Nolan Ryan's Pitcher's Bible: The Ultimate Guide to Power, Precision, and Long-Term Performance

Bayless, a Texas sportswriter who has covered the Dallas Cowboys for 12 years, is well qualified to write a history of ``America's Team,'' a phrase used at one time admiringly but now sarcastically. And, although he appears to know where the bodies are buried, he is scrupulously fair. He concentrates on Landry, once a great coach, who failed to change with the times and who seemed more interested in God than in people; Gil Brandt, whose early use of computers made him the best drafter in the NFL, but who failed when computerized selection was utilized by all teams; and Tex Schramm, the general manager who hyped the team into a unique position, only to see reality catch up with the hype. No football fan will want to miss this one. (For another perspective, see review of Tom Landry: An Autobiography , Nonfiction Forecasts, June 29). Photos not seen by PW. (Aug.)