Sports and outdoor recreation Books

Book SynopsisMobility aims to take the pulse of this enormously expanded and energetic field. It explores the breadth of the disciplinary areas mobility studies now encompass, examining the diverse conceptual and methodological approaches wielded within the field, and explores the utility of mobility to illuminate a cornucopia of mobile lives: from the mass movements of individuals within global processes such as migration and tourism, to homelessness and war; from the entangled relations caught up in the movement of disease, people and aid across borders, to the inability of someone to cross over a road.The new edition explores the more sustained elaboration of mobility studies within a wide variety of disciplinary approaches and subject matters. It echoes the growing internationalization of mobility research, reflected in diverse case studies from the Global South, South Asia, Latin America, the Caribbean and so far under-represented perspectives from China, Australasia,Trade Review"The revised edition to Mobility offers a clear and thorough introduction to the field of mobility studies. This indispensable overview takes readers on an expertly guided tour through the key concepts and crucial topics of study that have defined this vibrant field. Adey brings into conversation a wide range of historical and contemporary theorists from many disciplines and draws on a rich array of illustrative examples. Whether exploring the politics of mobility, urban infrastructures, borders and citizenship, mobile media or cultural meanings, he opens our eyes to the significance of differential mobility in shaping every aspect of life today."Professor Mimi Sheller, Department of Sociology, Director at Center for Mobilities Research and Policy, Drexel University, USA"Meticulously researched and updated to showcase the leading edge of contemporary mobilities scholarship, Mobility is truly a field-defining book. At a time when understanding the complexities of why and how things move or stay where they are is more vital than ever before, this book remains one of the most compelling travel guides to navigate this exciting, rapidly expanding field." Dr David Bissell, School of Sociology, The Australian National University, Australia"Mobility is a fantastic travel guide for anyone analyzing contemporary life. Peter Adey has a special talent for enabling a simultaneously philosophical and empirical appreciation of mobility that showcases how the study of im|mobilities can be richly productive of insight. As he embarks on a wide-ranging exploration of the movement of ‘little’ things like bacteria or CO2, and ‘big’ data, business and power, he connects tourism with offshoring, migration with securitization, elite mobilities with extraordinary rendition, everyday life, and the ideological and infrastructural moorings that differentially enable or constrain mobilities. An extremely useful book."Professor Monika Büscher, Director Centre for Mobilities Research, Associate Director for the Institute for Social Futures, Department of Sociology, Lancaster University, UK"Peter Adey’s Mobility has been the go-to reference work for students and researchers in our field. In this expanded second edition he continues to track the growing reach and consolidation of mobilities scholarship around the globe. Adey achieves what most of us can only aspire to. He manages to map the wealth of research this broad theoretical perspective has inspired, while maintaining a sense of the dynamism that has enabled the field to move on and surprise us. Mobility is a must-read for everyone interested in contemporary thinking in the Humanities and Social Sciences."Associate Professor Georgine Clarsen, School of History and Social Inquiry, The University of Wollongong, AustraliaTable of ContentsPrefaceAcknowledgements1. Introduction 2. Mobility Studies 3. Meaning 4. Politics 5. Practices 6. Mediations 7. Mobile Methodologies 8. Conclusion BibliographyIndex

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Book SynopsisThis book shows how the dynamic interplay of a powerful "golden triangle" of sports, media, and business interests with social, cultural, economic, and political forces shapes sport in a changing world. This edition is a condensed and updated version of the first edition, with an emphasis on current social issues in sport. It also has more global content. The golden triangle concept is more developed and applied more extensively. Other key themes of the first edition—power, status, and inequality—are also more developed. New "Stop and Think Questions" have been added to challenge students to think about the meaning of what they have read. The book is now divided into five sections. The new sections highlight sociology and the sociology of sport; inequality and diversity; globalization and social deviance; major social contexts of sport, including the high school, college, and professional levels; and power, political economy, and global sports.Table of ContentsPart I. Sociology and the Sociology of Sport 1. A Sport Sociologist’s Perspective of Sport Part II. Social Organization of Sport 2. Social Stratification, Class, and Mobility in Sport 3. Diversity and Inequalities in Sport Part III. Building, Spreading, and Disrupting Sport in the Golden Triangle 4. Globalization, Mass Media, and Sports Culture 5. Sport, Social Deviance, and Social Problems Part IV. Social Contexts of Sport 6. Youth and High School Sports 7. College Athletics 8. Professional Sports Part V. Power, Political Economy, and Global Sports 9. Politics, Economics, and Sport in a Changing World

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Book SynopsisWorldwide Destinations Casebook features 38 comprehensive case studies of international tourism destinations, 10 of them brand new and 28 updated. A companion to the core textbook Worldwide Destinations 5th edition, these cases contextulaise the learning and provide real life illustrations of the theories covered.This new edition covers subjects such as climate change, eco-tourism, destination regeneration and social impact. Case studies are drawn from all regions of the world and include: London Docklands regeneration A tourism strategy for Morocco 'New World' tourism - Outbound tourism from China Antarctica: tourism or conservation? Re-visioning tired destinations: Australia's gold coast Tourism in New York The Way of St. James: the pilgrimage as a cultural resource Ecotourism in the Ecuadorian Amazon The casebook brings a range of benefits to the classroom and by encouraging active learning allows students to gain valuable experience in: Problem solving and decision making Focusing on key issues within a clearly defined situation The development or honing of critical thinking skills Recognising that there is no one 'correct' answer to a problem Judging the relevance of different types of evidence and techniques Worldwide Destinations Casebook is the ultimate resource for contectualizing theory and is essential reading for any tourism student.Table of ContentsPart 1 Introduction; Chapter 1 How to use this Book; Part 2 Cases Illustrating the Elements of the Geography of Travel and Tourism Mobilities Crisis and Risk Management in Tourism Understanding the ‘New Tourist’ Analysing the World Pattern of International Tourism Flows The Galápagos Islands The way of St James The Impact of Climate Change on Tourism The Significance of the El Niño Effect for Tourism Managing Transport at the Tourism Destination Low-Cost Carriers Space Tourism as Agent of Poverty Alleviation; Part 3 Cases Illustrating Regional Travel and Tourism Geography European Policy and Tourism London Docklands – Waterfront Regeneration and Tourism Development The New Forest The Isle of Man Bruges The Impact of Winter Sports Tourism in the Austrian and Swiss Alps Berlin Venice Tourism Issues in Yemen Managing Nile Cruise Tourism Campfire Vision 2010 Dubai Township Tourism Adventure Tourism in Nepal The Maldives Kangaroo Island The Revisioning of Tired Destinations Outbound Tourism from China Tourism in Macau Tourism in New York City Nunavut Tourism in Hawaii The Regeneration of Rio de Janeiro Ecotourism in the Ecuadorian Amazon Antarctica; Part 4 Useful Sources Sources to Support Work on the Case Studies;

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a huge range and FREE tracked UK delivery on ALL orders.

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a huge range and FREE tracked UK delivery on ALL orders.

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a huge range and FREE tracked UK delivery on ALL orders.

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a huge range and FREE tracked UK delivery on ALL orders.

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a huge range and FREE tracked UK delivery on ALL orders.

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Book SynopsisA fun, intelligent, and useful guide to understanding the nuanced language of soccer Every week, year-round, legions of devoted soccer fans across the country rise at the crack of dawn or quietly sneak out of work to watch their favorite teams play across the pond—complete with a soundtrack of two cheeky Englishmen spouting a stream of trite phrases and curious words that make maddeningly little sense. They’ll chat about flying teacups and cultured left feet, or point out a player who’s jinking through the corridor of uncertainty, hoping to bag one with aplomb. Confused? Many Brits are, too.In Football Clichés, London-based soccer writer Adam Hurrey amusingly translates the idioms of the sport, from the quaint to the ridiculous. Here you’ll find words for parts of the field and parts of the body; for ways to score a goal and ways to run, walk, or fake an injury. You’ll learn to read the shifting moods of fans at a soccer ma

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Book SynopsisAn inspiring anthology of sports short stories for any father, daughter or parentThank heavens for Title IX. That dusty piece of 1970s legislation not only made an entire generation of American women fitter and stronger and more self-confident, but it also gave fathers throughout the country a greater opportunity to bond with their daughters. The evidence fills the covers of this collection of essays by a stellar roster of sports journalists, champion athletes, and celebrated writers. In the Introduction, basketball star Rebecca Lobo recalls how her dad’s advice continued to ring in her ears long after she last played hoops with him on the gravel driveway of their Massachusetts home. Sportswriting legend Dan Shaughnessy celebrates his daughters’ eye-opening softball exploits. Chris Evert recounts how her tennis coach father, Jimmy, taught her coolness under fire. Bill Simmons proudly bequeaths his love of the NBA to his preschool-aged daughter. Doris

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Book SynopsisAn entertaining, eye-opening guide to what math and physics can reveal about sports.Trade Review"...Barrow’s writing is accessible and entertaining, just the thing for mathematically minded sports fans." -- Publishers Weekly

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Book SynopsisPresents the first 100 vintage covers from one of the longest-running and most significant martial-arts magazines - "Black Belt". This album documents martial-arts heroes, philosophies, and traditions.

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Book SynopsisOffers anniversaries, summaries, and anecdotes of events from the world of tennis for every day in the calendar year. The entries into this work include major tournament victory dates, summaries of the matches, trivia, and statistics as well as little-known and quirky happenings. It is intended for tennis and general sports fans alike.Trade Review"An addictive feast that you can enjoy every possible way--dipping in for various morsels, devouring it day-by-day, or selectively finding essential ingredients. As a tennis writer, I will always keep this book at the head of my table." --Joel Drucker, author, Jimmy Connors Saved My Life"An easy and unique way to absorb the greatest--and most quirky--moments in tennis history. It's best read a page a day!" --Bill Mountford, LTA executive and former director of tennis, USTA National Tennis Center"A fun read that chronicles some of the most important--and unusual--moments in the annals of tennis. Randy Walker is an excellent narrator of tennis history and has done an incredible job of researching and compiling this entertaining volume." --Jim Courier, two-time French and Australian Open champion, Hall-of-Famer, and cofounder, Outback Champions series"A fun and informative trip through the sport's history." --tennisreporters.net"Walker has written a fascinating portrait of the game and its many eccentric characters. I can recommend it heartily to tennis fans whether for its moments of high drama or slapstick comedy." --Long Island Tennis Magazine"Tennis lovers now have an incredible day-by-day showcase for all 365 days of the year. It's a fun and fact-filled compendium for tennis nuts everywhere." -- Inside Tennis Magazine

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Book SynopsisSidney Wood won the 1931 Wimbledon title by default over Frank Shields - his school buddy, doubles partner, roommate, and Davis Cup team-mate - in one of the most curious episodes in sports history. This title tells the tale of how Shields was ordered by the US Tennis Association not to compete in the championship match.Trade Review"Even if you have never picked up a tennis racket or watched a tennis match, you will unconditionally enjoy this wonderful book about a bygone era when athletes were gentlemen first and competitors second. . . . Wood's tales of the now (and then) famous is delightful, and at times sobering." --www.hamptons.com"[Wood] is George Plimpton-esque in his marvelous prose which gives one a Great Gatsby feel to recollections of the champions he competed (very successfully) against and then observed through the modern era of Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal." --www.WorldTennisMagazine.com (July 14, 2011)"The book's charm lies in the way it recreates early 20th century tennis history. . . . A rich source of stories about tennis history." -- Long Island Tennis Magazine (December 1, 2011)

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Book SynopsisEthics in Sport, Third Edition, offers 32 essays by well-known authors. These essays explore the roots of the ethical and moral dilemmas so prevalent in sport culture today. Nearly half the essays are new to this edition. Table of ContentsPart I. The Nature of SportChapter 1. The Elements of Sport Bernard SuitsChapter 2. Thoughts on the Nature of Sport (and the Philosophy of Sport) Graham McFee Chapter 3. Internalism and Internal Values in Sport Robert L. SimonChapter 4. Broad Internalism and the Moral Foundations of Sport J.S. RussellChapter 5. The Normativity of Sport: A Historicist Take on Broad Internalism William J. MorganPart II. Competition and Fair Play: Considerations of Winning, Cheating, and GamesmanshipChapter 6. Sportsmanship as a Moral Category James W. KeatingChapter 7. Sportsmanship Randolph M. FeezellChapter 8. On Winning and Athletic Superiority Nicholas DixonChapter 9. Cheating and Fair Play in Sport Oliver LeamanChapter 10. In Defense of Maradona’s Hand of God Steffen BorgeChapter 11. Gamesmanship Leslie A. HoweChapter 12. Moral Victories Paul GaffneyChapter 13. Play and the Moral Limits of Sport J.S. RussellChapter 14. What Counts as Part of a Game? A Look at Skills Cesar R. TorresChapter 15. Intentional Rule Violations—One More Time Warren P. FraleighChapter 16. The Ethics of Strategic Fouling: A Reply to Fraleigh Robert L. SimonPart III. The Limits of Being Human: Doping and Genetic Enhancement in SportChapter 17. Cops and Robbers? The Roots of Anti-Doping Policies in Olympic Sports Ian RitchieChapter 18. Ethics of Technology in Sport Sigmund LolandChapter 19. Good Competition and Drug-Enhanced Performance Robert L. SimonChapter 20. Paternalism, Drugs, and the Nature of Sports W.M. BrownChapter 21. Ethics of Performance Enhancement in Sport: Drugs and Gene Doping Bennett Foddy and Julian SavulescuChapter 22. Doping, “Mechanical Doping,” and Local Essentialism in the Individuation of Sports Jon PikeChapter 23. The Case for Perfection W. Miller BrownPart IV. Gender and Sexual Equality in SportChapter 24. Sex Equality in Sports Jane EnglishChapter 25. Mixed Competition and Mixed Messages Pam R. SailorsChapter 26. The Genetic Design of a New Amazon Claudio Tamburrini and Torbjörn Tännsjö Chapter 27. What Is Gender Equality in Sports? Simona Giordano and John HarrisPart V. Select Issues in the Social Ethics of Sport: Race, Spectatorship, and PoliticsChapter 28. Sports, Political Philosophy, and the African American Gerald EarlyChapter 29. Is Our Admiration of Sports Heroes Fascistoid? Torbjörn TännsjöChapter 30. What’s Wrong With Admiring Athletes and Other People? Ingmar PerssonChapter 31. The Ethics of Supporting Sports Teams Nicholas DixonChapter 32. Not Crickets? Ethics, Rhetoric and Sporting Boycotts Edmund Dain and Gideon Calder

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Book SynopsisTales of a champion surfcaster: the education of a young woman hell-bent on following her dream and learning the mysterious and profound sport, and art, of surfcasting, on the island of Martha’s Vineyard.   Janet Messineo knew from the get-go that she wanted to become a great fisherman. She knew she was as capable as any man of catching and landing a huge fish. It took years—and many terrifying nights alone on the beach in complete darkness, in search of a huge creature to pull out of the sea—for her to prove to herself and to the male-dominated fishing community that she could make her dream real.   Messineo writes of the object of her obsession: striped bass and how it can take a lifetime to become a proficient striped bass fisherman; of stripers as nocturnal feeders, hard-fighting, clever fish that under the cover of darkness trap bait against jetties or between fields of large boulders near shorelines, or, once hooked, rub their mouths against the rocks to cut the line.   She writes of growing up in Lawrence, Massachusetts, and Salem, New Hampshire, the granddaughter of textile mill workers, tagging along with her father and brother as they cast off of jetties; of going to art school, feeling from a young age the need to escape, and finding herself, one summer, on the Vineyard.   She describes the series of jobs that supported her fishing—waitressing at the Black Dog, Helios, and the Home Port, among other restaurants. She writes of her education in patience and the technique to land a fish; learning the equipment—hooks, sinkers, her first squid jig; buying her first one-ounce Rebel lure.   She re-creates the thrill of fishing at night, of being buffeted by the island’s harsh winds and torrential rains; the terror of hooking something mysterious in the darkness that might pull her into water over her head.   She gives us a rich portrait of island life and writes of its history and of Chappaquiddick’s (it belonged to the Wampanoags, who originally called it Cheppiaquidne—“separate island”); of the Martha’s Vineyard Derby: its beginning in 1946 as a way to bring tourism to the island during the offseason, and the Derby’s growing into one of the largest tournaments in the world.  Messineo describes her dream of becoming a marine taxidermist, of learning the craft and perfecting the art of it. She writes of the men she’s fished with and the women who forged the path for others (among them, Lorraine “Tootie” Johnson, who fished Vineyard waters for more than sixty years, and Lori VanDerlaske, who won the Derby shore division in 1995). And she writes of her life commingled with fishing—her marriage to a singer, poet, activist; their adopting a son with Asperger’s; and her teaching him to fish. She writes of the transformative power of fishing that helped her to shake off drugs and alcohol, and of her profound respect for fish as a magnificent animal.   With eighteen of the author’s favorite fish recipes, Casting into the Light is a book about following one’s dreams and about the quiet reckoning with self in the long hours of darkness at the water’s edge, with the sounds of the ocean, the night air, and the jet-black sky.

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Book SynopsisA notebook that combines an appreciation for nature with the handcrafted feel of letterpress printing, Back Country Log is the perfect gift for a camper or outdoorsman.Small and gifty, Back Country Log is part of a suite of products created by Blackbird Letterpress geared toward lovers of handcrafted paper products and the great outdoors. Lightly guided inside, the log has space for multiple hikes or excursions, and is curated to help backpackers record the most crucial details of their adventures. Illustrated backmatter on trail etiquette and animal tracks adds a hand-hewn touch.

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Book SynopsisCultural critic Gerald Early has gathered here a collection of 13 writers who offer personal reflections on the public obsession with sport. They range from the pool hustler to the closet baseball fan; from late-night rodeo on cable TV to tennis games on the weathered fields of Illinois. But beyond fan or competitor or social commentator, these writers are storytellers, and it is in their personal stories - poignant, funny, extreme, illuminating - that we begin to identify the themes that galvanize both sport and literature: conflict and sacrifice, ritual and passion, humiliation and heroism.

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Book SynopsisOver the past 150 years, communities have focused their attention on enhancing quality of life, health and wellness, and the greening of their environments through the provision of park and recreation services and amenities. The greening and beautification of communities as well as tying recreation services to clean economic development provide a direct connection between the work public park and recreation departments and community development. This text asks students to consider important questions, such as: What are the most important elements of a livable community? In what type of community they would like to live? How important are building social connections amongst family, friends, neighbors, colleagues, and others? How are such relationships developed and sustained? What types of organizations are more likely to create such opportunities for building ones social capital? What agencies in the community are concerned with addressing environmental degradation and on the flipside enhancing community beautification and greening? All of these questions point toward the importance of public parks and recreation and its community development efforts. Community Parks & Recreation: An Introduction is organized into three major parts. Part I focuses on the History and Philosophical Foundations of Public Parks and Recreation. The major intent of this section is to provide an underpinning to assist the student in understanding the major dimensions of public parks and recreation and its impact socially, culturally, environmentally and economically. Part II of the book focuses on Managerial and Administrative Aspects of Park and Recreation Systems. This section of the book provides practical strategies for administrative activities, planning, marketing, budgeting, engaging the public and land acquisition. Part III of the book is focused on The Public Sector Service Provision in Parks and Recreation. This section of the book focuses on program and service delivery including chapters dealing with programming for community recreation, youth programming, programming for adults and seniors, programming special events and community-based therapeutic recreation. The authors of this text all share a deep interest in community, parks, and/or recreation services. At various times in their careers, they have have served as playground leaders, recreation specialists, youth leaders, community therapeutic recreation specialists, recreation center directors, recreation supervisors and/or directors of parks and recreation. The authors hold a strong commitment to community parks and recreation that is clearly reflected in this new text.

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Book SynopsisSports and numbers go hand-in-hand—the Dolphins 17–0 season, Wilt Chamberlain’s 100-point game, Joe DiMaggio’s 56-game hitting streak, Tiger Woods shooting -18 at his first Masters—and this book gives fans a golden opportunity to relive the magic moments that have generated the most talked about numbers in sports. Whether it’s an obscure entry like Row 8, Aisle 4, Seat 113 (Steve Bartman’s seat location for the Chicago Cubs 2003 NLCS Game 6) or a more well-known number like 72–10 (the unprecedented NBA season by Michael Jordan and the Bulls), each number has a compelling story tied to that this book explores with fantastic photos, juicy details, and candid insight from the athletes themselves.

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Book SynopsisCreative, Affordable, and Fun Weekend ActivitiesWhether you’re divorced, separated, or just working long hours, it’s getting harder and harder to spend one-on-one time with your children. Instead of turning on the television and walking away, there’s now an easy way to strengthen your parent-child ties, take charge and teach, and have fun with your kids- all at the same time.Written by a divorced father of three, The Practical Guide to Weekend Parenting offers a no-nonsense approach to parenting and gives sensible advice from a parent who has walked in your shoes. Its collection of 101 projects is designed to help you actively raise, nurture, and guide your children. Each adventure is packed with suggestions to help you interact with your children:• Lists of conversation-starters to promote bonding• An aside to the parents with practical advice from the trenches• Activities included for every interest• Includes a variety of easy-to-search chapters• Fun facts to share with the kids, and moreFilled with author anecdotes and including activities all ages can enjoy, The Practical Guide to Weekend Parenting will make sure you make the most of every moment with your kids.

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Book SynopsisThis essential guide provides new practitioners with a thorough grounding in the ancient art of jiu jitsu and advanced students of any martial art with an effective method for integrating jiu jitsu techniques into an existing practice. The book begins with the origins of jiu jitsu in 16th-century Japan, explaining the subsequent rise of judo and Brazilian jiu jitsu to give a complete introduction to the history of the art. Next, training requirements, procedures, and equipment are outlined, preparing the reader for training and combat. The practical section of the book begins with the essential principles governing jiu jitsu, and continues with combination maneuvers; specific positions and their advantages in competition; basic submission techniques; the concept of joined centers; training tips; and a glimpse into intermediate positions and their functions. Full-color photo sequences with expert demonstrations supplement the meticulous descriptions. A glossary, index, and a list of useful international jiu jitsu contacts round out this informative guide.

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Book SynopsisEddie Bennison is at the top of his game, one of the most successful and popular golfers out there, until Tee Time, a national golf magazine, publishes a story that destroys his reputation. Now Eddie, championed by cunning lawyer Charlie Mayfield, must defend himself in court. But proving libel is extremely difficult, and the truth has a way of coming out, especially when the trial becomes a national spectacle. Eddie and Charlie are in for the fight of their lives: proving that what was written in that article was nothing but bad lies.Trade Review"Simply put, the game of golf often unveils the truth about someone. The same could be said for a courtroom, and much like a golf tournament, there are highs and lows in every legal battle. My longtime friend, Tony Jacklin, and author, Shelby Yastrow, understand these similarities and have managed to wonderfully weave them into a fascinating, fictional page-turner." -- Jack Nicklaus, World Golf Hall of Famer, 18-time Majors Champion

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Book SynopsisA first-of-its-kind celebration of the newspaper scribes who made sportswriting a glorious popular art, and immortalised America's greatest games and athletes.

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Book SynopsisA kung-fu champion explains the “coiling power” of Jin and how to subtly refine it for a more relaxed but explosive force, which can be used with multiple fighting and martial-arts styles Adding to the numerous basic exercises from his previous book, Developing Jin, Phillip Starr focuses on more advanced and subtle aspects of emitting the legendary “coiling power.” Starr explains this unique technique with straightforward ease, dozens of detailed photos, and the patience of a master teacher. This book is ideal for students interested in the martial-arts systems of baguazhang, taijiquan, and xingyiquan (or “coiling power”) who want to deepen their understanding and practice.

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Book SynopsisDiscover your Animal archetype to transform your martial arts practice and improve your physical, emotional, and sexual healthA cognitive psychologist and respected martial art instructor brings to life the Animals of Ch''ien-lung, and how to live the martial art philosophy--on and off the mat! This martial art belongs to everyone, not just for self-defense but as a force for healing. Keen on detail, big in scope, Unleash the Dragon Within shows how to tap into the Cat and Snakeaspects of your mind and body. When you combine the movement, breath and meditation of a Cat with a Snake you create the Dragon, bringing all you are to your athletic performance, spiritual practices and even your sexual relationships.

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Book SynopsisA trainer and former triathlete shows you how to achieve the results you want with a new multidisciplinary approachWhy does trying harder sometimes become an exercise in futility? Why does following "expert advice" often lead to little or no improvement? What if there were an efficient way of learning that could be applied to every area of human experience? Drawing from the principles of Bagua, Taichi, and Feldenkrais, Edward Yu presents an innovative approach to running: power, speed, and agility are more related to your ability to sense your own body than to willpower or raw talent. Centering the art of running as an explorative, creative, and somatic-based practice, Yu shows us how to run faster by learning to become more sensible--that is, more sense-able--through the playful and systematic exploration of movement.

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Book SynopsisApply and defend against all manner of kicks, sweeps, leg locks, leg checks and kick checks by learning to master the lost study of plum flower posts.It''s time to rediscover the forgotten secrets to harnessing and wielding the power of the plum flower posts in combat. The missing link for training the Wing Chun stance, this book helps intermediate students and practitioners reach the highest levels of proficiency, teaching leg skills, sticking skills, good positioning, and checking and immobilization skills.The plum flower posts consist of 11 posts--10 wooden gerk jong, or legwork posts, and one mok yan jong, or wooden man post. Together, they complete a set called the moy fa jong. The wooden dummy trains practitioners to protect the upper centerline by applying hard techniques with proper distance, position, and leg control, while the gerk jong are designed and placed to train all elements of legwork and manage the lower centerline.A valuable training tool for any and all styles and families of Wing Chun, mastering the posts ensures that you never lose a fight due to lost balance or bad positioning; fall from leg sweeps, leg locks, or leg checks; or miss the knockout because of poor distance or knockout power. Comprehensively written and supplemented with 180 full-color illustrations and photos, Wing Chun Plum Flower Posts is an essential resource for Wing Chun students, practitioners, and teachers looking to expand their knowledge base and skill set.

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Book SynopsisAn illustrated step-by-step guide to the structure, themes, and techniques of Suparinpei--the last kata of Goju-ryu.Suparinpei, or Pechurin, is the highest and most difficult kata in the Goju-ryu system of Okinawan karate. Its performance has long been reserved for high-level practitioners, its history and applications obscured by misunderstanding and misinterpretation.In this indispensable manual by experienced master Giles Hopkins, readers will learn the skills, techniques, and bunkai of this little-understood kata, step by step. Suparinpei explores the initial receiving, bridging, controlling, and lethal finishing techniques in sequence, and offers illustrations of both the applications and movements of Suparinpei. Hopkins questions conventional interpretations of kata movements, suggesting instead that there is only one originally intended application for each move in kata, and that each is to be understood in sequence and not as isolated components. This strict interpretation of kata movements reveals not only realistic self-defense executions, but also potentially the original intent of kata.

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Book SynopsisA comprehensive guide to the fundamentals, sequences, and applications of Baguazhang.Baguazhang is unquestionably one of the most esoteric disciplines in martial arts. Based on the eight trigrams (bagua) of the Yi Jing, it emphasizes the importance of maneuverability, evasion, and change to deflect an aggressor''s attacks. Unlike martial arts systems that employ overt punches, kicks, and grappling techniques, most of the bodily weapons of the baguazhang arsenal are well concealed, agile, and smooth. Utilizing deceptive forms of footwork and body shifting, the principles and techniques in this book will help readers develop a firm foundation and build a critical skill set for this unique martial art.Longtime martial arts practitioner and author Phillip Starr introduces readers to the basics of baguazhang, showing how the movements of this widely misunderstood art can be practically applied in self-defense. Readers will learn:   • Key baguazhang principles   • Footholds   • Basic stepping techniques, walking exercises, and postures   • Proper alignments   • "Mother palms," or basic exercises critical to the development of the "bagua body" Ideal for newcomers to baguazhang, this introduction elucidates the two foundational Single Change and Double Change Palms and offers a refresher for advanced practitioners looking to further explore applications for movements they already know.

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Book Synopsis"My own journey to the summit of Kilimanjaro opened me to a life of adventure, and this book brought me right back to the slopes of that magical mountain. An honest and affirming tale of embracing the unknown and the transformative power of nature, Jeff''s journey is an invitation to all of us to get outside our comfort zone, see the world, and let it change us."        —Josh Gates, Explorer, Host of Discovery''s Expedition Unknown An honest and engaging account of one amateur hiker''s journey to spiritual transformation as he climbs to the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro. After his brother-in-law Chris passed away, author Jeff Belanger made the decision to take the trip of a lifetime, both in honor of Chris and in pursuit of clarity about his own life and goals. The Call of Kilimanjaro is a day-by-day record of Belanger''s ascent to the peak of Africa''s highest mountain. By turns contemplative and irreverent, joyful and thoughtful, boyish and wise, this is a book for all ages - from 10 to 100 - and a memoir for armchair travelers with an interest in spirituality. By example, Belanger teaches us to take stock of our accomplishments, eye the lofty goals we''ve placed in front of ourselves, and push higher than we''ve ever dared, turning an honest eye toward past, present, and future, through the end of life and beyond.

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Book SynopsisA must-read collection featuring the best in sports journalism Glenn Stout, founding editor of the Best American Sports Writing, has curated an essential anthology showcasing incredible feats and diverse perspectives across the world of sports. Selected from a wide range of newspapers, magazines, and digital publications during the previous year, these stories capture enduring moments while celebrating the craft of writing at its most sublime. This extraordinary collection reveals the fascinating stories behind the sports we love, the competitors who push their boundaries, and the cultures they are ultimately embedded in.

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Book SynopsisIn The Program: Alabama Crimson Tide, take a more profound and unique journey into the history of a historic team. This thoughtful and engaging collection of essays captures the astute fans’ history of the celebrated program, going beyond well-worn narratives of yesteryear to uncover the less-discussed moments, decisions, people, and settings that fostered the team's iconic identity. Through wheeling and dealing, mythmaking and community building, explore where Bama football has been, how it rose to the pinnacle of college sports, and how it will continue to evolve and stay in contention for generations to come.Crimson Tide fans in the know will enjoy this personal, local, in-depth look at team history.

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