Terrific fundamentals and explainations. My only question is about the teaching of back twisters which he shows in a different way in his videos. Most coaches teach the way in the videos, and most top divers do it that way. A terrific reference for the experienced and beginning coach. I've coached divers at all levels for 25 years and I still use it as a reference.

Well, if you answered yes then purchase this book. Even though it is written on an elementary level, Ron O'brien has the credentials to back even the most simple explanations of the sport. It is great for a beginner as well as an experienced coach because it shows the perspective of a true expert. I know from my own experience that diving coaches think they know everything, but if they took the time to study the sport on the most elementary level their divers will certainly benefit.

I wanted to read, so just read and I wanted to find imformation for my reseach, but I couldn't read this. If I want to read this book on internet, then what i should do.. tell me, please.

Tom Waddell is more than just the creator of the Gay Games, he is someone who has dedicated his life to making people feel welcome, making them feel accepted, no matter what is different about them.
This is the heartwarming story of a young man who knew the feeling of being "different" and decided to dedicate to fight intolerance and AIDS until the very end, his death.
After hearing about the Gay Games, I decided to write a paper for one of my classes about this. I interviewed people who had worked with Tom Waddell, and people who still worked for the Gay Games, that were held that year in my home country, the Netherlands.

The story of the 60 year old woman who had never participated in a sports contect before, who wasn't particularly athletic, who didn't win an official prize but who won the prize of being part of something fantastic. The story of the swimmers not getting out of the water to collect their medals, but to cheer for those still in the water.
These stories truly touched my heart, and I can't do anything but recommend this story to everyone. Gay or straight, "normal" or "different", Tom Waddell's will teach all of something about the true spirit of sports and games, love and acceptance.

Tom Waddell always planned on writing a book on his life. He thought he had more time, in life, to write about his life. However, his life was abruptly ended at the age of 49, before he could complete his journal about his life. ABC Sportscaster Dick Schapp completes Tom's dream of writing a book. Schapp first became interested in Waddell's life at the 1968 Mexico City Olympics. Waddell competed against U.S. Decathalon Champion Bill Toomey. While Waddell didn't win a medal, his time at the Mexico City Olympics was somewhat controversial. Waddell campaigned against the opression of African-Americans, in the Southern United States, and drew fire from the U.S. Olympic Committee. In his personal life, Waddell was also making news. After coming out of the closet, Waddell organized what was to have become the "Gay Olympics". However, the U.S. Olympic Comittee would not allow Waddell to use the word Olympic in the title of the games. That litigation began an ongoing legal battle that would not be solved until Waddell's death. In his personal life, Waddell was also controversial. He wanted a child so much, that he and a lesbian conceived what would become his daughter Jessica. He and Sara, another Olympic Athlete, later married. Waddell's dream of seeing his daughter grow up never materialized. He was one of the first to become infected with the HIV virus, and died in 1987. "Gay Olympian" is a moving account of Waddell's life. his love of life, sports, medicine and his daughter. Dick Schapp combines Waddell's Journal to his daughter with the story of Waddell's life. It also paints a disturbing picture of the vindictiveness of the U.S. Olympic Committee, and the pain the organization caused in his life. I highly recommend this book

I purchased Greg's story the minute it hit the stands because Greg was my #1 sports hero as I was growing up. When I read his story, he affected my life in an even greater way. I have a brother who is gay, but he had not come out to his family yet. After reading Greg's story I knew that I needed to help my brother by supporting him now, instead of waiting until it was too late. A few days after finishing my read, I told my brother that I knew he was gay and that I loved him, supported him, and was proud of him. I got the best hug of my life. I only wish that I could've given Greg the same hug when he really needed it the most. I'm proud of the fact that he was, and still is, one of my heroes. Read the book. It is a heartbreaking and frank look at humanity.

GREG LOUGANIS' REAL LIFE STRUGGLES ARE VERY TOUCHING AND HOLD A DEEP AND PERSONAL MESSAGE FOR ALL. GROWING UP A SHY, QUIET, TALENTED YOUNG MAN AND GROWING UP TO BE THE GREATEST OLYMPIC DIVER EVER MAY SEEM IMPOSSIBLE. HOWEVER, HIS REAL LIFE STRUGGLES WERE EVEN MORE IMPOSSIBLE. I RECOMMEND THIS BOOK TO EVERYONE. ALSO IF YOU GET A CHANCE WATCH THE VIDEO ALSO. I RATE THEM BOTH VERY HIGHLY.

I remember watching Greg Louganis in 1988 and his last dive that gave him his fourth Olympic gold medal. I was only 7 years old and had no idea about what a struggle he had. When I found out that he was HIV-positive and gay, I was shocked. I don't know why. I read the book during my junior year in high school and enjoyed it. The information on diving was informative and I enjoyed that part. The part that surprised me the most was the way he talked openly and frankly about his lovers and his feelings for them. It was the first time I had ever read anything like that and it shocked me but then I got used to it. Sure, I've seen "Philadelphia" and the dancing scene but I always figured that they're actors and it was part of their jobs to do stuff like that. Call me naive; I was. But this, the things in the book, happened to a real person, one who is a vivid part of my childhood memories. In many parts, I was crying, trying to picture what Greg's life must have been like all those years and how it hurt him-all the teasing, taunts, rumors and other things he must have endured. I think he has a lot of courage to come out and write this book; to me it shows a person who is confident of where he is now in life and wants others to accept him for who he is.

I'm glad I found this book in a remainder bin for four bucks, as I do NOT think it is worth [money] unless you are a serious fan of either Greg Louganis or Great Danes. It is primarily about Greg, Greg's dogs, Greg's life, Greg's opinions, with a sprinkling of brags to show what a really wonderful dog owner Greg is. I had hoped there would be a bit more on being a successful dog owner while having an often-debilitating chronic illness that could interfere with everyday dog care and training, but other than passing references to snuggling in bed with the dogs on bad days, there's little mention. Disappointing, as it had the potential to be a really good book.

Part 1: A Lifetime Committment
Part 2: The Joys and Pains of Puppyhood
Part 3: The Prime of Out Lives
Part 4: The Golden Years

I found that as I was reading the book, the author talked about his personal experiences on owing and raising dogs. While I did agree on most of his advice and tips, I didn't find this book very worthwhile to read. This book doesn't contain an index which I find useful in a book

If you don't mind reading a book where the author brags and talks about his experience on owning and rasing dogs, then you may like this book.
Some of the things he discusses:
Owning more than 1 dog
Chewing, barking, digging and other so-called behavior problems
Gromming
Discusses his pet peeves such as dogs running loose
Mutts vs. purebreeds
Puppies vs. older dogs
Discusses what to look for when choosing a dog
Devotes a chapter on preparing for a new puppy, what it needs, getting him/her on a routine etc.
Housetraining and longterm dog training
Dog health and well-being

As a shelter volunteer, when I read this I kept hearing my own voice...talking to people who were wanting to adopt dogs: gently and encouragingly explaining how they should choose a dog (not based upon looks or on their general understanding of a certain breed), how to train their dog in a positive fashion (not using an "I'll show you who is boss" attitude)...It's ALL here...EVERYTHING... everything that I explain over and over and over again as I try to educate potential adopters hoping some of it sticks, and as I try to find the VERY BEST match for "my" dogs. I really don't understand when people say this book is about Great Danes..I didn't get that AT ALL. Just because he uses his own dogs as examples and draws from his own experiences doesn't mean you can't generalize ALL of this material to other dogs, not to mention that there is a large section devoted to terriors (he owns a JRT) and to mixed breed dogs. The only shortcoming I found was the lack of information the absolute necessity of spaying and neutering. Breeding should be left to a very few professionals, and the rest of us need to spay and neuter...and I wish he had touched upon that issue more adamantly. Also, the way the book is layed out isn't really user friendly. It's more memoir style so that you might miss out on some really good ideas and tips that are buried in a paragraph of text. Other than that, this book is the perfect primer for new pet owners. I bought three copies -- one for myself, one for our shelter library, and one for a friend who was contemplating dog ownership.