Sports and Fitness Recent Picks

August 2008

The underlined title links will take you directly to our catalogue.
Some featured items are linked via a book cover to enable you to read more reviews.

The complete book of the Olympics, by David Wallechinsky and Jaime Loucky.
"Contained within the pages of this encyclopaedic book is anything anyone could ever need or want to know about the modern Olympic Games. It provides a complete statistical record since the founding of the modern Games in 1896 - from medals won to times, distances or scores recorded by the top eight competitors in all events, whether they be Olympic staples such as the marathon or long-discontinued competitions such as Olympic croquet or the tug of war." (Book Jacket)

Fifty places to sail before you die : sailing experts share the world's greatest destinations, by Chris Santella.
"Fifty Places to Sail Before You Die maps out some of the world's great sailing venues, as shared by both champion racers and celebrated adventurers. Venues range from clubby New England ports like Newport to the hair-raising passage around Cape Horn to idyllic island retreats like Mopelia. In addition to colourful descriptions of the sailing spots and anecdotes from some of the world's greatest sailors, Fifty Places to Sail Before You Die includes brilliant photographs and enough information to help would-be sailors chart their own adventure in these areas." (Amazon)

Judo, by Alex Butcher.
"The modern design, accessible layout and information-packed pages of this book make maximum use of instructional, clear text and superb photography. Vital beginners' basics and more advanced combat techniques are depicted in specially commissioned, full colour step-by-step sequences. Close-up details and illustrations focus on key elements of technique. Separate chapters focus on the important elementary principles of judo, such as falling, throwing and groundwork. A separate section is devoted to effective self-defence using judo techniques." (Amazon)

Soccer alive : the game is the best teacher : game-related soccer training, by Detlev Brueggemann.
"Soccer is a fast-paced game that requires players to be not only quick on their feet, but also in their decisions. Everyday training focuses on improving technical and tactical abilities, but almost always neglects the ability to read the game and make effective decisions quickly. Soccer Alive provides players with a new and insightful training philosophy." (Amazon)

The complete yachtmaster : sailing, seamanship and navigation for the modern yacht skipper, by Tom Cunliffe.
"This is a thoroughly effective and straightforward textbook, easily read and understood by anyone who wants to become competent in a yacht. Cunliffe is one of those rare experts who can explain his subject to complete beginners without confusing or baffling them." (Amazon)

Play the English, by Craig Pritchett.
"The English is a sophisticated opening which is very popular at all levels of chess: from up-and-coming players to world champions such as Garry Kasparov and Vladimir Kramnik. It has many attractions, including flexibility and diversity: White can play either aggressively or quietly, and positions are rich in both strategy and tactics. In Play the English, Craig Pritchett provides an active repertoire for White, offering answers to Black's key defences both in the main lines and sidelines." (Amazon)

The austerity Olympics : when the Games came to London in 1948, by Janie Hampton.
"London 2012 Olympics is fast approaching, with new developments and plans causing huge excitement the world over. Yet, this multi-million pound corporate extravaganza could not be further from the realities of the 1948 'Austerity Games' which took place with London a bombed out ruin, Britain in deep economic crisis, and a world torn and dazed by six years of bitter conflict. The resulting games was not only an amazing achievement in terms of organisation, thrift and invention - being the most successful, inexpensive and unpretentious games of the 20th century - but also something for the world to celebrate following the long years of war and strain. It was a triumph of the human spirit as the countries' finest athletes joined together to compete and entertain despite the burgeoning cold war and niggling old disputes." (Amazon)

Goalkeeper, by Paul Broadbent and Andrew Allen.
"Master the Game: Goalkeeper gives you the skills & essential advice you need to perfect this key position. It helps you master the specific skills & techniques that are fundamental to becoming a great goalkeeper, and covers nutritional, fitness & psychological aspects of player performance." (Book Jacket).

Beginning Wing Chun : why Wing Chun works, Alan Gibson.
It is a refreshing change to read a Wing Chun book that does not boggle the reader with science or confuse with drawn-out, over-complicated explanations. As with the system itself this book is efficient and direct in its delivery and is suitable for individuals who are literally "beginning" wing chun to those who are accomplished practisioners.

Taekwondo, by Charles A. Stepan.
"This book provides comprehensive information on the history, philosophy, practice and purpose in modern-day society of the Korean martial art taekwondo. Beginners will find details on how to find the correct teacher, as well as explanations of etiquette, terminology and the long-term benefits of this ancient martial art. The book emphasizes the positive transformational influences of taekwondo - it makes people into better human beings by uniting body and mind, and helps taekwondo students attain confidence as well as a state of physical and mental well-being." (Amazon)

Swimming with the devilfish : -- under the surface of professional poker, by Des Wilson.
"This powerful & revealing book uncovers for the first time the amazing world of professional poker in Britain and tells the extraordinary stories of the country's top poker professionals." (Book Jacket)

Cricket, by Mark Butcher and Paul Abraham. "Teach yourself" series.

Wind on the water : and other surf stories, by Jack Finlay ; photographs by Jon Frank.

Badminton : steps to success, by Tony Grice.

Spot X golfing New Zealand : a guide to over 385 golf courses, by Peter Williams.

Spot X New Zealand fishing knowledge, [editor] John Eichelsheim.

Paintball and airsoft battle tactics, Christopher E. Larsen ; photography by Hae-jung Larsen ; schematics by John T. Gordon.

Coaching junior soccer, by Denis Ford.

The book of rowing, by D.C. Churbuck.

A history of Māori tennis = He hītori o te tēnehi Māori, Aotearoa Māori Tennis Association.

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