History: Fiction or Science? (Chronology, No. 1)

Book Description

Recorded history is a finely-woven magic fabric of intricate lies about events predating the sixteenth century. There is not a single piece of evidence that can be reliably and independently traced back earlier than the eleventh century. This book details events that are substantiated by hard facts and logic, and validated by new astronomical research and statistical analysis of ancient sources.

Customer Reviews:

Calculations are only as good as your numbers.......2007-08-03

Yes, we can all agree that mainstream history is nearly 100% BS due to politics, economics, ego, problems with dating techniques, and various conspiracies. Agreed. But, I've been researching the distinct possibility that human history (in terms of civilizations) are much more ancient than we've been told, so coming across this book was very interesting to me. I wondered how Fomenko could be wrong (if at all) because he is very persuasive in his presentations. Then it dawned on me. If at previous times in prehistory, due to the various catastrophies that are well documented (comets, asteroids, planetary disruptions, plasma discharge, pole reversals, etc) the Earth was in a different position in relation to the sun, different tilt on its axis, different orbit, different rotation (in terms of velocity and DIRECTION), and the continents were in different positions, then would this not cause the ancients to see the sky (constellations) differently? In other words, is Fomenko making erronious assumptions about the physics of the Earth in pre-history, which then corrupt his data with regards to dating the relevant astrology? The last event to seriously disrupt our planet occured roughly 3500 years ago, according to other good researchers, so is it possible Fomenko has been confused by this? The vastly different physics of our planet in the not so distant past may explain this confusion, which is not to say the "mainstream" version of history is correct; on the contrary. I am not an expert in these fields, but wanted to see if this idea could spark discussion.

Pants on fire?.......2007-07-19

Will people ever read before spamming? Yes, Jesuits could not rewrite world history alone, they had help. Anyway, Dr Prof Acad A.Fomenko does not point to jesuits as the driving force of world wide history manipulation in published volumes 1,2,3;, actually he barely mentions the poor devils. Check it with 'Search inside' feature, please. China is rarely mentioned either, in fact, Dr Fomenko is completely eurocentric. Right, his theory contradicts all mainstream schools of history, because in their actual state they are all built on blatantly erroneus chronology. You don't need a mysterious cabal (conspiracy) to falsify history, the falsification is its modus operandi. It is inherent to history(ians) to falsify (distort) events, as it is inherent to humans to boast as it is inherent to power (authority) to legimize itself by referrring to glorious past made to its own order. Dr Prof Fomenko and team have identified scores of instances of such manipulation in Russian, European, etc.. history, and delivered valid statistical proof thereof. His own 'reconstruction' is completely another story. Forget c14 as a valid method of dating. W.Libby has initially discovered a brilliant method of INDEPENDENT dating. Too bad, c14 method has become a joke after a forced marrige with dendrochronology with consensual chronological scale inbuilt. Radiocarbon method can't stand blind tests, but is so very productive as a rubberstamp.

Accepted History & Chronology Must Be Changed. .......2007-04-09

There is no doubt that history as most know it is a sham, & institution's version of History both University & Church is fradulent & inaccurate. Everything was established with an agenda, The real "Dark Ages" are now when we have access to incredible amounts of information past authorities & more important 'common folk' didn't have but our institutions & educators are slow to evolve because of what has ignorantly & arrogantly been taught for too long. This is on many subjects not just Chronology.

For anyone to question "Why would a Mathematician have anything credible to say of History?" The answer is from Dr. Fomenko's preface in the book: "It would be worthwhile to remind the reader that in the XVI-XVII century Chronology was considered to be a subdivision of Mathematics." These volumes could possibly be some of the most important works to date & should be read by everyone with an interest in History, especially professors & educators who have a duty to the public. I have read both books & must say that 'Chronology 1' has some very eye opening & revolutionary information. Even if these volumes are part true the implications are profound & opens the doors to further investigations & questions which must be done. I speak several different lanquages & must say the logic Dr. Fomenko uses with "inflection" of words & words being read from left to right in one region & right to left in another then written backwards, the removal of vowels & get down to basics of words, or different cities & locations having the same name etc. is correct. Vowel usage has always been optional & varied, actually complicating linquistics & study. The first thing one has to understand is that words never had a fixed spelling in history like we do now, the spelling of words was mutable & regional, as well as names & titles of people were vast, varied & changed, NOTHING WAS FIXED or understood linear. Matters of Life & Death as well as financial profiteering yesterday & today were & are made with ignorant, illogical & conspiratorial views of history & reality, it's time people get closer to the Truth & society collectively grow up.

Very Interesting.......2007-03-07

It is a good proposal and I believe it will mature into something even better in the future. I think it deserves to be read.

History as Science Fiction.......2007-01-10

Anatoly Fomenko has written a very intriguing book, full of pictures, charts, and computer 'proof' of his thesis: backwards of AD900 we don't really know what happened or when. Between AD900 and AD1600 there is more certainty, but there is still a lot of fuzzy ground, and things don't get reliable until we get past the 1600's where the printing press made it very difficult for the perpetrators of this timeline manipulation to change anything that had been committed to print. The Dark Ages did not happen. Books were burned for a reason. One organization has doubled the actual length of its existence by expanding the real chronology. Read why.

I had always wondered why Christ died about AD33 and yet men waited until the 11th century to form the Knights Templar, the Cathars, etc and go after the Holy Land by force. Why the 1000 year gap? Turns out there wasn't more than a 10-12 year gap and he proves it using astronomy. This also implies that the planet is not as old as we have been told, and current Christian and other creationist scientists are already championing that idea without being aware of Fomenko's book. The two groups, creationist scientists and the Russian mathematical analysts corroborate each other. Fascinating.

Of course, all this flies in the face of what we have been told traditionally is the 'proper' chronology of western civilization, and most readers will experience 'cognitive dissonance' in reading this book. It means that our history going backwards from AD1600 becomes progressively more incorrect and unreliable until it cannot be trusted at all... in the space of 700-800 years.

Naturally, the curious, open-minded reader will want to know WHO did this, WHY, and did any of the events we think of as really ancient ever happen?
Dr. Fomenko is a respected scientist/mathematician at Moscow State University who has already answered these questions to the satisfaction of his initially skeptical colleagues. Most of them are now believers, a few still refuse to believe (the usual diehards), and of course the western press has ignored Fomenko's work -- for obvious reasons when you read the book. The ones who perpetrated this chronology ruse have a lot to answer for. They are still with us. That's why this book is a well-kept secret.

I gave the book a 4-star rating because I was unable to check out some of his claims; those I checked were as he said. But if even 1/3 of his claims are true, this punches a big hole in what we think is our history, the meaning of western civilization, our educational process (for repeating the ruse as gospel), and the trustworthiness of the organization that perpetrated this ruse, well-intentioned or not.

This book relates to current research into a Young Earth paradigm, to John Keel's discoveries about our planet, and Fr Malachi Martin's insights (in his now out-of-print books). We are indeed sheep who are manipulated and kept ignorant -- for a reason. While knowing what these men have to say may be the "booby prize" (as in: 'what can you do with this knowledge?'), it will provide interesting reading. Didn't someone say: "...and the Truth will set you free."?? For you to judge if this book contains the truth.

Heads-Up Baseball : Playing the Game One Pitch at a Time

Average customer rating:

Great read
Owners manual for the mental game of baseball and softball
Heads Up Baseball
Great Book
Best baseball sports psych book I have seen

Heads-Up Baseball : Playing the Game One Pitch at a Time
Tom Hanson , and Ken Ravizza
Manufacturer: McGraw-Hill
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Essays & Writings | Baseball | Sports | Subjects | Books

General | Baseball | Sports | Subjects | Books

Sports Psychology | Miscellaneous | Sports | Subjects | Books

General | Sports | Subjects | Books
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ASIN: 1570280215

Book Description

"This book provides practical strategies for developing the mental skills which help speed you to your full potential."---Dave Winfield

What does it mean to play heads-up baseball? A heads-up player has confidence in his ability, keeps control in pressure situations, and focuses on one pitch at a time. His mental skills enable him to play consistently at or near his best despite the adversity baseball presents each day.

"My ability to fully focus on what I had to do on a daily basis was what made me the successful player I was. Sure I had some natural ability, but that only gets you so far. I think I learned how to focus; it wasn't something that I was necessarily born with." -- Hank Aaron

"Developing and refining my mental game has played a critical role in my success in baseball. For years players have had to develop these skills on their own. This book provides practical strategies for developing the mental skills that will help speed you toward your full potential." -- Dave Winfield

Customer Reviews:

Great read.......2007-08-31

Great read for any serious baseball player, coach or parent. One of the BESt books I have read on baseball.

Owners manual for the mental game of baseball and softball.......2007-05-10

This book was recommended to me by Coach "Hutch" of the University of Michigan's Lady Wolverines, and I've not been disappointed. I highly recommend this book for both coaches and players (over 16).

Heads Up Baseball.......2007-01-03

The book was in excellent condition and the delivery time was speedy.

Great Book.......2006-08-28

This book discussed many strategies and skills that are very beneficial in playing the game of baseball.
I would recommend it to anyone

Best baseball sports psych book I have seen.......2006-03-11

I teach high school sports psychology and have used this book as a text on several occasions. I now make it mandatory for all of my softball and baseball players as additional reading. Their feedback has been nothing but positive regarding performance enhancement. I strongly recommend this user-friendly text for any sport!

Is This a Great Game, or What?: From A-Rod's Heart to Zim's Head--My 25 Years in Baseball

Average customer rating:

It's that good. By a mile.
Tim -- You've Got to Get a Life
I loved the book
Wonderful
Worst Editing Ever!

Is This a Great Game, or What?: From A-Rod's Heart to Zim's Head--My 25 Years in Baseball
Tim Kurkjian
Manufacturer: St. Martin's Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

Sports | Humor | Entertainment | Subjects | Books

General | Essays | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books

Essays & Writings | Baseball | Sports | Subjects | Books

General | Baseball | Sports | Subjects | Books

General | Sports | Subjects | Books
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ASIN: 0312362234
Release Date: 2007-05-01

Book Description

ESPN’s Tim Kurkjian has spent over twenty-five years covering almost 3,000 Major League Baseball games and interviewing about that many players, coaches, managers and executives.
In Is This a Great Game, or What?, Kurkjian combines his years of experience, uncanny knowledge and deep love of the game, to create a book filled with some of the most fascinating insight into Major League Baseball this side of Jim Bouton's bestseller, Ball Four. Whether he’s explaining what goes through a ballplayer’s mind when he faces a fastball in the chapter "My Face Was Crushed by a Bowling Ball Going 90mph", detailing bizarre rituals and superstitions performed by some of baseball's greatest players, or taking us into the locker room to see what transpires in the clubhouse of a Major League team, Kurkjian’s tales are at times hilarious, other times horrifying, yet always entertaining.
Kurkjian has spoken to some of the greatest ballplayers ever over the years and they have revealed details about themselves and the game they love with a candor that readers won't find anywhere else. Filled with anecdotes and fascinating insight, this is an essential book for baseball fans or anyone curious about America’s pastime.

Customer Reviews:

It's that good. By a mile........2007-09-06

This is the best baseball book I've read in a long, long time.

With this slim volume (it could have been twice as long and I still wouldn't have had enough...) Tim Kurkjian vaults ahead of his peers to become one of the pre-eminent baseball writers alive today.

His elegant yet conversational style comes across beautifully on the printed page. It is so easy to read, yet many of his descriptions or turns-of-phrase are nicely constructed, poetic and hilarious.

His arguments...baseball fans LIVE for arguments...are so concise yet clear-cut, that I will tell you there is no question who's a better baseball player, Ruth or Bonds. It may be obvious to you, yet Kurkjian's theorem is iron-clad, and funny as all get out.

The theoretical question as to how many baseballs would an average person hit off the average professional pitcher...the answer, unequivocally, is zero...is answered SO unequivocally that it's brilliant in its' brevity and wit.

There are great lines and great stories on each and every page of this book. I was actually sad when it was done.

I will buy every single baseball book Mr. Kurkjian writes, for the rest of his career, based on this one book.

It's that good. By a mile.

Tim -- You've Got to Get a Life.......2007-08-12

If you are a baseball fanatic than this is your book. Tim loads on baseball stats, funny annedotes, provides an intriguing look into some of the characters of this great game, a little baseball history and a look at some of the aspects of the game that goes unnoticed. I found this book very enjoyable and easy to read. If you love baseball and are tired of biographies or "how to" books, then I highly recommend this book. Tim Kurkijian is a great writer (and very insightful on TV). The most surprising part about Tim is that he's still married. I suppose I am most envious of his ability to make a living at something he is most passionate about. Tim -- when is volume two coming out???

I loved the book.......2007-08-09

I really enjoyed reading this book. So much interesting and special things that those, like me, that love baseball really enjoy. When is the next book comming out?

Wonderful.......2007-08-06

About: Kurkjian relates interesting stories and facts from his career as a baseball writer

Pros: Funny, great look at the stories and people in baseball you might not hear about, also includes stuff he doesn't like about baseball.

Cons: He seems to like Cal Ripkin, Jr. a whole lot. Not that I can blame him, but I noticed Cal came up lots.

Grade: A

Worst Editing Ever!.......2007-08-06

I was prepared to love this book, and I must admit that I do like hearing the inside stories. But when I came across the Tippy Martinez story about picking off the side, I immediately shouted out to my wife, "There is no way that happened in 1978." I drove myself to that game, and I am quite sure I did not do that when I was 12 years old. He also left out the best parts, that in addition to Sakata behind the plate, Gary Roenicke and John Lowenstein were playing infield.

But the errors don't stop there. There are numerous missing words in sentences, poor grammar, and other typos that clearly should have been fixed by any type of editor, one without even any knowledge of sports.

I was left to wonder how many of the other stories in the book are just plain wrong. I wasn't in the stands for every game in his book, and the one I was there for, he got completely wrong. Cal Ripken was playing shortstop in that game, THE WHOLE GAME, and he clearly wasn't on the Orioles roster in 1978.

Tricks with Your Head: Hilarious Magic Tricks and Stunts to Disgust and Delight

Average customer rating:

A must have....
Good stuff that will get used.
Fantastic
Funny Funny
Mostly Parlor Tricks with a Few Surprises.

Tricks with Your Head: Hilarious Magic Tricks and Stunts to Disgust and Delight
Mac King , and Mark Levy
Manufacturer: Three Rivers Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Puzzles & Games | Entertainment | Subjects | Books

Magic | Puzzles & Games | Entertainment | Subjects | Books
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ASIN: 0609805916
Release Date: 2002-02-26

Book Description

“Mac King is a god.” —Penn and Teller

Tricks with Your Head is the world’s greatest (and only) collection of hilarious, mystifying, and sometimes repulsive magic tricks that you can perform with your very own head.

If you’ve only thought of your head as a receptacle for so-called higher learning, or as a structure for keeping your haircut from falling into your body cavity, rejoice! Now you can use that ten-pound meatball between your shoulders as a source of ribald entertainment. Best of all, when you learn to perform a head trick, you can never be caught without your prop.

Mac King and Mark Levy have perfected the ultimate mix of head games (literally) in this clever illustrated volume that teaches you how to:
* Make your head disappear
* Penetrate your skull with a drinking straw
* Make a french fry vanish up your nose
* Read someone’s mind
* Jab a fork in your eye

Customer Reviews:

A must have...........2007-09-10

First off the book came in mint condition. As of the contents; this book is awesome. Every magician begginner to advance should have this book. Its given me so many ideas and routines that i never thought of before...50 stars all the way.

Good stuff that will get used........2007-01-20

Mac King is a favorite of mine, and this was a must buy for me. Some of the tricks, gags or stunts are oldies but goodies. Nice compiliation of all things to do with minimal setup times. A super addition to any entertainers library.

Fantastic.......2006-08-16

This is the perfect book for People that want to start doing magic tricks, Master magicians, or just people that want to laugh and have fun. If you are going to buy one book on amazon, make this the book.

Funny Funny.......2005-12-11

The book offers some ideas on clever gags and tricks that you can easily do almost any where. King's Vegas show is a hoot. It is a must see if in vegas. As for this book, I would recommend it to more of a younger crowd or an older crowd with a good sense of humor. There are a lot of really funny ideas in the book-could be great in a routine. It's easy to read and has funny illustrations. If you are looking for a book on the finite skills of the magic craft-look else where. If you want to learn some creative gags-check this one out. I meant to give it 4 1/2 ****

Mac king really might be god. It's still to be determined

Mostly Parlor Tricks with a Few Surprises........2005-08-03

I like gags. I guess it's a sign of a sophomoric mind but I really like disgusting ones that gross people out without ever really doing anything "bad". I also like to teach young kids tricks to play at the dinner table when out at fancy restaurants. I usually repent and offer not to teach the trick if a parent offers a suitable bribe. So it is that I thought this book might generate some laughs and even some revenue.

There are a few tricks in here worthwhile. The popping eyeball and the exploding zit both have a satisfactory degree of "yuk" mixed with "he didn't really do that, did he?" but most of them require more setup than can be achieved in a spontaneous setting. Worse, from my point of view, they come across as "Magic Tricks" even when they're being done. If you hand somebody a deck of cards and tell them to pick one, they have an idea that a performance is involved even if they have no idea what the trick is. The gags I look for are ones in which no one realizes that a gag has occurred until after it is over. As I said, a few of these meet that criterion. The rest are parlor tricks.

This book does a good job of teaching those tricks. Anyone can learn them. If that is your goal, you could do much worse. For what I was seeking, though, it did not have much. Still, it is written well and in an entertaining fashion.

Average customer rating:

Readers won't want to miss this one.
Downs is Up
Powerful Psychological Thriller
A gripping thriller
An excellent, suspenseful series of twists and turns

Head Game
Tim Downs
Manufacturer: Thomas Nelson
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

General | Thrillers | Mystery & Thrillers | Subjects | Books

Suspense | Thrillers | Mystery & Thrillers | Subjects | Books

General | Mystery & Thrillers | Subjects | Books
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ASIN: 1595540237

Book Description

Three men--served together in Desert Storm. Their job was to create propaganda leaflets that stripped the enemy of his will to resist. Now, fifteen years later, the enemy is out to return the favor. He's playing head games with them...and won't stop until their worlds are turned completely upside down.

Customer Reviews:

Readers won't want to miss this one........2007-06-06

In his absorbing thriller, HEAD GAME, the talented Tim Downs explores the power of psychological warfare, with excellent results.

Downs (PLAGUEMAKER) sets up his best novel to date by giving us a window into the Gulf War and three men who form a tightly-knit PsyOps unit. Cale Caldwell is an advertising executive whose fresh talents are put to work writing leaflets encouraging Iraqi soldiers to surrender. "The product the Army was selling was simply life: survival; continued existence; the chance to see your loved ones again; the chance to get your first decent meal in weeks...." "King" Kirby (born Alderson Dumfries) is an aspiring comic book illustrator whose talents are put to work in the PsyOps unit. Captain "Pug" Moseley is the wise Intelligence Officer who also does "market research" and is "the old warhorse" of the group.

Downs excels at intriguing the reader with his detailed account of how the trio puts together leaflets that will best appeal to Iraqi soldiers and cause them to surrender. His descriptions of the nuances of language and how a word used or deleted can affect the reader will capture fans from the opening pages. (For example, The Army changes a leaflet message from "Surrender" to "Surrender with honor" with significant results.)

But all of this is background to the story that unfolds in present-day Charlotte, North Carolina, where Caldwell, a recent widower, and his teenage daughter Hannah are caught in a downward spiral of unfortunate events. Caldwell is told that his former PsyOps buddy Kirby has committed suicide. Caldwell's dead wife's past may not be as squeaky clean as he imagined, and the mild-mannered and beloved family dog, Molly, has seemingly attacked an innocent passerby. Then Hannah, angry and bitter about her mother's death and her father's long absences, takes up with a hardened girl at school and plots revenge against what she sees as her father's misdeeds. But are these misfortunes really random events? Or the work of a brilliant enemy bent on revenge?

Fans who have followed Downs from his debut novel, SHOOFLY PIE, will be delighted to see that he isn't afraid to explore new genres (most previous novels have had a tie-in to forensics or biological warfare). However, they'll also wonder what happened to Downs's delightful sense of humor, which is part of what made his earlier novels (CHOP SHOP) so appealing. It's not in evidence much here. The death of Hannah by a drunk driver is also a stock plot element overly used in faith fiction. One publishing snafu: A discount sticker that the reader is supposed to peel away for instructions on redemption turned out to be a bust --- the instructions were illegible.

However, the success of this suspense novel lies in Downs's fresh approach to what could have been a tired plot in another author's hands (old enemy seeks revenge). One of the most interesting portions of the book is the opening chapter, which is done as a graphic novel illustration of suicide, penned by the author. It's wonderful to see some experimentation in faith fiction --- WestBow is to be commended for taking some chances here --- as should Downs for executing this well. One of Downs's stunning plot twists keeps the reader glued to the story until the last page is turned.

Downs is one of the most talented suspense novelists in the faith fiction genre, and keeps improving with each new book. Readers won't want to miss this one.

--- Reviewed by Cindy Crosby

Downs is Up.......2007-04-25

If I could put together a batting line-up for the best in suspense, I'd be sure to include some of my newest favorites: Harlan Coben, Joseph Finder, Robert Liparulo, and Daniel Silva. There is no doubt, though, that Tim Downs would belong on that list. From his quirky Bug Man series, to his international thriller "Plague Maker," to this newest head-to-head mind game between two Gulf War survivors, Downs continues to impress.

"Head Game" follows Cale Caldwell, a man trained in pyschological operations. He used his skills to convince thousands of Iraqi soldiers to surrender in the Gulf War, but now he's settled into more routine employment while trying to raise a teenage daughter and recover from the death of his beloved wife. Adding to the pressure, he finds out that a fellow vet has committed suicide by throwing himself off a bridge.

Cale and his old war buddy, Pug, find themselves pitted against an Iraqi with a view for revenge. There are no-holds barred in this man's twisted game, and Cale will be stretched to his limits as he discovers things about himself, his marriage, and his daughter. The book speeds along at a great pace, while never forgetting to care about its characters. Downs also makes a subtle, but very effective, comparison between the psychological warfare waged against one man and the spiritual warfare we all face--against depression, loneliness, and doubt.

Once again, Tim Downs hits one out of the park. If someone asks me who I want at bat on this team of suspense, I'll tell them, "Downs is up!"

Powerful Psychological Thriller.......2007-04-19

Cale Caldwell is a veteran of the Gulf War who served in the Army's Psy Ops forces. Life couldn't be better for Cale with his beautiful wife and daughter and his rising career as an advertising genius. After the tragic loss of his wife, he struggles with the daunting task of raising his teenage daughter alone. When Cale gets word that his best friend has committed suicide, he suspects foul play and begins to investigate further. Soon he becomes the target of an unknown madman who will use any means necessary to see him suffer. As Cale looks deeper into the mystery of his friend's suicide he uncovers shocking revelations tied to his past that may have deadly consequences.

Tim Downs has delivered a powerful psychological thriller in his latest novel. The plot is perfectly paced with effective twists and turns throughout. Downs expertly places pieces to this unfolding puzzle throughout the story that draws the reader in with ease. Themes of good vs. evil are effectively explored through the backdrop of psychological warfare. Cale's relationship with his daughter is a roller coaster of emotions that will tug at the heart strings of parents. This is a suspenseful tale that will have readers holding on for the ride and guessing until the end. Head Game is highly recommended for fans of mystery and suspense. (From Christian Library Journal)

A gripping thriller.......2007-04-18

This was the first time I read any of Tim's books, and now I've got to find the rest of them. This book was incredible from start to finish. It had the most original first chapter of any recent Christian novel I've seen (drawn by the author himself), and then followed up with a gripping story that kept me reading until the end. My reading time is limited, so I don't finish a lot of the books I start unless they keep my interest. This one did! The in-depth look into PsyOps and how it's really used in the military was fascinating. I highly recommend it.

An excellent, suspenseful series of twists and turns.......2007-03-12

Psychological tension springs to life in HEAD GAME, a complex novel which spans the course of nearly two decades and is a recommended pick for public lending libraries strong in detailed leisure reads. A psychological expert and intelligence officer who joined forces during the Desert Storm operation find themselves facing a phoenix-like enemy fifteen years later in an excellent, suspenseful series of twists and turns enhanced by the author's pen and ink drawings.

Diane C. Donovan
California Bookwatch

Power Plays: Win or Lose--How History's Great Political Leaders Play the Game

Average customer rating:

Interesting, even if it is a bit simplified (a history teacher's review)
Political Strategies
Insight into Morris's Ability as Political Strategist
Brilliant.....
A political masterpiece

Power Plays: Win or Lose--How History's Great Political Leaders Play the Game
Dick Morris
Manufacturer: HarperCollins
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

General | Politics | Nonfiction | Subjects | Books

Leadership | Politics | Nonfiction | Subjects | Books

Political Parties | Politics | Nonfiction | Subjects | Books
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ASIN: 0060004436
Release Date: 2002-04-16

Amazon.com

Dick Morris is one of America's sharpest political minds. As a professional consultant, he has helped candidates from both parties understand public opinion and win elections--most notably President Clinton in 1996 (an experience Morris described in the bestselling book Behind the Oval Office). He is also a founding father of "triangulation," a strategy Clinton employed to great effect; according to Morris, George W. Bush also uses it quite well. "The identification of certain problems with certain parties or factions opens up a magnificent strategic opportunity: the chance to solve the other side's problems," writes Morris in Power Plays. In other words, if public concerns about welfare dependency drive voters toward the GOP, then Democrats ought to confront this issue head-on. "Solve the problems that keep the other side in business, and it will go broke. Give them what they want and they will go away." Power Plays, however, is not simply a primer on triangulation; it is an analysis of how various political strategies have helped and hindered candidates. Morris writes at length about determining when standing for principle works and when it doesn't, as well as a number of other approaches, including "divide and conquer" and "reform your own party." This is a first-rate book for readers who enjoy the gamesmanship of politics.

Book Description

Dick Morris is the frankest and most outspoken political analyst in America today. His commentary on the Clinton White House, the 2000 election, and the rise of George W. Bush has been marked by the sharpeyed political savvy only an insider can bring to bear.

Now, in Power Plays, Morris provides a revealing context for the machinations of contemporary politics. Casting an eye across the annals of history, Morris investigates 20 of the most dramatic political moves of all time -- from the wildly effective to the disastrous. From Abraham Lincoln splitting the opposition over slavery, to Winston Churchill's emergence from obscurity to lead Britain through WWII; from Ronald Reagan and his conservative doctrine taking over the country, to George W. Bush co-opting Democratic issues under the banner of "compassionate conservatism" -- Morris illuminates these and many other gambits through his uniquely insightful perspective. Equally compelling on successes and failures of the past-including the real reason A] Gore lost in 2000.

Customer Reviews:

Interesting, even if it is a bit simplified (a history teacher's review).......2007-07-03

Dick Morris, Washington insider turned political analyst, knows all about political strategy. He was once an advisor to Bill Clinton and is credited with coming up with Clinton's famed "triangulation" strategy. In this book, Morris identfies six political strategies that can lead to political success. Interestingly, he provides 20 splendid examples of how these strategies have been misplayed and have led to failure.

The six strategies are:

1. "Stand on Principle"
2. "Triangulate"
3. "Divide and Conquer"
4. "Reform your own Party"
5. "Use a new technology"
6. "Mobilizing the Nation in Times of Crisis"

Sometimes, Morris oversells his explanations. For example, he places Lincoln in the "Divide and Conquer" category, since the Democrats split themselves into three parties in the election of 1860 and allowed Lincoln to win the Presidential election. That makes sense, since the Democrats divided and the Republicans conquered. However, Morris makes it sound like Lincoln maneuvered the Democrats into their crisis as part of his master plan that began with comments and questions raised during the Lincoln/Douglas debates in 1858, rather then simply taking advantage of the split. Lincoln was a political genius, but Morris oversimplifies here.

I mentioned at the top that I am a history teacher. I am also a Spanish teacher and Morris quotes George W. Bush speaking Spanish in a campaign speech: "Muchos espanos viver en ese estado". That's not Spanish. That's not even Spanglish. I've heard Bush speak Spanish. It is nothing to brag about, but it is definitely serviceable. It threw the rest of Morris' research into doubt since he had obviously not even bothered to talk to any Spanish speaker to see if his attempt to write down Bush's Spanish words were even correct. Double checking research is always important. By the way, it should have been "Muchos hispanos viven en ese estado."

So, I give this one a B+. The grade was not really reduced because of the Spanish thing, although it left some nagging doubts and was a major pet peeve.

Political Strategies.......2007-04-17

Dick Morris Fox television network political analyst and former Clinton advisor identifies six strategies used by politicians throughout history. Morris presents twenty case studies--from Lincoln's Civil War tactics to Al Gore's 2000 presidential campaign--assessing successes and failures in each. Includes commentary on the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks and the U.S. government's response. A must read book for all aspiring politicians.

Insight into Morris's Ability as Political Strategist.......2006-04-30

Morris is a political strategist and pollster of the first order, with the curriculum vitae and results to prove it. For this book he has distilled and collected from great leaders of the past and present some insights into political leadership. They are observations and illuminations brought out for the readers perusal.

I think the book highlights strong, courageous, decisive leadership, something of a rarity these days. By juxtapositioning those pearls against the mundane and self-seeking politicians, Morris is able to drive home the value of the former.

It should be a primer for those who want to lead. Study the best traits of the best leaders. Many, like Lincoln and Churchill faced immense obstacles and were arguably the man for the hour. Morris also plays out those who attempted great things but didn't have greatness in them.

Brilliant............2006-01-31

As George Stephanopolous said of Bill Clinton, "When things are in the dumps and getting worse, Morris is the first person he calls." Morris is a genius. Do people really know just how much of Bill Clinton's political life has been shaped and constructed by Dick Morris?? He is the mastermind. Like Karl Rove is now to George Bush, Morris was Clinton's #1 advisor. This book is a must read.

A political masterpiece.......2005-09-30

No one understands politics like Dick Morris -- he helped start, then rescue, the one President who knew politics was an art -- Bill Clinton. Whatever one may think about Clinton's policies, he was a man who knew how to play the game and play politics, and he got it all from Dick Morris. Morris is the greatest political strategist of the last 50 years (Karl Rove could learn a thing or two from Morris). Morris' principles on how to get ahead in politics can help anyone in any field where competition exists -- business, sports, politics, anywhere in the real world. People should heed Mr. Morris' words if they really want to know what it takes to get ahead at all costs.

Head Games: Football's Concussion Crisis from the NFL to Youth Leagues

Average customer rating:

Head Games - Football's Concussion Crisis
Fantastic book!
Eye opening
An excellent read
Great Book ! A must for every parent's bookshelf.

Head Games: Football's Concussion Crisis from the NFL to Youth Leagues
Christopher Nowinski
Manufacturer: Drummond Publishing Group
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Personal Health | Health, Mind & Body | Subjects | Books

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ASIN: 1597630136

Book Description

America's favorite sport has a serious problem. Many of the NFL's top players--including Troy Aikman, Steve Young, Merril Hoge, Ted Johnson, Al Toon, and Wayne Chrebet--have had their careers ended by head injuries. But few realize that most NFL players a

Customer Reviews:

Head Games - Football's Concussion Crisis.......2007-10-06

I had 11 concussions playing football in the 1960's. My last two happened when I was playing for the NY Jets Taxi Squad. They ended my career. "Head Games - Football's Concussion Crisis" has given information
and understanding that I had not known in 40 years. I think every parent should have knowledge about head injuries no matter what sport their children play. "Head Games - Football's Concussion Crisis" is a great way to start.

Fantastic book!.......2007-08-01

This is a fantastic book and a must read for parents, athletic trainers, coaches, and anyone else interested in seeing a summary of the current research on concussions. Nowinski breaks down the complex science into layman's terms and uses LOTS of stories and personal accounts to really drive home the importance of his message without ever taking an alarmist tone. As an athletic trainer, I would highly recommend this book to anyone remotely involved in sports, especially collision sports like football and wrestling.

Eye opening.......2007-02-20

This should be required reading for every clinician that sees patients who have had concussions.

An excellent read.......2007-02-11

As a physician and athlete, I was surprised at how much I didn't know about head injuries! Not only is this book an excellent layman's guide, it is a well-researched and even-handed review of the emerging data on post-concussion disability. Nowinksi has a personal writing style and uses his own experience for credibility and context. He is to be commended!

Great Book ! A must for every parent's bookshelf........2007-02-05

As an emergency medicine physician I found this to be a very entertaining and informative book that should be a mandatory read for all parents, coaches and health care professionals that are assosciated with contact sports .The author related up to date medical thinking in a easy to understand way that will have the majority of physicians thinking "Wow , I didn't know that ! "
I would suggest all parents "force " there sons to read this before playing to really emphasize the difference between "hurt and injured."

Average customer rating:

Fun reading
Fun read! Next Hiaason.
Carl Hiaasen, watch your back!
Meet Mike Garrity and his friend "Bob"
Lots of twists and turns

Head Games: A Novel
Thomas B. Cavanagh
Manufacturer: St. Martin's Minotaur
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

Contemporary | General | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books

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ASIN: 0312361327
Release Date: 2007-01-09

Book Description

With two ex-wives, a fifteen-year-old daughter who hates him, and a brain tumor he calls Bob, retired police detective Mike Garrity doesnt have a lot to live for. Hes resigned himself to spending his last months alone until an old colleague offers him a chance to go out with a bang, leave his daughter with an inheritance, and maybe even earn her respect. TJ, frontman of his daughters favorite boy band, has disappeared, putting at risk a world tour and millions in endorsements. TJs frantic manager hires Mike to locate his golden goose, but it isnt long before Mike discovers other characters looking for TJ too. And once a headless corpse shows up, its clear that theyre not just after him for his autograph.

Customer Reviews:

Fun reading.......2007-07-11

This was a fast-paced fun read. The premise (PI with terminal cancer) was definitely an original. Solid entertainment.

Fun read! Next Hiaason........2007-04-29

A good mystery and fun read. His writing is so descriptive that you can play the movie in your head as you read. Great for passing those hours during insomnia. I found myself trying to coax myself to sleep with a good book during wee hours only to see the sun come up over the book jacket. Can't wait until the next book. Word is Tom's writing a sequel. Cavanagh is a good author for those Hiaason fans looking for more characters like Mr. Day-Glo.

On top of it, Tom's the nicest guy I ever wanted to hate. I wish him the best success in his writing career. I'm building my library of 1st editions with personalized autographs now. They'll be worth something by the time my kids need to go to college.

Carl Hiaasen, watch your back!.......2007-03-21

Cavanagh's second work is splendid. Set in Orlando, he weaves a fictional tale but it is often hard to determine where the reality ends and the fiction begins. One problem - when is the next book to be published?

Meet Mike Garrity and his friend "Bob".......2007-03-04

Allow me, if you will, to quote the first few sentences of Thomas B. Cavanaugh's Head Games, as narrated by PI Mike Garrity. I think it will be instructive:

"I have a tumor in my head. I call it Bob.

Bob is the boss. He controls everything I do. He is the first thing I think of when I wake up in the morning and the last thing I think of before I drift off at night.

If I drift off. Too many things to ponder in the dark, wee hours, when there's nothing to do but think. See, Bob isn't much of a sleeper. Although, the docs tell me that will change. Evidently, Bob will eventually become quite a relaxed son of a bitch, sleeping for much of the day, resting me up for my big, inevitable nap."

Makes you want to read more, doesn't it? In a mere 110 words, Cavanaugh tells you most of what you need to know about Garrity, and about his situation. He goes on to provide other salient details of the semi-retired investigator's life, an existence made complex by medical problems, an ex-wife, a surly teenage daughter, and the case he's currently pursuing, involving the a teen pop star who suddenly drops out of sight mere days before a national tour.

Cavanaugh is in absolute control throughout, relating a fast paced, hard-boiled tale flavored by generous helpings of humor and humanity. It's hard to believe this is a first novel, as accomplished and knowing as it is.

Lots of twists and turns.......2007-02-02

Mike Garrity, a retired police detective, is having a bad time of it lately. He's got two ex-wives, a daughter (Jennifer) who'd rather clean toilets than spend time with her father, and a new roommate he calls "Bob." Bob wasn't invited to live with him, and Garrity would rather he left, but fatal brain tumors don't follow directions very well.

Illness is expensive and Garrity's going through his funds pretty quickly. He'd like to be able to leave something for his daughter, Jennifer. His chance to do just that comes from an old friend.

TJ Sommerset is a member of the hit band, Boyz Klub (think Backstreet Boys) and he's gone missing right before a national tour. With millions of dollars in endorsements on the line, Garrity must find TJ in time to put him on the plane with the rest of the band. And, since Jennifer idolizes TJ, his job just might help him make a significant connection with her.

But all is not as it seems. Some really bad guys are looking for TJ and a body (minus the head) shows up. If Garrity doesn't move quickly, the celebrity of the month might turn up dead too. Not to mention the possibility of Garrity going out before "Bob" determines the time. And then there's Jennifer's safety.

Cavanagh gives the hard-boiled detective a new twist and it's stunning. His characters are complex and likeable, the plot sizzles and he doesn't pull any punches with his descriptions of the effects of cancer. I hope there will be more Mike Garrity novels before "Bob" does him in.

Check out his first book, Murderland. You'll like it.

Armchair Interviews says: Head Games is a winner.

The Head Game: Baseball Seen from the Pitcher's Mound

Average customer rating:

Great Read
Readable, Insightful, Superb
Roger Kahn is an American Treasure...
The Head game
The Head game

The Head Game: Baseball Seen from the Pitcher's Mound
Roger Kahn
Manufacturer: Harvest Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Essays & Writings | Baseball | Sports | Subjects | Books

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ASIN: 0156013045

Amazon.com

Inside the great expanse of a ballgame is the essential core of what Roger Kahn, one of the national pastime's most esteemed chroniclers, calls "chess at 90 miles per hour." That core, of course, is the duel between pitcher and hitter. At its best--which is where Kahn wants to play--it's as cerebral, complex, and psychological a contest as exists in sports, hence the title of this fascinating exploration of how baseball's basic confrontation, told from the pitcher's perspective, has evolved over time.

Drawing from his vast knowledge and long experience, Kahn parses the battle from every angle, dissecting the wizardry of hurlers both ancient--Candy Cummings, Hoss Radbourn, Cy Young, Christy Mathewson, Walter Johnson--and modern--Bob Gibson, Sandy Koufax, Bruce Sutter, Tom Glavine. It is vintage Kahn--he manages to mix personal memoir with astute analysis. He examines tangibles, such as the height of the mound, and intangibles, such as the fear factor carried by every pitch, without ever taking his eye off the ball. And he's not above a few laughs and surprises. When he makes out his subjective list of the best pitchers of all time, he naturally includes Matty, Koufax, and Warren Spahn, but he also throws in a guy named Jerry Solovey. Jerry who? Kahn tells us he played in the low minors. So why's he here? "He could," Kahn admits, "almost always get me out." Like an able hurler, Kahn knows how to mix it up. He's got enough command as a writer to know how--and when--to bounce an occasional curveball or scroogie in the dirt for effect. --Jeff Silverman

Book Description

Beyond the techniques and training, baseball begins with one player facing another and the psychological battle that they wage-the head game. In his critically acclaimed and bestselling new book, Roger Kahn presents the story of this supreme war of wits and the people who changed the course of baseball by playing, what he calls, chess at 90 miles an hour. In The Head Game, Kahn investigates not only grips, tactics, and physics, but also the intelligence, maturity, and competitive fire that has inspired some of the greatest hurlers in history.
By covering renowned pitchers and pitching minds-from Christy Mathewson, Cy Young, Don Drysdale, Bob Gibson, and Bruce Sutter to today's reigning pitching coach, Leo Mazzone-Roger Kahn sheds new light on baseball's most pivotal contest. A delightful and edifying tour of America's favorite pastime seen through the pitcher's eyes, The Head Game "is as lively and familiar and old-shoe as the game itself, even today" (Los Angeles Times).

Customer Reviews:

Great Read.......2007-03-05

A great read off the back of a sports journalist's life experience among both the baseball and sports writer's fraternity. Some great quotes and stories from hall-of-fame pitchers, and the pioneers of the modern game. Not just for those who like pitching, but a great book for all baseball fans who want to hear about spending a life studying the players and the game, and written by a well educated person who has spent his life writing about baseball without the ego of a player talking about himself.

Readable, Insightful, Superb.......2006-05-16

Roger Kahn has given fans another winner with this revealing look at pitchers and their mental approach to baseball. Readers learn about life on the hill from ancient masters like Christy Mathewson, mid-Century stars like Warren Spahn, and modern artists like Tom Glavine. Along the way we learn about different pitches, grips, exercise regimens, and mental strategies. We also learn about their long hours of practice, varying exercises to reduce strain on the arm, and experimentation with the baseball. As many fans know, not every hurler "pitches by the book." Greg Maddux, for example, usually goes after hitters on 0-2 rather than waste a pitch because at 0-2 most hitters are back on their heels. The author also interviews Johnny Sain and Leo Mazzone, two very capable pitching coaches. I wish Kahn had gone further and interviewed catchers (a vital part of the battery), less talented hurlers, and maybe even some hitters. Still, this is a superb baseball narrative, highly informative, and worthy of a five-star rating.

Readers might also enjoy some of this legendary baseball writer's other fine baseball books like THE BOYS OF SUMMER, MEMORIES OF SUMMER, etc.

Roger Kahn is an American Treasure..........2005-02-22

Another homerun (although he would not like that analogy for this particular book) for Kahn. He is America's finest bard of baseball (some may disagree, but as Kahn would say, this is the writer's opinion). This is a fascinating look at pitching history through interviews (and historical documents) with the men who created it. From Ol' Hoss Radbourn (pitched over 600 innings and won 60 games in a season) to Christy Matthewson to Bob Gibson (who I wish had more than 10 or so pages) to Leo Mazzone, the book is wide in scope and stories. The book rambles a bit, but frankly the ride is worth taking. For anybody who loves the greatest of all games, this book will give you a new view of the men who make or break it. The pitchers.

The Head game.......2002-11-06

The book The Head Game, is written by the famous author Roger Kahn. He is the author of the book The Boys of Summer. I think this is great book to read. The stories are incredible and describes something I could only imagine. The book goes beyond the game and contains exciting historical accounts. The pictures in this book are amazing. The Head Game taught me how to throw a curve ball. Overall this book is wonderful, everything you want in a book is in The Head Game.

The Head game.......2002-11-06

The Games Presidents Play: Sports and the Presidency

Average customer rating:

The Games Presidents Play

The Games Presidents Play: Sports and the Presidency
John Sayle Watterson
Manufacturer: The Johns Hopkins University Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

Presidents & Heads of State | Leaders & Notable People | Biographies & Memoirs | Subjects | Books

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History of Sports | Miscellaneous | Sports | Subjects | Books

General | Sports | Subjects | Books
ASIN: 080188425X

Book Description

The Games Presidents Play provides a new way to view the American presidency. Looking at the athletic strengths, feats, and shortcomings of our presidents, John Sayle Watterson explores not only their health, physical attributes, personalities, and sports IQs, but also the increasing trend of Americans in the past century to equate sporting achievements with courage, manliness, and political competence.

The author of College Football begins with George Washington, whose athleticism contributed to his success on the battlefield and may well have contributed to the birth of the republic. He moves seamlessly into the nineteenth century when, for presidents like Jackson, Lincoln, and Cleveland, frontier sports were part of their formative years. With the twentieth-century presidents -- most notably the hyperactive and headline-grabbing Theodore Roosevelt -- Watterson shows how the growth of mass media and the improved means of transportation transformed presidential sports into both a form of recreation and a means of establishing a positive self-image.

Modern presidents have used sports with varying degrees of success. Herbert Hoover fled Washington on weekends to the trout pools of Camp Rapidan in the Blue Ridge to escape relentless pressures and public criticism during the Great Depression. Franklin Roosevelt demonstrated remarkable physical endurance in his campaign to restore his ravaged body from polio. An obsessive love affair with golf became an issue for Dwight Eisenhower in his campaign for reelection in 1956. Richard Nixon, a former third-string college football lineman, placed calls to Coach George Allen of the Washington Redskins, once suggesting a trick play in a big game.

From the opening pitch of the baseball season to presenting awards to Olympic champions, our sports culture asks the president to play an increasingly active role. Sports, Watterson argues, open a window into the presidency, shedding new light on presidential behavior and offering new perspectives on the office and the sporting men -- and women -- who have and will occupy it.

Customer Reviews:

The Games Presidents Play.......2006-12-05

In his latest work, "Games Presidents Play", author John Watterson has brought us an easy read and one filled with plenty of interesting anecdotes to satisfy even the most knowledgeable presidential historians. This book is clearly the perfect item for any reader with even a casual interest in the presidents and/or sporting activities in general.

While there is some basic material about each man's time as the country's president, the primary focus of the book is to tell us about the athletic or sporting activities that aided the presidents in finding much-needed relaxation away from the office, while also having some influence on American culture in general on occasion.

Watterson obviously begins with George Washington, and while the first president's physical strength and horsemanship are still held in great regard even today, what was interesting to this reader was Washington's fervent interest in the formal horse-racing and surrounding social functions that he often attended in Annapolis and Philadelphia.

Not every president comes in for a writeup by the author -- after all, it is difficult to imagine men like John Adams or James Madison participating in anything more strenuous than an occasional horseback ride out of sheer necessity.

The sporting activities of the presidents really began to gain national recognition with Theodore Roosevelt -- a man the author describes as one who "represents a melding of sports and politics that has now become commonplace." Watterson credits Roosevelt with originating what he calls "the twentieth-century sporting presidency."

From there on we get a good deal more material on the sporting activities of the varios 20th century presidents, including such men as Woodrow Wilson, Herbert Hoover, Dwight D. Eisenhower, John F. Kennedy, Gerald Ford (who actually was a very capable football lineman at the University of Michigan in the early 1930s), Ronald Reagan, and Bill Clinton. The stories of Clinton bending the rules of golf to suit his fancy was no surprise to this reader, and Watterson mentions that Clinton's "critics suggested that his golfing character was a mirror image" of some of his other White House misbehavior that landed him in big trouble.

Again, "The Games Presidents Play" is an easy read -- well researched and well written -- by an author who has previously produced one of the best books ("College Football") written on the off-the-field history of college football. GPP would make a nice gift for any reader with even a casual interest in the American presidency.

R.S.
Ventura, CA

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