This whole series is great

Super educational and interesting

Very informed, very well written. Steven speaks better than he reads in this book. I was expecting his usual sense of humor and demeanor to come out in his reading.I give Steven props to put something like this into this crazy world.

Steve’s best book yet!

The book is primarily telling the author’s personal story. The writing is good and never tiring or overtly self promotional. It was not captivating for me but I’d always return because I could trust that something new and interesting would be coming. He does appropriately bring in the stories of several others. I would not recommend the book to non-runners, just because there’s not enough here to separate it from many other first person accounts of more interest, perhaps.There is a lot of introspection, which I value. It contains ideas and suggestions that will likely be helpful for those who like to run, and who want to run better. When I was younger and running a good bit this book would have certainly been of substantial value to me. But its primary focus is not to give training advice, rather it attempts to paint a more full picture of a healthy life in which running plays a big part.Clearly the author is an intelligent and accomplished person. And he reaches to make the book more generally valuable to a reader’s life. I didn’t find it particularly meaningful in that sense but I bet others will.

Some books are written to make you curious, eager to learn, create wonder, evoke your imagination, or elicit feelings. The Running Ground by Nicholas Thompson is a book that gives you a personal glimpse into his conscious and how the sport of running has shaped each aspect of his life from a boy growing up through adulthood and the complicated family relationships that followed. Everyone has run to or away from something during a part of their life and this book makes you empathize with some of those choices while undoubtedly considering a few of your own.It was a great listen (always appreciate a book read by the author) and it’s not often a story can have parallels that reach beyond the pages. If you have the opportunity, this one is worth your time and I would recommend it to anyone looking for something with perspective and introspection. It makes you think about some of your own personal journeys, big or small, and how you overcame that inner voice telling you to quit at the first sign of discomfort.We all lace up our shoes every day, how you decide to hit the pavement each morning is up to you.

This was one of my favorite reads of the year. As someone who values hard work and admires people who take on difficult things, this book struck a deep chord. The stories are vivid, funny, and honest, and the writing is sharp in all the right ways. What stayed with me most was how the author connected his competitive drive, his relationship with his dad, and the experiences that shaped who he is. It felt both deeply personal and universally relatable. Having gone to boarding school and shared a few of those same touchpoints, I found myself nodding along and smiling, thinking back to similar moments I’ve had in races and in life. I read this in one sitting, which isn’t unusual for me but not altogether typical either, because I simply couldn’t put it down. It reminded me why I love a challenge, why I’m drawn to people who do hard things, and how much beauty there can be in the process itself. I’m grateful to have had this one on my list and will be recommending it widely.

Good read for runners

a sharp memoir about running, fathers, and the strange things that shape a life. nick thompson lays out how he became faster in his 50s than in his 30s, not through magic but through breaking the limits in his head. running becomes the lens for everything else … surviving cancer, untangling a relationship with a father, learning the discipline of showing up every day even when it’s cold, painful, or impossible. it’s a simple sport, and he uses that decode life. the book, for me, was not about being an elite monster, it’s know thyself, after the easy way stops working. if nick ever stops running, the earth’s rotation will slow down a little. great book and have followed nick’s career since wired.

The Running Ground is one of the best books I’ve read all year. As a lifelong runner, it naturally appealed to my taste, but this is so much more than a book about running. It is a courageous, deeply honest memoir that confronts life’s most meaningful relationships: those we have with our family and ourselves. I filled my copy with tabs to mark a number of poignant sections, knowing I’ll need to return to them later. Nick Thompson compellingly illustrates how the discipline, grit, patience, and confidence learned through years of running can help one navigate the most difficult times and then find meaning in the struggle.

I’m not a runner but I loved this book about perseverance, discipline, habits, the love and complex relationship between fathers and sons, how we can hold love, respect, compassion and frustration all at the same time. The writing is crisp and dynamic. The stories of other runners was inspiring too. Power of the mind, the breath, and excellent coaching too as key to personal and professional success. I bought several copies for runner friends. Recommend!

A beautiful book by an inspiring human. I’m not very interested in running but I admire Nick Thompson immensely from his work over the years and wanted to read. I read it in one sitting which is very rare for me. My favorite parts were about Nick’s interactions with his father but they wouldn’t be as stunning as they are if the book as a whole didn’t do such a wonderful job on providing context and texture. I highly recommend it to readers of all ages.

Allen Iverson’s Misunderstood is a powerful, unfiltered memoir that captures the essence of one of the most influential figures in sports and culture. The book is both humbling and uplifting, offering readers a rare glimpse into the mind and heart of a man who refused to compromise his identity for anyone.Iverson’s storytelling feels deeply personal — filled with honesty, reflection, and perspective that only comes with time and experience. His words carry the weight of a life lived in the spotlight, yet his humility and gratitude shine through every page.What makes Misunderstood truly special is its message of resilience and authenticity. Iverson reminds us that greatness doesn’t come from perfection, but from perseverance and staying true to who you are.More than just a basketball memoir, Misunderstood is a cultural statement — a testament to a man who broke barriers, inspired generations, and changed the way we see athletes, style, and self-expression. Allen Iverson isn’t just a Hall of Famer; he’s a symbol of heart, courage, and individuality.Misunderstood is must-read material — not only for sports fans, but for anyone who’s ever felt overlooked or underestimated.

It’s a great book gives you more insight on who he is as a person and athlete

Outstanding read. Pure honesty. The book is captivating. AI is a “real-one.” Easy to read; hard to put down.

Great read & insight into Allen Iverson’s story

He’s so raw and honest!! He faced so many adversities, but he never lost his focus. This is a testament to the man that he is!!

GREAT BOOK. Would definietly recommend to anyone who is familiar with NBA history, or is starting their basketball journey. Each chapter describes in details; Iverson’s challenges, pains and triumphs as though you were experiencing those life changing moments with him. This memoir was rated as NYT #1 best selling author, and rightfully so!

Purchased for my son. He is very pleased. Loves the book and it’s hardcover, good deal!!

Good read

Book Recommendation – A New York Times bestsellerAuthor: James NestorTitle: Breath – The New Science of a Lost ArtPublished by Riverhead Books, New York, 2020The book is available in most public libraries including the Dauphin County and Cumberland County Library Systems. The cost of the hard cover book from Amazon is $18.37. A paper back version and a summary are also available. The book is also available in E book and audio book formats. The book has been placed on the purchase request list for the Bethany Village Library.Quotes from the book cover pages follow:“Modern research is showing us that making even slight adjustments to the way we inhale and exhale can jump-start athletic performance, rejuvenate, internal organs, halt snoring, asthma, and autoimmune disease and even straighten scoliotic spines. None of this should be possible and yet it is. Drawing on thousands of years of medical texts and recent cutting-edge studies in pulmonology, psychology, biochemistry, and human physiology, Breath turns the conventional wisdom of what we thought we knew about our most basic biological functions on its head. You will never breath the same again.”Dr. Stephen Park Albert Einstein College of Medicine: “An eye opening, epic journey of human devolution that explains why so many of us are sick and tired. A must-read book that exposes what our health care system doesn’t see.”Joshua Foer, New York Times “A transformative book that changes how you think about your body and mind.”Comments by Bethany resident Charley Sproule:I have a lifelong snoring problem. Over the years I have tried a variety of methods to solve the problem. One helpful action is avoiding sleeping on my back, but this does not eliminate my snoring. Another attempt was using a device to open my nostrils. You tape it on to the outside of your nose. For me, the only result was some lost skin when I remove it in the morning. A medical specialist recommended surgery to remove some loose flesh in the back of my throat. I decided that was too invasive and did not schedule the surgery.The book Breath recommends another possible solution which is a method for keeping your mouth closed when sleeping. So far, the method has been working for me.The book contains step by step instructions on exercises to improve breathing, lung capacity and overall health. Readers who participate in yoga are likely familiar with alternate nostril breathing. A variety of other techniques are described in the book. For example, box breathing is used by Navy seals in tense situations. The book provides links to video instructions on some of the recommended techniques.The history of breathing practice described in the book includes many cultures and is fascinating and informative. Some divers have learned how to hold their breath for twelve minutes. Some runners have broken their records after using the techniques described in the book. A variety of health problems addressed by the techniques are described in the book. Cautions and limitations are also discussed.

Most people deal with breathing problems sometime in life. This includes mouth breathing, snoring, sleep apnea, hyperventilation, shortness of breath, asthma, bronchitis, COPD, etc. Consequently, it’s useful to read a book addressing into the topic.James Nestor has traveled around the world to learn current and ancient wisdom about breath. He has interviewed dozens of “pulmanauts” as he calls breathing experts. His book contains what he has learned. A few of his eye-popping assertions:• “Nine out of ten people breathe incorrectly.“• “Forty percent of today’s population suffers from chronic nasal obstruction, and around half of us are habitual mouth-breathers.”• Most modern humans have a deviated septum, and half have chronically inflamed turbinate, the erectile tissue lining our sinuses. This combination often leads to chronic breathing difficulties.There’s a reason that humans are the worst breathers in the animal kingdom. It’s because human faces are smaller today than our ancient ancestors. They had forward-facing jaws and wide mouths, which created wider airways. They needed strong jaws to eat a raw diet of fibrous fruits and vegetables, which took a lot of time and effort. We don’t have the same need to chew.Highly refined and processed foods require much less chewing than raw foods. It is well documented that cultures where traditional diets were replaced by modern, softer, processed foods saw more cavities and crooked teeth and more obstructed airways. In short, the industrialization of farmed foods is responsible for the physical changes.Compared to our distant ancestors, modern homo sapiens have larger brains, narrower and longer noses, and less prominent jaws, crooked teeth and shrunken sinuses. Chewing hard gum is a way to strengthen the jaw line and expand the palate..Mouthbreathing is a problem. That’s because the lungs extract less oxygen from air sucked in through the mouth, compared to air that is heated, slowed and pressurized coming via the nose. So nose breathing is more efficient.In addition, inhaling from the nose forces air against the flabby tissues at the back of the throat and widens the airways. Breathing through the mouth, however, allows the soft tissues to become loose and to flex inward, leaving less space for breathing.Mouthbreathing leads to snoring and sometimes to sleep apnea or to insomnia. One technique to reduce mouthbreathing at night is to put one small piece of tape vertically across part of the mouth.The average American takes about 18 breaths a minute. At that rate, most oxygen is exhaled back out. Heavy breathing causes too much loss of carbon dioxide, which narrows blood vessels and decreases circulation, particularly to the brain.At a slower breathing rate, by concentrating on longer exhales, our lungs soak up more oxygen in fewer breaths. Slower breathing also lowers blood pressure and heartrate. The most efficient breathing, according to research, is 5.5 second inhales followed by 5.5-second exhales, which totals 5.5 breaths per minute. Some asthmatics improve after they learn to breathe less.This is a fascinating book with lots of tips about self-improvement. One surprise is that sometimes it is good to hold your breath. -30-

“Hey, check out this book, he (pointing at me while talking to his friend) says it’s a best seller on Amazon.”I had sat Game Changers: Inspirational Sports Stories: An Empowering Playbook for Teens to Build Resilience, Crush Goals and Cultivate Exceptional Character on the bench at the gym when the guy working out next to me spotted the cover and asked me what I thought and I had told him it was a highly recommended best seller.“Oh cool, that does look pretty good” responded his gym buddy.“I’m gonna get it for my kid I want to get him in to reading more and I think this might be the ticket.”I had just recently learned about this relatively new title and how it was gaining a lot of buzz on Amazon and just like that, the interest for this book carried over from online to real life. And now after reading Game Changers I can see why it is selling so briskly.Dan Gold captures the backgrounds and fascinating backstories of a wide range of athletes, across many generations, weaving them together into a compelling collection that’s as beautifully written as it is inspiring. I was already familiar with most of the featured athletes and thought I knew their stories well, yet the book revealed many fresh and surprising details. Many accounts center on personal challenges and the perseverance required to overcome them.I especially liked how the book is organized into short, focused and captivating biographies that are then grouped and tied together around themes like resilience, leadership, and goal setting. The author then ends these sections with thoughtful questions to reflect upon and then offers actionable suggestions to consider as well.I’ve read my share of motivational and self betterment books and this is truly one of the best. In fact it has earned a spot on my Goodreads list of 5 star Books Great Enough to Gift . I have many friends and family I will be recommending it to for sure.It’s an inspiring read and one that will resonate with tweens, teens and adults alike.

Bought it for my grandson…. he loves the stories of the sports legends and how they fought the odds to get to be the best in their fields

Dan Gold’s Game Changers is more than just a book about sports—it’s a tribute to the mindset behind greatness. Drawing from the stories of legendary athletes like Michael Jordan, Serena Williams, Tom Brady, and Jackie Robinson, Gold captures the raw moments that define character, not just performance.What I appreciated most is that the book doesn’t just highlight wins and trophies. It explores resilience, failure, and the mental game behind the scenes—what it takes to rise when the odds are stacked against you. Each chapter reads like a compact profile with a deeper message, showing how these athletes pushed through injury, criticism, self-doubt, and cultural barriers.The structure makes it incredibly accessible: short, focused sections that are easy to pick up and reflect on, with takeaways that go beyond the field. This would be a powerful read for any young athlete, coach, or even a professional looking to adopt a performance mindset.Gold strikes a balance between admiration and analysis—never over-glorifying, but instead revealing the daily decisions and internal battles that shape real greatness. It’s a book about sports, yes—but it’s also about what it means to be fully committed, even when no one is watching.Highly recommended.

This was a perfect gift for middle schoolers they are short stories and perfect age demographic.

Book Title: Game Changers: Inspirational Sports Stories: An Empowering Playbook for Teens to Build Resilience, Crush Goals, and Cultivate Exceptional CharacterResilience is something that has to be built, and it doesn’t always come easily. For some, it’s the key to transforming their lives. This book highlights the stories of people who were told “no,” who came from backgrounds that didn’t seem conducive to success, yet against all odds, they pushed through and became household names. It dives into the ways to keep going, no matter the circumstances, and never give up. Personally, I’ve faced my fair share of “no’s” and “you can’t do it” in a world full of racial differences, especially when it often feels like many others are favored. That’s why this book is so relevant—it resonates with anyone who’s ever felt overlooked or told they couldn’t succeed. It’s an inspiring reminder that perseverance and resilience are powerful tools for overcoming adversity.

I am motivated to write a review for Game Changers Inspirational Sports Stories by Dan Gold for several reasons. Mr Gold wrote a book that was hard to put down from start to finish. His stories of well known athletes initially drew me to read the book but he humanized each one with relatable human struggles and perseverance that are not only inspirational for teens but for adults like myself. I especially loved the chapter on mental toughness. The resilient stories of Michael Jordon, Martina Navratilova, Novak Djokovic and Shaun White highlighted for me the determination that world class athletes have and inspires me to do the same especially when facing adversity. Please do yourself a favor and purchase this great book either for someone you love who would benefit from these great life lessons but more importantly for yourself!

Should be a great book for young American men today. The title has great double meaning. Young men benefit enormously from team sports and “having balls” today is something to be encouraged as meaning courage and convictions.

We have many challenges ahead. Much like a championship team that feels so good about their efforts, successes, and close calls that they look forward to everything.

I bought this book. I read this book. If you have ever listened to Clay’s show, you do not need to buy this book, it is a repetitious account of all his pet peeves, but stretched and stretched to reach book length. Clay’s creation story? Fury about transgender athletes? Something about how the NBA went too woke even though franchises are selling for $6 billion? The story of how he said boobs on CNN? It’s all here, over and over and over again.

This was a great read. Clay not being afraid to write the truth makes his books a refreshing break to read. The majority of the stories covered I recalled but his perspective on how it shaped more than sports was great

Excellent every young man needs to read this

Smart, hilarious – spot on. Fascinating and true argument about why Trump won – and continues to win.

This book is a mess. It’s loud, shallow, and full of the same “hot” takes you’ve already heard a hundred times on talk radio. Clay acts like he’s uncovering deep truths about sports and politics, but it just comes off as one long rant. There’s no real insight or balance—just a lot of chest-thumping and generalizations. If you’re looking for something thoughtful or new, this definitely isn’t it.

Gave it a fair shot, but rambling fluff.

Wow, so funny and melancholic at the same time. Loads of behind the scenes, basically all what you could ever dream of, the complete journey, the lot. Made me laugh hysterically and cry gently. For a TG/GT fans, this is an absolute must read. Love it! Now I need to rewatch all episodes…

Loved it! What a funny, talented man Wilman is, no wonder he was part of the “lightning in a bottle” team of Top Gear, Grand Tour and Clarkson’s Farm.

It’s very simple; if you were a Top Gear/Grand Tour fan you must plant yourself in you comfy chair and prepare for hours of sheer fun.

A super read and a great chicane run down memory lane. I will remain a fan and revisit often. Recommend!

Learned a great deal. As a 59 year old woman who started daily HIT workouts two years ago, this is a valuable resource for understanding how my body changed, what it needs, and how to implement processes, exercises, supplements, foods…pretty comprehensive. I dog eared, highlighted, and noted lots of pages.I started and was introduced to Stacy Simms through podcasts and then bought her book so I could sit with the information, have it at my finger tips and focus on my specific needs. Great book

Very helpful book! I heard Stacy Sims on a podcast and decided to buy the book. I needed to understand how my physiology was changing as I’m in my 40s. The book covers topics like how to better feed, hydrate, and exercise your body to keep achieving your goals. I appreciated the view that you’re not over the hill and you don’t have to give up your sport. Instead, it’s about working with your body and helping it to get the signals to combat muscle atrophy and loss of bone density. I think ever active woman should read this, even if you feel like you aren’t a super athlete and are just somewhat active.

Love this read every active woman should purchase this and read it. Easy to read and understand and I feel it was really getting to the pints I needed to hear in this stage of my life.

It was quite informative with updated data about women’s health & feeling like you are surviving it. This read gives you plausible recommendations that can be applied to most women. Bookmarked sections that I know I need to go back & review in detail to make an action plan.

My trainer recommended this book and it has GREAT insight for women of various ages trying to stay fit. And as an elder of 71, loosing a bit of muscle mass and weight, and feeling a bit weak, I find it a great assist to my workouts. Nope, I’m not as consistent as I should be, but it’s the goal that counts……….and I do feel the difference!

As we navigate the changes we experience in the menopausal years, this is a MUST read, an overall wellness and longevity guidebook to refer to as often as needed to implement and maintain a healthy lifestyle to help us thrive! It is one of those reads that you can’t help but share with and point other women to. With deep gratitude to the beautiful women who took the time and energy to write and share this wealth of information, Thank You!

This book contains everything for every woman! From serious athletes to those that are looking to be more active. It covers supplements, protein, bone health, exercise and recovery (beginner to advanced), and includes additional info for considerations of health conditions. I purchased other books for perimenopause but have not read them as this book contained everything I needed and more. I feel a gazillion times better from implementing the advice based on my symptoms.

While the information is helpful, I really would have loved some sample weekly workout routines and sample daily meal plans that could be adapted or adjusted to fit individual needs. I left feeling unclear on how to build my own plan from scratch. The information could have easily been added or laid out in a more readable format than the stories/examples shared.

Does it matter how and what we think about while we are playing tennis ? Yes, it matters so much that it affects our tennis performance significantly and could even affect our mental well being. W. Timothy Gallwey obviously understands both tennis and psychology very well and has written an excellent book that very clearly explains why it matters how we think about our tennis performance. As a long time tennis player I enjoyed reading the book and learned very much from it. I am eager to start applying Gallwey’s advice as soon as possible. If you often scold yourself everytime you make a ” mistake ” and / or you are trying too hard but not quite achieving the performance you aim in tennis then you can not afford to not read this book. I read it twice and I recommend that everybody read it again and again every few months.Many tennis instructors do not know the psychological aspect of the game that is so well explained in the book. Their ignorance is obvious from the incessant verbal instructions they give their students.The harmful and correct ways of thinking explained in the book are not limited to tennis ; they can be applied to our self talk about anything and to any interaction between humans such as parenting, marriage, social, work and other relationships.The types of scolding comments and even positive instructions and praise we make to ourselves either silently or aloud when we are playing tennis are self defeating ; they re- enforce the performance that we label unsatisfactory. Then the negative comments we make to ourselves about our tennis performance become self fulfilling prophecies.Timothy Gallwey demonstrates that it is no use to replace negative self talk with positive self talk neither. Because positive thinking is actually negative thinking in disguise ; it communicates the demand for good performance and is therefore manipulative. Thus positive self talk and manipulative self praise also have an unfavorable effect on our tennis performance although not as much as negative self talk. Any instructions we give ourselves such as : ” tilt the face of the racket a little more ” or ” I hit it very well this time ” also interfere with the natural method of learning which is much more effective. We have the potential to learn naturally which is possible only when we let go, that is when we shut up and stop criticizing or praising our performance, stop giving instructions to ourselves and stop trying too hard to correct our mistakes.So what is the correct and effective method of improvement in tennis ? It is visualization in our mind of the desired strokes and consistent practice on the court. This practice must be without interference from the disruptive way of thinking and self talk. Gallwey does not propose that we do not pay attention to our tennis strokes. On the contrary, he says we must feel and be aware of our strokes without judgement i.e. without labelling our strokes as bad or good. If you think you are making mistakes eg : the ball keeps on getting caught in the net when you hit it, instead of saying to yourself things such as : ” You loser ! you couldn’t hit even one ball over the net ! ” just observe how you play non – judgementally and visualize in your mind’s eye the ball clearing the net and landing inside your opponent’s court and continue to play. Do this consistently without giving yourself verbal instructions about how to hit the ball ( aloud or silent ), be patient and observe the eventual correction in your strokes.He says that each human being has two selves ; Self 1 who continually makes judgements about the performance of Self 2 and scolds or praises it. In the meantime Self 2 is trying to play tennis under nagging and much less often praising from Self 1.Self 2 has the natural ability to learn and improve, like a toddler learns to walk naturally without any lessons nor comments from parents about how to walk. But Self 2 can not learn naturally nor effectively as long as Self 1 judges and comments negatively or positively about Self 2’s tennis performance and rolls out instructions to it. What we need to do is to silence Self 1 , visualize in our mind the desired strokes, continue practicing on the court and trust our body and mind’s natural ability to learn. The power of visualization in the mind with open or closed eyes ( with open eyes when you are playing of course ) of the desired performance to improve it in sports and other aspects of life is mentioned in many other psychology books too. As I mentioned above this principle is valid whatever we are learning and in our communication with other humans not just in tennis. In fact Gallwey says that Self 1 could be a critical parent and self 2 his / her child.Achieving these will involve unlearning the bad habit of self judgement whether it is negative or positive. Gallwey says that if we fight the bad habit it will get stronger. Instead of fighting the existing bad habit, develop the new habit to replace it. In fact don’t even see the bad habit as a habit. Like a toddler who promotes from crawling to walking does not see crawling as a bad habit to get rid of but rather as a stage in development.I observe that in many cases in addition to the disruption from their Self 1s many children taking tennis lessons also have to cope with additional negative comments sometimes even insults, yelling and unproductive praises from their tennis teachers, in front of their parents who bring them to the tennis lessons. The parents think that the tennis teachers are doing the right thing when they scold and yell at their children everytime they make a mistake. The result ; the mistakes get worse instead of being corrected. I have observed the same destructive attitude in swimming, basketball, gymnastics and classrom teachers at schools. It is a pity that most parents, teachers and bosses at the workplace do not know the psychology in this book titled ” The inner game of tennis “. Certainly there are tennis and other sports teachers, parents, bosses who are effective communicators but unfortunately they constitute the minority ; most teachers, parents and bosses are of the Self 1 type even if they have no bad intentions. Some of them are aware of the inefficacy of their methods and wish they could replace them with better methods but they can not help it. These teachers, parents bosses their students, children and employees would benefit greatly if the teachers, parents and bosses read and applied this book.In the book the author also gives a detailed action plan about how you can become more aware of your various tennis strokes without thinking about them in the wrong way. Just observe various parts of your strokes non – judgementally, become aware of them, by feeling and hearing them as they are without labelling them as good or bad. If you decide there is a need for improvement visualize your desired correct strokes as you may have observed from competent players. Avoid Self 1 from giving instructions to Self 2 and let it happen. He also gives examples of how dogmas regarding the correct way of hitting various types of strokes have changed overtime ; tennis teachers were scolding their students about some ” mistakes ” until tennis pros challenged the dogmas and started playing like the long time believed mistakes. Only then did the non – traditional strokes become generally accepted.Another very important issue the author talks about is the wrong and correct reasons for playing tennis ; if you play tennis because you like the game, want to be healthy and fit, want to make friends and at the same time you want to win from time to time etc. you are on the right track. But if the only reason you play tennis is to win, beat everyone else, prove to yourself and to everybody how great you are then you are playing tennis for the wrong reasons. Tennis is a very good stress reliever when played for the correct reasons. But it becomes a source of stress if played with such selfish motives. There is nothing wrong with wanting to win but if you are playing tennis only to prove your supremacy over other tennis players it is very likely that your motive is to compensate for low self esteem even if you are unaware of this.You may have low self esteem regarding your failures in other aspects of your life ; your social, work, marriage, parenting relationships or other feelings of inferiority. I know tennis players who play very well, but are very unpopular and annoying because they always brag about their tennis and are unhappy about other aspects of their lives. It is OK to want to win and improve in tennis provided that our self esteem does not depend solely on our tennis performance and we do not belittle other tennis players. If currently, knowingly or unknowingly we are relying only on tennis to bail us out of our low self esteem due to other problems in our lives, it makes sense to deal with our low self esteem by reading and applying a good self help book on the subject such as ” The six pillars of self – esteem ” written by a psychologist named Nathaniel Branden. If reading and applying that book is not sufficient to improve our self esteem we should seek professional help. Let’s play tennis for the correct reasons, not to liberate us from our low self esteem.Like any tennis player I am also pleased with myself when I win after a good game of tennis but I personally do not have the negative, the positive self talk nor the ” I must be the greatest in tennis otherwise I am no good ” attitude to the extent described in the book. Still, I found some mental and attitude corrections I need to make about my own tennis. I also realized that I am frocing my 10 year old son too much in tennis. I will ease the pressure on him. It would be nice if he won in the tournaments but not at the expense of his happiness.To summarize I highly recommend that you read ” The Inner Game of Tennis ” by W. Timothy Gallwey.

With a myriad of self-help and personal development book’s and courses available, I was compelled to buy this book after reading a comment by NFL player Tom Brady say that this was the book that changed his game. Just to be clear, I am not a tennis player nor do I have any intention of taking up the game. After reading a brief sample of the book I purchased it with great curiosity. The clear and concise style of authorship by Gallwey makes this a pleasant read and makes the application of the ideas very practical. Gallwey draws up on his extensive personal experience of teaching tennis to share his style of tutorship that encourages the student to “get out of their own way” and let the natural flow of the body or “self 2” as he puts it to do the work. Though the application of this program is through the medium of tennis, it can be just as easily applied to any sport or indeed, facet of life. It almost takes on the aura of a spiritual works by a devout practitioner without actually leaving the practical plane or getting all “woo-woo”. Far from it in fact.Whether you are looking to perform better in your chosen sport, hobby, profession or life in general, this is a book that is elevated far above most of what is available out there by the more well known “self-help” gurus. The book is a life changer, not by offering you a short term buzz or illusionary pill that once it wears off you need more. Gallwey’s work here produces the outline for you to take back control of your own life by giving up the control of “self 1”. Its well written chapters provide real world practical advice and examples on how to best support your natural learning mechanisms, making permanent and positive changes that can provide fluid experiences. Even the chapters that offer technical advice on improving particular tennis skills provide a deeper insight on how to assist your own desires wherever you choose to apply them.I recommend this book for anyone keenly interested in self improvement or with an interest in how the body best learns new skills. No book shelf should be without this great work.

Teenage athletes deal with a lot of pressure especially if they are trying to be recruited for college sports. This book was recommended for my son who was going through a hard time and not performing as well as he would like, even with extra training and practice. Reading this book helped him to try and get back on track mentally and I think it was a useful tool for other aspects of life as well. Definitely worth a read.

This is a good book and the author has some really interesting points that I found valuable

This book is not just about tennis. It is about the Inner Game… the inner self, and how to allow ourselves to be all we can be, overcoming all the self-talk, doubts, stress and external pressure which we willing put on ourselves. I wish I’d read this book when I was much younger. But regardless of our age and our goals and roles, this book is full of wisdom and keys to success. I highly recommend it.

This book was recommended to me by Phil Parrish. We had a lesson and I asked about the mental aspect of tennis. It’s so easy to get flustered, to blame it on a “bad day,” to express in the face one’s frustration, which the opponent of course will see. This is doing the trick for me. I am a logical and judgmental player. Whether I’m positive or negative about my game, that is a form of judgment that I couldn’t get past until reading this book. Now I do feel the quiet confidence, and I even help out my opponents when I see their judgmental demeanor towards themselves. It is a great tool for the new tennis player looking to improve their inner game.

My son was looking for a book for tennis. He is really enjoying this book and how it talks about the mental game.

This was one of my favorite reads of the year. As someone who values hard work and admires people who take on difficult things, this book struck a deep chord. The stories are vivid, funny, and honest, and the writing is sharp in all the right ways. What stayed with me most was how the author connected his competitive drive, his relationship with his dad, and the experiences that shaped who he is. It felt both deeply personal and universally relatable. Having gone to boarding school and shared a few of those same touchpoints, I found myself nodding along and smiling, thinking back to similar moments I’ve had in races and in life. I read this in one sitting, which isn’t unusual for me but not altogether typical either, because I simply couldn’t put it down. It reminded me why I love a challenge, why I’m drawn to people who do hard things, and how much beauty there can be in the process itself. I’m grateful to have had this one on my list and will be recommending it widely.

This is a book for EVERYONE – not just runners! A beautifully written, unflinching reflection on the challenges & complexities of a father-son relationship, of learning to persevere through cancer and pain, and ultimately how to live with passion, purpose & joy. I highly recommend this wonderful book!

Some books are written to make you curious, eager to learn, create wonder, evoke your imagination, or elicit feelings. The Running Ground by Nicholas Thompson is a book that gives you a personal glimpse into his conscious and how the sport of running has shaped each aspect of his life from a boy growing up through adulthood and the complicated family relationships that followed. Everyone has run to or away from something during a part of their life and this book makes you empathize with some of those choices while undoubtedly considering a few of your own.It was a great listen (always appreciate a book read by the author) and it’s not often a story can have parallels that reach beyond the pages. If you have the opportunity, this one is worth your time and I would recommend it to anyone looking for something with perspective and introspection. It makes you think about some of your own personal journeys, big or small, and how you overcame that inner voice telling you to quit at the first sign of discomfort.We all lace up our shoes every day, how you decide to hit the pavement each morning is up to you.

As a runner, business leader, and father I found so much to connect to in this book. The writing is captivating and digestible. I was glad to gift my copy to a running buddy and recommend it to many others.

A beautiful book by an inspiring human. I’m not very interested in running but I admire Nick Thompson immensely from his work over the years and wanted to read. I read it in one sitting which is very rare for me. My favorite parts were about Nick’s interactions with his father but they wouldn’t be as stunning as they are if the book as a whole didn’t do such a wonderful job on providing context and texture. I highly recommend it to readers of all ages.

I have about 400 running books in my “running library” and have read them all, biographical, fictional, instructional, philosophical…this has just made my top 10 list of my all time favorites! Thank you Nicholas for a wonderful read.

I’ve basically been sitting around on the edge of my seat waiting for this book since Nick, as editor-in-chief of WIRED, wrote a personal essay for the magazine called “To Outrun My Best Marathon at Age 44, I Had to Outrun My Past.” I was moved by the story when I read it in 2020, and I am equally moved by this expanded iteration today.

I’ve been a Nick Thompson fan for a while now, his tweets, articles, etc. were always on point. I am also a fan of running so was excited to listen. This book gives candid insight into his journey as a man. I’m not sure if he intended it but it delivered a front row seat to being raised as an east coast intellectual born into a world of money and academic elitism. He has years where he was financially and professionally supported which allowed him to emerge as the powerhouse he is today. He appears to embody the best attributes of his parents and thoughtfully accepts his dad’s character defects. I think many children struggle with reconciling their parents’ personalities and his honesty is comforting. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and respect Nick as a father and man, his kids are lucky to have him. Thanks for sharing your memoir with the world!