Book picks similar to
A Long Jihad: My Quest for the Middle Way by Muhammad Abdul Bari
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Harry the K: The Remarkable Life of Harry Kalas
Randy Miller - 2010
To millions of football fans across America, he was the “Voice of the NFL.” And as open and giving as Harry Kalas was throughout his professional and personal life, there are countless layers of the man that have remained unknown . . . until now. Author Randy Miller interviewed more than 160 people—including all of Harry’s surviving family, many of his close friends from childhood to present, numerous colleagues from baseball and the NFL, and even Harry’s longtime personal psychologist—to craft a loving and shockingly honest portrayal of one of the most celebrated broadcasters in the history of sports. With incredible details from all phases of his life—from his upbringing in the Chicago suburbs, to his Hall of Fame broadcasting career in baseball, to his ubiquitous voiceover work with the NFL, to his personal vices for drinking and women, to his legendary friendship with Richie “Whitey” Ashburn, to his ongoing feud with on-air partner Chris Wheeler—
Harry the K: The Remarkable Life of Harry Kalas
will surprise, delight, and enlighten all fans of the man they called “Harry the K.”
Van Halen: A Visual History, 1978-1984
Neil Zlozower - 2007
Nobody rockedor partiedharder. Photographer Neil Zlozower first met the band in 1978, worked with them again on Van Halen II, and soon became their friend, hanging out in L.A. and hitting the road on tour with them. Van Halen collects more than 250 backstage, candid, and full rock-out photos of the all-powerful, spandexed, high-kicking, guitar blazing, stadium-shaking, original Van Halen lineup. Accompanying Zlozower's amazing photos are an introduction about his wild ride with VH, a foreword by David Lee Roth, and testimony from the rock pantheon paying homage to the band, including members of Led Zeppelin, Guns N' Roses, Def Leppard, Judas Priest, KISS, Motley Cre, and more. Turn it up!
Of Mikes and Men: A Lifetime of Braves Baseball
Pete Van Wieren - 2010
Pete Van Wieren’s legacy began in 1976, when he and a young Skip Caray were hired to call Atlanta Braves games. During the next three decades, "the Professor" and Caray became the voices of a team known nationwide as America's Team courtesy of Ted Turner's SuperStation TBS. In this heartfelt autobiography, Van Wieren shares his memories of thrilling moments in Braves history, such as the 1995 season when the Braves won the world championship; the pitching mastery of Greg Maddux, Tom Glavine, and John Smoltz; the heartbreak of the 1996 World Series loss to the Yankees; and Atlanta's unprecedented run of 14 consecutive division titles.
The Seven Sons of Jethro 2-in-1 Special Edition: The Seven Sons of Jethro & The Flight of Love
Terri Grace - 2017
Each of Jethro’s boys has their own character and stubborn ways, but they are no match for Jethro’s quest to get each of them married off to a good and godly young lady. Jethro enlists the help of one of the marvellous Mrs. Molly White, the proprietor of the Cozy Bridal Agency. To Jethro’s delight, Molly helps him find suitable mail order brides for each of his sons, but she also has a big surprise up her sleeve that will forever change Jethro’s world too! Every story in the 8 book series is a satisfying standalone read, but I am certain that once you are introduced to Jethro’s rambunctious household, you will want to read them all. IN THIS EDITON YOU GET 2 BOOKS IN 1!!! BOOK 1: THE SEVEN SONS OF JETHRO Jethro and Miriam Knerr decide to move their young family west, in the hopes offinding a new freedom. Five years go by and their family has swelled – Miriam and Jethro have been blessed with seven healthy sons. Anthony, the youngest, and his mother both love fishing. Despite Jethro’s warning not to go to the river one day, Miriam takes Anthony. A sudden, torrential rain swells the river in moments and Anthony and Miriam are swept away by the current. Ten more years pass and Jethro remains unmarried and faithful to his one love. But he is concerned that not one of his growing sons has yet found a wife. Taking matters into his own hands he secretly calls upon the services of one Molly White, proprietor of the Cozy Bridal Agency, to find godly wives for each of his boys. With that request, and Molly’s dedication, a family wide romantic adventure begins that leads to more weddings than old Jethro bargained for! BOOK 2: THE FLIGHT OF LOVE - The Story of Alan & Cynthia Cynthia Knowles fears for her young brothers. Ever since their parentǯs death the boys have been led astray by unsavory company. Cynthia seeks the advice of an older friend, Molly White, who has a brilliant idea –head west, away from the gangs and the unemployment and poverty of Philadelphia. Molly encourages Cynthia to accept the invitation of Jethro Knerr, to join one of his sons on their ranch. Alan, the eldest of the Knerr boys, has other ideas. The last thing he wants is the responsibility of a wife. After all, since his mother's death he has felt responsible for his aging father and younger brothers. But his father and siblings know that his stubbornness hides a deep hurt, one that has been dammed and needs to burst. Can Cynthia reach beyond Alan's grief and fear, and allow his huge heart to one again celebrate a bright and hopeful future? Or will his dismissal and rejection of her turn her away forever? The Seven Sons of Jethro is a delightful series that follows the trail of long-suffering father, Jethro's quest to marry each of his sons to a good Christian wife. The Seven Sons of Jethro is a delightful series that follows the trail of long-suffering father, Jethro’s quest to marry each of his sons to a good Christian wife. Each story is a wonderful tale in itself, and can be read as a satisfying standalone, but be warned, once you read one, you won’t be able to resist finding out what became of the other sons and their stories.
Ocean Star: A Memoir
Christina Dimari - 2006
"Ocean Star" is the story of how God found her in the midst of an abusive childhood, became the loving parent she never had, and revealed himself in tangible ways through her amazing life journey. Filled with insightful symbolism, "Ocean Star" will help Christians and non-Christians find hope, humor, and healing in a powerful true story of a broken life made new.
The Devil: Britain's Most Feared Underworld Taxman
Graham Johnson - 2007
The Devil is coming to get you. Gangster Stephen French invented the perfect crime: robbing drug barons of their huge fortunes. In SAS-style swoops, French raided their fortified mansions and tortured them with horrifying violence until they paid up. Through 'taxing' the richest and most powerful crimelords in the UK, he netted over £20 million. French was no ordinary criminal. He was a world-champion fighter, he studied psychology at university to master mind-control techniques, and he used the teachings of Machiavelli and samurai warriors to outwit his enemies. The Devil also reveals French's complex relationship with Curtis Warren, the wealthiest criminal in British history. The two were childhood pals, then partners and finally bitter enemies. Now a legitimate businessman, French built up a multimillion-pound empire. Having eventually turned his back on his former life, he is now seeking to set the record straight.
Don't Mind If I Do
George Hamilton - 2008
In this memoir, George Hamilton shares his life story, from growing up with an elitist but broke mother who shipped him to boarding schools and boyfriends' homes, to having an MGM contract that launched his five-decade long acting career.
Young Winstone
Ray Winstone - 2014
But how do these uncompromising and often haunting performances square with his off-duty reputation as the ultimate salt-of-the-earth diamond geezer? The answer lies in the East End of his youth. Revisiting the bomb-sites and boozers of his childhood and adolescence, Ray Winstone takes the reader on an unforgettable tour of a cockney heartland which is at once irresistibly mythic and undeniably real. Told with its author's trademark blend of brutal directness and roguish wit, Young Winstone offers a fascinating insight into the social history of East London, as well as a school of hard knocks coming-of-age story with a powerful emotional punch.
Raising Cole: Developing Life's Greatest Relationship, Embracing Life's Greatest Tragedy: A Father's Story
Marc Pittman - 2004
But when he had a son, Marc became the father he had always wanted to have. When seven-year-old Cole asked him about beer, Marc Pittman put down his can and never drank again. He told his boys everything, and they were honest with him in return. They unburdened their fears; told him their dreams; and even admitted their sins. Despite the fact that his sons were star football players, they felt no shame in holding their father's hand in public. People told him he was lucky to have the relationship he did with his children, but Marc Pittman knew the truth-it wasn't luck, he worked at it every day. And then his eldest son, Cole, was killed in a traffic accident on the way to football practice at the University of Texas. This book is the story not just of how Marc Pittman dealt with this tragedy, but of the 21 years he lived with Cole and the lessons he learned about being a good father, a good friend, and a good man. "A must read...Marc Pittman crosses the boundary and stigma of the tough guy and shows that while being very tough, you can also be very compassionate. This book will make you appreciate not every hour, but every second you spend with someone you love."
17
Bill Drummond - 2008
He references his own contributions to the canon of popular music, and he provides fascinating insider portraits of the industry and its protagonists. But above all, he questions our ideas of music and our attitude to sound, introducing us throughout this provocative and superbly written book to his current work, The17.
The BIG Horror Box Set (5 books) (Damienverse, #1-5)
Iain Rob Wright - 2015
#1 Best Seller - Horror Anthologies. From a Top 100 Most Popular Author in Horror. Add it to your cart NOW because it is available for a limited time! This 500,000-word collection is over 1000 pages long, full of chills, thrills, and spine-tingling terror. All books are standalone stories, but also form part of a larger connected universe. You have to read them all to get the full picture. 5 bestsellers with over 1000 5-star reviews between them! Check out individual descriptions below. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SAM (Book 1) First came The Exorcist. Then came The Omen. Now there's another creepy child to keep you awake at night. You'll never see the ending coming. When a washed-up priest and a skittish ghost hunter are summoned to a vast countryside estate, they have no idea what to expect. A grief-stricken mother wants them to help her sick child and investigate a recent string of accidents around her home. It's clear that something unexplained is going on, but their initial observations point only to a single suspect: 8-year old Sammie. Yet, while it's clear that little Sammie is a very peculiar child, there's surely no way he could have been behind the long list of accidents and deaths. He's just a child... Sammie has a secret. Want to hear it? ASBO (Book 2) A terrifying novel for fans of Eden Lake, the Girl Next Door, and the Purge. A gentle family man's life is forever changed when he refuses to buy a pack of cigarettes for the local gang of youths. Led by the emotionally unstable and sadistic Frankie, the gang target the man and his family in an escalating campaign of terror and violence that will threaten their very lives. If only he’d bought those damn cigarettes. ASBO. Your fear is their entertainment... THE FINAL WINTER (Book 3) Iain Rob Wright's debut novel is a masterclass in suspense and is sure to keep you guessing What would you do if it started snowing in every country in the world? Would you panic? For a ragtag group of strangers at a run-down English pub, the best solution is a pint of beer with a shot of denial -- but one by one they will be left with no choice but to accept that something sinister is lurking outside in the snow. Something that will never let them see light of day. THE HOUSEMATES (Book 4) Ten days, twelve competitors, two million in cash. What at first seems like a wonderful opportunity for Damien Banks turns out to be the worst nightmare he can imagine. Trapped inside a house with eleven strangers and a booming voice known only as 'The Landlord', Damien is forced to compete not only for the money, but for his life. Let the games begin... SEA SICK (Book 5) A novel unlike anything else. A story that is equal parts Dawn of the Dead and Groundhog Day. An unforgettable classic. Police Officer Jack Wardsley’s life ended the moment his partner died. His recent record of brutality, and a reputation for not following the rules, has prompted his seniors to give him an ultimatum: find a way to let go of all the anger – or find another job.
Fight!: Thirty Years Not Quite at the Top
Harry Hill
A must for anyone who's interested in the business of laughter.' JOE LYCETT'The funniest book I've read in years.' ADAM KAYFrom a childhood spent making smoke bombs, killing wasps and carving soap in 70s Kent, Harry Hill then found himself in charge of hundreds of sick people as a junior doctor. Out of his depth and terrified, he chucked it all in to pursue his dream of becoming a stand-up comedian. Battling his way through the 90s Comedy circuit he quickly rose to become a household name and one of the UK's most celebrated comics, almost making it to the top of the showbiz tree . . .From being chased around a car park by an angry heckler, getting fired from Capital Radio and watching every episode of Freaky Eaters, to a bizarre assassination attempt and cutting up Simon Cowell's trousers, Harry takes an honest and hilarious look at the ups and downs of his life and career through the lens of what didn't go right.He shares his secrets on how to be a great comedian, finding joy in failure and creativity in struggle, whilst never forgetting that life is short . . .
What readers are saying about Fight!
'Hilarious... recommended unreservedly' *****'Lots of laughs and memories of days gone by' *****'A great book... I could not put it down' *****'Beautifully written and great fun' *****
Resurrection: The Miracle Season That Saved Notre Dame
Jim Dent - 2009
For five straight years, from 1958 through 1963, the home of Knute Rockne and Frank Leahy could not produce one winning season. Plagued by a series of bad coaching choices, inept management, and a loss of institutional support, no one could be sure if the Fighting Irish would ever return to glory. When "Touchdown Jesus" was erected in 1964, it presided over a team so hopeless that the entire football program was on the brink of collapse.Little did anyone know, help was on its way in the form of Ara Parseghian, a controversial choice for head coach---the first one outside of the Notre Dame "family"---who had only set foot on Notre Dame soil when his football teams played (and won) there. It was now his responsibility to rebuild the once-proud program and teach the Fighting Irish how to win again. This was no small task.The men of Notre Dame football were a bunch of unlikelies and oddballs, but Parseghian transformed them into a team: a senior quarterback who would win the Heisman Trophy two weeks before he picked up his first letter jacket; a five-foot-eight walk-on who would go on to make first team All-American; and an exceptionally rare black player, who would overcome much more than his quiet demeanor to rise to All-American, All-Pro, NFL Hall of Famer, and to justice of the Minnesota Supreme Court.Parseghian would change everything, from the uniforms and pads to the offensive strategy. He switched players from position to position like pieces on a chessboard, and just before the season opener, he hung a motto over the locker-room door:"What tho the odds""Be great or small""Notre Dame men""Will win over all"It would be a huge gamble against great obstacles, but Ara Parseghian had that look in his eye. . . ."New York Times" bestselling author Jim Dent chronicles one of the greatest comeback seasons in the history of college football---the first season in what is known as the "Era of Ara." Once again confirming his position as one of the top sportswriters in the country, Dent writes with passion, humor, and incredible insight, bringing the legends of Notre Dame football to life in an unforgettable story of second chances, determination, and unwavering spirit.
Man and Ball: My Autobiography
Stephen Ferris - 2015
It was, however, preferable to his day job of paving driveways, and that day in 2005 saw the start of an incredible journey for Ferris, Ulster and Ireland rugby. A Celtic League title in his very first senior season with Ulster. A Grand Slam in 2009, followed by a sensational Lions breakthrough. A starring role in Ireland's greatest World Cup win, over Australia in 2011, when Ferris famously picked up Will Genia and carried him ten yards. And leading Ulster from nowhere to the Heineken Cup final.Stephen Ferris had an incredible rugby career, tragically ended by ankle injuries so severe they will never properly heal. He is an inspiration to the population of Ulster, an emblem of the sport that serves as such a positive expression of its culture and identity, and earned the respect and admiration of fans across Ireland for his strength, pace, skill and courage. Fearless, funny and full of an incredible array of stories from behind the scenes of Ulster, Ireland and the Lions, this is the must-have rugby book of the year.
Are We There Yet?: To Indignity . . . and Beyond!
Emily Atack - 2019
Emily Atack was flung to fame at just 17, as Charlotte 'Big Jugs' Hinchcliffe in The Inbetweeners. Nearly ten years later, she won over the nation on I'm a Celebrity . . . Get Me out of Here! thanks to her hilarious impersonations and epic bravery during trials. While she was in the jungle, the country watched her go on a journey of self-acceptance and come out on top. Now Emily reveals the hilarious highs and the heartbreakinglows that rocked the years between. With astonishing courage and her trademark humour, she shares stories about her family, relationships, work life and love.Are We There Yet? is a warm, honest and funny book for anyone who has ever felt the need to break the mould to find out who they really are.