BIBLE, by God (any version). Spiritual life first. This book gives guidance on how to handle life’s questions and problems now and the promises of eternity.
UNBROKEN, by Laura Hillenbrand (Random House). An Olympic runner’s story of survival as a prisoner of the Japanese in World War II; now a movie.
ON MY OWN TWO FEET, by Amy Purdy with Michelle Burford (HarperCollins/William Morrow). The winner of a bronze medal in adaptive snowboarding in the 2014 United States Paralympic Games describes her comeback after childhood bacterial meningitis rendered her a double amputee with prosthetic legs.
POWER FORWARD, by Reggie Love (Simon & Schuster). The author graduated from from 2007 to 2011.
WRESTLING FOR MY LIFE, by Shawn Michaels with David Thomas (Zondervan). The high and low points of the life of the retired professional wrestler and W.W.E. personality.
BUSHCRAFT 101, by Dave Canterbury (Adams Media). A field guide to safety and self-reliance while reconnecting with nature.
YOU CAN’T MAKE THIS UP, by Al Michaels with L. Jon Wertheim (Morrow/HarperCollins). The veteran sportscaster, the voice of “Sunday Night Football,” recalls players and games he has observed.
JETER UNFILTERED, by Derek Jeter with Anthony Bozza (Jeter Publishing/Gallery Books). The former Yankees shortstop and captain looks back over his career, with photographs from his recently concluded final season, as well as older ones.
ANATOMY OF STRENGTH TRAINING, by Pat Manocchia (Thunder Bay Press). Five essential exercises to build muscle, minimize frustration and avoid injury.
THE ART OF MENTAL TRAINING – A GUIDE TO PERFORMANCE EXCELLENCE, by DC Gonzalez (GonzoLane Media). Peak performance coach DC Gonzalez teaches a blend of unique mental training technologies, sports psychology essentials, and peak performance methods that are effective and motivational.
THE CHAMPION’S MIND: HOW GREAT ATHLETES THINK, TRAIN AND THRIVE, by Jim Afremow (Rodale Books). The book explains how to get in a “zone,” thrive on a team, stay humble, how to progress within a sport and sustain long-term excellence, and chow to ustomizable pre-performance routines to hit full power.
ILLEGAL PROCEDURE, by Josh Luchs and James Dale (Bloomsbury USA). Discusses the dark corners of the collegiate world of football, how secret deals are made, who takes the risks, and needed changes in that world.
ORGANIZE NOW!, by Jennifer Ford Berry (North Light Books). Organization is key for athletes and this is a good primer. Berry’s book discusses the psychology of clutter as well as how to organize your mind, schedule including your cleaning schedule (if you have graduated from high school, it’s not mommy’s job anymore!), trip planning, move planning
NONPROFIT KIT FOR DUMMIES, by Stan Hutton and Frances Phillips (Wiley Publishing, Inc.). Beginners guide for those who interested in forming their own charity.
EVERY DAY I FIGHT, by Stuart Scott with Larry Platt (Blue Rider Press). A memoir about Stuart Scott.
EVERY TOWN IS A SPORTS TOWN, by George Bodenheimer. This is actually a memoir of ESPN and the journey of its president, Bodenheimer.
HOW TO SUCCEED AS A SPORTS AGENT, by Mel Stein (Pocket Essentials). A pocket guide that contains the down-to-earth information about becoming a sports agent.
WORLD WIDE RAVE, by David Meerman Scott (John Wiley & Sons, Inc.). A guide to using social media sites to create a marketing strategy to propel one’s brand.
DRESS CODE, by Toby Fischer-Mirkin (Clarkson Potter). A book to help the ladies to understand the history of clothes and to help them create the exact look for themselves for different occasions.
THIS BUSINESS OF MUSIC: MARKETING & PROMOTION, by Tad Lathrop (Billboard Books). A guide which teaches intelligent and innovative marketing and promotion strategies.
HOW TO GET IN FOOTBALL SHAPE: STRENGTH TRAINING, by Bert Hill (Cool Springs Press). This book is just what it says-a strength training guide with lots of photos and a dvd.
THE BUSINESS OF SPORTS AGENTS, SECOND EDITION, by Kenneth L. Shropshire and Timothy Davis (University of Pennsylvania Press). Shropshire and Davis layout the history of sports agency, the trends, and the current and hopefully, reforms to regulations and licensing of sports agents.
RUNNING FOR MY LIFE, by Warrick Dunn and Don Yaeger (HarperCollins). An autobiography discussing the life of Dunn, former Atlanta Falcons running back. He talks about his upbringing, raising his siblings after the shooting death of his mother (a police officer), his college days, his professional career and just a tiny bit of his charitable work.
HOW TO BUILD AND MANAGE AN ENTERTAINMENT LAW PRACTICE, by Gary Greenberg (American Bar Association). In-depth guide to starting a law practice in the entertainment business no matter which niche one decides to enter.
THE ATHLETE’S GUIDE TO SPONSORSHIP, by Jennifer Drury and Cheri Elliott (Velo Press). Step-by-step guide for anyone who is considering pursuing sponsorship for a team, athlete or an event.
CAREERS IN ENTERTAINMENT & SPORTS, by J.Michael Ribas (WetFeet).
CREDIBILITY, by James M. Kouzes and Barry Z. Posner (Jossey-Bass, Inc.). The book discusses credibility-the key to effective leadership.
IT’S HOW YOU PLAY THE GAME, by Brian Kilmeade (Harper Audio). Talks about moments in sports that help create lasting values to some of America’s best.
THE GAMES DO COUNT, by Brian Kilmeade (Harper Audio). Talks the lasting values that help propel some of America’s best.
THE ESSENCE OF BEING IN BALANCE, by Dr. Wayne W.Dyer (Hay House Audio). Dyer reveals the nine principles to help one balance one’s life.
HOW TO PLAY THE GAME: WHAT EVERY SPORTS ATTORNEY NEEDS TO KNOW, by Darren Heitner (American Bar Association). The text provides readers with an overview of sports law, a niche area of entertainment, by giving a practical, informative overview of the field including contract drafting, negotiation, antitrust issues, intellectual property matters, labor law concerns, the role of players’ associations, the power of sports commissioners, sports betting regulations and more.
WINNING WITH INTEGRITY, by Leigh Steinberg (Three Rivers Press). The book discusses how to a nice guy in the business of sports by honoring one’s values and finding clients with similar values without losing the war.
SWIM WITH THE SHARKS WITHOUT BEING EATEN ALIVE, by Harvey MacKay (MJF Books). Love this book. If you’re into “in the box” thinking, skip this one. MacKay gives details on a different approach to networking and enhancing business relationships.
BREAKFAST WITH THE SHARKS, by Michael Lent (Three Rivers Press). This book is about managing a screenwriting career with tips on juggling deals, choosing an agent, advice on trade associations and competitions, and industry publications.
ACCOUNTABLE, by Tavis Smiley & Stephanie Robinson (Atria Books). This books tackles the crucial issues in our society and how to hold our politicians and ourselves responsible in changing how we handle those issues.
THE ART OF GIVING, by Charles Bronfman & Jeffrey Solomon (Jossey Bass). This book is a resource for deciding the type of gift to give, tax implications, expectations of transparency and follow-up, and so forth.
FORTY MILLION DOLLAR SLAVES, by William C.Rhoden (Crown). Rhoden interprets what it means to be an African American professional athlete in society today.
CHANGE YOUR BRAIN, CHANGE YOUR BODY, by Daniel G.Amen, M.D. (Harmony Books). Dr.Amen is a clinical neuroscientist, psychiatrist, and brain imaging expert who also does research on the impact of concussions on the brain and the lives of those who experience them.
FOOTBALL SCOUTING METHODS, by Steve Belichick (Martino Publishing). This book shows the basic football talent scounting techniques.
MANAGING ORGANIZATIONS FOR SPORT AND PHYSICAL ACTIVITY, by Packianathan Chelladurai (Holcomb Hathaway). This is textbook is about planning, organizing, leading and evaluating organizations in the field of sports management.
PUBLIC RELATIONS: STRATEGIES AND TACTICS, by Dennis L. Wilcox, Glen T Cameron, Phillip Ault, & Warren K. Agee (Pearson Education). This is a study textbook that details the role, the process, the strategies that can be employed, and then offers a chance to apply the aforementioned.
HEART OF A CHAMPION, by Steve Riach with John Humphrey ( Broadman & Holman Publishers). This is a compilation of profiles in character of several athletes.
WHY WE WANT YOU TO BE RICH, by Donald J. Trump & Robert T. Kiyosaki (Rich Publishing). Both men wanted to join forces to help those willing to learn how to be financialy literate.
THE ELUSIVE FAN: REINVENTING SPORTS IN A CROWDED MARKETPLACE, by Irving Rein, Philip Kotler and Ben Shields (McGraw Hill). The most competitive marketplace is sports, and this book helps understand how to win the hearts of the fans.
CAREER COACH: MANAGING YOUR CAREER IN THE SPORTS INDUSTRY, by Shelly Field (Ferguson). In-depth guide in creating a game plan for a career in sports.
JUICY: CONFESSIONSOF A FORMER BASEBALL WIFE, by Jessica Canseco (Reagan Books/HarperCollins). Tell-all book by Jose Canseco’s former wife.
THE NEW RULES OF MARKETING & PR, by David Meerman Scott (Wiley). This book discusses forgetting the old public relations rules and incorporating the internet and social media into successful ways to communicate with one’s market.
KRAV MAGA, by David Kahn (St. Martin Press). It is a guide to empower and learn an important set of skills to protect oneself.
THE SCIENCE OF SUCCESS, by Wallace D. Wattles (Fall River Press).
AGAINST ALL ODDS I CAN BE, by Mo Stegall (Antdreren Publishing Group).
THE TOTAL MONEY MAKEOVER, by Dave Ramsey (Thomas Nelson). This is a financial workout to repair and/or prepare one for financial success.
AGAINST ALL ODDS I CAN BE, by Mo Stegall (Antdreren Publishing Group).
THE TOTAL MONEY MAKEOVER, by Dave Ramsey (Thomas Nelson). This is a financial workout to repair and/or prepare one for financial success.
I BEAT THE ODDS, by Michael Oher with Don Yaeger (Gotham Books). A memoir about the life of Michael Oher, offensive tackle for the Baltimore Ravens.
FREAKIN’ FABULOUS, by Clinton Kelly (Simon Spotlight Entertainment). Simple etiquette book for females AND males about entertaining, dressing, and decorating.
NOTHING TO LOSE, EVERYTHING TO GAIN, by Ryan Blair with Don Yaeger (Portfolio/Penguin). Blair shows how success is a choice and choosing the right mentors can make the difference between success and failure.
COMPLETE CONDITIONING FOR FOOTBALL, by Michael Arthur & Bryan Bailey (Human Kinetics).
IT’S NOT ABOUT THE POM-POMS, by Laura Vikmanis with Amy Sohn (Ballatine Books). This is a memoir about the NFL’s oldest cheerleader and single mom, Laura Vikmanis.
PRINCIPLES OF FOOTBALL, by John Heisman (Hill Street Press).
A SHARK NEVER SLEEPS, by Drew Rosenhaus with Don Yaeger and Jason Rosenhaus (Pocket Books). This is Drew’s memoir about his beginnings and rise as one of the top sports agents in the country.
MONEY PLAYERS, by Marc Isenberg (A-Game, LLC). A professional athlete’s guide on what to do and not to do while conducting his business life.
AN ATHLETE’S GUIDE TO AGENTS, by Robert H. Ruxin (Jones and Bartlett).
THE 5OTH LAW, by 50 Cent and Robert Greene (G-Units Books). The book is a memoir about the life of 50 Cent and how it applies the laws described in the Robert Greene’s books about waging war against one’s enemies.
THE LITTLE BOOK OF TALENT, by Daniel Coyle (Bantam Books). Coyle shares 52 tips to improving one’s talent to move toward success.
ENTERTAINMENT POWER PLAYERS, by Dackeyia Q. Sterling (KeyQuest Publishing). This is a list of contacts of various players within the variety of niches in the entertainment business.
FEDERAL ANTITRUST LAW: CASES AND MATERIALS, by Daniel J.Gifford and Leo J. Raskind (Anderson Law Publications). A textbook reviewing caselaw and commentary regarding antitrust issues.
THE WEALTH CHOICE, by Dennis Kimbro (Palgrave Macmillan). A guide for creating lasting financial prosperity.
LEAGUE OF DENIAL, by Mark Fainaru-Wada and Steve Fainaru (Crown Archetype). This is a story about concussions effects, the denial by the NFL and the journey the athletes and the League now find themselves traveling.