On The Green
A Journey Through Time: The Evolution of a Timeless SportDelve into the captivating world of golf with "On The Green: The Transformation of Golf Through the Ages." This enthralling tale offers a sweeping exploration of a game that has elegantly danced through the annals of time, becoming a cornerstone of culture and sport.Step back to where it all began, as the origins of golf are illuminated, uncovering myths and truths from the early days. Discover how the rugged Scottish lands birthed the game, shaping its future amidst challenging social and legal landscapes. Follow golf as it forges its identity in the modern era with the Royal and Ancient Golf Club standardizing rules and introducing the iconic 18-hole course.The narrative progresses to the industrial symphony of the 19th century, where innovation transforms both equipment, with the advent of the 'Gutty Ball, ' and the spirit of competition, giving rise to amateur contests. Experience the thrill of change as professional championships begin, creating legendary figures who defined golf's golden epoch during the roaring twenties, a time of unprecedented technological innovations.As golf expands globally, it embraces new audiences, captivating them through international tournaments and the powerful medium of television. Here, icons etch their names into the public's consciousness, shining ever brighter in the spotlight.Enter the modern realm where technology and cultural shifts challenge the very essence of the game. See how data analytics, diversity, and sustainability are redefining golf for future generations, creating a legacy as dynamic as it is enduring.Embark on an evocative journey that charts the course of a fascinating sport, exploring influences from historical shifts to future innovations. "On The Green" offers readers not just a glimpse of the past, but an inspiring vision of what lies ahead.
On The Green
A Journey Through Time: The Evolution of a Timeless SportDelve into the captivating world of golf with "On The Green: The Transformation of Golf Through the Ages." This enthralling tale offers a sweeping exploration of a game that has elegantly danced through the annals of time, becoming a cornerstone of culture and sport.Step back to where it all began, as the origins of golf are illuminated, uncovering myths and truths from the early days. Discover how the rugged Scottish lands birthed the game, shaping its future amidst challenging social and legal landscapes. Follow golf as it forges its identity in the modern era with the Royal and Ancient Golf Club standardizing rules and introducing the iconic 18-hole course.The narrative progresses to the industrial symphony of the 19th century, where innovation transforms both equipment, with the advent of the 'Gutty Ball, ' and the spirit of competition, giving rise to amateur contests. Experience the thrill of change as professional championships begin, creating legendary figures who defined golf's golden epoch during the roaring twenties, a time of unprecedented technological innovations.As golf expands globally, it embraces new audiences, captivating them through international tournaments and the powerful medium of television. Here, icons etch their names into the public's consciousness, shining ever brighter in the spotlight.Enter the modern realm where technology and cultural shifts challenge the very essence of the game. See how data analytics, diversity, and sustainability are redefining golf for future generations, creating a legacy as dynamic as it is enduring.Embark on an evocative journey that charts the course of a fascinating sport, exploring influences from historical shifts to future innovations. "On The Green" offers readers not just a glimpse of the past, but an inspiring vision of what lies ahead.
Looking For Doug - Doug Walters
The book is 350 pages long and includes 20 pages of black-and-white high-quality photographs of Doug Walters and other important cricketers featured in the narrative.It tells the story of the author, a Sri Lankan-born cricket freak, and his journey in following the life and achievements of his boyhood hero and cricket idol, the Australian cricketer Kevin Doug Walters. The author has been a personal friend of his subject (Doug Walters) since 2009. Doug's input gained through innumerable meetings over many years, has enriched the narrative and its veracity. The book also features an important interview with Ian Chappell, the former Australian captain. With the author's extensive research, the book provides an interesting and accurate account of the era, the Test matches that featured Doug Walters, and the main details related to the series in which Doug played. With enthusiastic input from Ian Chappell, the author makes a reasonable effort to place Doug Walters as a crucially important batsman and match-winner for Australia at a time when Australia emerged as the most dominant team in the world (the 1970s decade). The narrative is sprinkled with the author's personal viewpoints as a cricket lover. Although some are personal opinions and perspectives on cricket, they are well discussed and justified with abundant notes, a bibliography, and cited references.
Hockey Rants and Raves
The hottest takes and biggest beefs about hockey from the wildly popular podcaster and YouTuber Who would be on the Mount Rushmore of goalies?Is Gretzky the Greatest Player of All Time (a.k.a. GOATzky)?What are the most embarrassing Leaf losses of all time?Why would you choose to play in a small market?Steve "Dangle" Glynn was already a popular talking head on Sportsnet the night the Leafs lost to their own back-up goalie (and Zamboni driver), but his fandom skyrocketed after his rant following the hilarious mishap gained one million views on YouTube. Dangle is well known as a long-suffering Leafs fan, but he is more than just that. He shares his rants and opinions about all teams across the NHL, directing his laser focus onto hockey's greatest arguments, from the best players of all time, to the worst trades, to the most embarrassing Leafs losses. From one of the most unique voices in hockey, Hockey Rants and Raves is packed with passionate, honest and often humorous takes on all things hockey--required reading for all fans of the game.
Game, Set, AI
Revolutionising the Court: A New Era of TennisDive into a world where technology meets tradition, where the quiet hum of artificial intelligence revolutionises every serve, volley, and rally. Imagine a game where strategy is not just human but powered by cutting-edge technology that reads the play before it unfolds."Game, Set, AI: How Artificial Intelligence is Changing Tennis" takes you on a fascinating journey through the integration of AI and tennis. Learn about the early steps artificial intelligence took into the world of sports and how these initial forays have transformed into complex performance analytics reshaping players' careers. From AI-powered training tools like smart rackets to biometric tracking wearables, each page unveils how AI enhances player performance and augments the art of coaching.Imagine courts that are smart, equipped with IoT systems that manage themselves, providing unprecedented insights into every match. Experience the evolution of fan engagement through interactive, AI-driven platforms that bring every game closer to the audiences worldwide. Feel the rush as you step into virtual reality experiences that transcend traditional spectating. With exclusive insights into predictive modelling strategies, injury prevention technologies, and ethical considerations intertwined with AI, you'll be poised to understand the future of tennis.Whether you're a seasoned player, an aspiring coach, or just an avid fan of tennis, this book piques curiosity and fuels a newfound excitement for how games are played and experienced. Embrace this opportunity to envision tennis not just as a sport but as a dynamic convergence of human skill and innovative technology-forever changing how tennis is played, watched, and understood. Ready to step onto the court of the future?
On the Road to Spiking & Blocking Better
" On the Road to Spiking & Blocking Better " is an essential resource for players looking to perfect two of the sport's most critical skills. This book offers in-depth techniques on improving both power and precision in spiking, focusing on timing, footwork, and hand-eye coordination. It also breaks down effective blocking strategies, teaching players how to read opponents, anticipate attacks, and position themselves for maximum defensive impact. With drills, tips from professional players, and advanced strategies, this guide is perfect for athletes of all levels aiming to dominate the net and become a force in both offense and defense.
On the Road to Serving Better
"On the Road to Serving Better" is a comprehensive guide designed for volleyball players looking to enhance their serving skills. Whether you're a beginner or an experienced player, this book breaks down the technical, mental, and strategic aspects of mastering one of the game's most critical skills-serving. The book covers a variety of serve types, such as the float serve, jump serve, and topspin serve, while offering step-by-step instructions, drills, and tips from professional coaches and players. It delves into the biomechanics of serving, helping players understand how to maximize power, accuracy, and consistency. Additionally, it addresses the mental game-how to stay focused, read opponents, and adjust tactics to gain an edge. With practical exercises, personalized training plans, and in-depth analysis, "On the Road to Serving Better" equips readers with the tools to improve their game and become more effective, confident servers on the court.
Spectacular Golf Western Canada
Filled with vibrant photos that capture the majesty of the natural landscape-from the Pacific Coast to the Rocky Mountains-this luscious guide provides a captivating look at the finest golf courses in British Columbia and Alberta. Including holes from nearly 100 challenging, historic, and scenic golf courses, this guide contains valuable insight from golf pros about navigating the most intriguing holes on private, public, and municipal courses throughout the region. Including a $50 gift card, which can be redeemed at a variety of courses featured in the book, this unique collection offers insight and advice that both serious and casual golfers will find particularly valuable and enjoyable.
The Chicago Tribune Book of the Chicago Bulls
An in-depth look at the history of the Chicago Bulls franchise, featuring profiles, photography, box scores, and more from the archives of the Chicago Tribune.The Chicago Bulls, one of the NBA's most storied and valuable franchises, have been building their highly decorated legacy for six decades. To this day, the Bulls are one of the most popular teams the world over. Six championships and the eternal legacy of Michael Jordan--the greatest player of all time--will do that, and Bulls fans wouldn't have it any other way.The Chicago Tribune Book of the Chicago Bulls, 2nd Edition is a decade-by-decade look at the pride of Chicago's West Side, updated since its original publication in 2016 to include the last several years of history. Curated by the Chicago Tribune sports department, this book documents every era in the team's history through the newspaper's original reporting, in-depth analysis, interviews, and archival photos. Comprehensive timelines, rankings of top players by position, and profiles on key coaches, Hall of Famers, and MVPs provide an entertaining, blow-by-blow look at the team's greatest successes and most dramatic moments.A beautiful collector's item, The Chicago Tribune Book of the Chicago Bulls is a tour through basketball history produced by the award-winning journalists who have been documenting their home team since the beginning.
Notts County The Magpies
Notts County - 'The Magpies' - a football club with a proud history; just one of the twelve original members of the Football League in 1888. Yet in 2019, they were to experience the ignominy of relegation from the league, major financial difficulties, and even the possibility of going out of existence. Roger King, a dedicated supporter of the club for many years, has provided a meticulous account of their journey in the following five years - a riveting story of their initial despair, before hope and hard work led the club to the eventual triumph of their return to the forefront of our national game.
Stat Shot
Making advanced stats simple, practical, and fun for hockey fans Advanced stats give hockey's powerbrokers an edge, and now fans can get in on the action. Stat Shot is a fun and informative guide hockey fans can use to understand and enjoy what analytics says about team building, a player's junior numbers, measuring faceoff success, recording save percentage, the most one-sided trades in history, and everything you ever wanted to know about shot-based metrics. Acting as an invaluable supplement to traditional analysis, Stat Shot can be used to test the validity of conventional wisdom, and to gain insight into what teams are doing behind the scenes - or maybe what they should be doing. Whether looking for a reference for leading-edge research and hard-to-find statistical data, or for passionate and engaging storytelling, Stat Shot belongs on every serious hockey fan's bookshelf.
Play
Are you ready to play?Current training sessions are built to meet the needs of coaches and their egos, instead of learning the needs of young players. Play: Principles of Training Sessions for Children explores this area in more detail and draws on the stunning attachment research which is inspired by observing countless training sessions.The author presents four remarkable principles of training which impact the development of young players and offers coaches an alternative and extraordinary approach into delivering more effective sessions. Born out of decades of practical experiences as a football coach and coach educator, in this book you will learn: Does training in current format and form reflect the needs of learning children?What should be the basic training principles that consider the development of children and adolescents?How do these principles relate to learning and positively affect young players?Will the training be more effective in terms of the players' learning process?Play: Principles of Training Sessions for Children is an effective, instructive and informative guide that provides coaches with the essential tools to grow a young player's learning potential.
The Franchise
Draft Day meets Burke's Law in this incisive and entertaining behind-the-scenes look at hockey's highest ranks. Why do some franchises consistently win, while others may never get to see their players' names etched on the Cup? Why do some teams draft poorly and others draft all-star teams? Why do some teams just seem to know how to win? In The Franchise, The Athletic's Craig Custance delves into the stories about thepeople who make the biggest decisions in hockey. For more than three years, Custance travelled far and wide to connect with the inner circle of hockey, from the owner's suite of the Carolina Hurricanes to a private championship ring ceremony with the Vegas Golden Knights to a country club for a breakdown of the Pittsburgh Penguins.He had frank conversations with new Leafs' GM Brad Treliving and former Leafs' GM Kyle Dubas, and discussed the revolution in women's hockey with three-time Olympic medal winner and Devils' executive Meghan Duggan. For fans of any stripe, there are stories behind memorable trades and the biggest free agent signings, and insights into how some of the most successful teams of the last two decades were built. There are never-been-told details about trade demands, a prominent hire that one general manager regretted immediately, and how one general manager risked his life to sign a player he thought could change the course of his NHL team. The Franchise will change the way you look at hockey. Custance shows that it all starts at the top, not on the ice. The players win, but it's the people up in the box who break down every aspect of their teams, execute the hard decisions, and make the magic happen. This is essential reading for every hockey fan who wants to get beyond the x's and o's in an absorbing testament to why teams win.
Behind the Mask
A dozen incredible stories about hockey's legendary goalies, on and off the ice--including Carey Price, Marc-Andr矇 Fleury, Roberto Luongo, and Henrik Lundqvist. "Hockey goaltenders have forever been thought of as unique, eccentric, weird and wacky. Also misunderstood. Randi Druzin's Behind the Mask is a fascinating examination of a dozen of those who have played the position at the highest levels. This well-researched and well-written book is revealing and delightful at the same time."--Roy MacGregor While his teammates rush up the ice in a coordinated attack, the goalie is alone in his net. And when the play turns back toward him, he's prepared to step in front of a frozen rubber disc traveling 100 miles an hour. He's the last line of defense in a pitched battle. The goalie stands apart, on and off the ice. Like the relief pitcher in baseball and the place kicker in football, he is a maverick. Behind the Mask profiles 12 legendary NHL goalies, emphasizing the traits that make each one unique. It blends accounts of the goalies on-ice exploits with anecdotes about their lives off the ice information gleaned from archival research as well as interviews with teammates, family members and the goalies themselves. The careers here cover the last half-century of professional hockey from the personal struggles of Roger Crozier and Ed Giacomin on their way to stardom in the 1960s, to the recent brilliance of Carey Price, whose character blends stoicism with a deep warmth and pride in his Indigenous background. Told with author Randi Druzin's trademark mix of knowledge and wit, Behind the Mask has all the insight and color to make it a bestseller like her previous book on NHL goalies, Between the Pipes. Hockey goalies profiled include: Roger Crozier, Detroit Red Wings / Buffalo SabresRogie Vachon, Los Angeles KingsGerry Cheevers, Boston BruinsEd Giacomin, New York RangersTony Esposito, Chicago Black HawksVladislav Tretiak, Soviet Red ArmyMike Palmateer, Toronto Maple LeafsGrant Fuhr, Edmonton OilersRoberto Luongo, Vancouver CanucksMarc-Andr矇 Fleury, Pittsburgh Penguins / Vegas Golden KnightsHenrik Lundqvist, New York RangersCarey Price, Montreal Canadiens
Words of Wisdom & Jokes
"Golf is a game that can never be won, it can only be played," quote from the movie "The Legend of Bagger Vance." So begins this book, which consists of a number of selected quotes by both famous and unknown golfers. It contains words of wisdom, humorous quotes, and mental thoughts about the game. The book is perfect for the prizes, for those who want to brighten up parties with fun, or for those who organize quizzes, as the book also contains information about the players' backgrounds and success stories. This and much more from celebrities such as rock musicians, singers, and actors who have made a huge impact on golf. So dive into the history of golf by reading this book, you might agree with Lee Trevino: "The older I get, the better I was."So relax, read and use the quotes to brighten up a party, use in your speech, or give the book as a gift.Information about the author. The book is compiled by Bertil Garpenholt, a PGA professional and mental coach. Bertil started playing golf as a teenager and received his first training from James "Jimmy" Suckling, a Scottish PGA professional and legend in Swedish golf. Jimmy taught Bertil the game where a love affair with a sport that later in Bertil's life would become his profession was born.The traditions of the game and respect for the rules and etiquette of the game have been guiding principles for Bertil's career in golf, where Bobby Jones and Jack Nicklaus have been role models. The idea for a book came about when a student said to Bertil, "You use quotes in your teaching, which makes the lessons interesting and entertaining, can't you publish a book with them?" That's how this book came about. To reach Bertil you can contact him through www.bertilgarpenholt.se or by e-mail: Bertil@bertilgarpenholt.se
Basketball Beyond Paper
A pioneer in the field of basketball analytics, Dean Oliver introduced a framework to understand basketball through the use of statistics in his book Basketball on Paper. In his follow-up, Basketball beyond Paper, Oliver lays out both the technical and personal aspects of his twenty-year experience in the NBA as he helped build the analytics that changed the game. He also looks at the people and technology that pushed those analytics forward. Oliver tells stories of how the insights came about, whether studying other teams or witnessing events with players, coaches, and management of his own teams. He highlights how great LeBron James and Steph Curry have been but also how critical "middle-class" or "glue" players such as Shane Battier, Andre Iguodala, and JJ Redick were to their teams. Oliver illustrates the paths taken by Most Improved Player Award winners such as Lauri Markkanen, Julius Randle, and Brandon Ingram. Basketball beyond Paper tells the stories of how analytics have helped basketball players, coaches, and management--and changed the game.
The Providence Steam Roller
An early NFL franchise, the Providence Steam Roller brought major league sports to Rhode Island for the first time. Playing at a bicycle arena known as the Cycledrome, the team thrilled thousands of fans in its brief history. Only a short time after sitting atop the pro football world for one glorious season, it ceased to exist. This book brings the Providence Steam Roller back to life in the first thorough examination of one of the most unusual franchises in NFL history. The team toiled in the NFL from 1925 to 1931 after nine years as an independent professional squad. The Steam Roller achieved many firsts in NFL history: it was the first NFL team in New England, hosted the first night game in NFL history, and is the last now-defunct team to win an NFL championship. Many who wore the black and orange uniform played professional football not for the money but for the love of the game and to represent the city of Providence.
The Boston Globe Story of the Celtics
Includes the 2024 Championship Win! Experience the illustrious and passionate history of The Boston Celtics, the winningest team in NBA history, as it happened through the articles, features, and lens of their hometown and national news outlet, The Boston Globe. From the moment the Boston Celtics first set foot on their parquet floor in the inaugural 1946 season through the 2024 championship season, The Boston Globe has covered the NBA's most storied franchise with the journalistic equivalent of a fullcourt press. For nearly 80 years, The Boston Globe's generations of stalwart writers and reporters have been there to document it all in real time, with feature stories, columns, and game reports, from founder Walter A. Brown's early faith in the fledgling team through the Bill Russell dynasty, the Larry Bird golden era, and of course, the 18 championships, the most by any NBA franchise. The Boston Globe Story of the Celtics is a never-before-published collection of hundreds of the most incisive, informative, and entertaining articles edited by award-winning columnist Chad Finn and written by acclaimed reporters such as Bob Ryan, Jackie MacMullan, Leigh Montville, Dan Shaughnessy, Baxter Holmes, Gary Washburn, and Adam Himmelsbach. Story of the Celtics brings to life the most important and impactful moments in the team's illustrious history, and archival photographs illustrate every era up to the current season in this special collection brought to you by two storied Boston institutions.
Black Ball
A vital narrative history of 1970s pro basketball, and the Black players who shaped the NBA Against a backdrop of ongoing resistance to racial desegregation and strident calls for Black Power, the NBA in the 1970s embodied the nation's imagined descent into disorder. A new generation of Black players entered the league then, among them Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Spencer Haywood, and the press and public were quick to blame this cohort for the supposed decline of pro basketball, citing drugs, violence, and greed. Basketball became a symbol for post-civil rights America: the rules had changed, allowing more Black people onto the playing field, and now they were ruining everything. Enter Black Ball, a gripping history and corrective in which scholar Theresa Runstedtler expertly rewrites basketball's "Dark Ages." Weaving together a deep knowledge of the game with incisive social analysis, Dr. Runstedtler argues that this much-maligned period was pivotal to the rise of the modern-day NBA. Black players introduced an improvisational style derived from the playground courts of their neighborhoods. They also challenged the team owners' autocratic power, garnering higher salaries and increased agency. Their skills, style, and savvy laid the foundation for the global popularity and profitability of the league we know today.
Xgenius
'Eye-opening... An essential read for any football fan' - Jamie Carragher xGenius takes a tour of the world's most pioneering football clubs, uncovering how elite teams are using xG to win more matches. Any club not adopting this model will be left behind. The concept of Expected Goals - or xG - has changed how we understand football. Every fan will have heard of xG, many will understand what it is, but few will know exactly how it's being used by football teams to improve their chances of winning matches. xGenius explores the interplay between analysis, tactics and decision-making. It seeks to put the sport of football under the microscope with the aim of getting closer to the ultimate truth of what makes players, managers and teams successful. What, ultimately, wins matches. The book looks at the model which every club should adopt, one which has allowed teams like Liverpool, Arsenal, Brighton and Brentford to punch well above their financial weight. Would you rather sign a striker who's scored 10 goals from 20.00(xG), or 20 goals from 10.00(xG)? How was xG utilised to sign the most fearsome attacking front three in Premier League history? xGenius shows how top-level football analysis is being carried out by the very best in the business. The insights explored in this book will change the way you watch football.
Tennis Begins at Two
While pregnant in 1867, and absolutely certain her infant would be a boy, Anne Lloyd Jones began decorating the crib with photos of high buildings and old cathedrals, for her unborn son Frank Lloyd Wright would become the greatest architect in world history . . .Parental madness? The coauthors think not--so unabashedly convinced are we that pre-tennis learning activities can begin while the newborn is still on his back kicking and reaching, two of the first lessons needed for tennis! So it was that we reached out for several dozen PC members and friends to join us in a unique publishing adventure hitherto untried, as far as we knew, the creation of a highly illustrated book entitled, "Tennis Begins at Two", subtitled either "Instructing Parents How to Tenderly Teach Their Children How to Play the Great Game", or the hoped for, patiently awaited, universally asked question, "Mommy, daddy, will you learn me to play tennis?" As mentioned, there is at present no book on the market, nor has there ever been a book published, a book on instructing parents how to teach two-year-old children how to play the game by anyone, well-known players, on-court judges, or aging weekend two-sets-only players. With great diffidence and lack of self-confidence, we offer this effort to serve as a fill-in for the gap in tennis literature until something better comes along. In a way, it is also intended as a means to appreciate some of the best who ever played the game.
Optimising Female Athletic Performance
Optimising Female Athletic Performance presents a comprehensive overview of the wide range of factors that underpin female athletic performance based on the most up to date research. This book draws from the disciplines of anatomy, physiology, psychology, and sociology to develop an integrated approach and illustrates how female athletes can be safely prepared for training and performance in a way that benefits their health and optimises their performance. The book covers the specific challenges active females encounter as they move through their lives from childhood, puberty, adolescence, adulthood, potentially motherhood, and on to the menopausal stage.As well as presenting the key knowledge and research around female athletic performance, each chapter includes real world examples in the form of case studies and athletes' experiences. Each chapter concludes with a summary offering key points and take away messages for coaches and practicing athletes, as well as end of chapter quizzes to allow students to assess their own learning and knowledge.Optimising Female Athletic Performance is key reading for undergraduate students studying sports science and sports coaching degrees who aspire to a career working with female athletes in a range of contexts and environments. Content has been presented in a way that is easily accessible to students and to facilitate the practical application of knowledge by practitioners in a range of sport and exercise settings. It is also useful to active females to understand their own performance and enhance their experience of sport and fitness.
Life's A Dance
GREAT LEADERS MAKE BIG MOVES - ELLIS WAS WILLING TO GIVE UP EVERYTHING FOR EQUALITYIn Life's a Dance, Cliff Ellis - a four time Basketball Hall of Fame Coach and one of the winningest coaches in Division I history - opens up about his philosophies, challenges, and triumphs throughout his career as a former rock 'n' roll star and basketball coach - giving readers a unique perspective into the very heart and mind of an incredible leader. Ellis was willing to give up his career to protect his players and his team and fight for equality within the game.Learn how to build a successful team - Strong Work Ethics, Respect, Empathy, a Positive Mindset, and more. This book contains fundamental steps that will resonate far beyond the basketball court. Whether you are a sports enthusiast, a business professional, or passionate about personal development, Life's a Dance is for you! Join Coach Ellis on his inspiring journey to discover how you can master the dance of life by following his lead.
World Series '64
In 1964, the New York Yankees were the undisputed champions of Major League Baseball. This book presents, in all its context, the story of the upstart St. Louis Cardinals, improbable champions of the National League, taking the Bronx Bombers to game seven in a harrowing World Series that ended with the toppling of an MLB dynasty and the ascension of an exciting new St. Louis Cardinals. Herein is the story of Bob Gibson, Tim McCarver, Mickey Mantle, Bobby Richardson, and numerous others who made baseball history and captivated the public during that exciting Fall Classic.
Luton Town FC in the 1970s
A Luton Town fan's vivid memories of the 1970s. Promotion, relegation, financial problems, star players sold, hooliganism, Eric Morecambe, Supermac, Alec Stock, Harry Haslam, the Futcher twins, David Pleat, Ricky Hill, Brian Stein, Mal Donaghy. Yes, Luton Town in the 1970s was a typically colourful decade in the history of a colourful club.
The Why Is Everything
When Kyle Shanahan became the NFL's youngest offensive coordinator in 2008, he had one prevailing rule: Tell me the why. If a colleague couldn't justify his position by providing the unassailable reasoning behind it, he was told to get the hell out of Shanahan's office. Shanahan and the members of his coaching tree--including Sean McVay, Mike McDaniel, Raheem Morris, and Matt LaFleur--came up in a sport where innovation was the exception, not the rule. There had been brilliant football minds before, from Paul Brown to Bill Walsh to Bill Belichick. But for the most part, coaches learned a particular system and stuck to it no matter what--no matter the players on their team, no matter what the opponent might do.This group of young coaches would change all that. The Why Is Everything is the story of old dogmas falling before astonishingly creative new strategies and game plans. Drawing on unmatched access across the league, longtime NFL reporter Mike Silver takes us into the key moments in this still-unfolding revolution, from the education of Mike Shanahan, Kyle's father and a two-time Super Bowl champion, in the 1980s; to the Washington Redskins' football laboratory in the early 2010s, where the coaches first worked together, shocking the league with their cutting-edge scheme for rookie quarterback Robert Griffin III; to McVay's Super Bowl victory in 2022 and Kyle Shanahan's Super Bowl agony in 2019 and 2024.Less than a decade after their emergence, these men are the stars of their profession and have helped propel the NFL to new heights of viewership and drama. With The Why Is Everything, Silver reveals how it all happened, and in the process gives us a timeless account of friendship, rivalry, and the never-ending pursuit of perfection.
College Football History "Bowl Games of the 20th Century"
This book is for football fans of all ages. It is both educational and entertaining as you can read nostalgically about former great College teams and players, as well as some of the great Bowl Games from the past. This book covers all the Bowl Games of the 20th Century (1902-1999), so you can read about your football heroes, past and present.
Cristiano Ronaldo
The definitive award-winning biography of Cristiano Ronaldo - fully updated to include the 2022 World Cup, Ronaldo's explosive exit from Manchester United and his record-breaking transfer to Al-Nassr As the Qatar World Cup opened to worldwide jubilation, Cristiano Ronaldo's second spell at Manchester United reached an abrupt conclusion. It was not to be the fairy tale ending to a glittering career. Instead, over the two seasons, it had snowballed into a toxic standoff between himself, the board and newly appointed manager, Erik ten Hag. The Theatre's dream was over. On 22 November 2022, Ronaldo's contract was terminated. In this compelling account, Guillem Balagu矇 draws on impeccable sources, first-hand interviews and unprecedented access, taking us on a journey from Madeira to Manchester, and onto Spain, Italy and Saudi Arabia. From Ronaldo's tutelage under Sir Alex Ferguson to becoming the biggest gal獺ctico of them all at Real Madrid, and captaining Portugal to the first silverware in their history at the UEFA Euro 2016, Guillem chronicles Ronaldo's career in its entirety. This is nothing less than the definitive portrait of a true icon of modern football, who has reached the very heights of the beautiful game and cemented his place as one of the greatest players of all time.
When the Game Was War
The gritty, no-holds-barred account of the 1987 NBA season, a thrilling year of fierce battles and off-the-court drama between Magic Johnson, Larry Bird, Isiah Thomas, and Michael Jordan--from New York Times bestselling author Rich Cohen. "Plug in to a world where rivalries really mattered."--Bob Ryan, sports columnist emeritus, The Boston GlobeAN ESQUIRE BEST BOOK OF THE YEAR Four historic teams. Four legendary players. One unforgettable season. The 1980s were a transformative decade for the NBA. Since its founding in 1946, the league had evolved from a bruising, earthbound game of mostly nameless, underpaid players to one in which athletes became household names for their thrilling, physics-defying play. The 1987-88 season was the peak of that golden era, a year of incredible drama that featured a pantheon of superstars in their prime--the most future Hall of Famers competing at one time in any given season--battling for the title, and for their respective legacies. In When the Game Was War, bestselling author Rich Cohen tells the story of this incredible season through the four teams, and the four players, who dominated it: Larry Bird and the Boston Celtics, Magic Johnson and the Los Angeles Lakers, Isiah Thomas and the Detroit Pistons, and a young Michael Jordan and his Chicago Bulls. From rural Indiana to the South Side of Chicago, suburban North Carolina to rust-belt Michigan, Cohen explores the diverse journeys each of these iconic players took before arriving on the big stage. Drawing from dozens of interviews with NBA insiders, Cohen brings to vivid life some of the most colorful characters of the era--like Bill Laimbeer, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Danny Ainge, and Charles Oakley--who fought like hell to help these stars succeed. For anyone who longs to understand how the NBA came to be the cultural juggernaut it is today--and to relive the magic and turmoil of those pivotal years--When the Game Was War brilliantly recasts one unforgettable season and the four transcendent players who were at the center of it all.
Scunthorpe Hasta La Muerte
Part biography, part social history, part meditation on what it is to be an outsider ultimately embraced by the introverted world of football
Gridiron Wisdom
Competitiveness. Leadership. Inclusiveness. Discipline. Dedication to community. Together, these traits form the blueprint for teams that not only win, but transcend sport and develop a purpose to keep on winning for the good of the communities that surround and support them. Alberta's reputation in Canadian football was built uponthis foundation.Through countless hours of intimate interviews and heartfelt discussions with former coaches, players, and their families, author Ron McIntyre highlights the ways in which these traits manifested themselves in five of the best football programs in the province's history: the St. Francis Browns, the Raymond Comets, the Edmonton Huskies, the Calgary Dinos, and the Edmonton Eskimos.With humour and a clear love of the game guiding his exploration of what made these teams so great, McIntyre reveals to coaches the key principles that contribute to building a solid program; demonstrates to players the nuances of being a good teammate and leading by example; and grants fans a peek behind the curtain at what ultimately goes into achieving true sports excellence.
Gridiron Wisdom
Competitiveness. Leadership. Inclusiveness. Discipline. Dedication to community. Together, these traits form the blueprint for teams that not only win, but transcend sport and develop a purpose to keep on winning for the good of the communities that surround and support them. Alberta's reputation in Canadian football was built uponthis foundation.Through countless hours of intimate interviews and heartfelt discussions with former coaches, players, and their families, author Ron McIntyre highlights the ways in which these traits manifested themselves in five of the best football programs in the province's history: the St. Francis Browns, the Raymond Comets, the Edmonton Huskies, the Calgary Dinos, and the Edmonton Eskimos.With humour and a clear love of the game guiding his exploration of what made these teams so great, McIntyre reveals to coaches the key principles that contribute to building a solid program; demonstrates to players the nuances of being a good teammate and leading by example; and grants fans a peek behind the curtain at what ultimately goes into achieving true sports excellence.
English League Football
On September 8, 1888, the inaugural season of the Football League kicked off, marking the beginning of a sporting tradition that has endured for over 130 years. Ian Laschke's comprehensive work meticulously records every match outcome for all the teams that have participated in the league since its first season. This book is an essential treasure trove for statistical aficionados and a definitive resource for fans of any team that has competed in the league, whether historically or currently.
The American Game
From "the master of new journalism [who always] hits it over the fence" (New York Times) and "one of the finest writers on sports anywhere" (USA Today), the scintillating story of lacrosse--the game invented by the Haudenosaunee, played with more passion than any other, that stubbornly mirrors America's ongoing struggle with inclusivityNearly a millennium ago, Native Americans created lacrosse as a means of training warriors and settling disputes. Co-opted by whites in the late 1800s, played for a century largely at elite east coast colleges, over the past thirty years lacrosse has exploded around the world, becoming the fastest growing sport in the U.S. while exposing the fault lines of prejudice and privilege that continue to dog its image. At the same time, the spiritual nature and dazzling style of the Native game has been elevated to center stage as the brilliant Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) play as a nation unto themselves, maintaining their deep traditions and hoping for inclusion in the 2028 Olympics.Based on seven years of research and observation and crafted with consummate skill, The American Game takes readers inside a unique cultural landscape that nonetheless reflects the wider world. Skillfully weaving in compelling action on the field from World Championships to tense NCAA tournaments, Price also chronicles the controversies and anomalies that have in many ways defined lacrosse. Racism stubbornly persists--and the Haudenosaunee have endured plenty in their rise--yet few mainstream entities have done more than lacrosse to champion the Native American experience. The Duke rape case and the murder of Yeardley Love still resonate, reinforcing the sport's elite "laxbro" image, yet women remain the core force powering its astonishing boom. Lacrosse's longtime link with Wall Street remains, but its bond with elite military service is just as remarkable.Price introduces legendary individuals from Jim Brown (some say he was even better at lacrosse than football), Black superstar Kyle Harrison and the brilliant Iroquois stickman Lyle Thompson, to famed coaches Lars Tiffany and Kelly Amonte Hiller and Onondaga faithkeeper Oren Lyons. All of them, and all who play the game, pay homage to the mystical qualities of the lacrosse stick, which American coaching icon Bill Tierney calls "the thing that makes you special." A masterpiece of narration and investigation, The American Game is the powerful story of a sport that, perhaps more than any other, captures the complexity of America in its ongoing effort to achieve a more perfect union.
Rovers Revolution Blackburn’s Rise From Nowhere to Premier League Champions
A gripping account of a small town club's unlikely rise to the top of English football
Wards of the League
Wards of the League is a long-lost tale from pro football's buried past. Very few people even know that the 1952 Dallas Texans ever existed and played in the National Football League. Before the Dallas Cowboys became America's Team, these Texans were nobody's team. The NFL's first venture into the football-crazed hotbed known as the Lone Star State began with enthusiasm but ended in a doomed collapse before the season was even over. The Texans' rapid rise and fall are chronicled in this book for the first time. The story of the failed team in a place that now boasts of having the most valuable sports franchise in the world today is truly a tale of being in the right place but at the wrong time.
Baseball's Shooting Stars
Every serious baseball fan can attest to the perennial excellence of stars like Babe Ruth and Ken Griffey, Jr. But how many can recall the exploits of Fred Dunlap, George Stone, Bobby Shantz, or Mark Fidrych? Each of these players performed like a superstar for a single season, but none of them came close to replicating that success in subsequent years. Some achieved early success and flamed out, while others overcame early setbacks to achieve brief stardom late in their careers. Some were one-year wonders, and others sustained solid careers after setting an early standard that they would never again reach. This book contains the bittersweet stories of 30 such players who tantalized their fans with visions of greatness, but ultimately fell short.
Say Yes to Golf with Anyone
Stop missing out on new clients, jobs, friends, and business opportunities that present themselves on the course. Learn to be comfortable golfing with players of any level. Not everyone grew up in a golfing family where rules and etiquette were second nature by a young age. After reading this book, you will have the advantage those kids used to have. This isn't a quick once-through read, but rather a reference book to be paged through and kept handy once the golf season starts. TY ARMSTRONG, PGA Pro If you've been saying "no" to golf with potential clients, this is a MUST read for you. I was very intimidated to golf with others, but with this short course on etiquette, I can confidently play with golfers of any level. Picking up golf has been a great thing for me personally and professionally. STACEY BARTELSON, Financial Advisor This book is mandatory for those who don't want to miss opportunities that present themselves on the golf course. I've seen deals made, people hired, secrets exchanged, and romances start, all while hitting a little white ball. RYAN CURRY, Avid Golfer, Member of Bearpath Golf and Country Club After reading this book, I confidently golf with my husband, my son, and my father-in-law at the same time. This book revealed to me, regardless of my skill level, I don't have to miss out on four hours of important family time. SARA VALESANO, Beginner GolferTammy Laurent helps women in sales feel comfortable on the golf course with clients, potential clients, vendors or suppliers, and strangers. A financial advisor with over 33 years of experience, she enjoys helping clients, inspirational speaking, competing in triathlons, playing the piano, and anything outdoors. As co-owner of Stonebrooke Golf Club, built by her husband in 1989-known for its spectacular 8th hole drive across a Minnesota lake with a pontoon ride to the fairway-golf is an important part of her life.
Super Squad
Super Squad tells the story of those 23 footballers in the 1960s and 70s, who had the greatest influence on English football; and how that influence laid the path for football as it is today. Football fans of the time witnessed the English First Division produce the two greatest English players and the two greatest Scottish players ever - and one George Best. But we also witnessed the 'pioneers'; those players who did something for the very first time.The book deals with the significance of the abolition of the 'maximum wage' and the almost immediate effect it had on the game, the salaries and transfer fees. The book also touches upon the huge influence of television - both colour and black and white - during this time.This isn't just the story of those players, who stood out through their greatness alone. This is also the story about the players who were overlooked, the players who were unfairly mocked and the players who were forgotten - Super Squad seeks to honour their legacy.
The Long Audition
What does it take to become a professional footballer?A mix of luck, opportunity, football ability and intelligence, along with attitude and character, will give you a fighting chance of getting recruited into a football academy, staying there, and progressing in the game.If you're a young player currently in an academy, this book will help you make the most of it. If you're playing the game at grassroots level and want to get into an academy, this book will advise you on what you need to do to get there.Whoever you are, one thing is true: you've got a chance at fulfilling your potential and achieving your football dreams.But it all depends on what you want and how hard you're willing to work.Are you ready for your long audition?Reading this superb book, written by a highly distinguished and respected coach, educator and mentor, with an outstanding record of developing talented players for over 30 years, will empower you to achieve many things.The book will: Help you gain a clearer understanding of what your journey is going to look like and give you some control over itOffer you valuable tips to help you create your personal pathwayGive you the confidence to continue to work hard to achieve your hopes and dreamsImmerse yourself in the spirit of footballHelp you to retain a deep love of football for the rest of your life, regardless of the level you ultimately reach.By reading this book, you'll be better-equipped to build your own legacy. One thing is certain: if you follow the guidelines and principles set forth in this book, have talent, a strong work ethic, self-belief, and good fortune, you stand a very good chance of passing your long audition. May I take the opportunity to wish you well on your ever so exciting journey.Dr Tony Whelan Acad
Caught Beneath The Landslide
Gripping account of Manchester City's turbulent 1990s
The Great Black Hope
The story of two pioneering Black NFL football players that changed the face of America's game for generations to come. There is no position in pro sports more important than an NFL quarterback. But quarterbacking was the exclusive domain of white players for many years, and when Doug Williams and Vince Evans arrived in the league in the late 1970s, they got death threats, faced racist questions, and knew that a single mistake could end their careers. The Great Black Hope tells the twin stories of Vince Evans, an electrifying dual-threat quarterback ahead of his time, and of Doug Williams, the first Black quarterback to become a champion. Moore shows how easily Williams' triumphant story could have gone wrong and how his success changed the game and the country. A skillful blend of game-time drama and social commentary, this book captures unheralded heroes of the NFL and all that they meant, both on the field and off.
Blue-Eyed Soul Brother
Blue-Eyed Soul Brother tells the life story of NFL All-Pro free safety Bill Bradley, who was known on the gridiron as much for his fierce competitiveness as he was for his whimsical nonconformity off it. Bradley was among the first NFL players to hold out for a bigger salary and challenge the status quo with his long hair, bushy mustache, and free-spirited lifestyle. Beginning in high school, Bradley stood up for the civil rights of his Black teammates and was instrumental in breaking down the color barrier in Texas high school football. A highly recruited scholastic quarterback, Bradley played for the University of Texas Longhorns for three seasons. Unable to run the Wishbone offense, Bradley was demoted and switched to defensive back, where he reinvented himself as a ball hawk. After being drafted by the lowly Philadelphia Eagles, he became a triple threat who punted, returned, and played free safety and was the first player to lead the NFL in interceptions in consecutive seasons. After a thirty-year coaching career in the World Football, Canadian Football, and National Football Leagues, Bradley retired to his native Texas. There, he and his wife, Susan, cared for their son, Matt, a talented college quarterback who became a paraplegic after a savage assault by a drunk college student. Matt made a heroic eleven-year effort to regain the use of his voice and motor skills before he died in 2020. Today, Bradley is engaged in another struggle, this one with memory loss and other cognitive impairments caused by the many concussions he suffered during his nine-year playing career in the NFL. But he is determined to live his life to the fullest. Blue-Eyed Soul Brother is the inspirational story of a man whose contagious enthusiasm for life raised the spirits of those around him in both good and bad times--a story about the resilience of the human spirit in the face of personal tragedy, and a story to remember when life doesn't appear to be going your way.
Courtside
40 years of stunning basketball photography--both on the court and off--from one of the sport's greatest chroniclers. This handsome coffee table book is the perfect gift for the basketball fan in your life. As one of the NBA's premier photographers, Nathaniel S. Butler has shot it all. From iconic moments like Ray Allen's corner three to intimate portraits of Bill Russell and the NBA50 and NBA75 teams to Michael Jordan and Kobe Bryant and Steph Curry clinching championships, if it was a history-making basketball moment, Butler was there. Courtside: 40 Years of NBA Photography is a spectacular photographic collection spanning the first four decades of Butler's career, including the current draft class's rookie season. With commentary from NBA legends across generations, including Patrick Ewing, Steph Curry, Jeremy Lin, and Victor Wembanyama, this is the insider look at the National Basketball Association and the man whose photographs have helped define its rise.
Globetrotter
The Harlem Globetrotters weren't from Harlem, and they didn't start out as globetrotters. Globetrotter is the fascinating biography of Abe Saperstein, a Jewish immigrant who took an obscure group of Black basketball players from Chicago's South Side, created the Harlem Globetrotters, and turned them into a worldwide sensation.
The Agents' Game
In today's football world, self-representation is a mere fantasy. The role of professional agents has become indispensable; they are the linchpin in navigating the complex web of deals and negotiations. These agents are the architects of success, identifying the perfect environments for players to flourish and paving the way for their triumphs on the field. Yet, the world of football agency remains shrouded in mystery. While fans revel in the dazzling moves on the pitch, the intricate dealings behind the scenes often go unnoticed.In The Agents' Game, Peter Paleologos unveils the complexities of football agency, drawing from his own experiences and the personal stories of 28 influential deal-makers within and beyond Australia.The football agency industry is challenging, filled with moments of desperation and frustration, as well as elation and success. In The Agents' Game, these highs and lows are vividly portrayed as agents work tirelessly to secure the best opportunities for players, often facing criticism and misconceptions.The Agents' Game delves into the world of football agents, revealing that many are driven by a genuine desire to help players achieve their dreams rather than just financial gain. They possess intimate knowledge of clubs, leagues, fellow agents, and the true value of the players they represent. The book showcases that a common factor of success is a patient and diligent approach to the negotiation process, even as methods vary between agents.
