Tim Law inspiring us to better and Playing it Forward.
349247
It is nice to change my view of Tim to an author I admire.  Before I read Playing it Forward:  A Guide For Parents and Coaches:  I knew Tim as my teammate and friend.  We first met in the fall of 1970 on the mats of Oswego State Wrestling.  Tim was a strong disciplined athlete in his preparation and in competition.  Our 47 year friendship is very important to me and offers us all a lifetime of excellent experience in life.

His book offers great insight for parents and coaches to enhance their performance.  It provides tools and sage advice to developing better people.  I found the information in Tim's book to touch very effectively well beyond the sports arena.  It is an excellent guide for a life well lived.

I thank you Tim for your contribution to others in this book, but more importantly to me is the gift of friendship and inspiration I have received from you.
822779
I don't have a lot new to add that other reviewers haven't already said. But this book really does show the ups and downs of the study of law, its successes, and its failings. I want to be a good lawyer and fight the good fight. It's why I want to go into environmental or civil rights law rather contracts or business or trade. There's more money in the latter, but I think I'd have to sell my soul to do it. This book makes no bones about  the seedier side of the legal profession or what a slog law school can be. But its enduring wisdom is in the moral of the book, that despite the jobs we end up taking, or the dearth of legal morals instilled in law school that we all really can be better lawyers and lend ourselves towards improving the legal profession and its institutions.
3444154
This book review will cover The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership, 10th Anniversary Revised and Updated Edition, by John C. Maxwell.  Maxwell has written numerous bestselling books on leadership.  Maxwell's other works include, but are not limited to; Developing the Leader Within You, The 21 Indisputable Qualities of a Leader, Leadership 101, and The 360 Degree Leader.  Maxwell has a gift for relating his points to personal and historical examples that emphasize his suggested rules of leadership.  These 21 Irrefutable Laws include: The Law of the... Lid, Influence,  Process, Navigation, Addition, etc.

With each Law, the author describes the theory behind the Law.  For example, with the Law of Sacrifice, the theory is that a leader must be willing to sacrifice in order to achieve.  He expounds upon his point by explaining that a leader gives up rights - in exchange for responsibilities - the higher the leader rises.  The example that he gives in this chapter is the Reverend Martin Luther King Jr.  The author shows how the more sacrifice King made in terms of sacrificing his personal rights and freedoms, the more the Civil Rights movement gained.  This is indicative of the way a leader must sacrifice for the good of the organization.

Maxwell suggests that all of the Irrefutable Laws are important for a leader, but admits that it is rare for everyone to do each perfectly.  This is where the Law of Inner Circle comes in.  The author opines that a leader's potential is determined by those closest to him/her.  Thus, if you are weak in certain areas, you can strive to get better.  But if you know that you have a weakness in a specific area, you should ensure that your inner circle comprises leaders that have the skills you lack.  A real life example that Maxwell gives is Lance Armstrong.  Although Armstrong was a wonderful bike rider, he always credited his team for helping him reach the great achievements he enjoyed in the Tour de France.  The author quotes another great leader in Mother Teresa - whose life embodied many of the Laws; especially Sacrifice and Legacy - who stated, "You can do what I cannot do.  I can do what you cannot do.  Together we can do great things."  This is one of the examples that Maxwell uses to drive points home.

Every chapter in this book covers a Law, and every Law is like a quick course on Leadership.  Leadership can be learned, but the effort must be put forth to recognize your strengths and to work on your weaknesses.  There are several self-quizzes and exercises in this book to help you achieve your potential in these 21 Laws.  Maxwell writes, "To become an excellent leader, you need to work on it everyday."  Leaders must strive for excellence and they must strive to prepare others to take over for them when they move on.  This is an excellent book on leadership.  Maxwell has a way of speaking directly to the reader.

Reading this book was a rewarding experience that had me wearing out the yellow highlighter as there were valuable insights on page after page.

I highly recommend this 5 star book
255297
Well written book on a great subject.  We learn from history and this book takes us beyond football. Bear Bryant and John McKay were not only oustanding coaches but realized they have a moral obligation to help others at the same time helping themselves. I have read books on both men and of course they weren't perfect but  they did grab the reins to make a difference.  None of us is perect but some times we can make a difference.

It was important that it was Sam Cunningham who made it happen.

 He is a leader who understands what is important.  He and the others help make life better for all of us.

I will share this book with my grandsons so they can understand that it is important to bring others with you on your advantures to success.

The book covered an amazing amount of stories about how sports and athletes can make a difference.  Great reading.

I have heard many myths about the game and they were interesting but now an important story has been told by some of those who lives it.
665871
Easy to learn and to teach. I think we will get many plays out of this game.
4309499
Love it or hate it, social media is a large part of our daily digital communication, and its social media platforms such as Twitter that are often at the forefront of breaking news. How we share information has changed rapidly over the past few years, so it is with this in mind that I looked forward to delving into Things a Little Bird Told Me.

In this book, Twitter co-founder Biz Stone not only shares how Twitter came about, but he touches on creativity and, most importantly, how he finds ways to turn his limitations into advantages.

This slim volume is simply jam packed with inspiration and, though much of what Stone shares can be deemed common sense, it certainly helps having these thoughts offered within a context.

Far from presenting the public with a cold, corporate face, Stone recognises the power of connecting with other people through his social media platform  in essence what lies at the heart of social media.

Not only does Stone propose looking beyond the obvious for solutions, but he is an advocate for empathy, and the power that small acts of kindness can have for creating change in the world around you.

Stone writes: Technology is the connective tissue of humanity. Designed right it can bring out the good in people. It can connect us into one giant, emergent, superintelligent life form. That is what I saw happening with Twitter.

What I take away from Stones book is to be a little less passive from here on in, to find ways to create my own opportunities, and to embrace whatever constraint I experience, because great ideas are born out of limitations.

This little book serves as suitable encouragement for anyone who might feel a little worn down by effort, and it also serves as a reminder to encourage and cherish the value in feeling empathy for your fellow humans. Together we can do so much more if we just reach out.
4239393
Late last year, I came across an article in the Orange County Register dated May '08 that talked about Michael Lavery's amazing accomplishments.  His feats in ambidextrous tennis, golf, music, and art were off the charts.  How many people learn how to play golf in their early 40's and shoot par after only a few years?  How many people can drive a shot 300+ yards left-handed or right-handed?  His prodigious memory was also something I envied and his artwork and guitar playing were impressive.  I decided to buy the book.

I had a specific purpose that I wanted to accomplish and would put the theories in his book to the test.  I had recently picked up the guitar again after a seven year layoff.  I have always wanted to learn to play like a "real player" but always felt like I was hitting a wall in developing dexterity and technique.  I was also having trouble with the concept of scales and modes and I had a mental block about learning the notes on the neck.  I began doing the drills recommended in the book:  mirror-image writing with my left hand; bouncing a golf ball off a rubber mallet; and memorizing the powers of 2.  At first, these drills were difficult to do but I kept at it, determined to see if they would help my guitar playing.  Within a week, I sensed that my dexterity was improving, and I was not having to work so hard to get my fingers to obey my mind.  I continued with the drills and decided to commit more than just 10 or 15 minutes a day to them.  As a result, my playing and dexterity have improved in "jumps" versus small incremental improvements.  My fingers go naturally to the right notes on the fretboard while playing the various scales.  I am well on my way towards playing and understanding modes and having the notes on the neck memorized.  I am remembering chord progressions with more accuracy and playing them with much better timing and precision.  I feel as though I've broken through some of the mental and physical barriers that frustrated me for so long in my guitar playing.  I am astounded at the progress I've made in the short time I've applied myself to the whole brain training outlined in the book.

I am convinced that my brain is working better, faster and with more retention due to the work I'm putting in to get my right brain hemisphere to join the team.  A few very pleasant side effects are that I am losing some weight, and I seem to have more energy throughout the day.  I no longer feel such a lull in my energy levels in the afternoon, perhaps due to the hammer drills I do when I get home.  I also feel I am in a better mood overall similar to the endorphin fix I get in the morning after I workout at the gym.

I would recommend this book to anyone who wants to improve their brain functioning and overall well-being.  But you've got to do the work--which is actually kind of fun.
4125174
Interesting and inspiring read from a legendary coach. I'm an aspiring basketball coach myself and gained great, practical wisdom. Inspired to we work harder and smarter.
637099
As a former professional golfer who now competes in high level amateur events while also serving as a high school golf coach, I am always seeking ways to improve my golf game and those of the players on our team.  For me, instant credibility was given by the forward from Phil Mickelson in which in described his collaboration with Dr. Lardon as they sought ways to define and bring out 'the zone'.  All golfers have had some experience in which they are able to hit shots, make putts, and think correctly which is why we continue to play: to find that 'zone' when playing in events that really matter to us.  Dr. Lardon's book gives clear and objective methods that we can use to bring out the zone more often.  As a coach, I also appreciated his definition of external motivation as it hopefully shows that we cannot bribe players to work harder at the game; it really does take internal motivation on their part.  What we as coaches and parents can do to help our players improve is shown by Dr. Lardon and should be a guideline for us as mentors to younger golfers: make the game fun and give the players some tangible and reasonable goals to hit to help build the motivation within them. This is a must-read for all golfers seeking to improve AND also for parents/coaches who are trying to help younger players improve
1816667
As someone who is looking forward to starting my own business rather than going to work for someone else, I really enjoyed Tim's book. I found it very thought-provoking and inspiring to a potential young entrepreneur like myself. Now I know that I can't necessarily duplicate everything that Tim was able to achieve, but I don't think that we should even try. His accomplishments are his own, and mine will be my own as well.

I think the biggest message I took away from "The 4-Hour Work Week" is that it is important to go for it. Instead of sitting  back and watching others succeed, I found Tim's writing to be very encouraging to those of us who haven't yet taken that first step. Tim, like my dad, has shown me that the first obstacle to my own success is me, and once I push myself to take action, then I'll be preparing myself to go far all on my own.

This book is a quick read and a very enjoyable one. I recommend "The 4-Hour Work Week".
1866880
I absolutely loved this book by Michael Finlayson.  I enjoyed his writing style and the message that he conveys.  His objective in writing this book is so we can achieve our dreams and ambitions by thinking and acting in a positive way.  His book is broken down into 7 different areas that hinder us in reaching our goals and he explains each one in detail.  I love his optimistic view as he explains that each set back you have can be used as a life lesson with something to be learned.

Michael explains that some of his views you may have heard before but asks have you put them to use.  Thanks to Michael I am taking the time to write down a plan of action.  Like he says in the book I have heard of this before but hadn't given it a second thought or taken the time to do it.

There are two areas the author covers that are completely new to me and they were why we need to ignore the minutiae and psychological momentum.  I liked that he tells us about his life giving us insight to his belief in positive thinking and most importantly about taking positive action.

I know this a book that I will read again and again for inspiration and encouragement.  Highly recommended.
1841907
Governor Abbott's story is inspiring. So is his call to action to save our Constitution. The movement is already well underway and I predict Governor Abbott and the great State of Texas will help lead the way to the renewal of the American Republic.
2691809
A REVIEW OF TOM GILDERSLEEVE'S NEWEST BOOK

  WE THE PEOPLE :  OUR CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHTS

  by Kenneth Finn

Most of us sitting down in the morning, reading the left wing fiction that gloriously masquerades as The New York Times, and sucking down our Lattes, haven't a clue what a fragile and delicate thing our Rights really are. Remember, it was only thirty years ago a woman didn't have the Right to an abortion. It was ninety years ago a woman didn't have the Right to vote. It was only a hundred and fity years ago that Blacks had no rights at all and only five years ago that Bush said he had rights to look at our mail.

The framers of the Constitution and Bill of Rights had their hands full. They had about seven hundred years of fantastic abuses to correct, and only a page to do it on. Brilliant ideas of the past like Trial By Ordeal, Noblesse Oblige,  The Star Chamber and even The Inqusition, weighed heavily on their minds. They created a living work of art with The Bill Of Rights and started something entirely new, justice based on law, rather than mere behavior control based on common practice.

If you think it would be easy to "Google" our Rights, and get it all straight in our minds, forget it. Just one look at the many citations from Tom's book, and you would realize what he has done for us. Tom as put it all together in a short, 110 page, very readible book.

Tom is a story teller, rather than a law professor, a right or left winger, or even God Forbid, a lawyer.  Tom tells his story lightly. He goes back almost 950 years or so, when necessary to make his points. Our Rights are simply not that obvious, or even that God intended.

Tom had is work created for him too. He had to give us just enough to make his story educational and entertaining, without making the whole thing tedious. This he had done in Spades. When you get through with Tom's book, you not only want to learn more about our Rights, but that little croissant you're munching with that Latte, seems a bit more of a blessing.
4393840
"Love Is Good for Business: The Orientation"

 The reports I have received from a dozen people that read the book are inspiring.  A number of critical readers told me that they put aside their initial  predjudice just long enough to read a few pages and then could not put it down until they finished it.

Another handful of readers said that they acted on the ideas that the author introduced. That they found it compelling to apply what they read was refreshing.
It reminded me of a quote by the late Vince Lombardi, that "what makes a game plan or an individual play great is perfect execution."

T.Kaiser, P-K Tool & Mfg. Co.
4868990
Fabulous book that inspires sound athletes to understand the sport and it's dedication.
1184350
This is a book about how to build a team that wins consistently, while embodying strong personal values.

There are few of the show-offs, egoists, tantrum-throwers, and bullies that populate so much of today's dollar-driven sports world. Instead, there are players who want to play on the greatest rugby team ever and are willing to do whatever it takes. Yes, rugby. Because this book is about a team from New Zealand that has dominated the sport since early in the last century.

And, that's what makes the book a good read. Because it's not about the excess and bravado of North American sports. It's about being humble, leaving ego at the door, supporting your teammates, learning what it takes to play on a TEAM instead of as an attention-grabbing star.

At its core, this tries to be a business book - using the team's rules, codes and behaviors to inform business practice. And, for me, that's always a bit of a stretch - because in business there are no hard and fast rules, no fixed positions, or time limits. And, there are women, which changes the dynamics.

Having said that, this is an enjoyable read that is a refreshing change from the coach or super-player sport/business books that are all too often dotting the airport book stores.
1858972
At first, it may have seemed like just a crazy dream:  to somehow create a brand-new professional sports league from scratch, from absolutely nothing.  But that's exactly what fitness expert Jake "Body by Jake" Steinfeld, lacrosse player Dave Morrow, and television exec Tim Robertson did.  Their work toward a common goal -- establishing Major League Lacrosse -- is outlined here.  The casual narration is supplied by Jake, with occasional interjections by Dave.  Their voices are set in two different fonts, so that readers can tell them apart on the page.

For those who aren't familiar with the game, lacrosse can be described as a blend of the key elements of hockey, soccer, basketball, and football.  It's the oldest American sport.  Native Americans were seen playing it when European missionaries first arrived in North America in the seventeenth century.  Four hundred years later, lacrosse was mostly relegated to being merely a high school or college sport:  one that had a small but devoted following, mostly in the northeastern part of the country.

Through a series of interesting events and circumstances, Jake and Dave and Tim met one another and began pursuing the professionalization of outdoor lacrosse.  Even with Jake's EXTENSIVE Hollywood and Wall Street connections, these guys had myriad challenges to face:  whether it was finding investors, sponsors, or even enough light bulbs to broadcast a game on TV.  Jake's sharing of the fine details has necessarily been condensed and watered down to fit into this one slim and very readable volume.  To his credit, he doesn't drag any famous names through the dirt, even when some deals don't work out.  But since Jake is an extrovert in the extreme, and Dave is a talented athlete but an introvert at heart, you just have to feel a bit sorry for Dave whenever Jake pushes him at every turn.  It's all for the best, though.  Everything works out in the end.

The book covers the background of the MLL organization from 1998 to 2001, as well as the first full playing season (2001) and the challenge of putting forth a second (2002).  MLL is now in its twelfth year and can be considered an athletic success.  A section of color photos is included.

This tale is also a subtle lesson in motivation.  Jake has been reined in a bit, on this count.  But he occasionally launches into vibrant pep talks for the readers.  "[L]ife is all about facing obstacles and finding a way under, over, around, or straight through them." (p. xvi)  "When you're passionate about something, great things happen -- maybe not overnight, but they do happen.  And they happen in a bigger, better way than you could have imagined."  (p. 66)  The MLL is proof of that statement.

Fans of lacrosse will no doubt be eager to pick up this book.  But most sports fans of any ilk will probably find the book a good read.  It's fascinating to think of all of the work that has to happen for a professional sport to exist.  If this tale motivates you to follow your own passion, well then, that's probably also worth the price of admission.