I purchased Personal Foul a few months back after reading the excerpts that were leaked on the internet. At first I was surprised by some of the allegations posted and was in need for more. However, my hopes were crushed when I read that the publisher pulled out in the last minute..

But to the rescue came along another publisher who had the balls and chose to publish the book. In my opinion this is a good thing, because the book is more than just allegations.

Personal Foul is the memoir and story of Tim Donaghy – the former NBA referee who, got himself caught up in a betting scandal. The book tells the story of a young boy growing up who looked up to his father, had dreams and aspirations to play or referee in the NBA some day. Well, he didn’t get to play in the NBA, but he did become a referee.

We are told of a happily married man with kids and a successful career, refereeing in the NBA – who wouldn’t want that job? mingling with all the superstars of basketball and other celebrities. Eventually Tim is introduced to childhood friends who became involved in organised crime and inevitably, that’s where things began. He began living a life as a ‘double agent’ so to speak, providing people insider information about NBA games, who was most likely to win out of the match ups and other advantageous information.

He eventually became a gambling addict himself, betting on anything and everything, daily. From here, we begin to see a decline in his own personal life, increased lies, paranoia and everything that he loved and cherished eventually falling to bits.

I found this book an enjoyable read and an insight of how certain addictions can get you into terrible situations. Recommended.

Tim Donaghy’s website

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The Art of a Beautiful Game: The Thinking Fan’s Tour of the NBA by Chris Ballard is a definite read for any fan of the NBA. It is a great insight to the game, far beyond what you just see on TV.

It’s actually taken me a few days and I’m still not really sure how to review this book.. it has a lot of good elements to it, I think too many to explain really. I kind of wasn’t sure what to initially expect when I purchased the book, as I haven’t read a basketball related book in a while, but lets just say it’s quite engaging and I had many late nights.

Chris Ballard who is a senior writer for Sports Illustrated takes us behind what we see the players do on TV. In his book, he breaks down and provides analysis of the games fundamental components. From shooting to dunking, blocking and even facets many people may not really care about; rebounding, assists. Sure, players in the NBA are they’re for a reason; they’re skilled. However, skill can only take you so far. Chris also goes as far as explaining the conditioning and training players go through to maintain they’re high level of skill and fitness.

The book also looks to provide analysis of certain players traits, such as Kobe Bryant’s ‘Killer Instinct’ (which I hope gives all the haters some insight), LeBron James’ ‘Athletic abilities’ (which are quite crazy absurd) and Steve Nash’s ‘unselfishness on the court’ to name some.

After finally finishing the book, whilst watching games I actually found myself looking for what was written about, and traits of certain mentioned players were quite evident. I guess if the book actually makes you think and pay attention to details whilst watching a game, it succeeds right?

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We Were One: Shoulder to Shoulder with the Marines Who Took Fallujah is a first hand account of Lima Company, 1st Platoon (Marines) who were deployed to Fallujah, Iraq in 2004. It is written by Patrick K. O’Donnell, a military historian and author who was on the front line with these very soldiers and went through almost everything they did.

Upon reading the first chapter or two, I had flashbacks of another book I read, 3 Para → – which was written in a similar style and confusing the say the least. However, I continued to read on and my initial assumption was put to rest. This book delivered. I would have to put the written detail and fighting witnessed very close to another book, House To House →. I felt the same level drama, horror, emotion and bravery involved in the “house clearing” process.

One of the most disheartening things was the loss of marines as each one in the company had a friend, so almost all of them lost at least one. This book certainly displays the true bonds and friendships made by soldiers that the average person may not even understand or see. We were one is easy to follow and it kept me up late at nights, it was hard to put down at times. Recommended.

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House To House by author David Bellavia is probably one of the best memoirs of war in Iraq I have read to date. This book kept forcing me to read chapter upon chapter when it was way past time to go to sleep, it is that well written.

The book is a recollection of accounts by Staff Sergeant David Bellavia who led Third Platoon, Alpha Company into Fallujah, Iraq in 2004 on house clearing missions. What they faced was an enemy who was well prepared, high on adrenaline and would not cease to quit. It is filled with drama, intensity and displays of heroics, it is simply hard to put this one down.

This book a must read if you’re into reading military books because the author makes you feel like you are actually there with him, in his squad, fighting the same fight. Some of the war memoir books that I have read fail to achieve this important aspect or make a poor attempt at it which ultimately makes it a rather average read. This book is definitely one of the shelf.

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I finished reading this book some weeks ago, but I’m not quite sure how to exactly review it.. so this post most likely will be quite brief.

3 Para → is a look into the accounts of the 3rd Battalion Parachute Regiment’s deployment in the Helmand Province of Afghanistan. Rather than trying to explain the book in-depth like I have with previous reviews, I found a comment on Amazon → by someone else who also purchased and read it. To be honest, it pretty much sums up my thoughts on the book as well..

“I expected it to be a first hand account where you feel like you are there with the actual soldiers, but this is nothing like that at all. It is all a sort of mix up of whats going on in different places at different times, and is altogether quite confusing to be honest.”

In saying that, it was a reasonably good read. But unfortunately not a must have for the bookshelf.

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