by Paul and Dana Gillin
Thumbs Up.
The Gillins have included sections on preparation, searching, use of specialized technology, and the more social aspects of geocaching. Each section has several chapters interspersed with interesting stories, some told by another geocacher and some related by the authors. I really enjoyed the vicarious thrill imparted through some of these anecdotes.
The book also includes three appendices with additional information and resources, and a nice index.
Showing posts with label exercise. Show all posts
Showing posts with label exercise. Show all posts
Saturday, September 11, 2010
Wednesday, March 17, 2010
Waking
by Matthew Sanford
Thumbs Up.
Matthew Sanford became a paraplegic at the age of thirteen, in the same car accident that killed his father and sister. In Waking, he tells the story of that experience, how it changed his life, and how he changed his reaction to the new life.
The book is interesting and inspiring. Mr. Sanford is a good story teller. He pulls the reader along to find out what happens next, and he gently guides through some very painful spots.
Throughout the book, Mr. Sanford uses the metaphor of darkness, silence, and sleep, to describe both his paralyzed limbs and his life experience. This is combined with the parallel metaphors of light and waking to refer to the new outlook he gradually took on.
I do recommend the book because I think many of Mr. Sanford's insights are worthy of consideration. But I am saddened that so many of the struggles he addresses and subsequently solves via his intense pursuit of the yoga way of life, could just as readily be solved with Biblical insights.
Mr. Sanford is a yogi, motivational speaker, and sustainable investment advisor.
Thumbs Up.
Matthew Sanford became a paraplegic at the age of thirteen, in the same car accident that killed his father and sister. In Waking, he tells the story of that experience, how it changed his life, and how he changed his reaction to the new life.
The book is interesting and inspiring. Mr. Sanford is a good story teller. He pulls the reader along to find out what happens next, and he gently guides through some very painful spots.
Throughout the book, Mr. Sanford uses the metaphor of darkness, silence, and sleep, to describe both his paralyzed limbs and his life experience. This is combined with the parallel metaphors of light and waking to refer to the new outlook he gradually took on.
I do recommend the book because I think many of Mr. Sanford's insights are worthy of consideration. But I am saddened that so many of the struggles he addresses and subsequently solves via his intense pursuit of the yoga way of life, could just as readily be solved with Biblical insights.
Mr. Sanford is a yogi, motivational speaker, and sustainable investment advisor.
Thursday, January 21, 2010
Born to Run A Hidden Tribe, Superathletes, and the Greatest Race the World Has Never Seen
by Christopher McDougall
Thumbs Up.
This books takes the reader on a tour of the American ultra-marathon circuit, with detailed descriptions of the routes and challenges. We meet a generous handful of the colorful runners who frequent these amazing races.
We pay a couple of visits to the Copper Canyons of northwestern Mexico. We encounter drug runners, local characters, and super-athletic Tarahumara Native Mexicans.
McDougall does an excellent job pulling the reader along to find out what happens next while he relates his quest for pain-free running.
To sum up the things he learned:
One has to ignore the anti-capitalist sentiment expressed with some amount of vitriol against particularly the Nike corporation. They ruined everyone's feet by marketing increasingly specialized running shoes. And the evolutionary explanations for various aspects of physiology are a little overdone in some parts.
An obvious inconsistency to an astute reader, was the glorification of a traditional vegetarian diet, while in other places in the book McDougall explains that the Tarahumara tribesmen developed their great reflexes and amazing endurance while hunting. They regularly chase down rabbits on foot and follow deer until the prey tires and can be overcome.
A final commendation for anyone with limited discretionary time: the book, although nearly 300 pages long, was a very quick read.
Thumbs Up.
This books takes the reader on a tour of the American ultra-marathon circuit, with detailed descriptions of the routes and challenges. We meet a generous handful of the colorful runners who frequent these amazing races.
We pay a couple of visits to the Copper Canyons of northwestern Mexico. We encounter drug runners, local characters, and super-athletic Tarahumara Native Mexicans.
McDougall does an excellent job pulling the reader along to find out what happens next while he relates his quest for pain-free running.
To sum up the things he learned:
- run barefoot
- eat vegetarian traditional diet
- vary workout to "surprise" your body in order to increase reflexive reactions
- in order to achieve optimal fat burning, run at just below cardio-vascular workout level
One has to ignore the anti-capitalist sentiment expressed with some amount of vitriol against particularly the Nike corporation. They ruined everyone's feet by marketing increasingly specialized running shoes. And the evolutionary explanations for various aspects of physiology are a little overdone in some parts.
An obvious inconsistency to an astute reader, was the glorification of a traditional vegetarian diet, while in other places in the book McDougall explains that the Tarahumara tribesmen developed their great reflexes and amazing endurance while hunting. They regularly chase down rabbits on foot and follow deer until the prey tires and can be overcome.
A final commendation for anyone with limited discretionary time: the book, although nearly 300 pages long, was a very quick read.
Monday, September 28, 2009
Pilates for Weight Loss: the Fast and Effective Way to Shed Weight and Change Your Body Shape for Good
by Lynne Robinson
Thumbs up.
Ms Robinson, co-founder and director of UK based Body Control Pilates Education, has put together this book of, well, pilates education.
Robinson's introduction starts with a history of pilates and describes the various benefits it can render. She includes information on body weight and muscle mass, and gives formulas for determining ones ideal weight.
She continues with a section on what she considers the foundational exercises of the pilates exercise method. From there she goes into the exercises specific to weight loss and increasing muscle mass and therefore metabolism. She has two chapters of suggested workouts for various goals and suggestions for exercising away from home.
The final section is on lifestyle choices and tips for making the most of ones exercise in order to increase health and well-being.
The book is chock full of photos and clear and specific, descriptive language. It is difficult to learn exercises from a book, but Ms Robinson puts in a valiant effort that will probably be successful for some learners.
Thumbs up.
Ms Robinson, co-founder and director of UK based Body Control Pilates Education, has put together this book of, well, pilates education.
Robinson's introduction starts with a history of pilates and describes the various benefits it can render. She includes information on body weight and muscle mass, and gives formulas for determining ones ideal weight.
She continues with a section on what she considers the foundational exercises of the pilates exercise method. From there she goes into the exercises specific to weight loss and increasing muscle mass and therefore metabolism. She has two chapters of suggested workouts for various goals and suggestions for exercising away from home.
The final section is on lifestyle choices and tips for making the most of ones exercise in order to increase health and well-being.
The book is chock full of photos and clear and specific, descriptive language. It is difficult to learn exercises from a book, but Ms Robinson puts in a valiant effort that will probably be successful for some learners.
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