- Table View
- List View
The Straight Lead
by Teri Tom Ted Wong Shannon Lee KeaslerA key element in the Jeet Kune Do arsenal, the straight punch is a deceptively simple technique that Bruce Lee described as the most difficult move in Jeet Kune Do- "Only one in 10,000 can handle it."The Straight Lead describes the development of the straight punch in Western martial arts and describes Lee's refinement of the technique. It also offers a thorough instruction in the complexity and power of the move-showing martial artists of any discipline how to incorporate this devastating attack into their repertoire.
The Straight Lead
by Teri Tom Ted Wong Shannon Lee KeaslerA key element in the Jeet Kune Do arsenal, the straight punch is a deceptively simple technique that Bruce Lee described as the most difficult move in Jeet Kune Do- "Only one in 10,000 can handle it."The Straight Lead describes the development of the straight punch in Western martial arts and describes Lee's refinement of the technique. It also offers a thorough instruction in the complexity and power of the move-showing martial artists of any discipline how to incorporate this devastating attack into their repertoire.
The Straight Lead
by Teri Tom Ted Wong Shannon Lee KeaslerA key element in the Jeet Kune Do arsenal, the straight punch is a deceptively simple technique that Bruce Lee described as the most difficult move in Jeet Kune Do- "Only one in 10,000 can handle it."The Straight Lead describes the development of the straight punch in Western martial arts and describes Lee's refinement of the technique. It also offers a thorough instruction in the complexity and power of the move-showing martial artists of any discipline how to incorporate this devastating attack into their repertoire.
The Strange Last Voyage of Donald Crowhurst: Now Filmed As The Mercy
by Ron Hall Nicholas Tomalin'A masterpiece.' New Yorker'Wholly riveting, brilliantly researched.' Evening Standard'A meticulous investigation into the seeds of disaster... fascinating, uncomfortable reading.' Sunday Times In 1968, Donald Crowhurst was trying to market a nautical navigation device he had developed, and saw the Sunday Times Golden Globe round the world sailing race as the perfect opportunity to showcase his product. Few people knew that he wasn't an experienced deep-water sailor. His progress was so slow that he decided to short-cut the journey, while falsifying his location through radio messages from his supposed course.Everyone following the race thought that he was winning, and a hero's welcome awaited him at home in Britain. But on 10 July 1968, eight months after he set off, his wife was told that his boat had been discovered drifting in mid-Atlantic. Crowhurst was missing, assumed drowned, and there was much speculation that this was one of the great mysteries of the sea. In this masterpiece of investigative journalism, Nicholas Tomalin and Ron Hall reconstruct one of the greatest hoaxes of our time. From in-depth interviews with Crowhurst's family and friends and telling excerpts from his logbooks, Tomalin and Hall develop a tale of tragic self-delusion and public deception, a haunting portrait of a complex, deeply troubled man and his journey into the heart of darkness.
The Strange Last Voyage of Donald Crowhurst: Now Filmed As The Mercy
by Ron Hall Nicholas Tomalin'A masterpiece.' New Yorker'Wholly riveting, brilliantly researched.' Evening Standard'A meticulous investigation into the seeds of disaster... fascinating, uncomfortable reading.' Sunday Times In 1968, Donald Crowhurst was trying to market a nautical navigation device he had developed, and saw the Sunday Times Golden Globe round the world sailing race as the perfect opportunity to showcase his product. Few people knew that he wasn't an experienced deep-water sailor. His progress was so slow that he decided to short-cut the journey, while falsifying his location through radio messages from his supposed course.Everyone following the race thought that he was winning, and a hero's welcome awaited him at home in Britain. But on 10 July 1968, eight months after he set off, his wife was told that his boat had been discovered drifting in mid-Atlantic. Crowhurst was missing, assumed drowned, and there was much speculation that this was one of the great mysteries of the sea. In this masterpiece of investigative journalism, Nicholas Tomalin and Ron Hall reconstruct one of the greatest hoaxes of our time. From in-depth interviews with Crowhurst's family and friends and telling excerpts from his logbooks, Tomalin and Hall develop a tale of tragic self-delusion and public deception, a haunting portrait of a complex, deeply troubled man and his journey into the heart of darkness.
The Strange Last Voyage of Donald Crowhurst: Now Filmed As The Mercy
by Ron Hall Nicholas Tomalin'A masterpiece.' New Yorker'Wholly riveting, brilliantly researched.' Evening Standard'A meticulous investigation into the seeds of disaster... fascinating, uncomfortable reading.' Sunday Times In 1968, Donald Crowhurst was trying to market a nautical navigation device he had developed, and saw the Sunday Times Golden Globe round the world sailing race as the perfect opportunity to showcase his product. Few people knew that he wasn't an experienced deep-water sailor. His progress was so slow that he decided to short-cut the journey, while falsifying his location through radio messages from his supposed course.Everyone following the race thought that he was winning, and a hero's welcome awaited him at home in Britain. But on 10 July 1968, eight months after he set off, his wife was told that his boat had been discovered drifting in mid-Atlantic. Crowhurst was missing, assumed drowned, and there was much speculation that this was one of the great mysteries of the sea. In this masterpiece of investigative journalism, Nicholas Tomalin and Ron Hall reconstruct one of the greatest hoaxes of our time. From in-depth interviews with Crowhurst's family and friends and telling excerpts from his logbooks, Tomalin and Hall develop a tale of tragic self-delusion and public deception, a haunting portrait of a complex, deeply troubled man and his journey into the heart of darkness.(P)2016 Hodder & Stoughton
The Strange Last Voyage of Donald Crowhurst: The Strange Last Voyage Of Donald Crowhurst (Sailmate Ser.)
by Ron Hall Nicholas TomalinIn early 1968, desperate entrepreneur Donald Crowhurst was trying to sell a nautical navigation device he had developed when he saw that the Sunday Times would be sponsoring the Golden Globe Race, the first ever solo, round-the-world sailing competition. An avid amateur sailor, Crowhurst sensed a marketing opportunity and shocked the world by entering the competition using an untested trimaran of his own design. Shock soon turned to amazement when he quickly took the lead, checking in by radio message from locations far ahead of his seasoned competitors.But on July 10, 1969, roughly eight months after he had sailed from England--and less than two weeks from his expected triumphant return--his wife was informed that his boat, the Teignmouth Electron, had been discovered drifting quietly, abandoned in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean. Crowhurst was missing, assumed drowned. How did he come to such an end when his race had begun with such incredible promise?In this masterpiece of investigative journalism, Nicholas Tomalin and Ron Hall reconstruct one of the greatest modern stories of one man's descent into self-delusion, public deception, and madness. Based on in-depth interviews with Crowhurst's family and friends, combined with gripping excerpts from his logbooks that revealed (among other things) he had been falsifying his locations all along, Tomalin and Hall paint an unforgettable, haunting portrait of a complex, deeply troubled man and his final fateful journey.
The Streak: How Joe DiMaggio Became America's Hero
by Terry Widener Barb RosenstockIn the summer of 1941, Yankee center fielder Joe DiMaggio and his favorite bat, Betsy Ann, begin the longest hitting streak in baseball history. But when Betsy Ann goes missing, will DiMaggio keep hitting? Set on the brink of World War II, this is a spellbinding account of a sports story that united the country and made DiMaggio a hero, at a time when one was profoundly needed. Barb Rosenstock's action-packed text and Terry Widener's powerful illustrations capture DiMaggio's drive as well as his frustration. The book also includes headlines, quotes, stats, and a detailed bibliography.
The Streak: Lou Gehrig, Cal Ripken Jr., and Baseball's Most Historic Record
by John Eisenberg&“A line-drive hit of a book&” about the Iron Horse and the Iron Man—two legends from two eras of baseball—and the nature of human endurance (The Wall Street Journal).When Cal Ripken Jr. began his career with the Baltimore Orioles at age twenty-one, he had no idea he would someday beat the historic record of playing 2,130 games in a row, a record set forty-two years before by the fabled &“Iron Horse&” of the New York Yankees, Lou Gehrig. Ripken went on to surpass that record by 502 games, and the baseball world was floored. Few feats in sports history have generated more acclaim. But the record spawns an array of questions. When did someone first think it was a good idea to play in so many games without taking a day off? Who owned the record before Gehrig? Whose streak—Gehrig&’s or Ripken&’s—was the more difficult achievement? Through probing research, meticulous analysis, and colorful parallel storytelling, The Streak delves into this impressive but controversial milestone, unraveling Gehrig&’s at-times unwitting pursuit of that goal (Babe Ruth used to think Gehrig crazy for wanting to play every game), and Ripken&’s fierce determination to stay in the lineup and continue to contribute whatever he could even as his skills diminished with age. So many factors contribute to the comparisons between the two men: the length of seasons, the number of teams in the major leagues, the inclusion of nonwhite players, travel, technology, medical advances, and even media are all part of the equation. This is a book that captures the deeply American appreciation—as seen in the sport itself—for a workaday mentality and that desire to be there for the game every time it called.&“It tackles the allure of human endurance and the pitfalls of fame, but it is mostly a baseball book for baseball fans. It succeeds as both a thorough accounting and a love note to the game.&”—The Washington Post
The Strength Training Bible for Seniors: The Ultimate Fitness Guide for the Rest of Your Life
by Dr. Karl KnopfStay strong. Stay active. Stay healthy. "It&’s never too late to lift weights: Older bodies can still build muscle" (Washington Post). The Strength-Training Bible for Seniors is the only book you need to be fit and feel young in your fifties and beyond.Science shows us that an active lifestyle helps us flourish and is one of the keys to a long life. Strength training–whether in your core, arms, legs, or back–is an essential component of a fitness routine regardless of your age. The Strength-Training Bible for Seniors covers all your workout needs: stretching, core strength, weight and resistance training, and kettlebell workouts to help you build muscle, tone your body, be flexible, and be your best. The Strength-Training Bible for Seniors presents functional exercises carefully adapted and tested to provide comprehensive and customizable total-body workouts for people 50 years and older. Step-by-step photos and explanatory captions make it easy for anyone from the fitness novice to the lifetime athlete to train smart and stay fit for life. These progressive programs provide everything you need to: Get stronger Build muscle Avoid injury Improve posture Develop low-back health Foster core stability and flexibility Increase hand-eye coordination Boost mind-body awareness Enhance sports performance The exercises and workout programs in The Strength-Training Bible for Seniors will help you build and maintain strong muscles in the abs, obliques, back, arms, legs, shoulders, and butt. What are you waiting for?
The Strenuous Life: Theodore Roosevelt and the Making of the American Athlete
by Ryan Swanson&“It seemed as if Theodore Roosevelt&’s biographers had closed the book on his life story. But Ryan Swanson has uncovered an untold chapter&” (Johnny Smith, coauthor of Blood Brothers: The Fatal Friendship between Muhammad Ali and Malcolm X). Crippling asthma, a frail build, and grossly myopic eyesight: these were the ailments that plagued Teddy Roosevelt as a child. In adulthood, he was diagnosed with a potentially fatal heart condition and was told never to exert himself again. Roosevelt&’s body was his weakness, the one hill he could never fully conquer—and as a result he developed what would become a lifelong obsession with athletics that he carried with him into his presidency. As President of the United States, Roosevelt boxed, practiced Ju-Jitsu, played tennis nearly every day, and frequently invited athletes and teams to the White House. It was during his administration that America saw baseball&’s first ever World Series; interscholastic sports began; and schools began to place an emphasis on physical education. In addition, the NCAA formed, and the United States hosted the Olympic Games for the first time. From a prize-winning historian, this book shows how Roosevelt fought desperately (and sometimes successfully) to shape American athletics in accordance with his imperialistic view of the world. It reveals that, in one way or another, we can trace our fanaticism for fitness and sports directly back to the twenty-sixth president and his relentless pursuit of &“The Strenuous Life.&” &“Essential reading for anyone who cares about the history of sports in America.&” —Michael Kazin, author of War against War: The American Fight for Peace, 1914–1918
The Striker
by Ana HuangThe new must-read steamy sports romance from Ana Huang, the bestselling author of the Twisted and Kings of Sin series.She's the only woman he wants . . . and the only one he can't have.Asher Donovan is a living legend - the darling of the Premier League, the (arguably) greatest footballer in the world.But his reckless antics and recent team transfer have caused much controversy, and when his feud with his rival-turned-teammate costs them a championship, they're forced to 'bond' during off-season cross-training.Surviving the summer shouldn't be hard . . . until Asher meets their new trainer. She's beautiful, talented, and no matter how hard he tries, he can't take his mind off her.The only problem? She's his rival's sister - and completely off limits.***Scarlett DuBois is a former prima ballerina whose career was cut short by a tragic accident.Now a teacher at a prestigious dance academy but still haunted by the ghosts of her past, the last thing she wants is to spend the summer cross-training Asher Donovan, of all people.She swore she would never date a footballer, but when her brother leaves town for an emergency, she finds herself thrown into dangerously close proximity with the gorgeous, charming striker.Training, she can deal with. But falling in love? That's out of the question - especially when he's the only person with the power to break her heart.Why readers love Ana Huang'Get ready for all the spice, all the build-up and all the sizzling tension' Glamour'King of Greed? More like King of my Heart (Ana Huang's Version)' Lauren Asher'WE HAVE NO NOTES JUST LOTS OF HORNY FEELINGS' Ali Hazelwood'Ana did not come to play . . . it was giving everything I asked for' @Aymanreads'Ana Huang truly is the queen of billionaire romances' Goodreads Review'Ana really said whether morally grey is your favourite OR NOT, let me give you someone to swoon over' Goodreads Review'Ana Huang never disappoints. This was my most anticipated read of the month and it was EVERYTHING!!' Goodreads Review
The Striker and the Clock: On Being in the Game
by Georgia CloepfilAn illuminating perspective on the life of an athlete and the pursuit of excellence outside the spotlight.Georgia Cloepfil played professional soccer for six years, on six teams, in six countries. In those years, the sport became more than a game—it was an immersive yet transient way of life. In South Korea, she lived and practiced in an isolated island compound next to an airport. In Australia, she coached youth teams on the side to pay her rent. In Lithuania, she played in the European Champions League, to empty stadiums and little fanfare. She lived out of a single suitcase, chasing better opportunities and the euphoria of playing well. The Striker and the Clock is a beautiful examination of the joy and pain of serious athletics. It&’s also an eye-opening look at the still-developing world of professional women&’s soccer. Written in ninety short passages—reflecting the ninety inexorably passing minutes of a soccer match—the book is a love letter to a maddening sport and a reflection on the way it has shaped a life. In vivid prose, it portrays the athlete as an artist, debating how much of herself to devote to her craft. This finely wrought, singular book celebrates the complex appeal of sports and the fulfillment found in fleeting moments of glory.
The Stroke of Midnight
by Jenna RyanSecrets and late nights were as much a part of the man as his badge and black leatherDetective Riker was six feet tall with a lithe body and dark eyes that gave new meaning to the word seductive. He was an intriguing package, concealing something behind an emotional barricade. And while Devon Tremayne was sure she could trust him with her safety, she couldn't be certain about her heart.A serial murderer had targeted Devon as the next victim and promised to strike at midnight on the eve of Christmas. Posing as an undercover cop was the only way Riker could expose the killer and protect Devon. But could Riker control his mounting desire for Devon before Christmas came....?
The Struggle for Canadian Sport
by Bruce KiddCanadian sports were turned on their head during the years between the world wars. The middle-class amateur men's organizations which dominated Canadian sports since the mid-nineteenth century steadily lost ground, swamped by the rise of consumer culture and badly battered and split by the depression. In The Struggle for Canadian Sport Bruce Kidd illuminates the complex and fractious process that produced the familiar contours of Canadian sport today -- the hegemony of continental cartels like the NHL, the enormous ideological power of the media, the shadowed participation of women in sports, and the strong nationalism of the amateur Olympic sports bodies.Kidd focuses on four major Canadian organizations of the interwar period: the Amateur Athletic Union, the Women's Amateur Athletic Federation, the Workers' Sport Association, and the National Hockey League. Each of these organizations became focal points of debate and political activity, and they often struggled with each other - each had a radically different agenda: The AAU sought `the making of men' and the strengthening of English-Canadian nationalism; the WAAF promoted the health and well-being of sportswomen; the WSA was a vehicle for socialism; and the NHL was concerned with lucrative spectacles. These national organizations stimulated and steered many of the resources available for sport and contributed significantly to the expansion of opportunities. They enjoyed far more power than other Canadian cultural organizations of the period, and they attempted to manipulate both the direction and philosophy of Canadian athletics. Through their control of the rules and prestigious events and their countless interventions in the mass media, they shaped the dominant practices and coined the very language with which Canadians discussed what sports should mean. The success and outcome of each group, as well as their confrontations with one another were crucial in shaping modern Canadian sports. The Struggle for Canadian Sport adds to our understanding of the material and social conditions under which people created and elaborated sports and the contested ideological terrain on which sports were played and interpreted.Winner of the North American Society for Sports History (NASSH) 1997 book award
The Struggle for Canadian Sport
by Bruce KiddCanadian sports were turned on their head during the years between the world wars. The middle-class amateur men's organizations which dominated Canadian sports since the mid-nineteenth century steadily lost ground, swamped by the rise of consumer culture and badly battered and split by the depression. In The Struggle for Canadian Sport Bruce Kidd illuminates the complex and fractious process that produced the familiar contours of Canadian sport today -- the hegemony of continental cartels like the NHL, the enormous ideological power of the media, the shadowed participation of women in sports, and the strong nationalism of the amateur Olympic sports bodies.Kidd focuses on four major Canadian organizations of the interwar period: the Amateur Athletic Union, the Women's Amateur Athletic Federation, the Workers' Sport Association, and the National Hockey League. Each of these organizations became focal points of debate and political activity, and they often struggled with each other - each had a radically different agenda: The AAU sought `the making of men' and the strengthening of English-Canadian nationalism; the WAAF promoted the health and well-being of sportswomen; the WSA was a vehicle for socialism; and the NHL was concerned with lucrative spectacles. These national organizations stimulated and steered many of the resources available for sport and contributed significantly to the expansion of opportunities. They enjoyed far more power than other Canadian cultural organizations of the period, and they attempted to manipulate both the direction and philosophy of Canadian athletics. Through their control of the rules and prestigious events and their countless interventions in the mass media, they shaped the dominant practices and coined the very language with which Canadians discussed what sports should mean. The success and outcome of each group, as well as their confrontations with one another were crucial in shaping modern Canadian sports. The Struggle for Canadian Sport adds to our understanding of the material and social conditions under which people created and elaborated sports and the contested ideological terrain on which sports were played and interpreted.Winner of the North American Society for Sports History (NASSH) 1997 book award
The Stupendous Dodgeball Fiasco
by Janice Repka Glin DibleyIt's circus boy vs. a dodgeball-crazy town in this wacky middle-grade story! Phillip might be the only kid in the world who wants to run away from the circus. With a clown for a dad and a Fat Lady for a mom, all Phillip wants is to be a normal kid. He finally convinces his parents to let him live with his aunt and uncle in a seemingly normal town. But Hardingtown is far from normal--it's the unofficial Dodgeball Capital of the World and everyone is completely obsessed. Soon Phillip is ducking screamers and dodging the dodgeball bully. But after a particularly vicious game, Phillip takes the bully to court to pay for his busted glasses--and ends up battling the whole dodgeball-crazed town!
The Stupidest Sports Book of All Time: Hilarious Blunders, Bloopers, Oddities, Quotes, and More from the World of Sports
by Ross Petras Kathryn PetrasThe thrill of victory! The agony of a tight jockstrap! It’s a celebration of true sports lunacy from the renowned connoisseurs of stupidity, Kathryn and Ross Petras, authors of the beloved 365 Stupidest Things Ever Said calendar. Here from the wide world of professional and amateur sports are the worst plays, most embarrassing achievements, surliest fans, lamest excuses, and wackiest mascot tricks. Plus history-making blowouts: Georgia Tech trounces Cumberland College 222–0. Freakiest injuries: Pitcher Joel Zamaya plays so much Guitar Hero he goes on the DL with tendonitis. Improbable memorabilia: Andre Agassi’s ponytail, Ty Cobb’s dentures. Looniest promotional giveaways: Win a free vasectomy! Bizarre sports from across the globe: Olympic solo synchronized swimming. And dubious superstitions: Baseball Hall of Famer Wade Boggs eats chicken before every game of his 18-year career. And, of course, quotes. From athletes: “We lost because we didn’t win.” (soccer star Cristiano Ronaldo). Coaches: “We were scoring, they were scoring. Then we stopped scoring and they kept scoring” (Cavaliers coach Tyronn Lue). And sportscasters: “Winfield goes back to the wall, he hits his head on the wall and it rolls off! It’s rolling all the way back to second base. This is a terrible thing for the Padres!” (announcer Jerry Coleman).
The Submarine Pitch
by Matt ChristopherWhen he learns why his best friend taught him an unbeatable pitch instead of using it himself, Bernie learns a sad lesson about friendship.
The Subway Series: Baseball's Big Apple Battles And The Yankees-Mets 2000 World Series Classic
by Jerry BeachIn celebration of the twenty-year anniversary of the 2000 Subway Series, Jerry Beach details the history of the series between New York's Major League Baseball clubs. From the early history of the rivalry between the Giants and Dodgers, to the Mayor's Trophy games, from the fans' old barroom and playground arguments over whose team was better, to Mike Piazza and Roger Clemens battles, and far beyond, Beach leaves no stone unturned in this comprehensive account. Mets and Yankees fans alike can read about their favorite games, players, and managers through the years, from Tom Seaver and Jerry Koosman to Yogi Berra and Mickey Mantle, from Al Leiter and Bobby Valentine to Derek Jeter and Joe Torre. They all played an integral part in shaping the history of the intercity rivalry. Readers might also uncover something about the psyches of Mets and Yankees fans alike. This book makes for a great gift whether you wear pinstripes or bleed blue and orange, or whether you hail from the Bronx or Queens. Finally, something both fan bases can agree upon, and the perfect addition to any baseball fan's shelf!
The Suicide Squad
by Richard CurtisDave Bolt doesn't know what the Racers' star quarterback has to do with the game no gambler would touch, but it smells like a mighty fishy fix. When Jimmy Quinn doesn't show for a meeting and has disappeared, Bolt suspects more than a thrown game. Quinn's books show a few shady deals, but nothing too suspicious. Now Bolt has a dead gambler on his hands, and what he wants to know is...is Quinn next on the list or a cold-blooded killer? No one ever said the sports business was a cup of tea and Dave Bolt takes his coffee strong, bitter and black.
The Summer Game
by Roger Angell"The Summer Game", Roger Angell's first book on the sport, changed baseball writing forever. Thoughtful, funny, appreciative of the elegance of the game and the passions invested by players and fans, it goes beyond the usual sports reporter's beat to examine baseball's complex place in our American psyche. Between the miseries of the 1962 expansion Mets and a classic 1971 World Series between the Pirates and the Orioles, Angell finds baseball in the 1960s as a game in transition --- marked by league expansion, uprooted franchises, the growing hegemony of television, the dominance of pitchers, uneasy relations between players and owners, and mounting competition from other sports for the fans' dollars. Willie Mays, Roberto Clemente, Brooks Robinson, Bob Gibson, Sandy Koufax, Carl Yastrzemski, Tom Seaver, Jim Palmer, and Casey Stengel are seen here with fresh clarity and pleasure.
The Summer Game
by Roger AngellThis New York Times bestseller &“takes you into the heart of baseball as it was in the 1960s, conveyed with humor and insight&” (Tim McCarver, The Wall Street Journal). Acclaimed New Yorker writer Roger Angell&’s first book on baseball, The Summer Game, originally published in 1972, is a stunning collection of his essays on the major leagues, covering a span of ten seasons. Angell brilliantly captures the nation&’s most beloved sport through the 1960s, spanning both the winning teams and the &“horrendous losers,&” and including famed players Sandy Koufax, Bob Gibson, Brooks Robinson, Frank Robinson, Willie Mays, and more. With the panache of a seasoned sportswriter and the energy of an avid baseball fan, Angell&’s sports journalism is an insightful and compelling look at the great American pastime.
The Summer Game: The Summer Game, Five Seasons, And Season Ticket
by Roger AngellThis New York Times bestseller &“takes you into the heart of baseball as it was in the 1960s, conveyed with humor and insight&” (Tim McCarver, The Wall Street Journal). Acclaimed New Yorker writer Roger Angell&’s first book on baseball, The Summer Game, originally published in 1972, is a stunning collection of his essays on the major leagues, covering a span of ten seasons. Angell brilliantly captures the nation&’s most beloved sport through the 1960s, spanning both the winning teams and the &“horrendous losers,&” and including famed players Sandy Koufax, Bob Gibson, Brooks Robinson, Frank Robinson, Willie Mays, and more. With the panache of a seasoned sportswriter and the energy of an avid baseball fan, Angell&’s sports journalism is an insightful and compelling look at the great American pastime.
The Summer of Beer and Whiskey: How Brewers, Barkeeps, Rowdies, Immigrants, and a Wild Pennant Fight Made Baseball America's Game
by Edward AchornChris von der Ahe knew next to nothing about base1/4ball when he risked his lifeOCOs savings to found the franchise that would become the St. Louis Cardinals. Yet the German-born beer garden proprietor would become one of the most important?and funniest?figures in the gameOCOs history. Von der Ahe picked up the team for one reason?to sell more beer. Then he helped gather a group of ragtag professional clubs together to create a maverick new league that would fight the haughty National League, reinventing big-league baseball to attract Americans of all classes. Sneered at as ?The Beer and Whiskey CircuitOCO because it was backed by brewers, distillers, and saloon owners, their American Association brought Americans back to enjoying baseball by offering Sunday games, beer at the ballpark, and a dirt-cheap ticket price of 25 cents. The womanizing, egocentric, wildly generous Von der Ahe and his fellow owners filled their teamsOCO rosters with drunks and renegades, and drew huge crowds of rowdy spectators who screamed at umpires and cheered like mad as the Philadelphia Athletics and St. Louis Browns fought to the bitter end for the 1883 pennant. In "The Summer of Beer and Whiskey," Edward Achorn re-creates this wondrous and hilarious world of cunning, competition, and boozing, set amidst a rapidly transforming America. It is a classic American story of people with big dreams, no shortage of chutzpah, and love for a brilliant game that they refused to let die.