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The Sportsman
Now in his 11th season in the NFL, Dhani Jones has had an unusually long career for a football player. Just a few years ago, however, Dhani thought his playing days were over. Cut by the Eagles and the Saints, he was at a professional crossroads. When the Bengals called, though, he was more than ready and in the best shape of his life. And for that, he credits his off-se
Hardcover, 280 pages
Published
June 7th 2011
by Rodale Books
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Jul 29, 2012
Karen morsecode
added it
I need to open my comments on The Sportsman with the admission that I did not finish the book. Regular readers will be aware that I prefer fiction to nonfiction and that I don't often post about memoirs or sports-related books. Lest any of you think that my preferences yielded to bias against The Sportsman, I submit this confession: I am a huge Dhani Jones fan. When Time Warner dropped the Travel Channel from our Buffalo cable package, Dhani Tackles the Globe is the show I mourned the most. If a...more
The fact that this book fit into 9 of my "shelves" on goodreads should be an indicator that it was a book I was designed to like. An intellectual maven and pro linebacker who loves world travel and culture - pretty much captures all of my love but chocolate.
I like what I have seen of Dhani Jones, most especially because he refuses to be limited by other's perspectives and expectations. I enjoy Dhani Jones Tackles the Globe immensely - I actually generally watch it while slogging through long run...more
I like what I have seen of Dhani Jones, most especially because he refuses to be limited by other's perspectives and expectations. I enjoy Dhani Jones Tackles the Globe immensely - I actually generally watch it while slogging through long run...more
I read this book as one of the many books I have checked out to help me find some inspiration, great quotes, food for thought, and just working on finding examples of being GETTING IT DONE(my new blog post series and hopefully future book).
I enjoyed this book. I pulled out some good quotes and ideas from Dhani Jones as he discusses his life as a professional football player and also pursuing his other passions in life. He is trying to make a statement that there is more to him than just football...more
I enjoyed this book. I pulled out some good quotes and ideas from Dhani Jones as he discusses his life as a professional football player and also pursuing his other passions in life. He is trying to make a statement that there is more to him than just football...more
A few years ago, I watched several episodes of “Dhani Tackles the Globe” and thought it was a great idea for a show. In each episode, NFL linebacker Dhani Jones would travel to a new country, learn the local sport for a week, and the compete in a game or match or whatever the sport required. Some of the things Dhani tried included a surf lifesaving competition in Australia, a strongman competition in Iceland, and muay Thai in Thailand. The show was a clever move for the Travel Channel, and appar...more
This guy loves himself but he's engaging and heartfelt. I thoroughly enjoyed reading his take on life and sports as well as his many adventures. Come to find out he currently lives near me and I've run by his house. We also grew up in Montgomery County, Maryland too. He was born the year I graduated from college. I'm feeling old. He's no longer playing football and he was never your typical football player. I missed out on his TV shows thanks to my greedy cable company removing the Travel Channe...more
I never heard of Dhani Jones or the show "Dhani Tackles the World." I read the book because I thought it might be good non-fiction for high school students.
I' m more accustomed to sports biographies in which the sportsman overcomes cancer or drug addiction. Dhani's big conflict seems to be convincing people how wonderful he is. I wonder how kids would interpret his world class vanity. He skims over his world travels in a very superficial way, through the lens of his sports competitions in each...more
I' m more accustomed to sports biographies in which the sportsman overcomes cancer or drug addiction. Dhani's big conflict seems to be convincing people how wonderful he is. I wonder how kids would interpret his world class vanity. He skims over his world travels in a very superficial way, through the lens of his sports competitions in each...more
The actual book didn't match my hopes for it. I love Dhani Jones' TV show (Dhani Tackles the Globe) and I thought this book promised to be really engaging and insightful, based on the synopsis I read. It was...well, just OK.
And it's sort of sad that I had a HUGE crush on Dhani Jones when I opened the book and, truthfully, the more I read the less charming he seemed.
Kind of like when you're checking out a really hot guy across the room and then suddenly he lights a cigarette. Not horrifying or an...more
And it's sort of sad that I had a HUGE crush on Dhani Jones when I opened the book and, truthfully, the more I read the less charming he seemed.
Kind of like when you're checking out a really hot guy across the room and then suddenly he lights a cigarette. Not horrifying or an...more
The basic biography line is good. Dhani Jones uses whatever is thrown at him to his advantage and to better himself. However, my one big beef with this book took it down 2 notches to a 3-star rating. On page 29, Dhani says this about wearing bow ties. "I wear one because I aspire to be an upstanding man of sophistication." Okay, if that's what you really want to be - an upstanding man of sophistication - then CLEAN UP YOUR FOUL LANGUAGE!!!
Uggghhhh....this is so irritating! Here we have a person...more
Uggghhhh....this is so irritating! Here we have a person...more
Posted on Book Chelle.
Dhani Jones caught my eye when he played for the Eagles. There was something about him that just stood out. Maybe it was his confidence. Maybe it was even his unique look. Either way, there was something about him that had me remembering his name.
When Dhani Jones became a host to his own show, Dhani Tackles the Globe, on the Travel Channel, I had to watch it. Let me tell you, it was not your average travel show. He took travelling to another level and tied it in with athle...more
Dhani Jones caught my eye when he played for the Eagles. There was something about him that just stood out. Maybe it was his confidence. Maybe it was even his unique look. Either way, there was something about him that had me remembering his name.
When Dhani Jones became a host to his own show, Dhani Tackles the Globe, on the Travel Channel, I had to watch it. Let me tell you, it was not your average travel show. He took travelling to another level and tied it in with athle...more
I'll admit, I am not a football fan and I wouldn't have even had a clue who Dhani Jones was if I wasn't a fan of the travel channel. Although I never watched his show, I now find myself wishing I had, because I want to learn more about these sports he participated in and learned about while traveling around the world.
The book is easy to read, and often presented in a conversational tone. Jones discusses how his travels and experiences in the many sports improved his conditioning for football. In...more
The book is easy to read, and often presented in a conversational tone. Jones discusses how his travels and experiences in the many sports improved his conditioning for football. In...more
I received this book as a Goodread's giveaway. I was excited to read this book, I have seen a couple of episodes of his show, and he grew up in my husband's neighborhood (a few years older than Dhani, my husband remembers him as a pipsqueak). I really enjoyed this book. I am not at all interested in football, but I enjoy travel, and Dhani's voice in this book drew me in. I found it to be a quick and easy read, it had depth, and I think for an athlete, it would be inspirational, especially one wh...more
Being a Bengals fan I had to read this book. I have also been a huge fan of "Dhani Tackles The Globe" on the Travel Channel. This book was a great mix of Dhani's struggles in the NFL through multiple teams and finding his place off the field as well. The majority of this book goes behind the scenes in his travels to places all over the world. Being an avid viewer of the show I did find a lot of this to be reiteration of what I had watched but there was a healthy mix of new material and "behind t...more
Since I didn't watch the TV show, I wasn't sure what to expect with this book. I was really looking for a book that my son (who plays high school football) might enjoy.
What a pleasant surprise. This was an easy read full of inspirational messages, funny commentary and a look into other cultures. I really enjoyed the book. I liked that Dhani didn't get to football the typical route - playing from a small child and that's all you dream about and he came from an environment of education. Even his m...more
What a pleasant surprise. This was an easy read full of inspirational messages, funny commentary and a look into other cultures. I really enjoyed the book. I liked that Dhani didn't get to football the typical route - playing from a small child and that's all you dream about and he came from an environment of education. Even his m...more
Interesting book with a nice layout that kept me captivated. It was an easy read to burn through. I admit I am biased with this book because I find Dhani extremely intriguing. If you have no idea who he is then read the book to get a great in-depth look to who he is.
Considering that I'm totally not into sports, this book was surprisingly good. Dhani is an intellectual NFL'er who had a show where he's travel the world to explore different cultures and try his hand at their sports. It's a light, energizing read.
Enjoyable read (especially if you liked his show). Dhani seems to be a pretty well grounded person with a good perspective. I enjoyed his perspective on the different places, cultures and adventures.
A quick read. I read this over a weekend. Interesting look behind a TV show. Not as much about football as I was expecting.
Given that the title includes the word "lessons," I guess a little bit of preachiness was to be expected. I'm not sure it was really necessary to spell out the moral of each experience, but I guess Jones really wanted to make sure we got the points ;) Interesting stories of Jones' travels in conjuction with the TV show, his time with the Bengals and other NFL teams, and his life growing up. Everything is delivered in brief bursts, no time to get bored with any one concept/story. The little "note...more
Some interesting observations, too much testosterone in other parts of the book. Jones has done some cool things.
I like Dhani Jones as a football player & when he had his program "Dhani Tackles the Globe" we got hooked on watching it! This book is telling about how he came to be involved with this tv series & I really enjoyed it! He sounds like he is a good person, not so much as you see other big name celebrity athletes. He has a good head on his shoulders & alot of sense. It's too bad the series has been cut after two seasons. The book has more insight as to his thoughts on all the countries...more
Jun 23, 2011
Jesse Camacho
is currently reading it
Looking forward to start reading this book tonight...
He's a great tv host but a terrible writer.
Wasn't impressed with the structure, but appreciate his story and his personal thoughts about each of his experiences. Talk about traveled!
Sportsman reads as personal transcript to Dhani Jones' show Dhani Tackles the Globe, a show which I really enjoyed. Reading extra dialogue to Dhani's trips and life on and off the football feel made this a quick read. There are few things that are obvious: He's a different cat indeed. He's really thinks highly of himself (Which is cool. Everyman should within reason and Jones seems to do this.)He loves the hell out of life.
I had first seen Dhani on his television show, and then started to cheer for him on the Bengals. So, I'm definitely a fan. I thought he was great before, but now I'm even more of a fan. I really enjoyed this book. Not only did you get to learn more about him and his life in the NFL, but you also got some behind the scenes info about his show. Would definitely recommend!
I received this book as a Goodread's giveaway.
I was instantly charmed by Dhani when I saw his show on the Travel Channel. He's got a unique voice, and that comes through in his writing as well. I think anyone interested in sports and travel will enjoy this read. Dhani demonstrates that "sportsmen" are much more than what we see on the field and in the pages of magazines.
I was instantly charmed by Dhani when I saw his show on the Travel Channel. He's got a unique voice, and that comes through in his writing as well. I think anyone interested in sports and travel will enjoy this read. Dhani demonstrates that "sportsmen" are much more than what we see on the field and in the pages of magazines.
Meh. This book was basically him bragging about his life in a really unattractive way. He took every opportunity to tell us how he wasn't a stereotype and he was well-rounded, but he just came across as insecure and needy. I gave it two stars because even though he was kind of irritating, his adventures themselves were interesting.
Won this book on a Goodreads First Read Giveaway.
I've never seen his show but Dhani Jones seems like a cool enough guy but Literary Genius is definitely not a term I would use to describe him. He wrote the way I would imagine a 15-year old boy to write a book. If you're a fan of his and/or his show, then it's worth a read.
I've never seen his show but Dhani Jones seems like a cool enough guy but Literary Genius is definitely not a term I would use to describe him. He wrote the way I would imagine a 15-year old boy to write a book. If you're a fan of his and/or his show, then it's worth a read.
Great concept for book. Even liked his approach to dealing with peoples perceptions and stereotypes. But somehow the book kind of fell flat.
Fantastic book, you're never to old to learn...and I love that someone Dhani's age is so sage, but so real. Love this book!
| topics | posts | views | last activity | |
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| South Asian Liter...: "The Sportsman" by Dhani Jones | 1 | 7 | Jun 28, 2011 02:43pm |
DHANI JONES is defensive captain for the Cincinnati Bengals and the host of his own show, Dhani Tackles the Globe, on the Travel Channel. He also hosts In the Zone with Dhani Jones, a regular TV segment for WKRC, Cincinnatis local CBS affiliate."
More about Dhani Jones...
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Jul 26, 2012 12:17pm