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Switching Fields: Inside the Fight to Remake Men's Soccer in the United States
by George DohrmannA Pulitzer Prize–winning sports journalist unravels why the United States has failed to produce elite men&’s soccer players for so long—and shows why a golden era just might be coming.&“George Dohrmann is one of our most perceptive chroniclers of youth sports in the United States, and here he brings his keen eye to the history and present of U.S. men&’s soccer development.&”—Grant Wahl, CBS Sports analyst and New York Times bestselling author of Masters of Modern SoccerThe contrast is striking. As the United States Women&’s National soccer team has long dominated the sport—winners of four World Cups and four Olympic gold medals—the men&’s team has floundered. They failed to qualify for the 2018 World Cup and three consecutive Olympics, and have long struggled when facing the world&’s best teams. How could a country so dominant in other men&’s team sports—and such a global powerhouse in women&’s soccer—be so far behind the rest of the world in men&’s soccer? In Switching Fields, Pulitzer Prize–winning journalist George Dohrmann turns his investigative focus on the system that develops male soccer players in the United States, examining why the country has struggled for decades to produce first-class talent. But rather than just focus on the past, he looks forward, connecting with coaches and players who are changing the way talented prospects are unearthed and developed: an American living in Japan who devised a new way for kids under five to be introduced to the game; a coach in Los Angeles who traveled to Spain and Argentina and returned with coaching methods that he used to school a team of future pros; a startup in San Francisco that has increased access for Latino players; an Arizona real estate developer whose grand experiment changed the way pro teams in the United States nurture talent. Following these innovators&’ inspiring journeys, Dohrmann gives ever-hopeful U.S. soccer fans a reason to believe that a movement is underway to smash the developmental status quo—one that has put the United States on the verge of greatness.
Só Mais Uma Vez (Flatiron 5 Fitness - Português #2)
by Deborah CookeKyle quer tudo... Kyle Stuyvesant não acredita em amor e romance. Seus pais lhe ensinaram que não existe o para sempre, e ele levou a lição a sério. Afinal, há apenas uma mulher que já o tentou a querer mais do que uma noite sexy juntos. Felizmente para suas convicções, ela é casada com outro cara. Problema resolvido - até que o marido de Lauren a trai e Kyle não é apenas o portador de más notícias, mas o homem que ela chama para conforto. Lauren exige tudo de si... Depois que o casamento de Lauren implode, ela quer se perder no prazer. Quem conhece esse território melhor do que Kyle, que uma vez a seduziu completamente? Lauren nunca esqueceu aquela noite maravilhosa e, agora que ela de repente está solteira, a regra de Kyle de nenhum amor ou romance tem um novo apelo. Tudo o que ela quer é satisfação, mas quando Kyle percebe que precisa de mais, ele será capaz de convencer Lauren a dar uma chance para o para sempre novamente, desta vez com ele?
TGF-Beta Signaling: Methods and Protocols (Methods in Molecular Biology #2488)
by Xuedong Liu Zhike ZiThis detailed volume is devoted to the recent development of quantitative experiments and computational methods driving new transforming growth factor beta (TGF-β) and other cell signaling knowledge. Many chapters cover quantitative assays for TGF-β signaling studies, with others exploring the increasing role of both modeling and computational methods. Written for the highly successful Methods in Molecular Biology series, chapters include introductions to their respective topics, lists of the necessary materials and reagents, step-by-step, readily reproducible laboratory protocols, and tips on troubleshooting and avoiding known pitfalls. Authoritative and up-to-date, TGF-Beta Signaling: Methods and Protocols serves as a vital resource for researchers seeking to move the TGF-β field into the quantitative realm.
Tackling the Concussion Epidemic: A Bench to Bedside Approach
by Tom A. Schweizer Andrew J. BakerThis state-of-the-art book brings together the full range of issues that can inform care for patients experiencing the effects of concussion. Written by an international panel of experts and edited by a critical care physician and by a cognitive neuroscientist, the book serves as a primer of the various domains of study and application, while providing clinical insights and evidence to bring towards treatment. Chapters span the basic mechanics and pathophysiology of concussion, through its assessment, management, and complications. Comprehensive and timely, this book is accessible to healthcare professionals, and researchers eager to learn something about this field.
Tactile Sensing, Information, and Feedback via Wave Propagation (Springer Series on Touch and Haptic Systems)
by Yitian ShaoA longstanding goal of haptic engineering is to develop haptic interfaces that can provide realistic sensations of touch. A fundamental step towards this goal is to understand what mechanical tactile signals the hand feels during daily touch interactions. This book reveals the complex patterns of mechanical waves propagating throughout the hand that can be elicited even by simple touch interactions, which helps in expanding existing knowledge of tactile function beyond the region of near skin-object contact and inspires new designs for haptic sensing and feedback technologies. The first part of this book describes new methods for capturing dynamic, spatially distributed tactile signals in the whole hand during natural hand interactions. The second part characterizes these signals and evaluates how well and how efficiently they encode the information of touch, relating to the transmission of mechanical waves in hand tissues. The final part demonstrates how these findings can be utilized to create novel haptic effects and tactile displays. Tactile Sensing, Information, and Feedback via Wave Propagation provides a unique view of tactile sensing and feedback and will appeal to researchers, engineers, and students who are interested in learning cutting-edge haptic science and technology.
Take Back the Game: How Money and Mania Are Ruining Kids' Sports--and Why It Matters
by Linda FlanaganA close look at how big money and high stakes have transformed youth sports, turning once healthy, fun activities for kids into all-consuming endeavors—putting stress on children and families alikeSome 75% of American families want their kids to play sports. Athletics are training grounds for character, friendship, and connection; at their best, sports insulate kids from hardship and prepare them for adult life. But youth sports have changed so dramatically over the last 25 years that they no longer deliver the healthy outcomes everyone wants. Instead, unbeknownst to most parents, kids who play competitive organized sports are more likely to burn out or suffer from overuse injuries than to develop their characters or build healthy habits. What happened to kids' sports? And how can we make them fun again? In Take Back the Game, coach and journalist Linda Flanagan reveals how the youth sports industry capitalizes on parents&’ worry about their kids&’ futures, selling the idea that more competitive play is essential in the feeding frenzy over access to colleges and universities. Drawing on her experience as a coach and a parent, along with research and expert analysis, Flanagan delves into a national obsession that has: Compelled kids to specialize year-round in one sport. Increased the risk of both physical injury and mental health problems.Encouraged egregious behavior by coaches and parents. Reduced access to sports for low-income families. A provocative and timely entrant into a conversation thousands of parents are having on the sidelines, Take Back the Game uncovers how youth sports became a serious business, the consequences of raising the stakes for kids and parents alike--and the changes we need now.
Talent Development in Paralympic Sport
by Nima DehghansaiIdentifying and developing talented athletes to their fullest potential is a central concern of sports scientists, sports coaches, and sports policymakers. However, there is very little practical and theoretical knowledge for those working in Paralympic sport. The book collates the state of the science of current knowledge and practice in talent identification and development in this context by capturing international perspectives of current systems and processes. Written by a team of leading international experts, Talent Development in Paralympic Sport: Researcher and Practitioner Perspectives explores key factors and issues in contemporary sport, including: • current state of pathways in Paralympic sports across the globe • designing optimal developmental environments • long-term modeling of Paralympic athlete development • understanding the complexity of talent selection in Paralympic sport With an emphasis on practical implications for all those working in sport, the book offers an authoritative evaluation of the strengths and weaknesses of contemporary systems for identifying and developing talent in Paralympic sport. This is important reading for any student, researcher, practitioner, or coach with an interest in skill acquisition, youth Para sport, elite Paralympic sport, Paralympic sports coaching, Paralympic sports development, sport psychology, skill development, or sports engineering. In addition, there has been interest from universities to offer courses/modules specific to Paralympic sports.
Talent Development: A Practitioner and Parents Guide
by Dave Collins Aine MacNamaraThe process of talent development (TD) is essential to success in any sport. Drawing on the latest evidence and a considerable experience base, the second edition of this book dispels myths about talent development and offers practical advice on the TD pathway from pre-school to elite level. Aimed at practitioners and other stakeholders involved in the TD process – including coaches, scientists, administrators, educators, students, parents, policymakers and senior development athletes – this is an up-to-date practical guide to TD in sport. Written by experts with more than 20 years of experience in TD training, coaching and research, it covers key topics from deliberate practice and fundamental movement skills to designing and managing a TD pathway. It also includes contributions from professionals working in a wide range of sports, providing real-world insights into important topics including: the recruitment process, academy and apprenticeship preparation, the coach-athlete relationship, what to do to stay ahead, and considerations for parents and coaches. Talent Development: A Practitioner and Parents Guide is an indispensable resource for all those interested in talent identification, talent development and coaching practice in elite sport.
Teaching Social and Emotional Learning in Physical Education: Applications In School And Community Settings
by K. Andrew Richards Paul M WrightTeaching Social and Emotional Learning in Physical Education is the ideal resource for understanding and integrating social and emotional learning (SEL) competencies into the structure of a physical education program, alongside physical activity and skill development goals. This text should be incorporated as a key resource to guide physical education teacher education courses specifically focused on social and emotional learning while also providing supplemental readings for courses related to physical education curriculum, instruction, assessment, and/or models-based practice. Similarly, practicing physical education teachers who are interested in developing a stronger focus on SEL in their teaching will find that the book provides a comprehensive resource to guide their professional learning and practice.
Team Up: El Toro & Friends (World of ¡Vamos!)
by Raúl the Third III"Fantastically fun! Kids will drink in every imaginative detail in El Toro’s wild world!" —Jeff Kinney, #1 New York Times bestselling author of the Diary of a Wimpy Kid seriesFrom New York Times bestselling, three-time Pura Belpré Award–winning author-illustrator Raúl the Third, Team Up reveals how El Toro and his fellow wrestlers become master luchadores in an action-packed, graphic-novel-style El Toro & Friends paper-over-board reader from the Eisner-nominated World of ¡Vamos!El Toro and friends make a great team! But that wasn't always the case.A long time ago, they went to Ricky Ratón's School of Lucha, learning everything from strength training to patience. When it comes time for one final test, El Toro and friends have to decide whether working alone is the best way to go or if teaming up might make things easier... and more fun!Pairing Spanish phrases with plenty of humor, this early reader graphic novel is essential for those who want an action-packed story and lots of laughs.
Ten Hag: The Biography
by Maarten Meijer'A superb biography'The Times'Meijer's portrait is definitive'iNews'Ten Hag may just be the man to bring the glory days back'Daily StarWho is Erik ten Hag? Calm and cool-headed, he ignores critics, follows his own methods and relentlessly pursues perfection on the pitch. His uncanny ability to analyse and solve problems - the 'process' as Ten Hag calls it - has unfailingly led to breakthrough. There is no magic. There is only intelligence at work, personal devotion to players and near-obsessive attention to detail.At Ajax, Ten Hag brooked no dissent and moulded his team into a smoothly operating unit of attack. His team enjoyed an astonishing run, winning three league cups in a row and reaching the Champions League semi-finals for the first time in a quarter of a century. Along the way, they produced some of the brightest and most entertaining football seen in Europe for years. And throughout his first season at Manchester United, he has more than made his mark. He's brought a winning spirit to the club and silverware back to the trophy cabinet.Maarten Meijer's definitive biography follows Erik ten Hag, from his upbringing in the Dutch countryside to his domestic triumphs and European victories. Meijer's book is the ultimate guide to the man with the momentous task of beginning a new era of great and winning football.
Tendon and Ligament Injuries of the Foot and Ankle: An Evidence-Based Approach
by Jarrett D. Cain MaCalus V. HoganInjuries of the foot and ankle can be debilitating and lead to chronic instabilities that can impede the daily activities of patients. As a result, it requires a solid understanding of foot and ankle anatomy and pathology in order to diagnosis these types of injuries and establish a clear treatment regimen for the patient to be functional and prevent long-term complications. For the foot and ankle specialist, the understanding of the injury patterns and treatment algorithms continues to evolve with the addition of new information on non-surgical and surgical techniques that are continuing to be introduced to the medical community. However, it is important to determine how the latest developments and treatment advances are disseminated through an evidence-based approach, to allow for proper evaluation of their usefulness as well as how to properly initiate and perform these treatments during patient care. To that end, this book provides a comprehensive overview of the diagnosis and management of muscle, tendon and ligament injuries of the foot and ankle. Opening with a review of diagnostic and imaging procedures, focused, concise chapters then describe the current evaluation and management strategies for a wide variety of soft tissue conditions, including turf toe, Lisfranc injuries, acute and chronic later ankle injuries, subtalar joint injuries, peroneal tendon injuries, and Achilles tendon injuries, among others. Each chapter brings together and reviews the latest literature on the topic, offering evidence-based guidelines for foot and ankle specialists, orthopedic surgeons and podiatrists as well as residents, fellows and all staff involved in the treatment of these injuries and conditions.
Test Match Special: Tall Tales – The Good The Bad and The Hilarious from the Commentary Box
by Phil Tufnell Jonathan AgnewWho played the best pranks on his fellow team-mates? Which member of the TMS team terrorised his teachers in the annual staff-pupil game? And the truth behind 'the greatest sporting commentary of all time'...Between them, Jonathan Agnew and Phil Tufnell have probably watched more cricket than anyone alive, and they have many stories to tell, both as players and as commentators for Test Match Special. From their days as schoolboy cricketers, learning the ropes, to the shenanigans of the county circuit, and now their careers as commentators, they have seen it all.Joined by colleagues from TMS such as Isa Guha, Ebony Rainford Brent, Alison Mitchell, Carlos Brathwaite and Aatif Nawaz, Aggers and Tuffers share the highlights, mishaps and moments of brilliance and emotion that they have witnessed and experienced on pitches around the world.
The 2% Way: How a Philosophy of Small Improvements Took Me to Oxford, the NFL, and Neurosurgery
by Dr. Myron L. RolleYou don't have to change your life overnight--instead, you can make small changes that leave a lasting impact. In The 2% Way, discover the simple, revolutionary practice behind the against-the-odds success story of Dr. Myron L. Rolle.Dr. Rolle has led a remarkable life: from earning a scholarship to a prestigious private high school to becoming a top-rated recruit at Florida State University; from winning the Rhodes Scholarship for study at Oxford to playing football in the NFL and then becoming a neurosurgery resident at Harvard.In this inspiring book, Dr. Rolle tells the story of his incredible journey, revealing how a strong work ethic, deep faith, and the family values instilled by his Bahamian immigrant parents set the stage for the transformative life philosophy that enabled him to overcome adversity, defy expectations, and create a life of meaning and purpose.Whether you're struggling with your own obstacles, looking to improve yourself, searching for your purpose and identity, or seeking inspiration, Dr. Rolle's story will give you the encouragement and tools you need to:Make incremental improvements that lead to long-lasting resultsBuild a life full of purpose and meaningTackle life with the assurance that you're moving in the right directionThe 2% Way will change the way you think about self-improvement, proving that you have the power to make strides toward the life you've always dreamed of.
The Baseball Film: A Cultural and Transmedia History (Screening Sports)
by Aaron BakerBaseball has long been viewed as the Great American Pastime, so it is no surprise that the sport has inspired many Hollywood films and television series. But how do these works depict the game, its players, fans, and place in American society? This study offers an extensive look at nearly one hundred years of baseball-themed movies, documentaries, and TV shows. Film and sports scholar Aaron Baker examines works like A League of their Own (1992) and Sugar (2008), which dramatize the underrepresented contributions of female and immigrant players, alongside classic baseball movies like The Natural that are full of nostalgia for a time when native-born white men could use the game to achieve the American dream. He further explores how biopics have both mythologized and demystified such legendary figures as Ty Cobb, Babe Ruth, Lou Gehrig, Jackie Robinson and Fernando Valenzuela. The Baseball Film charts the variety of ways that Hollywood presents the game as integral to American life, whether showing little league as a site of parent-child bonding or depicting fans’ lifelong love affairs with their home teams. Covering everything from Bull Durham (1988) to The Bad News Bears (1976), this book offers an essential look at one of the most cinematic of all sports.
The Basketball Maniac's Almanac: The Absolutely, Positively, and Without Question Greatest Book of Fact, Figures, and Astonishing Lists Ever Compiled
by Editors of Sports PublishingPart reference, part trivia, part brain teaser, and absolutely the most unusual and thorough compendium of basketball stats and facts ever assembled!Did you know that Wilt Chamberlain and Wes Unseld are the only two players in basketball history to win both the Rookie of the Year and Most Valuable Player awards in the same season? Or that Mark Jackson had more than 10,000 assists in his career, but is not in the Hall of Fame? How about that Kevin Love has the longest consecutive streak of double-doubles, with 53?Inspired by The Baseball Maniac&’s Almanac—first created by legendary sportswriter Bert Randolph Sugar—The Basketball Maniac&’s Almanac includes thousands of fascinating lists, tables, data, and stimulating facts never before compiled in one place! Inside, you&’ll find all of the big name basketball heroes like Bill Russell, Michael Jordan, Larry Bird, LeBron James, Rick Barry, Kevin Durant, Jerry West, Ray Allen, Kobe Bryant, and a lot of information that will be new to even the most devoted fans: Hall of Famers drafted #1 overallPoints leaders by state of birthMost blocked shots by players under six-feet tallCareer leaders in four-points playsOldest player selected to an All-Star GamePlayers with career Quadruple-DoublesFormer ABA players leading the NBA in 3-pointersMost career technical foulsFathers and sons both drafted in the first roundCoaches winning Coach of the Year award and championship in the same seasonAnd so much more!Not just a collection of facts or records, this is a book of glorious fun that will astound even the most bookish basketball fan. Read up and amaze your friends, family, and anyone who loves the game of basketball!
The Beautiful Poetry of Football Commentary
by Charlie EccleshareRoma have risen from their ruins!Manolas, the Greek God in Rome!The unthinkable unfolds before our eyes.This was not meant to happen, this could not happen . . . this is happening!Peter DruryIf football is the beautiful game, then commentators are its poets.Whether it's the brevity of Barry Davies, the boundless enthusiasm of Clive Tyldesley or the sheer eloquence of Peter Drury's monologues, the canon of football commentary is replete with memorable lines that would have some of the great classical orators nodding in appreciation. Curated by football journalist Charlie Eccleshare, The Beautiful Poetry of Football Commentary is a glorious anthology of iconic lines, set out as poems, celebrating the best commentators that have ever graced a microphone. Each poem is accompanied by 'scholarly' analysis capturing the enduring power of language on the beautiful game.So, drink it in, and immerse yourself in classic verse from Ali Brownlee, Andy Gray, Brian Moore, David Coleman, John Motson, Jon Champion, Jonathan Pearce, Kenneth Wolstenholme, Martin Tyler, and many more.
The Beautiful Poetry of Football Commentary
by Charlie EccleshareRoma have risen from their ruins!Manolas, the Greek God in Rome!The unthinkable unfolds before our eyes.This was not meant to happen, this could not happen . . . this is happening!Peter DruryIf football is the beautiful game, then commentators are its poets.Whether it's the brevity of Barry Davies, the boundless enthusiasm of Clive Tyldesley or the sheer eloquence of Peter Drury's monologues, the canon of football commentary is replete with memorable lines that would have some of the great classical orators nodding in appreciation. Curated by football journalist Charlie Eccleshare, The Beautiful Poetry of Football Commentary is a glorious anthology of iconic lines, set out as poems, celebrating the best commentators that have ever graced a microphone. Each poem is accompanied by 'scholarly' analysis capturing the enduring power of language on the beautiful game.So, drink it in, and immerse yourself in classic verse from Ali Brownlee, Andy Gray, Brian Moore, David Coleman, John Motson, Jon Champion, Jonathan Pearce, Kenneth Wolstenholme, Martin Tyler, and many more.
The Big Book of Football Trivia: 700 Questions for NFL Fans
by Jerrett HollowayAre you a real football fan? Prove it!Put your knowledge of the NFL and pro football to the test! With this book in hand, you'll be able to quiz yourself and your friends on the league's all-time great players and franchise dynasties, as well as the coaches, larger-than-life owners, and others who helped etch the sport deep into American culture.What sets this football book apart:700 questions—Even the most avid fan will be challenged by trivia covering everything from football's earliest days and most memorable moments to famous quotes and off-the-field antics.Complete coverage—This collection of football trivia will grill you on your gridiron knowledge across seven different categories, starting with the NFL draft and finishing with the Hall of Fame.Bonus facts—Learn even more with sections that explore the evolution of the Super Bowl's halftime show, the story of the USFL, and more.Show off your sports trivia skills with this standout among football books.
The Blood and Guts: How Tight Ends Save Football
by Tyler DunneThe definitive guide to the real men of the gridiron: NFL tight ends.There is no profession in sports like the NFL tight end. None. You must mash 320-pound defensive ends in the run game. You must twist your torso at impossible angles to make acrobatic catches downfield in the pass game. You must have a certain element of crazy to you, too. The tight end is a blend of brain and brawn and bruises…so many bruises. BLOOD AND GUTS tracks the fascinating rise of this position one tight end at a time, from Mike Ditka and John Mackey in the '60s to Rob Gronkowski today. As much as football has changed over the years, there has always been one glorious constant: the tight end. None of this is by accident, either. There&’s a reason all of these players were magnetically drawn to the position. In BLOOD AND GUTS, Tyler Dunne interviews the greatest tight ends ever, whose stories reveal why they were uniquely qualified to serve as the blood and the guts of football—the players keeping this sport alive and well. There&’s a reason Mike Ditka epitomized true toughness in pro football through the 1960s. Ben Coates, the son of a World War II vet, put an entire childhood spent building roofs to use by smashing defenders in the open field. Tony Gonzalez matured from a kid terrified of bullies to an absolute beast terrifying defensive backs. His entire life, Jeremy Shockey has been hellbent on sticking it to anyone who doubts him. And from afar, a young &“Gronk&” idolized Shockey and took his approach to a whole new level. Here, great American tight ends share countless harrowing, never-before-told stories. One moment, a tight end (Gonzalez) nearly socks a coach in the eye. The next, a tight end (Shockey) is breaking the orbital bone of someone in a bar fight. There&’s no one in sports like them. BLOOD AND GUTS brings them to life.
The Bodybuilding Meal Prep Cookbook: Macro-Friendly Meals to Prepare, Grab, and Go
by Michelle VodrazkaFuel bodybuilding success with macronutrient meal prepSculpting your ideal body demands hard work, dedication, and the right diet. The Bodybuilding Meal Prep Cookbook will help you achieve a lean, chiseled look with an array of macro-rich dishes that can be prepped quickly and enjoyed on the go.What sets this bodybuilding cookbook apart:6-week meal plan—This step-by-step guide does the heavy lifting for you, laying out what you should make each week to achieve your fitness goals, providing shopping and equipment lists, and guiding you through any advanced prep work.Success beyond 6 weeks—This cookbook includes 40+ additional recipes that allow you to seamlessly create and customize your meals far past the initial 6-week plan.Optimize your intake—Each recipe contains comprehensive nutritional calculations, so you know the exact calorie count and the amount of protein, carbs, and fat you're getting.Pump up your meal prep for the physique you seek with this indispensable bodybuilding cookbook.
The Book of Joe: Trying Not to Suck at Baseball and Life
by Tom Verducci Joe MaddonLessons in baseball enlightenment from three-time MLB Manager of the Year Joe Maddon. No one sees baseball like Joe Maddon. He sees it through his trademark glasses and irrepressible wit. Raised in the &“shot and beer&” town of Hazleton, PA, and forged by 15 years in the minors, Maddon over 19 seasons in Tampa Bay, Chicago, and Anaheim has become one of the most successful, most colorful, and most quoted managers in Major League Baseball. He is a workplace culture expert, having engineered two of the most stunning turnarounds in the past quarter century: taking the Rays from the worst record in baseball one year to the World Series the next and leading the Cubs to their first World Series title in 108 years. Like his teams, Maddon defies convention. He is part strategist, part philosopher, part sports psychologist, and part motivational coach. In THE BOOK OF JOE, Maddon gives readers unique insights into the game, including the tension between art and data, the changing role of managers as front offices gain power, why the honeymoon with the Cubs did not last, and what it&’s like to manage the modern player, including stars such as Shohei Ohtani, Mike Trout, Albert Pujols, Yu Darvish, and Kris Bryant. But you expect even more from a manager who meditates daily, admires Twain, and has only one rule when it comes to a team dress code: &“If you think you look hot, wear it!&” And Maddon delivers. Built on-old school values and new-school methods, his wisdom applies beyond the dugout. His mantras about leadership, mentorship, team building, and communication are meditations on life, not just baseball. Among those mantras are: &“Do simple better.&” &“Try not to suck.&” &“Don&’t ever permit the pressure to exceed the pleasure.&” &“See it with first-time eyes.&” &“Tell me what you think, not what you&’ve heard.&” THE BOOK OF JOE is Maddon at his uniquely holistic best. It is a memoir of a fascinating baseball journey, an insider&’s look at a changing game, and a guidebook on leadership and life.
The Boy from Boomerang Crescent
by Eddie BettsIt&’s a long, hard road from the Nullarbor to the MCG.How does a self-described &‘skinny Aboriginal kid&’ overcome a legacy of family tragedy to become an AFL legend? One thing&’s for sure: it&’s not easy. But then, there&’s always been something special about Eddie Betts.Betts grew up in Port Lincoln and Kalgoorlie, in environments where the destructive legacies of colonialism – racism, police targeting of Aboriginal people, drug and alcohol misuse, family violence – were sadly normalised. His childhood was defined by family closeness as well as family strife, plus a wonderful freedom that he and his cousins exploited to the full – for better and for worse.When he made the decision to take his talents across the Nullarbor to Melbourne to chase his footballing dreams – homesickness be damned – everything changed. Over the ensuing years, Betts became a true giant of the sport: 350-plus games, 600-plus goals, multiple All-Australian nods and Goal of the Year awards, and a league-wide popularity rarely seen in the hyper-tribal AFL.Along the way, he battled his demons before his turbulent youth settled into responsible maturity. Today, the man the Melbourne tabloids once dubbed &‘bad boy Betts&’ is a dedicated husband and father, a respected community leader and an increasingly outspoken social activist.Sometimes funny, sometimes tragic and always honest – often laceratingly so – The Boy from Boomerang Crescent is the inspirational life story of a champion, in his own words. Whether he&’s narrating one of his trademark gravity-defying goals from the pocket, the discrimination he&’s faced as an Aboriginal person or the birth of his first child, Betts&’s voice – intelligent, soulful, unpretentious – rings through on every page.The very human story behind the plaudits is one that will surprise, move and inspire.Cover image © Kristina Wild
The Break: Life as a Cycling Maverick
by Steve Cummings"Getting in a break was my one chance of winning. The hard part was working out, again and again, how to make that chance count." Steve Cummings sharp, resourceful and a permanent outsider; for nearly 20 years Steve Cummings determinedly blazed his own winning trail in international cycling. A maverick who defied the dominant teams, to record a sequence of gloriously improbable victories, he has lived and raced with legends of the sport - Cavendish, Wiggins, Froome, Thomas and others - about whom he has strong views and untold stories. This autobiography of one of Britain's most successful international riders of the modern era takes the reader from Steve's earliest days as a junior, pounding across the flatlands of the Wirral, through his love-hate relationships with the British Cycling track cycling squad, to his series of top-level breakaway victories in the Tour de France, Tour of Britain and Vuelta a EspaÑa and - rather than standout physical talent - how developing his own strategies and training techniques enabled him to succeed against the odds. The Break will be the first full-length account of the life and times of, in the words of ProCycling magazine, a "universally popular and respected rider in the cycling world."
The Brompton: Engineering For Change
by Dan Davies William Butler-AdamsThe story of how Brompton, the iconic folding bicycle that you can take anywhere—and that can take you anywhere—grew from a small cult bike company to a multimillion-dollar business Lightweight, compact, distinctively styled, and now, electric: The Brompton isn’t the only folding bicycle—or even the first. But everyone who has been on one will enthusiastically testify to its marvelous design (virtually unchanged over decades) and the particular joy of riding it. Will Butler-Adams, CEO of Brompton Bicycles, has been at the company for twenty years. Initially, he worked as an engineer for Andrew Ritchie, the bike’s brilliant inventor and the business’s founder, before taking the helm in 2008. Butler-Adams’s heartfelt mission is to grow and promote sustainable urban transportation and to improve city-dwellers’ lives everywhere. Under his leadership, Brompton has grown from making a few hundred bikes a year to over 90,000, with revenue of $130 million. But progress hasn’t always been easy: There have been boardroom struggles, supply-chain problems, and conflicts with founder Andrew Ritchie. In The Brompton, Butler-Adams brings to life what it means to grow a company to global scale. He also tells the stories of the people who make the Brompton and the people who ride it. And he explains how customers all around the world fell in love with a brand that never set out to be a brand.