Revelations of a Ping-Pong Champion

I played competitive table tennis many years ago. I was a decent player, good enough to win my college intramural championship three years out of four but my rating peaked in the 1800's. During those years, in 1974, at age 18, I attended a week-long clinic held by Dan Seemiller in Berwick, PA. I learned a lot and enjoyed the week. Dan was a good coach and teacher. The highlight of the week was when we all got to play one game against Dan. He beat me 21-1. LOL, my only point came on an edge ball, and he nearly returned that, too.Reading the book was very enjoyable and brought back memories, as I saw a lot of those top players play at tournaments back in the day. It was interesting to learn more about Dan's career and I was happy to read that he is still helping young players develop their talent.I recommend the book to anyone who has been part of the table tennis scene in the last half century.

Danny Seemiller is America's most important table tennis player. His time as an elite competitor totals 45 years and counting. His years coaching is nearly the same, where he's helped beginner to expert individually, or as a team, whether it be local, national, World or Olympic. Directing tournaments and promoting the sport is another ongoing passion, mostly on the local and regional level but he's jumping to the international stage in 2018 after he and friend Dave Sakai spearheaded the bid to secure the World Veterans Championship for the USA. And for good measure, Seemiller led the USA Table Tennis Association as president from 1990 to 1995. That statement is the only one that requires the past tense.Now Seemiller has written a book that fulfills his title's promise of revelations. Even with 40 years in the game, there was plenty of new information to glean. He begins with his humble start in the South Hills of Pittsburgh and takes the reader on a national and international odyssey of modern table tennis from his perspective. His style is simple, direct and personal, switching between the third person reporter and first person narrator. He also mixes in published accounts and articles about himself, other players or the sport in general. And he gets in a few deserved digs against some of the bonehead decisions mad by Association officials that directly affected his career. There's even a jab or two against opponents and he lands a nice one on a Hollywood celebrity. There are ample photographs to highlight the narrative. A number of them picture the Seemiller family.Table tennis is a small game literally and figuratively and that aspect of the sport affords its participants a wonderful benefit: we are all on tour together, there is no separate circuit for the elite. From champions like Seemiller all the way down to the unrated, we play the game in the same venue and we share the competitive memories. If you think this is a friend promoting a friend's book, you would be wrong. This is a player just like you, who has been an eye witness to many of the author's accomplishments and many of the events he describes. While his story may transcend ours, it also contains it and that makes it all the more rewarding to read.

I very much enjoyed this book. The news articles throughout the book sometimes duplicated the information in the text but the articles did add extra information. I have known Danny since 1980 and played him several times in singles and doubles over the past 36 years. This book gives many behind the scenes accounts of what really happens at tournaments. The money is not great in table tennis and this gives a great account of how Danny scrapped together a professional table tennis career of 44 years and counting. There is also a short section of notes that Danny has used for many years in his coaching clinics included in the book which is worth more than the price of the book alone. This book will also give the aspiring player a sense of the ups and downs associated with progressing throughout a table tennis career. So do yourself a favor and buy the book. Reviewed by Ty Hoff.

Love the book. Love and know the author. He's been the single greatest influence in my professional life. I'm an acting coach in Los Angeles with a rather large following.I strive to be for them the coach and mentor Danny was for me when I was lucky enough to be attending his camps, crashing at his house in Pittsburgh, enjoying Val's amazing cooking.Danny remains one of my favorite people on Earth and this book is a great representation of his legacy.Highly recommend. Easy 5 stars.Well done.Go South Bend Juniors!

An honest, fascinating look at the life and career of America's greatest table tennis champion. Danny takes you on an incredible behind the scenes journey from his humble beginnings in Pittsburgh to becoming world ranked in both singles and doubles (even beating the Chinese in doubles at the World Championships with his brother Ricky as his partner), to his life today. I couldn't put it down!

Excelente......

I highly recommend this book. The stories I've heard from players and fans over the years about Dan Seemiller left me wondering and wanting to know more about this legend of a man, who I've only known for a small part of his inspirational life. Danny's own account of his life adventures and achievements was a real pleasure to read.

What can I say, I've heard the stories around the gym...his funky serves...his namesake grip...all the championships...now I've read all about how this kid from the Midwest became the legend. By far my favorite parts are the incredible detail he delivers on points or matches he played decades ago. I'm getting mine signed the next time I see him.