Product Description
Ping-pong, played in every corner of the world by over 250 million people, cast a hypnotic spell on Jerome Charyn's imagination early on. Sizzling Chops and Devilish Spins portrays the great pongistes, from Ruth Aaron, the Ginger Rogers of table tennis, to writer Henry Miller. From ping-pong detente in China to the underground bars of New York, the playlands of Las Vegas, and the convention centers of Florida, Charyn details the sport's history while passionately arguing for its benefits in combating aging-related depression. The book includes photographs of ping-pong's champions. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (4)

OK reading.Little new.
Jerome Charyn is a good writer and also a table tennis lover.He writes about the sport with many colorful analogies and clever expressions, sometimes using French without translating it.For me, it got a bit tiring, but it could be enjoyable if you like his creative writing style.

Much of the book is rehashing of the stuff in Marty Reisman's "The Money Player" and Tim Boggan's books.But Jerome also interviewed many people for the book and adds new perspectives to some well known figures in the sport from these interviews.

I noticed an occasional mistake in the book, but not many.It is mostly well researched.

Good book for students of table tennis history
I checked this book out expecting it to be an instructional book of table tennis.Nevertheless, I proceeded to read beyond the first few pages of the book and was enveloped in a different side of table tennis that I have never looked into before.

For a person who would like an instructional book, "Sizzling Chops and Devilish Spins," is not going to be the right book for you, but if you would like to read a book filled with witty anecdotes and info about the greatest players of all times (e.g. Dick Miles, Marty Reisman...etc) then this book should not be overlooked.

Dont let the title fool you
THIS BOOK DOES NOT TEACH ANY PING PONG PLAYING SKILLS.Do not buy this book if you want to know HOW to do Sizzling Chops and Devilish Spins.

This book only talks about older famous people who used to play ping pong.This book is not instructional AT ALL.I almost bought this POS thinking it would help me with my loops/counter loops and forehand chops, but luckily I looked inside it before I went to the register or I would have been really[mad]...

A Gem of a Book
Delving into this book is like opening the lid of a treasure chest.It's filled with gems of information about a forgotten era when ping-pong was in its heyday in the borough of Manhattan--at a spot called Lawrence's Broadway Courts.There played the biggest names in table tennis from around the world and produced such U.S. champions as Marty Reisman and Dick Miles.

But the best part of the book is the delightful writing of Jerome Charyn.His sentences are so interesting and evocative that I couldn't stop reading it once I began.You actually look forward to picking up where you left off.If you've ever picked up a paddle and found yourself hooked, or if you are any kind of paddle or raquet sport enthusiast, this book is a must buy. ... Read more

Product Description
Describes the ball games of the Olympic Games and previews the athletic competition at the 2000 Summer Olympics in Sydney, Australia. ... Read more

Product Description
Author's historical thesis of the role of women in China, the development of sports, and in particular the history and development of table tennis in China and their Olympic participation and history. ... Read more

Product Description
Ping-pong, played in every corner of the world by over 250 million people, cast a hypnotic spell on Jerome Charyn's imagination early on. Sizzling Chops and Devilish Spins portrays the great pongistes, from Ruth Aaron, the Ginger Rogers of table tennis, to writer Henry Miller. From ping-pong detente in China to the underground bars of New York, the playlands of Las Vegas, and the convention centers of Florida, Charyn details the sport's history while passionately arguing for its benefits in combating aging-related depression. The book includes photographs of ping-pong's champions. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (4)

OK reading.Little new.
Jerome Charyn is a good writer and also a table tennis lover.He writes about the sport with many colorful analogies and clever expressions, sometimes using French without translating it.For me, it got a bit tiring, but it could be enjoyable if you like his creative writing style.

Much of the book is rehashing of the stuff in Marty Reisman's "The Money Player" and Tim Boggan's books.But Jerome also interviewed many people for the book and adds new perspectives to some well known figures in the sport from these interviews.

I noticed an occasional mistake in the book, but not many.It is mostly well researched.

Good book for students of table tennis history
I checked this book out expecting it to be an instructional book of table tennis.Nevertheless, I proceeded to read beyond the first few pages of the book and was enveloped in a different side of table tennis that I have never looked into before.

For a person who would like an instructional book, "Sizzling Chops and Devilish Spins," is not going to be the right book for you, but if you would like to read a book filled with witty anecdotes and info about the greatest players of all times (e.g. Dick Miles, Marty Reisman...etc) then this book should not be overlooked.

Dont let the title fool you
THIS BOOK DOES NOT TEACH ANY PING PONG PLAYING SKILLS.Do not buy this book if you want to know HOW to do Sizzling Chops and Devilish Spins.

This book only talks about older famous people who used to play ping pong.This book is not instructional AT ALL.I almost bought this POS thinking it would help me with my loops/counter loops and forehand chops, but luckily I looked inside it before I went to the register or I would have been really[mad]...

A Gem of a Book
Delving into this book is like opening the lid of a treasure chest.It's filled with gems of information about a forgotten era when ping-pong was in its heyday in the borough of Manhattan--at a spot called Lawrence's Broadway Courts.There played the biggest names in table tennis from around the world and produced such U.S. champions as Marty Reisman and Dick Miles.

But the best part of the book is the delightful writing of Jerome Charyn.His sentences are so interesting and evocative that I couldn't stop reading it once I began.You actually look forward to picking up where you left off.If you've ever picked up a paddle and found yourself hooked, or if you are any kind of paddle or raquet sport enthusiast, this book is a must buy. ... Read more

Product Description
In Tennis, a chop stroke is a shot where the angle towards the player and behind the racquet, made by the line of flight of the ball, and the racquet travelling down across it, is greater than 0 degrees. The racquet face passes slightly outside the ball and down the side, chopping it, as a man chops wood. The spin and curve is from right to left. It is made with a stiff wrist.

The slice shot merely reduced the angle mentioned fromfeet long from baseline to net. There are only two places in a tennis court that a tennis player should be to await the ball....


Download "A Guide ToBetter Tennis" Now! ... Read more

Product Description
To find out what a delightful game lawn tennis is, read the 65-page eBook, “Lawn Tennis Explained.” As its name suggests, the eBook explains the rules of lawn tennis in a very simple and interesting manner. Through this amazing book, you can not only learn how to play this fascinating game, but also to improve your techniques. The book is a must read for all who are interested in lawn tennis.

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We are dedicated to providing our customers with cutting edge information with the latest and most popular ebooks & hot topics at very affordable prices. Our mission is to create positive change in your life. We carry hundreds of unique titles including "Literary Classics" under many categories for your convenience. Please click on the name "Manuel Ortiz Braschi" at the top of the page, next to the title, or write "Manuel Ortiz Braschi" at the search box and you will be taken to our main page in Amazon, where you will be able to check all the interesting, unique and informative titles that we carry at Amazon Kindle. ... Read more

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Hank thought that getting through summer school to get to thefifth grade would be hard enough, but little did he know that itwould get worse! Everyone in the fifth grade is starting to focus ona sport—and they’re really good. Everyone, that is, except Hank.When Papa Pete suggests that Hank take up Ping-Pong, he decidesto give it a try but keeps it top secret, as he thinks the other kidswill tease him about it not being a "real" sport. Hank is so good thathe manages to Ping-Pong his way to the championship! But whenhe finds out the contest is being held at "Nick the Tick" McKelty’sfamily bowling alley, will he risk being the laughingstock of thefifth grade? ... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

another in a good kids series
my 11 yr old 5th gr daughter is a devoted Hank Zipzer fan; she had read thru #7 & wanted the next few in the series for her Dec bday/Christmas; these are quick easy reads for her, but very enjoyable; I even like when she reads out loud to me; they help her better understand her Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) & learning disabilities (LD) in a fun way; Henry Winkler turned his negative childhood experiences into a positive thing for his children & ours

Zipzer hits back
What do you do when you discover you love something but most people do not understand it, or they think it is lame? Well if you're Hank Zipzer you try to hide it. It's the beginning of the 5th grade and Hank has joined the soccer team, but he's not very good, and does not really enjoy it. Then his grandfather takes him to a Ping-Pong Emporium, and not only does Hank like it, he can actually see some skill developing. But when he tries to feel out his friends on the subject of Ping-Pong they leave the impression it is lame, and the school bully McKelty mocks it the most. So he tries to hide his newfound love of the sport Ping-Pong.

Unfortunately he loves Ping-Pong so much he keeps skipping soccer practice to play; when his father finds out he gets a big lecture. His father lets him know he does not think Ping-pong is a real sport and he is disappointed in Hank for letting his soccer team down by not following through on his commitment.

The story comes to a head when at PS 87's Parade of Athletes, McKelty mocks a kindergarten kid about Ping-Pong and makes him cry. Little Sam Chin will try again if Hank will play with him, but to do so will be to admit his love for the sport. Can he overcome his fear of ridicule? Can he change his father's attitude about Ping-Pong? Can he rise above and help Sam? Read and find out why being a Ping-Pong wizard helps Hank with more than just developing hand-eye co-ordination.

Henry Winkler does it again
Another excellent addition to the Hank Zipzer collection. Any child will be sure to relate to Hank's excitement of learning and succeeding at a new sport, as well as his apprehensiveness of telling his friends for fear of their reaction. Your child will be cheering for Hank all the way as you read of his finally telling his friends of his new talent, his getting to see that bully Nick McKelty put in his place, and then seeing Hank get his chance to show off his talent to his friends, teachers, and parents.Looking forward to book #10... ... Read more