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This book tackles some of the leading issues in athletics, a world in which virtually everyone has a stake, be it as a child, parent, participant, fan, wanabee or the target of someone telling us to participate more in athletics. ... Read more

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Product Description
This Elibron Classics book is a facsimile reprint of a 1909 edition by Henri Charles-Lavauzelle, Paris. ... Read more

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How is sport in contemporary society related to sport in earlier civilizations? Why is the expenditure of energy involved in sport considered exhilarating, while the equivalent expenditure of energy in other contexts can be dispiriting? David Sansone offers answers to these questions and advances a revolutionary thesis to account for the widespread phenomenon of sport. Drawing upon ethnological findings to demonstrate the ritual character of sport, he explores the relationship between ancient Greek sport and sacrificial ritual and traces elements common to both back to primitive origins. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

"... a ritual ... and a sacrifice ..."
In creative works resulting from study, research,
insight, and explanation, one might point out two
particular types:the creative work of origination
and the creative work of synthesis.The originator
creates a work that is seen as being one of the prime,
essential works of theory and exposition around a
particular subject.Such a study is widely admired
and often quoted, sometimes favorably, sometimes in
argument against its ideas...or even jealousy of its
fame.
The creative work of synthesis is built around a
person's enthusiasm for a subject, their fervent
desire to know it to its core.They study it, live
it, breathe it.They want to explain it to others.
So they begin to research, or they have collected
research and quotes and source citations over time.
Then they decide to commit their own understanding
and insight about the subject using all of the
materials and sources and ideas which they have
shaped into a presentation of enlightenment.This

is the person's bold presentation of his synthesized
vision and creative interpretaion of the ideas and
justifications gathered from sources.
In this excellent work by David Sansone, we have
a very satisfying blend of research, source citation
(footnotes), personal insights, and a very obvious
outpouring of love of the subject and a desire to
understand it to its very depths and in multiple
aspects.
Sansone is a Professor of Classics at the University
of Illinois, Urbana (back cover).In his "Prelude"
to this work, Sansone says that he inherited a course
to teach which had been originated (ahh..) by William
Abbott Oldfather, "the American classical scholar."
The course was on the sports of ancient Greece and
Rome, and its purpose had been to "stem the tide of
moral and physical degeneration and to inculcate the
healthful lessons offered by the model of Greek
athletics." Sansone says that when he inherited the
course he hit the books to supplement his lack of
knowledge in some aspects of the subject. But he
believed a more sophisticated and rigorous approach
than Oldfather's was needed, for Oldfather had basically
seen sport as a practice for war carried out by "blond,
tall, muscular Nordics" who found war to be not only
a necessity but an amusement, a form of entertainment.
This approach did not satisfy Sansone, since he was
not Nordic by heritage.
Sansone says that when he started teaching the course
he had no idea of what sport was or why it was so avidly
pursued by so many.Over time, he says, he began to
notice "the intimate connection between Greek athletics
and sacrificial ritual" and it occurred to him "to
wonder whether the athlete was not in some sense
regarded [in ancient times] as a [type of] sacrificial
victim."
Sansone cites many sources in his footnotes, but
they are not overwhelming.The ideas and quotes he
uses are clear and compelling.What is of excellent

benefit is his clear, linear presentation of the
accumulated treasure of his own findings of the
evolution of sport from primitive times to the time
of the Greeks.
But Sansone does not merely stop there.He also
includes relevant comments and tie-ins with modern sport
and events.He has one very interesting section on
the practice of a particular ball sport among the
Cherokee Indians and uses that as a basis for relating
it to aspects of Greek sport. His source is "Cherokee

Ball-Play" (1890) by James Mooney, included in S. Culin's
_Games of the North American Indians_ (1907).
Sansone's other favorite source is a work by Karl
Meuli, "the great Swiss scholar," whose title is
"Griechische Opferbrauche."
Sansone's work is divided into two parts.Part One is
titled "The Genesis of Sport," and Part Two is titled
"The Nature of Greek Athletics."
In the first part, Sansone goes into the characteristics
of "ritual" and shows how those aspects relate to sport.
Then he does the same with the characteristics associated
with "sacrifice," and also relates them. There is a very
good "Selected Bibliography" which cites sources such
as W. Burkert, _Structure and History in Greek Mythology
and Ritual_; E.N. Gardiner, _Athletics of the Ancient
World_; J-P Guepin, _The Tragic Pardox: Myth and Ritual
in Greek Tragedy_; and H.A. Harris, Greek Athletes and
Athletics_.Perhaps the most provocative source is
W.E. Sweet, "Protection of the Genitals in Greek
Athletics," published in _Ancient World_ (1985).
This is a highly interesting, informative, and
enlightening work of synthesis.And is much more
valuable and useful than the "crock of self-evident
nonsense" or the "eccentric curiosity that happened
to contain a meticulous examination of the work of
others" that he feared it might be labeled as being.
Heck, I would have paid part of the price just for
the cover photo of my favorite piece of sculpture,
formerly known as "The Wrestlers," now titled as
"Pankratiasts in action" (Florence, Galleria degli
Uffizi) [back cover information].
* * * * * * * * * ... Read more

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Customer Reviews (17)

Amazing Biography!
This book is perfect for any fan of Dominique Moceanu. You learn so much about her, starting from her birth all the way up to the 1996 Olympics. This was a very vivid and detailed biography. I really thought it was cool to read about the gymnastics school she used to train at before she went to Karolyi's. It tells about all her early compititions and experiences. It felt like I really knew Dominique Moceanu! I learned so much from this book, and like Krista Quiner's other gymnastics biographys, this was a great one!

AWESOME!!!!!!!!!!
This book was truly awesome.Krista did an excellent job writing this book.You feel that you actually know Dominique.I reccomend this book for ALL Dominique fans.A must read book!!

Also recommended: DominiqueMoceanu: An American Champion: An Autobiography Dominique Moceanu

A great book, interesting and heart warming
The book was fully detailed and was a very easy to read book. I read it in a matter of hours, and I am 11 years old. I love gymnastics and Dominique. Since the first time I saw her on T.V. I wanted to be just like her. Now Iam taking acrobatics at a great little studio. even though we only do floorexcersises, I still someday would like to be just like Dominique! The bookhas really encouraged me too succeed, and I really hope that anyone thatwants to be something, jumps on it, you only live once!

America's Sweetheart
You will find this book to give many details on the young gymnast at a professional view point. If you are looking to get more personal information such as characteristics, personality, etc.. Get another book.This is about her and the sport of gymnastics from the time she started upto late '96. I enjoyed the book a great deal and was amazed to find out howvery succesful she is in every day living at such a young age. That is muchto be said for our day and age!

Also recommended: Dominique Moceanu: AnAmerican Champion: An Autobiography Dominique Moceanu

dominique moceanu is the greatist gymnast of all time!
dominique moceanu is the best gymnast anyone could ever know.i'm a gymnast my self,and reading about her,seeing her on tv,seeing her smile,makes me wan't to go out there and do the same.and i do!saying this,you probublywon't believe me,but being a fan of hers,seeing her doing the things shedoes(smile)has inproved my skills in gymnastics!i hope she has done thesame for you,cause if you don't know her.you better know her to day,causeshe is the best you'll ever love!i used to hate gymnastics some times,andtill i saw dominique moceanu with that beatiful smile.i've loved gymnasticsever since then.every time i compete.i act like her,smile,and show that ilove doing what i'm doing,cause i know dominique moceanu~and you gotta knowher too!thanks dominique,for making me win my first silver(on floor),causeseeing you smile all the time,and always being happy,has made me do thesame,and it improved only because i love you! ... Read more

Product Description
Maximize your jumping potential with Complete Book of Jumps!

Coaches Ed Jacoby and Bob Fraley draw on their combined 60 years of coaching experience to help long jumpers, triple jumpers, high jumpers, and pole vaulters achieve new personal records. They break down each event into key phases--from approach to landing--to teach proper jumping technique and to show jumpers how to avoid common technical flaws. They also provide a strength and development program specifically for jumpers and 16 event-specific workouts that fine-tune skills.

Use the practical, proven techniques in Complete Book of Jumps to go higher and farther than the competition. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (7)

great buy
This is a great companion to his new book -Winning Jumps and Pole Vault - can't go wrong with either book - great resources for the would-be jumper

Book of Jumps
Great book for basic instruction on the correct way to long jump, triple jump and high jump.

Very informative and well written!
TJ and LJ were my specialties in high school and college, and I have been an avid technical student of the TJ and LJ events for over 20 years, as both an athlete and a coach.The Complete Book of Jumps is a book that I wish I would have found long ago.It's far and away the best text I've found on the subject of jumps.

Very helpful.
This excellent book breaks down all phases of the jumps, ie: long jump, high jump, triple jump, and pole vault.The book discusses the science and technique of many successful jumpers throughout the world and breaks down each phase of the jump. There is also great training and conditioning information as well.

Great book, great results.
Not only was this book easy to understand, but I went from "no 20 foot long jumpers" to having three that went over 21 feet. Great stuff on periodization. Easy to understand and easy to implement. ... Read more

Product Description
Dealing with the application of skills to competitive sequence work, this sets out the guidelines required if the gymnast is to compete successfully, and gives advice to both the individual gymnast and coach with regard to the progression from the basic to an advanced level in the total gymnastic development. Assistance is given in the construction of the basic routine on each of the four apparatus - vault, beam, asymmetric bars and floor - and the author shows how an exercise can be developed to international level. Maria McLoughlin, ranked third in Great Britain during her gymnastic career, has herself competed in numerous internationals. She is now a physical education teacher, a BAGA coach, and an international judge. ... Read more

Product Description
General Books publication date: 2009Original publication date: 1913Original Publisher: American physical education associationSubjects: GymnasticsKinesiologyPhysical education and trainingEducation / Physical EducationHealth ... Read more

Product Description
Volume: copy#1Publisher: Boston : Lee and ShepardPublication date: 1894Subjects: Swedish gymnasticsNotes: This is an OCR reprint. There may be numerous typos or missing text. There are no illustrations or indexes.When you buy the General Books edition of this book you get free trial access to Million-Books.com where you can select from more than a million books for free. You can also preview the book there. ... Read more

Product Description
Provides a look at artistic, rhythmic, and sports gymnastics, the various positions and moves involved, devising a routine, and more. Includes fold-out pages on gymnastics competitions. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

A great book
This book is quite good. The pictures are great and the information is done corretly. If your a fan of gymnastics I think you should get this book.

A great book
This book is quite good. The pictures are great and the information is done corretly. If your a fan of gymnastics I think you should get this book. ... Read more