Other books that might interest you

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  The Chicago Cubs - Story of a Curse

  Rich Cohen

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  A captivating blend of reportage and memoir exploring the history of the Chicago Cubs 
  For Rich Cohen and millions of other fans, the Chicago Cubs have always been more than a team: they've been the protagonists of a King Arthur epic, in search of the Holy Grail that is winning the World Series. A chronicle of the last few miraculous seasons as experienced through the prism of Cubs history, The Chicago Cubs tracks the famous curse, which was placed on the team in 1945 by the infamous owner of the Billy Goat Tavern, who was ejected from Wrigley Field when he tried to bring his goat into the grandstand for the fifth game of the World Series. He vowed the team would never get back to the championship. And they haven't -- until now.  
  Cohen follows the Cubs' early days as the first powerhouse baseball team, winners of the 1907 and 1908 World Series; their storied players, such as Billy Sunday, the 2nd baseman who became the most popular preacher in America; their old stadiums; their owners, from chewing gum magnate William Wrigley to Thomas Ricketts, CEO of Ameritrade; and their time between the two World Wars; all of it leading up to the momentous last World Series appearance and the breaking of the famed curse.  
  A captivating blend of reportage and memoir, drawing on Cohen's extensive interviews and travels with recent Cubs players, owners, and coaching staff, The Cubs is a portrait not only of a team, but also of a city, of a game, and of what it means to be a perpetually disappointed fan who is finally rewarded.

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  HORSE RIDING FOR BEGINNERS - The...

  Ethan Johnson

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  The unusual sensation of freedom that comes with horseback riding is a large part of the sport's attraction. A burst of adrenaline will race through your veins as you mount a horse and direct it through broad pastures or down twisting trails. You feel an exceptional connection with the natural world as the brisk wind whips past your face, the rhythmic sound of hooves striking the ground reverberates, and the strength beneath you produces an extraordinary bond with the environment. You are able to break free from the constraints of modern life and experience a more fulfilling connection with the horse as well as the natural world when you go horseback riding. 
  Riding horses, in contrast to the widespread notion, is not a passive activity; rather, it uses your complete body and is therefore a satisfying form of physical endeavor. Being able to maintain your balance while riding a horse that is moving demands core strength, stability, and coordination. Riding helps to improve posture, develop core strength, and promote total body control because of the continuous activation of muscles during the activity. Riders also enjoy increased flexibility as a result of the process of adapting to the movements of the horse. In addition, the rhythmic motion of the horse's gait offers a low-impact kind of exercise that is beneficial to one's cardiovascular health and increases one's stamina. 
  The connection that exists between rider and horse is indescribable. Horses are exceptionally observant animals, and the trust and bond that can develop between a horse and its rider is something absolutely unique and beautiful. You and your horse will develop a strong sense of connection and mutual understanding as you spend time together grooming, feeding, and otherwise taking care of it. 

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  Hands on Hearts - A Physio's Tale

  Alan Rae

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  Alan Rae was the physio at Hearts for over 20 years. He joined the club in 1982, languishing in the First Division and looking at the prospect of part time football. In that time he has seen 8 managers come and go as well as 3 owners and too many players to mention. Six years after leaving 'The Jambos' he has penned a memoir of his time at Hearts. He has anecdotes about home games, European games and even pre and post season tours abroad. Woven into these memories is the medical knowledge of a true professional, from players suffering career threatening injuries to managers for whom the pain of losing is physical as well as mental. BACK COVER: As Heart of Midlothian FC's physiotherapist, Alan Rae was a vital member of the Tynecastle backroom staff for more than two decades. He was one of the few constants during a tumultuous period in the club's rich history and his behind-the-scenes recollections will fascinate and entertain in equal measure. From international superstars to mischievous boot-room boys, Rae shares his unique insight into the life of a great Scottish football institution. Hands on Hearts is a must-read for football fans everywhere - Jambos or otherwise -and for anyone who has ever wondered about the healing properties of the physio's magic sponge!

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  Sherpa Hospitality as a Cure for...

  Mark Horrell

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  The heroic story of how Sherpas stood up and took control of their destiny 
  Ever since Europeans started exploring the world’s highest mountains and trying to reach their summits in the early 20th century, Sherpas have been an integral part of mountaineering expeditions to the Himalayas. In this anthology curated from his popular Footsteps on the Mountain blog, Mark Horrell explores the evolution of Sherpa mountaineers, from the porters of early expeditions to the superstar climbers of the present day. 
  Writing with trademark warmth and humour, he starts by bringing to life the Sherpa characters of the early days, describing their customs and superstitions, and putting their contributions and achievements into context. 
  In the deeply personal second section of the book, he covers some of the conflicts of the 21st century, when a series of high-profile controversies highlighted the tensions between Sherpas and western climbers on Everest. He was a witness to a devastating avalanche in the Khumbu Icefall that killed 16 Nepali mountain workers and led to a labour dispute, and he describes the events that followed from a commercial client’s perspective. 
  In the final section of the book, he brings the story up to date and looks to the future, as Sherpas have moved out of the limelight of westerners, running successful mountaineering expedition companies and becoming celebrated climbers in their own right.

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  Late to the Ball

  Gerald Marzorati

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  An award-winning author attempts to become a nationally competitive tennis player—at the age of sixty—in this “soulful meditation on aging, companionship, and the power of self-improvement” (The Wall Street Journal).Being a man or a woman in your early sixties is different than it was a generation or two ago, at least for the more fortunate of us. We aren’t old…yet. But we sense it coming: Careers are winding down, kids are gone, parents are dying (friends, too), and our bodies are no longer youthful or even middle-aged. Learning to play tennis in your fifties is no small feat, but becoming a serious, competitive tennis player at the age of sixty is a whole other matter. It requires training the body to defy age, and to methodically build one’s game—the strokework, footwork, strategy, and mental toughness.Gerry Mazorati had the strong desire to lead an examined physical life, to push his body into the “encore” of middle age. In Late to the Ball Mazorati writes vividly about his difficulties, frustrations, and triumphs of becoming a seriously good tennis player. He takes on his quest with complete vigor and absolute determination to see it through, providing a rich, vicarious experience, involving the science of aging, his existential battle with time, and the beautiful, mysterious game of tennis. “Enjoyable…crisp and clean” (Publishers Weekly), Late to the Ball is also captivating evidence that the rest of the Baby Boomer generation, now between middle age and old age, can find their own quest and do the same.

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  Lance - The Making of the...

  John Wilcockson

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  Once a superstar in the world of cycling and one of its most interesting personalities, Lance Armstrong is known for pushing his body to the extreme, intimidating his rivals, and breaking the rules. Armstrong's many achievements were consistently dogged by allegations of doping and secrecy, allegations to which the cyclist ultimately acknowledged. Lance takes a long, hard, objective look at Armstrong's life—before his admission of guilt—both on and off the bike, beginning with his humble origins and his single mom's struggle for survival. John Wilcockson provides numerous details of how Armstrong's legendary training, a near-fatal bout with cancer, and battles with the media drove him to reach the pinnacle of his sport. Drawing on dozens of interviews with teammates, friends, and family—many who spoke publicly for the first time—Wilcockson delivers a biography on the life of this controversial athlete.

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