Sports and outdoor recreation Books
Profile Books Ltd Born to Run: The hidden tribe, the ultra-runners,
Book SynopsisAt the heart of Born to Run lies a mysterious tribe of Mexican Indians, the Tarahumara, who live quietly in canyons and are reputed to be the best distance runners in the world; in 1993, one of them, aged 57, came first in a prestigious 100-mile race wearing a toga and sandals. A small group of the world's top ultra-runners (and the awe-inspiring author) make the treacherous journey into the canyons to try to learn the tribe's secrets and then take them on over a course 50 miles long. With incredible energy and smart observation, McDougall tells this story while asking what the secrets are to being an incredible runner. Travelling to labs at Harvard, Nike, and elsewhere, he comes across an incredible cast of characters, including the woman who recently broke the world record for 100 miles and for her encore ran a 2:50 marathon in a bikini, pausing to down a beer at the 20 mile mark.Trade ReviewAmazing, really incredibly inspiring book -- Joe WicksQuite simply the best book you'll ever read about running - it's brilliant, and brilliantly life-affirming. -- Lloyd Bradley, author of The Rough Guide to RunningA classic ... in ultrarunners McDougall uncovers a tribe worthy of the pioneering drifters that fired the American spirit, and in McDougall ultrarunners have found their own Kerouac or Krakauer. -- Tim Butcher, author of Blood RiverReaches the state of bliss that runners very occasionally experience in the midst of an endless run. -- Simon Kuper * FT *Fascinating stuff, particularly for anyone who's ever been frustrated by the apparently shoddy mechanics of their own running body. -- Victoria Moore * Daily Mail *A sensation ... a rollicking tale well told -- Rick Broadbent * The Times *Part how-to manual, part scientific treatise but throughout a ripping yarn, this book will inspire everyone who reads it to think on their feet. -- Simon Redfern * Independent on Sunday *If you're a runner, you probably won't reach the end of the first chapter without bolting for the door to get some miles behind you. * Leeds Guide *[A] major voice of a new movement. -- Bernard Goldberg * HBO *Good books about running are rare - Haruki Murakami's What I Talk About When I Talk About Running is a meditative jog compared to this blistering endurance tester - but this ranks among the strongest. -- Julian Fleming * Sunday Business Post *Utterly unputdownable ... a fascinating peek into the lives of the publicity-shy Tarahumara and the collection of misfits who populate the world of ultra-running ... the final race in Mexico's Copper Canyon will have you turning pages faster than Usain Bolt can run for a bus. -- Natasha Young * Wanderlust *If you're a runner, you'll love it. It's about how far we can go spiritually and physically. -- Kate Hudson, Actress * Elle *Inspiring stuff -- Amy Lawrenson * Elle *I read Born to Run last year and it affected me profoundly. I thought, "F*** it. I'm gonna run a marathon." -- Flea (of Red Hot Chili Peppers) * Runner's World *Loved this book ... completely wonderful. It will inspire you whether you're already a runner or not. -- Lauren Laverne * Twitter *
£10.44
Cornerstone The Man Who Listens To Horses
Book SynopsisMonty Roberts, known as 'The Man Who Listens to Horses', leads an extraordinary life. An award-winning trainer of championship horses, bestselling author, Hollywood stunt man, foster dad to forty-seven children (in addition to three of his own) and creator of the world-renowned and revolutionary equine training technique Join-Up, Roberts has won countless awards and received immense worldwide press coverage. He trains horses for the Queen and has been awarded honorary doctorates from the University of Zurich and the University of Parma. The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals honored Roberts with their Founders Award. He is now much in demand as a motivational speaker and executives from groups as diverse as the CIA to Volkswagen have invited him to share his experiences with their leaders. He lives at Flag is Up Farms in Solvang, California, with his wife, Pat.Trade ReviewWild horses should not drag you away from finding out more about Monty Roberts * Independent *The horse whisperer in action... more exciting than his fictional counterpart * Observer *Contains enough plotlines to keep Dick Francis busy for years * Spectator *For anyone who cares about animals and would like to get on with them better, it is required reading -- John Oaksey * Daily Telegraph *
£10.44
Faber & Faber The Ashley Book of Knots
Book SynopsisFirst published in 1944, and reprinted many times since then, the latest reissue of this magnificent book contains, for the first time, fully illustrated details of all minor amendments and corrections that have come to light over the years. These have been collected and collated by Geoffrey Budworth with the help of other members of the International Guild of Knot Tyers.
£44.00
Tuttle Publishing The Ninja, The Secret History of Ninjutsu:
Book SynopsisHere, for the first time, is an in-depth, factual look at the entire art of ninjutsu, including the emergence of the ninja warriors and philosophy in feudal Japan; detailed historical events; its context in the development of other schools of martial arts; and the philosophies and exercises of the school today.Based on more than ten years of study and translation of authentic Japanese texts, including many that have never before been translated, this is the most comprehensive and accurate study of the art of ninjutsu ever written outside of Japan. This ninja book includes studies of ninjutsu history, philosophy, wisdom, and presents a wide range of information from authors, historians, chronicles and scrolls in order to foster a deep understanding of this "shadowy" art.For those who train in ninjutsu, for other martial art practitioners, for historians, and for anyone with an interest in Japanese feudal history or Japanese martial arts, The Ninja: The Secret History of Ninjutsu shines a light on this enigmatic subject.Trade Review"Dr. Zoughari's visionary work connects old ways with the new, breathing life and new meaning into an often controversial subject in a way that benefits all who will read these pages." --Shihan Christopher Davy, from his Foreword"His translation of Takamatsu's autobiography, albeit short, was powerful to me...The art shown in the book is beautiful and adds context to the text." --MartialArtsPlanet.com blog"This insightful book is filled with obscure and documented details about Ninjutsu, as well as Dr. Zoughari's thoughts and fascinating analysis on the subject. The later chapters, of the secrets texts of Ninjutsu were fascinating. For me, understanding how these warriors fit into the Japanese warfare model was an enlightening read. This book is for both history and martial arts lovers alike." --Zohar Laor, Man of la Book blog
£13.49
The Golden Shore Verlagsgesellschaft mbH Sport & Meditation: The Inner Dimension of Sport
Book Synopsis
£12.74
Octopus Publishing Group Your Pace or Mine?: What Running Taught Me About
Book SynopsisFrom the co-author of the best-selling Running Made Easy, with a foreword by running legend Kathrine Switzer.Lisa Jackson is a surprising cheerleader for the joys of running. Formerly a committed fitness-phobe, she became a marathon runner at 31, and ran her first 56-mile ultramarathon aged 41. And unlike many runners, Lisa's not afraid to finish last - in fact, she's done so in 20 of the 90-plus marathons she's completed so far.But this isn't just Lisa's story, it's also that of the extraordinary people she's met along the way - tutu-clad fun-runners, octogenarians, 250-mile ultrarunners - whose tales of loss and laughter are sure to inspire you just as much as they've inspired her. This book is for anyone who longs to experience the sense of connection and achievement that running has to offer, whether you're a nervous novice or a seasoned marathoner dreaming of doing an ultra. An account of the triumph of tenacity over a lack of talent, Your Pace or Mine? is proof that running really isn't about the time you do, but the time you have!Trade ReviewA hilarious yet deeply heart-warming read, this book proves that running is never just about the time you take, it's always also about the journey you've taken. * Tina Chantrey, Consultant Editor of Women’s Running UK and Shewhodaresruns blogger *Aimed at motivating absolutely everyone to become passionate about running - without worrying about whether they'll be any good at it - Lisa's inspirational book is sure to start a chat-running craze. * Justine Roberts, founder of Mumsnet and Gransnet *An honest, funny and inspiring read that brings a whole new meaning to the term "running naked"! * Joe Williams, co-founder and director of UKSportsChat *An inspiring tale that proves that anyone, anywhere, can become a runner. * Rick Pearson, Managing Editor of Men’s Running magazine *I absolutely adore Lisa's attitude and approach to running. She seems to look right through all the competitiveness that often surrounds marathons and embraces the pure pleasure of an event where people come together to push through physical limits and celebrate the joy of running. * Julia Buckley, author of The Fat Burn Revolution *I laughed and I cried along with Lisa as she recounts her journey from non-runner to ultramarathoner. It makes you proud to be part of the same community, and gives you hope of reaching your own personal goals. * Leanne Davies, owner and founder of Run Mummy Run *I've always been safe in the knowledge that any struggling runners I see will be scooped up by the wonderful, kind-hearted Lisa Jackson and will make it to the finish line. Now I hear the real stories of what goes on at the back of the pack where people are running with their hearts and not just their feet, I realise how much I've missed. Uplifting, wise and entertaining, this is the only book I've read about running that's made me want to slow down and not speed up! * Juliet McGrattan, GP, runner and health writer *If you ever wanted to run a marathon and didn't think you could, then have-a-go-heroine Lisa Jackson might inspire you to do just that and more! Read it, put your trainers on and 'run the dream' - you'll be a much better person for it. * Rory Coleman, holder of nine Guinness World Records, and veteran of 940 marathons, 235 ultramarathons and 12 Marathon des Sables *In this brilliant book Lisa lays bare, sometimes literally, her life as a runner. She explores the lessons running can teach us all with humour and humility; let her be your guide and get ready to feel inspired and fulfilled with every step you take. * Alison Hamlett, former North Pole Marathon world record holder, 25-time marathon finisher and author of Need to Know? Running *Like me, Lisa believes that the world is a community and we need each other. Her tales of the runners she's helped and been helped by during dozens of challenging marathons are incredibly moving. * Lornah Kiplagat, Kenyan-born multiple World Champion and three-time Olympian *Lisa calls running "'the most life-affirming sport", and this zestful romp of a book affirms life on every page. It's funny, wise, and full of vivid stories. Lisa claims to run slowly, but she writes with the spring and verve of a champion. * Roger Robinson, masters marathon champion, author of Running in Literature *Lisa might not be the fastest marathon runner in the world, or the most competitive, but she has to be one of the funniest. As a fiercely competitive runner myself, she's opened my eyes to the reason why I started running in the first place: running can be fun, something that sporting myopia had made me forget! This book takes you on Lisa's unique journey: you'll laugh, you'll cry and she'll be there every step of the way. She'll even don industrial amounts of Vaseline and run naked: what more could you ask for? * David Castle, Editorial Director, Wild Bunch Media *No one should feel scared to try running. Reading all of the personal stories in Lisa's entertaining book will encourage even more people to join the ever-growing running community. I promise you won't regret it. * Nell McAndrew, 2:54:39 marathon runner and author of Nell McAndrew’s Guide to Running *Playfulness and connecting with other runners are key to my approach to running - and to Lisa's, too. Your Pace Or Mine? is a fascinating account of all the fun that can be had on every run once you take the time to engage with the runners around you. * Robert Young aka Marathon Man UK, world record holder (370 marathons/ultras in 365 days, and the ‘longest known distance run in history’ – 373.75 miles) and winner of the 3,100-mile 2015 Race Across America *Running is the greatest metaphor for life and Lisa's book captures the essence of it beautifully. A must-read! * Elana Meyer, World Champion and Olympic silver medallist *Since meeting Lisa a decade ago, then reading her first book, Running Made Easy, and following her progress in her latest book, she's been a complete inspiration. I love the fact that she's a real, normal woman who proves that anything is possible if you want it enough. Thanks to Lisa's enthusiasm and encouragement I'm training for my first (half) marathon! * Gaby Huddart, Editor of Prima magazine *Thank you, Lisa, for this thoroughly enjoyable read. Your book is so full of anecdotes, interesting snippets, humorous moments and some wisdom about our amazing sport that I hardly noticed the time pass on my two-hour flight to Cape Town. Looking forward to volume two! * Bruce Fordyce, nine-time winner of South Africa’s Comrades ultramarathon *This book gives a voice to the many runners who've found salvation, incredible camaraderie, love and laughter through running. The descriptions of the shenanigans and struggles that go on in every race will amuse and amaze you. Your Pace Or Mine? proves that you don't have to be fast to find running fun. * Jo Pavey, four-time Olympian and 2014 European Championship gold medallist *Her book reminds us running isn't only for the fast * Sport Magazine *An inspiring book, especially for anyone who's thinking about running for the first time. * Red Magazine online *A glorious celebration of life on two feet and all we can learn from it. I defy anyone to read this without wanting to grab their trainers, dress up as a fairy, and find a friend to laugh away a run with. * Elizabeth Hufton, Editor of Women’s Running UK *A terrific insight into the strange and strangely beautiful mind of a runner. We've all been there... although most of us have kept our clothes on! * Phil Hewitt, author of Keep on Running *A truly inspirational read for runners of all levels. I cried, I laughed out loud, and then I couldn't wait to go for a run. * Sally Brown, journalist *A wonderfully written, inspirational and philosophical book, not just about running but also about life and the many challenges it can throw at us. Heartbreakingly sad in some chapters, hilarious in others, it's a great read. Lisa's amazing multiple marathon achievements and the life lessons she has gained make for compelling reading. * Christina Macdonald, Launch Editor of Women’s Running UK and author of Run Yourself Fit *Jackson reads like a barefoot romp in the park on a rainy day: refreshing, quirky, deeply insightful, and not afraid to get her feet dirty! * Lorraine Moller, Olympic medallist and Boston Marathon winner *Lisa Jackson has been there and got the running T-shirt, having experienced running highs and lows from every viewpoint. This book takes you on a running rollercoaster of Lisa's experiences and shows you why it's worth the journey. * Liz Yelling, two-time British Olympian and former training partner to Paula Radcliffe *Lisa's approach to life, marathon running and writing about marathon running is so joyful and infectious, it's impossible to resist. This book will inspire you to run 100 marathons and keep laughing every step of the way. * Rhalou Allerhand, Runner’s World UK Online News Editor *Lisa's book is a great read! It's not only inspirational but gives practical advice to aspiring marathoners and ultramarathoners. * Jeff Galloway, US Olympian, designer of the Run Walk Run Method *Lisa's book is a great read! It's not only inspirational but gives practical advice to aspiring marathoners and ultramarathoners. * Jeff Galloway, US Olympian, designer of the Run Walk Run Method *Lisa's book shows how amazing all of us who run really are: how running can take us to so many places inside ourselves - and around the world. And she really does want everyone to go out and experience some of those runs first hand. * Ultrarunner Pam Reed, veteran of over 100 marathons and eighty 100-milers *Love it! Whether you are a seasoned racer or nervous newbie you can't help but be inspired by Lisa. Her warm and honest storytelling will have you laughing and gasping in equal measure - and then you'll go out and put your running shoes on, which is what Lisa would want! * Danielle Sellwood, co-founder of Sportsister.com *The heartiest recommendation I can give for this glorious book is that having read it, I wanted immediately to go for a run, and to laugh while doing so. An absolute tonic - and a very funny read. * Paul Tonkinson, comedian and Runner’s World UK columnist *The often hilarious tale of Lisa, an adorable fruitcake of a runner: she's not fast, but she's fun, and behind the interesting hats and colourful gear is a girl of great determination and grit, who turns up marathon after marathon, and gets them done with a smile! * Traviss Willcox, Guinness World Record Holder and Chairman of the 100 Marathon Club *This isn't just a book, it's a community between the leaves. A community that spans the marathon cities, taking me on a roller-coaster tour. * Run Mummy Run Blog *
£9.49
Tuttle Publishing True Path of the Ninja: The Definitive
Book SynopsisTrue Path of the Ninja is the first authoritative translation in English of the Shoninki—the famous 17th-century ninjutsu manual.Authors Antony Cummins and Yoshie Minami worked closely with Dr. Nakashima Atsumi, author of the most comprehensive modern Japanese version of the Shoninki, thus making this English translation the closest to the original scrolls. The information and insights found in this translation are invaluable for understanding the skills, techniques and mentality of the historical shinobi. Whether it involved tips for surviving in the wild, advice on intelligence-gathering techniques, or methods for creating chaos in the enemy camp, this ninja book unveils secrets long lost. Along with its practical applications, this book is an important guide to the mental discipline that ninjas must have to ensure success in accomplishing their mission.True Path of the Ninja covers the following topics: What a ninja is and what equipment he needs The skills of infiltration and information gathering How to disrupt and distract the enemy How to be mentally prepared to carry out ninja missions In addition to the translation of the Shoninki, this book also includes the first written record of the oral tradition "Defense Against a Ninja" taught by Otake Risuke, the revered sensei of the legendary Katori Shinto Ryu school of swordsmanship. Sensei reveals for the first time these ancient and traditional teachings on how the samurai can protect himself from the cunning wiles of a ninja. About this new edition:This second edition contains a new introduction by the translator and has been thoroughly updated to reflect developments that shed new light on the original Japanese text.Trade Review"…the most excellent masterpiece of all the manuscripts on ninjutsu that have ever been written." --Otake Risuke, Katori Shinto Ryu, Head Teaching Master, from his foreword"…every time you reread this book you will obtain a new perspective." --Dr. Nakashima Atsumi, Translator of the Shoninki into modern Japanese"…the first definitive English-language translation of the Shoninki." --Metropolis
£10.44
Random House USA Inc Let Your Mind Run: A Memoir of Thinking My Way to
Book SynopsisNEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLERNOW WITH A NEW WORKBOOKDeena Kastor was a star youth runner with tremendous promise, yet her career almost ended after college, when her competitive method—run as hard as possible, for fear of losing—fostered a frustration and negativity and brought her to the brink of burnout. On the verge of quitting, she took a chance and moved to the high altitudes of Alamosa, Colorado, where legendary coach Joe Vigil had started the first professional distance-running team. There she encountered the idea that would transform her running career: the notion that changing her thinking—shaping her mind to be more encouraging, kind, and resilient—could make her faster than she’d ever imagined possible. Building a mind so strong would take years of effort and discipline, but it would propel Kastor to the pinnacle of running—to American records in every distance from the 5K to the marathon—and to the accomplishment of earning America’s first Olympic medal in the marathon in twenty years.Let Your Mind Run is a fascinating intimate look inside the mind of an elite athlete, a remarkable story of achievement, and an insightful primer on how the small steps of cultivating positivity can give anyone a competitive edge.
£10.79
HarperCollins Publishers The Art of Swimming: Raising your performance
Book SynopsisBased on a 35-year voyage of discovery into the art of swimming, this work looks at the most popular strokes - front crawl, back stroke, breast stroke and butterfly - focusing on maximum efficiency and minimum strain. Swimming improves your flexibility, tones your body and can help to boost your self-esteem and produce a sense of well being. It is the nation's most popular sporting activity with 11.9 million people swimming regularly. However, most people don't know how to swim properly. Steven Shaw's method takes the Alexander Technique into the swimming pool – focusing on releasing tension from the head, neck and back. Steven has evolved a unique way of breaking down strokes into a series of therapeutic movements, which can be practised individually or with a partner, in a pool or on dry land. These provide the building blocks, which combine to make it possible for anyone to recraft their own strokes in a way that promote good body use and avoid injuries. Instead of performing physical actions in an automatic way, you begin to learn body awareness. This way of swimming not only feels freer and more open, it is graceful and has a sense of flow, often absent from the way many people swim.
£12.74
Tuttle Publishing The Complete Book of Tai Chi Chuan
Book SynopsisMaster the ancient Chinese art of Tai Chi Chuan with this informative guide.One of the most popular Chinese martial arts, Tai Chi Chuan is also one of the most effective stress relievers available. In China, it is also used extensively for the prevention and treatment of illnesses, and its beneficial effects on health and fitness are now widely recognized in the West. The Complete Book of Tai Chi Chuan is a comprehensive and fascinating guide to the practical application and potential benefits of Tai Chi Chuan. This tai chi guide is packed with step-by-step illustrations for practice at home and covers everything you would want to know about this ancient art, including its benefits for mental, spiritual and emotional development. It is both an ideal introductory guide and an invaluable reminder for those who have already taken classes. Topics in The Complete Book of Tai Chi Chuan include: Tai Chi Chuan as a Martial Art
£14.44
Cicerone Press Trail Running - Chamonix and the Mont Blanc
Book SynopsisA guidebook describing 40 trail running routes in the Chamonix Valley and around the Mont Blanc massif, visiting France, Switzerland and Italy. The routes, which range from 3.8km (2½ miles) to 168km (104 miles), are graded from 1 to 5 and categorised as trail running, fell running or skyrunning. Starting from Chamonix, Les Houches, Servoz, Champex, Courmayeur, Orsières and Vallorcine among others, and covering classic ultra trail routes as well as shorter day runs, there is something for every runner. Step-by-step route descriptions are accompanied by 1:100,000 mapping and route profiles, with notes on safety and useful tips for runners. Also included is a comprehensive equipment checklist plus information on running at altitude, adapting to the Alps, navigation, maps and mountain safety. GPX files for all routes are available for download after you have purchased the book by logging in to your Cicerone account. Renowned as a mecca for trail runners, the Chamonix Valley and Mont Blanc region is home to some of the greatest trail running races in the world, including the Tour des Géants and Ultra Trail du Mont Blanc. The landscape, with its dramatic mountain scenery and ethereal vistas, offers diverse trail options and true adventure - the perfect playground for this exhilarating sport.Table of ContentsMap key Location of routes Introduction The Chamonix Mont Blanc region Bases for a trail running holiday Travelling to the Alps Travelling around the Chamonix valley and region Weather and forecasts Maps Safety and mountain rescue Insurance Mountain running in the Alps What's different about running in the Alps? Trail kit Adapting to the Alps Mountain skills Navigation Using this guide France Chamonix start Route 1 Mer de Glace Route 2 River track to Argenti#xe8;re Route 3 Merlet Route 4 La Fl#xe9;g#xe8;re Route 5 Refuge Moëde Anterne Route 6 La Jonction Route 7 Chamonix Vertical KM Route 8 Marathon du Mont Blanc Route 9km du Mont Blanc Vallorcine valley start Route 10 Lac d'Emosson Route 11 Col de la Terrasse Route 12 Albert Premier Route 13 Aiguilles Rouges Route 14 Mont Buet Les Houches/Servoz start Route 15 Le Br#xe9;vent Route 16 Le Prarion Route 17 Col de Tricot Route 18 Lac Vert Route 19 Charousse Outside Chamonix valley Route 20 Nid d'Aigle Route 21 Refuge de Doran Route 22 Mont Truc Route 23 Mont Joly Route 24 Refuge de Tr#xe9;-le-T#xea;te Route 25 T#xea;te Nord des Fours Switzerland Route 26 Mont de l'Arpille Route 27 Croix de Fer Route 28 Fen#xea;tre d'Arpette Route 29 Cabane d'Orny Route 30 Mont Fourchon Route 31 Cols Fen#xea;tre and Chevaux Italy Route 32 Mont de la Saxe Route 33 T#xea;te Entre Deux Sauts Route 34 Italian Val Ferret Route 35 Col d'Arp Route 36 Punta della Croce International race recces Route 37 Ultra Trail du Mont Blanc (UTMB) Route 38 Orsi#xe8;res, Champex, Chamonix (OCC) Route 39 Courmayeur, Champex, Chamonix (CCC) Route 40 Traces des Ducs de Savoie (TDS) Appendix A Route summary table Appendix B Useful contacts
£13.46
Hodder & Stoughton The Natural Explorer
Book Synopsis**From the bestselling author of THE WALKER''S GUIDE TO OUTDOOR CLUES AND SIGNS and HOW TO READ WATER, The Sunday Times Book Of The Year**Tristan Gooley, author of THE NATURAL NAVIGATOR demonstrates how it is possible to connect profoundly with the lands we travel through, even from the comfort of your living room. In THE NATURAL EXPLORER he combines the work of the some of the most insightful travellers of the past two thousand years with his own experience.The most rewarding travel experiences do not depend on our destination or the length of our journey, but on our levels of awareness. A short walk can compare with an epic journey, when we take the time to focus on the things that dramatically enrich each journey.Exploration is no longer about hardship, long distances, or even venturing beyond the borders of your own home. It is about celebrating the sense of connection and discovery that is possible in all our travels.Trade Review[THE NATURAL EXPLORER] is an essential part of any outdoor/nature-writing library and it's full of wonderful examples of how to read, understand and connect with the landscape. * Country Walking *Using poems, diary entries and letters from nature lovers of ancient Rome to the present day, Gooley has written the perfect book to take out walking - and it would be a crime not to find the time to see, and smell, the roses. * Daily Mail *Discover a whole new world... a journey through the intricate, detailed and often-missed sides of a walk. * Wanderlust *THE NATURAL EXPLORER take us on a multi-sensory, literary journey intent on heightening awareness of our surroundings. An ambitious combination of Gooley's own insights and those of countless other writers, explorer and philosophers, this is serious armchair adventuring. * Prospect Magazine *Gooley returns with a highly readable and engaging work devoted to the temporarily mislaid art of exploration... it's an inspiring account but also a turning point - perhaps a classic in years to come - because its simple aim is to help you recognise what your senses are telling you. It's also an object lesson in how to frame a call to action, because this is a book you can't put down until you absolutely have to get out and start seeing the world as you should. And that's when the adventure really begins... * Countryfile *The Natural Explorer by Tristan Gooley is a call to enrich our travel experiences through connecting with nature - essentially a greater awareness of our surroundings... Chapters include the sky, the earth and time - and as someone who can get around the Tate in about half an hour, I paid particular attention here. * Evening Standard *A charming and intelligent guide to exploring the local landscape. * Financial Times *Celebrated explorer Tristan Gooley gives a fascinating insight into how to connect with nature and heighten the enjoyment of outdoor discoveries, be they grandiose or modest...Are you a traveller or an explorer? This account divorces the two and aims to really open our eyes... * Press Association *The book's key chapter, though, is the first one. Entitled "The Senses", it aims to switch on our powers of perception and, with its thought-provoking discussion of the way we sometimes take touch, taste, smell, hearing and even sight for for granted, it succeeds brilliantly. Did you know, for example, that if you look at a landscape from right to left, rather than from left to right, you will become more observant? * The Scotsman *... Tristan Gooley knows a thing or two about adventure... this is in part a history of exploration, but also a practical guide. * Lonely Planet Magazine *The author's experience is to encourage travellers to be inquisitive about where they are in all its aspects, an intention which I happily endorse. Curiosity is an invaluable trait... this book is particularly relevant to walkers. Walking is the right speed to see, contemplate and learn about landscapes. This book will help you do so. * The Great Outdoors *Gooley shows us how to notice sights, sounds and smells we might have been unaware of, supplementing his own insights with those of travellers, explorers and thinkers of the past. * The Herald *Just as enjoyable for armchair explorers. * Woman's Weekly *
£10.44
North Atlantic Books,U.S. Applied Anatomy of Aerial Arts: An Illustrated
Book Synopsis"An illustrated guide to anatomy and biomechanics for aerialists who want to optimize their performance and train safely Emily Scherb--a physical therapist who specializes in the care, treatment, and education of circus performers--offers the first comprehensive anatomy book specifically designed for aerialists (including trapeze, silk, and other aerial arts). Using full-color illustrations and photographs, this book shows aerial artists how to perform at their best while protecting their body from injury with correct form, precise alignment, and good training habits. Using a biomechanical and movement-based approach, Scherb explains the anatomical rationale for progressions of learning and demonstrates simple movements to achieve the coordination, muscular control, strength, and fitness needed to move safely and seamlessly through the air. Aerialists learn how bones, joints, muscles, and soft tissues allow for specific movements and gain an appreciation for concepts of proximal stability. They discoverthe secrets of hanging with correct form, how to progress from hanging into a pull up, an inversion, and beyond with a strong center, precise muscle sequencing, and ease of movement. Anatomy of Aerial Arts lays a solid foundation for beginners and also provides advanced students with a wealth of insights into their own performance as well as refreshers on fundamentals in warm ups and conditioning. It explains how to structure a training session, how to care for injuries, and best practices for basic selffirst aid"--
£16.19
Octane Press Beast: The Top Secret Ilmor-Penske Engine That
Book Synopsis
£19.80
North Atlantic Books,U.S. Flashing Steel, 25th Anniversary Memorial
Book SynopsisRevised and updated, the classic guide to the techniques, philosophy, and applications of iaijutsu--the art of self-defense with the Japanese sword.The 25th anniversary edition of the best-selling, highly acclaimed classic Flashing Steel introduces updated techniques, drills, and practices for students and practitioners of iaijutsu (or iaido). This complete essential resource on the Japanese sword arts expands on the two previous editions with additional practices, deep attention to foundational elements, and practical techniques--including 55 ways of deploying a samurai sword in self-defense.Expanded and revised, the memorial edition of Flashing Steel includes updates on promotion guidelines, tournaments, extended series of solo quick-draw exercises, and more, plus two added sets of solo techniques and three added sets of partner exercises to develop timing, distance control, angles of attack and defense, mental focus, and attitude. It provides a deep survey of fundamentals like training progression, preparation, etiquette, and proper sword nomenclature. Students will learn realistic defense and attack scenarios with wider applications to martial arts like kendo and aikido, while absorbing the philosophical tenets that inform and infuse the warrior''s life with meaning and fulfillment.Organized into 23 chapters with black and white photographs throughout, this anniversary edition also includes an expanded history of iaijutsu, and an updated biography and tribute to the late Masayuki Shimabukuro, with personal anecdotes from the making of Flashing Steel that reveal his life and character.
£28.80
Shambhala Publications Inc Still Running: The Art of Meditation in Motion
Book SynopsisLearn how to bring the power of stillness into your running practice with meditations, guidance, and inspiration from a long-time runner and Zen practitioner.Running is more than just exercise. Running is a practice, a moving meditation, that brings the power of stillness to all the activities in our lives. Vanessa Zuisei Goddard combines her experience leading running retreats with her two-decade practice of Zen to offer insight, humor, and practical guidance for grounding our running, or any physical practice, in meditation. When we see running solely as exercise and focus on improving our times, covering a certain number of miles, or losing weight, we miss the deeper implications of this art. Whether you are a new or experienced runner, you will learn how to be more embodied through thirteen running practices to help improve your focus and running form. Using mantras and visualizations, as well as a range of other exercises, Goddard offers ways to practice running as a moving meditation with an eye toward bringing the power of stillness to all the activities in your life. Ultimately, Still Running is a book about freedom, ease, and the joy of movement; it''s about the power of stillness and learning how to use that power to live wholeheartedly.
£13.59
Oxford Alpine Club The Coaching Bible
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£23.28
Corpus Publishing Limited Collie Psychology: Inside The Border Collie Mind
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£33.25
McFarland & Company Sports and Their Fans The History Economics and
Book SynopsisThough Americans spend more than $25 million on sports and sporting events, this book argues that the influence of sports on our lives is even more profound than this huge economic force would seem to suggest. It explores such topics as the role of sports in the creation of mass culture, cheating, and the abuse of illegal drugs.
£20.89
Eye Books Mission: Possible: A decade of living dangerously
Book SynopsisAt the age of 23, Ash Dykes became the first person to walk, solo and unsupported, across Mongolia.His journey took 78 days and saw him trek over the Altai Mountains, the Gobi Desert and the Mongolian Steppe. It was an expedition filled with danger and extreme conditions. He almost didn't make it. Two years later he spent more than five months traversing the length of Madagascar, another world first. In Mission Possible, Ash reveals the spirit, planning, and sheer determination that went into these two record-breaking feats. Along the way we discover how a young man from Wales transformed himself into one of the globe's most acclaimed and exciting young adventurers.
£9.49
Taschen GmbH LeRoy Grannis. Surf Photography of the 1960s and
Book SynopsisAt a time when surfing is more popular than ever, it’s fitting to look back at the years that brought the sport into the mainstream. Developed by Hawaiian Islanders over five centuries ago, surfing began to peak on the mainland in the 1950s—becoming not just a sport, but a way of life, admired and exported across the globe. One of the key image-makers from that period is LeRoy Grannis, a surfer since 1931, who began photographing the longboard era of the early 1960s in both California and Hawaii. This edition brings back Grannis’s hair-raising, sold-out Collector’s Edition, curated from the photographer’s personal archives, to showcase his most vibrant work in a compact and affordable format—from the bliss of catching the perfect wave at San Onofre to dramatic wipeouts at Oahu’s famed North Shore. An innovator in the field, Grannis suction-cupped a waterproof box to his board, enabling him to change film in the water and stay closer to the action than any other photographer of the time. He also covered the emerging surf lifestyle, from “surfer stomps” and hordes of fans at surf contests to board-laden woody station wagons along the Pacific Coast Highway. It is in these iconic images that a sport still in its adolescence embodied the free-spirited nature of an era—a time before shortboards and celebrity endorsements, when surfing was at its bronzed best.Trade Review“Grannis’s pictures are startling. The scenes they record and breaks they document are pristinely beautiful and impossibly vacant.” * The New York Times *
£24.00
Skyhorse Publishing The Big Book of Endurance Training and Racing
Book SynopsisAre you a triathlete, runner, cyclist, swimmer, cross-country skier? Learn how to stay healthy, achieve optimal athletic potential, and be injury-free.Dr. Philip Maffetone’s approach to endurance offers a truly “individualized” outlook and unique system that emphasizes building a strong aerobic base for increased fat burning, weight loss, sustained energy, and a healthy immune system. Good nutrition and stress reduction are also key to this commonsense, big-picture approach.In addition, Dr. Maffetone dispels many of the commonly held myths that linger in participatory sports—and which adversely impact performance—and explains the “truths” about endurance, such as: The need to train slower to race faster will enable your aerobic system to improve endurance Why expensive running shoes can actually cause foot and leg injuries The fact that refined carbohydrates actually reduce endurance energy and disrupt hormone balance And more. If you are looking to increase your endurance and maximize your athletic potential, The Big Book of Endurance Training and Racing is your one-stop guide to training and racing effectively.
£16.14
ECW Press,Canada The King Of New Orleans: How the Junkyard Dog
Book SynopsisThe story of Sylvester Ritter is finally told.
£17.09
ECW Press,Canada The Three Count: My Life in Stripes as a WWE
Book Synopsis
£17.09
ECW Press,Canada National Wrestling Alliance: The Untold Story of
Book SynopsisThe most noteworthy (i.e. illegal) activities of the NWA were behind locked doors. Not any more. The conspiracies of a 100 year old entertainment industry are out.
£17.09
Columbia University Press From Ritual to Record
Book SynopsisOriginally published in 1978, this book was one of the first to recognize the importance of sports as a lens on the fundamental structure of societies. In this reissue, Guttmann emphasizes the many ways that modern sports, dramatically different from the sports of previous eras, have profoundly shaped contemporary life.Trade ReviewA pioneering work in a field remarkably little touched... For any future writer about the philosophy or the sociology of sport in general, this book will be required reading. -- Julian Symons Times Literary Supplement The chief advantage that Guttmann has over other sports theoreticians is a willingness to employ the techniques of modern rhetoric in creating some order out of the ideological confusion now swirling around his subject. He is a definer, a synthesizer, a causal analyst, as well as an arguer and a counter-arguer. Virginia Quarterly [Guttmann's] lucid, original, stimulating, blessedly jargon-free book does something to lighten our darkness. His pleasant, incisive style reflects a mind uncluttered by prejudice or ideology. -- Brian Glanville London Sunday TimesTable of ContentsPlay, Games, Contests, SportsFrom Ritual to RecordCapitalism, Protestantism, and Modern SportWhy Baseball Was Our National GameThe Fascination of FootballIndividualism ReconsideredConclusionAfterword. From Ritual to Record: A Retrospective Critique
£23.80
The History Press Ltd George Best pocket GIANTS
Book SynopsisA pocket biography of George Best
£6.99
Kittiwake Press Walks Around Beddgelert
Book Synopsis
£7.49
Fitness Information Technology, Inc, U.S. Ethical Issues in Sport, Exercise & Performance
Book Synopsis
£40.79
Rodale Press Inc. Run Fast. Eat Slow.: Nourishing Recipes for
Book SynopsisFrom world-class marathoner and three-time Olympian Shalane Flanagan and culinary nutritionist Elyse Kopecky comes a whole foods, flavour-forward cookbook that proves food can be indulgent and nourishing at the same time. Finally here's a cookbook for runners that shows fat is essential for flavour and performance and that counting calories, obsessing over protein, and restrictive dieting does more harm than good. Packed with more than 100 recipes for every part of yourday, nutritional wisdom, and inspiring stories, Run Fast, Eat Slow has all the bases covered. Fitness-minded readers will find delicious meals, satisfying snacks, thirst- quenching drinks, and wholesome treats. Fan favorites include Can't Beet Me Smoothie, Arugula Cashew Pesto, High-Altitude Bison Meatballs, Superhero Muffins, and Double ChocolateTeff Cookies. Packaged as a beautiful, full-colour hardcover cookbook, Run Fast, Eat Slow, will please Flanagan's fervent fans as well as the 42 million runners nationwide who will discover the recipes she eats to break records and live well.Trade Review“Feeding my cravings with healthy food has long been my recipe for running longevity. Run Fast Eat Slow contains sound advice and delicious and nutritious recipes—finally a true runner's kitchen companion.”— Joan Benoit Samuelson, first-ever women’s Olympic marathon champion“You are what you put in your body. In Run Fast, Eat Slow, Shalane and Elyse provide amazing recipes for fueling your body. I highly recommend this book to anyone who wants to excel in running or just live a healthy and active lifestyle.”— Meb Keflezighi, four-time US Olympian and Boston Marathon champion"There are so many misleading diet trends pushed at young female athletes. Finally here’s a book after my own heart—celebrating indulging in real food!”— Allyson Felix, Olympic gold medal sprinter
£20.90
Vintage Publishing The Sports Gene
Book SynopsisA wonderful book. Thoughtfulfascinating' Malcolm GladwellDo you believe some people are born athletes?Is sporting talent innate or something that can be achieved through endurance and practise?In this ground-breaking and entertaining exploration of athletic success, award-winning writer David Epstein gets to the heart of the great nature vs. nurture debate, and explodes myths about how and why humans excel.Along the way, Epstein:- Exposes the flaws in the so-called 10,000-hour rule that states that rigorous practice from a young age is the only route to success. - Shows why some skills that we imagine are innate are not like the bullet-fast reactions of a baseball player.- Uncovers why other characteristics that we assume are entirely voluntary, like the motivation to practice, might in fact have important genetic components.Throughout, The Sports Gene forces us to rethTrade ReviewA wonderful book. Thoughtful... fascinating. -- Malcolm Gladwell, author of OutliersProvides a powerful and convincing analysis of how genes influence all our lives, especially the careers of elite sportsmen * The Times *A fascinating, thought-provoking look at the leading edge of sports performance, written by a guy who knows the territory. David, besides being a senior writer for Sports Illustrated, was a collegiate runner for Columbia University. More to the point, he’s a terrific researcher and a fine, thoughtful writer -- Dan Coyle, author of The Talent CodeFull credit to David Epstein, a Sports Illustrated journalist with a serious and deep knowledge of genetics and sports science, for his terrific and unblinking new book, The Sports Gene, a timely corrective to the talent-denial industry -- Ed Smith * New Statesman *Endlessly fascinating -- John Harding * Daily Mail *
£11.69
OverTime Books Canadian Sports Records
Book SynopsisFrom the track to the slopes and, of course, the ice, Canada has excelled in sport the world over: * Sprinter Donovan Bailey set the world record in the 100-metre sprint of 9.84 seconds at the 1996 Atlanta Olympics * In 2002, Catriona Le May-Doan set the world record of 37.30 seconds in the 500-metre speed skating event at the Salt Lake City Olympics * The most goals scored in one NHL season is 92, a record set by Wayne Gretzky * The first woman to swim across the English Channel was Canada''s Cynthia Nichols, who completed the feat in 19 hours and 55 minutes in 1977 * Rowers Kathleen Heddle and Marnie McBean were the first Canadians to win three Summer Olympic gold medals * Equestrian rider Ian Millar holds the Canadian record (nine) for the athlete who has participated in the most Olympic Games * Figure skater Kurt Browning landed the first-ever quad jump in competition; he was also four-time World Champion and four-time Canadian Champion. * Gordie Howe holds the record for the most games played in the NHL, with 1767. * And much more.
£10.79
The History Press Ltd Ferenc Puskas
Book SynopsisProvides an account of Ferenc Puskas: his growing up in Soviet-occupied Hungary, travelling the world with the national side and army team Honved, and his different achievements in the game of football.
£12.34
Bloomsbury Publishing PLC The Complete Guide to Nordic Walking
Book SynopsisTrade ReviewA step-by-step guide to the unique Nordic Walking fitness technique, relevant for people at all fitness levels. * Running Fitness *
£20.00
OverTime Books Canadian Sports Quiz Book
Book SynopsisHow much do you know about our country''s amazing sports records, championships, Olympic feats, pro leagues and even scandals? Test yourself and see how much you know about: * Hockey * Golf * Baseball * Curling * Basketball * Soccer * Football * Tennis * The Olympics * Auto racing * Try answering a few of these: * Which team won the first Grey Cup? * Which First Nations player was the first to play in the NHL? * Which Canadian curler is known for the famous scream, ''''Hurry hard!''''? * Who is the highest ranked Canadian tennis player of all time? * And much more!
£10.79
Helvetiq Run the Alps Switzerland: 30 Must-Do Trail Runs
Book SynopsisRated #1 Best Trail Running Book of All Time by BookAuthority"Switzerland has everything to become a trail running country. This excellent book will guide trailers from around the world on beautiful Alpine run as a preparation for the great trail races of the country." -Tiphaine Artur, Trail Verbier St-BernardThe mountains are calling and we must run! All around the world, runners are ditching the pavement and heading out on trails for mountain air and big views. Run the Alps Switzerland features 30 must-do trail runs that will appeal to novices and experts alike. From Zinal to Dent de Morcles, from Grindelwald to Kandersteg, from the wilds of the Engadine to the secret valleys of Ticino, the authors researched hundreds of routes, in search of the very best trail running in the Swiss Alps. The photos, taken during these summer days in the Swiss Alps and into the fall, will amaze you. This guide provides practical advice and precise indications, such as the level of difficulty. Read the tips, download the tracks, tie your shoes and go, go, go! 30 must-do trail runs that will appeal to novices and experts alike 220 awe-inspiring photos The perfect guidebook for trail running and hiking in the Alps
£24.69
Jaico Publishing House Sachin Tendulkar: Master Blaster
Book Synopsis
£5.85
Hodder & Stoughton The Wit of Golf
Book SynopsisA bumper bag of humorous anecdotes and amusing tales from golf''s best-loved personalities that proves golf is a funny old game - birdies, bunkers and all! Read hilarious stories covering everything from caddies to the clubhouse by the game''s all-time great characters, including Peter Alliss, Nick Faldo, Sandy Lyle, Sam Torrance and Ian Woosnam. Enjoy the humour of legendary players such as Seve Ballesteros, Tony Jacklin, Jack Nicklaus, Lee Trevino and Tiger Woods, as they share the funny side of playing in the Open Championship and the Ryder Cup. Laugh-out-loud at celebrity golfers Bruce Forsyth and Michael Parkinson''s rib-tickling anecdotes about pro-am tournaments. THE WIT OF GOLF is a wonderful collection of jokes, stories and anecdotes, perfect for any golf fan.
£11.69
Bergverlag Rudolf Rother Norway South walking guide 53T: 2016
Book SynopsisMountain and coastal walks in Southern Norway.
£14.24
Penguin Putnam Inc Homer Kelley's Golfing Machine: The Curious Quest
Book SynopsisThe remarkable story of a lone genius whose quest to unlock the science behind the perfect swing changed golf forever.
£14.24
Vision Sports Publishing Ltd 1/1000th: The Sports Photography of Bob Martin
Book Synopsis
£40.00
Octopus Publishing Group 52 Things to Do While You Poo: The Football
Book SynopsisCelebrate the beautiful game like a true champion with this collection of footballing puzzlesIf you can't watch the match from the comfort of your own toilet, you need something just as gripping to keep you enthralled. Whether it's tracking down a missing boot or diving through a maze to make an incredible save, this puzzle book is just the ticket! These amusing activities and fun facts will prove a sure-fire winner with any fan of the beautiful game.From bestselling author and professional brain-teaser Hugh Jassburn, this eye-catching collection will pit your wits against such challenges as these:- Unscramble the names of legendary teams in the anagram trophy cabinet- Discover which team won the most trophies in Europe in the twentieth century- Spot the differences between two scenes as a goalkeeper prepares to save a free kick- Locate the names of international football grounds hiding inside a word searchA superb gift idea, this is an all-round treat for footie obsessives and casual fans alike.
£7.59
Polaris Publishing Limited This is Your Everest: The Lions, The Springboks
Book Synopsis'A rollicking read and a mighty achievement' – Donald McRae, The Guardian 'Magnificent' – Owen Slot, The Times The 1997 British & Irish Lions tour to South Africa is one of the most iconic in rugby history. Written off at home and abroad, Martin Johnson's men were given no hope of success against the world champion Springboks in their own backyard. But a combination of brilliant coaching, astute selections and outstanding players laid the foundations for the touring side's outstanding attacking mindset and brutal stonewall defence. On the other side was a team expected to stamp their authority on the tourists and confirm their place as the best side on the planet. But with political, racial and economic scandals swirling around the Springbok camp, plus a rookie coach parachuted into office just before the tour began, the hosts were under huge pressure. In a Test series that will go down in legend as one of the most compelling of all time, the sides could barely be separated. This is the inside story from both camps as they battle for supremacy, lifting the lid like never before as a huge cast of characters look back on those extraordinary weeks and the impact it had on their lives and careers thereafter. Hilarious, insightful and spine-chilling, Tom English and Peter Burns provide the perfect read for all Lions fans.Trade Review'Magnificent' -- Owen Slot * The Times *'The 1997 British & Irish Lions expedition to South Africa was among the greatest of modern tours. This Is Your Everest, full of evocative memories and riveting detail, soars high above the average rugby book. Compelling stuff' -- Robert Kitson * The Guardian *'brilliant and powerful . . . chock-full of fascinating insights and delicious detail' -- Alan Pearey * Rugby World *'Hard to beat stories from the horse’s mouth. Quite a stampede here. A riveting account of a ground-breaking tour' -- Brendan Fanning * The Sunday Independent *'beautifully captured' -- Alasdair Reid * The Times *'phenomenal' -- Alex Payne * The Good, The Bad and The Rugby *'A brilliantly evocative recreation of the 1997 tour, put together with great skill ... rawness and emotion drips from the pages' -- Peter O’Reilly * The Times Ireland *'probably the grestest rugby book of all time' -- Andy Rowe * The Rugby Pod *
£16.19
HarperCollins Publishers Remarkable Cricket Grounds
Book SynopsisAcross six of the seven continents on which cricket is played, there are some remarkable cricket grounds. From a tidal strip of sand outside the Ship Inn at Elie, in Fife, to the monumental Melbourne Cricket Ground with its 100,000 capacity, this book features the extraordinary places and venues in which cricket is played. Many grounds have remarkably beautiful settings. There is the rugged Devonian charm of Lynton and Lynmouth Cricket Club set in the Valley of the Rocks, not far from the North Devon coast. Then there is the vividly-coloured, almost Lego-like structure of Dharamshala pavilion in Northern India where local resident the Dalai Lama has watched a match. Many of England’s greatest players have come from public schools, and there are some wonderful examples of their cricket grounds such as Sedbergh and Milton Abbey. Country houses such as Audley End and Blenheim Palace form the backdrop to many cricket pitches, or castles, such as Bamburgh Castle in Northumberland, or even Portchester Castle, where there is a cricket ground inside the castle walls. Sri Lanka’s test ground, Galle, has a fort looming above it, while Newlands Stadium in Cape Town, has the unmistakeable Table Mountain as the backdrop. Some of the stunning imagery has a modern feel. Queenstown cricket ground has international jets taking off just yards from the playing action, while Singapore Cricket Club is an oasis of lush green set against a 21st century array of high-rise towers. Then there are cricket grounds in unusual places; Hawaii, Corfu, Berlin, Slovenia and St Moritz to name but a few.
£22.50
The History Press Ltd Not Out at Close of Play: A Life in Cricket
Book SynopsisYou could argue that Dennis Amiss’ seven-decade cricket career started the day he was born, when his parents named him after not one but two celebrated cricketers.Or maybe it started when he was 7, sneaking into the Birmingham Cooperative Society to play a few matches with his friends – as long as they avoided the groundskeeper!Or perhaps it was on 7 April 1958; not only his fifteenth birthday, but also his first day as a professional cricketer.Whatever day you start on, there’s no denying that Amiss has had an extraordinary career. He is one of England’s cricketing greats, with 100 first-class hundreds to his name and a place as one of Wisden’s Cricketers of the Year. Hugely well-respected on and off the pitch, he didn’t shy away from controversy, taking part in the 1982 ‘Rebel Tour’ of Apartheid South Africa, and somehow ending up in the midst of the battle between World Series Cricket and the England Cricket Board.Not Out at Close of Play is the story of how passion, commitment and practice – and no small amount of stubbornness! – took a boy from the backstreets of Birmingham to worldwide cricket stardom.Trade ReviewDennis was not only one of the finest batsmen of his generation, he was a cricket innovator and influencer who then also went on to become a very successful administrator at the highest levels of the game. He has been a huge influence on the direction of my own career and I am extremely grateful to him for all of his support. -- Ashley Giles MBE MSDDennis is a Warwickshire legend on and off the field. One of best batters of his generation, he set the standard for players to follow. He was a hero of mine growing up and now I have the pleasure of calling him my friend. -- Ian Bell MBE
£11.69
Simon & Schuster The Ball in the Air: A Golfing Adventure
Book SynopsisFrom Michael Bamberger, the New York Times bestselling author of Men in Green and our most celebrated contemporary golf writer, The Ball in the Air is a love letter to the amateur game, doing for golf what Friday Night Lights did for football. Over Michael Bamberger’s storied writing career, he has written five golf books and hundreds of Sports Illustrated stories about professional golf and those who play it. That is, the .001 percent. Now “the poet laureate of golf” (GOLF Magazine) trains his eye on the rest of us. In Bamberger’s most intimate book yet, he takes the lid off a game that is both quasi-religious and a nonstop party. In this freewheeling and timeless book, an age-old question is posed early and answered over its pages: Why does the game cast such a spell on us?The Ball in the Air is reported with deep curiosity and written with you-are-there intimacy. It captures golf as a way of life. You get to know a collection of golfers you won’t find elsewhere: a young woman who was raised in a maintenance shed in South Asia and now plays on a college team in Southern California; a middle-aged globe-trotting caddie who is to golf what William Finnegan is to surfing; a renowned senior amateur from Chicago, a finalist in a long-ago British Amateur in St. Andrews, who is giving competitive golf one last go. You join golf societies with members who have fallen into various golfing rabbit holes. (Golden Age architects!) You visit some exalted private courses, and a bunch of good-time-Charlie public ones, across the United States and in the United Kingdom. You hang with a legendary pro whose childlike wonder for the game makes him the ultimate amateur. The Ball in the Air is a fast-moving and spirited tribute to people who can do the whole eat-pray-love thing in one green place (and adjacent clubhouse), lucky souls who, as Bamberger writes, “can marvel at a white ball in a high sky and get lost.”Trade Review“I just finished this one from Michael Bamberger in a day, and it’s a work of art. My love for golf comes from the challenge of playing as an amateur, not from winning tournaments or collecting prize money. 99% of you have this same relationship with the game. That’s who this book is for.” —Tom Brady on Instagram“An excellent golf book that captured me because it’s about three average people—plus Bamberger—who are passionate about the sport and the purity of golf. . . . Bamberger writes artfully. That’s part of the joy of this book. . . . What a good read.” —Peter King, NBC Sports“The Ball in the Air tells the golf-related tales of three decidedly non-high-profile figures . . . Linking these tales is Mr. Bamberger’s own story and his conviction that golf has much to teach when we open ourselves to the game’s deepest, most subtle nature—the unexpected emotions, the ‘odd and beautiful playing fields,’ the intimate bonds that form among both friends and strangers. The pleasure of The Ball in the Air is like that of an ordinary golf round. . . . Mr. Bamberger’s abiding love is for golf as it is experienced by everyday people.” —John Paul Newport, Wall Street Journal“I’ve devoured most everything from award-winning golf writer Michael Bamberger, including his previous seven books, and his latest offering may be his finest yet. The Ball in the Air is an engrossing ode to the game of golf. . . . A true feast for any golf lover.” —Les Schupak, The Met Golfer“It’s a joy to read Michael Bamberger’s latest book, maybe because it was such an obvious joy for Bamberger to write it. . . . All his previous golf writings, which are flavored by his love and respect for the game, led him to this place. It’s the book he was meant to write.” —David Westin, The Augusta Chronicle“Bamberger has written countless great reports, features, columns, and books for numerous publications/publishers during his 40 years behind a keyboard, but he is at his most enjoyable when rooting out stories and characters we had no idea we wanted or needed to know but which become something special. Is there a golf writer whose words leave us quite so satisfied?” —Links Magazine“The Ball in the Air is not your typical golf book. It doesn’t revolve around tour players, exotic trips to majestic courses, or the majors. Instead, Michael Bamberger introduces us to three individuals who love playing golf for the joy it brings them. . . . You don’t need to love the sport to be drawn to the characters who come to life on the pages of this enthralling book.” —Bookreporter“Bamberger knits together his subjects’ golfing and life stories, showing how each found the game and their accomplishments and adventures. . . . Sparkling with details . . . The stories are heartwarming and affecting.” —Kirkus Reviews“As beautiful as golf is on the outside, it’s even better on the inside. In The Ball in the Air, Michael Bamberger intimately weaves four profoundly personal journeys with mesmerizing skill and leaves us with a deeper understanding of our own.” —Jaime Diaz, Golf Channel commentator and #1 New York Times bestselling coauthor (with Hank Haney) of The Big MissPRAISE FOR OTHER BOOKS BY MICHAEL BAMBERGER * The Second Life of Tiger Woods * “Reading The Second Life of Tiger Woods is like playing a great golf course without prior knowledge of the holes that lie ahead. You know they’re going to be good, and in the end, they add up to something special. To the extent that it’s possible to know what’s in Tiger’s mind, Bamberger delivers. . . . A terrific book.” —Gary D'Amato, Wisconsin Golf “A fantastic book . . . Bamberger takes a look at Woods’ recent years with a discerning but empathetic eye and teaches us new ways to see his most recent journey.” —Dylan Dethier, Golf.com “This may be the most insightful and evenhanded book written yet about one of the signature athletes of the last twenty-five years.” —Booklist (starred review) * Men in Green * “Maybe the best golf book I’ve ever read.” —Bill Reynolds, Providence Journal “I wish Men in Green were about four hundred pages longer than it is.” —Jeffrey Toobin, New York Times Book Review * The Swinger * “An entertaining, revealing, thought-provoking, and cautionary tale . . . It provides invaluable insight into the life and times of Woods.” —Bill Pennington, The New York Times * To The Linksland * “One of the best golf travel books ever written . . . The book reminds us that the game of golf has many treasures yet to be discovered.” —Michael Murphy, author of Golf in the Kingdom * This Golfing Life * “The ultimate insider’s view [from] one of the modern game’s brightest observers and finest writers.” —Geoff Shackelford, Golf Observer
£19.00
Tuttle Publishing The Bushido Code: Words of Wisdom from Japan's
Book SynopsisWords of wisdom from great samurai leaders: A collection of inspiring essays and aphorisms from Japan's leading warriorsSamurai warrior leaders had to deal with grim conditions of life, death and survival. But such men were not simply rough uneducated fighters: they often personified the Far Eastern ideal of balancing cultural awareness and artistic expertise with high martial abilities. Their sayings, precepts and the anecdotes about them are informed by a broad spectrum of interests, many of which are still of great value today.This book provides English translations of the essential thoughts and teachings of 55 great Samurai leaders—from Takeda Shingen and Oda Nobunaga to Shogun Tokugawa Ieyasu—the men who unified Japan and established a system of government that survived for generationsAdvice in this book includes: You should not envy the swords and clothing of others. It goes without saying that you should arrange your hair early in the morning if you are going out to your work, but this should be done even if you are thinking of staying at home. When you think too much, it is difficult to achieve your objectives. If you are too clever and look too far ahead, you will accomplish nothing. If you have some pressing or urgent affair, write it down with a calm state of mind. Your regular meals should be light, and you should not take a trivial liking for elegant cuisine. If someone promotes only those things the lord finds acceptable, and never remonstrates with him at all, you should watch that man carefully. No matter how wise a person may be, you should never depend fully on him but rather, understand that you are always on your own. Covering universal themes ranging from the courage and ambition to face daily affairs, the insights and strategies necessary to deal with allies and opponents, the value of art and literature, and even why and how to save money— this is a book whose ancient wisdom is still highly relevant and of great value to readers today.
£12.59
Taylor & Francis Ltd AI for Sports
Book SynopsisIt seems that artificial intelligence (AI) is always just five years away, but it never arrives. Recently, however, developments have made the practical utility of game theory a genuine reality. Will sport provide the petri dish in which AI will prove itself? What do domain specialists like managers and coaches want to know that they can't currently find out, and can AI provide the answer? What competitive advantages might AI provide for recruitment, performance and tactics, health and fitness, pedagogy, broadcasting, eSports, gambling and stadium design in the future? Written by leading experts in both sports management and AI, AI for Sports begins to answer these and many other questions on the future of AI for sports.Trade Review“Artificial Intelligence can drive your car, select your favourite music and outfox grandmasters at the chessboard, but it is also becoming a crucial tool in global sports. AI is now able to predict when athletes are most likely to suffer injuries and which areas of their body are most at risk of fatigue. We are at the beginning of the AI age in sports and the next decade is likely to see it become increasingly important to all athletes and teams. In AI for Sports, Brady, Tuyls, and Omidshafiei give readers a glimpse into the future and explain just why AI is not only here to stay, but how it will become central to the thinking of team owners, coaches and athletes.” -- Mark Ogden, ESPN Senior Football Writer"AI for Sports is the perfect book for the perfect moment; this time when sports are changing rapidly; and teams, executives and athletes are looking at the games that people play through new, fresh and important lenses. Brady, Tuyls, and Omidshafiei explore that new landscape in a unique way, examining the exploding corner of artificial intelligence through a sports-specific lens, but also, and this is important, looking ahead to potential pitfalls to a relatively new approach. For readers who enjoy learning about teams, their famous processes, and how building rosters and getting the most out of players are changing, they won't be disappointed." -- Greg Bishop, Senior Writer at Sports Illustrated“By providing unique and challenging problems to be solved, and supported by decades’ worth of high-dimensional data streams, the Sports sector can contribute immensely to the development of Artificial Intelligence. In AI for Sports, Brady, Tuyls, & Omidshafiei discuss many different angles and applications within sport which can be supported or improved by the use of AI. It is a truly valuable resource for sports enthusiasts to learn how sports will evolve with the advent of advanced AI, and also for those working in theoretical AI domains to understand the nature of real-world applications and challenges posed by the sports sector.” -- Varuna De-Silva, Senior Lecturer in Machine Intelligence, Loughborough University“Artificial Intelligence can drive your car, select your favourite music and outfox grandmasters at the chessboard, but it is also becoming a crucial tool in global sports. AI is now able to predict when athletes are most likely to suffer injuries and which areas of their body are most at risk of fatigue. We are at the beginning of the AI age in sports and the next decade is likely to see it become increasingly important to all athletes and teams. In AI for Sports, Brady, Tuyls, and Omidshafiei give readers a glimpse into the future and explain just why AI is not only here to stay, but how it will become central to the thinking of team owners, coaches and athletes.” -- Mark Ogden, ESPN Senior Football Writer"AI for Sports is the perfect book for the perfect moment; this time when sports are changing rapidly; and teams, executives and athletes are looking at the games that people play through new, fresh and important lenses. Brady, Tuyls, and Omidshafiei explore that new landscape in a unique way, examining the exploding corner of artificial intelligence through a sports-specific lens, but also, and this is important, looking ahead to potential pitfalls to a relatively new approach. For readers who enjoy learning about teams, their famous processes, and how building rosters and getting the most out of players are changing, they won't be disappointed." -- Greg Bishop, Senior Writer at Sports Illustrated“By providing unique and challenging problems to be solved, and supported by decades’ worth of high-dimensional data streams, the Sports sector can contribute immensely to the development of Artificial Intelligence. In AI for Sports, Brady, Tuyls, & Omidshafiei discuss many different angles and applications within sport which can be supported or improved by the use of AI. It is a truly valuable resource for sports enthusiasts to learn how sports will evolve with the advent of advanced AI, and also for those working in theoretical AI domains to understand the nature of real-world applications and challenges posed by the sports sector.” -- Varuna De-Silva, Senior Lecturer in Machine Intelligence, Loughborough UniversityTable of ContentsAcknowledgments. About the Authors. Introduction. Part 1 How Did We Get to Where We Are? 1 Before Turing (pre-1950). 2 The Sports Analyst Cometh. 3 Sabermetrics, Moneyball and AI. Part 2 Where Are We Now? 4 Technology Closes the Gap on Theory. 5 The Sports Ecosystem. 6 The Performance. 7 AI in the Game. 8 AI around the Game. Part 3 Where Do We Go from Here? 9 A Future within the Game. 10 A Future around the Game. Conclusion. Index.
£22.99
