Sports Books

What baseball fan doesn't get goose bumps when hearing, "The Giants win the pennant! The Giants win the pennant!" Who--hockey fan or not--doesn't feel a little bit giddy whenever they hear Al Michaels shout, "Do you believe in miracles? Yes!" Who doesn't grin when they hear Univision sportscaster Andres Cantor demonstrate his lung capacity by bellowing, "Gooooaaaal!" And who can forget "The Play" in the Cal vs. Stanford game when the Bears came back to win in the final seconds--bowling over a trombone player in the process? From an admittedly scratchy recording of Babe Ruth's memorable World Series home run in 1932 to the dramatic penalty shootout win in the 1999 Women's World Cup, And the Crowd Goes Wild captures history's greatest sports calls.

He was called "The Baseball Photographer," the man who put his camera away after the World Series and didn't unpack it again until Opening Day, but Conlon's work is not that simple. Though he had no artistic pretense, his images are certainly works of art, and if his subject, on the surface, was the "National Pastime," his focus was really on capturing depth of character; his characters just happened to be ballplayers. Conlon's stark, vivid, black-and-white photographs caught an era that spanned the turn of the century to the second World War, and some of the moments he froze remain breathtakingly stunning: the sad eyes of Babe Ruth in deep close-up, the hope in the smile of a rookie Lou Gehrig, the dignity of Walter Johnson, the impishness of Casey Stengel, the burdens of Honus Wagner, the arrogance of Nap Lajoie and Tris Speaker, and the concentration of Christy Mathewson. This is a magnificent collection, one capable of superimposing the past onto the present; it is visually arresting--and alluring--like the game itself.

116 All-Time Great Baseball Players
Over 250 pictures - color and black & white
240 Pages

For both passionate golfers and armchair travelers, this gorgeous full-color book presents the world's greatest golf venues, the personal favorites of renowned players, course architects, and other experts in the sport. From Ballyliffin, Ireland's northernmost course, whose rumpled fairways wander along the North Sea in the shadows of Glashedy Rock, to New Zealand's Cape Kidnappers, perched atop dramatic cliffs some 500 feet above the ocean, the book's beautiful photographs capture the architecture, noteworthy holes, location, and ambiance that make these courses standouts for ardent golfers. A brief history of each course, an experiential account-filled with local color-from the person recommending the venue, and trip-planning advice provide adventurous readers with all the information they need to chip and putt their way around the globe.

A close-up look at golf's top courses around the world, recommended by such experts as Nick Faldo and Christie Kerr (pro golfers), Pete Dye and Tom Doak (course architects), Brian McCallen (editor and author), and Donald Trump. With breathtaking color photographs of each site, this is a great gift for avid golfers and armchair travelers alike.

Each year during the Players Championship, spectators gather at the 17th hole of the TPC at Sawgrass to see who will sink or swim. With water awaiting a miss in any direction, the tee shot is indeed a scary one, especially if the wind is blowing.

The 17th at the Old Course at St. Andrews may be the only hole in the world that requires players to drive over a building in order to reach the fairway. Terror awaits at the green in the form of a devilish bunker from which even the best players may need several strokes to escape.

These and 98 other confounding, challenging holes, selected by noted golf writer Chris Millard as the toughest in the world, are the subject of this engaging, informative golf book. First-rate photography brings out the beauty to be found in these beasts. In putting together this authoritative list and explaining what makes each hole so difficult, Millard draws upon his own knowledge as well as statistical data and consultations with other experts. His choices will be spur discussion and debate among avid golfers for years to come.

Very few sports figures have accomplished as much as Woods has already achieved at age 25. He has been named "Sportsman of the Year" by Sports Illustrated twice; he has won more than 30 professional tournaments and he's the youngest player to win the Grand Slam four of the major pro championships. Despite his many commercials and product endorsements, Woods is one of the rare athletes who isn't overplayed in the media. Unlike many other sports stars, Woods plays and wins quietly. That may explain why this instructional book will reach far beyond the links. Woods talks about his experiences and his attitudes toward golf and life. The conversational tone is quite engaging: "The difference between golf and most other sports is that anyone of average intelligence and coordination can learn to play it well. It requires a commitment to being the best that you can be. That has always been my approach to the game.... Pop gave me many great lessons, not only about golf, but also about life. His greatest advice to me was always be myself." On watching the ball, Woods says, "If you're like me, you can't wait to see if the ball is tracking toward the hole right after the golf ball leaves the putter face.... The tendency to peek too soon causes your head to move and leads to off-sloppy contact.... I found an effective way to fight the problem: I practice putting with my left eye closed, so I can't see the target line at all with my peripheral vision. That makes it easier to keep my eyes looking straight down." Accompanied by wonderful photos, the book reads as if Woods is right there with the golfer, providing instructions.

"Golf is... a nasty, vicious game, played mainly by educated people who, quite frankly, should know better." In this hilarious send-up of 12-step programs and golf-buffs alike, Brass challenges golfers to ask themselves 15 questions to determine if they are "problem golfers." For example: "Do you count going to the driving range with your [spouse] as a night on the town?" or "Do you envy people who can golf without getting into trouble?" Approximately six million golfers play more than 21 rounds of golf a year; they are benignly labeled "avid" golfers. Brass contends that if those same people shot up heroine 21 times a year, they would not be considered "avid" drug users; they would be called junkies. With that analogy in mind, he calls on all amateur golfers to admit they have a problem and seek the help they need before it's too late. Chapter titles mimic AA steps: "Admit you are powerless over golf that your life has become unmanageable" and "Come to believe that a Power greater than yourself could restore you to sanity." Of course, in this case, that power would be named Jack Nicklaus. This is a quick airplane read, a perfect stocking-stuffer and a great gag gift from any and all golf widows or widowers. A forward by actor and fellow problem golfer Jeff Daniels recommends reading the book to quit golf instead of having a frontal lobotomy: "It's cheaper and won't leave a scar."

The best experiences are based on best practices, and usually that means having a strong grasp on the basics. This new edition of the most innovative and respected reloading guide takes readers through every step of the reloading process, beginning with selecting necessary tools and accessories, moving into step-by-step instructions for reloading rifle, pistol and shotgun ammunition, and finally, into more specific aspects of the hobby, including benchrest loading, competition and hunting loads. ABCs of Reloading makes a complex subject understandable and rewarding.

Carefully researched and illustrated with more than 100 photographs, this book tells the full story of Browning firearms.

Carefully researched and illustrated with more than 100 photographs, this book tells the full story of Colt firearms.

With the aide of beautiful colorful photographs, this book tells the fascinating story of Remington. In this book, you will read about: a history of Remington, civilian arms, military arms, Remington ammunition, Eliphalet Remington's first gun, how Remington entered the arms trade, and a glossary of Remington Arms.

Carefully researched and illustrated with more than 100 photographs, this book tells the full story of Winchester firearms.

Probably one of the best guides on the Glock and everything you need to know. Doesn't miss a thing and its not complex. If you have a Glock, this book is a must.

Gun Digest Book of the AR-15, Vol. 2 not only covers how well this rifle performs in testing, but also provides projects you can do to enhance your rifle's performance. Packed with 600 detailed photos, including step-by-step instructions for projects, and a primer on aftermarket parts, this guide delivers honest test results for the rifle, its commonly available ammunition and magazines, and accuracy. There's something in this book for every fan of the AR-15.

To shoot well and to shoot well at 500+ yards are two different things, and Gun Digest Book of Long-Range Shooting gives shooters and hunters the instruction and advice to go the distance. Readers learn how to make the most with shooting gear they own, which additional equipment to add for increased success, and what to look for in high-end long-range set ups. Sport shooters and hunters gain load data and rifle performance data for the most common calibers to obscure, plus insight about rifles, optics, bullets, barrels, triggers, and how to calculate bullet drop and wind drift. Varmint hunters to target shooters and handloaders will find long-range shooting success using the techniques and data presented in this shooting guide.

Since the publication of Scott Duff and John Miller's The M14 Owner's Guide and Match Conditioning Instruction, readers have asked for a book that would help guide them through the maintenance, enhancement, disassembly and assembly of their M14/M1A rifle. Ideally, such a book would impart the tips, tricks, pitfalls and "gotchas!" that experienced M14/M1A rifle enthusiasts and armorers have discovered and developed over the years. This is that book. It goes far beyond the military manuals in depth and scope, using words and over 600 pictures to clearly guide you through every operation required to support your M14/M1A. You'll learn the best and easiest ways to enhance, disassemble and assemble your rifle. It won't make you an M14/M1A armorer, but it will make you a knowledgeable owner. You'll be able to do more with (and to) your rifle. You'll also be able to better judge the competence of those you choose to work on your rifle, and to discuss your needs more intelligently with them. In short, you'll know your M14/M1A inside and out. Also included are instructions for installing National Match rear sights, a tutorial on tuning your trigger to National Match standards, a discussion of John Garand's contributions to the M14, and several 21st Century enhancements. The M14 Complete Assembly Guide is a companion volume to The M14 Owner's Guide and Match Conditioning Instructions by Scott Duff and John Miller. The Owner's Guide gives you a look into the history and development of the M14/M1A, as well as giving you everything you need to know to use and maintain your M14/M1A'® Rifle and perform match conditioning work. The Owner's Guide goes far beyond the military manuals in both scope and depth. It's a "must have" for every M14/M1A owner! The M14 Complete Assembly guide is 6" x 9", is Perfect bound laminated soft cover, and has 250 pages and over 600 photographs.

Despite an astonishing, drum-thumping opening ceremony that clearly announced China's ascendance as a 21st-century superpower, it was a tall, gangly kid from Baltimore who stole the spotlight, and in eight shining, golden moments, made us all proud to be Americans. Like Jesse Owens before him, Michael Phelps showed the rest of the world how great America can be, and shined the brightest when it mattered most. This book chronicles the remarkable story of Michael Phelps, the greatest Olympic athlete in history, as told by the writers, editors, and photographers of USA Today.