5 comments about It's Not About the Bra: Play Hard, Play Fair, and Put the Fun Back Into Competitive Sports.

1. I was impressed with the book. It was a good read - I read it in one night. There was good life advice in it - but what I probably liked more were the stories about things that had happened to Brandi or to her teammates and the other anecdotes. I also liked the pictures and wished there were more. The guest essays by Mia, Lily, Shannon Boxx etc. were great.



2. The only person in the world who has been trying to make a big deal of Brandi Chastain's Bra is Brandi Chastain



3. Brandi Chastain did a wonderful job of informing people about what really goes on behind the scenes of an inspiring athlete. If you have never played soccer, there is no way you can disagree with what she has to say in this book. Brandi Chastain has been my favorite soccer player since i was 7 years old and I am now 16. She explains the difficulties of making it as a professional female athlete (in soccer especially). Soccer is not as monumental as it is in other countries but it is becoming a world wide infatuation. Because of the woman like Brandi Chastain, Mia Hamm, Kristine Lilly, Julie Foudy, Carla Overbeck, Joy Fawcett and many others. This is why "soccer mom" is officially becoming an american symbol. Of what the "91'ers" have set up as a way for female athletes to have a chance in history. People can say how much soccer will never be a big deal but rather they like it or not it is growing rapidly throughout the United States. I had the chance of meeting Brandi Chastain at a soccer convention as one of her skills demonstrators. She was the most inspirational person I have ever met. I can say that my entire team would be happy with just meeting her. But Brandi did not stop at that she scrimmaged with us and made our lives complete. If I had to meet anyone in the world it would be that woman. But I could have anything in the world it would have been to be able to have a team picture with her (all of us in our sports bra's) just to show that it's not about politics or rich people that think showing a bra in the heat of the moment while celebrating is a big deal. I would like to disagree, she had to "guts" to do so and I respect her for that. The woman is an amazing individual that will go down in history for being the one individual that steped up infront of millions of people and scored the winning goal. She should atleast deserve a celebration for all of her hard work.



4. I very much enjoyed this book because of the variety of advice you receive while reading it. It's very interesting to see an Olympian and World Cup winner's view on youth sports today. She raises some different points about how youth soccer is today which I hadn't thought of before. Another aspect of the book which I liked is how she included excerpts written by her teammates, families, and friends. These portions help to vary the book's contents and portray more people's views on soccer techniques. Since I'm a soccer player, I found the advice given on teamwork, sportmanship, technique, and finding a team to be very helpful. However, I believe that all athletes could benefit from the advice given in this book because many aspects of sports are similar and needed in all games. Lastly, I enjoyed hearing stories about her soccer career and life because these experiences provide insight about the game of soccer. I suggest that parents of athletes should read this book because it gives instructions on how to behave and be a good sport at children's games. Aditionally, coaches may benefit from the advice given about soccer in this book.



5. She takes off her shirt and now is trying to profit from it. If it's not about the bra, why is it on the cover? Bad example for young women, worst book ever.

1 comments about Terrace Legends.

1. As an American perplexed by the phenomenon of English soccer hooliganism I purchased this book with the expectation that it would shed some light on this violent British subculture. Reading it proved I was wrong. All the authors have done is ask the same identical questions to a number of former hooligans and record their answers. After you have read the first few entries there is no need to continue as all the responses are similiar.
   
   One would have hoped for a better written explanation of the history and possible causes of this aberrant behavior but you won't find it in this book. A waste of money in my opinion.

5 comments about The Girls of Summer: The U.S. Women's Soccer Team and How It Changed the World.

1. Jere Longman has a real hit here. You don't have to love soccer to love this book. Not only does Longman tell of the Womens World Cup win, but of the entire existance of the National team. He discusses subjects that other authors would never dream of touching, such as sexual orientation of the players. He goes on in-depth about that subject along with many others. If you just want a simple and to the point review of WWC '99, than this book is definately not for you, but I would still consider reading it. It brings back the goosebumps all over again. -The book also includes a few biographical chapters on both american players:Brandi Chastain, Mia Hamm, and Michelle Akers, as well as a bio of China's Sun Wen and Gao Hong. And almost every USA player was interviwed for the book



2. I thought that this was a great book. I enjoyed reading it because my favorite female athletes were the subjects in this book. This book shows the stroggle that athletes go through and the publicity that is always there no matter what.

   This was probably the best book that i ever read because i play soccer and i like to seee wha goes around on the proffesional level. The us womens soccer team has gone trough their ups and downs and this book went through it step by step. I felt as though i know what they were going through because it was so real.

   Mia Hamm is right now the best womens soccer play in the world. She is well know in any ste and country. She has been on adds and verious things to promote the womens soccer team. Others team mates have done the same but none to the level of Mia Hamm. This book shows what she has been through and her own personal struggle to make it as a proffesional athlete.

   Now that i have read this book i have even more respect for the womens national soccer team and all proffesional athletes because i am aware of what they have gone through. I have been able to read about my favorite female athletes and know about their past. I recomend this book to anyone who is a female athlete or loves the game of soccer. It's not just for girls it is great for men to learn about proffesiional athletes.

   alex rothemich




3. This was an awesome book and the best I've read in a longtime. Everyone should read this regardless of if they play soccer or not.



4. Jere Longman's, The Girls of Summer, is by far one of the best non-fiction books I have ever read. I am a huge Womens National Team fan. I am always in search for a great book, depicting the life and success's of the entire team. He coherses through the professional and personal lives of the women that grabbed the hearts of the United States. Their success is revealed in this wonderful book.

   I persoanally, could not put this book down when I purchased it. I finished it in two days, it was just so up-lifting. It's a great motivational book. You always wish you were there to experience the moments that the team lived through. From country to country, trial to trial, this team is very special. If someone would like to know the US history of womens soccer, this is a perfect buy. I could picture myself there, it was detailed and deeply moving. I really enjoyed reading on the players whom fought so hard to gain respect and recognition.

   I'm sure, if we saw the final game against China in 1999, we can all say where we were, and how we reacted. For many of us, such as I, we cried for joy. That game was the turning point in womens sports. And Longman made me remember once again what it was like to watch that game, and see the 90,000+ fans going wild after Brandy Chastain scored the final PK. It is a fantastic book for any soccer fan, man or woman. It is a book to read if you feel you need to be inspired. It's worth the buy.




5. I loved this book. It told about the history of what made the team and womens soccer so good and fun. If you love soccer and history, you will love this book.

3 comments about More Than Goals: The Journey from Backyard Games to World Cup Competition.

1. The U.S.'s greatest soccer star, Claudio Reyna, has always put more effort in his game than most players, and he does the same thing in this book. Instead of simply writing an autobiography, or an instruction manual, he does both in More Than Goals. And he does it with great style too, using his own personal experiences to illustrate the general principles and techniques that have made him one of the world's premiere players. If you're a fan who wants to know more about Claudio, or a player who wants to learn how to take your game to the next level, this book is for you...



2. Tired of typical linear, from-youth-to-star books? Unsatisfied with "how-to" drills? If so, this is the perfect antidote.

   Claudio's story as a genuine American soccer hero is a special one -- and he tells it in an engaging, exciting way. With the help of talented soccer journalist Mike Woitalla, Claudio weaves various parts of his career with thoughts on the state of American soccer today. Using his father (his first coach) as an example, Claudio describes his view of American soccer -- the ideal, and the reality.

   The book can be read and enjoyed by many audiences: young players seeking inspiration; coaches looking for tips on how to teach and motivate, and soccer fans hoping for an inside view of a true American hero.




3. "As one of the most gifted players in U.S. soccer history and national team captain, Claudio Reyna has helped the team to be more successful and competitive internationally. Through his professional experiences in Germany, Scotland, and England, he's become a great pro and a wonderful student of the game. More Than Goals is a special look at what motivates this great player and how he's developed his skills. I highly recommend this book to all soccer enthusiasts."

   Bruce Arena
   U.S. National Team Coach and Technical Director

   "When Claudio's on the field, teammates know he's going to get them the ball and that he'll help them to play better. More Than Goals gives insights into becoming that kind of player."

   Landon Donovan
   2002 and 2003 U.S. Player of the Year

1 comments about Totally Frank: The Autobiography of Frank Lampard.

1. its great to find out more about frank's childhood and they way he began his career in the youth academy and also his relationship with mourinho, rainieri, but I have to say he should have let someone else write it for him, its was like reading an essay from a 15 year old boy.

1 comments about Want Some Aggro?: The True Story of West Ham's First Guv'nors.

1. As if we need another book about violence?
   Get a life and go out one night in your town centre - kids are killing kids!
   This book is all Watch With Mother meets Jackanory.
   If you've read one Cass Pennant book, you've no need to read anymore - not that you'd want to ... Charles Dickens he ain't.
   What with Charles Haughtry on the front cover. A right couple o' Charlies, they make.
   Same ol' same ol'.
   Millwall, West Ham, then maybe Portsmouth (in that order); we all know where the so called hard men of football violence come from.
   Not for real football fans - and quite frankly Bermondsey ruled the roost, not Bethnal Green.
   A lot of poetic license has been used to pep up most of Smiffy's stories - and a fair share of Tom Peppering too.
   What is it about East Londoners and their obsession with telling all - no wonder `Bertie' Smalls and most other London supergrasses come from that manor.
   Mile Eng Mob? Bunch o' crowd punchers more like.

No comments about Manchester United: The Complete Record: The Most Comprehensive Book of Facts, Figures and Statistics About Manchester United Ever Published.

No comments about Historia de un Guerrero - Claudio Suarez.

No comments about John Terry: Captain Marvel: The Biography.

2 comments about Bright Path: Young Jim Thorpe.

1. Author/Illustrator Don Brown captures the life of Native American athlete Jim Thorpe. You can't help but smile as Jim thanks the King of Sweden for declaring him the World's Greatest Athlete in the Olympic Games in 1912. A drawback is Brown's depiction of faces that portray the eyes as slits. This results in the characters appearing Asian. The Author's Note tells the sad story of Jim's confiscated medals and their return many years after his death.



2. In this children's book awash in soft, delicate colors on every page, the life of the world's greatest athlete of his time, Jim Thorpe, is unfolded.
   
   Beginning on his parents' Oklahoma farm, it tells of Bright Path's (Jim's Indian name) young life with his siblings, and continues through his unhappy school years. Jim was sent to boarding school for Indians to learn to live the white man's way, and it was during his later school years that Jim's natural athletic talent was discovered.
   
   The book continues with Jim's amazing feats at the 5th Olympic Games in Sweden in 1912 where he won two gold medals, one in the pentathlon and one in the decathlon, setting records that were not exceeded for twenty years.
   
   In his author's note in the back of book, Don Brown retells Thorpe's life, giving more detail about his family and sports careers after the Olympics. There are also references, a short bibliography and photographs of Jim Thorpe.
   
   Don Brown has written and illustrated many biographies for children. Bright Path is for pre-school children to third grade but will be enjoyed by older children, and with the biography added in the back, adults will also appreciate reading this tribute to Jim Thorpe.
   
   Armchair Interviews says: Well-told story of a wonderful athlete.