Review of "The 1929 Bunion Derby"
As a runner, albeit a slow one, I always enjoy reading stories of other runners. I have nothing be admiration for the participants of this race, which was very well documented by Charles Kastner in this book. Here is my review for "The 1929 Bunion Derby."
"The 1929 Bunion Derby" by Charles Kastner
Running, long distance, history
A nearly forgotten footnote in the history of running and foot races took place in the late 1920's when the Bunion Derby was held. The race was held in 1928 and again in 1929 and was a trans-American race in which the runners would run distances ranging from an "easy" day of about 30 miles to days when they had to cover nearly 70 miles of unpaved roads, unpredictable weather and treatment for injuries that inevitably occurred. The races were a means of promoting businessman Charlie Pyle's roaming vaudeville show and the runners were promised prizes when their trek that started in New York City would end in Los Angeles for the 1929 version. Like many other events and businesses, they would not be held again after the Great Depression and were viewed as time passed as just another example of the excesses that were wasted before the stock market crash.
The book focuses on Pyle and four runners who held the lead through most of the event. The reader will be taken back to a time when long distance running was very different than it is today. Each day's run is described with the conditions the men had to endure as well as the results and how they were able to cope with the adversity. There are many personal stories about the runners or bunioneers as the author calls them that make the book a terrific read. Also, while a lot of the focus of the book is on the frontrunners, there are great stories about other participants. One such runner is Eddie Gardner, an African American long distance runner who had to endure even more adversity than most of his competitors simply because of the color of his skin and the fact that some of the cities that the race went through were steeped in Jim Crow laws at the time.
The runners were aware that there was a distinct possibility that the promised prize money may not happen, as the book illustrates Pyle's mishandling of funds for the race, his overly optimistic predictions of attendance and revenue his vaudeville show would produce (they traveled with the bunioneers) and his problems with creditors that resulted in vehicles being impounded and trouble finding lodging for his runners and show performers. Through it all, the stories of how the runners kept on running out of sheer determination makes the reader feel like he or she is a part of the spectacle. It is an excellent read that any fan or participant in the sport will enjoy.
I wish to thank NetGalley for providing a copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.
Did I skim?
Pace of the book:
Very good. It felt slow for a while, especially at the beginning when there was more historical content that wasn't part of the race, the runners or the vaudeville show that toured with the runners. But as the race continued, like some of the runners, the pace of the book picked up.
Do I recommend?
Yes, especially for history buffs and for those interested in long distance running. In much the same way "Born to Run" brought a new appreciation to long distance running, the reader will certainly have much respect and admiration for those athletes who daily ran distances longer than a marathon, sometimes more than TWO marathons.
http://www.amazon.com/The-1929-Bunion-Derby-Footrace/dp/081561036X/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1393468681&sr=8-1&keywords=1929+bunion+derby
Labels: History, long distance, running
Review of "Striking Silver"
Sometimes when cleaning out bookcases, you find a gem or two that you forgot you bought or meant to read and never got around to it. That was the case for me when I found this book that I bought a few years ago but never did read it. After finding it, I made sure to read it while the Olympics were still on, and I am so glad that I did. Enjoy my review of "Striking Silver."
"Striking Silver: The Untold Story of America's Forgotten Hockey Team" by Tom Caraccioli and Jerry Caraccioli
Ice hockey, Olympics, United States
The United States has won the gold medal twice in Winter Olympics history – the scrappy team of 1960 and the "Miracle on Ice" in 1980. However, there was another improbable medal won by an American hockey team in the Winter Olympics. In 1972, the Olympics were held in a country not in Europe or the US for the first time, in Sapporo, Japan. Expectations were not high for the Americans, as they finished dead last in the top group of teams during the 1971 World Championships and were not expected to do any better in this tournament.
Why and how something different happened during those two weeks in Japan is described in the wonderful stories shared to the authors by the players of that team. The Caracciolis blend personal stories from each player and coach Murray Williamson along with brief descriptions of each game together in a wonderful and entertaining manner. The stories told by the players were the best part of this book. They not only talked about their Olympic experiences but also how they felt about their adventures to make the team and how they bonded as a team.
The book is also an illustration of how different an era that was, not only for Olympic hockey but for American society as well. An entire chapter is dedicated to how a certain war affected the members of this team, simply titled "Vietnam." Two players on the hockey team served in combat in Vietnam, goalie Pete Sears and forward Stewart Irving. The others either had served on "temporary duty" by playing on the American team or were able to avoid service because of a high draft number. Something that I felt was sobering was that at the start of each player's story, the page listed the player's birthday, jersey number on the USA jersey and his draft number.
Something that may surprise many fans, especially those who only know about the 1980 USA win over the Russians, was that the young American squad and the older, experienced Russian team bonded together during the preliminary games and during the Olympics themselves. The Americans and their coach were enthusiastic students to learn the international game, and the Russians were happy to share some lessons. Of course, that didn't mean they were not rivals during actual game competition, but they did some off-ice socializing as well.
The Olympic tournament was different at that time as well. Of the 12 nations that sent teams, they were divided into two pools based on their rankings at the end of the 1971 championships. As the bottom of Pool A, the US had to face the best team of Pool B, Switzerland in the elimination round. That was the first game and each winner of the six games would qualify for the round-robin medal round. The USSR did not have to play an elimination game and automatically qualified for the round. After the Americans beat the Swiss and entered the medal round, they felt good about their chances. That paid off as they pulled off an upset of Czechoslovakia, lost only to Sweden and the USSR and won the rest of their games. They ended their play in a position to win a medal if Finland could beat Sweden, which happened and was the second biggest upset of the tourney. Then one game was left – between bitter rivals Czechoslovakia and the USSR. The Russians not only did not want to lose to their rivals, but if they won, their friends from the US would win the silver medal, as they would win the tiebreaker because they had beaten the Czechs. As expected, the USSR won and the Americans were the silver medal winners in 1972.
This book brings all of the experience back from the player's viewpoint and also by weaving a good description of what the international hockey life was at that time. Any fan of Olympic hockey or hockey history will enjoy this entertaining and fascinating book about an American medal winning team that history has somehow overlooked.
Excellent. All of the stories, both those shared by the players and coaches and those of the games themselves were all brief enough to be quick reads, but informative and entertaining as well.
Yes. I would almost want to call this required reading for any fan of Olympic hockey. The stories of each of these players are worth reading, and the humility of them is refreshing. While the title was correct at the time of publication as the accomplishments of this group of young men was forgotten, this book will certainly help fans either remember what this team did or introduce them to a new group of fans.
http://www.amazon.com/Striking-Silver-Untold-Americas-Forgotten/dp/1596700785/ref=cm_cr_pr_product_top
Labels: Ice Hockey, Olympics, United States
Review of "To Hate Like This"
Earlier I reviewed a book about sports rivalries, "Love Thy Rival." One of the rivalries mentioned was Duke-North Carolina basketball. I found this book on that rivalry in the library, so naturally I was curious. I am glad I picked it up, as it was a very entertaining read. Here is my review of "To Hate Like This."
"To Hate Like This Is To Be Happy Forever" by Will Blythe
Basketball, College, North Carolina, Duke, rivals
College sports are filled with rivalries that evoke passions that otherwise are not shown by some people. Will Blythe writes about one of these emotions that he otherwise would not admit to having, hate, as a result of the rivalry between the Duke University men's basketball team and his favorite team, North Carolina.
The book is mostly personal stories about the times he would talk about and watch the games with his parents. The stories where he and his mother are watching the game and her pessimism until the final horn are priceless. I especially like Blythe's description of what she would do after a particularly upsetting loss to calm herself down. The stories where he interacts with his father are touching and written from the heart.
There are also recaps of games during the 2004-05 season. However, these do not read like typical recaps in a newspaper or reporting book. These are where the stories are with his parents or other people with whom he watched the game. Also, these recaps often resulted in other stories about players, coaches or others who were a part of the action. He doesn't only write about North Carolina players and coaches. He did include some Duke stories as well that were not spiteful or mean. In fact, my favorite story in the entire book was about Duke shooting guard JJ Reddick and it was a very flattering piece on the player.
The book's selling point is the humor, and the first chapter sets the tone. It made me cry a couple times because I was laughing so hard. Even the title of that chapter, "The Object of My Affliction" made me chuckle. While this book would be best for North Carolina fans, any fan of college basketball will be entertained by reading it.
Very good. A few of Blythe's stories about other people slowed down the book briefly, but his own stories and his accounts of the Tar Heel games were fast.
Yes, I do to fans of college basketball and especially of North Carolina.
http://www.amazon.com/Hate-Like-This-Happy-Forever-ebook/dp/B000FCKREC/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1392583158&sr=1-1&keywords=to+hate+like+this+is+to+be+happy+forever
http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/to-hate-like-this-is-to-be-happy-forever-will-blythe/1110766088?ean=9780060740245
Labels: Basketball, college, Duke, North Carolina
Review of "Red Snow"
With the Winter Olympics in full swing, the setting for this murder mystery is perfect - a small British Columbia village holding Olympic trials before the 2010 Vancouver Winter Games. Some skiing and snowboarding in this, but the bulk of the story is the mystery. Because of the setting, I decided to include this review on this blog. Here is my review of "Red Snow."
"Red Snow" by Michael Slade
Fiction, Winter Olympics, skiing, snowboarding, murder mystery
A quaint British Columbia village, Whistler, that is hosting the Olympic trials before the Winter Olympics in Vancouver is the setting for Michael Slade's thriller "Red Snow." It is part of his Special X series on the Canadian Royal Mounted Police and while it does have characters that are in Slade's other books of the series, this reads fine as a stand-alone and the reader does not have to read the other books in order to gain an understanding of the story or characters.
A narcissistic, psychotic killer known as Mesphisto has a diabolical plot that would ultimately wipe out 90% of the world's population. He chooses this setting and time for two reasons. One is that because security around the Vancouver Games would be focused on the Games themselves, he would be better able to launch his plan. The second is more personal, because the chief of the Special X division of the RCMP, Robert DeClerque, along with a few other people can indentify Mesphisto and they must be eliminated before the plan can be done.
There is not a lot of description about the sport of skiing or snowboarding, although a couple of the murders do take place on the slopes. The book opens with the murder of a snowboarder while on the course, and another one takes place in a chair lift. I felt this book would still be appropriate for inclusion on this site as it is a sporting event in which the story is set and some of the action takes place there. There won't be any descriptions of the sport. However, many of the chapters do begin with a historical or geographical reference that is important in helping to set the mood or context of the events to take place in that chapter.
All of the usual aspects of a murder mystery or thriller are in this story: revenge, murder (this story does have a high body count), sex, character development, personal reflection on "what if" or "what will happen if" and a wide variety of both villains and protagonists. I thought it was an entertaining read, although at times I felt that there were too many characters, historical references and murders to tie everything together that I got confused. But by the end of the story, it all came together which is what a good story should do.
Were the characters realistic?
I didn't think so. Whether it was the mastermind behind the murders and mass genocide plot, his minions who were doing the work, the Canadian Mounties or the young girls, they all had an unrealistic sense about them. This isn't to say that they were portrayed or developed poorly. I just didn't get the sense that these characters are someone I would meet in regular life, especially the three snow bunnies in the lodge.
Pace of the story:
Very good. The historical references to start most chapters slowed it down slightly, but they were very important to the overall story.
Yes. While there wasn't a lot about the winter sports in the story, the setting and plot were developed because of a sporting event. Therefore sports fans may enjoy this book as well as fans of mysteries or thrillers.
http://www.amazon.com/Red-Snow-SPECIAL-X-THRILLER-ebook/dp/B008K9E752/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1392579968&sr=8-1&keywords=red+snow
http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/red-snow-michael-slade/1114085009?ean=2940016064413
Posted by Lance Smith at 12:28 PM 1 comment:
Labels: Fiction, murder, mystery, skiing, snowboarding, Winter Olympics
Review of "The Agent"
This book was on my Christmas wish list and Santa came through. While I knew of Leigh Steinberg through the NFL players for whom he was their agent, many may also know him for being the inspiration for the movie "Jerry McGuire." He talks about both of those topics as well as his recovery from alcoholism in this book. Here is my review of "The Agent."
"The Agent: My 40-Year Career Making Deals and Changing the Game" by Leigh Steinberg and Michael Arkush
Football (American), professional, agent, autobiography
Leigh Steinberg is a name that is very familiar name to fans of pro football. He could be considered the first "super agent", representing hundreds of NFL players. In one eight year stretch, he was the agent for the top pick of the NFL draft six times. He built a multi-million dollar business with the agency and was the inspiration behind the movie "Jerry McGuire." It all came crashing down when Steinberg decided to face his alcoholism. He is now four years clean and sober and wrote this book to reflect on his career and his life.
The book reads like many other biographies, starting with the day he realized what was happening, then it talks about his childhood, his education and how he got started in the business. That story is probably the best part of the entire book. Steinberg's recollection and accounting of how a recent graduate and former resident advisor to the top pick of the 1975 NFL draft, Steve Bartkowski became the player's agent is one that will have the reader laughing, smiling and realizing that even a simple connection may pay off down the road.
As Steinberg's career and reputation grow, so does the book's tales. They grow bigger and more famous, but the writing style wouldn't let you think so. Steinberg does stay grounded while writing these, not getting too caught up in the notoriety of being famous. He does take advantage of some of the perks that come with this territory, of course, but not too much because he doesn't come across as having the fame go to his head.
Where the book started losing some of its luster for me was after he entered rehabilitation programs for his alcoholism. I was actually surprised that there was not more written about this time for him, but his determination to be back in business is admirable. However, this is where I thought the book changed course and came across as preachy. Another change in the direction of the book here is that he talked about hot-button political topics and what he is going to do for them. Admirable, but if I wanted to read about the issue that he addresses, there are better sources for that than a sports book.
This ending did keep the book from a five star rating from me, but it was still a very good book. If you like to read about some of the NFL stars from the 1980's and 1990's, Steinberg has plenty of them to share here.
Very good. It was easy to read from start to finish and kept to the chronological order of his life. Unlike some other biographies or memoirs that tend to skip around as the writer remembers facts, this book stayed on the timeline and that made it very easy to read.
Yes, for any pro football fan as there are great stories on some of the biggest stars. Also a decent memoir for readers who enjoy reading biographies.
http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-agent-leigh-steinberg/1115295569?ean=9781250030429
http://www.amazon.com/Agent-40-Year-Career-Making-Changing-ebook/dp/B00EGJ321U/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1391964750&sr=1-1&keywords=the+agent
Labels: agent, autobiography, Football (American), Professional
Review of a book on curling
Now that the Olympics are here, that means I will be watching a lot of curling. I found this book on the game that is one of the best "how-to" books I have read on any topic. Here is my review on the book:
"How To Watch Olympic Curling on TV" by Jack Miller
Curling, Winter Olympics
Every four years when the Winter Olympics are held, curling is one of the sports that gets a lot of attention and viewers, and then goes into hibernation until the next Olympics. So, when I saw the cover of this book, I naturally was interested because I watch a lot of the curling matches. This short book by Jack Miller packs a lot of information about the sport.
This is not a typical "how-to" book because after the basic rules and terms are covered, the book goes into the strategy of the game by analyzing shot by shot one end of the championship match of the 2014 U.S. Women's Olympic Trials. (Here is the first terminology definition for those who have never watched curling – an end is when each team throws each of its eight stones or rocks.) This method of explaining the game was excellent. By using the terms learned in the previous chapters, the book helps reinforce those new words and also illustrates what they mean.
Diagrams to show the location of the stones after each shot during the analysis were used and were very helpful. This analysis also showed the insight into the strategy of each shot and Miller explained what goes on during the huddles. He also explains what is the meaning of the instructions shouted out by the skip (or captain) of the teams. While they sound simple to the untrained, they actually are shorthand instructions for where each shot is to be placed.
This was a great book to read and learn so much more about a game that gets me hooked during each Winter Olympics. It is a great reference book for those interested in the game, whether just during the Olympics or if the reader wants to try it out.
Very good. It took me a little longer to read as I was going back to review terms while reading the shot-by-shot narrative of the match, but it was an easy read.
Yes. This is an excellent way to learn the nuances and terminology of the sport. It can be read or used as a reference book while watching the curling matches during the Olympics, which is what I intend to do. If you are familiar with the sport, it is still a good read on the strategy that goes into each shot.
http://www.amazon.com/How-Watch-Olympic-Curling-TV-ebook/dp/B00HDZPYCO/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1391961651&sr=8-1&keywords=how+to+watch+olympic+curling
Labels: Curling, Winter Olympics
Review of "The Fight of Their Lives"
I was fortunate enough to receive an advance review copy of this book about one of the more memorable but ugly incidents in recent baseball history. But instead of focusing on the fight, this book is a very good illustration of not only friendship and forgiveness, but also of what life was like for minority baseball players in the 1960's. Here is my review of "The Fight of Their Lives"
"The Fight of Their Lives" by John Rosengren
Baseball, rivals, history, Dodgers, Giants
4 1/2 of 5 stars (Excellent)
On an August day in 1965, a baseball game between two arch rivals, the San Francisco Giants and the Los Angeles Dodgers, would contain one incident that would forever define two of the players. After dropping a pitch thrown by Sandy Koufax, Dodger catcher John Roseboro threw the ball back very close to the head of the batter, Giants pitcher Juan Marichal. Marichal took offense to the gesture and soon he and Roseboro would be engaged in a fight. However, this was not the run-of-the-mill baseball fight. Marichal, holding his bat during the entire event, struck Roseboro with the bat. Instead of making contact with his skull, the bat hit Roseboro's shoulder but did strike near the eye resulting in bloodshed.
The incident would affect the two men long after the fight, and this book by John Rosengren explores not only the two men's lives after that incident, but it also takes a look at the paths both players took in their baseball careers. Their stories reflected American attitudes and actions toward people of color at the time. While one player was black and the other Latino, they both faced prejudices and exclusion (sometimes by their own teammates) while playing in the major leagues. Other books have addressed this topic and the struggles of black and Latino players, but Rosengren's account illustrates how it was even more difficult for these two players because of their upbringing and beliefs. Because both players held back any anger or hatred they may have felt, it made the account of that fateful day in August 1965 even more shocking.
The societal upheaval is used as a backdrop in this part of the book and here again, Rosengren does an excellent job of weaving it into the accounts of the baseball players. In fact, the fight came just days after the Watts riots of Los Angeles, something that was still heavy on Roseboro's mind during that game with the Giants.
However, Rosengren saved the best for the second half of the book as the two men eventually forgave each other and became friends. The fight was something that haunted both men for many years, including well after their baseball careers ended. The account of how Marichal felt that the fight was being held against him when he became eligible for election to the Baseball Hall of Fame and his plea to Roseboro for help was the best section of the book. Rosengren paints a wonderful picture of Roseboro reconciling with Marichal at a charity golf tournament and showing his forgiveness by campaigning successfully for Marichal's election. That chapter, along with quotes by Marichal at his induction ceremony and at Roseboro's funeral in 2002, made this book a wonderful story of redemption, forgiveness and friendship. A book that goes well beyond the baseball, it is one that any fan of baseball or stories of friendship will enjoy.
I wish to thank Mr. Rosengren for providing a copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.
Excellent. The chapters flew by as I was reading them as the stories of both men were told in a manner that was just right. The writing was smooth and flowed easily without being too detail oriented but informative enough for the reader to learn more about Marichal, Roseboro and the turmoil of the times.
Yes, especially for baseball fans who like to read about players or events from the 1960's. That decade is considered by many to be the best in the sport's rich and colorful history. This book puts a new chapter into one of the uglier yet enduring moments of that decade.
http://www.amazon.com/Fight-Their-Lives-Forgiveness-Redemption-ebook/dp/B00I349SDA/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1391283766&sr=1-1&keywords=the+fight+of+their+lives
http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/fight-of-their-lives-john-rosengren/1116970451?ean=9780762787128
Labels: baseball, Dodgers, Giants, History, rivals