Technical Tennis: Racquets, Strings, Balls, Courts, Spin, and Bounce

Average customer rating:

Truly technical

Overhyped

Good to know

An excellent update to "The Physics and Technology of Tennis"

Read this book before you buy a racket or take a lesson.

Technical Tennis: Racquets, Strings, Balls, Courts, Spin, and Bounce
Rod Cross , and Crawford Lindsey
Manufacturer: Usrsa
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Tennis | Racket Sports | Sports | Subjects | Books
General | Sports | Subjects | Books
Similar Items:

The Physics and Technology of Tennis

Play Better Tennis in Two Hours

Winning Ugly: Mental Warfare in Tennis--Lessons from a Master

The Science and Art of Tennis: The Ultimate Pictorial Guide for Singles

Biomechanical Principles of Tennis Technique: Using Science to Improve Your Strokes

ASIN: 0972275932

Book Description

What are the single most important variables in racquet performance? What racquet and string features combine to provide the most control, comfort, and feel? How can a player create maximum spin? This informative primer answers these and other elusive equipment and performance-related questions that perennially plague hackers and experts alike. A simplified, layperson's companion to the authors' previous work, The Physics and Technology of Tennis, this conveniently sized guide to selecting racquets and strings includes bite-sized explanations of the possible expectations of equipment choices.

Customer Reviews:

Truly technical.......2007-03-27

Technical to a fault, but exacting. Provides interesting, sometimes counter-intuitive information, e.g., on how the tennis ball bounces, and how racquets really perform.

Overhyped.......2007-02-20

This book really wont change your game or provide any revelations. It even has some inconsistences.

Good to know.......2007-01-11

For the serious tennis player or anyone trying to learn more about tennis it's great.

An excellent update to "The Physics and Technology of Tennis".......2006-09-21

A few years back I did read "The Physics and Technology of Tennis." Even though this was a sensational book that gave me the physics knowledge to moonlight as a racquet development consultant, "Technical Tennis" is a great update. "The Physics and ..." consists of a collection of papers that were published in TennisPro magazine between 1993 and 2000. Meanwhile, "Technical Tennis" was published in 2005. Tennis technique and technology have changed since the mid nineties. The authors thoroughly study these changes. They do a great analysis of Sampras second serve that remained a standard even for today's pros. They also analyze Federer's forehand that is a marvel of versatility, speed, and accuracy. Nobody hits a forehand using Federer's technique. But, maybe thanks to this book more tennis players and especially pros will emulate it.

The authors' opinions have become more complex and nuanced over time. In "The Physics ..." they stated unequivocally that heavier racquets gave you more power, control, and felt better all around than lighter ones. Now, they indicate it depends somewhat on your playing style. And, they come up with an all around "ideal" weight of 342 grams or 12 ounces. That is heavier than most recreational racquets sold in store. But, it is not heavy vs what the pros use. On page 55, they also indicate that to reduce the force on your arm there are five things you can do:

1) Use a heavier racquet;
2) Use a head heavy racquet;
3) Use a more flexible racquet (not a widebody one);
4) Lower the string tension;
5) Use a softer thicker grip.

These are different recommendations than in "The Physics ..." book. Back then they recommended a stiff racquet.

The authors also study in greater details the relationship between racquet weight and ball speed. And, how the relationship is different for serves vs groundstrokes.

If you read "The Physics ..." book, you have to read this one to update your knowledge. If you have not, you don't need to read it, and can jump in straight into this one. It will provide you with all the physics you care about. This book is really not dummed down much. Be ready for that. At times the physics discourse gets pretty dry and challenging. But if you digest it, it's pretty interesting stuff.

Read this book before you buy a racket or take a lesson........2005-10-26

This book cuts through all the marketing hype and gets to the physics of rackets, balls, and courts. Explains what matters when selecting a racket. Helped me find a racket that helps my tennis elbow. The previous book was very long. It also was redundant and contradictory in places. This book solves those problems.
Of particular interest is the section on how to deliver spin. Two things were very interesting:

1) most modern forehands get their topspin not by swinging dramatically upward, but by swinging fairly falt but closing the racket face.
2) There are no topspin serves, only slices. Also, the swing is dramatically outward from 8 to 2 oclock. this greatly simplifes the overly complex instruction that is commonly proferred.

GREAT book.

Collected Works of G. K. Chesterton: The Club of Queer Trades : The
<BR> Man Who Was Thursday : The Ball and the Cross : The Napoleon of Notting Hill

Average customer rating:

The finest book in the collected works series of GKC.
Fun to read!
Three Great Books in One Volume

Collected Works of G. K. Chesterton: The Club of Queer Trades : The
Man Who Was Thursday : The Ball and the Cross : The Napoleon of Notting Hill
G. K. Chesterton
Manufacturer: Ignatius Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Classics | General | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books

ASIN: 0898703654

Customer Reviews:

The finest book in the collected works series of GKC........2002-02-28

The Club of Queer Trades - Not quite like the Father Brown mystery stories but very close. GKC traces the adventures of a club comprised of men and women who invented their own trade. You usually don't understand the trade until the end of the story, and the book never disappoints.

The Man Who Was Thursday - This is probably the most famous of all Chesterton books. The book describes the attempts of a Scotland yard detective to infiltrate a secret anarchist society. The garden party conversations between anarchists are laugh out loud funny. I'm still fascinated by the ending, mainly because I don't understand it.

The Ball and Cross - Chesterton's hilarious story of how an adamant Catholic duels to the death with an ardent atheist is a worthy read. Chesterton systematically critiques popular delusions of educated thinking as the book unfolds. The atheist and the Catholic grow closer together through their duel, and realize that they understand each other better than the other characters understand either of them. Chesterton's wit is second to none and if you liked Pilgrim's Regress by C.S. Lewis, you will love this book.

I've loaned two of these books to friends, and both of them were immediate fans. If you find this collection interesting, try the Napoleon of Notting Hill also by GKC.

Fun to read!.......2001-08-17

The Club of Queer Trades is by far the funniest story I have ever read! I assure you that it will keep you rolling on the floor from the beginning to the end of the story.

Three Great Books in One Volume.......2000-09-01

G. K. Chesterton was probably the greatest optimist who ever lived. He BELIEVED where most of us give up and become despondent. The three stories in this volume take place in a strange twilight world in which the author, as he says in THURSDAY, makes you want to see the lamppost by the light of the tree rather than vice versa. This, by the way, is his most profound and eccentric book.

In THE MAN WHO WAS THURSDAY, we see an incredible global conspiracy dissipate like swamp gas. (As Calvin Coolidge once said, nine out of ten of the troubles one sees down the road swerve off and disappear before they get to you.) THE BALL AND THE CROSS is about two heretics who appear to fight each other to the bitter end, until they find a worse enemy. And THE CLUB OF QUEER TRADES is a delightful entertainment made up of wonderful shaggy dog stories, much like THE PARADOXES OF MR POND.

Book Description

Chesterton's second novel chronicles a hot dispute between two Scotsmen, a Roman Catholic, and an atheist, whose fanatically held opinions inspire a host of comic adventures. The story's allegorical levels vigorously explore the debate between theism and atheism. Introduction by Martin Gardner.

Download Description

Because it was the quickest cut to you, cried Evan, stamping. "Stand up and fight, you crapulous coward. You dirty lunatic, stand up, will you? Have you any weapons here?"

Customer Reviews:

Religious and Philosophical Inquiry - and Whimsy Too........2007-04-01

The Ball and the Cross, (1906), G. K. Chesterton's second novel, both entertains and intellectually challenges the reader. Early in the story two diametrically opposed protagonists, Evan MacIan, a devout Catholic and James Turnbull, a passionate atheist, are interrupted by the secular authorities before they are able to carryout a traditional duel by swords. They escape with their swords, but become subjects of a countrywide manhunt and the center of media attention.

Chesterton's absurd plot thinly disguises a witty, profound, and provocative religious and philosophical inquiry, one that resonates with today's readers as well as it did with readers a century ago. (I suspect that not that much has really changed. In our contemporary context non-believers still distrust sincere believers, perhaps even more so given the growth in Moslem extremism, the Arab-Jewish conflict, and Christian activism in American politics.)

The duel is continually postponed due either to the untimely appearance of police, or to unexpected encounters with an eclectic mix of characters, all apparently allegorical representations of one type or another. As the story proceeds, we readers find that the two duelists are more alike than different, as they both hold firm beliefs, in contrast to the secular world around them which has largely embraced relativism and more passive religious convictions.

I suggest that you also visit the other reader reviews as they offer nsightful and interesting perspectives. Chesterton brings out the best in a reader. His stories encourage us, even prod us, to consider and reflect upon profound issues and matters - although he does so in a witty, amusing, even whimsical context. Perhaps Chesterton is saying that religious and philosophical inquiry is simply too serious not to enjoy.

Exceedingly good: both witty and profound.......2006-02-19

When I first began this book, I thought it was a bit boring and rather absurd. By the time I reached the middle I though it was rather witty and absurd. Now that I have reached the end of the book I think that it is extremely witty, profound, and wonderfully absurd. It was one of the most wonderfully rediculous books which I have ever read, ranking only with Chesterton's The Flying Inn in the level of absurdity. Chesterton manages to turn a very serious plot into a very rediculous plot (an attempted sword duel between a Christian and an atheist which takes place all over England, from cities to islands to insane asylums), fills it with witty and profound lines from both lead characters, and sucessgully provides a stunning rebuttal of the popular philosophies of his day (i.e. Nietzche, Tolstoy, etc.). This was my favorite Chesterton book until I read Manalive, and I seriously doubt that is has many rivals (or much competition at all) in the genra of profound absurd fiction.

Overall Grade: borderline A+

Marvelous.......2005-02-06

Entertaining and thought-provoking, the Ball and the Cross delivers a nice punch of Chesterton in a thoroughly amusing satire. I am continuously amazed at the genius of these beleaguered Englishment - Chesterton, Lewis, Belloc, Tolkien, et al. While the Ball and the Cross doesn't quite rival Lewis' Screwtape Letters in sheer creativity, it does tackle a more subtle theme.

Chesterton's comedic conflict in the triad of Christian/Atheist/Society is heavily relevant to today's Christian/Muslim/Secularist conflict, which I would argue is the defining tension driving world events. It is curious to see how even diametrically opposed Believers can ally against Disbelief or Apathy, or to see how seriously the Agnostic or Apathetic take the threat of sincere Belief.

I was a little stunned by Chesterton's luddite streak as it is expressed in the Devil and his machines, although this is not a surprise considering the turn-of-the-century changes in England, and would seem quite prescient over the next few decades of Total War. Still, given the modern secular alliance with neo-pagan nature-worship, I would probably draw the Devil hugging a tree rather than piloting an airship.

In all a rousing, entertaining jaunt through Chesterton's imagination and philosophy. I agree with other reviewers that Martin Gardner's Foreword should be read Afterward, but it is of great value and well written, and should not be skipped.

Uneven.......2004-11-16

Someone (Belloc?) said only Catholics and atheists are willing to play their beliefs all the way out. All other spiritual postions are compromise. This amusing novella illustrates the point. The main characters, an ardent Catholic and a committed atheist, wish to engage in a duel to the death in defense of their beliefs. They are continually interrupted by a stream of characters representing all sorts of moral types. Although the subject is interesting, the narrative doesn't flow well: first you have pages of philosophical dialog, and then intervals of action and plot development of varying length. The result is great difficulty in keeping everything straight. Although the book contains the usual GK wit and wisdom, it is not as tightly composed as his better works.

A word about this (Dover) edition: hard to read. The spacing between rows of type is very narrow and the margins are very wide.

The Most Intellectual Book on Atheism vs. Christian Doctrine.......2004-08-29

This book will chill your spine and then leave you with fresh hope in God! Chesterton was a man of deep faith, profound wit, and original ideas on the life of faith. A book that should be on every Christian's book shelf!

The Ball And The Cross, Manalive, The Flying Inn (Collected Works of Gk Chesterton)

Average customer rating:

Excellent collection of Chesterton
hold on a sec
An Excellent Group of Novels

The Ball And The Cross, Manalive, The Flying Inn (Collected Works of Gk Chesterton)
G. K. Chesterton
Manufacturer: Ignatius Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Religion & Spirituality | Subjects | Books

ASIN: 0898709989

Customer Reviews:

Excellent collection of Chesterton.......2006-03-10

I must say that I immensely enjoyed these three books by Chesterton. Manalive was my favorite of the three, followed by The Ball and the Cross, then The Flying Inn. I have individually reviewed each of the three, so I won't go into them here (just look up the books individually if you want to read about them). A previous reviewer said that The Flying Inn was the only book in this collection worth reading. I strongly disagree. Manalive and The Ball and the Cross became two of my favorite books after reading them. Manalive is definitely one of the best five books that I have ever read.

As to this specific edition, I was very pleased with the in-text notes. They really explain a lot of issues, and give information about many of the (somewhat) obscure historical figures that Chesterton referrences a lot (obscure in our time, not his). I do have one complaint about this edition, though: the introductions. I do not like to have the ending spoiled for me, and I knew that introductions to Chesterton's The Man Who Was Thursday had spoilers in the editor's introduction, so I decided to put off reading the introduction to this collected work until I had read the works. I am glad I did, because there are spoilers for both The Ball And The Cross and Manalive in the introductions, so DO NOT READ THE INRODUCTIONS unless you want to be deprived of the surprise which Chesterton indended for readers reaching the end of his books. I am very disappointed that Chesterton's editors repeatedly feel the need to give away the endings before the book even begins. Other than that, though, this was an excellent editions of some very hard to find Chesterton novels.

Overall Grade: A (Chesterton: A+, This edition: A-)

hold on a sec.......2005-05-10

You gotta be careful with Chesterton. When he's at his best, he can't be beat, but he was also responsible for some clunker novels. Even Chesterton's most avid readers have to admit this.

Well, such are the first two novels in this omnibus: forgettable.

The only one of them worth reading -- but it's REALLY worth reading -- is "The Flying Inn" about a future England which has fallen under the spell of a super-virile form of Islam.

However, if you are going to only read this novel (a course of action I heartily recommend), there's a much cheaper edition out there, the Dover Thrift edition: ISBN 048641910X, also available on Amazon. A much more prudent purchase.

An Excellent Group of Novels.......2004-09-01

These three novels are wonderful and the introduction and notes superb. Highly recommended for anyone who has been waiting a long time to find these rather rare books in a ready format.

Multicultural Strategies for Education And Social Change: Carriers of the Torch in the United States And South Africa (Multicultural Education (Cloth))

Average customer rating:

An Insightful and Stimulating Look at Educating Teachers

Multicultural Strategies for Education And Social Change: Carriers of the Torch in the United States And South Africa (Multicultural Education (Cloth))
Arnetha F. Ball
Manufacturer: Teacher College Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

General | Education | Nonfiction | Subjects | Books

Policy | Education | Nonfiction | Subjects | Books

Pedagogy | Education | Nonfiction | Subjects | Books

All Deals | Blowout Books | Stores | Books

Nonfiction | Blowout Books | Stores | Books

All Titles | Qualifying Textbooks - Fall 2007 | Stores | Books
Similar Items:

ASIN: 0807746703

Book Description

This book describes a different approach to teacher education, designed to create "carriers of the torch"—teachers who have a sense of efficacy and the attitudes, dispositions, and skills necessary to teach students from diverse racial, ethnic, and linguistic backgrounds. Through her examination of teacher change and teacher education in two countries—the United States and South Africa—the author proposes new ways to prepare teachers for a rapidly changing global society.

Presenting the story of a dynamically successful program that was developed and implemented with over a hundred U.S. and South African teachers, this book shows us how to:

* Facilitate the development of teachers who see literacy as a tool for understanding and building upon student diversity in their classrooms.
* Restructure teacher education programs to cultivate teachers who are committed to teaching socially and economically disenfranchised students.
* Foster teachers' interest in understanding the historical, cultural, political, and economic circumstances and resources that students bring to the classroom.
* Empower teachers to become agents of change and develop their own voices on critical issues related to diversity.

Customer Reviews:

An Insightful and Stimulating Look at Educating Teachers.......2006-11-10

This book is a wonderful read. It engages the reader with a unique and eye-opening study of evolving teachers in the United States and South Africa. The journeys of self-awareness that the teachers undergo are remarkable and enlightening. They provide insights and practices that could greatly enhance teacher education programs.

The writing style is fluid and personal. Dr. Ball's voice resonates through the book inspiring the reader with contagious passion and optimism. As I read journal entries of the teachers in the study, I gained new perspectives and ideas for enhancing my own teaching approach. I strongly recommend this book to anyone interested in effecting change in teacher education programs or in gaining personal insights into his own teaching strategies.

Chesterton Day by Day: The Wit and Wisdom of G. K. Chesterton

Average customer rating:

The quotes were selected by Chesterton himself, so they represent what he thought was important.
G.K Chesterton

Chesterton Day by Day: The Wit and Wisdom of G. K. Chesterton
G. K. Chesterton
Manufacturer: Inkling Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Authors | Arts & Literature | Biographies & Memoirs | Subjects | Books

General | Biographies & Memoirs | Subjects | Books

General | Essays | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books

ASIN: 1587420147

Book Description

Here's a delightful collection of G. K. Chesterton quotes from 1900 to 1911, one for each day of the year--all selected by Chesterton himself. Every word of his 1912 classic is in this newly typeset edition. There are also newly created notes shedding light on events from his day that have been dimmed by the passage of time. In addition, there is a bibliography of sources and a detailed 17-page index to guide you to the quotes you need. Finally, there are several humorous sketches by Chesterton.

This book was previously published in the U.K. in 1911 as A Chesterton Calendar and in the U.S. in 1912 as The Wit and Wisdom of G. K. Chesterton. It includes Chapter 13, "The Movable Feasts," which was left out of the U.S. edition.

Customer Reviews:

The quotes were selected by Chesterton himself, so they represent what he thought was important........2007-01-17

This book serves two purposes. It is intended to be a daily devotional (like Oswald Chambers "My Utmost For His Highest"), focusing on G. K. Chesterton's wit and wisdom. The quotes were selected by Chesterton himself, so they represent what he thought was important, as opposed to reading another person's second-guessings.

One good point is that it has moveable feasts in an appendix, like Lewis's "The Business of Heaven." A down point is that the book lacks an entry for Leap Day. This is a common mistake made by all devotionals I own, except for Chambers's. If you are smart enough to include the Roman Catholic feast days (which you would expect from Chesterton), then why can't you remember Leap Day? It is beyond me!

The second purpose of the book is an unintentional one. This book serves as a de-facto quote book. I love quote books, since they serve as random sampler for a person's thought. C. S. Lewis said, "The only use of selections is to deter those readers who will never appreciate the original, and thus save them from wasting their time on it, and to send all the others on the original as quickly as possible." (The Quotable Lewis, #447)

This book accomplishes both: it is a wonderful daily devotional, and it whets the appetite for more.

G.K Chesterton.......2006-03-15

I bought this book for my grandmother and she loves it. It's hard for her to sit and read for a lond piriod of time. This book is nice because it has one little reading for every day. I would highly recomend this book.

Average customer rating:

A fine presentation of the Via Lucis

Stations of the Cross/Stations of Light
Ann Ball
Manufacturer: Our Sunday Visitor
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Religion & Spirituality | Subjects | Books

General | Religion & Spirituality | 4-for-3 Books Store | Stores | Books

All 4-for-3 Deals | 4-for-3 Books Store | Stores | Books
Similar Items:

ASIN: 1592760317

Book Description

From the sorrow of the Cross to the joy of the Resurrection ... and beyond

Walk with the Suffering Christ. Rejoice with the Risen Lord.

The Stations of the Cross — Stations of Light takes you on a one-of-a-kind pilgrimage — from Christ's sentencing, to His death, to His resurrection and the coming of the Holy Spirit on Pentecost Sunday.

With original meditations and commissioned artwork for the traditional Stations of the Cross as well as the new devotion known as the Stations of Light, or Via Lucis, here are moving, comforting, and challenging reflections that can be prayed privately or in community. Here are devotions not only for Lent and Easter but also for the whole year.

Customer Reviews:

A fine presentation of the Via Lucis.......2005-10-11

Ball has done a fine job of presenting the significant events of the Paschal Season. The book does lack, however, the depth of spirituality and the all-encompassing intellect that Mary Ford-Grabowsky's The Stations of the Light offers.

Geology of the Leech Lake Mountain--Ball Mountain region, California: A cross section of the northeastern Franciscan belt and its tectonic implications ... publications in geological sciences; v. 107)

Average customer rating:

Geology of the Leech Lake Mountain--Ball Mountain region, California: A cross section of the northeastern Franciscan belt and its tectonic implications ... publications in geological sciences; v. 107)
John Suppe
Manufacturer: University of California Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Unknown Binding

Average customer rating:

The Ball and The Cross - 1910
Gilbert K. Chesterton
Manufacturer: Book Jungle
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Classics | General | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books
ASIN: 1594623503

Taking Time to Act: A Guide to Cross-Curricular Drama

Average customer rating:

Taking Time to Act: A Guide to Cross-Curricular Drama
John Airs , and Chris Ball
Manufacturer: Heinemann Drama
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Performing Arts | Arts & Photography | Subjects | Books

General | Arts & Photography | Subjects | Books

Lesson Planning | Education | Professional & Technical | Subjects | Books

General | Foreign Languages | Reference | Subjects | Books
Similar Items:

Action Strategies for Deepening Comprehension: Role Plays, Text Structure Tableaux, Talking Statues, and Other Enrichment Techniques That Engage Students with Text

ASIN: 0435086669

Book Description

Taking Time to Act proves just how effective drama can be in creating active and enjoyable environments for teaching and learning. The authors make the critical link between theory and practice, supporting wide-ranging examples of drama in action with clear explanations of philosophy and principles. Their ideas are straightforward, practical, and most of all manageable, always emphasizing that you can do it.

Taking Time to Act provides invaluable assistance to any teacher with an interest in and enthusiasm for educational drama both in and out of the classroom.

Books:

Books Index

Books Home

Recommended Books