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The Complete Angler
by Izaak WaltonThe Compleat Angler was first published in 1653, but Walton continued to add to it for a quarter of a century. It is a celebration of the art and spirit of fishing in prose and verse; 6 verses were quoted from John Dennys's 1613 work Secrets of Angling.
Jumping at the Chance: From the Court to the Field, How NBA Hopefuls are Changing Australian Rules Football
by Gil GriffinThe true story of how professional Australian Rules Football found an unlikely new source of talent in the United States.Though most Americans automatically think "rugby" when they hear or read the phrase "Australian football," the two sports actually have very little in common besides tackling and kicking. “Footy,” as this unique sport is known in Aussie circles, bears more resemblance to American athletics, requiring the skill and grace of basketball combined with the physical toughness and endurance of American-style football. The only thing it apparently didn’t require was actual Americans.Until now.Scouts from Australian Football League realized that a key position on their teams—called the “ruckman”—required both the height and ball handling skills readily found in American basketball players. What began as an unlikely experiment cross-breeding of sports talent has become an ever-growing expedition of Yankees looking to make their way in a game most of them had never even seen played before.In Jumping at the Chance, longtime Aussie football fanatic Gil Griffin delivers a riveting account of these American athletes who go to the other side of the world in search of their dreams of glory.From learning an entirely foreign sport from the ground up, to coping with what it means to be a team member in a different culture, to gaining not only acceptance but ecstatic support from the rabid footy fans, their stories are much like Australian Rules Football itself—sometimes humorous, sometimes heartbreaking, always inspiring.
Fight, Grin and Squarely Play the Game: The 1945 Loyola New Orleans Basketball Championship and Legacy (Sports)
by Peter Finney Ramon A. VargasIn 1945, the Loyola New Orleans Wolf Pack became the city's first basketball team to earn a national championship. The Cinderella season was chronicled in the "Times Picayune," the student newspaper "The Maroon" and letters from students and alums fighting overseas. The 1944-45 run to the championship was an amazing boon to the community during trying times. The group of boyhood friends and rivals beat out previous national champions and exhausted opponents. Take a courtside seat as journalist Ramon A. Vargas chronicles the season, including heartfelt personal narratives to tell the story of the championship and legacy of a team that led Loyola to national prominence.
Monon Bell Rivalry, The: Classic Clashes of DePauw vs. Wabash (Sports)
by Tyler JamesHistory is made every November in central Indiana when DePauw and Wabash meet to do battle for the Monon Bell. Relive the classic moments of the oldest college football rivalry of its kind. In this hard-hitting collection, author Tyler James highlights the coaches and players who gained glory capturing the Bell. Deep historical research and personal interviews with players provide an intimate look into the epic games that live on in legend. Along with players and coaches, the fans receive due recognition for their part in this time-honored rivalry. The Bell heists, the songs, the game-day traditions--James recounts fan fervor in vivid, often humorous, detail. Whether readers sport scarlet and white or black and gold, this is a collection no fan should miss.
Baseball in Pensacola: America's Pastime & the City of Five Flags (Sports)
by Scott BrownThe Western Gate to the Sunshine State boasts an epic history of hardball, dating back nearly to the beginning of the sport. Sunshine, loyal fans and pristine beaches have attracted baseball's best athletes to Pensacola--from stars like Babe Ruth and Ted Williams to the Blue Wahoos, modern-day affiliate for the Cincinnati Reds. The city is home to major-league teams during spring training, minor-league teams during the season and baseball fanatics year-round. Whether it's following big-league icons or cheering high school future stars, Pensacola's love affair with baseball runs deep. Team up with local author Scott Brown as he details the area's greatest moments in America's oldest pastime.
Blue Streaks and Little Giants, The: More than a Century of Sandusky and Fremont Ross Football (Sports)
by Vince GuerrieriOn November 2, 1895, the newly formed football team at Fremont High School journeyed to Sandusky to play its first game against Sandusky High School. It was the beginning of the second-oldest high school football rivalry in Ohio. Since then, the teams have met 106 times in the regular season and once in the playoffs. The players have included an Olympian, a top NFL draft pick, a Heisman Trophy winner and scores of athletes and coaches who went on to notoriety and success. Take the field with author and sports journalist Vince Guerrieri as he recounts the amazing legacy of a truly historic rivalry.
Baseball in Long Beach (Sports)
by Bob KeisserMore than two hundred Major League Baseball players have hailed from Long Beach and its suburbs. This hotbed of horsehide heroics includes Hall of Famers Bob Lemon, Duke Snider and Tony Gwynn, as well as longtime stars Ron Fairly, Bob Bailey, Bobby Grich, Chase Utley and Jered Weaver. Negro League and Pacific Coast League clubs enjoyed Long Beach connections. Many players whose cleats tore up legendary Rec Park and Blair Field are enshrined in the city's baseball/softball hall of fame. The winning tradition continues as Long Beach State's "Dirtbags" sent more players to the bigs in 2010 and 2011 than any other college. Join baseball historian Bob Keisser as he recounts Long Beach's greatest baseball stars, teams and stories.
A History of Fishing in the Florida Keys: Angler's Paradise (Sports)
by Bob T. EpsteinSince the arrival of Ponce de Leon in the 1500s, the Florida Keys have evolved from a dense, nearly impenetrable jungle full of bears, pumas, snakes, alligators and crocodiles into America's Caribbean islands. And the fish in the region have made the Keys one of the nation's favorite playgrounds for anglers. The Keys are home to more saltwater fishing records than any other angling destination in the world and offer sportsmen an array of amazing fish, from tarpon and Spanish mackerel to mahi-mahi and bonefish. U.S. presidents, celebrities and the world's greatest fishermen and women have cruised the waters of South Florida. Join author Bob T. Epstein on a journey through the storied history of fishing in the Florida Keys.
Between the Bylines: The Life, Love and Loss of Los Angeles's Most Colorful Sports Journalist (Sports Ser.)
by Doug KrikorianA sportswriter&’s deeply personal memoir of the love that turned his life around, and the struggle to overcome his wife&’s tragic death. Doug Krikorian beat deadlines and made headlines for more than four decades as the Los Angeles region&’s most compelling sportswriter. His brash and combative style—featured in the Los Angeles Herald Examiner and Long Beach Press-Telegram and on radio with partner Joe McDonnell—shaped fans&’ perceptions of Wilt Chamberlain, Tommy Lasorda, Muhammad Ali, Georgia Frontiere, and many others. But his hard edge was unexpectedly softened through a chance meeting with a British physical therapist named Gillian—and their subsequent marriage. Sadly, their union would be all too brief, as Gillian fought a heroic battle against an incurable disease, eventually falling into a fatal coma on the same morning that terrorists attacked America in 2001. In this moving memoir, Krikorian reflects on a fight more brutal than those in any boxing ring, and the losses we face more harrowing than those on any basketball court or baseball field—and how, after enduring his grief, he picked up the pieces and decided to do what he&’s always done best: tell the story.
Marietta College Baseball: The Story of the 'Etta Express (Sports)
by Gary CarusoNestled at the confluence of the Muskingum and Ohio Rivers in the first permanent settlement in the Northwest Territory resides one of the most dominant college baseball dynasties in the nation. The Marietta College Pioneers--known as the 'Etta Express for the way they've barreled over opponents for half a century--own a record five NCAA Division III National Championships, including 2011. Finally, the best-kept secret in college sports springs to life as author Gary Caruso digs into the personalities behind this incredible success story to reveal the compelling human drama that's made Marietta College baseball a treasure all readers are sure to enjoy.
Nasrullah: Forgotten Patriarch of the American Thoroughbred (Sports)
by Melanie GreeneNasrullah arrived in Kentucky in 1950 and forever changed the modern American thoroughbred. Bred in royalty by the Aga Kahn, Nasrullah's journey from Europe to America was one of glorious victories and grand potential. He was the first horse to lead both the American and English sire lists, which led to a legendary line of descendants that includes nine U.S. champions, three Hall of Famers and ninety-eight stake winners like Bold Ruler, Noor and Nashua. Nasrullah is even grandsire of the famed Secretariat. Ride along with author Melanie Greene as she recounts the compelling history of a truly remarkable horse that is sure to take any equestrian fan beyond the bluegrass.
Charlotte Motor Speedway History: From Granite to Gold (Sports)
by Deb WilliamsEngines roared at Charlotte Motor Speedway for the first time in 1960, and the track has been home to some of NASCAR's greatest races and most honored drivers ever since. Despite early challenges, Bruton Smith and Humpy Wheeler took charge in 1975, and together sculpted one of the most famous race tracks in America as host of the Coca-Cola 600 and the Sprint All-Star Race. In 1992, the track became the first modern speedway to host night racing and thousands of race fans watched their favorite drivers swap paint under the North Carolina night sky. Get in the groove with racing journalist Deb Williams as she traces the history of the Charlotte Motor Speedway, with plenty of pit-stops along the way.
A History of Camp Cory
by Mark Dibble Bo ShoemakerSummertime memories of Camp Cory are awash in warm emotion. From the Reveille bugle at first light to Taps in the evening, those days were the absolute best. Skippering a K-boat on cool Keuka Lake. Silly songs and skits performed into the night. The boundless nature of genuine friendship. It is hard to explain exactly why that time is so special, how it changes lives forever. This wonderful mystery is revealed here by official Camp Cory historian Bo Shoemaker. So gather around the campfire to reminisce. Just be sure to watch out for the H Man!
History of the Greater Boston Track Club (Sports)
by Paul C. ClericiFounded in 1973, the Greater Boston Track Club had humble beginnings but was quick to establish itself as a force of competitive runners. Initially an all-inclusive club of sprinters, hurdlers and middle-distance runners, the club evolved under the brilliant leadership of Coach Bill Squires. The club boasts nearly eighty regional, national and international titles. It has bred world-class runners such as Olympian Bill Rodgers (four-time winner of the Boston and New York marathons) and Olympian Alberto Salazar (three-time winner of the New York marathon and winner of the Boston and the Comrades Ultra marathons). Author Paul C. Clerici honors the Greater Boston Track Club through historical records and the experiences of those involved in its legacy.
Wrigley Field: 100 Stories for 100 Years (Sports Ser.)
by Dan Campana Rob CarrollA collection of stories, photos, and memories for those who love the Chicago Cubs&’ legendary ballpark. Wrigley Field occupies a sacred space in the hearts of Cubs fans and in the soul of Wrigleyville. With contributions from those in the stands, on the field, and behind the scenes over the years—among them Bob Costas, Rick Sutcliffe, Ferguson Jenkins, Steve Stone, and many more—this informal oral history salutes the legacy that has made Wrigley such an unforgettable part of baseball and Chicago for the last century. These one hundred stories reflect the variety of millions of Cubs fans around the world, from those whose relationship with the Friendly Confines has lasted a lifetime to those who are taking their seats up close to the ivy for the very first time.
Chesapeake Reflections: Stories from Virginia's Northern Neck
by J H HallOne man celebrates and laments his family&’s connection to a disappearing paradise of natural wildlife and beauty on the shores of Chesapeake Bay. Between the Indian and Dividing Creeks, near the mouth of the Rappahannock River in Virginia&’s Chesapeake Bay, sits a parcel of land called Bluff Point. Like most bay-front villages, the bountiful resources and majestic landscape of this area that once sustained watermen and sportsmen alike have been depleted as over-harvesting, poaching, pollution and continued development have taken their toll, threatening the very legacy of its people. J. H. Hall&’s family first settled on this land shortly after the Civil War, where they maintained a tradition of farming, fishing and crabbing throughout the twentieth century. Hall&’s words flow as splendidly as the tides in this collection of personal reminisces and local and natural history honoring the lives of the watermen before him and the uncertainty surrounding those today.
A History of Hunting in the Great Smoky Mountains (Sports Ser.)
by Bob PlottDiscover the history and lore of this region&’s legendary outdoorsmen—and their faithful dogs: &“Well worth reading&” (Bear Hunting Magazine). Man versus beast—it&’s an age-old struggle that has been part of the rugged terrain of the Great Smoky Mountains since humans first encountered the region centuries ago. Bob Plott, a descendant of the breeder of the Plott hound and an avid outdoorsman in North Carolina, takes readers on a quest back through time for a glimpse into the minds and the rifles of the region&’s most intrepid hunters. From the primitive weaponry and prevailing tactics of the Cherokee to the audacious rifle-toting ridge runners, and even a gruesome gang of cannibalistic rogues, these stories are truly a gripping tribute to mountain life and the adventure of the game.
Chesapeake Bay Retrievers, Decoys & Long Guns: Tales of Carroll's Island Ducking Club
by C. John Sullivan Jr.Carroll�s Island is one of many places along the ChesapeakeBay where vibrant stories of dogs, decoys, guns and waterfowl resonate up from the shoreline. The stories from Carroll�s Island Ducking Club, which was founded in the mid-nineteenth century, offer special insights about the Chesapeake Bay�s waterfowling heritage. In this warm, informative book, C. John Sullivan Jr., one of the nation�sleading decoy collectors and scholars, documents the development of the Chesapeake Bay retriever and how gunners once devised decoys and new firearms and enjoyed the bounty of the Chesapeake Bay. Eventually Carroll�s Island Ducking Club would disappear, but its legacy can still be seen today in the role members played in establishing the Chesapeake Bay retriever as Maryland�s state dog.
Virginia Horse Racing: Triumphs of the Turf (Sports)
by Virginia C. Johnson Barbara CrookshanksVirginia, mother of presidents, is also the mother of American horse racing. From the very beginning, Virginians have risked it all on the track as eagerly as on the battlefield. Follow the bloodlines of three foundation sires of the American Thoroughbred through generations of rollicking races and larger-than-life grandees wagering kingly stakes, sometimes on horses not yet born. How did the horse nicknamed Damn His Eyes get protection money from other horse owners? What did it mean to �tap the claret� to break a neck-and-neck tie? Why was Confederate cavalry so much better than Union�was it the riders, or was it the mounts? All these and many more stories of horsemanship on and off the track fill the pages of Virginia Horse Racing: Triumphs of the Turf.
Oak Hill Country Club: A Legacy of Golfing Excellence (Sports)
by Sal MaioranaIn 1901, Oak Hill Country Club opened on the Genesee River. There were only nine holes, and the clubhouse was a converted farmhouse, but for the members, it was a haven. In the 1920s, the club moved to Pittsford, where world-famous architect Donald Ross built two eighteen-hole courses. A stately Tudor-style clubhouse was added, and in 1949, Oak Hill's reputation as one of the best courses in America was cemented when the USGA held the U.S. Amateur here. Golfing greats like Jack Nicklaus, Arnold Palmer and Tiger Woods have competed in such tournaments as the 1956 and 1968 U.S. Open, the 2003 and 2013 PGA Championship and the 2008 Senior PGA Championship. Visit the most exciting moments on the legendary East Course and the history of one of America's most historic golf meccas.
Cañonero II: The Rags to Riches Story of the Kentucky Derby's Most Improbable Winner (Sports)
by Milton C. TobyIn the months leading up to the 1971 Kentucky Derby, Canonero II was an unknown horse with a Venezuelan trainer who spoke only Spanish. The Derby "experts" laughed when an exercise boy rode the horse out on the track with no saddle or stirrups. But the laughter promptly ended when Canonero II charged to the front from twenty lengths back to win the Derby, followed by a victory at the Preakness Stakes in track record time. In recounting Canonero II's quest to become the first Triple Crown winner since Citation, award-winning turf historian Milt Toby tells the compelling story of how one man's wildly improbable dream became the dream of a nation and how a bargain-basement yearling born with a crooked front leg became the "people's horse."
Texas League Baseball Almanac, The (Sports)
by David King Tom KayserSince forming in 1888, the Texas League has produced some of the most beloved American baseball players and seen more than its fair share of colorful events. In 1931, Houston pitcher Dizzy Dean pitched and won both ends of a double-header in Fort Worth, throwing a three-hit shutout in the second game. In 1906, center fielder Tris Speaker pitched for Cleburne to beat Temple 10-3. In 1998, Arkansas' Tyrone Horne hit for the "homer cycle" in San Antonio, finishing to a standing ovation. "The Texas League Baseball Almanac" delivers day by day the record-breaking events, personal triumphs and memorable games that helped to shape baseball in the region. Join authors David King and Tom Kayser on a nine-inning trip down one of minor-league baseball's most historic institutions, both in season and off. .
Central Florida Thoroughbreds: A History of Horses in the Heart of Florida (Sports)
by Charlene R. JohnsonBack in the 1940s, when Florida was the Wild West of the East, a few hearty souls dared to think they might compete with the finest, blue-blooded racehorses and their breeders with their own stock raised among palm trees, sand and alligators. Florida was the cracker cowboy state, and cowponies were expected. But the scoffers failed to realize what the wealth of limestone, the power of warm sunshine year round and the cold, crystalline freshwater springs that are the gems of central Florida would mean to the raising of healthy, competitive animals. When the first Thoroughbreds produced in Florida, admittedly small and scrappy, began to "outrun their pedigrees," the nation of Thoroughbred breeders had to take notice. Join author Charlene R. Johnson as she details the fascinating equine history of central Florida.
White Mountains Hiking History: Trailblazers of the Granite State
by Mike DickermanSince the time of pioneer settlers Abel and Ethan Allen Crawford, explorers and adventurers have been lured by the stunning peaks and lush valleys of New Hampshire's White Mountains. In the nearly two centuries since the Crawfords constructed their first crude footpath onto the heights of Mount Washington and the Presidential Range, the White Mountain trail system has evolved into an intricate network featuring more than 1,400 miles of marked paths. Retrace the steps of early mountain guides such as Charles Lowe and Allen "Old Man" Thompson and learn how these early path-makers made New England's most popular and extensive mountain trail system possible. Longtime northern New Hampshire hiking columnist and guidebook author Mike Dickerman traces the fascinating story of this evolution with this new collection of profiles and reflections on the early trails and trailblazers of the region.
150 Years of Racing in Saratoga: Little-Known Stories & Fact's from America's Most Historic Racing City (Sports Ser.)
by Allan Carter Mike KaneCelebrate a century and a half of horse racing in Saratoga Springs with stories of the events, horse and people who have made its summers so special.Since the inaugural meeting of August 1863, Saratoga Springs is home to one of the oldest sports venues in the country and has been the scene of memorable races, often featuring legends of the sport. Although some of the epic moments are still familiar today, such as Upset&’s defeat of Man o&’ War in the 1919 Sanford Memorial, many of the triumphs and defeats that were once famous have been forgotten. Few remember the filly Los Angeles, who thrived at Saratoga, winning sixteen stakes races, or the influential, sometimes suspicious, reasons why the track was closed three times for a total of six years. Authors Allan Carter and Mike Kane take a look back at these and other important but neglected stories and present statistics from the pre-NYRA years and a rundown of the greatest fields assembled at America&’s oldest track.&“As the subtitle promises, the book consists of unexpected tales regarding Saratoga people, horses, and happenings--things that even certain racing historians had no previous clue about. Kane and Carter are uniquely well-equipped to guide readers down this curious road less traveled.&” —Mary Simon, Daily Racing Forum