5 comments about Starcraft: Uprising.

1. Let's see if I can remember what I wrote the first time that never got posted...

   I really enjoyed reading the story. This book is an excellent prequel to Liberty's Crusade (also an excellent Starcraft book), beginning with the destruction of Korhal from Mengsk's perspective, to his rescue of Kerrigan and how she came to be working with him. The characters were developed wonderfully and given fleshed-out backgrounds from the few hints given in the game.

   The major downside to this product is the fact that it only comes as an ebook. I would be thrilled if the publishers were to put it in paperback. Right now my copy of the ebook is stuck on my work computer, which is annoying because someday I will not be at my current job and I won't be able to take it with me. If there isn't a paper copy available by then I'll have to type out the whole thing by hand, and I would rather not do that. ;)




2. I don't think I have ever read a worse book, sure it starts out promising with the destructioun of korhall. However then It gets completly unrealistic with peopole behaving in a way that is irrational. For instance one minute youre sworn enemys and the next youre willing to die for each other,please. In short don't buy it. You've been warned!



3. This was the first e-book I've ever read and I thought that it was pretty good. It takes place in the world of Starcraft and talks about Sarah Kerrigan being liberated by Acturus Mengsk. It goes deep into her past and tells how she came to be a ghost for the confederates, then switched sides to the rebellion.

   If you like sci-fi then you'll probably like this book, I really enjoyed it and would reccomend it to anybody that likes Starcraft. I've always wondered about Kerrigan's past and this cleared up questions that I had, and expanded on thigs mentioned in the game.




4. Ok, this and Warcraft: Of Blood and Honor are my first e-books, but I have not read them yet. However, if the paper books in this series are any sign then these should be good, and since a Blizzard Employee (who I hope worked on Starcraft) wrote it then they would have a greater ability to write about something they helped create. Therefore, I am giving it five stars based on this hope. Personally, my favourite in this series was Book 1 Liberty's Crusade. Anyways I have to go, I got class in like 2 minutes (University - poor me). The only complaint that I and the reason it loses one star is because they were hard to download. I have Adobe Acrobat Reader 6.0.1 (which is the latest version <--- got it free through a link on my physics class page), but it said when I tried to download them that it was not up-to-date or some crap. So anyways, I hope they are well written. Later everyone. They both get 4/5 stars



5. The book itself is brief to the point where you wish for more. That being said, the content was well written and it was definitely an easy and entertaining read. The story itself adds some more depth to Mengsk and Sarah and also sheds a different light upon them which is much appreciated. If you're a Blizzard/Starcraft fan like I am, I would recommend reading Uprising, Liberty's Crusade and then Queen of Blades. The connection between the three won't be overtly apparent beyond the main storyline, but you'll notice some familiar names. Enjoy!

3 comments about Jump Rope Training - 2nd Edition.

1. I was looking to add a little 'extra' to my cardio workouts and I just don't like to run. Jump Rope Training by Buddy Lee makes it super easy, and fun, to get started jumping rope. So far I'm just trying to master the basic techniques (Chapter 3) but I look forward to adding the different jumps to my workouts and improving my overall conditioning. When I first picked up a jump rope I really didn't know what length it should be, what kind of rope is best for me, and how to hold/turn it. I'm now able to jump rope for 2-3 minutes at a time and look forward to getting to the 5 minute mark. Great book for a beginner like me but probably even better for anyone involved in a sport as it adds a new and fun dimension to training!



2. Jumping rope may be a popular activity on the playground, but this child's play has evolved into one of the most efficient ways to improve cardiovascular health. In the new edition of his popular book Jump Rope Training (Human Kinetics, June 2010), Buddy Lee explains how jump rope training offers functional exercise that can increase fitness and sport performance.
   
   Many of the greatest athletes jump rope. The famous late Bruce Lee jumped rope to develop that tremendous quickness for which he was well known.
   
   Jumping rope is an extremely good way to get fit fast. It's a cardio workout that can be done in a short time, preferably in intervals.
   
   If you want to discover the value and the techniques of jumping rope, you'll find this book invaluable.
   
   Now, I must confess that I couldn't jump rope. I can play most any sport very well. I'm fit and love to workout. But I could not jump rope before getting this book. Moving my hands and getting my feet to obey my commands at the same time was too much multi-tasking for me.
   
   So, if you've never jumped rope before, have no fear. You too can do it. And it's a workout!
   
   I love how jumping rope using Buddy's system makes you so quick. He writes, "Quickness is best understood as reaction time. Good reaction time allows you to take advantage of split-second opportunities to act or react in order to make use of a window of opportunity and thus gain an advantage or recover from a disadvantage. My jump rope training system specifically targets quickness of the hands and feet because most athletic movements are executed by hand, foot, or, in many cases, both."
   
   He also teaches you sprint and circuit training programs, which are highly effective training methods.
   
   Buddy's system promises to help you develop . . .
   
   - Increased wrist, ankle, and knee strength
   - Conditioning of your back, shoulders, and chest
   - Increased gripping strength
   - Improved posture
   - Increased proprioceptive in your feet and ankles
   - Increased strength in your calves and quads
   - Improvements in vertical leap, lateral shifting, and start speed
   - Stimulation of your vestibular system, which improves balance
   - Reduced stretch-shortening cycle, which reduces the time it takes the muscles to contract, leading to increases in speed, quickness, power, and improved reaction times
   - Increased burning of fat through recruitment of multiple muscle groups and engagement of multiple energy systems
   - Improved concentration, which reduces your energy expenditure, increases your endurance, and improves your performance.
   
   His system consists of three steps.
   
   1. Base phase. You learn the skill of jumping and develop initial jump rope proficiency.
   
   2. Conditioning phase. Learn the 15 sports training jumps included in level 1, then try the 10 sports training jumps on level 2. Establish basic jump rope capacity.
   
   3. Sports training phrase.
   
   He gives some interesting comparisons to the value of rope jumping to other sports. For example, jumping rope for 10 minutes at 120 RPM produces the same cardio fitness as 2 sets of tennis or jogging 30 minutes at a moderate pace.
   
   Drawings are provided that show what muscles are worked during each phase of a jump. You'll also learn the correct body position and proper grip. And you'll discover the two basic techniques of jumping rope, the bounce step and alternate-foot step.
   
   To give you an idea of what you'll find in the book, take a look at the contents.
   
   Part I: Jump Rope Training Progression
   
   Chapter 1: Introducing the Buddy Lee System
   
   Chapter 2: Get Ready to Jump
   
   Chapter 3: Step 1: Base Phase--Master the Basic Techniques
   
   Chapter 4: Step 2: Conditioning Phase--Develop Jump Skills and Endurance
   
   Chapter 5: Step 3: Sport Training Phase--Add Anaerobic Intensity
   
   Part II: Jump Rope Training Programs
   
   Chapter 6: Build Endurance
   
   Chapter 7: Increase Speed and Quickness
   
   Chapter 8: Gain Strength and Power
   
   Chapter 9: Improve Agility, Coordination, and Balance
   
   Chapter 10: Condition for Specific Sports and Fitness Goals
   
   Part III: Supplemental Uses for Jump Rope Training
   
   Chapter 11: Warm-Up, Cool-Down, and Active Rest
   
   Chapter 12: Injury Prevention and Rehabilitation
   
   Chapter 13: Weight Loss for Athletic Goals
   
   Buddy says, "Jumping is a skilled movement that requires proper timing and coordination of the rope swing with each jump. In time, you will discover that as you practice proper rope-jumping form and technique you eventually experience a rope-jumping rhythm that builds your agility, timing, and balance."
   
   He discusses intensity training, which is a superior way to benefit from any workout. You get a great cardio workout in a short time. You'll learn how to test before you begin so you have a baseline. "Setting a baseline teaches you that your ability to maintain proper intensity depends on a combination of conditioning, concentration, and technique. If one of these variables is off, you will fail to reach the baseline," he says.
   
   He also shows you how to find your target heart rate. This is vital in any training program. Of course, there are some people who, for a number of reasons, need to use the perceived exertion scale.
   
   Who is this book for? I'd say that anyone who wants to learn to jump rope and gain the most benefits from it should get this book. However, it's also for those who already know how to jump rope and even experienced athletes. Why? Because it's a complete system with a program that will quickly help you develop quickness and other much-needed abilities --- plus get an exceptional cardio workout in a short time. I can think of no better, faster way to lose weight.
   
   Highly recommended.
   
   - Susanna K. Hutcheson



3. Anyone into fitness training is already well aware of the excellent calorie burn that jumping rope offers. So much so that many of the top workout DVDs now have you do steps as though yuou are holding an invisible jump rope, and some of the Wii fitness games have you hold the controls like a jump rope.
   
   So I have the invisible jump rope moves well mastered. **grin** I decided to kick it up a notch.
   
   But I'll be honest, as someone very into workout DVDs, I had my doubts I could learn some wicked moves from a BOOK. Consider me corrected.
   
   This book is not a skinny one...at over 200 pages it's written so you master the art. The photographs of the moves are laid out in sequence so you see the movement or the rope along with your hands and feet in unison so it is really no different that watching it on tv except that you grasp it without having to rewind!
   
   Aside from the steps shown that make a workout that burns hella calories FUN, I found the first part of the book to be very important...getting the rope the perfect fit for your body, holding the rope, etc. I had had the rope ALL wrong prior and didn't know it. This was step one for me in being able to even begin mastering some fun steps.
   
   For athletes wanting to train in new ways (which I am not, I just like to max my caloric burn and strength building) this is very well written to varied sports helping the reader know how to maximize their desired skills through jump rope training...whether that be speed, coordination, agility, balance, strength, fitness...pick a sport and you'll find the author helping you to maximize what you need most in the best ways here. Simply want a new fitness routine that only costs the price of a rope and will burn calories faster and most anything else you can think of? He lays out routines with differenct steps if you want them...or just play with the rope. Heck, even just jumping up and down will scorch em.
   
   I wear a bodybugg to measure my daily caloric burn and I only mention that so you know my caloric expenditure was based on that, rather than just perceived exertion.
   
   So here's the deal...bottom line...I have NO coordination in spite of my love of staying in shape. None. Nada. Did I master the rope? Quickly. It's fun in all honesty...inner child making me work out? Win/Win. I can highstep, cross my legs while jumping, power side straddle, cross the rope in my arms now. Just learning it, even when I was messing up, burned A plus calories for me and got my blood rushing but I didn't think about it because my mind was on the learning and the "playing". Better yet, it does build strength with the moves shown in the book. I just added ankle weights and wrist weights to try a new challenge now.
   
   Very well written, easy to follow. The pics are in black and white rather than color if that is important to you but it didn't matter to me since it was really about the form rather than anything else which came across easily. I am sharing this book now with a friend who is a personal trainer who focuses on improvement for certain sports because it also helps a trainer know what to focus on for what you particularly want improvement in.

5 comments about The Great Theft: Wrestling Islam from the Extremists.

1. I have a MA in Near Eastern Studies and have studied Arabic and studied in the Middle East. I have been asked by many why there are not more Muslims speaking out against radical extremists. For any who have wondered the same thing, this is the book for you to read. Professor Al-Fadl has presented a tremendous and succinct outline of the heart of the issue between puritan (as he calls the extremists) and other Muslims. Cutting to the heart of the issue he helps those not of his faith, but who still value other faiths, to understand that what is often presented in the media does not represent Islam. I applaud Professor Al-Fadl and wish we have more Muslims like him. I think we do. Read this book and then have your friends and neighbors read it.



2. All of the other book reviewers collectively reflect many good insights into this book. The author purports to be a moderate who is seeking to reform Islam by converting the extremist-fundamentalists from their puritan tastes, and mellowing Islam into a non-militant state. One would hope this could be done with Islam, but the puritans seem to have had thousands of Islamist 'scholars' or 'jurists' on their side for seemingly 1,400 years. Contrary to the thousands of historical Islamist-puritan jurists, the author provides merely a handful of 'moderate' Muslim 'jurists' who view Islam as the author does. This book is very worth while in reading for the many, many legalistic 'tidbits' the author provides in helping to explain overall Islamic-juristic theory and history. This book really isn't really detailed analysis of all the the militant ayats in the Qur'an, but reflects a 'moderate's' desire that Islam didn't have such of a militant history. Despite the author's legal background, this is no BRILL'S PUBLISHER's-like legal-analysis book. But the great shortcoming in this book is that it fails to analyze how the purists really developed their militancy tastes: from the military campaigns of Mohammad and how he supported the killing/murder of those who even merely questioned his words or actions or ridiculed him. The author may try to ignore the Darth Vadar side of Mohammad's personality, but to learn about his devilish side one needs to read Robert Spencer's books, such as "The Politically Incorrect Guide to Islam." Knowing this dark side, Ed Fadl could have titled his book: "Islam: The Great Theft."



3. This is a very good and thorogh book which highlights the basic differences between what abou el Fadl describes as 'moderates' and 'puritans'. The first part of the book gives a good basic introduction on the history of puritan ideology and the way in which it spread to Saudi Arabia and eventually became the official ideology of Saudi. Though the book can at times become redundant and repititive it is in general a very good read and quite informative. I do wish that, in order to back up his arguments, abou el Fadl had included the names of some of the scholars that he considered 'moderate' and 'puritan'. Also if you are looking for strong arguments in favor of the moderate views then you will have to look elsewhere as abou el Fadl does not go into too much detail (as expected in such an introductory book).
   
   In conclusion its a great especially if you have a limited knowledge on such issues. If you wish for a more in depth analysis abou el Fadl has several books that would suit you better.



4. This is a great read for those who take the moderate viewpoint of Islam and consider fanaticism a handicap to be overcome!



5. I have struggled to better understand the turmoil in the Middle East and the issues that seem to surround the internal conflicts that exist in Islam. This book is a scholarly and well written review of the source of many of the troubles that exist among Muslims at this time and a discussion of the current misconceptions about this wonderful and peaceful religion. It was a pleasure to read and I recommend it highly to anyone who wants to better understand Islam.

No comments about Stories by American Authors, Volume 5.

5 comments about WWE Encyclopedia.

1. I have been a Pro Wrestling fan since the early 1970s. I grew up in Memphis Tennessee and My favorite wrestler was and still till this day is Jerry "The King" Lawler. I moved around a lot as a kid, so I lost touch with Memphis Wrestling. I first came across the WWWF with people like Captain Lou and his tag teams, The Grand Wizard and his men, from that day I was hooked. The encyclopedia covers ALL the history of wrestling as a whole. I read the first 150 pages in two days of getting it. This book is a MUST HAVE for the serious wrestling fan!!!!!!



2. I purchased this item for my son (9) as a gift and Im proud to say he has spent more time looking through the book than playing with his new video game



3. We bought this for our 10 year old grandson who is a #1 wrestling fan. He is thrilled with it. Every time they come over he has something to share with us that he has discovered in the book.



4. Beautiful slick stock pages, lot's of color photos. It has everything! It's a beautiful collector's item. Very excited to give this as a gift.



5. EVERYONE LOVES THIS BOOK. I AM 40 YRS OLD AND LOVE LOOKING AT ALL THE WRESTLERS I USE TO LOVE AS A KID. MY KIDS WHO ARE 8 (BOY) AND 11 (GIRL) ABSOLUTELY LOVE THIS BOOK. THEY LOVE LOOKING AT THE WRESTLERS THEY NOW KNOW AND THEY LOVE ASKING ME ABOUT THE OLD ONES I USE TO WATCH. WELL WORTH THE $$.

5 comments about Warcraft: Day of the Dragon (No.1).

1. I'm not a big reading fan at all. I usually skim around, doze off, spend weeks getting through books. But wow, this one sucked me in. I read the whole thing in two sittings; it was that interesting!



2. World of Warcraft: Day of the Dragon, by Richard A. Knaak
   
   "Day of the Dragon" was the first book to be written in the Warcraft game universe. But while it is based on a game series, the book is practically a work of original fiction with hints of the story coming from the game. Knaak took the setting, characters, and events from the Warcraft universe and constructed them into an enjoyable, readable novel.
   
   Although it is helpful to have some familiarity with Warcraft, such knowledge is not needed to understand the background of the book. Knaak spends some time in the beginning setting up the scene for unfamiliar readers, and refreshing it for those who have played the real time strategy game. I believe that he is the one who took the dragons in Warcraft and really fleshed them out; he has a very good touch with the behemoths. Their splashes of egotism combined with unique personalities make them seem more powerful than the "regular" inhabitants of Azeroth; you can easily see them meddling in mundane affairs, thinking they are doing the right thing.
   
   The main story of "Day of the Dragon" consists of Rhonin, a mage, being sent on an observation mission into orc-held territory. He believes it is a chance to redeem himself for his previous adventure, one that went disastrously wrong. But his chance quickly turns into much more, as he is actually the pawn of two dragons who are each attempting to guide him into fulfilling their own devious plans.
   
   Novels based on games can be very, very weak - usually only enjoyed by hardcore fans. But "Day of the Dragon," while set in the Warcraft universe, is much more than simple tie-in fiction. Knaak pens a memorable book, one that kept me reading long past my bedtime, as I kept reading "just one more page" to see what would happen next. The plot is ace, the characters are people you want to know more about and you want to see them succeed, and the writing is solid.
   
   If you liked this book, check his "War of the Ancients" trilogy, which continues the story of Rhonin and the dragons.
   
   4/5.



3. This book definitely starts off a bit slow, introduction of characters and scenery, but it's worth it! I've never read a Fantasy/Sci-Fi book that's had this many twists, it's all quite addicting as well as interesting. If you've played any of the Warcraft series games or even World of Warcraft, you'll be familiar with quite a few of the areas where occurrences take place.
   
   An important-ish note would be that this author writes from several different perspectives, which is new to me, but you get used to it and in fact I've found that it makes reading more enjoyable!
   
   For the price, get it ;)



4. I have read all of the WoW books I could get my hands on... and I have enjoyed almost all of them. This one was fun and a nice brainless read. I think I liked most WoW books so much because I spent 5 years of my life playing the game. Now, I'd rather read the lore than play so I find the novels a fun break from some of the more serious reading I do.
   
   I highly recommend reading this book in the correct order in the series to really know what the heck is going on... there's a lot of time jumping around...



5. _Day of the Dragon_ by Richard Knaak is a World of Warcraft novel, set in the world shown in the various Warcraft games. It is mainly about the human mage Rhonin and the night elf ranger Vereesa on a mission in Khaz Modan. Since Khaz Modan is quite a ways away from where they start, most of the book is about their travels to get there. There are also a couple of side plots, one about a minor noble names Prestor who is a confidant of a king feuding with other kings, and another side plot about a mage Krasus who is keeping secrets from just about everyone.
   
   Technically the book is great, but somehow it never really impressed me.
   
   Part of it is all the secondary characters seem to be caricatures more than characters, limited carboard-cutouts there to move the story along. Take Duncan, for instance: Duncan is a senior paladin in the Order of the Silver Hand, he doesn't like mages, and he thinks Vereesa is wonderful, although we never find out if any of the adoration is for her martial prowess (and Vereesa is an excellent swordswoman and archer) or if he's just smitten with her exotic good looks. And . . . that's about it. Duncan travels with them for a couple of chapters and is one of the more detailed secondary characters encountered in the book, and that's still about as much as we know about him at the end. Other secondary characters are even less finely drawn.
   
   I realize there can't be a full character biography for every single character the reader encounters, but I've read lots of other novels with much more detailed and memorable character descriptions that are about the same length as this one.
   
   Even when we do spend a long time with a character and get to know their motivations, there's still a feeling of something missing. Duncan hates any magic users besides paladins (and maybe clerics) because he's a paladin in the Order of the Silver Hand and they don't like magic. Khryll is sneaky and is ultimately seeking revenge, assuming he doesn't get killed first by all the masters he's serving and double-crossing. Nekros is a lamed orc who's good with warlock magic and who figured out how to use a talisman to control dragons; he one day dreams of being a high-ranking leader in the orc clans.
   
   It's only with a few characters that we begin to see anything like ideals or a more detailed past history -- Krasus is driven by love of one who was captured by enemies long ago and who he still desperately hopes to free. Malygos is partially insane from the loss of his mates and children at the hand of one he defended. Rhonin is a bit unconventional and impulsive but loves magic, is actually very talented at it, and is still wracked by guilt from the deaths of the rest of his traveling companions in a previous mission. Alexstrasza hates the people who captured her and especially the warlock who controls her and constantly seeks for ways to kill him in return for all her children he's sent to their deaths.
   
   The parts of the book that were a joy to read were the parts that dealt directly with the characters who were well-drawn. But most of the rest of the book was really hard to get into.
   
   And why was it written like the intended audience was 12-year-old boys??? Rhonin and Vereesa do *not* hit it off well at their first meeting but are stuck together (she has been given a mission to escort him to Khaz Modan) but during the multiple times they are split up each keeps trying to find the other. But always while "not examining their feelings too closely" about the other person. Why? Clear thinking and mental discipline is needed for both physical fighting and casting magic, and clear thinking and mental discipline include being aware of your own mental state. Maybe you're attracted to someone but don't want to show it, or feel silly doing so. There actually are a few times when Rhonin admits to himself he doesn't want Duncan along to moon after Vereesa some more, and he wants to find a solution to a problem before Duncan does. But there's multiple times when Rhonin or Vereesa are search for each other, all while "not wanting to examine their feelings for the other person too closely". Why the primness about two characters who are attracted to each other?
   
   And last but not least, why the incredibly complicated plot to destabilize the Alliance kingdoms and isolate the Kirin Tor? The person trying to tear apart the Alliance can mind control people. Why not just mind control one king into attacking another's kingdom? Or mind control a bunch of them into attacking the Kirin Tor and then attacking each other? Why instead of that is there this long convoluted plot that will take years to bring to fruition?

5 comments about Out of Sheer Rage: Wrestling with D. H. Lawrence.

1. Not especially distinguished as a storyteller, or a travel expert, or a memoirist, what Mr Dyer is primarily is a writer - he has the rare quality of rendering anything he alights on into literature, no matter what the genre. His wide-ranging interests, reflected in his bibilography, are a result of his admitted indolence, his oft-stated desire to run away from any kind of graft and 'watch telly'. A curse for him perhaps, but a blessing for all who read him. Every sentence which isn't simply descriptive resonates and lingers; better to say that every sentence is a kaleidoscope, lighting on things half-remembered, half-known by us all. The biggest compliment you can pay him is that while reading, you wish he would tackle your own favorite subjects so that he could illuminate them in all the ways you would wish to. Midway though the book he quotes George Steiner as saying 'The best readings of art are art' going on to say that 'in such instances the distinction between imaginative and critical writing disappears'. He's not Lawrentian enough to claim this status for his own work, but most who read this would I think agree it fitting.



2. There are some writers one reads to escape, others one reads to engage; Geoff Dyer engages! He grabs you and brings you on his trek to discover D. H. Lawrence via nude beaches in Mexico and motor scooter crashes in Greece. Dyer's "non-genre" writing weaves from his internal struggle with creating a biography (hilarious) to his external struggles traveling as homage to and research of DHL. Shattering hide-bound distinctions between biography, memoir, travel-writing and academic criticism. A stunning, obsure and unique book.



3. If you like reading literary biographies or literary histories, you will be shocked and more than pleasantly surprised by Dyer's self-revealing look at D. H. Lawrence (he hasn't read), travel, his parents, and how to blame your girlfriend for all your problems.... this book is also a form of apology. It is extremely sharp, funny, and strangely touching. It will make you a Dyer addict. His newest novel is incredible.



4. Dyer's quasi-treatise on D.H. Lawrence amused me to no end when I started reading it. Although the book's subtitle -- WRESTLING WITH D.H. LAWRENCE -- leads one to believe the book is about the famed author, it is actually more about wrestling as a life choice. Wrestling with one's desires, one's life, one's hopes and dreams. Dyer's opening pages flicker back and forth between the occasional comment on Lawrence, mingled with rambling monologues on how he manages to sabatoge his own pursuits due to his overwhelming tendency for procrastination and self-doubt. "One of the reasons, in fact, that it was impossible to get started on either the Lawrence book or the novel was because I was so preoccupied with where to live. I could live anywhere, all I had to do was choose -- but it was impossible to choose because I could live anywhere. There were no constraints on me and because of this it was impossible to choose ... when all you have to go on is your own desires, then life becomes considerably more difficult, not to say intolerable."
   
   This kind of ironic introspection is a clever counterpoint to Dyer's actual academic purpose, but it stales with use. Dyer uses the exact same formula to explain why people don't wear seatbelts, why he's bad at DIY home projects, why his knee hurts, and why he always brings the wrong books on his various vacations. On the one hand, it's kind of funny. On the other hand, the same joke over and over gets old.
   
   Dyer's conceit here is that he mingles these long-winded mutterings with the occasional delve into Lawrence's own life and letters. He does this with seamless skill at the beginning (noting, for example, that Lawrence himself struggled with the decision of where to live), but the further along his book progresses, the more the technical analysis juts out, at odds with the rest of the awkwardly intimate details that Dyer gives of his own life and losses.
   
   What ends up happening is that you get a vague idea of what Dyer and Lawrence are/were both like as people, but without ever getting the full force of that rage that the title claims is there. The book's title is derived from a quote by Lawrence, but it would've been more accurate to have replaced "rage" with "despair," since the book is less about Dyer and Lawrence than it is about how to wrestle with the overwhelming amount of ennui and confusion that all people (but writers especially) must deal with on a near-daily basis.
   
   The goal is lofty, but the book's answers are a bit pat, especially when Dyer wraps things up and feels compelled to put a neat, little bow on the top of the sloppy, endearing mess he's just created. What starts as a humorous co-mingling of philosophy and self-sabotage turns quickly into a poor blend of a literary exegesis with a caustic self-help concept. "That is the hallmark of academic criticism: it kills everything it touches," Dyer writes. He hopes to expound on Lawrence by using his own life -- "...how can you know anything about literature if all you've done is read books?" -- but since his life is such a shoddy and repetitive affair, his novel becomes equally shoddy and repetitive. Hilarious in spots, illuminating in others, and eloquently revealing, OUT OF SHEER RAGE is still missing the furious focus and strength that would make it a truly good book.



5. Out of sheer honesty, I did not enjoy this book very much. The descriptions were tedious, and I thought a lot of supposedly humorous situations were overworked, becoming very repetitive. For example, near the middle, when Ciccio kept calling Renata in the restaurant. One or two times, okay. After that, it was just...extraneous, and didn't add to the writing at all. (At least for me.)
   There were parts that I liked. Some of Dyer's adventures were interesting. Once you got past the first forty or so pages of 'should I stay or should I go or stay or go or stay,' etc., and the author really let himself become immersed--with some pit stops and road bumps along the way, of course--in his study of Lawrence, I began to actually see who Lawrence was.
   Another thing I liked about the book was its keen observations into human nature. The little habits that a lot of people share, but never really realize how universal they are until someone points them out and you realize, 'Hey, I do that, too!' Some examples: when Dyer is complaining about how he could not sneeze or sleep on his side, and that he never really appreciated the values of these things until he could no longer do them; when Lawrence describes "suffering one of those strange losses of purpose that come over one from time to time"--seemingly without cause.
   The writing in some parts is very insightful and interesting; but just when I think that maybe it will keep my interest, I am once again lost in seemingly trivial details. I can't say that I hated the book, because there were exceptions; however, overall, it was hard for me to get through, and difficult for me to sympathize for the narrator, who seemed to have such great opportunities spread before him but spent 90% of the book whining, or "shaking [his] fist at the world" (153). I felt throughout that he didn't earn the cynical perspective he adopted throughout the book.
   So no, I didn't like the book, and I do not consider it worth keeping. However, I can see how someone who appreciates this brand of humor would wholeheartedly disagree with me.

1 comments about Stories by Foreign Authors: Spanish.

1. I downloaded with the hope of reading these works in Spanish. They appear to already be translated into English. (But the price was right.)

5 comments about Mind Gym : An Athlete's Guide to Inner Excellence.

1. This book was recommended to me get over issues I had playing racquetball. I kept making mental mistakes and things got worse as the match progressed. This book has taught me how to stay focus and keep moving forward. My game has improved quite a bit and I have beaten players that I have never beaten before. When things go wrong I use the techniques in this book. I highly recommend this book for anyone who needs to take the next step. This is one of those books that you will read more than once and make notes of certain chapters.



2. If you are an athlete or coach you need this book.
   
   We used this with the ASU tennis team and covered a chapter a week. If you are coaching soccer, little league or gymnastics this will bring invaluable lessons to your team that they can leverage for a lifetime.
   
   Brad Harper
   Performance Psychologist



3. Great book for athletes! It is a great book to give as a gift.



4. "Stinkin' thinkin'." You know just what I'm talking about. For me, it would mean walking onto the tennis court thinking I didn't have a shot to win. Or my sons walking to the pitchers mound thinking "this guy's going to jack me." But for those of you who have quit believing, I have a solution - read a book.
   
   I ordered a couple of books on mental toughness, not for myself because I am, but for the boys to read. One of them is Mind Gym: An Athlete's Guide to Inner Excellence. I had them both read the first four chapters last night, and I won't soon forget their response: "It's the best book I've ever read" - hearty words from a 12 and 13-year old. Sometimes as parents we don't know the right words to impart to our kids, or maybe because we're parents we're just heard less...So I don't know that these books will solve their woes of late on the field, but I do know that they're paying attention to the fact that sports are not just physical tests because until the head is right, the body never will be.
   
   Susan Anderson, author, Cold Case in Ellyson



5. I credit this book for changing the direction of my life. I found it to be a powerful tool in changing the way I view the world. I have given out 15 copies to friends, associates and players. If you really take the information in this book to heart it can help you accomplish great things in your life. The lessons learned in this book apply not only to sports but also to life in general. This book really teaches you the power of your own mind and will. I strongly suggest this book to anyone not just athletes.

5 comments about Drill to Win: 12 Months to Better Brazillian Jiu-Jitsu.

1. After being involved in Tae Kwon Do, I felt that I needed something more challenging and have found this book meeting my needs for self improvement and a way to continue a better physical conditioning routine. Kudos to the authors of this brilliant book. Senior authletes can learn and improve with Jiu-Jitsu and especially this book.



2. I just received my copy of Drill to Win 3 days ago. I must say, Looking over this book I can see there has been a lot of time and thought into creating this book.
   As a beginner, I particularly enjoyed the layout of the book. I found it very clear and easy to understand. I personally enjoyed the still frame by frame illustrations, very easy to follow. The back story of Andre Galvao was a pretty cool added treat. I believe by reading this book and following the day to day drills the book provides (in depth), will not only aid in the physical aspect but, also the understanding and speed in which I learn this great art of BJJ.
   Great job to all that helped put this book together.



3. I HAVE NOT RECEIVED THIS YET???????!!!!!!! BEEN OVER A WEEK AFTER THE DATE GIVEN BY AMAZON THAT I WAS DUE TO RECEIVE IT



4. I can't give this book a 5 star review because I haven't put in the year of drilling to give it justice to the system.
   
   There are things I like about the book and things I love about it. The introduction to the book was definatly worth the read. Reading of the struggle to championships is always something great to put things in perspective. By the way read about Yoddecha Sityodtong to hear a truly remarkable story
   
   Then came the "diet of a champion" portion of the book. The diet is ok I wasn't too crazy about it to be honest but I think it's something that really just works well for him. To say diet of champion is a big statement and for me being studying in sports nutrition and fitness for a while I don't think it was that great. However I really appreciate more about how he spoke about being disciplined about eating the right things over the wrong.
   
   Now the meat and potato's. The Drills...
   
   The drills were all great some old some new. The thing to appreciate more then the drills themselves in the book are the outline to tells you train them in. the first part of the book helps you build fundamental balance and strength that will carry on as you continue to not only use the book's program but it will definatly help anyone's game. Especially people that may have traveled alot and haven't trained at one place for long(ME). I'd have to say I agree with other people who say it should have a DVD. For me personally I don't think it needs one but I'm speaking from already having BJJ experience. Some new guys may not be able to understand the movements as well.
   
   The most important thing about this book is that you have take in all in and read EVERYTHING. The mental approach and insight he gives you is something truly invaluable. Galvao is all about hard training but he made sure to encourage resting and having fun without the use of drugs or alcohol.
   
   All in all I think it's worth having.
   
   "The man who closes his mind to knowledge is a fool"- Renzo Gracie



5. After going through the book religiously for the past 2 weeks I must agree that the drills in the book will most definitely improve your game, not just the technique aspects of it but also your level of fitness. This book is really exhaustive, I am impress with the amount of content and areas of BJJ that is covered! A MUST have for all BJJ practitioners.
   
   On the flip side, I would also have to agree with some of the reviewers in that some of the drills shown may be confusing to someone who is new to BJJ. I guess because there's just so much info in this book a lot of the drills are not explained very clearly (I'm comparing it to some of the Gracie and Penn books). And although the pictures are coloured and clear they should of used some indicators like arrows or circles to outline minor but crucial areas to focus on; or even enlarge a part of an image. With that said some of the images may also be a little too small. Yeah, a DVD (or a website to see videos of the drills) would definitely help... especially to prevent any injuries by performing the techniques wrongly.
   
   Condition of the book: I was very upset when I got my copy. First of all the alignment of the book was way off! The last letter to the right of the first 20 or so pages have been partially sliced through. Not only that, the corners of the book looked like someone threw the book against the wall. I can't believed I paid full price!
   
   So to end this review, I would say that the layout of the book receives 4 of 5 stars (amount of content = 5 stars!); but because of how bad the condition of the book was (I'm very upset with the QC of printing/binding company who put this book together) I'd have to reduce the rating to 3 stars... sorry. Nevertheless, it is an awesome book!!
   
   Thank you Andre Galvao and Kevin Howell!