5 comments about Football For Dummies.

1. I bought this book for a birthday gift. I think they will enjoy it.



2. Living in Australia there is not a lot of readily available information about NFL. Sure you can make endless searches on the internet and watch the games on Foxtel but you need a little more knowledge of the game in order to understand what's going on. Enter Football For Dummies.
   
   This book is great. It gives you enough knowledge of rules and strategy in order to help you watch the game smarter. It has in-depth descriptions of the various positions as well as general principles of the offense and defense without becoming too confusing. In short the book is aimed at someone who knows very little (or nothing) about the game and does a good job of educating the interested reader. The book is best kept at your side to refer to while watching games (I do) and has a good glossary of terms at the back for interpreting what the commentators say - 'running a slant route', 'strong side play', 'nickelback and dimeback', '4-3 defense' etc. There is also information on College Football and rule differences between pro and college football as well as the various conferences that exist.
   
   While this would not suit someone who has played American Football or has a pretty good knowledge of NFL, it is a worthwhile investment for someone wanting to get started on their NFL journey (like me). I'm already thinking of joining a Fantasy Football League next season, the book also has information on FFL's.



3. I love this book. Growing up, I had no brothers and no one ever explained football to me. I could watch the game and have no idea what was going on. Now, I am a fervent Vikings fan, sitting glued to the TV with my "Football for Dummies" book. It is so much more fun to watch the game when you can follow it. My girl friends think I am some kind of football guru. And I am, with the help of my little secret- I cheat, with "Football for Dummies."



4. I purchased this item as a tool to help my son-inlaw learn the game of american football. Though he has questions for me that the book did not cover (rescent NFL rules changes), it is a great tool for someone wanting to learn football.



5. I wouldn't recommend this book to anyone. It amazes me that Howie Long, who played in the NFL, knows so little about football.
   It just goes to show you how a dunderhead like Howie Long who did a lot of steroids can go all the way to the top of his field without actually knowing anything. This book is trash. Football for dummies is a good title however, if you read this, you will be a dummy at football. Keep selling trucks Howie and keep your job on FOX because you can't write books, even if they're about football!

5 comments about Great Soccer Drills : The Baffled Parent's Guide.

1. While reading, Great Soccer Drills : The Baffled Parent's Guide by Thomas Fleck, I partiticipated as an assistant Soccer Coach on my son's team. I was familiar with his coach from a prior experience and knew this particular coach was difficult to communicate with. Shortly after beginning the practice season I was able to use Mr. Flecks book to identify some troubling aspects of our bi-weekly soccer practices. Our youth soccer league had endorsed the sort of "small sided" games illustrated in the book, however the teams coach would insist on using complicated drills for an older age group. The result was a group of young boys overwhelmed by the complicated drills who would then be subjected to repeated "stomach crunches" for not listening or following the drills. By reading the book, I was able to see that this situation bordered on abuse and I withdrew my child from that particular practice and team situation. My whole family is greatful for the thoughtful and "child centered" approach to coaching youth soccer presented in this very informative guide.



2. I'm an "A" Licensed coach who recently took the USSF National Youth License. This book was recommended by them. The course was excellent and this book, written by the same people who wrote the curriculum for the NYL, is a mirror-image. I found this such a great resource, I purchased one for every coach in my club.



3. I am a USSF National "D" license coach who also recently took the USYSA National Youth License Course. This book is an excellent resource and mirrored many of the things that were taught in the course. Don't let the title fool you; it is about teaching soccer through games and fun activities. I used it to supplement my training sessions at the U-9 competitve level here in Florida for my team and we had great success. I would recommend this book to anyone, including rec and competitive coaches for U-12 and below, especially. We are working on getting every coach in our club one of these books as well.



4. This book has proved a valuable resource for getting our U10 soccer team going. It provides numerous drills that are at once fun for the kids (8 & 9 year olds still play mostly for fun), and also effective at building skills. Used in conjunction with The Baffled Parent's Guide to Coaching Youth Soccer, it can provide a basic set of plans for any level of soccer play up to about U16.



5. I started coaching soccer last year with no idea where to begin. This book was a blessing to me and to my players. We were able to put together a winning season, but most importantly, the players had fun, were not bored and they learned alot.

5 comments about How Soccer Explains the World: An Unlikely Theory of Globalization.

1. just finished this on my kindle. a must if you like soccer. the fc barcelona chapter is outstanding. it leaves a scary feeling knowing there is still so much hatred around the world



2. This book was found in a collection of the "greatest books selections" included in THIS WEEK magazine. I was pleased to find it at Amazon and have enjoyed reading it. Informative, a lot of information and food for thought. I recommend it.



3. Soccer is the most popular sport worldwide. This book is about explaining the world with a phenomenon that is common to most citizens of the world - an important and timely attempt given voices for and against globalization. And, soccer does indeed explain the world in varied and all interesting ways. Following below is a sampler.
   
   One important aspect of globalization is the localization of international space. However, since spatial localization is not synonymous with assimilation, globalization has tended to magnify existing differences, and thereby intensifying and/or igniting intergroup violence of all kinds. The violence perpetuated and endured by the fans of the Celtic (Irish) and Rangers (Scottish) soccer clubs are extensions of the age-old Catholic-Protestant hatred. This violence persists even as both clubs now hire foreigner players of opposing religious denominations. For examples, the Rangers has had many Catholic players from Latin American countries on its roster.
   
   The chapter on "how soccer explains the Jewish question" has important educational information. Did you know that in the 1920s in Vienna there was an all-Jewish soccer club called Hakoah? At one point Hakoah dominated the Austrian soccer league and facilitated the emergence of "muskeljudentum (muscular Judaism)" as a cure for "Judendot (Jewish distress" (p. 69). The Nazis later used this success both against the Jews and in support of their propaganda that Jews were being treated humanely in concentration camps. Did you know the Dutch club Ajax has supported Jewish causes off and on the pitch for many years; or that Tottenham Hotspurs (London) continue to suffer association with Jewishness just because orthodox Jews lived in that neighborhood before World War II? Very interesting history lessons!
   
   The same globalization that brought black (mainly African) players to European professional soccer is the same globalization that allows hatred towards the same players as demonstrated by "ape noises and racist taunts" during games, most recently in Spain (p. 85). Ostensibly the world as explained by soccer is internally inconsistent as soccer hooliganism (Europe) and corrupt tophatism (Brazil) illustrate. The clash between old and new money-sponsored soccer, as represented by the Juventus-Agnelli-Fiat vis-à-vis AC Millan-Berlusconi competition in Italy, is another palatable example of the ugly internal inconsistence. And there is the Barcelona and Real Madrid rivalry that also goes deeper than futbol. Thus, soccer reveals that the world is externally global and internally tribal.
   
   Across the Muslim world, as the example of Iran demonstrates, soccer has played a modernizing role. However, modernization is change, and change and tradition are natural enemies. In North America soccer explains the divide between the suburban (soccer mom) culture dominated by golf, tennis, and hokey, and the "ghetto" culture ruled by basketball, baseball , football, and boxing. Each camp considers the other primitive and undeserving of the attention it gets.
   
   The book is disappointingly silent here about what soccer says about globalization in Africa, Far East Asia, and Australia and New Zealand. That is too bad because these regions export many footballers. Even so, I still rate the book high and will keep my copy.
   
   Amavilah, Author
   Economic Versus Non-Economic Dimensions of the Well-being of Nations
   ISBN: 9783838320984
   
   Modeling Determinants of Income in Embedded Economies
   ISBN: 1600210465
   
   Quotable Arthur Schopenhauer
   ISBN: 9781430324959



4. I like the opening chapters about Red Star Belgrade and the Glasgow rivalry but think he lost his way when he banging on about the all Jewish team and the whole Chelsea bad boys part. Could have been worse I suppose, I could have spent money on it. As it was I got it from the local library.



5. I have to admit, some of the parts of this book have lingered with me, having read it over 5 years ago. The excerpt about being on a boat with Irish fans traveling to watch Celtic vs Rangers was escpecially fascinating.
   
   I have to say, however, that I was completely deflated by the chapter on Iran, which was based entirely on someone else's PHD thesis. If I'm forking out good money on a book about soccer globalization, the author should have at least taken the time to go to Iran himself and interview people. As an Jewish American, however, Foer was probably not looking forward to that trip.
   
   Foer is a pretty decent writer, and I breezed through most of the book, which says a lot. But he is not a seasoned investigative reporter yet, and that shows. A good first effort, and perhaps better stuff ahead from the author.

5 comments about The Baffled Parent's Guide to Coaching Youth Soccer.

1. I bought this for my daughter who volunteered to be Soccer Coach for the first time. I say she wanted to do it but perhaps was more stong armed into doing it. She found it helpful.



2. I was volunteered to coach soccer for older kids. I highly recommend this book if you find yourself in the same position.
   
   The author's recommendations about coaching and drills made the season a complete success.



3. The book contains a great overview of youth soccer and how to coach it.
   
   The book contains a lot of information about the administration of coaching - planning, calling, communication, control of practices, etc., - as well as the techniques. The books contains a nice summary of the rules, different coaching styles, dealing with gender issues, and more. The table of contents is a accurate over-view as to the contents of the book.
   
   I had heard about this book while taking my "E" certificate course. The instructor and one of the other students recommended it because - and this is the real benefit of the book - the drills, games, and activities, listed at the back of the book. The book gives some nice practices plans and skills and drills to work on with the kids and because of the drills at the back of the book, the book continues to be a valuable reference tool.
   
   One thing that I thought was missing is what to expect from soccer players at each age. I know that everyone is different, but I thought a nice overall guide as to what to expect from U11 Girls, for example, would be nice.



4. Very helpful. First time coach. Had a winning season largely thanks to this book.



5. This is an excellent book for ANY youth soccer coach - don't be put off by the title.
   
   It has tons of drills and games you can instantly put into play at your next practice to keep things fun and fresh for the kids.
   
   I've coached both girls and boys teams even though I never played the game, and I used many of the games, drills, and skills from this book to make my teams the best they could be.

5 comments about Tangerine.

1. What can I say in this that I haven't said in the title? This book was so great as a kid that I had to reread it now as I'm older (20, anyway..) and it is still a perfect book. It's got a great story, with great characters, and it's really well written. The book takes you into it from the first page, and keeps you involved all the way through. I don't think I can explain very well. I do think if you read this book you will NOT be upset, whether you're a young adult, or older teenager, or even an adult. It hits home and it just makes you want to keep reading and reading it until you have finished it!
   
   Very much recommended.



2. I had high expectations for this book for my 13-year old son and I, based on the reviews. It fell a bit short of mine, but met or exceeded his. The tale of this dysfunctional family has "messages" about lots of issues --- the environment, sports hero worship, race and class discrimination, suburban sprawl --- and it can be heavy-handed in conveying the (worthy) messages it sends. It also swerves between realistic and fantastic in its treatment of the characters and their world. Arguably the author tried to cram too many books into this one story --- it's a bit "jack-of-all-trades master of none." On the other hand, the story has interesting characters and settings, more to it than many teen reads, and a fairly compelling narrative momentum. Knowing what it would be, I would have gotten it for the two of us, but never have read it as an adult on my own.



3. Tangerine by Edward Bloor is one of my favorite young adult novels, so this year I decided to try it as a read-aloud. Most of my students followed with interest, although I'm not sure how well all of them were able to truly grasp the multiple layers of the novel.
   
   Tangerine tells the story of Paul Fisher, a 12-year-old moving with his family to Tangerine, Florida. Paul lives with his parents and his older brother, Erik, who is a senior in high school. Erik is a star kicker on the football team with his eye set on a football scholarship to a major university. Paul and Erik's parents, especially their father, are obsessed with Erik's football career, leading Paul to derisively label it as "The Erik Fisher Football Dream" in his thoughts.
   
   Paul enjoys sports as well, although his favorite sport is soccer. He plays goalie, a position at which he feels comfortable, despite his disability. Paul is legally blind as a result of a mysterious accident when he was younger. His parents told him that he stared at an eclipse as a child, but the story doesn't add up.
   
   Paul quickly realizes that nothing is as it seems in Tangerine. He lives in a seemingly pristine development of McMansions surrounding a man-made lake, but it is plagued by many strange occurrences. A muck fire burns just outside the perimeter wall, the expensive koi are disappearing from the lake, and one house is repeatedly struck by lighting. Strange things also begin happening outside the development. The captain of the football team is killed by a lightning strike during practice. Also, part of Paul's middle school is swallowed up by a sinkhole.
   
   The idea that nothing is as it appears in not a new one to Paul. He feels that even though his vision is impaired, he sees things more clearly than other people. This is especially true in regards to his brother Erik. Where everyone else sees a fine young man and a star football player, Paul sees other things that are far less unpleasant. Whenever something bad happens around Tangerine, Erik seems to be nearby. Paul notices Erik's strange emotional reactions to events. Paul also starts to have flashbacks, thinking that Erik was somehow involved in the mysterious accident that affected his vision.
   
   The main part of the story occurs after the sinkhole incident. Paul decides to transfer from the wealthy, mostly white Lake Windsor Middle School to the poorer, mostly minority Tangerine Middle School. While this doesn't bother him at all, he sees ugly ideas about race and social class from some of his friends and family. Paul ultimately finds a comfort zone at Tangerine Middle, even as things around him become increasingly chaotic. Houses in Paul's neighborhood are burglarized, people are attacked, and Erik seems to Paul to be increasingly unstable.
   
   Tangerine has such a complex (but still easy to follow) story that it is hard to do it justice in a short summary. It touches on so many things. It satirizes the supposedly idyllic life of new developments, as well as the culture of youth sports, in which talent can trump character. It looks at the juxtaposition of social classes that is common in so many areas, where the lives of the rich and the poor who live close together usually intersect only infrequently. It looks at the struggle of Paul to find an identity as an adolescent who is often overshadowed by others. But most of all, it goes into the importance of looking beneath the surface.



4. Tangerine is one of my summer reading books. When ever I have to read it, it feels like a chore, but I would much rather prefer cleaning out my hamster's filthy poopy cage anytime than reading this awful novel. It is a stupid book with a crapy plot that stinks. After read the first 75 pages I wasn't sure what I wanted to do more, barf out all my intestines or set the book on fire while I danced around it and celebrated. If it was up to me, I would do both. I gave this item 1 star, I would give it - infinity stars but it only goes down to one.
   please DO NOT buy this book. I don't understand why some people gave it 5 stars? They must be crazy.



5. Haunted by a disturbing incident in his past, soccer player Paul Fisher begins to build a new life for himself when his family moves from Texas to Tangerine, Florida. Forever under the shadow of his older brother, a high school football star, Paul is forced to deal with his personal struggles and accomplishments all on his own. Tangerine is an unforgettable story with strong, believable characters and an interesting plot. Written by Edward Bloor.
   --Reviewed by Kristina Miranda

5 comments about Outcasts United: An American Town, a Refugee Team, and One Woman's Quest to Make a Difference.

1. Outcasts United is truly a masterpiece. It exemplifies the changes that are happening in America, by delving deep into a small town in Georgia. The book starts out by taking a look into an ever-changing small Southern town but shows the reader that through soccer and an open mind, help can be given to those who are in need. What this book shows is that sport, as an agent of change, can create amazing possiblities to those who may not have had access to better opportunties in their lives. We can't all be like Luma, the main character, however we can model our behavior to impact those around us for the better. America is changing, and this book shows we can either be resistant to the change or have an open mind and embrace new beginnings and opportunties for united growth. This book is a must-read for anyone who loves sports and the positive impact it can have. Enjoy!



2. Outcasts United is a great read for anyone interested in sports and society or social change.
   Sport unites. Refugees with a troubled past find a way to forget their troubles for a moment when they join a refugee soccer team called the Fugees. Guided by tough soccer coach Luma, the book describes the players, families, the troubles they are facing with integration into the American society, the social change occurring in a small town (Clarkston) and the residents responses to it.
   
   Warrens writing makes you develop a huge sympathy for coach Luma, who has the role as mentor for the players and their families. She puts all her energy and time into the practices and games. She faces a lot of problems on her road to gather successful teams: from logistical problems and players joining gangs and language barriers to problems with the town Clarkston and the mayor. At the same time you develop an heart for the players and their families because of the in-depth documentary style of writing. We used this book in our class to read in our sports MBA class, and the combination of sports and society is perfectly illustrated. Great read.



3. What a beautifully written book. Outcasts United was an exciting, heart warming, sometimes heart-wrenching story. Warren St. John manages to capture your heart and make you believe that you too can make a difference like Luma Mufleh did for the Fugees soccer team in Clarkston, Georgia. The refugees and local townspeople alike did not have any idea what their future would hold when refugees began arriving in Clarkston. This true story reminds us that as a country we would like to think we are open to change and ready for the further diversification of our country, but the book shows us that we might not be as ready as we thought. This small town just outside of Atlanta can teach anyone about the dangers of being fearful and resistant to change, and can help us see just where our country is headed. The book takes us on a journey with Luma, the Fugees soccer coach, and her attempt to unite a group of people through the game of soccer, while learning about some of the soccer team members and their families journey to America and subsequent struggles once they arrived. I recommend anyone who likes history, sociology, and has a love of sports read Warren St. John's Outcasts United.



4. The first time I heard of the Fugees was when coach Luma was interviewed on TV. Having lived near this area, and driven through the streets of Clarkston, I had absolutely no idea of the young people and inner-workings of the area. At times sad to read in realizing how difficult for families having to relocate to a completely foreign area with no knowledge of the language and differences in culture. Coach Luma is very inspirational in her efforts to improve the lot of these children, along with a picture of the workings of the "Old South", and the joy of the children as they bloom under Luma's tutelage. Shouldn'nt be missed!



5. I truly loved this book. As a person who is passionate about human rights, particularly the deplorable conditions that people have to go through to make them refugees, this book really hit the spot. You truly root for the people in this book and feel gutted by how they are treated by the Mayor, some of the community, the police (initially), and the YMCA (at times). There were a few instances in which the maltreatment made my jaw drop open in shock and I had to set the book down because I was just mad.
   
   Recently, I've been reading many books about refugees. This is one of the best I've read so far, especially for the perspective of what it is like to come to the United States. The country that they feel will help save them, and yet, in reality, does not give them an easy life. It talks about the struggle for a single refugee mom to find a job that pays enough for her to actually make money after she has to pay childcare costs. Apartment owners who decide to stop fixing up their places nicely, because regular Americans within the area don't want to live next to refugees. Might as well let the place go, rent the apartments cheaply and take what profit they can get. Adjusting to all of the cultural differences. In particular, I found the information about language to be interesting. How adults have difficulties in learning the language because they usually take undesirable, hidden jobs that involve little interaction with Americans, and so children are sometimes the negotiators because they learn English at school. The fact that telemarketers take advantage of refugees' inability to speak the language and understand the culture by repeatedly telling them to sign up for some service and get ____ "free, free, free."
   
   As this is written by a reporter, it shows the good and bad. Selected refugee members on the soccer team are involved in gangs. After all, a U.S. gang can be seen as a provider of a sense of belonging (something teens, especially refugee teens, crave), and for some, being in a gang is not that different from situations they experienced in their home countries. Explanations and history are constant in the book, but you still feel like you are reading an engaging story, rather than a history book, so this retains mass appeal.
   
   I learned so many amazing tidbits about refugees that I'd almost like to share them all (like the story of the American grocer who converted his store to one that had traditional foods for refugees, and as a result, stayed in business and thrived), but then this review would be overly long. If this subject or the subject of soccer interests you at all, then this is a must-read.
   
   As for the soccer, I am a sports fan. Like most Americans probably, soccer is fun, but definitely not my favorite sport. The stories of the games and practices, however, are written engagingly and interspersed with information about the players and their life stories. This is not one of those books where you would want to skip over the sports sections in order to get back to the main story. The stories of the practices and games teach you about how the refugees from so many different cultures and countries struggle with/learn how to get along with each other and build a team bond.
   
   If you have read this book or will do so and like it, I would then recommend [...]. Bixler is also a reporter for an Atlanta paper, but the books are definitely different enough. Bixler's book, The Lost Boys of Sudan: An American Story of the Refugee Experience, does have more history, but don't let that discourage you, as it is also an excellent, clear book with an interesting story of how young Sudanese refugees resettle in the U.S.

5 comments about Inverting the Pyramid: The History of Football Tactics.

1. Excellent historical read on the development of tactics not only from the British perspective but worldwide. Highly recommend.



2. This is an excellent book, well-written and well-researched, about how the game has evolved in different parts of the world.



3. This book is for any soccer fan who wants to understand the nature of the game and the different formations and evolution of the most beautiful game in the world. Simply fantastic!!!



4. This is definitely a book for the committed fan but if you are a committed fan, you'll definitely enjoy this book. The quality of writing is very good, well above the level of the great majority of sports journalism, and Wilson appears to be a very thorough researcher. The bibliography is impressive and Wilson deserves credit for grinding through and analyzing a large volume of material, some recondite in the extreme (club histories) and a great deal that must have been rather boring to read (memoirs by famous managers). The result is an interesting, comprehensive history of soccer tactics since the initial development of the game. There are a couple of recurrent themes. Wilson, as befits a Brit, is rather concerned with the state of British football, and the perpetual conservatism of British coaches and managers runs throughout the book. The corollary, the birth of innovation outside Britain outside Britain, even when fathered by expat British coaches, is another theme. Wilson also illustrates well how tactical changes often occurred somewhat in parallel in different countries, an interesting example of convergent evolution. Some changes occur because of rule changes, Herbert Chapman's development of the WM formation with stopper center half being an example. Others arise as logical tactical adaptations, for example, the development of the flat back four or the withdrawn center forward. Some tactical changes are set in train by others. With teams playing a flat back four, traditional wing play became obsolete. Some tactics, like the Swiss precursor to the sweeper, arose because of unique circumstances, in this case, a semi-professional league, and then spread.
   
   There are some real surprises in Wilson's account. Who would have thought that the Soviet Union would host football innovations? In the 1950s, intelligent Soviet coaches were emphasizing aggressive forward play and diagonal runs. By the 70s, Ukrainian coaches were developing the aggressive full field pressing style characteristic of much of the modern game. Usual descriptions of Dutch total football emphasize its attacking propensity but Wilson intelligently points out that this was predicated on aggressive defending, pressing, and playing a high line and aggressive offside trap.
   
   I think Wilson does make one significant omission about something that has influenced soccer significantly in the recent decades - the development of goalie play. The nearly universal existence of big, athletic keepers with decent ball skills is certainly one of the factors that permits the modern pressing game.



5. Deep and detail analysis of the beautiful game. Evolution and development of formations from the end of XIX century to present. It answers all tactical questions any coach can have. Very nicely written book I would recommend to anybody who likes FOOTBALL.

5 comments about The Blind Side: Evolution of a Game.

1. A good follow-up to the movie, but sometimes a bit too detailed regarding football facts and figures.



2. I saw the movie way before i read the book, but i can assure you, if you like the movie you'll love the book, it has and air of remembering the game, and taking you to the moments that really change the game of football.



3. Saw the movie, and found it heartwarming, but the book is another thing altogether. Just wonderful. Learned a great deal about football (The author wrote Moneyball, after all) and the human side of the story was much more richly developed.



4. Like most of Michael Lewis' books, this one read easily and agreeably. Michael Oher's story is genuinely fascinating and inspiring. I skipped through some of the football history parts, as I found these too lengthy and lacking my interest in the story.
   
   The Tuohy family is to be admired for its altruism, dedication, affection, and determination in creating purpose and opportunity for this kid from the projects.
   
   As the book moves along, my appreciation of (mother) Leigh Anne Tuohy personality gradually diminishes, as her seeming almost snobby fixation of- and incessant reference to the (lavish) standards of belonging to the Tuohy family became nauseating.
   
   On the other side (father) Sean Tuohy's role in Michael Oher's life gains in stature as the book moves along. Sean Tuohy's determination to find loopholes in order for Michael Oher to reach the necessary GPA and be permitted to attend college, I appreciate as a father. The existing loopholes and the murky ways to reach a set GPA, as described in the book, I find highly debatable, if not unacceptable. It partially negates the purpose of an academic life and demonstrates a different set of rules with regard to gifted athletes.
   
   Regardless Michael Oher is a remarkable individual, who crossed an immense number of obstacles, through character strength and resolve, undoubtedly aided by an exceptionally selfless family.



5. I loved the movie. The book? Not so much.
   
   As an avid HS and college football fan, I appreciate the emphasis on the evolving game.
   
   As a long-time teacher, I appreciate the efforts to bring a struggling child up to his potential.
   
   As a football mom, well... Let me just say that we don't have bazillions of dollars and a myriad of contacts at our respective alma maters (and beautiful window treatments and $2000 kitchen tables). Nor were we willing to flaunt the rules or have our son declared LD and then sign him up for "personal development" classes from an online school so that he could circumvent the NCAA rules. He's playing DII ball on his own merits, and we're happy about that.
   
   I'm 3/4 of the way through this book, and while I am not one to give up on a book, I am just tired of reading this.
   
   The Tuohys have lots of money. Money talks. Ho-hum.

5 comments about Mind Gym : An Athlete's Guide to Inner Excellence.

1. This book includes many of the basic mental concepts discussed in sports: staying positive, etc. Although there were some helpful tips, it was a task to sort through the excessive name dropping. As an athlete, I don't need to know the names of everyone the author has ever helped. I assume, since I am buying and reading the book, that I will at least somewhat trust what is being said and that I will be willing to try it myself. If you need the 150/224 pages of professional athlete anecdotes, then this book is for you. If, like most athletes, you don't have time to sit and read fluff, find another book.



2. I am an 1,90 and 120kg marathon runner. When I announced that I intend to run a marathon the reactions varied from amusement to worry that I will not survive. That might have been the case if I wouldn't have had THIS book. It made all the difference in the world. Maybe half of the training time was "mind gym".
   The result? Not only I have finished alive but I made quite a good time (3h44). This performance changed not my weight (I am still 120kg) but my self-image. I know now that the only limits are in my head. I changed. A lot. From the introvertit obese to the cocky, confident obese :) I fired my boss. Actually, the company fired him for mobbing. I got a fat settlement. I switched careers. I took one sabbatical year and focused on learning trading. Here, again, the "Mind gym" made a huge difference. I become profitable and then ... very profitable. I don't own a Porsche but I am free (of worries, schedules, bosses)
   
   If you intend to buy only one book for the next year: BUY THIS ONE !!



3. Pretty good book if you need some general motivation... The author knows the topic and gives some good examples, but doesn't really get into specific actions to help resolve issues. Also, alot of baseball and golf examples, I found it hard to relate it to the sports I am involved in. Tons of great quotes, etc to get you amped.



4. This book is tough to review because people have different expectations with sport psychology books. If you are looking for a neatly organized system of beliefs, principles, and exercises to begin applying to your game tomorrow this might not be the book for you. Maybe you should check out With Winning In Mind or 10-Minute Mental Toughness? With that said, I loved this book. Once you start it you might not be able to put it down. Its a motivational book that weaves sports psychology principles into stories to illustrate the importance of each principle. This book inspired me to write down an effective system of beliefs and checklists I can go through before a game. The important part is the system and beliefs are mine.



5. This book was recommended to me get over issues I had playing racquetball. I kept making mental mistakes and things got worse as the match progressed. This book has taught me how to stay focus and keep moving forward. My game has improved quite a bit and I have beaten players that I have never beaten before. When things go wrong I use the techniques in this book. I highly recommend this book for anyone who needs to take the next step. This is one of those books that you will read more than once and make notes of certain chapters.

5 comments about Soccernomics: Why England Loses, Why Germany and Brazil Win, and Why the U.S., Japan, Australia, Turkey--and Even Iraq--Are Destined to Become the Kings of the World's Most Popular Sport.

1. I'm only a little over 100 pages in, but I love what I have read thus far. Points are intellectually made yet explained in layman's terms. The authors can border on coming across as being infatuated with their own opinions and brilliance at times, but you never forget that they still love the game in the end.



2. Well written book. I can't say anything that the other 5 star reviews don't put more eloquently. I will say that they explain how they go about making their conclusions in a much more transparent and easier to understand way than Freakonomics. Nice purchase for an econ undergrad or any fan of soccer.



3. if you're interested in sociology of sport you'll enjoy this book. some very interesting ideas.



4. I first came to know the name Simon Kuper when he was a guest lecturer at a local university in Toronto, Canada. The articulate British author talked about his new novel Soccernomics and some of the core arguments. Despite making some fascinating points about football, he looked uncomfortable and unable to answer some of the questions that the audience prosed in the Q&A period. I was greeted with a great deal of skepticism, but decided to purchase the book anyway.
   
   After reading through the book, I can safely say Soccernomics is fantastic and a must-read for any soccer fan! Stefan Szymanski lives up to his billing as a top sports economist with thorough detail and Kuper fits the part with his commentary including tidbits of witty humour. Correlating statistical analysis with any sport is extremely difficult because you are attempting to satisfy the common reader without flattening the economic methodology. Kuper is to-the-point and articulate in his arguments. Most importantly, he does not make an argument, and then uses statistics to back up his perspective. Rather, he reads through the information, recognizes patterns, and creates a formula. Several fascinating chapters include Core to the Periphery (Guus Hiddink) and why England loses.
   
   Despite the many positives, there are some flaws. At times, the economic analysis is overwhelming and seems suited more for a peer-reviewed journal than a book for the common consumer. As well, some of the variables are far too large (population, income etc) and rarely include common competing variables (other popular sports etc). Furthermore, Kuper is well-travelled and could integrate more of his personal experiences to add some `spice' to the arguments #Hiddink is an excellent example but we also know how he has done speeches at Fenerbahçe Spor Kulübü.
   
   Needless to say, these our not strong enough weaknesses to warrant it a 4-star. All in all, an excellent book and I would highly recommend it.
   
   4.5/5



5. This book is required reading for anyone who calls them self a soccer fan. Granted a good majority of the book focuses on England and English football however there is still much to learn even if you've never seen an EPL match. Kuper and Szymanski's insights on the changing nature of international football and international economics make for an informative and thought provoking read. While I am still a fan of "going with your gut" when it comes to making decisions in sports this book has helped open my mind some more to the value of statistical analysis in sports. This book is equal parts Freakonomics, Moneyball, and primer for the 2010 World Cup. No matter if you've been following soccer all your life or if you're completely new to the game there is something here for you. So much more than a sports book, Soccernomics will lend you a greater understanding of the world in which we live. Highly Recommended.