"...history buffs and readers interested in all things Chinese will appreciate this child’s eye view of growing up in a culturally diverse country ravaged by wars."
"This scholarly research study brings some dispassionate cool to a red-hot social issue: the plight of student-athletes the National Collegiate Athletic Association has long treated like chattel in the name of “amateurism."
"He offers readers the knowledge they need to effectively design, operate and maintain swimming pools. His writing is generally clear, straightforward and well-organized. Occasionally, the author’s sentence structure is awkward, and at times, he veers into tangents. Readers will find a wealth of information from an assured guide in these pages."
"Because of the emphasis on the rules, technique and play of the game, and less on a solid story with a plot, tension, climax and character development, the book seems much better suited as a how-to nonfiction book."
This book chronicles the selling of Babe Ruth to the Yankees and the "curse" that followed the Sox. Anecdotes about the players and managers abound in the book, although most will be of greatest interest only to hardcore Sox fans. Readability is hindered by overlong blocks of text, and the book suffers severely from the lack of strong copyediting.
"Avery’s writing borders on a stream of consciousness. He mentions events, then meanders off in another direction, leaving readers hanging...What hurts the book most, though, is its disorganization. Tighter editing and a more coherent narrative would have helped Avery deliver a more powerful story."
In this gently told picture book, a little boy enjoys his first day of baseball practice. Stylistically, the blocky, colorful illustrations feel a bit dated. Nonetheless, Nick’s Very First Day of Baseball is an effective way to excite kids about athletic play, providing an accessible, easy-to-follow introduction to the sport.
"With its memories of the free-wheeling lifestyle that was once possible, Travels with King Kong will attract those who trekked in that era (and those who wished they had), and could perhaps inspire a few hardy souls to wander."
"Vaden has certainly lived an interesting life. While this book will no doubt enthrall those who have travelled with the author, however, it’s less likely to resonate with general readers looking for gripping armchair adventure."
"Although non-golfers may be uninterested in the golf jargon and technicalities, the scientific, mystery and romantic elements will help keep them reading. Jahre has a rare gift for writing natural-sounding dialogue, and while the characters aren’t particularly likeable, they are carefully drawn and believable."
"This compelling novel is a rush of spare writing that skillfully delivers a complicated but believable storyline and a cast of intriguing characters..it’s such a fun read that if you haven’t read Point and Shoot, the first in the series, you’ll want to seek it out to get onboard at the beginning of this exhilarating ride."
"Peter Marmureanu shares his surprising and unlikely rise from an impoverished early life in Communist-held Romania to freedom and a berth with the tennis elite in this engaging, well-written autobiography...a delightful and riveting read for tennis aficionados and those interested in an insider’s view of then-Communist Romania."
"By necessity, Mallios is a technical writer, and such prose is not for casual readers hoping to glean a few simple tips. But the author...tempers jargon with passion. Mallios provides a potentially powerful weapon for those willing to work hard to decode it.
"[R]eading Bell’s story feels like hanging out with a friend, which is clearly Bell's strength as a writer and human being. Look Ma tells a gripping and difficult story, but never loses heart; despite its flaws, it's a great introduction to disability awareness and a testament to a family's love."
“Philip Moses has come up with a terrific idea in his diary/instruction book aimed at the “average” golfer. With some adjustment, the book could potentially fill an almost unexplored niche in golf literature…filled with handy tips. With the help of an editor to better present and organize them, this could be an excellent resource.”
"After The Wind is a thoughtful, well-written love story of Kasischke’s dedication to his wife and anchor Sandy and his passion for climbing. It delivers an edge-of-your-seat description of navigating and mountaineering Everest and is punctuated with beautiful illustrations nestled in each chapter."
"This is a lovely story of friendship and dreams, of disappointment and triumph. Clark is a natural storyteller with in-depth knowledge of the golf world that lends the story credence and adds layers to the tale. His style feels effortless, the storyline seamless. The characters are people we might easily know..."
“ a series of essays by sports enthusiast Sean Penney, who looks at past sports stories and imagines them turning out differently…What If? has some interesting perspectives sports fans might enjoy, even if those ideas would play better in a more professional package.”
"Don’t let the unusual title turn you away from this engrossing story of a scientist’s years in the far reaches of the Papua New Guinea rainforest… Mack is a natural storyteller, and he peppers his hair-raising jungle adventures with a good dose of self-deprecating humor."
“Hagman reveals her love of golf, and of those who play the game, in these 19 vignettes culled from three decades of playing as a “single” in what was, until recently, a man’s world…(the book) is a delight”