Search:

Straight shooter : a memoir of second chances and first takes / by Smith, Stephen A.(Stephen Anthony),1967-author.;
"America's most popular sports media figure tells it like it is in this surprisingly personal book, not only dishing out his signature, uninhibited opinions but also revealing the challenges he overcame in childhood as well as at ESPN, and who he really is when the cameras are off. Stephen A. Smith has never been handed anything, nor was he an overnight success. Growing up poor in Queens, the son of Caribbean immigrants and the youngest of six children, he was a sports-obsessed kid who faced a number of struggles, from undiagnosed dyslexia to getting enough cereal to fill his bowl. As a basketball player at Winston-Salem State University, he got a glimmer of his true calling when he wrote a newspaper column arguing for the retirement of his own Hall of Fame coach, Clarence Gaines. Smith hustled and rose up from a high school reporter at Daily News (New York) to a general sports columnist at The Philadelphia Inquirer in the 1990s, before getting his own show at ESPN in 2005. After he was unceremoniously fired from the network in 2009, he became even more determined to fight for success. He got himself rehired two years later and, with his razor-sharp intelligence and fearless debate style, found his role on the show he was destined to star in: First Take, the network's flagship morning program. In Straight Shooter, Smith writes about the greatest highs and deepest lows of his life and career. He gives his thoughts on Skip Bayless, Ray Rice, Colin Kaepernick, the New York Knicks, the Dallas Cowboys, and former President Donald Trump. But he also pulls back the curtain and talks about life beyond the set, sharing authentic stories about his negligent father, his loving mother, being a father himself, his battle with life-threatening COVID-19, and what he really thinks about politics and social issues. He does it all with the same intelligence, humor, and charm that has made him a household name. Provocative, moving, and eye-opening, this book is the perfect gift for lovers of sports, television, and anyone who likes their stories delivered straight to the heart"--
Subjects: Autobiographies.; Biographies.; Smith, Stephen A. (Stephen Anthony), 1967-; Sportscasters;
Available copies: 1 / Total copies: 1
unAPI

Vuelta skelter : riding the remarkable 1941 tour of Spain / by Moore, Tim,1964-author.;
"Tim Moore completes his epic (and ill-advised) trilogy of cycling's Grand Tours. Julian Berrendero's victory in the 1941 Vuelta a Espana was an extraordinary exercise in sporting redemption--the Spanish cyclist had just spent 18 months in Franco's concentration camps, punishment for expressing Republican sympathies during the civil war. Seventy nine years later, perennially over-ambitious cyclo-adventurer Tim Moore developed a fascination with Berrendero's story, and having borrowed an old road bike with the great man's name plastered all over it, set off to retrace the 4,409km route of his 1941 triumph--in the midst of a global pandemic. What follows is a tale of brutal heat and lonely roads, of glory, humiliation, and then a bit more humiliation. Along the way Tim recounts the civil war's still-vivid tragedies, and finds the gregarious but impressively responsible locals torn between welcoming their nation's only foreign visitor, and bundling him and his filthy bike into a vat of antiviral gel"--
Subjects: Travel writing.; Personal narratives.; Berrendero, Julian.; Moore, Tim, 1964-; Vuelta a España (Bicycle race); Cycling;
Available copies: 1 / Total copies: 1
unAPI

Black skinhead : reflections on Blackness and our political future / by Collins-Dexter, Brandi,author.;
Includes bibliographical references and index."For fans of Bad Feminist and The Sum of Us, Black Skinhead sparks a radical conversation about Black America and political identity. In Black Skinhead, Brandi Collins-Dexter, former Senior Campaign Manager for Color Of Change, explores the fragile alliance between Black voters and the Democratic party. Through sharp, timely essays that span the political, cultural, and personal, Collins-Dexter reveals decades of simmering disaffection in Black America, told as much through voter statistics as it is through music, film, sports, and the baffling mind of Kanye West. While Black Skinhead is an outward look at Black votership and electoral politics, it is also a funny, deeply personal, and introspective look at the fragility of Black culture and identity, ultimately revealing a Black America that has become deeply disillusioned with the failed promises of its country. We had been told that everything was fine, that America was working for everyone and that the American Dream was attainable for all. But for those who had been paying attention, there had been warning signs that the Obamas' version of the American Dream wasn't working for everyone. That it hadn't been working for many white Americans was immediately and loudly discussed, but the truth-and what I set out to write this book about-was that it hadn't been working for many Black Americans either. For many, Obama's vision had been more illusion than reality all along. When someone tells you everything is fine, but around you, you see evidence that it's not, where will the quest to find answers lead you? As I went on the journey of writing this book, I found a very different tale about Black politics and Black America, one that countered white America's long-held assumption that Black voters will always vote Democrat-and even that the Democratic party is the best bet for Black Americans. My ultimate question was this: how are Black people being led away-not towards-each other, and what do we lose when we lose each other? What do we lose when, to quote Kanye West, we feel lost in the world"--
Subjects: African Americans; African Americans; Group identity; Social change; Voting research;
Available copies: 1 / Total copies: 1
unAPI

Game Face [electronic resource] : by Green, Shari.aut; cloudLibrary;
Thirteen-year-old Jonah is determined to prove that anxiety won’t stop him from succeeding as his hockey team’s goalie in this dynamic novel in verse.  What-ifs rattle around his brain at the worst times, like when he’s in the middle of a playoff game. What if he lets his teammates down? What if he can’t make it pro? And the biggest what-if of all, the one he keeps to himself — what if he’s like his dad, whose life is controlled by anxiety that has only gotten worse since Jonah’s mom died in a car crash? To prove that he’s not like that, Jonah is determined to succeed in the high-stress role of goalie. He and his best friend Ty have big plans for their hockey futures. But when Ty suffers a medical crisis during a pivotal game, Jonah’s anxiety ramps up to new levels It takes courage to ask for help, but Jonah starts to realize that his team goes beyond the people who lace up their skates with him every week, and maybe it’s okay to look for support on and off the ice.  From the adrenaline rush of sudden-death overtime to the weight of worrying about letting your teammates — and yourself — down, this novel in verse will hook readers from the first line.   Key Text Features dialogue poems   Correlates to the Common Core State Standards in English Language Arts: CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.4.3 Describe in depth a character, setting, or event in a story or drama, drawing on specific details in the text (e.g., a character's thoughts, words, or actions). CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.4.5 Explain major differences between poems, drama, and prose, and refer to the structural elements of poems (e.g., verse, rhythm, meter) and drama (e.g., casts of characters, settings, descriptions, dialogue, stage directions) when writing or speaking about a text. CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.5.4 Determine the meaning of words and phrases as they are used in a text, including figurative language such as metaphors and similes.Children/juvenile.
Subjects: Electronic books.; Depression & Mental Illness; Stories in Verse; Hockey;
© 2023., Groundwood Books Ltd,
unAPI

The art of winning : lessons from my life in football / by Belichick, Bill,author.;
"No one embodies winning more than Bill Belichick, the greatest football coach of all time. Over the past fifty years, Belichick has been a man of notoriously few words, believing that a coach should keep a low profile. After he left the Patriots in 2024, he briefly became a coach without a team. He spent that year writing down the principles he learned from his father, Navy football, and from his forty-nine-year coaching career. Belichick's philosophy goes far beyond football. He presents a whole-year, whole-life, whole-mindset approach to greatness that encompasses preparation, motivation, confidence, and leadership. The principles in this book are adaptable to wherever you work. No matter where you are on the ladder, they will help you think like a leader in anticipation of being one. Drawing on decades of studying the greats of the game, handling colorful personalities and egos, and playing for the highest stakes in sports, Belichick shares memorable examples and practical takeaways from his lived experience. Winning is not about being perfect-it's about growth. And you will improve only as much as you recognize where you're weak. Belichick owns up to mistakes like deciding to go for it on 4th and 13 in the 2008 Super Bowl. Then he breaks down how to learn from your mistakes like a leader does -- an approach that sustained him throughout his early career challenges and ultimately brought him to the top of the sport. Belichick's principles might surprise you at times. At other times, they might seem strangely obvious. (His rule for how to win football games? Score the most points.) Football is about strategy, human nature, and business. Your vision of success might involve breaking into a new, competitive market in your industry; seeing solid returns on a portfolio that you've carefully prepared; inspiring your students to earn the highest scores in the district; or raising up trainees to take over your job someday. Whatever the situation, your performance is up to you. Practical, authoritative, and bursting with unforgettable inside stories, The Art of Winning is an indispensable guide to success from the greatest coach in NFL history"--
Subjects: Biographies.; Self-help publications.; Personal narratives.; Belichick, Bill.; Leadership.; Self-actualization (Psychology); Success.;
Available copies: 0 / Total copies: 1
unAPI

Madden NFL 21 [electronic resource]. by Sony Computer Entertainment.;
Game.Be the face of a new generation poised for glory and prove your skeptics wrong in face of the franchise: rise to fame. Launch an influential legacy, leave your Mark, and shatter expectations as you rise, in a way only you can. As you recount your Hall of Fame journey, The stakes have never been higher. For the first time ever, Kick-Off your career as a high school quarterback and choose to pivot to a running back or wide Receiver in college. The way you play determines the story you write affecting your legacy as you rise up the draft ranks and go all out to establish your illustrious NFL Career. Pull up for a brand-new season of fresh and fun ultimate Team content and competitive team building. Earn MUT coins via ultimate Team challenges and Finesse your depth Chart via strategic decisions. Flex your fantasy roster comprised of current NFL Superstars, Hall of Fame legends, and more. Hone your skills and go all out in H2H seasons, MUT draft, or MUT Squads to receive even more rewards that you can apply to your ultimate Team campaign.ESRB Content Rating: E, Everyone (Mild lyrics).Blu-ray disc compatible with Playstation 4 console ; HDTV 720p/1080i/1080p ; in game surround sound ; 2-6 player online multiplayer with leaderboards and voice (paid subscription and broadband internet connection required) ; 50 GB storage required ; online play optional ; PS4 Pro enhanced.
Subjects: Sports video games.; Video games.; Sony video games.; National Football League; Playstation 4 (Video game console); Video games.; Computer games.; Football teams; Madden NFL 21 (Game); Football;
Available copies: 0 / Total copies: 1
unAPI

Followed by the Lark A Novel [electronic resource] : by Humphreys, Helen.aut; Pickens, Jennifer.nrt; cloudLibrary;
Inspired by his journals and writing, this moving novel inhabits the life and mind of renowned nineteenth-century naturalist, poet and abolitionist Henry David Thoreau, revealing the deep connections between his time and our own. Composed in short, compelling scenes, Followed by the Lark is a novel of significant moments in a life, capturing loss, change and the danger and healing that come from communion with the natural world, set against a backdrop of great change and tumult in America. Renowned nineteenth-century naturalist, poet and abolitionist Henry David Thoreau’s connection to nature was tied to his feelings of loss; before he was twenty-seven years old and went to live at Walden Pond, two of those closest to him had died—his older brother, John, and his friend Charles Wheeler. Nature provided solace for these losses, but the world was changing around him. The forests were being destroyed by the logging industry. Wildlife was increasingly being slaughtered for profit and sport. The railroad clanged through his quiet hometown. And the catastrophes of the American Civil War were beginning to stir. Haunting in its quiet spaces, Followed by the Lark portrays this tension of nature and progress and its effect on a singular man. It is a novel uncommon in its combination of scope and brevity, in its communion with its human subject, and its reflections on an astonishing yet changing world. Thoreau’s life in the early nineteenth century seems firmly in the past, but his time bears some striking similarities to ours. As she explores these intersections in Followed by the Lark, Helen Humphreys elegantly, insistently illustrates how Thoreau’s concerns are still, vitally, our own.
Subjects: Audiobooks.; Biographical; Historical;
© 2024., HarperCollins,
unAPI

Down and back : on alcohol, family, and a life in hockey / by Bourne, Justin,author.;
"For readers of Nine Lessons I Learned from My Father and Hockey Confidential, Down and Back tells broadcaster Justin Bourne's story of following his Hall-of-Fame father into the NHL, only to also follow him into rehab. When Justin Bourne's father stole back the Stanley Cup ring he'd given his son as a graduation present, the younger man was forced to call into question just about everything he thought he knew about two of the most important things in his life: hockey, and his father. Bob Bourne had been a star--an NHL All-Star, a Sports Illustrated "Athlete of the Year," a Stanley Cup champion. He was everything a son wants to emulate. And Justin did follow in those huge footsteps, leading his teams in scoring year after year, and finally garnering an invitation to the New York Islanders' training camp--the same team his father had played for. Though an injury brought to an end his dream of winning a Cup, Bourne found a way to stay in the game. His blog caught the eye of both The Athletic and the Toronto Maple Leafs, and soon he was both coaching and writing professionally. But at the same time, Justin was following his father's footsteps down a darker path. Though he hadn't had his first drink until he was 18, by 30 he was in rehab--his impressive career in the game in peril of being cut short. In an act of brutal self-honesty--which may not have been possible had his father not shown him the consequences of lying--Bourne got help, got sober, and confronted what his father and the game mean to him. That honesty is the backbone of Playing Hurt. It is a frank and sometimes harsh appraisal of the game and of the man in his family who played it: the violence and danger, the booze and drugs, the consequences of fame for the young men who are not prepared for it. But it is also an honest look at what is redeeming about the game, through the eyes of someone who grew up in NHL dressing rooms, who has skated on NHL ice as both a player and a coach, who lives and breathes the game--and who inherited it from a man he can understand only through the game."--
Subjects: Biographies.; Autobiographies.; Bourne, Justin; Bourne, Justin.; Fathers and sons; Hockey coaches; Hockey players; Recovering alcoholics; Sportscasters; Sportswriters;
Available copies: 1 / Total copies: 1
unAPI

The rise : Kobe Bryant and the pursuit of immortality / by Sielski, Mike,1975-author.;
Includes bibliographical references and index."The inside look at one of the most captivating and consequential figures in our culture with never-before-seen material. Kobe Bryant's death in January 2020 did more than rattle the worlds of sports and celebrity. The tragedy of that helicopter crash unveiled the full breadth and depth of his influence on our culture, and by tracing and telling the oft-forgotten and lesser-known story of his early life, The Rise promises to provide an insight into Kobe that no other analysis has. In The Rise, readers will travel from the cracked concrete basketball courts of Philadelphia in the 1960s and '70s-where Kobe's father, Joe, became a playground, college, and professional standout-to the Bryant family's isolation in Europe, where Kobe spent his formative years, to the leafy suburbs of Lower Merion, where Kobe's legend was born. The story will trace his career and life at Lower Merion-he led the Aces to the 1995-96 Pennsylvania state championship, a dramatic underdog run for a team with just one star player-and the run-up to the 1996 NBA draft, where Kobe's dream of playing pro basketball culminated with his acquisition by the Los Angeles Lakers. In researching and writing The Rise, Mike Sielski will have a terrific advantage over other writers who have attempted to chronicle Bryant's life. Jeremy Treatman, a Kobe confidant who knew him for 28 years, conducted a series of never-before-released interviews with Bryant not long after his senior season ended. Treatman has shared these transcripts and tapes with the author. They will reveal Bryant's in-the-moment thoughts and tell stories, preserved for a quarter-century, that have never been told before. This will be more than a basketball book. This will be an exploration of the identity and making of an icon and the effect of his development on those around him-the essence of the man before he truly became a man"--
Subjects: Biographies.; Bryant, Kobe, 1978-2020.; African American basketball players; Basketball players;
Available copies: 1 / Total copies: 1
unAPI

Regrets only / by Scott, Kieran,1974-author.;
"Paige Lancaster, single mom and prodigal daughter, has returned to the East Coast from her prestigious, well-paid job in LA, writing for the smartest detective series on television. Something terrible happened to her back in Hollywood. Okay, two terrible things, one featuring a misplaced tire iron--and now she's broke and homeless and living with her widowed mother and eight year old daughter, Izzy, in her hometown of Piermont, Connecticut: land of safe streets, good public schools, and a kick-ass Parent Booster Association. Paige can make this work, she's sure of it. Her dad, may he rest in peace, was Piermont's beloved police chief before he died two years ago. All she needs to turn her life around is to buckle down and concentrate on getting a new writing gig. But first, she has to get Izzy to school on time--the very same school that she herself attended, back in the day. That's Fail #1. Then she runs into John Anderson, the boy she loved in high school, now a wealthy hedge-funder, still as gorgeous as ever, and (shoot) very married--to gorgeous blond PBA president Ainsley Anderson. Then she almost gets a traffic ticket from sexy blue-eyed police officer Dominic Ramos. And has a run-in with fellow parent Nina, a prim, self-righteous accountant (with an unaccountably sexy husband) who's convinced that someone is siphoning funds from the PBA account to the tune of tens of of thousands of dollars. Queen Bee Ainsley doesn't believe for a moment that anyone is stealing anything from the PBA. Neither does her posse of fellow PBA moms--Lanie, Dayna, and Bee--even though they're thick as, well, thieves. They're so close they even sport matching necklaces. Paige is determined to win them over, though it's not going to be easy, But when she shows up at the annual Parents and Pinot fundraiser, held at Ainsley and John's dazzling mansion in the toniest part of Piermont, she's caught in a compromising (though not unpleasant) position with John, accidentally rips a jagged hole in the guest bathroom, overhears an incriminating conversation, and discovers that her purse has gone missing. And later that night, Ainsley turns up dead at the bottom of her driveway. Did she fall? Or was she pushed? Dominic, aka Hot Cop, asks Paige to look into things in an unofficial capacity. She's a parent at the school, after all, and could be a useful undercover informant. But she's only written about detectives, never actually been one. Still, Dominic does have such beautiful eyes. And doing a little sleuthing means she can spend more time with John. Could he really be capable of murder? Is Nina on to something with her suspicions? Is Lanie's wish to take over as PBA President just the goal of an ambitious mom, or something darker? What's with the matching necklaces? And will Paige's decidedly unsavory past in California catch up to her? On second thought, maybe there's a new television season in the cards for Paige after all"--
Subjects: Thrillers (Fiction); Novels.; Embezzlement; Murder; Parents' and teachers' associations; Single mothers; Television writers; Women detectives;
Available copies: 1 / Total copies: 1
unAPI