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The Greatest Football Teams of All Time: A Sports Illustrated Kids Book (The G.O.A.T. Series)
by The Editors of Sports Illustrated KidsCovering individual teams (Hello, 1972 Miami Dolphins!) but also the best eras in famous teams’ history, such as the Patriots of the ’00s and the Steelers of the late 1970s, the editors at Sports Illustrated Kids dissect the best of the gridiron to show the whys and hows of team building, brilliant strategy, player combinations, and that special magic that the greatest teams have and which owners can’t buy—even if there weren’t a salary cap. Player profiles, stats and records, and thrilling narratives show the march to the Super Bowl and into history of America’s favorite spectator sport. Amazing photos, insider stories, and fun facts capture the cultural phenomenon that is football in the U.S.! The SI Kids editors won’t forget college ball! Picture the 2001 Miami Hurricanes cruising to the national title with a perfect season that was fun and full of swagger, displaying an absurd level of talent with six first-team All-Americans leading the way.
The Guide to Walden Pond: An Exploration of the History, Nature, Landscape, and Literature of One of America's Most Iconic Places
by Robert M. ThorsonAn exploration of the history, nature, landscape, and literature of one of America&’s most iconic places This is the first guidebook to Henry David Thoreau&’s most defining place, visited by half a million people each year and widely known as the fountainhead of America's environmental consciousness. Using this guide, both armchair readers and trail-walkers alike can amble around the pond&’s shoreline, pausing at fifteen special places to learn about people, historic events, and the natural world. Thoreau will be a constant companion via quotes from Walden. Stop by stop, the place of his book will merge with the book of his place. Abundantly illustrated with photographs, drawings, and maps, this guide is a must-have for a meaningful, engaging tour of Walden Pond as well as a souvenir of a visit. Special Thanks Concord Free Public Library Concord Museum Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation Thoreau Farm Trust Thoreau Society Walden Woods Project
The Half-Court Hero (Zach and Zoe Mysteries, The #2)
by Mike Lupica#1 New York Times bestseller Mike Lupica begins an exciting new chapter book series, perfect for fans of Cam Jansen, featuring his trademark sports action and heart, and a lovable twin brother-sister duo who solve sports-related mysteries.There's nothing eight-year-old twins Zach and Zoe Walker love more than playing sports and solving mysteries. And when those two worlds collide . . . well it doesn't get any better than that. When the twins start a summer basketball league at their local park, they notice the once rundown court is getting freshened up with each passing day. First new nets, then the benches have been completely restored. But who's behind it? Zach and Zoe are on the case!In the opening installments of the Zach and Zoe Mysteries, bestselling author Mike Lupica begins a series for a new and younger audience, introducing readers to a sports-loving detective duo who can swing for the fences and catch the culprit in one fell swoop. With a recipe equal parts sports and mystery, the Zach and Zoe Mysteries break fresh ground for an author who has been called the greatest sportswriter for kids.
The Hardmen: Legends And Lessons From The Cycling Gods
by The VelominatiEmbrace and revel in the stories of the toughest cyclists of all time, told by The Velominati, originators of The Rules. Read and get ready to ride . . . In cycling, suffering brings glory: a rider's value can be judged by their results, but also by their panache and heroism. Prepared to be awed and inspired by Chris Froome riding on at the Tour de France with a broken wrist or Geraint Thomas finishing it with a broken pelvis. In The Hardmen the writers behind cycling superblog Velominati.com and The Rules will tell the stories and illuminate the myths of not just the greatest cyclists ever, but the toughest. From Eddy Merckx to Beryl Burton, and from Marianne Vos to Edwig Van Hooydonk, the book will lay bare the secrets of their extraordinary and inspirational endurance in the face of pain, danger and disaster. After all, suffering is one of the joys of being a cyclist. Embrace climbs, relish the descents, and get ready to harden up. . .
The Harper Effect
by Taryn BashfordA sizzling coming of age story set in the world of professional tennis about a girl who learns to win from a boy who has lost everything. Sixteen-year-old Harper was once a rising star on the tennis court—until her coach dropped her for being “mentally weak.” Without tennis, who is she? Her confidence at an all-time low, she secretly turns to her childhood friend, next-door neighbor Jacob—who also happens to be her sister’s very recent ex-boyfriend. If her sister finds out, it will mean a family war. But when Harper is taken on by a new coach who wants her to train with Colt, a cold, defensive, brooding young tennis phenom, she hits the court all the harder, if only to prove to Colt she has it in her to be a champion. As the two learn to become a team, Harper gets glimpses of the vulnerable boy beneath the surface, the boy who was deeply scarred by his family’s dark and scandalous past. The boy she could easily find herself falling for. As she walks a fine line between Colt’s secrets, her forbidden love, and a game that demands nothing but the best, Harper must choose between her past and her future and between two boys who send her head spinning. Turns out, the biggest battle she needs to win, is the one against herself.
The Hazards of Good Fortune
by Seth GreenlandSeth Greenlands witty, clear-eyed new novel is a story of interconnecting lives, in which generations, races, and religions converge and conflict.Jay Gladstone was born to privilege. He is a civic leader and a generous philanthropist, as well as the owner of an NBA team. But in todays New York, even a wealthy mans life can spin out of control, no matter the money or influence he possesses. Jay sees himself as a moral man, determined not to repeat his fathers mistakes. He would rather focus on his unstable second marriage and his daughter Aviva than worry about questions of race or privilege. However, he moves through a sensitive and aware world: that of Dag Maxwell, the black star forward, and white Officer Russell Plesko, who makes a decision that has resonating consequencesparticularly for DA Christine Lupo, whose hopes for a future in politics will rest on an explosive prosecution.Set during Barack Obamas presidency, this artful novel illuminates contemporary America and does not shy away from our scalding social divide: why is conversation about race so fraught, to what degree is the justice system impartial, and does great wealth inoculate those who have it? At times shocking, but always recognizable, this captivating tale explores the aftermath of unforgivable errors and the unpredictability of the court of public opinion. With a brilliant eye for character, Greenland creates a story that mixes biting humor with uncomfortable truth.
The Healthy Former Athlete: Nutrition and Fitness Advice for the Transition from Elite Athlete to Normal Human
by Lauren LinkThey say athletes suffer two deaths—the one at the end of their lives, and the one at the end of their collegiate or professional sports lives. For an athlete to go from an athletic career to retirement can be a difficult transition. Luckily, Lauren Link, RD, CSSD, has already dealt with this life change and with The Healthy Post-College Athlete/i>, any former athlete can learn how to go from the discipline of weightlifting sessions and conditioning for a game or race, to maintaining a healthy lifestyle without those familiar goals. The book is targeted at those who are juggling a switch away from the intense, competitive, and routine-oriented life of an athlete, and shows how to apply the lessons learned from that time to life as a normal human. Also included in the book are excerpts from Link’s own blog that she started to document her transition from her collegiate athletic lifestyle, along with lists and case studies to help contextualize the challenge in leaving the focus and discipline of an athletic life. Link covers such ground as: • Modifying your diet based on “normal human” calorie expenditure, with meal planning and grocery shopping • Designing a routine and workout to stay fit and healthy • Easy-to-prepare recipes that will help facilitate a healthy lifestyle • Forming an identity outside of your sport Whether you’re a professional athlete or just a person trying to be healthier, this book will show you a path to living a better and healthier life. With a humorous and self-effacing tone, Link will show you how to transition in The Healthy Post-College Athlete.“My experience working with Skyhorse is always a positive collaboration. The editors are first-rate professionals, and my books receive top-shelf treatment. I truly appreciate our working relationship and hope it continues for years to come.” –David Fischer, author
The Heir (Kick!)
by Israel KeatsRob Briggs is known for two things: being the son of a former soccer pro and being a varsity soccer star. He had plans to follow in his dad's footsteps, but after joining his friend's band, Rob starts to wonder if there could be more to life than just soccer. When a local Battle of the Bands competition winds up taking place on the same day as a major soccer tournament, Rob will have to choose which matters more.
The Hen Who Sailed Around the World: A True Story
by Guirec SoudéeMeet Monique! In this true story, online phenomenon Guirec Soudée shares his adventures both unbelievable and heartwarming, sailing around the world with his brave, affectionate red hen, Monique. Monique is a highly accomplished chicken: she surfs, she skateboards, and she just crossed the world on a tiny boat with her human companion, Guirec, who helped steer. On their three-year journey, together they were unstoppable. When they became stranded in the ice off Greenland for four months, Monique, unruffled as always, kept Guirec alive with her eggs-- and they both made it home. Guirec and Monique are irresistible as unlikely comrades and friends taking on the world, and Guirec documented their journey with his remarkable, comical photographs. A deeply touching portrait of the real-life bond between animals and the humans who love them as well as a thrilling survival story, The Hen Who Sailed Around the World is an adventure for the ages.
The Heritage: Black Athletes, a Divided America, and the Politics of Patriotism
by Howard BryantFollowing in the footsteps of Robeson, Ali, Robinson and others, today's Black athletes re-engage with social issues and the meaning of American patriotism <P><P>It used to be that politics and sports were as separate from one another as church and state. The ballfield was an escape from the world's worst problems, top athletes were treated like heroes, and cheering for the home team was as easy and innocent as hot dogs and beer. “No news on the sports page” was a governing principle in newsrooms. <P><P>That was then. <P><P>Today, sports arenas have been transformed into staging grounds for American patriotism and the hero worship of law enforcement. Teams wear camouflage jerseys to honor those who serve; police officers throw out first pitches; soldiers surprise their families with homecomings at halftime. <P><P>Sports and politics are decidedly entwined.But as journalist Howard Bryant reveals, this has always been more complicated for black athletes, who from the start, were committing a political act simply by being on the field. In fact, among all black employees in twentieth-century America, perhaps no other group had more outsized influence and power than ballplayers. The immense social responsibilities that came with the role is part of the black athletic heritage. <P><P>It is a heritage built by the influence of the superstardom and radical politics of Paul Robeson, Jackie Robinson, Muhammad Ali, Tommie Smith, and John Carlos through the 1960s; undermined by apolitical, corporate-friendly “transcenders of race,” O. J. Simpson, Michael Jordan, and Tiger Woods in the following decades; and reclaimed today by the likes of LeBron James, Colin Kaepernick, and Carmelo Anthony.The Heritage is the story of the rise, fall, and fervent return of the athlete-activist. <P><P>Through deep research and interviews with some of sports' best-known stars—including Kaepernick, David Ortiz, Charles Barkley, and Chris Webber—as well as members of law enforcement and the military, Bryant details the collision of post-9/11 sports in America and the politically engaged post-Ferguson black athlete.
The History of Karate and the Masters Who Made It: Development, Lineages, and Philosophies of Traditional Okinawan and Japanese Karate-do
by Mark I. CramerA concise yet comprehensive history of traditional Okinawan and Japanese karate, with biographies of the great karate mastersThis concise-yet-comprehensive history of traditional Okinawan and Japanese karate includes authoritative biographies of the great karate masters of the past and the philosophical issues they faced as karate changed and evolved. Bringing a fresh understanding to the study of the martial arts, Mark I. Cramer dispels many of the often-repeated martial-arts myths as he details the lineages of the modern styles of karate and describes the social, cultural, and political events that influenced them. While most books focus on a single style of karate or the biography of just one of the great teachers, this book offers a well-researched and detailed overview. By bringing all of this knowledge together in one volume, Cramer—an award-winning inductee into the USA Karate Federation’s Hall of Fame—fills a crucial gap.
The Hometown Team: Four Decades of Boston Red Sox Photography
by Mike Shalin Steve Babineau Dennis Ecklersley Dwight EvansFor Red Sox fans eager to relive the glory days of their favorite players, The Hometown Team enables them to do just that, through the lens of longtime photographer Steve Babineau. From star and support players, to members of the grounds crew, Red Sox staff, alumni, and some opposing players, this book features Fenway's most memorable characters from the past forty years, with behind-the-scenes images of the ballpark during that time as well. This scrapbook-style book features fun and insightful commentary from veteran sportswriter Mike Shalin and images of the following BoSox legends: Carlton Fisk, Carl Yastrzemski, Jim Rice, Wade Boggs, Jonathan Papelbon, Dustin Pedroia, David Ortiz, Curt Schilling, Kevin Youkilis, Jon Lester, Manny Ramirez, Pedro Martinez, Jason Varitek, Johnny Damon, Mookie Betts, and many more. The perfect gift for any fan of Boston baseball!
The How Wrestling Should Book Book (Volume #Volume 1)
by Adam BlampiedThe annals of wrestling history are littered with missed opportunities. Every fan has borne witness to a storyline that could have changed the industry, but was left broken by tragic injury, ego, a fit of creative madness, or all of the above! <p><p> Join professional smart-arse Adam Blampied as he shares some of his classic rebookings, all re-written from scratch, extended, improved and now with COOL DRAWINGS AND STUFF!
The How Wrestling Should Book Book (Volume #Volume 2)
by Adam BlampiedThe annals of wrestling history are littered with missed opportunities. Every fan has borne witness to a storyline that could have changed the industry, but was left broken by tragic injury, ego, a fit of creative madness, or all of the above! <p><p> Join professional smart-arse Adam Blampied as he shares some of his classic rebookings, all re-written from scratch, extended, improved and now with COOL DRAWINGS AND STUFF!
The Hunter's Way: A Guide to the Heart and Soul of Hunting
by Craig Raleigh“Craig Raleigh puts hunting into modern perspective, combining higher sensibilities and his firsthand insight into the hunting world to gently illuminate a part of human nature that was, and still is, among the purest of human endeavors.” —Jim Shockey, award-winning writer and host of Jim Shockey’s Hunting Adventures and UnchartedA thoughtful appreciation of hunting and a celebration of the outdoors that illuminates the hunter’s psyche, role, and influence on our culture."As we began to set foot in the outdoors we didn’t expect to learn something beyond where the deer were running or where the ducks were flying. Once we realized what these creatures really wanted, it was the opening of truth for us as hunters."A long-time hunter and fisherman and senior writer at Wide Open Spaces, Craig Raleigh has spent most of the last forty-five years of his life trying to find that elusive Holy Grail of hunting, that unimagined outdoor reality where one’s training, instinct, and experience converge into extraordinary bliss and accomplishment. He is the first to admit, that this does not entail the capture of a deer or an ever-evasive pheasant. It is the freedom to give back to the outdoors as much as one takes from it. For hunters, a life lived in the outdoors is massively rewarding and offers non-stop pleasures. It comes with the love of camaraderie, choice, and reward, and provides a deep appreciation for the nature world.The Hunter’s Way is his meditative and philosophical journey into the soul of a hunter. Divided into four parts that mirror the hunting experience—the background, the preparation, the hunt, and the harvest—it addresses the paradox of hunting as conservationism, ruminates on the failures and successes of hunting as sport and as a way of life, and reveals how hunting influences our society.As Raleigh explains, the hunt is so much more than the kill. Most often, the hunter leaves the woods and fields empty-handed. Rather, the beauty of hunting is in the experience itself. As a hunter, you are constantly looking for clues. Yet in nature, signs are changeable, confusing, and never the same the second time. A captivating synthesis of On Trails, Norwegian Wood, and Shop Class as Soulcraft, The Hunter’s Way is a literary reflection and love letter to the value of hunting as both sport and way of life.
The Hurlers: The First All-Ireland Championship and the Making of Modern Hurling
by Paul RouseIn 1882, a letter was published in the Irish Times, lamenting the decline of hurling. The game was now played only in a few isolated rural pockets, and according to no fixed set of rules. It would have been absurd to imagine that, within five years, an all-Ireland hurling championship would be underway, under the auspices of a powerful national organization.The Hurlers is a superbly readable account of that dramatic turn of events, of the colourful men who made it happen, and of the political intrigues and violent rows that marked the early years of the GAA. From the very start, republican and ecclesiastical interests jockeyed for control, along with a small core of enthusiasts who were just in it for the sport. In this authoritative and seriously entertaning book, Paul Rouse shows how sport, culture and politics swirled together in a heady, often chaotic mix.'Fascinating ... a brilliantly researched book on hurling in the early years of the GAA' Martin Breheny, Irish Independent 'I heartily recommend it. Great picture of the emergence of modern Ireland amidst sport, nationalism, priests and assorted crazy hotheads ... Brilliant stuff' Dara Ó Briain 'A story of pioneerism, passion, intrigue, skulduggery and commitment ... a must read for the many sports, and particularly hurling, supporters and admirers in today's version of Ireland' Irish Times'Terrific' Kieran Shannon, Irish Examiner 'Brilliantly entertaining ... not just the gripping account of that first championship, but also of how the game of hurling itself was saved in the 1880s from what seemed certain extinction' Sunday Independent 'A brilliant piece of work' Matt Cooper'Both a sports and a history book, full of wonderful stories from a different time, with tales of passion, skullduggery and controversy, played out against the backdrop of what could be described as a civil war within the GAA and a land war that threatened to rip the country apart' RTÉ Culture 'Fascinating' Frank McNally, Irish Times'A page turner that continues to deliver chapter after chapter ... The Hurlers is a must read' Limerick Leader'A superbly readable account ... an authoritative and seriously entertaining book' Ireland's Own 'The perfect read for a brilliant hurling year' Caitriona Lally, Irish Independent Top Books of 2018'A vital look into the early years of the GAA and a perfect gift for both sport and history lovers' Mark Gallagher, Mail on Sunday Books of 2018'Marries forensic historical research of the cultural and political contexts for the emergence of modern hurling with a polished style and storytelling ability that is rare among historians' Diarmaid Ferriter, Irish Times Books of 2018'Flows along far more merrily and lightly than any history book has a right to and is especially enlightening when it comes to drawing the founding fathers Michael Cusack and Maurice Davin' Malachy Clerkin, Irish Times, Sports Books of 2018 'Marvellous ... the definitive account of this remarkable period when hurling came to life' Clonmel Nationalist'Brilliant' Kenny Archer, Irish News
The IF in Life: How to Get Off Life’s Sidelines and Become Your Best Self
by Michael Strahan Rashad JenningsIn his first ever book, The IF in Life: How to Get Off Life’s Sidelines and Become Your Best Self, NFL running back and Dancing with the Stars champion Rashad Jennings shares his inspiring story and experiences, imparts practical advice, and encourages readers to follow their dreams.As a kid, Rashad Jennings dreamed of one day playing in the NFL, but the odds were stacked against him—he was an overweight kid with glasses, asthma, and a 0.6 GPA. Today, Rashad is a record-setting running back who has played with the Jacksonville Jaguars, the Oakland Raiders, and the New York Giants.In The IF in Life, Rashad writes about the decisions that shaped his life. From overcoming injuries and setbacks to reaching goals and everything in between, Rashad’s transparency about his journey will encourage readers to hold on to faith in the midst of uncertainty and win big in life.Perfect for football fans of all ages, this book also features photos from Rashad’s childhood, college years, and professional career.
The Ice Chips and the Haunted Hurricane: Ice Chips Series Book 2
by Kim Smith Roy MacGregor Kerry MacGregorThe second title in a new chapter-book series by acclaimed author and Hockey Hall of Fame inductee Roy MacGregor and his daughter, journalist Kerry MacGregor, follows a ragtag hockey team that travels through time to witness key moments in the development of the game and some of its star players.The team’s second adventure has them travelling to Halifax, Nova Scotia, in the middle of a storm, as a young Sidney Crosby teaches the Ice Chips about perseverance and creativity—showing them that you don’t need fancy equipment to train hard.
The Impossible Climb (Young Readers Adaptation): Alex Honnold, El Capitan, and a Climber's Life
by Mark Synnott Hampton SynnottA middle grade adaptation of the adult bestseller that chronicles what The New York Times deemed "one of the great athletic feats of any kind, ever": Alex Honnold's free-solo ascent of El Capitan in Yosemite National Park.On June 3, 2017, as seen in the Oscar-winning documentary Free Solo, Alex Honnold achieved what most had written off as unattainable: a 3,000-foot vertical climb of El Capitan in Yosemite National Park, without a rope or harness. At the time, only a few knew what he was attempting to do, but after topping out at 9:28 am, having spent just under four hours on this historic feat, author Mark Synnott broke the story for National Geographic and the world watched in awe.Now adapted for a younger audience, The Impossible Climb tells the gripping story of how a quiet kid from Sacramento, California, grew up to capture the attention of the entire globe by redefining the limits of human potential through hard work, discipline, and a deep respect for the natural world.
The Incomplete Book of Running
by Peter SagalPeter Sagal, the host of NPR’s Wait Wait...Don’t Tell Me! and a popular columnist for Runner’s World, shares lessons, stories, advice, and warnings gleaned from running the equivalent of once around the earth. <P><P>At the verge of turning forty, Peter Sagal—brainiac Harvard grad, short bald Jew with a disposition towards heft, and a sedentary star of public radio—started running seriously. And much to his own surprise, he kept going, faster and further, running fourteen marathons and logging tens of thousands of miles on roads, sidewalks, paths, and trails all over the United States and the world, including the 2013 Boston Marathon, where he crossed the finish line moments before the bombings. In this new book, Sagal reflects on the trails, tracks, and routes he’s traveled, from the humorous absurdity of running charity races in his underwear—in St. Louis, in February—or attempting to “quiet his colon” on runs around his neighborhood—to the experience of running as a guide to visually impaired runners, and the triumphant post-bombing running of the Boston Marathon in 2014. <P><P>With humor and humanity, Sagal also writes about the emotional experience of running, body image, the similarities between endurance sports and sadomasochism, the legacy of running as passed down from parent to child, and the odd but extraordinary bonds created between strangers and friends. The result is a funny, wise, and powerful meditation about running and life that will appeal to readers everywhere.
The Integration of the Pacific Coast League: Race and Baseball on the West Coast
by Amy EssingtonWhile Jackie Robinson’s 1947 season with the Brooklyn Dodgers made him the first African American to play in the Major Leagues in the modern era, the rest of Major League Baseball was slow to integrate while its Minor League affiliates moved faster. The Pacific Coast League (PCL), a Minor League with its own social customs, practices, and racial history, and the only legitimate sports league on the West Coast, became one of the first leagues in any sport to completely desegregate all its teams. Although far from a model of racial equality, the Pacific Coast states created a racial reality that was more diverse and adaptable than in other parts of the country.The Integration of the Pacific Coast League describes the evolution of the PCL beginning with the league’s differing treatment of African Americans and other nonwhite players. Between the 1900s and the 1930s, team owners knowingly signed Hawaiian players, Asian players, and African American players who claimed that they were Native Americans, who were not officially banned. In the post–World War II era, with the pressures and challenges facing desegregation, the league gradually accepted African American players. In the 1940s individual players and the local press challenged the segregation of the league. Because these Minor League teams integrated so much earlier than the Major Leagues or the eastern Minor Leagues, West Coast baseball fans were the first to experience a more diverse baseball game.
The Kata and Bunkai of Goju-Ryu Karate: The Essence of the Heishu and Kaishu Kata
by Giles HopkinsChallenging timeworn conventions of karate training and revealing the original intent of classical kata—or forms—through detailed descriptions of self-defense applications known as bunkai, this is a crucial addition to any martial-arts library. Containing more than 265 photos, the book is divided into chapters that illuminate each of the ten classical kata of Goju-ryu. Drawing on more than forty years of experience in the martial arts, Giles Hopkins Sensei takes us on a journey into the Goju-ryu karate system, providing a principles-based method for analysis of kata practice. Arguing against the commonly held notion that kata techniques can have multiple interpretations, he insists that a kata cannot simply mean what the user wants it to mean, but contains specific martial principles that must be followed for it to work effectively. The step-by-step descriptions of the receiving, controlling or bridging, and finishing techniques contain in-depth analysis of commonly misunderstood aspects of kata. Each chapter concludes with an engaging anecdote from the author’s time in Okinawa, the birthplace of Goju-ryu, connecting it with the kata under discussion. Equally useful for the novice and for more advanced karate practitioners looking to deepen their understanding of kata and bunkai.
The King of Halloween & Miss Firecracker Queen: A Daughter's Tale of Family and Football
by Lori LeachmanIn this memoir of a Southern childhood, football is a family&’s salvation—and its destruction. The King of Halloween & Miss Firecracker Queen tells the story of a football life from a daughter&’s perspective. Chronicling a rise through the competitive ranks—from high school to college to professional coaching, and ultimately a Super Bowl championship—it also reveals the struggle to deal with the decline and death of the patriarch, Lamar Leachman, from chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) as a result of that life. With forewords by NFL legends Phil Simms and Harry Carson, this is a true story of one family&’s love for a game and for each other, one man&’s strength of character, one woman&’s love that sustained him.
The Language of the Game: How to Understand Soccer
by Laurent DuboisJust in time for the 2018 World Cup, a lively and lyrical guide to appreciating the drama of soccer Soccer is not only the world's most popular sport; it's also one of the most widely shared forms of global culture. The Language of the Game is a passionate and engaging introduction to soccer's history, tactics, and human drama. Profiling soccer's full cast of characters--goalies and position players, referees and managers, commentators and fans--historian and soccer scholar Laurent Dubois describes how the game's low scores, relentless motion, and spectacular individual performances combine to turn each match into a unique and unpredictable story. He also shows how soccer's global reach makes it an unparalleled theater for nationalism, international conflict, and human interconnectedness.Filled with perceptive insights and stories both legendary and little known, The Language of the Game is a rewarding read for anyone seeking to understand soccer better.
The Last Cowboys: A Pioneer Family In The New West
by John BranchA gripping portrait of one family’s gamble that rodeo and ranching are the future of the West—and not just its past. For generations, the Wrights of southern Utah have raised cattle and world-champion saddle-bronc riders—some call them the most successful rodeo family in history. Now Bill and Evelyn Wright, parents to 13 children and grandparents to many more, find themselves struggling to hang on to the majestic landscape where they’ve been running cattle for 150 years as the West is transformed by urbanization, battered by drought, and rearranged by public-land disputes. Could rodeo, of all things, be the answer? In a powerful follow-up to his prize-winning, best-selling first book, New York Times reporter John Branch delivers an epic and intimate family story deep in the American grain. Written with great lyricism and filled with vivid scenes of ranch life and the high drama of saddle-bronc competition, The Last Cowboys chronicles three years in the life of the Wrights, each culminating in rodeo’s National Finals in Las Vegas. Will Bill and Evelyn be able to hold the family together as rodeo injuries pile up and one of their sons goes off on a religious mission? Will their son Cody, a two-time world champion, make it to the finals one last time—and compete with his own son? And will the younger generation—Rusty, Ryder, Stetson, and the rest—be able to continue the family’s ways in the future? This is a grand and compelling work of reporting that, like Buzz Bissinger’s Friday Night Lights, offers deep insight into American ritual and tradition. And in telling the Wright family’s story, from branding days to rodeo nights to annual Christmas gatherings, Branch captures something vital of the grit, determination, and integrity that fuel the American Dream. An unforgettable book by one of the finest reporters of our time, The Last Cowboys is a moving tribute to an American way of life.