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Odd Man Rush: A Harvard Kid?s Hockey Odyssey from Central Park to Somewhere in Sweden?with Stops along the Way
by Bill Keenan Adam GravesIn his hilarious, gritty, and touching debut, Bill Keenan--a hockey star once on the fast-track to the NHL--tells of how he overcame multiple obstacles to find fulfillment and redemption in the strange world of European minor-league professional hockey. Keenan’s hockey obsession begins as a five-year-old on Lasker Rink in New York’s Central Park--"love at first stride,” as he calls it. He then becomes the youngest, and skinniest, player on the New York Bobcats, a Junior B hockey team. Later, after his hockey career at Harvard doesn’t end as planned--with a fat NHL contract--Keenan decides to play in the minor leagues in Europe, where the glamour of professional sports is decidedly lacking. Part fish-out-of-water travelogue, part coming-of-age memoir, Odd Man Rush will capture the interest of not just hockey fans, but also fans of good writing. Throughout, Keenan’s deep affection for the game shines through, even as he describes fans who steal players’ clothes from the locker room or toss empty beer cans onto the rink after games. Abusive fans, cold showers, long bus rides--nothing diminishes his love for the sport. "Because that’s the way it works with me and hockey. Even when it’s horrible, it’s wonderful. ”
Odd-Shaped Balls: Mischief-Makers, Miscreants and Mad-Hatters Of Rugby
by John ScallyRugby is not a game for those who think that centres are what you find in a box of Black Magic or who confuse Jonah Lomu with Joanna Lumley. At the same time, it is not a game for the bright: what kind of tortured mind would invent an oval ball? Of course, it helps if you know the rules and don't have any fear. In this respect you are in the same boat as most referees, particularly if you have a problem with your eyesight. Odd-Shaped Balls captures the humour, the agony and the ecstasy of one of the world's most popular sports. It snoops inside sweaty, smelly dressing-rooms, reveals the passions of coaches and fans - without whom rugby would cease to exist - and delves deep into the sport's archives to recall its heroes, villains and victims, all of whom are part of the daily currency. The book is no less than a who's who of the game, with both old and young getting the opportunity to have their say. Lining out is a cast of mischief-makers, miscreants and mad-hatters: from Max Boyce to Keith Wood; from Sean Fitzpatrick to Austin Healy; from Bill Beaumont and his streaker to Gavin Hastings; from Gareth Edwards to David Campese; and from the man in the scrum to the man at the bar. All exponents of surrealism, comic genius and savage wit, they offer a quirky insight into the sporting psyche as well as providing some riotous good laughs.With hundreds of funny stories, Odd-Shaped Balls is a light-hearted romp through decades of rugby tomfoolery that is guaranteed to put a smile on the face of all sports fans.
Odds Against
by Dick FrancisFrom the New York Times–bestselling &“master of crime fiction and equine thrills,&” a jockey turned investigator tackles crime in the horse racing world (Newsday). Dick Francis, Edgar Award–winning master of mystery and suspense, takes you into the thrilling world of horse racing. A hard fall took hotshot jockey Sid Halley out of the horse racing game, leaving him with a crippled hand, a broken heart, and the desperate need for a new job. Now he&’s landed a position with a detective agency, only to catch a bullet from some common thug. And things are about to get even more hectic. The agency is giving him a case to handle on his own. The case brings him to the door of Zanna Martin, a woman who might be just what Sid needs to get him back up and running. But he&’s up against a field of thoroughbred criminals, and the odds against him are making it a long shot that he&’ll even survive . . . &“Dick Francis is a wonder.&” —The Plain Dealer &“An imaginative craftsman of high order.&” —The Sunday Times &“Few things are more convincing than Dick Francis at a full gallop.&” —Chicago Tribune &“Few match Francis for dangerous flights of fancy and pure inventive menace.&” —Boston Herald &“[The] master of crime fiction and equine thrills.&” —Newsday &“[Francis] has the uncanny ability to turn out simply plotted yet charmingly addictive mysteries.&” —The Wall Street Journal &“Francis is a genius.&” —Los Angeles Times &“A rare and magical talent . . . who never writes the same story twice.&” —The San Diego Union-Tribune
Odell Beckham Jr. (Amazing Athletes Ser.)
by Jon M FishmanOdell Beckham Jr.—New York Giants wide receiver—shocks National Football League (NFL) fans with his incredible catches. In a 2014 game versus the Dallas Cowboys, Odell made a one-handed touchdown reception that earned his game jersey a spot in the Pro Football Hall of Fame. But he is more than just a showman on the field. Odell was named Offensive Rookie of the Year in 2014, and his performance only improved in 2015. Learn more about Odell's journey to stardom.
Odisha and Sports: A Story of Hope and Glory
by Boria Majumdar Vineel Krishna RavellaFor decades, Odisha was considered as one of India&’s most backward states. But under the leadership of Naveen Patnaik, it has made huge strides in every sphere, from human-development indices and disaster management to becoming the role model for India&’s future sporting programme. This book, co-authored by Boria Majumdar, one of India&’s best known sports scholars and commentators, and Vineel Krishna, Secretary Sports for the Government of Odisha, is an attempt to make sense of that transformation, especially in the sporting space. It is a tale of what can happen when a wealth of untapped talent is harnessed by proper administration and planning, and the creation of state-of-the-art infrastructure. It is the story of how a state stepped in at the last minute to stage a major event, and how its success turned into a springboard for future endeavours. It documents the sea change that has been witnessed in the past half-decade, with the creation of world-class stadia, high-performance centres and hostels to house the most talented kids from the relatively under-developed regions of the state. It&’s also testament to the resilience and determination of the athletes, many of whom have overcome colossal odds to shine on the world stage. Most of all though, it&’s a story of hope – of what can happen when a government prioritises its people and recognises the power of sport to bring about lasting and positive social change.
Of Mikes and Men: From Ray Scott to Curt Gowdy: Tales from the Pro Football Booth
by Curt SmithIn this collection of anecdotes from the announcers of pro football, the Voices reminisce about a time before television, when the NFL was just making its floundering start and college ball held all the attraction. With the spread of television broadcasting, the Voices gain faces and the NFL gains an audience. Recall with the broadcasters the excitement of pivotal moments, the glory of the victors, and the great men who coached those champions. With their love of the work and lots of lighthearted memories about everything from the Heidi game to the glory of Green Bay to the birth of "Monday Night Football," these men and women bring football to life.
Of Myths and Sticks
by Kevin GibsonAs engaging as the great game itself, the stories behind the National Hockey League are entertaining, fascinating and, at times, unbelievable. Faux facts emerge from urban legends, conspiracy theories and coincidences, leaving sports fans to debate truth and fiction in the world of hockey trivia. Few are better qualified to both debunk falsehoods and nail down amazing facts than TSN stats archaeologist Kevin Gibson, whose book Of Myths and Sticks blows the whistle on all hockey matters from the mainstream to the obscure.What was the date of the first NHL game? Who scored the first goal and which team won? Did Gordie Howe ever actually have a Gordie Howe hat trick? Gibson offers definitive answers to these fundamental questions, but also contributes fascinating background nobody else thought to ask about, such as game-time weather, contract disputes and the flu epidemic that claimed the lives of two players and cancelled the 1919 Stanley Cup Final. Gibson scores laughs with true facts from between the posts, noting that legendary Canadiens goalie Georges Vezina sired 24 children ("he was known for saves on the ice and scoring off"), and that the Quebec Bulldogs' shameful record of 4-20 may have been due, in part, to the worst nickname ever for a goaltender ("Holes"). The myth of the Original Six is down-sized to the Original One, as Gibson points out that the Montreal Canadiens is the only team to have been around at the start of the NHL and to have retained their original team name.Other highlights include hall-of-famers, hall-of-shamers and an extensive "On This Date" chapter that highlights 366 trivia-worthy moments from 95 years of hockey history. Combining extensive research, humor and keen curiosity, Of Myths and Sticks is hockey's version of MythBusters-what's true, what's not, and how can we make finding out almost as entertaining as watching the game.
Of Women And Horses: Vol 2
by Gawani Pony Boy Mark J. BarrettIn the tradition of "Horse Follow Closely", GaWaNi Pony Boy gathers an impressive array of known and unknown horsewomen, who, in touching prose, describe the unique relationships they have with their horses.<P> GaWaNi Pony Boy's unique approach to horses is captured in these five books from BowTie Press. GaWaNi Pony Boy is the founder and president of lyuptala University (lyuptala means "one-with" in Lakota), and online college that allows horse lovers to expand their knowledge of these magnificent animals. He regularly writes for equine publications throughout the United States and Europe.
Of Women and Horses: Essays by Various Horse Women
by Gawani Pony Boy Gabrielle BoiselleA survey of horsewomen introduces women from all walks of life as they explore their love of horses.<P> GaWaNi Pony Boy's unique approach to horses is captured in these five books from BowTie Press. GaWaNi Pony Boy is the founder and president of lyuptala University (lyuptala means "one-with" in Lakota), and online college that allows horse lovers to expand their knowledge of these magnificent animals. He regularly writes for equine publications throughout the United States and Europe.
Of Woods & Waters: A Kentucky Outdoors Reader
by Ron Ellis Nick Lyons“An insightful and varied view of Kentucky’s lush landscape. . . . [Will] appeal to hunters, anglers, environmentalists.” —Kentucky MonthlyFrom the moment Daniel Boone first “gained the summit of a commanding ridge, and . . . beheld the ample plains, the beauteous tracts below,” generations of Kentuckians have developed rich and enduring relationships with the land that surrounds them. Of Woods & Waters: A Kentucky Outdoors Reader is filled with loving tributes offered in celebration of Kentucky’s widely varied environmental wonders that nurture both life and art.Ron Ellis, an outdoors enthusiast and noted writer, has gathered art, fiction, personal essays and poetry from many of Kentucky’s best-known authors for this comprehensive collection. Beginning with famed illustrator John James Audubon’s eloquent account of extracting catfish from the Ohio River and progressing through over fifty contributions by both established and emerging writers, Of Woods & Water covering two hundred years of hunting, fishing, camping, cooking, hiking, and canoeing in Kentucky’s wilderness.With contributions from Barbara Kingsolver, Wendell Berry, Janice Holt Giles, Bobbie Ann Mason, Jesse Stuart, James Still, Robert Penn Warren, James Baker Hall, Silas House, and other esteemed authors.“No other state offers such a variety of topics for its writers and this [anthology], which incorporates love of the land and the love of nature, is special.” —James C. Claypool, Northern Kentucky University, author of Our Fellow Kentuckians“Takes your mind outside. Read enough of it and you might get out of the chair and follow.” —Lexington Herald-Leader“A superb collection.” —Louisville Courier-Journal“Reading Of Woods & Waters is a sensory experience. Its fine, down-home musings stay with you long after the last page is turned.” —Murray Ledger and Times
Off Balance: A Memoir
by Dominique MoceanuIn this searing and riveting New York Times bestseller, Olympic gold medalist Dominique Moceanu reveals the dark underbelly of Olympic gymnastics, the true price of success…and the shocking secret about her past and her family that she only learned years later.At fourteen years old, Dominique Moceanu was the youngest member of the 1996 US Women’s Olympic Gymnastics team, the first and only American women’s team to take gold at the Olympics. Her pixyish appearance and ferocious competitive drive quickly earned her the status of media darling. But behind the fame, the flawless floor routines, and the million-dollar smile, her life was a series of challenges and hardships. Off Balance vividly delineates each of the dominating characters who contributed to Moceanu’s rise to the top, from her stubborn father and long-suffering mother to her mercurial coach, Bela Karolyi. Here, Moceanu finally shares the haunting stories of competition, her years of hiding injuries and pain out of fear of retribution from her coaches, and how she hit rock bottom after a public battle with her parents. But medals, murder plots, drugs, and daring escapes aside (all of which figure into Moceanu’s incredible journey), the most unique aspect of her life is the family secret that Moceanu discovers, opening a new and unexpected chapter in her adult life. A mysterious letter from a stranger reveals that she has a second sister—born with a physical disability and given away at birth—who has nonetheless followed in Moceanu’s footsteps in an astonishing way. A multilayered memoir that transcends the world of sports, Off Balance will touch anyone who has ever dared to dream of a better life.
Off Base (Jake Maddox JV Mysteries)
by Jake MaddoxJayden is one stolen base away from the school record when he’s accused of cheating on his science test. When the answer key is discovered in his locker, he knows he’s been framed, and if he has any chance of finishing the baseball season, he’ll have to figure out who did it. With the help of a school reporter, Jayden collects clues to solve the mystery. Will he be able to clear his name in time to break the school record, or will he be left watching from the stands?
Off Base (Jake Maddox JV Mysteries)
by Jake MaddoxJayden is one stolen base away from the school record when he’s accused of cheating on his science test. When the answer key is discovered in his locker, he knows he’s been framed, and if he has any chance of finishing the baseball season, he’ll have to figure out who did it. With the help of a school reporter, Jayden collects clues to solve the mystery. Will he be able to clear his name in time to break the school record, or will he be left watching from the stands?
Off Course: Inside the Mad, Muddy World of Obstacle Course Racing
by Erin Beresini&“Beresini uncovers the growing sport&’s most compelling characters and provides the most authoritative insiders&’ guide to date.&” —Outside &“Obstacle course racing has taken the endurance world by storm, and in Off Course Erin Beresini gives us an insider perspective into the conflict and appeal of these masochistic suffer-fests, culminating in her quest to complete the granddaddy of them all, the Spartan Ultra Beast. A must-read for anyone currently competing in, or considering taking on, one of these newfangled racing events.&” —Dean Karnazes, best-selling author of Ultramarathon Man Everyone has seen the pictures on their social media feeds: friends or family wearing mud-spattered athletic gear, holding a medal to proclaim they&’ve crossed the finish line of an intensely grueling race. Indeed, obstacle course racing is the fastest growing sport in U.S. history. Every week, thousands of athletes shell out money to run through mud and fire, crawl under barbed wire, scramble over ten-foot walls, and dodge baton-wielding gladiators. Erin Beresini&’s Off Course chronicles the author&’s period of training and competition in obstacle course racing. As she investigates the world behind this military-inspired amateur competition and the industry surrounding it, Beresini meets the diverse characters who compete in these races and uncovers the sport&’s biggest scandals, lawsuits, and rivalries. And through her own race training, Erin illuminates the history, science, and psychology of this sport that is taking the endurance world by storm. &“[Beresini&’s] narrative has humor and heart, and a carnival of characters . . . By the end of her riotous narrative, I had to wipe mud from my glasses at least twenty-six times.&”—Gary M. Pomerantz, author of Their Life&’s Work: The Brotherhood of the 1970s Pittsburgh Steelers, Then and Now
Off Grid Life: Your Ideal Home in the Middle of Nowhere
by Foster HuntingtonBestselling Van Life author Foster Huntington shares his experiences - as well as others - living by his own rules in this aspirational book filled with awe-inspiring photographs of unique homes in unexpected places.After spending three years on the road living in a camper van, Foster Huntington continued his unconventional lifestyle by building a two-story treehouse. Foster, like many others, are finding freedom, tranquility, and adventure in living off the grid in unconventional homes.Perfect for fans of Van Life and Cabin Porn and those who yearn for a simpler existence, Off Grid Life showcases unique dwellings from all around the world. Organized into sections like tree houses, tiny houses, shipping containers, yurts, boathouses, barns, vans, and more, the 250 aspirational photographs feature enviable settings like stunning beaches, dramatic mountains and picturesque forests. Also included are images of fully designed interiors with kitchens and sleeping quarters as well as interviews with solo dwellers, couples, and families who are living lives off the beaten path.
Off Limits: An Aces Hockey Novella (Aces Hockey #2)
by Kelly JamiesonPerfect for fans of Sawyer Bennett and Toni Aleo, Kelly Jamieson's charming holiday novella kicks off a brand-new series featuring the hunky hockey stars of the Chicago Aces. The Christmas season always puts a smile on Jenna McFadden's face. Even though she's bringing a boyfriend home for the first time, inside she's dying to see Andrew. Years ago, when the McFaddens took the troubled teen into their home, Jenna had to keep her blazing-hot crush a secret. And now that he's playing pro hockey for the NHL's Chicago Aces, nothing's changed. With his wide shoulders and taut muscles, Andrew's the most tempting package in the house . . . one that Jenna's dying to unwrap. Andrew Ross just can't make a play for Jenna. Her dad and brothers wouldn't approve, and he could never betray the trust of the wonderful people who treated him like family when he lost his own. That's what makes the holidays so hard. Whether Jenna's skating with Andrew on a frozen pond or sitting on his lap while he plays Santa, she's pushing all their boundaries--and there's only so much a man can take. Andrew knows that she's off-limits. But something deep down tells him that Jenna's heart is the one prize he simply has to win.Praise for Off Limits "Kelly Jamieson is my go-to author for hockey romance."--USA Today bestselling author Jami Davenport "A sweet story with plenty of heart about that bad boy you always wanted, who couldn't wait to have you too."--Cecy Robson, award-winning author of Once Kissed"Kelly Jamieson knows how to write a swoon-worthy hero. I loved Off Limits."--Gina Gordon, author of Naked Includes a special message from the editor, as well as an excerpt from another Loveswept title.
Off Road (To The Limit Ser.)
by Raelyn DrakeWyatt has spent most of the summer mountain biking with his best friend Tanka. But when the friends decide to test out a new trail, they face potentially deadly challenges. After a crash leaves them with only one working bike far from the marked trail, they must think quickly to find their way out of the woods before nightfall. How will they make it?
Off Road (To the Limit)
by Raelyn DrakeWyatt has spent most of the summer mountain biking with his best friend Tanka. But when the friends decide to test out a new trail, they face potentially deadly challenges. After a crash leaves them with only one working bike far from the marked trail, they must think quickly to find their way out of the woods before nightfall. How will they make it?
Off Speed: Baseball, Pitching, And The Art Of Deception
by Terry McdermottThe lively and fascinating story of baseball’s 150-year hunt for the perfect pitchIn August 2012, Felix Hernandez of the Seattle Mariners pitched a perfect game against the Tampa Bay Rays in what Terry McDermott calls “one of the greatest exhibitions of off-speed pitches ever put on.” For McDermott, a lifelong fan and student of baseball, the extraordinary events of that afternoon inspired this incisive meditation on the art of pitching.Within the framework of Hernandez’s historic achievement, Off Speed provides a vibrant narrative of the history and evolution of pitching, combining baseball's rich tradition of folklore with the wealth of new metrics from a growing legion of statisticians who are transforming the way we think about the game. Off Speed is also the personal story of a fan’s steadfast devotion, first kindled in McDermott by his father at the local diamond in small-town Iowa and now carried forward with the same passion by his own daughters.Approaching his subject with the love every fan brings to the park and the expertise of a probing journalist, McDermott explores with irrepressible curiosity the science and the romance of baseball.
Off We Go!
by Beverley AbramsonThe natural state of toddlers and young children is motion, and Beverley Abramson’s splendid photographs are an appreciation of the many ways in which we can move. Children spin and whirl, run, jump, and climb through the seasons in photographs that beg for discussion and storytelling.Whether it is flying a kite or kicking a ball, skipping on the grass or riding a tricycle, Beverley Abramson has captured kids experiencing the sheer pleasure of exploring the world through movement. Best of all, it is an invitation to get children to discover the fun of physical play.
Off the Bench (Fred Bowen Sports Story Series #25)
by Fred BowenChris wants to be a star scorer like his brother—so why does his coach keep him waiting on the bench?Chris comes from a sports-loving family. His brother is the star scorer on the high school team, and is being recruited by Division 3 colleges. Chris longs to earn the same adulation, and he&’s a good scorer for his junior high team. But why won&’t his coach start him? He&’s better on defense than his rival, Carlos, and nearly as good a shooter. Soon Chris becomes obsessed with earning a place in his team&’s starting lineup. He does everything he can think of—including being an invaluable player every time he comes in. But nothing seems to get Coach&’s attention. Even after he learns the history of the valuable &“6th man,&” Chris can&’t seem to let it go. How will he ever be a big scoring star? For every kid who hates to read but loves basketball, comes a suspenseful novel with plenty of play-by-play sports action.
Off the Bench (Team Jake Maddox Sports Stories)
by Jake MaddoxThere are five guys on the Wildcats who always start, and forward Daniel Fried land isn't one of them. But when the star forward goes on vacation, Daniel gets his chance at the spotlight. It's his turn to shine. Daniel has worked hard at improving his free throws, but he's terrible at layups--and everybody knows it. He'll need to work hard if he wants to be a starting Wildcat.
Off the Crossbar
by David SkuyThis book is suitable for children aged 4-8 years. Charlie Joyce is the new kid at Terrence Falls High School - and he wasn't sure about trying out for the school hockey team. But when some guys tell him he doesn't have a chance, Charlie feels he has to stand up for himself. <p><p> Follow along as Charlie battles, both on and off the ice, for a spot on the team. He knows he can play - and now he'll have to prove it. Expectations for the team are high. Will Charlie lead them to the gold medal in the Champions Cup? Or will rivalries and infighting destroy their chances? <p><p> Full of fast-paced action and packed with insightful hockey tips, this book will appeal to any kid who loves the game. This is a book for kids who understand sports, and know what it's like to compete on the ice, the soccer pitch, the basketball court, or the playground!
Off the Deep End: The Probably Insane Idea That I Could Swim My Way Through A Midlife Crisis - And Qualify For The Olympics
by W. Hodding CarterHodding Carter dreamed of being an Olympian as a kid. He worshipped Mark Spitz, swam his heart out, and just missed qualifying for the Olympic trials in swimming as a college senior. Although he didn't qualify for the 1976, 1980, 1984, 1988, 1992, 1996, 2000, or 2004 Olympics, he never stopped believing he could make it. And despite past failures and the passage of time, Carter began his quest once more at the age of forty-two. Maybe he's crazy. But then again, maybe he's onto something. He entered the Masters Championships. He swam three to four miles each day, six days a week. He pumped iron, trained with former Olympians, and consulted with swimming gurus and medical researchers who taught him that the body doesn't have to age. He swam with sharks (inadvertently) in the Virgin Islands, suffered hypothermia in a relay around Manhattan, and put on fifteen pounds of muscle. Amazingly, he discovered that his heartbeat could keep pace with the best of the younger swimmers'. And each day he felt stronger, swam faster, and became more convinced that he wasn't crazy. This outrageous, courageous chronicle is much more than Carter's race with time to make it to the Olympics. It's the exhilarating story of a man who rebels against middle age the only way he can—by chasing a dream. His article in Outside magazine, on which this book is based, was the winner of a Lowell Thomas award from the Society of American Travel Writers Foundation.
Off the Ice (Hat Trick #1)
by Piper Vaughn Avon GalePreviously published; newly refreshed by the authorsHe’s hot for teacherNHL star Tristan Holt may be at the top of his game, but he’s already thinking one play ahead. Hitting the books in the off-season means he’ll have a business degree to fall back on when it’s time to hang up his hockey skates.But his straightforward plan is complicated by his undeniable attraction to his sexy sociology professor, Sebastian Cruz.Impressed by Tristan’s brain as well as his brawn, Sebastian can’t help lusting after the gorgeous jock. With tenure on the line, Sebastian won’t break the rules by becoming involved with one of his students—at least, not until the end of term. Once final grades are posted, though, their naughty mutual fantasies can become reality.Tristan’s not sure he’s up for being the poster boy for openly gay hockey players, but Sebastian’s never been the type of man to keep his sexuality—or his relationships—in the closet. For Tristan, being with Sebastian might mean risking more than just his heart. One-click with confidence. This title is part of the Carina Press Romance Promise: all the romance you’re looking for with an HEA/HFN. It’s a promise!This book is approximately 71,000 words