4.5 Stars

In my opinion His Holiness The Dalai Lama has two types of books - those that are incredibly complicated and difficult to read and those that are easy to read and more easily understandable - don't get me wrong they are all great books and I always get a lot out them.

The Compassionate Life is one of the easier ones. One of the easier reads and less complicated to digest.

It's focused on compassion and how to achieve a compassionate view - as well as the benefits of compassion.

I know this sounds somewhat simplistic as a description, but that's really what this boils down to - a simple and easy read - a focused topic for the student/listener - compassion.

I love reading what His Holiness The Dalai Lama has to say - like all his books - I closed this one with a smile on my face.

Truly a great and encompassing book.

First - you should know that I am a big Mike Tyson enthusiast and supporter.

Iron Mike - A Mike Tyson Reader - is a compilation of stories written by different authors. The chapters go pretty much in chronological order of Tyson's life. From a touch on his childhood to the classic saga of Cus & The Kid to post Holyfield II.

You get different perspectives of Tyson from those that see him in different ways. You get the good, the bad, the beautiful and the ugly.

I felt that a lot of what is covered in the book was pretty fair and balanced (to borrow a phrase). I really appreciated and got a lot out of the different views and different interpretations of Tyson from those who knew him in different avenues of his life.

I went into reading this with a sympathetic view of Mike and this view was reinforced and I was actually given more insight into the hardships that he has had to face as a kid and as an adult.

You would think that with his money and fame how could he have such a hard time, well this book does a good job in showing you how.

What stands out for me is the rape conviction. He had a horrible lawyer - Don King's tax attorney, certain witnesses weren't allowed to testify, certain evidence was not admitted and let's admit it - if he was a Kennedy (see William Kennedy Smith) he wouldn't have gone to jail.

There are some extremely interesting chapters in this that are genuinely eye opening into just how unfairly Mike Tyson has treated and taken advantage of.

Highly recommended to any boxing fan and especially recommended for anyone interested in the story of Tyson - fan or hater - you'll learn something.

3.75 Stars

There are a few different styles of books on Buddhism. This one falls under the psychology school of thought on Buddhism.

It's a good introduction and some in depth perspectives on Buddhism - the author comes at it from - and with - a psychologists slant - i.e. that with each Buddhist teaching there is a psychological aspect given.

I liked the lessons and exercises that the book offers.

I'm not a big tie in Buddhism with psychology kind of guy - I can see completely how they relate and it's just another interpretation of the Dharma or a look at the Dharma through the shrink filter.

Buddhism In Ten seems to be a type of intro to Buddhism book as well as a self help book.

4.25 Stars

I really enjoyed this book.

There's another reviewer (Ensio N. Mikkols) who said it best - "The Lady Knows Boxing" and she really does.

I was on the fence about reading this. I went back and forth trying to decide and finally just went for it and I'm glad I did.

Oates has a great and unique perspective on boxing as an art and science. She sounds like she's been around boxing her whole life and has a respect for it.

Her writing style is fancy, elegant and adds respectability to the sweet science.

I love her take on Mike Tyson - I hate that most writers make him sound like a monster. Oates knows he's human and shows him in a fair, understanding and empathetic light.

One sign of a great book is what it leaves you with or what it inspires you to do. I'm left with a greater respect and understanding of the sweet science of bruising and am inspired to read and learn more about Mike Tyson.

Great DVD - 4.25 Stars

This is difficult to review - some of the greatest scenes I've ever seen and some of the hardest scenes I've ever seen.

Here's what's hard- watching what's happened to Muhammad. It's just difficult and sad. He's still the Greatest and still likes to clown, but you just can't help but wonder why or what if...

What's also painful is watching the dinner with these great champions. It's good and bad, but mostly just really uncomfortable.

On to the good.

I've never seen so much great fight footage on one DVD.

You don't get entire fights, but get the highlights. It's absolutely amazing and worth getting the DVD (or VHS) for this only - everything else is gravy.

An absolute must have for any boxing fan.
A great item for any Ali fan - there's actually one moment where Ali talks about coming back and taking on Tyson - and I found myself excited and actually thinking how great that would be...and then waking up to the reality and silently laughing at myself.

If you're a George Foreman fan I think you'll want this as well. George comes across as not only a great champion, but a humble and incredible man as well.

Great DVD - 4.25 Stars

This is difficult to review - some of the greatest scenes I've ever seen and some of the hardest scenes I've ever seen.

Here's what's hard- watching what's happened to Muhammad. It's just difficult and sad. He's still the Greatest and still likes to clown, but you just can't help but wonder why or what if...

What's also painful is watching the dinner with these great champions. It's good and bad, but mostly just really uncomfortable.

On to the good.

I've never seen so much great fight footage on one DVD.

You don't get entire fights, but get the highlights. It's absolutely amazing and worth getting the DVD (or VHS) for this only - everything else is gravy.

An absolute must have for any boxing fan.
A great item for any Ali fan - there's actually one moment where Ali talks about coming back and taking on Tyson - and I found myself excited and actually thinking how great that would be...and then waking up to the reality and silently laughing at myself.

If you're a George Foreman fan I think you'll want this as well. George comes across as not only a great champion, but a humble and incredible man as well.

It's no wonder that after reading this Muhammad Ali chose Thomas Hauser to write his story.

How this book got it's name is another great example of what Hauser can do with just one paragraph!

I had assumed that this would be somewhat of a dry read or just not as good as Hauser's other books on boxing and the world of boxing. I had thought that since it's Hauser's first attempt at writing about boxing that it would be just ok - maaaan was I wrong - THIS is a fantastic book!

Hauser is an amazing writer and is exceptional in all his writings about the sweet science.

This is a great example of a book successfully covering and achieving what it set out to do. You get educated on the inside story of professional boxing and get a great and personal insight into the world of Billy Costello.

I was caught up in every chapter and did not want to put this book down. I've never heard of Billy Costello before this book and found myself being nervous for him, being excited for him, cheering for him and feeling now like I was there with him.

Great book for anyone.

4.75 Stars

It's hard to know Sonny Liston - most people's first introduction to him is by way of Muhammad Ali and the 2 fights they had, but Sonny is so much more.

He was more feared and more tuff in the ring than Mike Tyson and the first incarnation of Big George Foreman. Sonny was the first. It was said that his opponents would start to bleed just from receiving his stare.

Most of the story of Sonny Liston is sad - no one knows for sure when he was born. No one knows for sure when he died.

This is a great video. Finally we're able to get clips of the champ and witness his presence and power in the ring, we get to hear him speak, see the scowl and actually see him smile too.

I wish this was longer. I would like to see more than just fight clips, but don't get me wrong - it's great to see anything with Sonny in it.

It's funny too - in typical Sonny treatment - it's only on VHS and not DVD.

This is a MUST have for anyone interested in Charles Sonny Liston - also you should read David Remnicks King Of The World and skim through Nick Tosches The Devil And Sonny Liston.

One thing about this book that sticks out for me is that it would make an awesome supplement to any of the books written about Muhammad Ali.

This is a great book of photographs of Muhammad Ali (Neil Leifer photographer) accompanied by miscellaneous quotes and text by Thomas Hauser - who is one of the best authorities on Muhammad Ali.

It's one of those books that can be read in one sitting and leaves you smiling.

It's mentioned in the book that this picks up where Hauser's Muhammad Ali: His Life and Times leaves off, but I think you can read this before or after or even during - it definitely would add to the experience, but is not a requirement - Memories stands well on it's own and is very enjoyable.

VERY hard to come by - you'll probably need to buy it used on Amazon or on eBay.

This is a perfect book for the boxing enthusiast.

It's Patrick Myler's pick for the top 100 best boxers of this last century.

This is one of those books where even the introduction is worthy of note.

He gives a few pages of info for each fighter - starting with interesting statistics - nicknames, titles won, birthplace and date - and won loss record. He also briefly describes each fighter's career and life.

As he himself says any list of a specific number of greatest is bound to leave out some and at least stir up some controversy. This book comes pretty close though, but you'll need to decide.

At the end - he gives his top 10 list - THAT'S tricky business.

It's a great book to read from cover to cover or just skim to find out info on your favorites or a fighter you're not familiar with. Luckily each "chapter" is in alphabetical order and is listed as such on the contents - so it's easy to find a fighter.

The one thing that everyone can agree upon is that it's been one great century!

I liked most of this book, but do not consider it a biography.

I think too much time - too many pages - were dedicated to the mob figures and peripheral issues and people - and it took away from Sonny - ironically - like they did.

It seemed the writing style was trying too hard to be tuff and every now and then a swear would pop up - oddly - like it was just there to be there.

The last 50 pages are unquestionably powerful. Toshes writing style and way work perfectly here.

I think Sonny deserves more.

I would not consider this a biography of the champ, but I'm glad I read it. I'm glad I got to learn some parts of Sonny Liston that I didn't know before - so that alone is worth reading it - as long as you realize that Sonny is only a bit player in what is supposed to be his biography.

In addition to this I'd recommend David Remnick's King of The World - it's a fantastic book surrounded by Floyd Patterson, Sonny Liston and Muhammad Ali.

Read both and you get somewhat of a view of Sonny Liston.

Rest in Peace Champ!

Fantastic book - more than just the Ali Story -

This is one of the best-written and thought out books of the happenings amongst a small circle of the greatest heavy weights.

You get a rare insight into the lives and minds of Floyd Patterson, Sonny Liston and Cassius Clay - and the awakening/becoming of Muhammad Ali

I went into this book wanting to feed my hunger for knowledge of Muhammad Ali and came out of with a craving for more Sonny Liston - I now want to know all I can about him.

Only a brief period in time is covered - but it's an in-depth look at that time and the people and the places that made up boxing and some of the world outside boxing.

This is a great book for anyone interested in these titans - for anyone interested in Patterson, Liston and Ali - for anyone interested in the history of legends.

One of the best books I've experienced - I truly felt like I was there at times - in that era - that energy of the people and the times

This is one of those books where you wish there was a part 2

Fantastic book - more than just the Ali Story -

This is one of the best-written and thought out books of the happenings amongst a small circle of the greatest heavy weights.

You get a rare insight into the lives and minds of Floyd Patterson, Sonny Liston and Cassius Clay - and the awakening/becoming of Muhammad Ali

I went into this book wanting to feed my hunger for knowledge of Muhammad Ali and came out of with a craving for more Sonny Liston - I now want to know all I can about him.

Only a brief period in time is covered - but it's an in-depth look at that time and the people and the places that made up boxing and some of the world outside boxing.

This is a great book for anyone interested in these titans - for anyone interested in Patterson, Liston and Ali - for anyone interested in the history of legends.

One of the best books I've experienced - I truly felt like I was there at times - in that era - that energy of the people and the times

This is one of those books where you wish there was a part 2

Fantastic book - more than just the Ali Story -

This is one of the best-written and thought out books of the happenings amongst a small circle of the greatest heavy weights.

You get a rare insight into the lives and minds of Floyd Patterson, Sonny Liston and Cassius Clay - and the awakening/becoming of Muhammad Ali

I went into this book wanting to feed my hunger for knowledge of Muhammad Ali and came out of with a craving for more Sonny Liston - I now want to know all I can about him.

Only a brief period in time is covered - but it's an in-depth look at that time and the people and the places that made up boxing and some of the world outside boxing.

This is a great book for anyone interested in these titans - for anyone interested in Patterson, Liston and Ali - for anyone interested in the history of legends.

One of the best books I've experienced - I truly felt like I was there at times - in that era - that energy of the people and the times

This is one of those books where you wish there was a part 2

WOW! - WOW! - George! - WOW!

Fantastic, Wonderful, Beautiful, Moving, Inspirational, Funny, Fun, Could not and would not put it down!

What a great book - what a great life!

I'm so full of joy and inspiration from this book that I can't even find the words to write a review - this was such a great book.

I've always liked the "recent" George Foreman - the one that was on the comeback trail and fought Michael Moorer - the one with that beautiful smile.

Don't forget there was the George before - I used to think that that George Foreman was just simply a bad guy - he wasn't - well - not fully anyway -

By George is the autobiography of (and by) George Foreman - from his birth to his regaining the Championship of the World - EVERYTHING - from the book dedications to the very last page was wonderful.

I got chills at the end of every chapter - and just had to keep reading - as I got closer to the end I kept wishing for more -

How is this not a movie!

What a fantastic life this man has led

This book has it all - for the boxing enthusiast you get a unique insight at the history of boxing and some it's most influential and historical people - Big George was IN the Rumble in the Jungle - Cosell's famous "Down goes Frazier! - Down goes Frazier!!!" was due to George -

On a spiritual note - I would think that the closest thing to feeling Gods love would be getting a hug from George Foreman

George - if you're somehow reading this please know that you're an amazing man - and I'm so happy for you - and so happy to share the same planet with you! - I recently adopted a cat from a shelter and of course named him George!

Boxing fans - BUY THIS BOOK!
Biography fans - BUY THIS BOOK!
Anyone who knows how to read - BUY THIS BOOK!

I dig the Dalai Lama so much - even seeing his smiling face on the cover of this book fills me with joy and brings a smile to my face - I just find him so hard to read.

The content and subject matter is great. There is so much in this book and it's always a moving experience reading the Dalai Lama's words

The focal point is about opening your heart and practicing compassion in your everyday life - and calm abiding.

This is a great book, warm and comforting - my only complaint is that it is difficult to read.

Thomas Hauser has to be the most humble writer I've ever read. He is incredibly knowledgeable and part of boxing, but never included himself or speaks of himself as part of the scene - as anything more than a writer -

I've enjoyed all the books I've read by him and I'm looking forward to reading more! - A Year At The Fights is another great example -

This is a great journey inside boxing. It's not a book recapturing and retelling all the fights of a year. It has some that, but this is a look inside boxing. The fights outside of boxers, outside of the ring and inside boxing as a sport and system.

The only thing I felt missing from this book was a scratch and sniff section to smell sweat and cigars.

It's a light read - an easy read and if you're a fan of boxing it's a book for you. All Hauser's boxing books are great. He has a great perspective on the boxers, the promoters, the business and everything in between...just ask his mother (inside joke after reading A Year At The Fights)