Twelve Mighty Orphans: The Inspiring True Story of the Mighty Mites Who Ruled Texas Football Review
This book is supposed to be non fiction and is written as it it is truth. The charachters in the book are real and I am a son of the Howard Gossett mentioned as one of the killers of Hardy Brown. Also, the Gossetts were not brothers. They were father and son. The following is an actual record of the trial held in Memphis as reported in the paper. This was written as part of an autobiography on myself and I blanked out the name of Hardy Brown. Haskell E. Gossett, son of Howard A. Gossett and grandson of George H. Gossett.
GOSSETT GIVEN
TEN YEARS
IN PEN
------------------------
Jury Gets Case at
Three 0'clock
Wednesday Afternoon
Howard Gossett of Kirkland, Childress County, was given 10 years in the penitentiary, in connection with the killing of _____ _____ in the Gossett home last November. The jury received the case at three 0'clock Wednesday afternoon and asked for additional instructions from the judge twice before being able to reach a verdict. The jury deliberated for nearly 24 hours.
The Howard Gossett case was transferred here from Childress County. The defendant is represented by Judge W.B. Howard and Clyde Davidson of Childress and David Fitzgerald of this city. The State is represented by District Attorney James C. Mahan and C.C. Broughton, County Attorney of Childress County.
The case was called for trial on Monday morning and steps begun for the selection of a jury. The jury was completed at 5:30, Monday afternoon after a special venire of 60 men had been exhausted and 7 extra venire men had been summoned. The following is the personnel of the jury, in the order in which they were selected: B.A. Pyeatt, Memphis; Ben Hill, Brice; J.W. Slover, Memphis; J.N. Cypert, Turkey; J.S. Ballard, Eli; B.M. McElreath, Memphis; W.L. Phillips, Memphis; A.C. Carson, Memphis; R.M. Mothershed, Parnell; J.C. Buchanan, Turkey; Joe Webster, Memphis; and S.E. Thompson, Memphis.
Questioning of witnesses was begun Tuesday morning and finished at 3 0'clock in the afternoon. The remainder of the afternoon was taken up in writing the charge to the jury and receiving exceptions by the District Judge. C.C. Broughton opened the argument for the state followed by David Fitzgerald of Memphis, Clyde Davidson and Judge W.B. Howard for the defendant. District Attorney Mahan closed for the state and the case was given to the jury at 3 0'clock Wednesday afternoon.
Killing Follows Argument
The killing is alleged to have resulted when _____ _____ accused Gossett of making remarks about the deceased and some woman. Defense witnesses testified that Gossett shot _____ following an argument which arose when _____ used profane language in the presence of women members of the Gossett family. The killing took place in the Gossett home on the night of November 7, 1928. G.H. Gossett, father of the defendant, who is charged separately with the same offense, was tried in district court in Childress during the January term. A hung jury resulted and the case was transferred
Twelve Mighty Orphans: The Inspiring True Story of the Mighty Mites Who Ruled Texas Football Overview
More than a century ago, a school was constructed in Fort Worth, Texas, for the purpose of housing and educating the orphans of Texas Freemasons. It was a humble project that for years existed quietly on a hillside east of town. Life at the Masonic Home was about to change, though, with the arrival of a lean, bespectacled coach by the name of Rusty Russell. Here was a man who could bring rain in the midst of a drought. Here was a man who, in virtually no time at all, brought the orphans’ story into the homes of millions of Americans.
In the 1930s and 1940s, there was nothing bigger in Texas high school football than the Masonic Home Mighty Mites—a group of orphans bound together by hardship and death. These youngsters, in spite of being outweighed by at least thirty pounds per man, were the toughest football team around. They began with nothing—not even a football—yet in a few years were playing for the state championship on the highest level of Texas football. This is a winning tribute to a courageous band of underdogs from a time when America desperately needed fresh hope and big dreams.
The Mighty Mites remain a notable moment in the long history of American sports. Just as significant is the depth of the inspirational message. This is a profound lesson in fighting back and clinging to faith. The real winners in Texas high school football were not the kids from the biggest schools, or the ones wearing the most expensive uniforms. They were the scrawny kids from a tiny orphanage who wore scarred helmets and faded jerseys that did not match, kids coached by a devoted man who lived on peanuts and drove them around in a smoke-belching old truck.
In writing a story of unforgettable characters and great football, Jim Dent has come forward to reclaim his place as one of the top sports authors in America today.
A remarkable and inspirational story of an orphanage and the man who created one of the greatest football teams Texas has ever known . . . this is their story—the original Friday Night Lights.
—Verne Lundquist, CBS Sports
“Coach Rusty Russell and the Mighty Mites will steal your heart as they overcome every obstacle imaginable to become a respected football team. Take an orphanage, the Depression, and mix it with Texas high school football, and Jim Dent has authored another winner, this one about the ultimate underdog.’’
—Brent Musburger, ABC Sports/ESPN
“No state has a roll call of legendary high school football stories like we do in Texas, and, admittedly, some of those stories have been ‘expanded’ over the years when it comes to the truth. But let Jim Dent tell you about the Mighty Mites of Masonic Home, the pride of Fort Worth in the dark days of the Depression. Read this book. You will think it’s fiction. You will think it’s a Hollywood script. But Twelve Mighty Orphans is the truth, and nothing but. It is powerful stuff. Some eighty years later, the Mighty Mites’ story remains so sacred, not even a Texan would dare tamper with these facts. And Jim Dent tells it like it was.”
— Randy Galloway, columnist, Fort-Worth Star Telegram
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Customer Reviews
My high school students love this book... - K. Burrus - TX
I'm a high school English teacher and my kids love this book. We have a hard time keeping it in our library.
Mighty Orphans: The Inspiring True Story of the Mighty Mites Who Ruled Texas Football ( - linndalou -
The book keeps one interested. The purchasing and shipping:It was smooth transaction when purchasing the book, also.
Great Story - JimmyCarl -
Great story of a time when life was much more difficult for most and the orphans had it tougher in many ways. Also a story of unselfishness from several in the school and other people of kindness.
In an era when heroes were broadly needed, hope and excitement for better times was fuel to go on, and bringing Texas and the entire country closer together through a common goal where the little guy makes good in a time when most were losing, this story hits the mark. The mighty orphans filled this need without their knowing and simply lived their life as they knew it. Coach Russell knew he was devoted to more than football but to the orphans, people, dignity, and country.
A book full of interesting true life characters, events, courage, and love. One that I will be always grateful for reading.
Highly recommended.
If you like football, you'll like this book. If you like Fort Worth, you'll find yourself being drawn into the history of it. - Bryce R. Danley - Fort Worth, Texas
If you like football, you'll like this book. If you like Fort Worth, you'll find yourself being drawn into the history of it. If you like Baylor University, you'll find a hidden gem if you look hard enough. If you like stories about selfless quality leaders who make the absolute most of their resources - you'll have trouble putting this one down.
Setting Fort Worth Texas - during the great depression - events that occurred at the Masonic Home for Orphans
This is a wonderful book about an unlikely group of champions. Each of the boys came to the home from different, tragic circumstances. The Masonic home, while it certainly filled a need for those orphaned during this time, was not an easy place to grow up.
Some of the adults who worked with the boys were visionary, inspiring, selfless and leaderful. Others at least bordered on cruel, even by the standards of the time. This is not an easy book to read due to the rough language, brutal treatment of and by the occupants of the home.
However the book is also about self sacrifice, vision, compassion - particularly illustrated by the team's coach Rusty Russell. He seemed to see the boys as they were and as they could become. He exemplifies the wonderful trait of being able to make the absolute best of tough situations. The obstacles he and his team faced were large, virtually constant, and always faced head on, without compliant. Russell strikes quite a heroic pose the Twelve Mighty Orphans - without the flaw so common to visionary leaders - an ego gone wrong.
Most of all, this book is about male toughness - in all the good and terrible things that word encompasses. It talks about tough circumstances, tough times, tough adults, and most of all some incredibly tough boys/young adults. You'll be amazed at the things they could and did do.
*** Product Information and Prices Stored: Nov 01, 2010 01:30:06
Saturday, October 30, 2010
Check Out The Complete Book of Running for Women for $4.00
The Complete Book of Running for Women Review
I used to run cross country in high school; however, in college, I chose cheerleading over running and began focusing on easier workouts, like the elliptical. Then, I got married and had a baby. During the pregnancy, I gained well over 60 pounds. I started exercising again at the health club, taking classes, etc., but I was not losing the weight! It was very frustrating. Then I got a new job as a teacher and jr. high track coach! The idea of being a track coach who hadn't run since high school was frightening....so, I decided that I needed to get back in the swing of running. I figured that since I had tried to stay active, I could just go out and do it. I was wrong!! I got injured, and was frustrated. I decided to go on-line and see if I could find a book to give me the basics of how to get back into running after taking time off. I didn't want to run competitively, I simply wanted to be able to keep up with my track kids on an easy road run day for supervision purposes. :)
This book was the answer!! It gave me the routine I needed to break back into running (no injuries from this routine!) It was also motivational!! I started waking up before my husband and daughter woke up and went for my run/walk work-out and then I would do the strength routine also provided by this book. I ended up losing all of my baby weight, and I was able to wear out my track kids. This year, I have started entering into races, and I have fallen in love with the sport of running all over again!! I highly recommend this book to anyone who is new to running or returning to running. It is very imformative on how to do it safely, stay motivated, and the benefits of running for your health!
The Complete Book of Running for Women Feature
- ISBN13: 9780671017033
- Condition: New
- Notes: BRAND NEW FROM PUBLISHER! BUY WITH CONFIDENCE, Over one million books sold! 98% Positive feedback. Compare our books, prices and service to the competition. 100% Satisfaction Guaranteed
The Complete Book of Running for Women Overview
More women than ever are discovering the unique benefits of running -- for stress relief, weight management, endurance, and self-esteem. Women's bodies are not the same as men's, and though we can train just as hard and with the same passion for excellence, we have certain special concerns. Finally, there is a comprehensive guide exclusively for women who experience the pure joy of running, or want to.
It's the simplest, fastest, most accessible way to fitness and good health known to woman. You don't need a partner, equipment, or even much time. Now, Claire Kowalchik, former managing editor of Runner's World magazine, answers every question about the overwhelmingly popular activity that builds endurance, melts fat, and even prevents illness. In this total running book for women, you'll learn:
Authoritative and friendly, The Complete Book of Running for Women is a sourcebook for both beginners and long-time runners. Along with wisdom drawn from the author's personal experience, you'll find advice from the experts: coaches, exercise physiologists, nutritionists, doctors, and other women runners. Including question-and-answer sections and a complete list of resources, The Complete Book of Running for Women tells you everything you need to know to be off and running toward better health and richer living.
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Customer Reviews
Very Good Book - Joanna -
The book is very informative for new runners. I wasn't sure what a fartlek and other running terms meant, and this book explains them. It also covers a variety of topics from stretching to training plans for different races. I got the order in about five business days. I am very happy with this book.
What a great read :) - A. Arguello - Miami, FL
I am a new runner who quickly incurred an injury because I went from the couch to "too much too soon". I knew nothing about running except get a new pair of great shoes, and get out there and run!
I WISH I wouldve had the foresight to research running before I started. This book has it all, and it is a really easy read. I couldnt put it down. I believe that this book is one that you hold on to forever and refer to many people.
I highly recommend this book to new and experienced runners :)
Most complete running book I've read so far - Indiana Tiger -
I've been running for just over a year now (two half marathons and one 5k). A marathon is on the horizon for this year. I've read several running books so far, and this is by far the most worthwhile, well-written, and helpful read of them all! Honestly, I think it would be just as valuable to a man as it is to a woman. My favorite highlight of the book is the succinct, understandable way that it clarifies what exactly running jargon means (fartleks, tempo runs, etc) for us newbies. That said, advanced runners would benefit from this book as well. Fantastic book!
*** Product Information and Prices Stored: Oct 30, 2010 08:00:07
Friday, October 29, 2010
Check Out Runner's World Runner's Diet: The Ultimate Eating Plan That Will Make Every Runner (and Walker) Leaner, Faster, and Fitter (Runners World) for $8.00
Runner's World Runner's Diet: The Ultimate Eating Plan That Will Make Every Runner (and Walker) Leaner, Faster, and Fitter (Runners World) Review
I read Self magazine, I go to the gym, I've had a personal trainer, I've been in Weight Watchers twice for face to face meetings and I did it once online ... so I know a lot about dieting. I bought this book in hopes of finding out something NEW that was specific to runners (athletes).
Though I did not learn a lot of NEW things from this book, it was an enjoyable read with excellent reminders of points that I learned in the past ... like keeping a food journal, eating the right balance of food, eating and working out based on my current state of health and lifestyle - not who I was 10 years ago, how to work exercise into my life even when I am "too busy", thinking about exercise as a means of helping me burn extra calories versus exercise being an excuse to eat more calories ... etc.
Overall, it was a good book. I really enjoyed it. I felt that the author was like a "coach" giving tips and encouragement for dieting and exercise versus a doctor "prescribing" a diet.
You do NOT have to be a "runner" to enjoy this book. You could replace running with bicycling, swimming, or any other exercise that you prefer. The author seems to just use running as a means of illustrating an easy way to use exercise to burn calories.
Runner's World Runner's Diet: The Ultimate Eating Plan That Will Make Every Runner (and Walker) Leaner, Faster, and Fitter (Runners World) Feature
- ISBN13: 9781594862052
- Condition: New
- Notes: BRAND NEW FROM PUBLISHER! BUY WITH CONFIDENCE, Over one million books sold! 98% Positive feedback. Compare our books, prices and service to the competition. 100% Satisfaction Guaranteed
Runner's World Runner's Diet: The Ultimate Eating Plan That Will Make Every Runner (and Walker) Leaner, Faster, and Fitter (Runners World) Overview
If you are a serious runner, or are thinking about starting a running or run/walk program to keep fit and help you lose weight, forget about the traditional food pyramid--or today's low-carb diets. As noted dietitian Madelyn H. Fernstrom, Ph.D., C.N.S., explains, the eating plan that best meets the needs of runners at all levels is based on a 50 percent carb, 25 percent protein, 25 percent fat ratio. Here Dr. Fernstrom details a realistic program, individualized for each person's activity level, that will enable runners to maximize their performance while maintaining long-term success at weight control.
In Runner's World The Runner's Diet, the reader will discover:
o Why the 50-25-25 ratio works best for runners--and even walkers
o How to match your eating pattern to your running style
o How to make use of a daily food and activity log
With the imprimatur of Runner's World, the leading authority in the running field, this is the first book to recognize that runners cannot depend solely on physical activity to control their weight--and to outline a lifetime weight-loss plan that is best for their special needs.
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Customer Reviews
Mediocre - Vladimir Kouznetsov - Washington, DC
This book would potentially deserve 3 stars if it weren't for a misleading title. The title (and the fact that it is a Runner's World publication) implies that it is for somewhat serious runners and that it is focused on fueling for training and races and helping achieve the racing weight (The Racing Weight by Matt Fitzgerald is an excellent book, BTW, and everything that this book is not).
Instead this is a pretty superficial book for people who are pretty clueless about nutrition and sports nutrition; who wake up one day realizing that they have gained 20 lbs in the decade or two since college (or whatever) and decide to start running or walking a couple of miles a couple of times a week. If that's where you are, you might find this book somewhat useful because anything written for more serious athletes, such as the Fitzgerald book, might at first be a bit overwhelming.
Pretty Good - Brenna -
I used the book more for a motivational drive. That is what I use almost all running books for. I did learn a few things. BUT I did hated one thing. The stories they told about people were really terrible. They were obviously fictional and they pretty much had the same lesson to be learned. Every section had a story that just proved "if you fail, change your approach and you will succeed." If they left out a few of the stories, I would have enjoyed it a little more. Overall, good book.
The Runner's Diet Review- the book is not what you think... - tiana - GREER, SC, US
When I purchased a book for a Runner's diet I made the assumption based on the title and book description that this book was geared toward runners. It is not. Rather it talks about getting into a workout routine and how to eat the right amount of calories. I am a regular runner, I was looking for a book that did what the title of this books says it does: teaches a regular runner what to put into their body based on a regular and vigorous exercise routine. It should be titled: How to lose weight by running and diet, a book for the past runner or the non-runner. To say that I am disappointed is an understatement. I cannot believe that Runner's World would put their name on this. It is nothing more than a diet book. Don't waste your time if you are a runner and understand a healthy balanced diet.
*** Product Information and Prices Stored: Oct 29, 2010 16:30:09
Great Price for $8.54
Hub Fans Bid Kid Adieu: John Updike on Ted Williams Review
"Hub Fans Bid Kid Adieu" is John Updike's loving tribute to the character and craft of Boston Red Sox slugger Ted Williams. First published in The New Yorker magazine a few weeks after Updike sat in the stands of Fenway Park watching Williams' final at bat on September 28, 1960, the essay has over the years attracted the highest praise from trustworthy observers. Some of these accolades appear in the Editorial Reviews section above. The praise is accurate and deserved.
If you follow baseball and care about its storied past, or admire the writing of John Updike, then you will enjoy reading this piece. If you happen to belong to both camps -- if you're an Updike fan AND a baseball fan -- then put this at the top of your list of must-reads.
The question is whether you should spend your money on this particular setting of "Hub Fans Bid Kid Adieu." The article is available online where it can be read for free on several websites, including that of The New Yorker. In book form the piece has been much anthologized. It appears alongside contributions from the likes of William Carlos Williams, Don DeLillo, and Stephen King, in the elegant 721-page hardcover volume, "Baseball: A Literary Anthology." It can be found in "The Greatest Baseball Stories Ever Told: Thirty Unforgettable Tales from the Diamond" (paperback), edited by Jeff Silverman, where it hides amongst 30 fiction and nonfiction pieces from a motley crew of writers such as Doris Kearns Godwin, Pete Hamill, Ring Lardner, P.G. Wodehouse, Vin Scully (on Sandy Koufax), and Abbott and Costello (whose "Who's on First" comic routine is gloriously reprinted in its entirety). The essay joins a broader array of sports pieces recently assembled in "The Only Game in Town: Sportswriting from The New Yorker," where Updike shares space with Malcolm Gladwell (who writes about failure in sports), Martin Amis (on tennis personalities), and John McPhee (on Bill Bradley's basketball career).
The answer to why you might choose to buy this latest issuance of John Updike on Ted Williams comes down to personal preference, convenience, sentimentality, maybe even aesthetics. The essay has a special-ness to it. Its pages offer a sharp character study, a lyrical capturing of a moment of grace, and an essential moral lesson. It is, to use the corny metaphor, a small gem. Think of Duke Ellington's description of Ella Fitzgerald: "beyond category." The quality-conscious publishers at The Library of America respect good writing and have taken care to design the book, simply as a physical object, to be a pleasing product to hold in your hands.
Three photos of Ted Williams grace the book: one is in color on the jacket (you see it pictured here on Amazon, above). The second, in black and white, is used as the frontispiece and shows the slugger ascending to the Fenway field on his final day. The third photo is near-sepia in color and is spread horizontally across the front and back boards, freezing in time his celebrated swing -- and making this hardback look just as fine with or without its jacket. Inside, the main essay from 1960 (with a dozen fact-laden footnotes Updike added a few years later) is, of course, the big draw. This text (33 pages in this wide-margined edition) is flanked by a three-page Preface, written only weeks before Updike died in 2009, and a meandering nine-page Afterword that served as an obituary for the ballplayer who died in 2002. The preface and afterward may strike you as workmanlike exercises -- common stones wildly outshone by the diamond at the center of the book.
Bottom line: if you're looking for a gift for someone open to the call of baseball and its emotional and intellectual appeal, this is a good choice. The book would also be a classy gift for a reader who's read Updike's novels and short stories but is unaware that the author penned, at the start of his career, one of the best nonfiction essays ever written.
Addendum: A 34-second video of Ted Williams' last at bat at Fenway Park on September 28, 1960 is available online (Google the words, YouTube last at bat). If you watch it, pay special heed as Williams rounds third and heads for home. At that moment the cameraman pans up to show the crowd in the stands behind third base, the very section where John Updike was on his feet joining in the stadium-wide "beseeching screaming." The tape is too pixilated for us to spot him. But Updike's there, absorbing the moment -- and starting work on his own piece for the ages.
(Mike Ettner)
Hub Fans Bid Kid Adieu: John Updike on Ted Williams Feature
- ISBN13: 9781598530711
- Condition: New
- Notes: BUY WITH CONFIDENCE, Over one million books sold! 98% Positive feedback. Compare our books, prices and service to the competition. 100% Satisfaction Guaranteed
Hub Fans Bid Kid Adieu: John Updike on Ted Williams Overview
On September 28, 1960-a day that will live forever in the hearts of fans-Red Sox slugger Ted Williams stepped up to the plate for his last at-bat in Fenway Park. Seizing the occasion, he belted a solo home run- a storybook ending to a storied career. In the stands that afternoon was 28-year-old John Updike, inspired by the moment to make his lone venture into the field of sports reporting. More than just a matchless account of that fabled final game, Hub Fans Bid Kid Adieu is a brilliant evocation of Williams' competitive spirit, an intensity of dedication that still "crowds the throat with joy."
Now, on the 50th anniversary of the dramatic exit of baseball's greatest hitter, The Library of America presents a commemorative edition of Hub Fans, prepared by the author just months before his death. To the classic final version of the essay, long out-of- print, Updike added an autobiographical preface and a substantial new afterword. Here is a baseball book for the ages, a fan's notes of the very highest order.
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Customer Reviews
The praise is deserved but a word of reservation - Shalom Freedman - Jerusalem,Israel
I have read Updike's essay many times. It is as all agree, a masterwork. For many it is the beginning of a new kind of sportswriting , more personal, literary, metaphoric. Updike went to bat only one time as a sportswriter and hit the homerun of homeruns.
I have some reservations however about the piece, and the whole take on Ted Williams. For Updike Williams was a consummate, dedicated artist, a man of singular devotion and ability. But Baseball is different from Writing. Baseball is a Team Game.
For Williams whose team was in eighth place in an eight- team league when he hit the homerun in his last time at bat the accomplisments were often solely for himself . For his rival Dimaggio the accomplishments were for a team on the way to winning the pennant. Moreover in the commonplace comparison of the time Willimas went six for six when the Red Sox won 14-3 but Dimaggio went one for four when that one was the winning hit in a key game. There was always the comparison of Williams who did not hit in the clutch the way Dimaggio did.
In other words ,Updike's essay focuses not on the whole story of Williams but rather on his singular accomplishments and virtuoso greatness.
That said it is still a wonderful read done with that Updikean metaphorical precision, that style which seemed to cram each sentence with detailed perception and often beauty.
The Godliness of Ted Willams as Portrayed by his Disciple, John Updike - Ted Marks - Phippsburg, ME, USA
For any baseball aficionado, but especially for Boston Red Sox fans, the Library of America has just published a sacred tomb: a reprint of John Updike's famous New Yorker article on Ted Williams' last game for the Boston Red Sox.
Updike's reporting on Williams and his love-hate relationship with Boston, its sportswriters and Red Sox fans is a classic.
Even better, this edition also includes some nifty footnotes by the late Updike, written only months before his death last year, as well as excerpts from an article Updike wrote on Williams for Sport Magazine in 1986 and the obituary Updike wrote for the New York Times Magazine, marking Williams' death in 2002.
Updike's writing on Williams is a treasure trove for baseball fans that could be reasonably described as a holy grail on one of the greatest baseball players of all time. This is a book that should sit on every fan's bedside table to be read and reread even as baseball battles its drug addictions and overpays its current stars. It restores one's faith in the national past-time. Williams was, quite simply a classic. As is this book.
Williams & Updike Go Back to Back - Michael Wellman -
I heard Updike's famous essay read before I read it myself. I listened to it again on the day Updike died. Thank God he was there at Fenway that day when Williams exited the stage of baseball. His account of the game is sheer poetry; a simultaneous dissection of the psyches of Williams and his fans. And now at last it is bound and covered as it should have been long ago. I already regard my copy as an heirloom, a memorable summary of the day when the paths of an MVP and a Pulitzer Prize winner crossed forever.
*** Product Information and Prices Stored: Oct 29, 2010 09:30:05
Saturday, October 16, 2010
Check Out Learning to Fly Helicopters for $12.84
Learning to Fly Helicopters Review
If you're like me, and I know I am, you haven't attended any flight training yet. If this is correct, you are the target audience for this book. It is well-written, in a conversational style that makes all the theory of the early chapters and the emergency procedures of the later chapters understandable on a first reading. I had just applied for the Army's Aviation Warrant Officer program when I ordered this book. I had slogged halfway through the Army's Fundamentals of Flight field manual when this arrived from Amazon. The theory matched point for point, which shouldn't be surprising since Mr. Padfield writes that he learned rotary aviation from the Army when he was an Air Force pilot.
The two major differences that make spending money on this book preferable to reading the free Army manual are: 1. the manual was apparently written for those who have already learned how to fly for the Army, and includes so many acronyms and abbreviations a complete beginner must constantly stop reading to look up the meanings; and 2. Mr. Padfield includes tips and tricks and helpful hints gained from many years and 9000+ hours of flying helicopters, all effortlessly included in the text giving the impression that he is sitting in the cockpit next to you helping you out.
The book includes many illustrations, photos and diagrams to assist the reader in better visualizing the ideas brought forth in the text. Also, as the text verbally illustrates the concepts, the repetitive nature of some of the motions helps the reader retain the knowledge (i.e., pulling up the collective and twisting the throttle combine to adjust power... since those motions are necessary for most operations, any time he mentions another operation, he verbally illustrates by mentioning how to adjust each control).
The only reason I couldn't rate the book 5 stars was the photography. The photos are all black and white, and by today's printing standards they are low quality. Since most of the pictures are mainly for general interest (i.e., various full-body shots of helicopters common in the 90s when the book was written), that's not normally an issue. The problem for me came when he was describing the controls and showing a low-quality, too-small grayscale photo that's not very clear. Also, it's been long enough since the book came out (at least a decade); some of the new gizmos he mentions would be available or common soon should have been implemented by now and even newer ideas brought out. An additional chapter updating these thoughts would be nice.
In general though, the theory is the same, making the book stand up well over the years. Of course, if you're already a pilot, I suspect you won't pick up much if anything from this book, aside from an appreciation for Mr. Padfield's writing style. Although some of the tips, particularly ones having to do with emergency procedures, may help some.
It's an excellent book (other than the photos), and I highly recommend it to the novice.
Learning to Fly Helicopters Overview
An introduction to helicopter flying techniques, many of which are difficult to master, as well as a discussion of emergency procedure, human factors, advanced operations and even a section on careers.
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- Rotorcraft Flying Handbook (Updated Edition)
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- Fatal Traps for Helicopter Pilots
- Robinson R22: A Pilot's Guide (ASA Reference Books)
Customer Reviews
Great Book! - Kevin Timm -
I ordered this book for a graduation present. It was the perfect gift and the recipient loved it!!
Most Excellent Authorship - Bill McConnell - Arlington, Texas
For the past 35 years I have flown single engine fixed wing aircraft and for the same 35 years I have always wondered about how it would be to fly a helicopter.
After reading this book I still can't, but I now have some idea of just how "the other side" flies. I can now better appreciate the difficulty of maneuvering these aircraft and of the greater attention must be paid by the pilot even when flying straight and level.
I cannot say enough about the author. His writing is clear, concise, and humanistic, but never allows the reader a "parade rest" but, rather, holds the reader at full attention from page to page, well almost, until the book is finished.
Well written, worth twice the money.
Bill McConnell
Helpful book - Lori -
This book provides a basic overview of helicopter flying. This is a good book for initial training. It is written with a down-to-earth (no pun intended) feel, so it was easy to read and helped simplify some complex issues that were confusing me. I would recommend this book for anyone who is beginning their flight training or someone who has been out of flying for a while and in need of a refresher course regarding the basics.
Excellent! - Justin S. Wahlgren - Port Charlotte, FL USA
I will be attending Bristow Academy this Jan. and bought several books that they recommended to me. This is above and beyond the others. The author gives down to earth easy to understand explanations as well as many examples of many of the subjects discussed. For anyone that is looking to fly helicopters and is looking for a good book to explain a lot about them, DON'T MISS THIS TITLE!!!
*** Product Information and Prices Stored: Oct 16, 2010 06:20:59
Tuesday, October 12, 2010
Great Price for $8.41
Runner's World Performance Nutrition for Runners: How to Fuel Your Body for Stronger Workouts, Faster Recovery, and Your Best Race Times Ever (Runners World) Review
There is certainly a lot of useful information in this book. The info on sports drinks and recovery principles is most helpful. However, I found it a bit disorganized and sometimes I felt the author glossed over certian things while going into unnecessary detail in other areas. His chapter on body composition rambles on and on about what percentages of each tissue are optimal to have and then concludes that it doesn't really matter as long as you are basically healthy. In the beginning he criticizes many other approaches as being nonscientific but his own conclusions can verge into that same realm sometimes too. Also, I had just finished reading the Complete Book of Women's Running by Dagny Scott Barrios (which is a GREAT book) and found that much good scientific information pertinent to women that I read in that book was not included in this book.
This book definitely seems like the best resource out there for performance running nutrition, but I would take it with a little grain of salt sometimes (gotta get those electrolytes anyway, right?). And if you are female, I would also get the other book mentioned above because it is a wonderful compliment.
Runner's World Performance Nutrition for Runners: How to Fuel Your Body for Stronger Workouts, Faster Recovery, and Your Best Race Times Ever (Runners World) Overview
Runners have different nutrition and recovery needs than other endurance athletes. Yet until now, they’ve had no nutritional resource specifically addressing their concerns.
This comprehensive guide distills the newest thinking in the science of exercise nutrition into practical, hands-on tips that will help runners stay healthy, recover faster, enjoy better workouts, and race successfully. Readers will learn:
• detailed information on nutritional topics important to runners, from balancing internal energy stores to proper hydration
• how to customize their diets to their individual training needs
• shopping tips and dining-out strategies to help runners maximize their nutritional intake
• the top 5 pre-race meals and top 5 healthiest snacks for runners
• nutritional tips for special populations, including women, children, diabetics, and older runners
Available at Amazon Check Price Now!
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Customer Reviews
Excellent info for runner's nutritian - Michael Hallecook - Kansas City, USA
An excellent read for both seasoned runners and beginners. It talks about complex items in a very easy to read manner and provides basic information for maintaining a nutritional balance for the runner. It has become an integral part of my training library.
Stick to nutrition, not evolution - Cole Tindell - Butte, Montana USA
This would be a great book if they stayed on the nutritional needs of a runner instead of our ancestors needing certain fruits & vegies when they diverged from chimpanzees. On a whole this book tells us we need to eat & live as the chimpanzees did/do because we are the offspring of these monkeys. Now if the reasons behind their studies are not human satudies but that of monkeys then I for one can not go by their guidelines. This book should be about the needs of a runnere not a book saying we should all be an atheist. I threw my copy inb the trash, save your money & buy a book on nutrition only.
GREAT INFO - Getting There - USA
So much information but gives you a lot to think about to move your running up a notch. Great book!
Good Advice for Beginners - J. T. Johnson - Grand Forks, ND
This is a good book filled with advice for beginners. If you are just starting to run or have been running for a while and are looking for ways to improve your diet to excel your running, this is a great book for you. Runners who have been at it for years will take little away from this book because most know what works best for them already and the suggestions in this book will be old news. Beginners: take the information from this book and find out what works best for you.
*** Product Information and Prices Stored: Oct 13, 2010 00:15:06