Sports & Recreation & W

The Illustrated Guide To Snowboarding

4 stars (My Snowboard Bible) - I referred to this book repeatedly during my snowboard learning years, and still do. My snowboard bible! Kevin Ryan has the rare ability to combine practical, technical and humorous info in a readable style. 5 stars (Very Good Instruction and Info) - This actually is a very well written and thorough book. I also have "The Complete Snowboarder", which (to me, anyway) is not nearly as insightful and useful, although it is a good book. Of course, it is obvious that the best way to get better is to ride, but . . . if you want to read some of the best descriptions of the mechanics of snowboarding, this book has it. Get some lessons, of course, but I really think that beginners thru intermediates can learn at least a few things from this book. I personally learned a LOT. Highly highly recommend. 2 stars (Don't Buy) - You cannot learn how to snowboard without actually being out on the hill and actually putting ideas into action. Take lessons on the hill, don't bother buying this book. I've been snowboarding for a few years and am fairly good, this book did not improve my riding anymore than one more day on the hill improves my riding. my suggestion...instead of buying this book to get better, take a lesson. If you can already ride fairly good, instead of buying this to get better, simply go shred as much as you can, try a few new things (such as rails, jumps, and powder) and you will get better. ...
McGraw-Hill :: Sports & Recreation & Winter Sports :: Winter Sports :: Sports & Recreation :: Sports :: Snowboarding :: Psychological aspects :: Kevin Ryan :: :: The Illustrated Guide To Snowboarding

The Death of WCW

4 stars (WCW Simply Shot Themselves In The Foot) - Mr. Reynolds and Mr. Alvarez do an excellent job in providing a succint and informative chronicle of what wrestling observers could analogize as a classic Shakespearean tragedy - the rise and fall of a "wrasslin'" promotion. The mid 1990's until 2001 was really an exciting time in professional wrestling, as good competition can bring out the best in all participants. And that is what we had, and what is well-chronicled in this excellent read. The book is well-written, and a quick read. Frankly, I was hoping for a little more "behind the scenes" or "shock value" information, but then in the internet age that is now probably next to impossible. However, the insight provided is applicable to any business: do not rest on your laurels, and find a way to incent the employees to strive to achieve new levels of success. WCW came crashing down due to selfish egos - pure and simple. Not uncommon in any area of business. But in WCWs' case,it was very public. It was unfortuante that the players who helped initiate its rise did not seem to care about extending the legacy and making it better for generations to come. So we are now left with a virtual monopoly and as a result, an unimaginative product. Should people purchase this book? Yes, most definitely. 4 stars (The Death of a Once Great Wrestling Promotion) - On the one hand, " The Death of WCW " is just the story of the rise and fall of a professional wrestling promotion. On the other hand, the book almost reads like a modern day moral fable where men who get consumed by the vices of greed, arrogance, egotism and delusions of grandeur end up getting their just deserts. The book covers the entire history of WCW, from its early years as the perennial distant number two wrestling company in the country behind the WWF, through its rise under the surprising leadership of Eric Bischoff (surprising because Bischoff's only previous notoriety in the wrestling business ca...
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