“This book is as autobiographical as it is biographical . . . a book that juxtaposes two adventurers; one with her own challenges still unfolding and the other with his position fixed in history . . . a book worthy of the centenary celebration of Amundsen’s trek to the South Pole.â€â€”San Francisco ChronicleToday the North and South Poles are home to research stations and film crews; but just a century ago they were forbidding lands seldom seen by human eyes. Those who journeyed there were the last true explorers; and one of the most successful ever was Roald Amundsen. Known as “the last of the Vikings;†the Norwegian-born Amundsen began his career of adventure at age fifteen and by forty had become the first man to successfully navigate the Northwest Passage; and to reach both the North and South Poles. As a girl; Lynne Cox read of Amundsen’s exploits; which inspired her to follow her own adventurous dreams of open-water swimming. Here; she gives an account of Amundsen’s life and expeditions while detailing her own experiences swimming (without a wetsuit) in the same polar regions he first explored. At once a biography; history; and memoir; South with the Sun holds something for any lover of adventure.“Not to miss . . . It's fascinating to read about the Norwegian hardman through the eyes of Cox.â€â€”Outside
#126559 in Books Houghton Mifflin Harcourt 2016-07-05 2016-07-05Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 8.25 x .97 x 5.50l; .0 #File Name: 0544387643272 pagesHoughton Mifflin Harcourt
Review
14 of 15 people found the following review helpful. A wonderful book about baseball -- and so much moreBy Philip MattinglyThere is something special about collegiate summer baseball. In it's simplest form; it's a bunch of kids grinding out 50 or 60 games in places like Lima; Ohio; Chatham; Massachusetts and Anchorage; Alaska as their fellow students relax; hit the beach and catch up on Netflix. But as Mike Tackett demonstrates so beautifully in "The Baseball Whisperer;" it's so much more. With the right coach; the right support system; hell; the right town; it's a genuinely life-shaping -- or even changing -- experience. Make no mistake; it all comes back to the game -- a group of ballplayers; no rest from their 70-plus game spring season; strapping on the cleats for another few months; all in the hopes of getting noticed by that one scout who will give them a shot at the next level. And Tackett; who despite his misguided allegiance to the Chicago Cubs; can chronicle the heck out of this legendary summer program's successes on the field. But in the town of Clarinda; Iowa; under Coach Merl Eberly; it's bigger than baseball. It's about the nervous 19 year old; plucked out of South Central Los Angeles; popped into a host family's home in a 5;000 person town and learning to not only acclimate; but thrive (that kid's name? Ozzie Smith.) It's about a tough-as-nails coach who seemed to always know exactly what his players needed to get better; both on and off the field. It's about a town that went above and beyond -- even in the toughest of times -- to make sure there was always a place to play. What makes this book wonderful is that while it's a fantastic baseball book (think elements of "The Last Best Game"); it's one that goes beyond the game. It's about the people. Deeply reported; richly written; packed with life lessons; reasons to smile and no shortage of "holy cow; how is it possible that many Major League stars played for this team?!" it is an effort well worth your time.2 of 2 people found the following review helpful. Baseball is Just the BeginningBy Elaine Povich"The Baseball Whisperer" is a lovely read; mostly about a time and place of the past that echoes today. The "whisperer" is Merl Eberly; a baseball student from the time he picked up a bat; who takes baseball "boys" and turns them into baseball men. College kids; looking for wooden bat experience come to Clarinda; Iowa; population 5;000. They get baseball coaching; but life lessons as well; and it's the non-baseball stuff that stays with them forever. Ozzie Smith; the Hall-of-Fame shortstop is Eberly's star pupil; but the stories of the non-stars and the lessons they learned are just as compelling. Tackett gets to know these characters and his descriptions will let you get to know them too.1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. A great book for those who love baseballBy Steve CaswellAnyone who loves baseball; in it's purest form; will love this book. And for those who believe in good old American values; mentoring and development of young men; this will strike a chord. It is a true story about a man; his family and a community that pulled together every summer over a number of years to support a team of young men from all parts of the country with dreams to become major leaguers. Merl Eberly was dedicated to enhancing career opportunities in the great game of baseball and to help teach young men the values of dedication; hard work and doing what is right. I knew Merl Eberly and can assure readers that Michael Tackett has done a wonderful job of capturing the essence of this man; his family; his community and the many young men whose lives were touched in the great game of baseball.
