helps decode the advanced stats movement in a way that just about any fan can understand. This book will make you way better at teasing out what really happened during a game outside of an imperfect box score, and brings great insights from coaches, and some of the smartest minds around the sport. A quick read, and a welcome addition to any fan's football library.
1388874
Your early into the book and you get the feeling this guy will not be getting any kudos from all of his ex colleagues, management in particular. By the time you finish you will know that a lawyer has taken a good look, which is part of what makes it a really good read. We, the general public, don't know what it is like to be a cop in a big city which is why we like it when books like this one are published. Rarely does the average person get get such an intimate look into the mind of a policeman as he goes about his job, and with Barker you get the full monty. Your on the site, buy the book and see what I mean, you won't be disapointed.
4893965
ONE star for this book?  Please, it's far, far better than that.  I agree that it isn't a true biography of Rozelle and probably shouldn't have been marketed as one.  Rather than an account of Rozelle's tenure during the golden years of the NFL, it is an account of the golden years of the NFL during his tenure.

It often delves deeply into important events, such as the "Greatest Game Ever Played" in 1959 and the long, often bitter process that led to the NFL-AFL merger.  To its great credit, it does not credit Rozelle as the prime force behind said merger, but the former Dallas rivals Tex Schramm and Lamar Hunt.  Many other mileposts along the road to NFL greatness are covered in great detail (granted, sometimes TOO detailed), like the birth of Monday Night Football and the emergence of NFL Films as the king of recorded sports.

Since the writer is based in Chicago, it's no surprise that much of his perspective is based there and in the NFL's New York headquarters.  I would have liked to see more variety, but the book might have been 600 pages then and appealed to fewer readers.  I have long been an maven of NFL history, but I learned a great deal from this book (far more than I expected) and anyone with similar interests will as well.  Flawed as it is, I highly recommend it.
4311735
I've read this book. This an easy read, but not a light read. This isn't a criticism - it's simply a warning to those that plan on reading a football book at the reading level of your typical The Hunger Games fan. I personally enjoyed this book from beginning to end. After reading this book, you'll want to keep it handy as a resource/reference guide which is an added value. To oversimplify FantasyDouche's objective: This book takes a look at NFL coaches: Why the NFL hires the coaches they hire, how their success/failures tend to contradict their paychecks and job security. The book offers examples of how other advances in organizations (Poker, Air Force, Stanford University, for example) have been affected by modern technology and how this could be applied to America's most popular sport for its betterment.

If the phrase "Stats are for losers" raises an eyebrow for you, this book is right in your wheelhouse.

If you were considering spending your 99 cents on a Black Eye Peas song, this book is not for you.

If you lose sleep over Moneyball-type algorithms running through your head as you attempt to "decipher" a winning formula for an NFL team - this book adds a piece to your puzzle.

If you're a Sants fan, and you have been taking antacids due to joyous anxiety when you thought Bill Parcells might be the interim coach of your team, this book is not for you (but you SHOULD read it).

Enjoy!
1575710
by Justin Ballard of Enuffa.com

Chad "The Doc" Matthews of LordsofPain.net fame is back with another countdown of the top 100 something-or-others of the WrestleMania Era (for Doc's purposes that's 1983 to the present).  While his previous tomes focused on the greatest stars and champions of said era, his latest volume deals with the top 100 matches and rivalries of the past 35 years in both WWE and WCW.

Matthews' intent here is to create an objective match/feud ranking, taking into account not only the quality of key matches, but the buildup to them, the character interactions, and the feud's overall impact on the business for its time (The end of the book covers his scoring methodology in detail if you're interested).  After poring through decades of matches and moments, Chad put each candidate head-to-head with its peers in an attempt to nail down a definitive Top 100 that any wrestling fan can reasonably agree with.  As with all art forms, there is of course an unavoidable element of subjectivity when trying to argue that Match/Rivalry A is better than B, but Matthews does present a lucid, pretty compelling argument for the placement of each entry.

There are definitely inclusions (and exclusions) I didn't agree with, but I have to give the author credit for making a strong case for his rankings.  For example Hulk Hogan vs. Shawn Michaels being in the top 40, above many other feuds/matches I would deem far superior.  I wasn't a fan of this feud or match in general at the time and I've never felt the urge to revisit it.  But between Hogan-HBK drawing a very strong buyrate, Shawn managing to carry the entire feud on his own (Hogan opted not to appear on basically any TV leading up to the match), and Shawn getting out of Hogan one of his best-ever bouts (though hardly one of Shawn's best), I can at least appreciate why Matthews rates it so highly.  If you've read Doc's LOP columns you already know he's a fair and well-reasoned debater, and that comes across in the book as well.

For the most part though I agreed with the 100 matches and rivalries on the list, even if I didn't necessarily agree with some of the placements.  The top 10 however is tough to argue with.  I won't spoil them here, but none of them should surprise you.  Each is a classic feud that either changed the business, provided great television moments and/or led to spectacular in-ring battles.

This book is a breeze to page through and carries with it a pleasantly nostalgic tone; you'll find yourself saying "Yeah, that match was amazing," or "That feud was the balls!"  As a 30+ year wrestling fan myself I'm able to grasp the historical perspective for just about everything covered in the book (I wasn't around for Ric Flair vs. Harley Race for instance, but I experienced all the inclusions from late '86 on as they happened).  Nearly  every significant WWF/E and NWA/WCW bout and rivalry is represented here, either in the top 100 ranking or in the Honorable Mention chapter; Doc leaves almost nothing out.

Whether you're a longtime wrestling fan reminiscing some of your favorite old-school feuds and matches or a newbie hoping to gain some insight into the great bouts of the 80s and 90s, The Greatest Matches and Rivalries of the WrestleMania Era is a fun little trip down memory lane.

Now I challenge Doc to write a similar book about New Japan.....
185481
Great inside perspective of the NFL that, as a lifetime fan, I enjoyed, despite finding the reality more unsettling than I expected. Nate's honesty, writing skills and sense of humor make it a great fast paced read I recomend for all NFL fans.
2023738
An action thriller that pretty much sticks to the formula for this genre.  Not going to win any literary awards, but it was a fun, no brainer novel.

Burke once again takes on the mafia, reminiscent of the Mack Bolan Executioner series of the late 70's and early 80's.  In this case, even the women characters are kick ass.

The 'twist' clue is there for those who pay attention to that type thing, early on in the story.

Thanks to Bill Brown for allowing me an early copy of this book.  I enjoyed the ride.
4394249
Book broken down into chapters discussing Browns's biggest wins in his coaching career, this book was an interesting read. It deals with his whole career, not just those games but the latter gets preference. It's pretty unbiased, too, giving both sides of the story during several controversies in Brown's career.

I'm just a big fan of pro football, not of the Browns, so I went into this book with a pretty unbiased look myself. I came away with mixed feelings of the great coach, but mostly those which are positive.  The man was a winner, no doubt, but another of these obssessive coaches in which you wonder if you'd want to play for him. No former player really "loved" Paul Brown, it's pointed out several times in the book. But you read this book, you have to come away with a lot of admiration for this man and what he accomplished in football  - a true innovator and one of the best, if not THE best, football coaches of all-time.

He doesn't get his due because we live in the Internet Era and history gets lost fast in there.
698056
Michael Bennett is a defensive end for the Seattle Seahawks of the NFL and is a thoughtful and conscious guy, fully woke. He has some thoughts he would like to share with the general public and this book is the result of his missions. Written with the very capable Dave Zirin. Dave has written other books with athletes, his book with Craig Hodges, Long Shot comes to mind. It was really his effort with that work, that led me to this one.

He employs the same zippy smooth prose here in what is essentially Michael Bennetts memoir. Michael gives the reader an inside look at an NFL locker room, a peek at big time college athletics-he played football at Texas A&M University-, and the life of a professional athlete including the journey to becoming that prominent professional in the big bad NFL.

I am curious about the books title, because there is very little discussion about what he believes makes white people uncomfortable. Of course there is his full-throated support of Colin Kaepernick and Black Lives Matter movement. And he alludes to how these situations might cause discomfort for some, but he is never explicit in his writing about the discomforts.

Perhaps the title is meant to convey that generally a Black athlete that has something to say, has more on his mind than just the game is what makes white people uncomfortable. Cant be sure, but he certainly hasn't said or done anything outlandish enough to be labeled as one who causes discomfort.

Though Micheal surmises that coming out of Texas A&M he was saddled with the moniker of difficult leading to him being undrafted. That however actually proved to be a blessing in disguise, allowing him to choose from among several franchises where he should tryout.

Michael talks about growing up in Texas, being very close to his younger brother, who is also a NFL player and partly his inspiration for being outspoken. He talks plenty about his outspokenness and how he developed his voice and the risks and consequences of having a voice that stands out from the crowd.

He shares enough of his life and himself that makes this a very good read especially for sports fans and anyone wanting to know what its like to be a NFL professional. Thanks to Edelweiss and Haymarket Books for an advanced DRC. Book is on sale now.