BOOKS THREAD

I found a used-book box at K-mart the other day and paid a buck for "Striking Out" a Billy Baggs novel by Will Weaver. It's a baseball book, and it's simple, and it's pretty good. It reminds me in a small way of "Box Socials" by WP Kinsella.

This is what the back of the book says: "Up until now, Billy Baggs's life has been loaded with nevers. Never been to a movie. Never played baseball with a real team. Never got over feeling guilty for the loss of his brother. But change is in the air. Billy discovers he has a natural talent for baseball, especially as a pitcher. Maybe, just maybe, there's more in store for hiim than life on the farm. But can Billy confince his father of that? Or is he destined to spend the rest of his life pitching nothing but hay?"

The writing is simple, but it flows. Update when I'm done.

 

Probably noted already:

The Miracle of St. Anthony's by Adrian W.

Nice job A.W. Well done hoops.

 

Anyone hear anything about "The Mind of Bill James : How a Complete Outsider Changed Baseball" by Scott Gray? I wonder how it compares to other works about James, given how Gray is a music guy, doing works on Shania Twain and Alan Jackson - oh, and Jewel as well as Faith Hill/Tim McGraw. So it seems a bit out of left field. But he was also editor to several Street and Smith publications, so it makes me wonder.

 

I've been able to read several great yarns lately, thanks to this thread. The Leahy book on Jordan was fabulous and I read Loose Balls by Terry Pluto for the first time. Very entertaining.

Bought "Game of Shadows" on Sunday and have about 80 pages left. I can't say enough good things about it.

My question, though, has anyone read any of those "24eclassified" paperbacks that are out? I think there are four of them and I've read the latest, "The Trojan Horse," is supposed to be pretty good.
Anybody have any input?

 

Infamous Scribblers sound fascinating. Any info on that is appreciated.

As for Sherman, in an earlier post, I pointed out "Grant and Sherman, The Friendship That Won the Civil War." The information on Sherman is the most fascinating part of the book and there's plenty devoted to the March.

One work I'd avoid is EL Doctorow's "The March." An overwritten mess.

 

I'm about halfway through 'Game of Shadows'. Looks like several others 'round here are also reading it. If I start a GOS discussion club thread in a week or so, would you guys join.

 

I'd be up for that.

 

I'm about done with the "Know it All," about Esquire editor A.J. Jacob's goal to read the encyclodia Britainica for A to Z. Funny and autobiographical. Definitely recommend it. Also finished Big Game, Small World. Good hoops book written a few years back by Alex Wolff. Another solid read.

 

Rummaging through books at my parents' place, I tripped upon John Feinstein's "Forever's Team." A lot of fun to read. Then again, I like Duke and this is about the '78 Final Four team, and the fact that he's a Duke alum didn't hurt for this publication.

For those who say Feinstein is doing more formula books, the same can't be said of this one. Nice flashback (released in '89).

 

Can anyone recommend a Hank Aaron biography? Is there one book considered the authoritative work on him (like Ben Cramer's DiMaggio book)?

Thanks in advance.