I am fairly new at golf and decided to read this book to help me get lower scores. For the most part the book has been helpful but I do wish there was a cheat sheet or series of diagrams at the back that recaps ball position, swing path, foot position etc. It is hard to keep all the advice in your head and somewhat difficult to find any specific passage on club advice.

My biggest complaint - and this is true for almost every book on golf that I have looked through up to now- is that they don't tell you how to hit a 3 iron. They just suggest that you can never hit this club - go and sell it - don't even look at it, etc. This kind of ticks me off because after I finally found some simple advice on how to hit long irons, they have become the most reliable clubs in my bag! They could have spent a little time talking about swing plane and that it is different for every club and here is where your hands will likely be for each club on your backswing - etc. It is not as hard as they blow this up to be.

Sadly - even though the advice in the book is good my score hasn't changed at all. I did tell a friend not to use his driver and his score got better - hurray for him!

Your scores WILL drop if you read this book (thoroughly)
and start putting its commonsense advice into practice.

Of all the instructional books I've read in ANY category (and
I say this as a professional writer myself), this one stands
out for its clarity, sense of humor, and easy readability.

However, for the next edition, let there be more diagrams!

In spite of the authors' brilliant description of the swing -- the
best I have read yet -- I wish they'd have included a diagram
of a solid take-away, my own personal golf bugaboo.

(Perhaps the authors assume we already know how to do it.)

All the same, for a relatively small cash outlay you can't beat
this book.

But you will beat your friends.

excellent on strategy, and the mental process. The section on short game could have used some visuals and less talk.....I bouth their book "How To Break 100" a few years back.....Honestly this year I am breaking 90 about 1/2 the time...

solid golf book if you actually follow the direction they provide.....

A clear and succinct account of one of the true evils of our time! Status quo apologists and meritocracy fanatics, sadly, won't get the point, but, for the rest of us who strive to offer what we can to those in need and fight for a more equitable and just society, the book is a clear outline of just what needs to be eliminated for the betterment of all.

Fischer and Corcoran complete another Herculean task with their 3rd edition of MEASURES FOR CLINICAL PRACTICE Volumes I and II. For each edition, the editors search the literature for instruments that demonstrate practical and research applications. They study and report on the calibration issues for each instrument. These issues include scoring, sampling, reliability and validity. Of course, they include the citations of their sources.

Although the primary audience for these volumes are clinicians and researchers (in that order), I have been using these volumes as a teaching tool. After giving a lecture on the meaning of reliability and validity, I have my students search out an instrument and assess the quality it. MEASURES FOR CLINICAL PRACTICE Volumes I and II are ideal sources for this assignment. They look at the instrument for face validity and read the editor's commentary on sampling, reliability and validity; then comment on the application in the practice arena.

Two limitations exist for these volumes. First, these are instruments for clinicians. The two volumes do not include any instruments that focus on macro variables that need to be measured. Perhaps a third volume should be considered for the next edition. Second, in terms of teaching instrument calibration to students, an expanded index would be most helpful. In the index, types of reliability and validity could be listed. Thus, students could hunt for an instrument that employs a technique they want to study.

Fischer and Corcoran must be applauded that their painstaking work.

This is a must for any organization that is in the business of providing mental health services. It is the bible of clinical measures.

Morris Dees is obviously a driven man. He has spent a good portion of his life legally defending those persecuted against by racist organizations. "Gathering Storm" is a powerful book, it provides valuable insight into the "Milita" movement of the mid-90's, but it looses some of it's strength when Dees' attempts to illustrate that virtually ALL Militas have racist undertones. Obviously the radical right is closely tied with the white power movement, but Dees ignores, (or perhaps was unaware of?) the significant portion of Left wing militas that were so prominently associated with the recent WTO demonstrations in Seattle, (and possibly the DNC in California too?) and chooses to instead vent some of his own political philosophy. By demonstrating some blatent opinions as fact , ( like that the 2nd ammendment never was intended to apply to the public), "Gathering Storm" suffers from what otherwise could be a very accurate picture of a portion of the Milita movement of five years ago. I would also reccomend "Harvest of Rage" as a more appropriate view of the Milita movement as a whole, along with the reason they have come into such prominence.

The fact that this book has been panned by actual militia members ought to tell you something, they are afraid of Mo Dees and everything he represents. His success in battling the radical right is legendary, and their hatred of him burns with a fevered pitch. Dees has a ton of creditability on the militia issue, being marked for death by The Order will do that for you. To tell the truth, a lot of what Dees has written is available elsewhere, either in 'Harvest Of Rage' or 'Blood In The Face' (both of which are excellent) and those familiar with the excess of the radical right will find few surprises here. Still the book is well written, engaging and readable and if nothing else will be an excellent refresher. To the uninitiated it will be a revelation. I especially liked the details of the Waco and Ruby Ridge. The discussion of the 'thinking' of these people was also excellent. A fine addition to the cannon.

Don't be fooled by those crying "Marxist" or "socialist", etc. in these McCarthy-esque reviews. These are the same "cry wolf" tactics used by Nazis in Europe and by the extreme right here in America in order to discredit those they disagree with. The sheer tenor with which these reviewers express their displeasure should be enough to convince you this book hits the nerve of truth and is worth your read.

Get this book for a fascinating look at a behind the scenes history of the modern Militia movement in America, and it's early link with racist and neo-nazi groups. It is true not all militia members adhere to racist ideology today, but throughout it's history, it has been saturated in various degrees with racist thought with an eye on domestic terrorism. The chapters on Lous Beam and his "leaderless cell" strategy are particularly enlightening in lieu of "lone" killers like Buford Furrow, etc.

Of additional note are the ways in which these groups attempt to tame their message to appeal to more "mainstream" conservatives, often finding an audience with pro-gun advocates.

Read it for a fascinating look into the hidden machinations of the extreme Right wing in America.

I am a 31 year old former college golfer. I am a history buff of all sports but I really didn't know my golf history as well as i should. This book really helped me. The book details Palmer, Player, Trevino, Nicklaus, Watson and a host of others. You also learn the detailed history of the British Open or as they call it "The Open" The detail of how the British cadies talk is alone worthy as a reason to read this. If you are a golf fan this is a 5 star book if you are not a golf fan I would not recommend it. Although I wouldn't want to dress like they did in the 1970's ; this book made you wish that you did grow up then.

Even the most casual sports fan will love this book. Like Laura Hillenbrand did in Sea Biscuit, Corcoran breathes life into an epic moment in sports history, the duel between Jack Nicklaus and Tom Watson in the 1977 British Open. The writing makes you feel like you're right there during the twists and turns of the tournament, getting to peek inside the heads of the athletes during the most pressure-filled moments. And the story is terrific... two golfers at the top of their game, battling a course that none of their competitors could handle. This book was really top-notch.

The storytelling and the quality of writing in this book are excellent. You won't want it to end.

What a load of junk, and what a disappointment! I forced myself to finish this mess because I know and love Key West and have read most of the novels set there. But this one! The novel is purely plot driven. It's impossible to like any one of the dozen or so characters, barely even to know them except for stock identifying tics and cliches. This includes the "hero" Alex Rutledge. Much of the action occurs "off-camera," - even the ending is anticlimactic. This writer just can't come! There's no sex, but lots of innuendos. No women are fleshed out. Despite a familiarity driving the Keys and with Key West streets, bars and scenes, there is no authentic idiosyncratic KW life or fun, no surprise, no release, depicted in the novel, nothing whatever to contrast with the dumb and unlikely story. No love of the outdoors is there, nor of the water, the weather, the food, the music. Compare this to some of the great Keys writers - James Hall, MacDonald, Joy Williams, Carl Hiassen, Larry Shames, Randy White - and it's a pathetic attempt to sound tough and knowledgeable. Despite his vaunted job experience, Corcoran seems incapable of telling us anything but facts to flesh out an endless outline. Forget about it.

It's always a pleasure to become engrossed in a new author's first mystery: lose yourself in the intricacies of plot and characters; dawdle over the end, not quite wanting it to be over; and, finally, finish, looking forward to a new favorite sleuth's next case. Tom Corcoran's Alex Rutledge created indelible images of himself, his fellow Floridians, and of Key West itself. This was a fun, and highly recommended, read.

Tom Corcoran's debut novel adds to the lengthening shelf of mysteries and suspense stories based in Key West. John Leslie, James W. Hall, and Laurence Shames, to name just a few, have previously weighed in with lean, taut, evocative tales sited on the Floridian archipelago. How does Corcoran fare in such formidable company? This reader thinks he holds his own and, indeed, carves out a comfortable niche for photographer/sleuth Alex Rutledge. The book serves up a stew of Anglos, Cubans, Conchs, and cops -- most of whom are slightly bent -- crisp dialogue, and an ending with as many twists as an angry gator's tail. But its chief appeal lies in its author's fond embrace of a place renowned for its tradition of unconventionality. Corcoran effectively evokes the eccentricity and the heat, both of which seem inescapable in Key West. Whether he will choose to sustain this atmosphere in a second Alex Rutledge venture remains to be seen; but for readers of "tropical ! noir with occasional sunshine," Tom Corcoran's is a welcome new voice in the neighborhood. --Charlie Glide

This book provides little information about japanese and okinawan karate masters and is much to US oriented for a real encyclopedia.

This reference work was written and edited by the same authors who wrote the Q&A, "Martail Arts Catalogue" in 1976. This book is more indepth and authoritative. The primary sections are on Tradition, History, and the Pioneers who have helped shaped this multi-faceited idea of what we call "martial arts."

The chapters are very good, providing excellent history and coverage. America is probably a little over represented. This however, doesn't mean they should have written less about American martial arts, just more of other traditions.

It must also be fair to say, that America has contributed much to the Asain arts and helped expand the arts, for better or worse, where they are today. The photos are neat and add greatly to this book. The writing is sometimes dry, like most reference works are.

All in all, it is a book that stands on its own and should be purcahsed by those martial artist who either are interested in history or having a quick refernce at their bookshelf.

I am taking isshinryu karate. It has great techinques.Anyway, This book is da bomb! It has alot of information. Every martial artist in the world should have this book. It goes over many styles in the world. Good pictures! You just can't stop reading it once it is in your hands.Big book.

It seems that as the years and decades go by, books regarding the near-death experience get more and more fantastical and preachy, and less and less believable. This book is a good example of this trend. It is a collection of writings by various people who claim to have had such experiences. There are a few accounts that seem to be genuine, written in plain language by ordinary people who had a profound experience, but the great majority of stories are fluffy, fanciful, painfully new-agey (or religious) tracts that read like they were written by would-be professional authors who want to be published. I am interested in the subject of NDEs but this book was nothing but a frustrating waste of money and time. It's too bad this subject matter has become the domain of people with active imaginations, an agenda to push, and little regard for integrity. I actually give it NO STARS!

This is a book I will share as a gift with friends and family who have lost loved ones. Thanks to the real people who have shared such touching and wonderful experiences.

I wish I could speak to the people in this book. First hand views from people who have died. I have much less fear about dying.

A book about a place where people go to die will not by definition be a easy book to pick up and glance through. The photographers, Nan Goldin et al, do a remarkable job bring these people to us in a situation none of us would want ot be in. There is compassion and dignity in situations which can all too often lend themselves to the snap and run mentality of today's press coverage. It is worth buying especailly if you have an interest in quality, non-sensational photography.

i'll admit its hard to look at but the way you get right there in it, is amazing, it's just photographed beautifully. Each photographers style was evident. I especially enjoyed Jack Radcliffes section because his more than any other, i felt was about life under harsh circumstances, but still about life more than death itself.

Ok, It's been a long time since I read this book, close to 10 years, but I read and re-read it then. This moving story of a young girl learning to deal with epilepsy is wonderful for anyone having a hard time, especially young-adults. I think of it fondly as a fairy-tale.

This author can write, so it is hard to believe that he could take a number of murders, attacks, shootings, and a car chase and chew them and chew them and chew them until there was no "juice" left. I got so impatient with the illogical fretting of the "hero" - that I skipped the last third of the book and went to the end to see who dunnit and why. Wish I had skipped that too since there was no satisfaction in it. I am greatful, however, to realize that this book was only one of a series and I have managed NOT to read the others. I congratulate myself for that!

Tom Corcoran's steamy depiction of the Flordia Keys and their colorful denziens will stir up ghosts for anyone who has spent time there. This Alex Rutledge mystery explores a series of murders as the bodies pile up in this tranquil resort town. Rutledge realizes that there is a connection between the murders and that he is the common denominator--then this book really picks up steam!

Tom Corcoran treats us to another look at the life of Alex Rutledge. It is filled with his trademark wit, grit and "Key Westicisms" that can only come from the man that photographed Jimmy Buffett in his early days. I'm dying for the next one, Tom!