Upcoming Conferences and Events
SBJ/July 25-31, 2011/People and Pop Culture
Executives and sports figures talk about what they’ll be reading on vacation this summer.
Published July 25, 2011, Page 42
SEAN MCMANUS
Chairman, CBS Sports
“SEAL Team Six: Memoirs of an Elite Navy SEAL Sniper,” by Howard Wasdin and Stephen Templin
Is there a more impressive group of men in the world?
“The Murder of the Century,” by Paul Collins
Tabloid wars between Joseph Pulitzer and William Randolph Hearst around a grisly murder in the Gilded Age. How bad can that be?
“Life,” by Keith Richards and James Fox
How can you not love Keith and what he’s been through?
“In the Garden of Beasts,” by Erik Larson
Story of an American family in Hitler’s Berlin. Fascinating period and terrifying events.
“The Grapes of Wrath,” by John Steinbeck
I committed to re-read one classic for every three books I read. English major’s guilt.
STEVE OBERT
VP of sales and marketing, US Road Sports
“A Short History of Nearly Everything,” by Bill Bryson
“Life,” by Keith Richards and James Fox
“Goodnight Moon,” by Margaret Wise Brown
My 3-year-old daughter’s favorite, this is a staple every night before she goes to sleep!
PAT CAVANAUGH
CEO, The Crons Brand
“Blue Ocean Strategy: How to Create Uncontested Market Space and Make Competition Irrelevant,” by W. Chan Kim and Renee Mauborgne
“Outliers: The Story of Success,” by Malcolm Gladwell
Reading a long collection of John Wooden books. I always enjoy reading and re-reading Coach Wooden in the summer. His approach to people, success and daily living, while always inspiring, seems best read in the summer.
LARRY WEIL
CMO, Branded Retail Energy Co.
“Content Rules: How to Create Killer Blogs, Podcasts, Videos, Ebooks, Webinars (and More) That Engage Customers and Ignite Your Business,” by Ann Handley and C.C. Chapman
Have to keep up with social media trends. I figure if someone is willing to lay it all out, I should take advantage of it.
“Windmill Networking: Understanding, Leveraging, and Maximizing LinkedIn,” by Neal Schaffer.
My current position is a direct result of opportunities developed using LinkedIn. Mastering this resource is a huge advantage.
“American Assassin,” by Vince Flynn
This is my first iPhone download of a book. It is a guilty pleasure about secret agents wreaking revenge on terrorists. Instead of dragging a hardcover around, it’s in my iPhone, so I have it with me on the plane.
HILL CARROW
CEO, Sports & Properties Inc.
“Those Guys Have All The Fun: Inside the World of ESPN,” by James Andrew Miller and Tom Shales
I actually go pretty far back with ESPN — over 26 years. I headed up the 1987 U.S. Olympic Festival in North Carolina, and ESPN was the U.S. Olympic Committee’s broadcaster for the Olympic Festivals. They gave us an amazing amount of coverage, 41 hours live, and they did a complete rebroadcast twice — 123 hours total! Mike Soltys was even the network’s communications director way back then (just like he is now)! Looking forward to getting the inside scoop.
“No Apology: Believe in America,” by Mitt Romney
I have been a big Mitt fan since working with him on the Salt Lake Games. I believe Mitt has what it takes to lead the country like he did the Games, and I look forward to reading more about his vision.
“The Race for the 2012 Olympics,” by Mike Lee
I was just having a conversation with Mike Lee at SportAccord in April, and I plan to spend time at the Summer Games in London next year, so this book seems like a natural.
“Swimming,” by Nicola Keegan
I am serving as co-meet director of the U.S. Masters Swimming National Championships in April next year, and I also plan to compete in the event, so this is the perfect summer beach book that will also get me inspired for my upcoming aquatic endeavors.
“Presenting to Win: The Art of Telling Your Story,” by Jerry Weissman
My staff recommended this book to me. They said the author has raised and made millions off great PowerPoint presentations. Since I have to make multiple PowerPoint presentations every single week (and my staff hints they could be even better), it sounds like a must read!
MARK MCENROE
Managing director, John McEnroe Tennis Academy
and Sportime Randall’s Island
“That Old Cape Magic,” by Richard Russo
Love all his novels.
“Last Dance,” by John Feinstein
Feinstein’s book on Final Fours
“World Without End,” by Ken Follett
Really trashy.
GARY ROBERTS
Dean and Gerald L. Bepko Professor of Law,
Indiana University School of Law - Indianapolis
The books I have been reading this summer so far are three novels by a writer named Nora Roberts (no relation) titled “Montana Sky,” “The Reef” and “The Search.” They are just well-written stories that have nothing to do with law and enable me to escape the real world for a bit. A fourth book I’ve been reading that is more relevant to my world is “Courting Justice,” by David Boies. It is Boies’ reflections about some of the major cases he has worked on (New York Yankees, Bush v. Gore, etc.). It is fairly light but very interesting reading.
BILL WEBSTER
VP of brand management, Sun Life Financial, U.S.
“The Help,” by Kathryn Stockett
“The Help” caught my attention — it’s such a compelling story and really puts a lot of things into perspective.
“The Family Fang,” by Kevin Wilson
This book is unique and you might even say somewhat bizarre, but that’s what makes it a great summer read. It really transports me away from my daily routine, which is nice every once in a while.
Return to top
Chairman, CBS Sports
 |
| McManus |
Is there a more impressive group of men in the world?
“The Murder of the Century,” by Paul Collins
Tabloid wars between Joseph Pulitzer and William Randolph Hearst around a grisly murder in the Gilded Age. How bad can that be?
“Life,” by Keith Richards and James Fox
How can you not love Keith and what he’s been through?
“In the Garden of Beasts,” by Erik Larson
Story of an American family in Hitler’s Berlin. Fascinating period and terrifying events.
“The Grapes of Wrath,” by John Steinbeck
I committed to re-read one classic for every three books I read. English major’s guilt.
STEVE OBERT
VP of sales and marketing, US Road Sports
 |
| Obert |
“Life,” by Keith Richards and James Fox
“Goodnight Moon,” by Margaret Wise Brown
My 3-year-old daughter’s favorite, this is a staple every night before she goes to sleep!
PAT CAVANAUGH
CEO, The Crons Brand
 |
| Cavanaugh |
 |
“Outliers: The Story of Success,” by Malcolm Gladwell
Reading a long collection of John Wooden books. I always enjoy reading and re-reading Coach Wooden in the summer. His approach to people, success and daily living, while always inspiring, seems best read in the summer.
LARRY WEIL
CMO, Branded Retail Energy Co.
 |
| Weil |
 |
Have to keep up with social media trends. I figure if someone is willing to lay it all out, I should take advantage of it.
“Windmill Networking: Understanding, Leveraging, and Maximizing LinkedIn,” by Neal Schaffer.
My current position is a direct result of opportunities developed using LinkedIn. Mastering this resource is a huge advantage.
“American Assassin,” by Vince Flynn
This is my first iPhone download of a book. It is a guilty pleasure about secret agents wreaking revenge on terrorists. Instead of dragging a hardcover around, it’s in my iPhone, so I have it with me on the plane.
HILL CARROW
CEO, Sports & Properties Inc.
 |
| Carrow |
I actually go pretty far back with ESPN — over 26 years. I headed up the 1987 U.S. Olympic Festival in North Carolina, and ESPN was the U.S. Olympic Committee’s broadcaster for the Olympic Festivals. They gave us an amazing amount of coverage, 41 hours live, and they did a complete rebroadcast twice — 123 hours total! Mike Soltys was even the network’s communications director way back then (just like he is now)! Looking forward to getting the inside scoop.
“No Apology: Believe in America,” by Mitt Romney
I have been a big Mitt fan since working with him on the Salt Lake Games. I believe Mitt has what it takes to lead the country like he did the Games, and I look forward to reading more about his vision.
 |
I was just having a conversation with Mike Lee at SportAccord in April, and I plan to spend time at the Summer Games in London next year, so this book seems like a natural.
“Swimming,” by Nicola Keegan
I am serving as co-meet director of the U.S. Masters Swimming National Championships in April next year, and I also plan to compete in the event, so this is the perfect summer beach book that will also get me inspired for my upcoming aquatic endeavors.
“Presenting to Win: The Art of Telling Your Story,” by Jerry Weissman
My staff recommended this book to me. They said the author has raised and made millions off great PowerPoint presentations. Since I have to make multiple PowerPoint presentations every single week (and my staff hints they could be even better), it sounds like a must read!
MARK MCENROE
Managing director, John McEnroe Tennis Academy
and Sportime Randall’s Island
 |
| McEnroe |
 |
 |
Love all his novels.
“Last Dance,” by John Feinstein
Feinstein’s book on Final Fours
“World Without End,” by Ken Follett
Really trashy.
GARY ROBERTS
Dean and Gerald L. Bepko Professor of Law,
Indiana University School of Law - Indianapolis
 |
 |
| Roberts |
BILL WEBSTER
VP of brand management, Sun Life Financial, U.S.
 |
| Webster |
 |
“The Help” caught my attention — it’s such a compelling story and really puts a lot of things into perspective.
“The Family Fang,” by Kevin Wilson
This book is unique and you might even say somewhat bizarre, but that’s what makes it a great summer read. It really transports me away from my daily routine, which is nice every once in a while.
