Joe Cox

Ryan Clark

Each book in this series provides the best of the best of a particular sports team, indentifying the personalities, events and facts every fan should know--including numbers, nicknames, memorable moments, singular achievements and signature plays--as well as the top things fans should see and do. Original.

100 Things Wildcats Fans Should Know & Do Before They Die

The long-standing rivalry between the Kentucky Wildcats and the Louisville Cardinals is one of the most heated in college basketball. Facing off against each other on the court for over a century, the intrastate rivalry became red-hot over thirty years ago when the two faced each other in 1983 NCAA tournament, and Louisville narrowly edged out the Wildcats to advance to the Elite Eight. The heat hasn’t died down since ’83; in fact, the animosity between the two has only gotten stronger, with numerous face-offs—both on and off the court. In Fightin’ Words, Joe Cox and Ryan Clark expertly narrate the blow-by-blows of all the most important moments in the history of the Kentucky-Louisville rivalry. Fightin’ Words, first published in 2014 and now newly updated in paperback, covers the hundred-plus year span of the feud. From the twelve games played prior to the fated 1983 meeting, to the Wildcat-Cardinal meet-up in the Final Four round of 2014 NCAA tournament, and every game in between through the 2014-15 season, all the games covered include insightful pregame evaluation, commentary on the games’ most important plays, and expert postgame analysis, along with interviews from key players. From off the court, read how Louisville coach Denny Crum craftily out-recruited Kentucky coach Joe Hall or the athletes in inner-city Louisville; discover a blow-by-blow of Hall of Fame coach Rick Pitino’s move from the Wildcats to the Cardinals; and learn how John Calipari transformed a losing Kentucky team into NCAA Champions. With individual chapters chronicling every meet-up, Fightin’ Words is a must-have for every true fan of college basketball. Skyhorse Publishing, as well as our Sports Publishing imprint, are proud to publish a broad range of books for readers interested in sports—books about baseball, pro football, college football, pro and college basketball, hockey, or soccer, we have a book about your sport or your team. Whether you are a New York Yankees fan or hail from Red Sox nation; whether you are a die-hard Green Bay Packers or Dallas Cowboys fan; whether you root for the Kentucky Wildcats, Louisville Cardinals, UCLA Bruins, or Kansas Jayhawks; whether you route for the Boston Bruins, Toronto Maple Leafs, Montreal Canadiens, or Los Angeles Kings; we have a book for you. While not every title we publish becomes a New York Times bestseller or a national bestseller, we are committed to publishing books on subjects that are sometimes overlooked by other publishers and to authors whose work might not otherwise find a home.

Kentucky vs. Louisville

Fightin' Words

Interviews the players of the Kentucky Wildcats and gets their thoughts on some of the biggest games of their Wildcats career.

Memorable Stories of Wildcats Basketball

Game of My Life Kentucky Wildcats

Over 100 years ago, the University of Kentucky and the University of Louisville met for the first time on the basketball court. Over thirty years ago, the intra-state rivals faced each other in the original “Dream Game.” Fightin’ Words will have the inside stories of these games and others from the rivalry, including a discussion of how Louisville coach Denny Crum out-recruited Joe B. Hall for the athletes in inner city Louisville; how Rick Pitino won the city back for UK, then left to become Cardinal coach; how John Calipari brought UK back on top of the rivalry and the basketball world, and much more. The book covers everything from the 12 games between the rivals before the 1983 game, the buildup to the 1983 game and how it finally became an annual rivalry, and then individual chapters for the 31 UK/UL games since. Each chapter contains pre-game analysis, full-game coverage, and postgame discussion, with firsthand interviews from major players involved on both sides. The authors reveal the effects of each game on both teams as well as the history of college basketball. No matter your allegiance, this is a book for the shelf of any fan of college basketball. Skyhorse Publishing, as well as our Sports Publishing imprint, are proud to publish a broad range of books for readers interested in sports—books about baseball, pro football, college football, pro and college basketball, hockey, or soccer, we have a book about your sport or your team. Whether you are a New York Yankees fan or hail from Red Sox nation; whether you are a die-hard Green Bay Packers or Dallas Cowboys fan; whether you root for the Kentucky Wildcats, Louisville Cardinals, UCLA Bruins, or Kansas Jayhawks; whether you route for the Boston Bruins, Toronto Maple Leafs, Montreal Canadiens, or Los Angeles Kings; we have a book for you. While not every title we publish becomes a New York Times bestseller or a national bestseller, we are committed to publishing books on subjects that are sometimes overlooked by other publishers and to authors whose work might not otherwise find a home.

Chris Kanyon

A rare glimpse not only into the life of a professional wrestler, but the life of a gay man in a straight world, this tragic memoir is told in Chris Kanyon's own words, with the help of journalist Ryan Clark. One of the most popular wrestlers of the late 1990s, Kanyon kept his personal life private from his fans until finally revealing his biggest secret in 2004: he was gay. Going through the various roles that Kanyon played, both in the ring and out of it, as well as his battle with manic depression, this book explores the factors that led to his suicide in 2010. In his voice and the way he wanted it told, these are Kanyon's last words about his experience rising through the ranks to the top of the professional wrestling world while keeping his sexuality hidden.

The Life and Mind of Chris Kanyon Wrestling's Gay Superstar

Wrestling Reality

Kanyon wrestled for nine years in the WCW and WWE, until he came out as the sport's first active, openly gay professional wrestler. This book focuses on Kanyon's struggles to keep his sexuality a secret from his wrestling peers and the building of a WWE wrestler.

In and Out of the Ring

Who Better Than Kanyon?

The University of Kentucky men’s basketball program is the winningest in the history of the sport, and this book explores those wins along with the personalities, events, and facts that any and every Wildcats fan should know. Wildcats stars from more than a century of success are highlighted, including Louie Dampier, Pat Riley, Sam Bowie, Jamal Mashburn, Antoine Walker, Walter McCarty, Travis Ford, and Brandon Knight. The team’s colorful coaches are also profiled, including championship winners Adolph Rupp, Joe B. Hall, Rick Pitino, and Tubby Smith. It takes years of franchise history and highlights the absolute best and most compelling moments, identifying the personalities, events, and facts that have all come together to make Kentucky the powerhouse that it is. Wildcats fans will read about all of this and more, including some of the long-standing traditions that surround this storied club and the necessary mainstays to participate in, making this something that any Wildcats fan will enjoy.

Dan Issel

The University of Kentucky men's basketball program is the winningest in the history of the sport, and this lively guide explores those victories along with the personalities, events, and facts that any and every Wildcats fan should know. Influential players from more than a century of success are highlighted, including Louie Dampier, Jamal Mashburn, John Wall, Anthony Davis, and Karl-Anthony Towns. The team's colorful coaches are also profiled. Covering important dates, behind-the-scenes tales, memorable moments, and must-do activities, this is the ultimate resource guide for all Kentucky faithful.

Tony Delk

The essential collection of activities and experiences for all Wildcats fanatics Even the most die-hard Wildcats fans haven't done everything there is to experience in and around Lexington. From ordering the infamous breadstick at Joe Bologna's Restaurant to visiting the Joe Craft Center, this book provides ideas, recommendations, and insider tips for must-see places and can't-miss activities near campus. But not every experience requires a trip to Lexington; long-distance Wildcats fans can cross some items off their list from the comfort of their own homes. Whether you're attending every home game or supporting the Wildcats from afar, there's something for every fan to do in The Kentucky Wildcat Fans' Bucket List.

The Kentucky Wildcats Fans' Bucket List

How much would you sacrifice for love? That's the question one man is forced to answer as the sins of men eons earlier start to take their toll on all of existence and the fate of life is to be judged by the heart and compassion of man. There was a mistake made long ago. A mistake that is too late to change or take back, and if fate was to take its course, oblivious to consequence or morality, this mistake, would bring about what all cultures commonly fear...the end of the world, a cease to all living existence throughout the galaxy; the apocalypse. Now, in a world where love is scarce and hate runs wild, one man is sent on an incredible journey to answer the question; how much would you sacrifice for love? Rysqo, the Black Dragon not only stimulates your imagination, but it challenges your sense of reality. RBD has been described as the ultimate love story, one in which sacrifice of life and love are equally valued. A decision does need to be made though; one man's love, or the continuance of existence?

Ryan Clark

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