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How to Train For and Run Your Best Marathon: Valuable Coaching from a National Class Marathoner on Getting Up For and Finishing the Popular 26.2 Mile Event
by Gordon BlochFrom a national class marathoner who qualified for the Olympic Trials--valuable coaching on gearing up for and finishing a marathon. Bloch explains the benefits of cross-training for marathon runners, offers winning strategies specific to individual race courses, and more.
How to Train With a T. Rex and Win 8 Gold Medals
by Michael Phelps Alan Abrahamson Ward JenkinsWhat does it take to win eight gold medals? Does it mean napping away three summer vacations? Eating enough broccoli to fill the back of a pickup truck? Swimming the length of the Great Wall of China three times? image descriptions present
How to Understand Paul Gascoigne: Lives Less Ordinary
by Danny Baker Danny KellyThe Lives Less Ordinary series brings you the most exciting, adventurous and entertaining true-life writing that is out there, for men who are time-poor but want the best. Lives Less Ordinary drops you into extreme first-hand accounts of human experience, whether that's the adrenaline-pumping heights of professional sport, the brutality of the modern battlefield, the casual violence of the criminal world, the mind-blowing frontiers of science, or the excesses of rock 'n' roll, high finance and Hollywood. Lives Less Ordinary also brings you some of the finest comic voices around, on every subject from toilet etiquette to Paul Gascoigne.Paul Gascoigne is a legend, both on and off the pitch, and a hero to a generation of football fans. The man who, during Italia '90, made it OK to cry, and made the English fall in love with football all over again. Despite endless books about him he is still an enigma to most, so who better than his closest confident (and national institution himself), Danny Baker, to explain what truly makes him tick.This digital bite has been extracted from Danny Baker and Danny Kelly's brilliant book Classic Football Debates.
How to Watch Soccer
by Ruud GullitAn opinionated masterclass in the art and science of “reading” a match from one of professional soccer’s most respected and beloved international figures <P><P>Ruud Gullit knows better than anyone else that to understand soccer you have to understand strategy. When he started playing soccer, his only “strategy” was to get the ball, outrun everyone else to the other end of the field, and score. At first it served him well, but as he advanced through the sport, he learned that it takes much more than speed to make a winning team. He worked his way from the Dutch junior leagues all the way to the legendary AC Milan, eventually retiring from the field to be a trainer, then a manager, and finally a commentator. <P>Each step came with its own lessons, and its own unique perspective on the game. Having looked at soccer through just about every lens possible, Gullit is now sharing his own perspective. Most spectators simply watch the ball, but in How to Watch Soccer, Gullit explains how to watch the whole game. He shows how every part of a match, from formations to corner kicks, all the way down to what the players do to influence the referees, is important. And he uses his own vast experience to illustrate each point, so his lessons are filled with anecdotes from his years on the field and insights from his observations as a manager and commentator. <P>This exhaustive guide will change the way even the most die-hard fan watches the beautiful game.
How to Watch the Olympics: The Essential Guide to the Rules, Statistics, Heroes, and Zeroes of Every Sport
by David Goldblatt Johnny ActonThe must-have guide to the 2012 Summer Olympic Games Next summer, millions of Americans will tune into the Olympic Games, the largest and most popular sporting event in the world. Yet while it's easy to be fascinated by agile gymnasts, poised equestrians, and perfectly synchronized swimmers, few of us know the real width of a balance beam, the intricate regulations of dressage, or the origin of those crowd-pleasing legs-in-the-air swimming formations. Luckily, David Goldblatt and Johnny Acton have created this utterly thorough and always fun guide to the rules, strategy, and history of each sport. With witty, detailed descriptions and clever illustrations, How to Watch the Olympics will help anyone grasp handball, archery, wrestling, fencing, and every other Olympic event like a true pro. .
How to Wild Swim: What to Know Before Taking the Plunge
by Ella FootePractical advice and instruction to get the very best out of wild swimming.The manual every amateur wild swimmer needs to read before diving in. Whether you want to explore remote beaches and mountain lochs, improve your confidence in open water, refine your swimming technique, or have a race or long-distance swim challenge coming up, How to Wild Swim offers the perfect practical foundation to help you find your perfect adventure and achieve your goal. This body conditioning sport is praised for not only making us stronger and healthier but also happier. Wetsuits are optional; in fact, no expensive gear is essential. Nailing the how-to, however, is key. Expert wild swimmer Ella Foote offers the ultimate guide to mastering the practicalities and techniques and answers your most frequently asked questions so that you can feel safe, have fun, and re-energize. So no matter what your goal—short wild swims and weekend breaks, to full adventure swimming expeditions and off-grid vacations—dive right in and submerge yourself in the wild, watery pages of this fearless book.
How to Win
by Clive WoodwardIn his entertaining and informative new book, Sir Clive Woodward analyses the events of the 2019 Rugby World Cup, offering his unique perspective on the performance of players and coaches, from Owen Farrell and Kieran Read, to Eddie Jones and Steve Hansen.HOW TO WIN:Rugby and Leadership from Twickenham to Tokyo is much more than the story of a tournament, however. It is the distillation of a philosophy of leadership developed during a lifetime in high-performance environments, from the rugby field to the boardroom. Tapping into his experience of winning the 2003 World Cup, being a part of the leadership team that delivered Olympic Success in 2012 and lessons drawn from Japan 2019, the author delivers a go-to manual in how to improve both individual and team performance in order to reach the pinnacle in sport and in business.Every individual position in rugby requires a unique set of skills, knowledge and expertise that collectively form a balanced team; the same is true in any successful business or organisation. From 1 to 15, the former England and British and Irish Lions coach identifies the key attributes and uses these defining traits to explain his collaborative 'Teamship' leadership style.With a fascinating blend of analysis, insight and anecdote, and the highs and lows of a memorable Rugby World Cup as the setting, Clive reveals how to lead the culture of a winning team - in any context.
How to Win (Back) a Wife
by Lass SmallMISSION: (RE)MARRIAGEHe might be an ornery son of a gun, but never let it be said Tyler Fuller didn't love his wife. Well, ex-wife, since he'd presented her with an ultimatum she'd shockingly accepted. Now this hotheaded hubby was darned tired of spending the long, cold nights alone, so he vowed to win her back!His mission should have been as simple as the first time he'd convinced Kayla to say "I do." After all, they'd jumped right from the bedroom and marched straight down the wedding aisle. But Tyler was gonna have to learn a few things about his self-improved former bride. Like how Kayla wanted to take things slow...and just how good slow could be!
How to Win 21 & Poker, Dice, Races, Roulette
by Mike GoodmanTHE ONE IMPORTANT THING TO KNOW ABOUT GAMBLING is that there is no guaranteed way to win all the time. But there is a guaranteed way to lose constantly, and that is when you don't understand the basic rules of playing and betting. It is appalling how many people, even big-money gamblers, lose consistently and don't know why. There are only two types of gamblers-those who really know the game and suckers. Mike Goodman, a veteran professional gambler, gives you an amazing, easy-to-understand insight on how to gamble and win.HORSE RACING...watch those second favorites; let the suckers play the favorites, they're usually overplayed!DICE...you're a sucker if you don't take advantage of the odds, but the real pay-off comes when you know how to bet!SLOTS...there's only one way to beat those "one-arm bandits," but, unfortunately, it's against the law!ROULETTE...it's tough to beat the house percentage, but there are ways to lose less, keep you in the game, and then, who knows?BLACKJACK "21"...here's a game you can win at consistently if you learn the tricks and how to put "lady luck" on your side!POKER...you get real help here; tips that'll open your eyes, make you play a better game and win!This book gives solid advice on how you can become a tough player and helps tilt the odds more in your direction. I'm just plain sick of "experts" who promise the moon but peddle virtually worthless advice.Somewhere in their pitch you're told that they're not multi-millionaires because they are not allowed in gambling casinos and I challenge any one of them to use this system at "craps", "21" or roulette at my casino. If they haven't got the guts to back up their system with hard cash, I challenge them to meet me face to face in public to debate any phase of gambling on which they claim to be an authority.Mike Goodman
How to Win a Fight
by Kris Wilder Lawrence KaneTwo veteran martial arts instructors and a renowned comic book illustrator deliver the ultimate course in self-defense More than three million Americans are involved in a violent physical encounter every year. In these situations, knowledge is power, and few teachers are better equipped to deliver that knowledge than Lawrence Kane and Kris Wilder. Veteran martial arts instructors and masters in their field, Kane and Wilder have teamed up with DC Comics artist Matt Haley to produce a step-by-step guide revealing the secrets of surviving-and preventing-violent encounters. The defense begins by scanning the environment for dangerous situations and using verbal de-escalation to defuse tense situations. If a fight is unavoidable, the authors offer clear guidance for being the victor, along with advice on legal implications, including how to handle a police interview after the attack. .
How to Win a Grand Prix: From Pit Lane to Podium - the Inside Track
by Bernie Collins'Bernie is not only a great strategist, but also a great team player and competitor' Sebastian VettelRace-winning team strategist shows how F1 really works. Welcome to Bernie Collins' world. Formula 1 drivers are the public face of Grand Prix racing but behind every driver is a team of several hundred people sharing the same passionate desire to win. On race day it's the Team Strategist who calls the shots, working under immense pressure to make split second and crucial decisions. Through her eyes and experience as a Performance Engineer and Head of Race Strategy, Bernie takes you behind the scenes of a Formula 1 team - both in the factory and at the races - to uncover what it takes to put two Formula 1 cars on the grid and go racing.How to Win a Grand Prix gives incredible insight of the entire process from design and construction, through pre-season testing, and how a team prepares for each Grand Prix. For race weekend itself, Bernie recreates it hour-by-hour to plunge the reader behind the pit wall and see what it's actually like to get from grid to podium.
How to Win a Grand Prix: From Pit Lane to Podium - the Inside Track
by Bernie Collins'Bernie is not only a great strategist, but also a great team player and competitor' Sebastian VettelRace-winning team strategist shows how F1 really works. Welcome to Bernie Collins' world. Formula 1 drivers are the public face of Grand Prix racing but behind every driver is a team of several hundred people sharing the same passionate desire to win. On race day it's the Team Strategist who calls the shots, working under immense pressure to make split second and crucial decisions. Through her eyes and experience as a Performance Engineer and Head of Race Strategy, Bernie takes you behind the scenes of a Formula 1 team - both in the factory and at the races - to uncover what it takes to put two Formula 1 cars on the grid and go racing.How to Win a Grand Prix gives incredible insight of the entire process from design and construction, through pre-season testing, and how a team prepares for each Grand Prix. For race weekend itself, Bernie recreates it hour-by-hour to plunge the reader behind the pit wall and see what it's actually like to get from grid to podium.
How to Win a Grand Prix: From Pit Lane to Podium - the Inside Track
by Bernie Collins'Bernie is not only a great strategist, but also a great team player and competitor' Sebastian VettelRace-winning team strategist shows how F1 really works. Welcome to Bernie Collins' world. Formula 1 drivers are the public face of Grand Prix racing but behind every driver is a team of several hundred people sharing the same passionate desire to win. On race day it's the Team Strategist who calls the shots, working under immense pressure to make split second and crucial decisions. Through her eyes and experience as a Performance Engineer and Head of Race Strategy, Bernie takes you behind the scenes of a Formula 1 team - both in the factory and at the races - to uncover what it takes to put two Formula 1 cars on the grid and go racing.How to Win a Grand Prix gives incredible insight of the entire process from design and construction, through pre-season testing, and how a team prepares for each Grand Prix. For race weekend itself, Bernie recreates it hour-by-hour to plunge the reader behind the pit wall and see what it's actually like to get from grid to podium.
How to Win the Gruesome Games (Villains Academy #3)
by Ryan HammondBeing BAD has never felt so GOOD! The third book in the villainously funny, highly illustrated young middle-grade series from author-illustrator Ryan Hammond. For fans of Amelia Fang, Dog Man and Grimwood. Check out the complete series – Villains Academy and Villains Academy: How to Steal a Dragon. &‘Heart-warming and hilarious – Villains Academy is a spookalicious treat, set to terrify every other book on your shelf.&’ Jack Meggitt-Phillips, author of The Beast and the Bethany &‘An absolute HOOT! Evil laughs aplenty!&’ Sophy Henn, author and illustrator of the Pizazz series Once a year the five original founders of Villains Academy rise from their graves in honour of the Gruesome Games – a school sports day unlike any other, where the aim is to prank and cheat your way to the finish line. Werewolf Bram and his friends the Cereal Killers are determined to win so their names can be written in the Book of Bad, a record of the most wicked villains to grace the school. But as the games become harder and the pranks get out of hand, are Bram and his friends bad enough to go down as the most victorious villains in history? PRAISE FOR VILLAINS ACADEMY: &‘A charmingly villainous adventure about friendship, school and unspeakable evil.&’ Louie Stowell, author of Loki: A Bad God&’s Guide to Being Good &‘Criminally fun!&’ Danny Wallace, author of The Day the Screens Went Blank &‘Frightfully fun – Villains Academy had me cackling from the very first page!&’ Katie Tsang, co-author of the Dragon Realm series &‘I loved the spookily funny Villains Academy. It's a work of (evil) genius!&’ Jenny McLachlan, author of The Land of Roar &‘A joyful hug of a book with genuine warmth and heart.&’ Hannah Gold, author of The Last Bear &‘A delightfully fun adventure with real heart and humour.&’ Benjamin Dean, author of Me, My Dad and the End of the Rainbow &‘Immersive, funny, and with a cast of scarily loveable characters, Villains Academy made me feel like I was IN the book!&’ Mel Taylor-Bessent, author of The Christmas Carrolls &‘A fabulously funny adventure. I want to enrol in Villains Academy!&’ Nick Sheridan, author of The Case of the Runaway Brain &‘Wickedly funny and full of quirky yet loveable characters.&’ Iona Rangeley, author of Einstein the Penguin &‘This is a brilliant, bonkers work packed with top-notch illustration.&’ Jack Noel, author and illustrator of the Comic Classics series &‘Full of wonderful characters, Villains Academy is such a FUN read!&’ Rikin Parekh, illustrator of The Worst Class in the World series
How to Win the Premier League: The Sunday Times Bestselling Inside Story of Football's Data Revolution
by Ian GrahamTHE SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLER'The best book on football I have ever read' Daniel Finkelstein'Fascinating and educational. An enjoyable and informative read' Sir Kenny Dalglish'Deserves a place among the great modern books on football' Sam Wallace, chief football writer, Telegraph______________________________The insider account of the data revolution that has swept through the modern football world written by one of its key architects, Ian Graham.Between 2012 and 2023, Ian Graham worked as Liverpool FC's Director of Research. His tenure coincided with the club’s greatest period of success since the 1980s, including winning the Premier League in 2020 – Liverpool’s first league title after an agonising three decades.Here for the first time, Graham reveals the fascinating data that informed some of the club’s most pivotal moments of the past decade, from the appointment of Jurgen Klopp as manager in 2015 to the signing of Mohamed Salah in 2017. Along the way, he shares groundbreaking insight into the modern game, including how a season largely played behind closed doors transformed our understanding of home team advantage, or why the GOAT (greatest of all time) might not be who you think. And, in a game that is increasingly dominated by an elite few, Graham charts a path for the future where a data-savvy competitor will always find the edge.______________________________'A fascinating, witty and remarkably insightful account of Liverpool's reinvention and a clear-eyed, detailed explanation of the inner workings of modern football. Nobody is better qualified to tell either of those stories than Ian Graham, who stands as one of the most (quietly) significant figures in the recent history of the club and the sport' Rory Smith, author of Expected Goals and Chief Soccer Correspondent, New York Times'Never before has the data revolution in football been described so well from the inside.' Christoph Biermann, author of Football Hackers‘How to Win the Premier League gives you three books for the price of one: a book about all of the silly inefficiencies plaguing European football, a book about what it's like to be empowered to use outside-the-box thinking to help turn your boyhood club into the best team in the world, and a book about how football actually works. If he really wanted to, Ian could easily put me out of a job.’Ryan O’Hanlon, author of Net Gains and staff writer ESPN*A Sunday Times bestseller August 2024
How to Win: Rugby And Leadership From Twickenham To Tokyo
by Clive WoodwardIn his entertaining and informative new book, Sir Clive Woodward analyses the events of the 2019 Rugby World Cup, offering his unique perspective on the performance of players and coaches, from Owen Farrell and Kieran Read, to Eddie Jones and Steve Hansen.HOW TO WIN:Rugby and Leadership from Twickenham to Tokyo is much more than the story of a tournament, however. It is the distillation of a philosophy of leadership developed during a lifetime in high-performance environments, from the rugby field to the boardroom. Tapping into his experience of winning the 2003 World Cup, being a part of the leadership team that delivered Olympic Success in 2012 and lessons drawn from Japan 2019, the author delivers a go-to manual in how to improve both individual and team performance in order to reach the pinnacle in sport and in business.Every individual position in rugby requires a unique set of skills, knowledge and expertise that collectively form a balanced team; the same is true in any successful business or organisation. From 1 to 15, the former England and British and Irish Lions coach identifies the key attributes and uses these defining traits to explain his collaborative 'Teamship' leadership style.With a fascinating blend of analysis, insight and anecdote, and the highs and lows of a memorable Rugby World Cup as the setting, Clive reveals how to lead the culture of a winning team - in any context.
How to Win: Rugby and Leadership from Twickenham to Tokyo
by Clive WoodwardIn his entertaining and informative new book, Sir Clive Woodward analyses the events of the 2019 Rugby World Cup, offering his unique perspective on the performance of players and coaches, from Owen Farrell and Kieran Read, to Eddie Jones and Steve Hansen.HOW TO WIN: Talent Alone is Not Enough is much more than the story of a tournament, however. It is the distillation of a philosophy of leadership developed during a lifetime in high-performance environments, from the rugby field to the boardroom. Tapping into his experience of winning the 2003 World Cup, being a part of the leadership team that delivered Olympic Success in 2012 and lessons drawn from Japan 2019, the author delivers a go-to manual in how to improve both individual and team performance in order to reach the pinnacle in sport and in business.Every individual position in rugby requires a unique set of skills, knowledge and expertise that collectively form a balanced team; the same is true in any successful business or organisation. From 1 to 15, the former England and British and Irish Lions coach identifies the key attributes and uses these defining traits to explain his collaborative 'Teamship' leadership style.With a fascinating blend of analysis, insight and anecdote, and the highs and lows of a memorable Rugby World Cup as the setting, Clive reveals how to lead the culture of a winning team - in any context.(P) 2019 Hodder & Stoughton Ltd
How to be Formula One Champion
by Richard PorterThe first and only practical guide on how to become F1 Champion, for the millions of Grand Prix fans who have always dreamed of making it onto the podium. Are you the next Lewis Hamilton?How to be F1 Champion provides you with the complete guide to hitting the big time in top-flight motorsport, starting wiht the basics, including the correct look, how to manage your social media account, the art of champagne spraying and how to wear a massive watch. Then you'll be ready to learn more advanced skills such as inserting 'for sure' at the start of every sentence, talking about key sponsors while sounding like the force is draining from your body, and psychologically crushing your teammate without him noticing. How to be F1 Champion also sets out a strategy for hiring your entourage, and how to treat them once they're on the payroll. Helpful illustrations accompany the text throughout. See you on the podium!
How to be Wild: We are All Wild. it's Just That Civilisation Keeps Getting in the Way
by Simon BarnesWe are all wild. It's just that civilisation keeps getting in the way. And the more civilised we become, the more we need the wild: wild places, wild creatures, and wild experiences. As every one who has patted a dog, smelled a rose, taken a walk, or even had a drink in the garden well knows, humans have a soul-deep need for non-human forms of life. This book is about pushing our birthright of wildness just that little bit further. In "How to be Wild", Barnes takes us on a journey through a year, from one raucous spring to the next - with sparrows and flying squirrels, blackbirds and elephants, badgers, butterflies and mosquitoes, as his companions. And again and again, in myriad different ways, he helps us to realise an essential truth: that by enjoying the wild world, by saving the wild world, by seeking to understand the wild world, our own lives become richer and more satisfying. That is what being wild means.
How to be Wild: We are All Wild. it's Just That Civilisation Keeps Getting in the Way
by Simon BarnesWe are all wild. It's just that civilisation keeps getting in the way. And the more civilised we become, the more we need the wild: wild places, wild creatures, and wild experiences. As every one who has patted a dog, smelled a rose, taken a walk, or even had a drink in the garden well knows, humans have a soul-deep need for non-human forms of life. This book is about pushing our birthright of wildness just that little bit further. In "How to be Wild", Barnes takes us on a journey through a year, from one raucous spring to the next - with sparrows and flying squirrels, blackbirds and elephants, badgers, butterflies and mosquitoes, as his companions. And again and again, in myriad different ways, he helps us to realise an essential truth: that by enjoying the wild world, by saving the wild world, by seeking to understand the wild world, our own lives become richer and more satisfying. That is what being wild means.
Howard Cosell: The Man, The Myth, And The Transformation Of American Sports
by Mark Ribowsky“Brilliant . . . entertaining . . . a thought-provoking portrayal of the multi-faceted Howard Cosell in all his glory and enmity.”—Don Ohlmeyer, Wall Street Journal Howard Cosell’s colorful bombast, fearless reporting, and courageous stance on civil rights made him one of the most recognizable and controversial figures in American sports history. “Telling it like it is,” he covered nearly every major sports story for three decades, from the travails of Muhammad Ali to the tragedy at the Munich Olympics. Now, two decades after his death, this deeply misunderstood sports legend has finally gotten the “definitive” (Kirkus Reviews, starred review) and revelatory biography he so much deserves. With more than forty interviews, Mark Ribowsky has brilliantly presented Cosell’s endless complexities in the “first thoroughly researched and effectively framed biography of Cosell and his times” (Huffington Post).
However Tall the Mountain: A Dream, Eight Girls, and a Journey Home
by Awista Ayub"The young Afghan women in However Tall The Mountain are pioneers. Their story is one of resilience and courage. This book is a testament to the power of hope and the will to dream in a country where so many dreams have been cut short." --Khaled Hosseini, bestselling author of The Kite Runner and A Thousand Splendid Suns. "Awista Ayub has movingly captured the indomitable spirit of Afghan women in this chronicle of brave girls who risked persecution and worse to pursue the dreams of ordinary childhood. In doing what they love most in life - playing soccer - the girls become emblems of the fight for equality and human rights under the Taliban. Their story reminds us that there is always hope and possibility for a brighter future - even in the wreckage left by war and conflict. " --Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton A ball can start a revolution. Born in Kabul, Awista Ayub escaped with her family to Connecticut in 1981, when she was two years old, but her connection to her heritage remained strong. An athlete her whole life, she was inspired to start the Afghan Youth Sports Exchange after September 11, 2001, as a way of uniting girls of Afghanistan and giving them hope for their future. She chose soccer because little more than a ball and a field is needed to play; however, the courage it would take for girls in Afghanistan to do this would have to be tremendous--and the social change it could bring about by making a loud and clear statement for Afghan women was enough to convince Awista that it was possible, and even necessary. Under Taliban rule, girls in Afghanistan couldn't play outside of their homes, let alone participate in a sport on a team. So, Awista brought eight girls from Afghanistan to the United States for a soccer clinic, in the hope of not only teaching them the sport, but also instilling confidence and a belief in their self-worth. They returned to Afghanistan and spread their interest in playing soccer; when Awista traveled there to host another clinic, hundreds of girls turned out to participate--and the numbers of players and teams keep growing. What began with eight young women has now exploded into something of a phenomenon. Fifteen teams now compete in the Afghanistan Football Federation, with hundreds of girls participating. Against all odds and fear, these girls decided to come together and play a sport that has reintroduced the very traits that decades of war had cruelly stripped away from them--confidence and self-worth. In However Tall the Mountain, Awista tells both her own story and the deeply moving stories of the eight original girls, describing their daily lives back in Afghanistan, and how they found strength in each other, in teamwork, and in themselves--taking impossible risks to obtain freedoms we take for granted. This is a story about hope, about what home is, and in the end, about determination. As the Afghan proverb says, However tall the mountain, there's always a road.
However Tall the Mountain: A Dream, Eight Girls, and a Journey Home
by Awista AyubA ball can start a revolution. Born in Kabul, Awista Ayub escaped with her family to Connecticut in 1981, when she was two years old, but her connection to her heritage remained strong. An athlete her whole life, she was inspired to start the Afghan Youth Sports Exchange after September 11, 2001, as a way of uniting girls of Afghanistan and giving them hope for their future. She chose soccer because little more than a ball and a field is needed to play; however, the courage it would take for girls in Afghanistan to do this would have to be tremendous--and the social change it could bring about by making a loud and clear statement for Afghan women was enough to convince Awista that it was possible, and even necessary. Under Taliban rule, girls in Afghanistan couldn't play outside of their homes, let alone participate in a sport on a team. So, Awista brought eight girls from Afghanistan to the United States for a soccer clinic, in the hope of not only teaching them the sport, but also instilling confidence and a belief in their self-worth. They returned to Afghanistan and spread their interest in playing soccer; when Awista traveled there to host another clinic, hundreds of girls turned out to participate--and the numbers of players and teams keep growing. What began with eight young women has now exploded into something of a phenomenon. Fifteen teams now compete in the Afghanistan Football Federation, with hundreds of girls participating. Against all odds and fear, these girls decided to come together and play a sport that has reintroduced the very traits that decades of war had cruelly stripped away from them--confidence and self-worth. In However Tall the Mountain, Awista tells both her own story and the deeply moving stories of the eight original girls, describing their daily lives back in Afghanistan, and how they found strength in each other, in teamwork, and in themselves--taking impossible risks to obtain freedoms we take for granted. This is a story about hope, about what home is, and in the end, about determination. As the Afghan proverb says, However tall the mountain, there's always a road.
Hsing-I
by Robert W. Smith Allen PittmanUnlike most martial arts, Chinese internal (soft-style) boxing does not depend on muscular strength. The secret behind its power lies in the cultivation and practical application of internal energy--ch'i, There are basically three soft-style martial arts: T'ai-chi, already well known worldwide, and Hsing-i and Pa-kua, relative newcomers to the West. Although they are not essentially fighting arts but living arts, they are devastating as systems of self-defense.This book outlines the history of Hsing-i--a style of boxing given form (Hsing) by the mind (i)--and gives a thorough account of the philosophy behind the techniques. It also presents to the West for the first time the orthodox style of the late Chinese Hsing-i master Ch'en P'an-ling.Described here in great detail and fully illustrated are the basic techniques, the five fists of Hsing-i, a linked form of the five fists, and the twelve animal styles.
Hsing-I
by Robert W. Smith Allen PittmanUnlike most martial arts, Chinese internal (soft-style) boxing does not depend on muscular strength. The secret behind its power lies in the cultivation and practical application of internal energy--ch'i, There are basically three soft-style martial arts: T'ai-chi, already well known worldwide, and Hsing-i and Pa-kua, relative newcomers to the West. Although they are not essentially fighting arts but living arts, they are devastating as systems of self-defense.This book outlines the history of Hsing-i--a style of boxing given form (Hsing) by the mind (i)--and gives a thorough account of the philosophy behind the techniques. It also presents to the West for the first time the orthodox style of the late Chinese Hsing-i master Ch'en P'an-ling.Described here in great detail and fully illustrated are the basic techniques, the five fists of Hsing-i, a linked form of the five fists, and the twelve animal styles.