Sports & Recreation

This handy trivia book is packed with everything you need to know about running, including potted history, quirky facts, sayings and hints about the planet's most popular exercise form.

It includes running philosophy and advice on how to get more out of your daily run. From science to humour, tips to tales, it runs the reader through everything they need to know about pounding the pavement.

This pocket-sized guide to running is the perfect gift for runners of all ages and experience levels.

"Running is the greatest metaphor for life, because you get out of it what you put into it." Oprah Winfrey, talk-show host, actress and producer, as seen on Huffington Post.

In 2011, Belgian runner Stefaan Engels set the record for the most consecutive marathons run - 365. He was 49 years of age.

‘Mercenaries’, ‘cheats’, ‘destroying the soul of (English) football’, ‘destroying the link between football clubs and their supporters’: foreign football players have been accused of being at the origin of all the ills of contemporary football. How true is this? Foreign players and football supporters: The Old Firm, Arsenal, Paris Saint-Germain is the first academic book to look at supporters’ reactions to the increase in the number of foreign players in the very clubs they support week in week out. It shows that football supporters identify with their club through a variety of means, which may change or be replaced with others, and provides the most comprehensive view on football supporters’ attachment to their club in the European Union, following the increase in European legislation.

Divided into three case studies on Glasgow (Celtic and Rangers), Paris Saint-Germain and Arsenal in London, the book adopts a multidisciplinary approach to chart the evolution of the link between supporters and club between 1995 and today. It is based on extensive research through the press of three nations, as well as interviews with officials and supporters.

It provides an excellent read for students and researchers in Sports Studies, Politics, European Studies, French Studies and other Social Sciences, or to anyone interested in one of the most original institutions of contemporary western societies: mass spectator sports.

Julius Erving, aka Dr. J, was a wizard with the basketball, performing feats the world had never seen before: midair spins and whirls punctuated by powerful slam dunks, which he was the first to glamorize. In a career that lasted from the 1970s well into the 1980s, he was one of the first players to make extemporaneous individual expression an integral part of the game, setting the style of play that has prevailed ever since. He's also long been respected as a gracious, dignified, and disciplined man. As there are great men of history, there are great men of sports, and Dr. J is just such a man.

This book tells Dr. J's amazing story, following his basketball journey from his Long Island childhood to the street games of New York City to a college career as his skills, reputation, and character grew. It follows his entrance into the ABA, where he revolutionized the game by glamorizing the dunk, and his conquering of the NBA, where he was Michael Jordan before there was a Jordan. It relates the family struggles he's had since leaving the game and charts the transformation of the man into myth.

• The first complete biography of one of the greatest and most popular basketball players of all time
• Draws on interviews with Dr. J's childhood friends and his family to teammates and coaches at all levels
• Written by a New York Times sports journalist and author of Asphalt Gods: An Oral History of the Rucker Tournament
• Includes Erving's years as a player with the Virginia Squires, New York Nets, and Philadelphia 76ers

Read Doc and follow the incredible journey of the basketball genius who elevated the game off the hardwood and helped make it America's passion.

"McRae brings to the highly charged, obsessive world of professional boxing a novelist's eye and ear for revealing detail and convincingly recalled dialogue. This is an impassioned book."—Joyce Carol Oates, Los Angeles Times

Dark Trade: Lost in Boxing, by Donald McRae, award-winning author of twelve non-fiction books and staff writer for The Guardian, is widely considered of one of the best boxing books all time.

This is a new edition, released in the United States for the first time, that includes a new chapter by the author, plus a stunning cover that features a painting of boxer James Toney by noted boxing artist Amanda Kelley.

There is no other sport like boxing. Over twenty years ago, Donald McRae set out across the United States and his adopted home, Britain, to find deeper meaning in the brutal trade that had transfixed him since he was a young man. The result is a stunning chronicle that captures not only McRae's compelling personal journey through the world of professional prizefighting, but also the stories of some of its biggest names in boxing—James Toney, Mike Tyson, Evander Holyfield, Oscar De La Hoya, Naseem Hamed, Roy Jones, Jr., and others.

Singular in his ability to uncover the emotional forces that drive men to get into the ring, McRae brilliantly exposes the hopes and fears and obsessions of these legendary fighters, while revealing some of his own along the way. What he shares with them most, he comes to realize, is that he is hopelessly, and willingly, lost in boxing.

Table of Contents

Introduction

1 The Baddest Man

2 The Force

3 This Is Boxing, Baby

4 Oscar’s Night

5 The King and the Prince

6 Guns and Fathers

7 Looking on Darkness

8 Death and the Man

9 The Cinderella Men

10 The Soldier Boy

11 Nothing Is Forever

12 The Beacon

13 The Bite

14 Fading Away

15 Still Lost in Boxing

Acknowledgments

A rare in-depth look at the history, teachings, and wider implications of Wing Chun

Wing Chun In-Depth offers an historical overview of the art’s development, it examines how to properly approach training for fighting skills that give you an edge in street defence and it presents Wing Chun’s underlying principles and strategies as a way of life for health and happiness.

This work traces the lives and legends of the great masters of Wing Chun, it reveals their training techniques and philosophies, and shows the reader how they can be applied in all aspects of life.

Written in an enjoyable and readable way, Wing Chun In-Depth shares profound insights, training drills and martial techniques that will improve your fighting foundation; it connects you to the great masters of Wing Chun—their lives, their martial teachings, and their philosophies. In the end, it is intended to inspire and enrich readers with history, practical skills, and a winning mindset for all of life’s challenges.

Contents include

Part 1: The Lineage

• The origins of Wing Chun from its legendary past.
• Its historical development and its present evolution from Ip Man and Wong, Shun-Leung.
• Insight into Bruce Lee’s relationship with Wing Chun, Ip Man and Wong, Shun-Leung.

Part 2: The System

• Forms, training drills, and techniques that can be used to develop oneself into a skilled fighter.

Part 3: Up Close

• Master Class Training to fight without fighting
• Master Class Avoiding a stand off
• Master Class No technique as technique

Part 4: Strategies for Life

• Explores the strategic and martial fruits of Wing Chun as a practice which provides both skills for combat and strategies for life.
• Startling truths that enrich life inside and outside the training hall (kwoon).

Ip Man’s senior student, Wong Shun-Leung was the man who made Wing Chun famous in Hong Kong’s challenge matches. He was also a close friend and mentor to Bruce Lee. Sifu Loukas Kastrounis, one of the few active teachers of this lineage, is a highly respected Wing Chun teacher who has spent his life honing and developing Wing Chun.

“Written at the request, and in collaboration with Sifu Loukas Kastrounis-a third generation master of the Wong Shun-Leung lineage, it is the fruit of over 5 years of my careful observations and research into Loukas’s teachings as both his student and as a professional historian.”—Munawar Ali Karim

Shortlisted for the 2021 William Hill Sports Book of The Year award.

“This is the book that boxing has always needed...It is shattering yet moving, informative yet tender...An essential read for anyone who cares about boxing and its courageous, damaged fighters.”—Donald McRae, The Guardian

“Anyone who loves boxing—even the sport's most die-hard supporters—must take a longer and more serious look at the issues that Tris Dixon writes about with such nuance and humanity in Damage...”—Greg Bishop, Senior Writer, Sports Illustrated

It’s an old story—a fighter gains fame, drives fast cars, makes piles of cash, and dates beautiful women. Then comes the fall—booze, drugs, depression, poverty, illness. This dark narrative has been playing out for a hundred years.

Doctors first identified “Punch Drunk Syndrome” in 1928. It later became known as “Dementia Pugilistica.” Today, we call it CTE (chronic traumatic encephalopathy). The secret history of this disease in boxing has never been fully told— until now.

In Damage, Tris Dixon uncovers the difficult truths of boxing and CTE and chronicles the lives of fighters affected by it. He interviews some of the sport’s biggest names, some lesser-known journeymen, and highly respected trainers and other figures to try to understand why no one wants to discuss CTE or take responsibility for it. Ultimately, Dixon takes aim at what boxing can do to help the warriors who sacrifice their health seeking glory in the ring. Will this book finally drive the sport to address the issue and help fighters get the help they deserve?

‘The brain is the most important muscle for climbing.’ Wolfgang Gullich

Mastermind by climbing legend Jerry Moffatt is a guide to mental training for climbers. Drawing on his own personal experiences, as well as inspiring stories from the current elite of the sport including Alex Megos, Adam Ondra, Alex Honnold and Barbara Zangerl, Jerry invites climbers and other sportspeople to explore and maximise their mental potential.

Broken down into easy-to-read sections, including Mind Control, Self Image and Visualisation, Mastermind will help you utilise the power of your mind to make the most of your existing strength, technique and ability so that you can perform under pressure – not just in climbing, but in all sport.

Bring out the Beast in your golf game!

Now Fister has taken all the winning tips and techniques he has learned over the years and organized them in this book so that you too can drive better and more consistently. With Fister’s Ten Commandments of Distance, you’ll learn proven secrets to increase the power and accuracy of your drive, including:

• Anti-slice tips
• How high to set your tee
• The best launch angle
• Exercise routines to strengthen your swing
• How to find the best shaft-clubhead combination
  
• Practice drills and techniques
• And more

Dynamics, motion, sensation...they are karate's connective tissue―and they are the heart of this book.

Karate Science: Dynamic Movement will help you understand the mechanics of the human body. Swanson describes these principles in incredible detail, drawing on examples from several styles of karate, as well as aikido, taekwondo, and judo. Whatever your martial background, applying this knowledge will make your techniques better, stronger, and faster.

• Understand the major types of techniques, including their outward appearances and internal feelings.
• Master the core principles behind these feelings.
• Learn the biomechanics and dynamics of core movement.

Karate Science: Dynamic Movement is filled with examples, anecdotes, and beautiful illustrations. Although Shotokan karate is the author's frame of reference, the principles of human mechanics translate to all martial styles.

This book features

• Clear and insightful explanations of dynamic movement.
• Over 100 illustrations.
• Profound but accessible analysis of the kihon, or fundamentals of Shotokan karate.

As a lifelong student of martial arts, J. D. Swanson, Ph.D., had searched through piles of books on form and function. "Stand here, step there" they said. But where movement was concerned, none went deep enough. No one was discussing the dynamics―the actual feeling of the moves. Both in print and in live teaching, karate instruction tends to focus on stances and finishing positions. But dynamics, motion, sensation...they are karate's connective tissue―and they are the heart of this book.

“Karate Science: Dynamic Movement is rooted in the teachings of the masters,” Swanson says. “This book nucleates that knowledge, clarifying and distilling the key principles behind movement dynamics. This is the next evolution of karate books.”

This book provides a holistic view of the relationship between heritage and sport. It examines four types of sport heritage: tangible immovable sport heritage (sports venues, monuments and memorials, landscapes); tangible movable sport heritage (museums and halls of fame, events, living sport heritage); intangible sport heritage (intangibility of sport heritage, institutions, existential); and goods and services with a sport heritage component (tourism, marketing, management). It offers both theoretical and applied approaches to the heritage–sport relationship and intersects with many contemporary topics in heritage, sport, tourism, events and marketing. It will be useful to students and researchers in sport tourism, sport studies, heritage studies, sport history, museum studies and sports management.

Part theory, part op-ed, The Game is Not a Game, is an affecting, sobering and unflinching examination of the good and evil of the sports industry. Both liberating and provocative, Jackson explores the role sports play in American society and also the hypocritical standards, which the athletes that play them are often judged. The Game is Not a Game is not intended to be a “safe space.” It breaks the typical sports literary format and rules, challenging accepted ideology, and pushing the comfort zones and boundaries of mainstream sports media. Chapters explore “America’s Miseducation of LeBron James;” “The Disrespect of Serena Williams’ G.O.A.T.ness;” the duplicity of the NFL with the plight of Colin Kaepernick; the cultural bias of analytics; the power of social activism verses the power and politics of professional sports ownership− from the perspective of a writer considered one of the leading voices of social, political and racial activism in sports media.

The global success of football icons like Samuel Eto’o, Didier Drogba and Mohamed Salah has fuelled the migratory projects of countless young men across the African continent who dream of following – literally and figuratively – in their footsteps. Drawing on over a decade of ethnographic research, African football migration captures and chronicles the aspirations, experiences and trajectories of those pursuing this highly prized form of transnational migration. In doing so, the book uncovers and traces the myriad actors, networks and institutions that affect the ability of young people across the continent to realise social mobility through football’s global production network.

The book sheds critical light on the barriers to social mobility erected by neoliberal capitalism, and how these are negotiated by aspiring African footballers. It also generates original interdisciplinary perspectives on the complex interplay between structural forces and human agency, as young players navigate an industry rife with commercial speculation. While a select few reach the elite levels of the game and build a successful career overseas, the book vividly illustrates how for the vast majority, ‘trying their luck’ through football results in involuntary immobility in post-colonial Africa. These findings are complemented by rare empirical insights from transnational African migrants at the margins of the global football industry and those navigating precarious retirement from careers as players.

African football migration offers essential coverage of why and how African youth and young men have become actors in the global football industry, revealing the complex implications of transnational mobility, both imagined and enacted.

Triathlons – three separate and gruelling tests of endurance in their own right, all rolled into on epic test of mind, body, and determination.

Comprised of long distance running, swimming, and cycling, triathlons are the pinnacle of human endurance, taken on by men and women with a burning ambition to push themselves to the very limit. In the pages that follow you will discover inspirational quotes and words of wisdom that will make you smile and reach for your running shoes/swimming gear/cycling helmet with renewed vigour, learn need-to-know stuff, history, and tips from the experts.

It might also become your passion, as you discover what it really takes to become a triathlete. The Little Book of Triathlon is a journey on to a path that is less trodden, but rich in fulfilment, self-discovery, and everything in-between.

On your marks, set... and on we go.

How do new technologies come to be used in sport? This book moves beyond the idea of functionality to explore the many other important factors that athletes and sporting bodies consider throughout the process of adoption.

Few would question the difficulty of producing an elite athletic performance. The high level of training, combined with intense competition and pressure from media and sponsors, can be challenging for athletes and sporting bodies to negotiate. This book explores how these factors affect the use of technology in sport, while simultaneously demonstrating the influence of new technologies on sporting practice. Using actor-network theory ­- an approach common in studies of science and management but seldom applied in this field - it offers readers an inside view into elite sport and the part that technology plays in training, competition and broadcasting.

Sport and technology offers theoretical insights relevant to students and scholars of sport and sociology. It will also be fascinating reading for anyone interested in elite sporting practice in the twenty-first century.

An electronic edition of this book is freely available under a Creative Commons (CC BY-NC) licence.

Since its emergence in Italy in 1968, one model of football fandom has become the most dominant in the world: the ultras. Producing complex choreography, chants, banners and pyrotechnics, ultras represent a highly organised style of fandom that has an increasing global reach and visibility. Over the last fifty years, ultras fandom has spread from Southern Europe across North Africa to Northern and Eastern Europe, South East Asia and North America. Their collective performance, unity and harmonisation not only distinguish ultras from other football fans, but from many other forms of group behaviour. By focusing on the common form of expression through the performance of choreographies, chants and sustained support throughout the match, this book shows how members build an emotional attachment to their club that valorises the colours and symbols of that team while mobilising members against opponents.

This volume seeks to make a clear theoretical shift in studies of football fandom by asking fundamental sociological questions concerning group formation, collective performance and emotional relationships. As a collective that pride themselves on having a shared, coherent sense of identity based on an act of consumption, ultras represent an important site of enquiry into masculinity and nationalism in contemporary society.

Genuine karate is an Okinawan martial art for self-defense; its ongoing globalization has jeopardized its inherent effectiveness.

“The changes made to karate in mainland Japan and in America have altered karate so intrinsically that it can no longer claim to be genuine karate.”

Dr. Hermann Bayer, Ph.D., examines how Japan re-interpreted Okinawan karate to create its own unique style of karate-do, and how Japanese and American changes resulted in a modern karate-sport business.

Practitioners of karate are often confused, misguided, and even led to believe that karate is just karate—this is far from the truth. Practitioners need a clear understanding of what their training can offer them. This can only be achieved by understanding karate's true purpose and by discerning misconceptions from facts.

Contents include

• Okinawan karate’s “principle of never changing kata”.
• Karate as an Okinawan cultural heritage.
• Socio-cultural arguments to preserve Okinawa karate—as is.
• Japan—the karate reproducing country.
• Karate or Karate-do?
• The business of karate, karate-do, and karate-sport.
• Scientific proof of a peaceful karate mind.
• The laws of physics reveal weaknesses when kata are changed.

This substantially researched work makes a compelling case for the socio-cultural and historic arguments to conserve genuine Okinawan karate. Supported by historical facts, scientific analysis, and public records, Dr. Bayer reveals, for all to see, the complex evolution of karate and the unsettled claims made upon it by the various stake-holders.

Profound - In Depth - Taijiquan Theory

In the last seven centuries, many songs and poems have been composed about Taijiquan. These have played a major role in preserving the knowledge and wisdom of the masters, although in many cases, the identity of the authors and the dates of origin have been lost.

As lifelong pursuit, Dr. Yang, Jwing-Ming has translated many of these documents and according to him, believes many are incomplete for reasons relating to: forgotten oral secrets, the original authors personal understanding being too narrowly focused, and many documents that have gone missing could help unify Taijiquan theory.

In response, his book Taijiquan Theory of Dr. Yang, Jwing-Ming is an attempt to join the various theories on Taijiquan in one complete text.

This book is structured with treaties, songs, and poems, followed by the original Chinese text and interpretations of the passages.

Contents include

• Regulating the body, breath, mind, Qi & spirit
• Analysis of Jin, pushing hands and sparring
• Taijiquan’s long range and short range fighting strategies
• The relationship of Jin and Qi
• The unification of the internal Qi and external physical manifestations of Qi

"Based upon my personal background and understanding, I have tried my best to compile the Taijiquan Theory and practice concepts in this book. I have attempted to make this effort as complete as possible”. —Dr. Yang, Jwing-Ming

This second edition includes

• Updated pīnyīn that includes diacritical tonal marks (for proper pronunciation of Chinese words).
• Updated Chinese text character font (providing better readability).

There are few football clubs in the world that attract as much interest in the modern game as Chelsea. Whether it is the latest observations from former coach Maurizio Sarri, his successor Frank Lampard, big-money transfer targets, the style of play or results in Europe, everybody thinks they know what's happening – or at least has an opinion on it.

The arrival in 2003 of Russian billionaire tycoon Roman Abramovich as owner turned a glamorous club with a long history of under-achievement, into an international powerhouse. After one championship in 99 years, the Blues have, in a dozen years, won five Premier League titles, plus the UEFA Champions League, two UEFA Europa League titles, five FA Cups and three Football League Cups. The club always was a magnet for well-known names – vaudeville legend George Robey played for the Pensioners in the club's earliest days – and, in the modern era, Stamford Bridge has become home to a dazzling array of world stars. From Ron 'Chopper' Harris and Ken Bates through Ruud Gullit, Roberto Di Matteo and Glenn Hoddle to Jose Mourinho, John Terry, Zola, Diego Costa and Eden Hazard, there is no lack of characters to draw on for quotes.

The complete, official history of the England football team as you've never seen it before!

England: The Official History is a fascinating account of the world's oldest and most iconic national football team.

• Includes England's fantastic performance at EURO 2020.
• A great gift for any England fan.
• Features more than 250 exceptional photographs of England icons past and present including Alf Ramsey, Bobby Charlton, Gary Lineker, Hope Powell, David Beckham, Steph Houghton and Harry Kane.
• The complete story of the England men's and women's teams - from 1872 right up to the present day.
• Written by award-winning journalist and author Daniel Storey in association with the FA and filled with incredible stories spanning 150 years of England football.

The Story of Ferrari is a pocket-sized and exceptionally designed celebration of the legendary manufacturer.

Speed, luxury, excellence and innovation have defined Ferrari as the world's most revered car manufacturer for more than 70 years. In The Story of Ferrari, every key aspect of the Prancing Horse's history is explored and showcased, from the first car built under the Ferrari name in 1947 through to the global giant and cultural force it has become today.

Delving into the design and engineering philosophies instilled by Enzo Ferrari, this book highlights the most iconic models across decades of Ferrari history, including the 125 S, F40, Testarossa and Enzo. Ferrari is also the most successful name in motorsport, with 16 Formula 1 Constructors' Championship titles to its name. The stories of its victories and adversities on the track, as well as the drivers and engineers who helped make it such a success, are covered here as well.

Filled with stunning imagery and insightful commentary, The Story of Ferrari charts the history of this legendary marque in a package worthy of the name.

From the 15th century royal ban to a game stopped for seven months because of rain, this is the story of golf as it's never been told before!

Any golfers who have pined for their putters, waxed lyrical about their sand wedge, or fondled a five iron will appreciate this fun compilation of sports reports, spoof correspondence, and reminiscences from pros, caddies, playing partners, and armchair pundits. With humorous illustrations on every page, it captures the comedy, controversy, and curious courses that are all part of the game. 

Among the stories it tells: Mary Queen of Scots playing a round just after her husband got killed; the origin of the term “birdie”; champion Lee Trevino’s prank with a rubber snake; and a fly-on-the-wall documentary that embarrassed an upscale golf club so badly that the entire board resigned.

England and the 1966 World Cup presents a cultural analysis of what is considered a key 'moment of modernity' in the nation's post-war history. Regarded as having an importance beyond its primary sporting purpose, the World Cup in England is examined within the complexity of the cultural, social and political changes that characterised the mid-1960s. Yet, although addressing the importance of non-sport related connections, the book maintains a focus on football, discussing it as a 'cultural form' and presenting an original perspective on the aesthetic accomplishment in football tactics by England's manager, Alf Ramsey.

The study considers the World Cup in relation to the cup tradition, England as the World Cup host nation, the England squad and masculinity, the modernism of England's manager Alf Ramsey, design and commercial aspects of the World Cup, a critical engagement within existing academic accounts, and an examination of how England's victory has been remembered and commemorated.

This jointly authored book extends understanding of the use of sport to address global development agendas by offering an important departure from prevailing theoretical and methodological approaches in the field. Drawing on nearly a decade of wide-ranging multidisciplinary research undertaken with young people and adults living and working in urban communities in Zambia, the book presents a localised account that locates sport for development in historical, political, economic and social context. A key feature of the book is its detailed examination of the lives, experiences and responses of young people involved in sport for development activities, drawn from their own accounts. The book's unique approach and content will be highly relevant to academic researchers and post-graduate students studying sport and development in across many different contexts.

An electronic edition of this book is freely available under a Creative Commons (CC BY-NC-ND) licence.

Whether you enjoy the quiet of a stream, a roaring river or the horizons of the ocean to enjoy recreational fishing, the ultimate prize is probably not just catching fish – most people fish to escape the demands of life, soak in the sights and sounds of nature and spend time with friends and family.

Explore more than 25 legendary F1 race tracks in high-definition satellite photography.

From the glamor of Monaco and Yas Marina, to the heritage of Silverstone, Monza and Spa-Francorchamps, Formula One Circuits from Above showcases more than 25 legendary F1 race tracks as you've never seen them before. Powered by unique Google™ Earth photography, this stunning illustrated book highlights the signature properties of iconic circuits including Monza, Interlagos and the Nurburgring in incredible detail, providing an unparalleled insight into the unique strengths and challenges of each.

This insightful commentary is accompanied by fascinating details on the history of each circuit, as well as the outstanding drivers and unforgettable moments that have defined them: the rivalries, the controversies and the spectacular feats of driving skill. Whether you're a seasoned F1 fan or a newcomer to the sport, Formula One Circuits from Above captures the color, drama, history and excitement of Formula One.

Explore the complete history of the FA Cup in this definitive illustrated book.

The FA Cup is the oldest national football competition in the world, and one of the most beloved and popular tournaments in football. In 2022, it will be 150 years since the inaugural Football Association Challenge Cup was clinched by Wanderers Football Club at Kennington Oval. Since then, 'The Cup' has become one of the premier tournaments in the sport, and an iconic mainstay of the English game.

The Official History of the FA Cup, produced in partnership with the Football Association, is a lavish, illustrated tribute to this iconic competition. Filled with stunning photographs spanning the full history of the Cup, this book celebrates the most exciting, significant and memorable goals, games and upsets in English football history. Featuring insightful commentary on the FA Cup's development and evolution, as well as details of every Cup-winning side, this is an essential companion for anyone with a love of the competition - which is to say, fans of football everywhere.

There's little that can beat the perfect simplicity of a bike ride.

There are many reasons why cycling has such enduring appeal. For some, it is the relaxation and freedom that biking offers - what could be better than pedalling away and leaving our troubles behind? For others, cycling is the perfect means of building strength and fitness. Indeed, it can be one of the most challenging sports on the planet - from amateurs testing themselves to the limit to professionals competing in some of the toughest races in the world.

Packed full of wise, witty and inspirational quotes, The Little Book of Cycling is the perfect gift for cyclists of all levels. From the simple exhilaration of freewheeling downhill to the arduous challenges faced by the endurance cyclist, this is the ultimate ode to the love of two wheels.

"Give a man a fish and feed him for a day. Teach a man to fish and feed him for a lifetime. Teach a man to cycle and he will realize fishing is stupid and boring" Desmond Tutu

"I don't ride a bike to add days to my life. I ride a bike to add life to my days." Unknown

Experience the legendary history of Formula 1 in this new edition of the definitive illustrated book.

Fully revised and updated, Formula 1: The Official History is an electrifying account of the F1 phenomenon, telling the complete story of one of the world's most popular, thrilling, and glamorous sports. Bringing together a superbly written account of the history of the sport by acclaimed author Maurice Hamilton, and an exceptional selection of stunning images from across seven decades of F1 racing, the book charts the FIA Formula One World Championship, decade by decade, from its first race at Silverstone in May 1950 right through to end of last season's championship.

Each chapter tells the fascinating stories behind the greatest drivers and teams, important personnel, famous and infamous incidents, as well as key changes to the rules on design, safety and competitiveness. These tales are accompanied by more than 250 exceptional photographs featuring icons past and present, including Ayrton Senna, Michael Schumacher, Alain Prost, Sebastian Vettel, Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen. Accessible and entertaining for any F1 fan, and with a foreword by Ross Brawn, Managing Director of the FIA Formula One World Championship, this is the definitive visual history of the sport.

Cricket is blessed with quality prose and gifted writing.

The nobles and gentlemen who brought the game of cricket from England's villages to the pavilion at Lord's were often as equally blessed with the gift of wit and banter as they were with leather and willow. Their turns of phrase, intellectual insights and outlandish observations were as likely to knock you for six as to leave you stumped.

The Little Book of Cricket encapsulates their often hilarious, sometimes sombre and occasionally downright bizarre quotes as the greats of the game, from Don Bradman to Steve Waugh and Ian Botham to Freddie Flintoff, all describe their beloved sport in their own words.

"He's got it, England have won the World Cup by the barest of margins... Absolute ecstasy for England, agony, agony for New Zealand"

Ian Smith, New Zealand commentor, calling that crucial final ball of the super over

"He lifted the game from a state of conventional excitement to one of unbelievable suspense and drama and finally into the realm of romantic fiction."

Henry Blofeld, on a then 18-year-old Ian Botham, 1974

The story of the world's most formidable rugby team

The record of the All Blacks in world rugby is unmatched. From the famous pre-match challenge of the haka to the scintillating brand of rugby they play, the team draws thousands around the world to stadiums and TVs to watch them play. Over the years, some of the greatest players to ever pick up a rugby ball have worn the iconic black jersey - names like Lomu, Meads, Carter and Barrett. From the first ever tours to the modern World Cups, the All Blacks embody a legacy of excellence that strikes fear into the heart of their opponents.

"Son, you've got to be prepared to piss blood to wear this jersey." - All Black flanker Mark Shaw to debutant Mike Brewer, 1986.

The 1924/5 All Black side won an astonishing 31 games in a row on their tour to the United Kingdom, France and North America. When they arrived back in New Zealand they were dubbed 'The Invincibles'

Manchester City stormed to the clubs fourth Premier League title in 2019, the fourth championship in seven seasons, which is a far cry from the 44-year wait which ended in 2012! It is hard to believe that less than 20 years ago, City were in what is now League One. Their loyal fans spent so many years riding on the wildest roller-coaster in English football, with so many ups and downs that they hardly knew in which division they were competing, but things have changed and now City are among not only England's elite, but also Europe's.

This incredible journey is recorded in this updated edition of The Little Book of Man City, a selection of the wit and wisdom of the great characters who have been associated with the club. From managers, such as Malcolm Allison, Kevin Keegan, Roberto Mancini and Pep Guardiola, via garrulous fans such as Radio 1's Mark and Lard and the Gallagher brothers to voluble players such as Francis Lee, Dennis Tueart, Rodney Marsh, Kun Aguero and Vincent Kompany, here are more than 170 funny and biting quotes for the avid fan of 'the only club in Manchester'. As their chaplain once said, 'Imagine where City would be if I hadn't been praying for them all these years.'

This book offers a fascinating collection of stories and features taken straight from the pages of the magazines, many unseen for almost half a century.

50 Years of Shoot! brings back fond memories of a time when sideburns and haircuts were long, shorts were short and England's World Cup victory was a recent event. They'll recall when a footballer's favorite meal was steak and chips, he drove a Ford Capri and his biggest dislike was ignorant people. Ah, it was a different world back then! For younger readers, this will be a history lesson, proof positive that their father's heroes really did exist - and they were quite good too.

The book comprises a selection of page lifts from back issues of the magazine, featuring everybody's favorite weekly features, such as "Focus On!", "Football Funnies", "Shoot Us A Line" and "Ask The Expert", and stories and action photos from the key issues of the day.

The Foreword has been written by Chris Waddle, a man who appeared regularly in the pages of the magazine in a legendary career which included more than 60 appearances for England and many seasons at Newcastle United, Tottenham Hotspur, Sheffield Wednesday and Marseille.

There's nothing like exploring the great outdoors. Getting out and appreciating nature can be as simple as spending time in your own back garden or local park, or as adventurous as hiking up a mountain or through a forest. However and wherever you choose to get outside, there are certain essential tools that will help you along the way.

Maker. Wild features 15 projects which will enable you to get the most out of the outdoors, and make your adventures fun, safe and comfortable. Created by Mike Warren - whose projects for Instructables are the ultimate in survival DIY - the projects range from simple, on-the-go survival techniques to makes that you will be sure to pack for every future trip. Mike's fully illustrated, step-by-step instructions encourage the use of found materials and upcycling, advocating harmony with nature and a sustainable outlook every step of the way. Maker. Wild will take you on a journey from DIY greenhorn to survival crafts professional, and give you all the necessary maker skills to upgrade camping trips and hikes from barely organized to expertly crafted.

Projects include; duct tape compass, waterproof clothing, foldable saw, paracord bracelet, watch, containers, hammock, fish hook lanterns and much more!

The Story of Porsche is a compact and beautifully designed review of the iconic car manufacturer.

From the alluring curves to the powerful engineering, Porsche has been synonymous with both luxury and race car manufacturing for more than 90 years. In The Story of Porsche, every component of the legendary brand's success is studied and celebrated, from turbulent beginnings to its ascent to the summit of car design and construction.

Blending heritage with innovation and brand identity with creativity, Porsche has produced some of the most beloved models of sport and luxury car alike. From the timeless designs of the 911 and Carrera, to the dynamism of the 917, the fabled marque has instilled class and faultless engineering into each and every one of its creations. With 19 victories at Le Mans, Porsche has also proved itself to be as successful on the racetrack as it is on the streets; revered, respected and treasured in equal measure.

These victories on both the podium and in the marketplace are rendered here in stunning detail through insightful text and exceptional photography. This is a story packed with blind corners and steep climbs, in a package that will sit perfectly on any Porsche fan's bookshelf.

Words of advice from lifetimes spent on the fairways of the world – you might even improve your game.

Whether you're a weekend warrior zig-zagging your way across the course or Jack Nicklaus leading the gallery down the 18th fairway at Augusta, golf is a game of wit and wisdom as much as wedges and woods.

From the game's earliest beginnings at St Andrew's in the 15th century to the modern masters of The Masters to the page, the screen and even the White House, golf has been a source of inspiration, motivation, life lessons and laughter for people of all ages.

'It's a marriage. If I had to choose between my wife and my putter... well, I'd miss her.' Gary Player.

'I can tell right away if a guy is a winner or a loser just by the way he conducts himself on the course.' Donald Trump.

The first book to focus on the intersection of Western philosophy and the Asian martial arts, Striking Beauty comparatively studies the historical and philosophical traditions of martial arts practice and their ethical value in the modern world. Expanding Western philosophy's global outlook, the book forces a theoretical reckoning with the concerns of Chinese philosophy and the aesthetic and technical dimensions of martial arts practice.

Striking Beauty explains the relationship between Asian martial arts and the Chinese philosophical traditions of Confucianism, Buddhism, and Daoism, in addition to Sunzi's Art of War. It connects martial arts practice to the Western concepts of mind-body dualism and materialism, sports aesthetics, and the ethics of violence. The work ameliorates Western philosophy's hostility toward the body, emphasizing the pleasure of watching and engaging in martial arts, along with their beauty and the ethical problem of their violence.

A huge number of people ski, and this fun little book looks at all aspects of what makes it so appealing. For some, it's a serene communication with nature as they glide down a gentle slope in silence, for others it's a 100-miles-an-hour descent down an almost vertical piste with an evening of beer, cheese and singing as a follow-up.

The Little Book of Skiing delves into this fascinating sport, starting with the history and encompassing pretty much everything that draws us to beautiful white slopes across the world. So whether you're a once-a-year wobble-down-a-nursery-slope type or a skiing superstar in lycra, this book will inform, amaze and amuse, and hopefully make your next epic power day that little bit better.

SAMPLE QUOTE:
""There are really only three things to learn in skiing: how to put on your skis, how to slide downhill, and how to walk along the hospital corridor.""
- From A Chinaman in My Bath and other pieces by Lord Mancroft, 1974

SAMPLE FACT:
The word 'ski' comes from the ancient Norse word 'skio', which means a split piece of wood.

Within Ten Principles of a Character Coach, Coach Gary Waters defines a character coach as someone who lives a life with integrity, honesty and moral values. He speaks specifically on how the sport of basketball has been riddled with scandals in recent years on the high school and college levels; and how the governing authorities are committed to repairing the reputation of college basketball. Ten Principles of a Character Coach addresses many of the issues that young men and women are experiencing in the athletic arena today. Coach Waters believes character and values need to be a high priority in those individuals tasked with guiding young people, as well as themselves. Furthermore, Coach Waters is convinced that following the principles within Ten Principles of a Character Coach will benefit anyone in developing their character.

The Ryder Cup tells the complete story of one of the world's most prestigious sporting contests. Fiercely fought every two years, it uniquely pits teams from two golfing giants – Europe and the USA – against each other in a sport that is more usually associated with individual play.

This beautifully illustrated book tells the full story of this great tournament, from its humble beginnings in 1927, to the introduction of European golfers into what had been the GB and Ireland team in the late 1970s, to the titanic, see-saw struggles of the modern day. It looks at each of the Ryder Cups, and features the great players, pairings, captains and courses along the way. A book for sports fans everywhere, The Ryder Cup is the definitive chronicling of the history and prestige of this global sporting event.

Packed with camping fundamentals, such as tips on essential kit, how to start a fire, what to look for in a good site and a few challenges you may encounter, this little book also includes quotes that celebrate the great outdoors. Whether your preference is a caravan, a treehouse, a yurt or a simple pegged tent under the stars, it’s the best way to get exercise and enjoy nature.

More than just a book on survival, this book embraces the wonder and magic of the great outdoors, with great quotes, facts and written words that help explore and understand some of the world's most beautiful natural places.

Discover What Made Baseball America’s Pastime 

#1 New Release in Baseball Statistics

Baseball Memories & Dreams celebrates the iconic moments, heroes, and trends that define baseball for its millions of fans  

This compendium of baseball writing covers it all—recollections of Hall of Famers and narratives from top baseball writers; stories on the rich iconography and history of the game across the full diversity of players, teams, and leagues; and reflections on the way America’s pastime has shaped our culture. Selected from the Baseball Hall of Fame’s member magazine, Baseball Memories & Dreams brings to life the best of baseball. 

More than just a baseball history book. Revel in America’s pastime and explore baseball history in articles written by notable sports writers, Hall of Famers, media personalities, and the Hall’s own expert historians. Baseball Memories & Dreams showcases the best of baseball facts, baseball biographies, and baseball media personalities into a robust catalogue of known and unknown information.

Get the inside scoop into the lives of baseball giants like Johnny Bench, Peter Gammons, John Grisham, Tim Kurkjian, Ichiro Suzuki, Joe Torre, and more. From their stories, gain insight into each individual life to see just what trials and hardships made these men into the best baseball players in history. With Baseball Memories & Dreams in hand, you’ll see America’s pastime in a new light.

Inside, you’ll find over 70 articles on America’s pastime, highlighting:

• Baseball facts, baseball biographies, stats, and artifacts—and the history and lore behind them
• Coverage of Black, Hispanic, and woman players
• Stories about baseball’s great players, teams, and rivalries, as well as the moments that trace the game’s wide-ranging history 

If you enjoy baseball books—best sellers like The Baseball 100, Cloudbuster Nine, or Talking to GOATS—you’ll love Baseball Memories & Dreams.

Laying waste to the notion that Abner Doubleday established the modern game of baseball, acclaimed biographer Jay Martin makes a bold case for A. J. Cartwright (1820-1892), an entrepreneur, philanthropist, and avid ballplayer whose keen perception and restless spirit codified the rules of the sport and engineered its rapid spread throughout the country.

Consulting Cartwright's personal correspondence and papers, Martin shows how this American archetype synthesized a number of elements from popular ballgames into the program, bylaws, and positions we find on the field today. After formalizing his blueprint, Cartwright worked tirelessly to promote baseball nationwide, appealing to both upper- and lower-class spectators and ballplayers and weaving a trail of influence across nineteenth-century America.

Addressing the controversy that has roiled for years around the claims for Doubleday and Cartwright, Martin revisits the original arguments behind each camp and throws into sharp relief the competing ambitions of these figures during a time of aggressive westward expansion and unparalleled opportunities for individual reinvention. Martin's story of modern baseball not only offers a fascinating window into a thoroughly American phenomenon but also accesses a rare history of American ideals.

Juji Gatame remains the most consistently used joint lock in many grappling sports including judo, sambo, jujitsu, submission grappling, BJJ, and MMA. 

Athletes and coaches around the world use and respect this game-ending armlock.

Juji gatame was not widely popular until the 1960s, when the sambo grapplers of the former Soviet Union began their innovations with Japanese armlocks and groundfighting. With great success, they took their opponents to the mat, submitting them with never-before-seen applications of juji gatame techniques.

This comprehensive manual organizes juji gatame into four primary applications

• Spinning juji gatame
• Back roll juji gatame
• Head roll juji gatame
• Hip roll juji gatame

Steve Scott carefully breaks down the basics, analyzes the structure, and offers hundreds of variations so you can successfully win with juji gatame, even under stress.

• A logical and systematic teaching method—for easy learning
• A functional perspective showing hundreds of variations—your options
• Juji gatame unbiased—inviting all grappling styles
• Thousands of photographs—in action

The first edition of The Price of Football quickly established itself as the go-to guide to understanding football club finance for the serious fan. Kieran Maguire, one of the UK’s top football finance analysts, shows how professional clubs operate as businesses and explains, in non-technical language, how to read, understand and interrogate club accounts.

As a clear-headed analysis and presentation of the financial imperatives and challenges facing football clubs across the English and Scottish Leagues, it has become a welcome resource not only for students of the industry, but by a wider constituency of supporters looking to understand their club’s latest transfer deal, or season ticket price.

This fully revised and updated edition includes analysis of the most recent club accounts, the latest legal rulings on club affairs, as well as the impact of Covid-19 on the game’s finances.

Jeffrey A. Kroessler's comprehensive and entertaining time line stretches from the pastoral entertainments of the Dutch to the corporate captivity of professional sports. He chronicles events ranging from the truly heroic to the heartbreaking, from moments of municipal greatness to inescapable social change. Through it all he plants the world of sport at the very center of New York's story.

Fully illustrated, The Greater New York Sports Chronology covers the spectacle of blood sports like bullbaiting to the birth of baseball, the now-forgotten six-day pedestrian contests, and today's New York City Marathon. Alongside great moments like the Mets' "amazin'" World Series win in 1969, Joe Louis's historic bouts with Max Schmeling, Jackie Robinson's breaking of baseball's color line, and Secretariat's remarkable Triple Crown win at Belmont, we encounter the point-shaving scandals of college basketball and the corrupting influence of organized crime in professional boxing. Beyond immortals like Lou Gehrig and Joe Namath, we also find such once well known figures as Joe Lapchick, Marty Glickman, Gertrude Ederle, and Toots Shor. Year by year, this chronology recounts chess matches, America's Cup races, dog shows, golf tournaments, polo matches, tennis games, and more. Kroessler describes the historic venues, boxing arenas, gyms, stadiums, ballparks, and racetracks that have come and gone, yet made New York the undisputed capital of American sport. Witnessing it all, of course, are the greatest fans in the world.

BECAUSE NOT ALL KRAV MAGA IS THE SAME ™

Hardcover format includes all photos in FULL COLOR!

Israeli krav maga is the official self-defense system of the Israel Defense Forces. Krav maga training shares the same principles for civilians, law enforcement, and military personnel alike to deliver them from harm's way. Goals however, are different for law enforcement and military personnel.

This book is designed for security-conscious civilians, law enforcement officers, military personnel, and security professionals alike who want to improve their chances of not just surviving an armed attack, but increase the odds of prevailing without serious injury.

Krav maga's popularity in professional law enforcement, military, and security circles is attributable to its practicality, simplicity, quick retention, easy learning curve, and brutal effectiveness. This effectiveness is built on a few core tenets and simple building blocks. General principles are applied and customized to suit the needs of a dynamic violent situation.

Contents include:

• Mind-sets, reactions, and tactics in response to violence
• The highest-level counters against multiple armed attacks and threats
• Core kick, clinch, and tackle defenses
• Core ground survival tactics
• Multiple-opponent strategies and tactics
• Impact weapon defenses
• Edged weapon defenses
• Firearm disarms and retention
• Includes 954 detailed photographs

The most up-to-date tactics presented in this book focus on the most common violent scenarios. These techniques derive from the author's translation of the Israeli Krav Maga Association (IKMA) curriculum. The IKMA is the governing body for krav maga, recognized by the Israeli government and headed by Grandmaster Haim Gidon.

Responsible people seek krav maga training as a shield against violence.

The number of kids who love to play soccer has exploded in the last decade. Unfortunately, so has the number of sports injuries. Why? More games, more competitions, and early specialization have all contributed, but so have our methods of training them. High pressure to perform along with an increased volume and intensity of training has combined to hamper young soccer athletes. They favor one side, overuse one muscle group, and do it over and over again. This is a recipe for injury.

In Fit 2 Finish, Dr. LeBolt takes a sport scientist's eye to the training of our soccer-loving kids. She distills the gems of two decades of coaching and injury prevention training to display the methods that have worked to make her athletes safer, healthier and more effective, all while never losing the fun. Coaches at all levels can apply the Fit2Finish principles to every facet of their coaching: warm up, skills and drills, game play, post game routines, recovery, rest and preparing for the next game. Fit 2 Finish is the training manual and the game plan for the coach who's first objective is to keep kids healthy and in the game.

Yes, we must address the 'too much, too early' in today's youth sports, but while we go about changing the culture, the kids who are currently in it need saving. Today's coaches can start now by taking the Fit2Finish method straight to their practice field. If strong, balanced, healthy, high-performing athletes are what we're after, then Fit 2 Finish will get us there.

BECAUSE NOT ALL KRAV MAGA IS THE SAME®

Hardcover format includes all photos in FULL COLOR!

This book introduces and codifies big-picture thinking to take you to the next level of self-defense expertise. The material is designed to conform to your strengths; you need not conform to the system.

In this latest volume from David Kahn, you will find practical, battle-tested stratagems and insights that are equally applicable across the spectrum of martial arts and fighting systems. The text is supported by 180 dynamic separate photo series representing a rich krav maga gamut of self-defense strategies and tactics.

Topics include:

• The Best Use of a Training Partner
• The Difference Between Anger and Rage
• Recognizing Your Own Triggers to Avoid Violence
• Contending with Road Rage
• Conflict Avoidance and Escape
• Physiological Reactions to Threats and Violence
• Legal Use of Force Requirements
• Defensive (Dis)Engagement Mindset
• Anatomical Targeting and Self-Protection
• Preemptive Linear Strikes
• Absorbing and Moving with an Attack
• Fighting Ranges
• Combatives Power and Balance
• Self-Defense Fight Timing
• Tactical Retreating
• When and How to Counterattack
• Defending against a Skilled Fighter
• Deceptive Fighting
• Ground Survival
• Defending an Ambush
• Multiple Opponents
• Breaking Up a Fight

As good tactical minds generally think alike, whatever your martial arts or defensive tactics background, this book is designed to synergize any previous professional self-defense knowledge to enhance your personal survival blueprint.

Krav Maga Fundamental Strategies draws on ideas and techniques from nearly every level of the Israeli Krav Maga curriculum, including violence avoidance and prevention. The result is an adaptable strategy supported by tried and true defensive tactics, coupled with sound defensive principles, all of which will serve to deliver you from harm’s way.

Benjamin C. Alamar founded the first journal dedicated to sports statistics, the Journal of Quantitative Analysis in Sports. He developed and teaches a class on sports analytics for managers at the University of San Francisco and has published numerous cutting-edge studies on strategy and player evaluation. Today, he cochairs the sports statistics section of the International Statistics Institute and consults with several professional teams and businesses in sports analytics.

There isn't a better representative of this emerging field to show diverse organizations how to implement analytics into their decision-making strategies, especially as analytic tools grow increasingly complex. Alamar provides a clear, easily digestible survey of the practice and a detailed understanding of analytics' vast possibilities. He explains how to evaluate different programs and put them to use. Using concrete examples from professional sports teams and case studies demonstrating the use and value of analytics in the field, Alamar designs a roadmap for managers, general managers, and other professionals as they build their own programs and teach their approach to others.

Follow along with award-winning sportswriter Lew Freedman as he journals an unforgettable season of fly fishing along the Kenai River.

Just as you never know what kind of fish and what size fish might be tugging on your line when the rod bends, you never know what kind of excitement awaits during a season on the Kenai River. Located in Southcentral Alaska, the Kenai River is a world-class salmon river attracting fishermen from all over the world. Each summer thousands of anglers fish the magical Kenai River. Discover what makes the eighty-five-mile-long river a dream destination for the devout fisherman inside My Season on the Kenai.

Freedman’s amusing stories and first-hand experience are sure to entertain and inspire the avid angler, with valuable information and insights sprinkled in each chapter.

NINE LEVELS, EASY TO EXPERT

This book stands apart from other staff training manuals. While most titles focus on forms and twirling, The Art and Science of Staff Fighting emphasizes the dynamics of combat. The author draws on thirty years of martial experience, presenting the best of both Eastern and Western traditions.

Joe Varady lays out a comprehensive course of study in nine levels, from beginner to expert. He guides readers through such fundamentals as stances, striking, blocking, and footwork. In advanced lessons, readers learn disarming techniques, groundwork, and facing multiple opponents.

But this book is not just for staff enthusiasts. Even those unfamiliar with martial arts can adapt these techniques, increasing their skill and confidence in defending themselves.

"Our environment is usually full of improvised weapons,” Varady writes. “Staff fighting techniques can be effectively applied in a self-defense situation using a walking stick, coatrack, curtain rod, floor lamp, hockey stick, fallen tree branch, broom, mop, shovel, or rake.”

Equipped with this knowledge, readers will begin to realize that, in one way or another, they are nearly always armed and capable of defending themselves.

This book features:

• Nine levels of instruction, progressing from easy to expert
• Over 600 photos with motion arrows
• A “nondenominational” approach to staff, utilizing the best of Eastern and Western arts
• A comprehensive, methodical approach to building staff skills

If you are already a student of the staff, these lessons will not conflict with your katas or current style. Instead, they will augment your techniques, broadening your options.

Whether you are an experienced staff fighter or a layman seeking practical techniques for self-defense, The Art and Science of Staff Fighting will help you develop the skills you need.

A fast and powerful style that excels in throwing and ground fighting

Sambo is considered one of the most effective, technically diverse, and dynamic modern sport fighting styles ever devised. Developed in the Soviet Union and based on Kodokan Judo and wrestling, sambo emphasizes utility over aesthetics. The end result is a fast paced and powerful system that excels in both throwing and ground fighting.

This book offers a serious, technical look at the Russian martial sport that has changed the way the martial arts world looks at grappling. Our emphasis will be a systematic approach, presenting skills based on their function and utility in actual sport fighting.

Sambo places emphasis on fast-paced, powerful and functional throwing techniques, and equally fast-paced, powerful and functional ground fighting techniques. Using fundamentally sound skills performed by a motivated and well-conditioned athlete, who has molded what he knows to work for him with a high ratio of success, is hard to beat.

Contents include

• The essentials of sambo
• Throwing techniques
• Leg, ankle, and hip locks
• Armlocks
• Holds and breakdowns
• Over 1200 instructional photographs

“The skills presented in this book have all passed the tests of time and competition. Everything presented has been used successfully at all levels of competitive sambo.”

—Steve Scott

BECAUSE NOT ALL KRAV MAGA IS THE SAME®

Hardcover format includes all photos in FULL COLOR!

This book is designed for krav maga trainees, security-conscious civilians, law enforcement officers, security professionals, and military personnel alike who wish to refine their essential krav maga combatives, improve their chances of surviving a hostile attack and prevail without serious injury.

Combatives are the foundation of krav maga counter-attacks. These are the combatives of the original Israeli Krav Maga Association (Grandmaster Gidon).

It is irrefutable that you need only learn a few core combatives to be an effective fighter. Simple is easy. Easy is effective. Effective is what is required to end a violent encounter quickly, decisively, and on your terms. This book stresses doing the right things and doing them in the right way. Right technique + Correct execution = Maximum Effect.

Contents include:

• Key strategies for achieving maximum combative effects
• Krav maga’s 12 most effective combatives
• Developing power and balance
• Combatives for the upper and lower body
• Combative combinations and retzev (continuous combat motion)
• Combatives for takedowns and throws
• Combatives for armbars, leglocks, and chokes

Whatever your martial arts or defensive tactics background or if you have no self-defense background at all, this book can add defensive combatives and combinations to your defensive repertoire. Our aim is to build a strong self-defense foundation through the ability to optimally counter-attack.

BECAUSE NOT ALL KRAV MAGA IS THE SAME®

Hardcover format includes all photos in FULL COLOR!

Israeli Krav Maga is the Israel Defense Force's official self-defense system. 

The system is simple, instinctive, adaptable, and if necessary, brutally effective to thwart a life threatening assault. This book presents the most up-to-date and effective techniques to prevail against armed threats and attacks.

Many of these updated defenses have never been seen before. Grandmaster Haim Gidon has improved and evolved this material with the late krav maga founder Imi Lichtenfeld's formal approval.

Contents include

• Weapon awareness training; functionality, range, and deployment
• Dominant control holds over a stunned assailant
• Edged weapon defenses
• Impact weapon defenses
• Handgun defenses
• Rifle defenses
• Defending against weapons while on the ground
• Defending against continuous attacks
• Non-conventional weapon threats
• First-party hostage situations
• Kravist weapon defense drills

Regardless of strength, size, age, or gender, you can learn krav maga techniques to fend off an armed attacker.

“Simplicity is the shortest distance between two points.” ― Bruce Lee, The Tao of Jeet Kune Do

The best of both Eastern and Western stick fighting techniques

The Art and Science of Stick Fighting is a unique, non-style specific, approach to fighting with the short stick. Its curriculum is streamlined and divided into nine logical stages of training that allow the reader to quickly and methodically learn and develop the skills needed for fighting with the stick. Whether you are just starting out, or have been practicing stick fighting for years, there is something for everyone in this book. Also included are systematic workouts and descriptions of how to make and use specific training equipment as you learn and master The Art and Science of Stick Fighting.

• Nine levels of instruction, progressing from easy to expert
• Over 700 photos with motion arrows
• A “nondenominational” approach to the stick, utilizing the best of Eastern and Western arts
• A comprehensive, methodical approach to building stick fighting skills

This book stands apart from other stick fighting training manuals because it emphasizes the dynamics of combat. Many other books focus on forms and twirling. The author draws on thirty years of martial experience, presenting the best of both Eastern and Western traditions.

The Art and Science of Stick Fighting begins with the basics, upon which everything else relies.

• A stable stance
• Basic footwork
• An effective guard

Once the basics are in place, you learn the strategies and tactics of fighting with the stick at long, middle, and close range. By controlling the distance, you control the fight!

• Learn important guidelines for sparring, from light contact up to full-contact training.
• Learn how to construct your own padded weapons.
• Learn effective fighting tips that will rev up your game.

Also included are chapters on advanced techniques; combating short ranged weapons such as a knife to long range weapons like the staff. Even detailed techniques to use when your opponent is armed but you are not!

Whether you already study the stick or are just starting out, if you want to learn how to get an edge , The Art and Science of Stick Fighting is for you!

True and intimate short stories of a modern fisherman's life of luck and loss.

Written in chronological order, fisherman Brad Matsen gives a realistic look of frightening weather, good fishing, terrible fishing, great days, and sweet living in Alaskan waters from the decks of crabbers, trawlers, longliners, trollers, and gillnetters.

This book and others inspired film crews to trek to Alaska and cover the crabbing seasons for reality TV shows. Commercial fishing's home ports—Dutch Harbor, Kodiak, Naknek, Cordova, Petersburg, Sitka, and Seattle—are classic fishing towns, where docks, bars, and even quiet living merge in colorful portraits about life on the last frontier.

Included in this second edition are new stories and updates from the super-heated days when fishing fleets turned king crab into fortunes, to the annual circus of Bristol Bay's monster salmon runs, to the bucolic life of the open ocean trawler.

Whether in oceans or lakes, streams, or rivers; humans have been drawn to water and the unique bathing opportunities it offers. This title celebrates our connection with water, focusing on outdoor bathing locations around the world. From spots nature created expertly herself to places designed by humans to harness rugged and remote surroundings, this book examines in detail the long-standing relationship between humans and outdoor bathing in a way sure to charm the inner bather in us all.

Get ready to hit the slopes with Powder, showcasing some of the world's best destinations for skiing, snowboarding, and more.

Created in collaboration with Red Bull, this visually stunning book takes you on a journey through breathtaking landscapes, from iconic locations to hidden gems, and reveals the pure, contemplative beauty of snowcapped mountains.

With a mix of action-packed images featuring celebrated snow athletes and contemplative nature shots, Powder captures the exhilarating marriage between space and sport. Explore the Alps, Scandinavia, North America, and Asia through their unique natural wonders, while connecting with top athletes who have conquered the world's most challenging snowfields.

In addition to being a feast for the eyes, Powder is also an inspirational guide, providing practical tips, maps, and travel information to help you plan your ultimate snowy adventure. Whether you’re a seasoned pro or a first-time snow sport enthusiast, this book will enthrall you with the thrill and beauty of winter sports.

From short sailing trips with friends to longer cruises along coastlines or across the oceans, this book celebrates the nautical way of life.

Since the dawn of time, exploring the world by boat has been seen as the pinnacle of freedom. And what may often have seemed an impossible dream is now within reach, thanks to businesses offering boats for hire and specialist companies organizing trips that give people the opportunity to live that dream for a few weeks. 

Sailing the Seas will take readers on a series on adventures across the globe, from the coast of the US down to the Caribbean, through classic Mediterranean voyages and of trips in far-flung locations such as Thailand and French Polynesia. Presenting a fresh, younger side of sailing, this volume reveals the sights, sounds, tastes, and experiences that can be had on board a boat.

Join the celebration of the diverse, vibrant, and engaged community of women riding and making waves around the globe.

While surfing is usually seen as a male domain, women have long been nurturing their own water stories and claiming their rightful place in the world of this sport. She Surf hails the females, past and present, who are engaged in expanding the art of surfing. 

Through exclusive interviews and evocative imagery, the book travels from the iconic waves of Hawaii to remote locations in Morocco. Learn about the forgotten stories of Polynesian surfing princesses, pioneering wave riders from the 1960s, and the contemporary movers and shakers shaping the scene. This book is an exciting reflection on what it means to be a female surfer and what it means to be moved to action by the beauty of the sea.

Lift yourself into the world of bouldering and teach the body and mind new extremes.

Bouldering goes beyond being just a pastime, it is a sense of community that teaches you to challenge your physical and mental boundaries. Power, discipline, and pure focus that pushes you to new heights. Bouldern shows the different motifs behind bouldering and the inspirational figures of this high-performance sport. The joy of experimenting teaches perseverance and how to deal with failure, bouldering forces the body to new limits. Bernd Zangerl, known as the “natural born free-climber,” guides this book through his expertise. 

Along with his bouldering colleagues, he shows the fascinating and challenging aspects of rock and indoor climbing and explains bouldering for every age. Experiencing bouldering through gripping photography and specialist knowledge, this book is both for newcomers and skilled individuals looking to reach new heights.

When Rube Foster was inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 1981, his rightful place alongside baseball's greatest black heroes was at last firmly established. A world-class pitcher, a formidable manager, and a brilliant administrator, Rube Foster was arguably more influential in breaking down the color barrier in major league baseball than the venerable Jackie Robinson.
Born in 1879, Rube Foster pitched for the legendary black baseball teamsthe Cuban X-Giants and the Philadelphia Giants before becoming player-manager of the Leland Giants and the Chicago American Giants. Long a central figure in black baseball, he founded baseball's first black leaguethe Negro National League in 1920. From its inception, the Negro League served as a vehicle through which many of the finest black players could showcase their considerable talents. Challenging racial discrimination and stereotypes, it ultimately set the stage for future efforts to contest Jim Crow.
Despite the long-standing success of the Negro National League as an influential black institution, Rube Foster was deeply embittered by organized baseball's unmitigated refusal to lift the color barrier. He died a broken man in 1930.
The Best Pitcher in Baseball is the story of a man of unparalleled vision and organizational acumen whose passion for justice changed the face of baseball forever. It is a moving tribute to a man and his dream.

Our love affair with the baseball jersey continues in this major new book on the evolution of the iconic shirt as sportswear, streetwear, cultural icon, and fashion must-have.

San Francisco Chronicle Bestseller

"From the speedy rise of the Big Three to their stunning breakup, Urban's book says it all." —John Shea, National baseball Writer, San Francisco Chronicle

During the 2004 season, each of Oakland's Big Three aces had something to prove. Tim Hudson was determined to demonstrate his recovery from a recurring injury. Barry Zito had to show the world that after a ho-hum 2003, his 2002 Cy Young Award was not a fluke. Mark Mulder missed the 203 playoffs entirely with a stress fracture, but the way he saw it, he simply needed to be himself—the natural-born pitcher.

Given unprecedented access to the Big Three, Mychael Urban recreates their tumultuous season through their eyes. he explores the nuts and bolts of major league pitching, examining each player's unique approach to this craft while revealing how three very different personalities cope with the demands, rewards, and challenges of sports stardom.

Now with a new afterword on the 2005 season

Urban traces the fortunes of the Big Three after Hudson was sent to Atlanta and Mulder to St. Louis, trades which held the dramatic promise of them being reunited again-as opponents-in the playoffs.

Few things in sports evoke as much emotion as the Chicago Cubs and Wrigley Field. Love them or hate them, the Cubs have a mystique all their own. In Classic Cubs: A Tribute to the Men and Magic of Wrigley Field, artist John Hanley and writer Chris De Luca celebrate the glorious history and milestones of the team and highlight a galaxy of Hall of Fame ballplayers with lively text and more than 125 original oil paintings and drawings created exclusively for this book.

Classic Cubs evokes moods that only fine art can create. Hanley’s paintings record the legacy and beauty of the game and the valor of the men who played it, illustrating the ivy-covered walls and manually operated scoreboard of Wrigley Field and recounting the legendary players, announcers, owners, and “The Curse.” All are beautifully depicted through art and text.

Wrigley Field and the Chicago Cubs have been the subject of many books, but this is the first to capture the spirit of the team through the powerful skill of an artist’s brush. A beautifully painted history of the team, Classic Cubs dramatically depicts where some of baseball’s most exciting and bittersweet moments have occurred.

Why does your team float around the .500 mark year after year while other franchises always seem to be in contention? How do some teams make that incredible leap from worst to first in just a season or two? If you could corner your team's owner and general manager—say in mid-October when neither you nor they have anything better to do—what advice would you give them so that you can spend next October at the stadium? Plenty of ideas, but you're not sure which ones really work? You need to read Winners!

In this raucous, entertaining, and sure-to-be-controversial guide for the dedicated fan and unpaid organizational watchdog, Baseball Prospectus columnist Dayn Perry dives deep into the stats and comes up with some mind-blowing answers to the most important question in baseball: How to winners win?

Analyzing record, lineups, defense, and pitching staffs of the 124 teams that made it to the playoffs between 1980 and 2003, Perry separates baseball myth from hardball reality, slays some sacred cows, and gives you new, more accurate ways to analyze both individual and team performance.

You'll discover why stats like batting average, RBI, and even OBP don't tell you what you really need to know about a hitter's contribution to the team; why that much ballyhooed trading-deadline pickup probably won't help your team move up in this year's standings; and why you need only one certified ace in the rotation to make it into the post season. You'll also find out why:

• A huge payroll doesn't guarantee success (but it helps)
• Slugging percentage is a hitter's most important traditional slat
• There's no such thing as a player who "knows how to win"
• Middle relievers are typically the most important people in the bullpen
• Speed helps, stealing bases doesn't

Perry backs up every one of his brash claims with solid statistical evidence. He illustrates each point with colorful, engaging stories about some of the most successful teams and admired players of the last quarter century, from dynasties like the Braves and the Yankees to one-season wonders like the '87 Tigers and the '01 Diamondbacks. He shows you how to identify the young players most likely to have long and successful careers; analyzes the achievements of such greats as George Brett, Rickey Henderson, Pedro Martinez, and Barry Bonds; and reveals how one of the greatest teams of all time managed an eleven-year winning spree using ten (count 'em—ten!) different closers.

Whether you're buttonholing the GM, dialing your local sports call-in show, or commiserating with your buddies as the local nine go down in flames yet again, Winners gives you a leg up in every baseball argument. maybe your team still can't win—but you can!