501 Baseball Books Fans Must Read before They Die($19.94Value)

Description

Propounding his “small ball theory” of sports literature, George Plimpton proposed that “the smaller the ball, the more formidable the literature.” Of course he had the relatively small baseball in mind, because its literature is formidable—vast and varied, instructive, often wildly entertaining, and occasionally brilliant. From this bewildering array of baseball books, Ron Kaplan has chosen 501 of the best, making it easier for fans to find just the books to suit them (or to know what they’re missing).   From biography, history, fiction, and instruction to books about ballparks, business, and rules, anyone who loves to read about baseball will find in this book a companionable guide, far more fun than a reference work has any right to be. "We're destined to shuffle off this mortal coil eventually, but before doing so Ron Kaplan has plenty of suggestions regarding how baseball aficionados should spend their leisure time. Specifically, they should read all of the books listed in his 501 Baseball Books Fans Must Read Before They Die . "Kaplan, a veteran book reviewer as well as the eponymous proprietor of Ron Kaplan's Baseball Bookshelf blog, clearly knows of what he writes. 501 Baseball Books is a remarkable compendium of national pastime tomes." Benjamin Hill/MLB.com "George Plimpton proposed ... 'the smaller the ball, the more formidable the literature.' Of course he had the relatively small baseball in mind, because its literature is formidable.... From this bewildering array of baseball books, Kaplan has chosen 501 of the best, making it easier for fans to find just the books to suit them (or to know what they're missing).... [A]nyone who loves to read about baseball will find in this book a companionable guide, far more fun than a reference work has any right to be." Jim Gill/Shelf Life, New Philadelphia (Ohio) Times-Reporter "Kaplan provides a stimulating and informational tour through what could be the ultimate baseball library this side of Cooperstown." Dennis Anderson, GateHouse News Service "If fans don't like what they see happening on the field this season, Kaplan has loads of suggestions for reading about better days." John Gardner/The Find, Boston Globe "Ron Kaplan's book is a giver as well as a keeper. Get one for yourself, and buy one for every person you know who loves the game and the books that herald its greatness." Bookreporter.com "Sportswriter and blogger Kaplan's first book is a fun and useful guide for finding arguably the best baseball books among the mounds of titles relating to this book-inspiring sport. . . . The author's well-informed and well-written comments are compelling enough to make this either a worthwhile light read or a handy reference for all readers of baseball literature."— Library Journal ( Library Journal ) "A fantastic page-turner. . . . Without a doubt 501 is a SABRite's ultimate reading bucket list."—John Vorperian, Southern New England Chapter, Society for American Baseball Research (John Vorperian New England Chapter, Society for American Baseball Research ) "[ 501 Baseball Books Fans Must Read before They Die is] a generous, well-researched, and entertaining list of suggestions of what to read next."—Allan Wood, The Joy of Sox (Allan Wood The Joy of Sox 2013-03-30) "A self-proclaimed pack rat and baseball junkie, it's amazing enough that Kaplan was able to read all 501 of these books—to offer comprehensive summaries of each and every one is a truly remarkable accomplishment."— Foreword Reviews ( Foreword Reviews ) "Every page of this book is a discovery and a delight. Even an avid baseball reader will discover some new books to either check out at your local library or purchase at your local bookstore. . . . As a new baseball season begins, what better time to follow this wonderful roadmap to greater enjoyment of America's greatest game?"—Stuart Shiffman, Illinois Times (Stuart Shiffman Illinois Times 2013-04-04) ...A Ron Kaplan is a sports and features writer and editor for the New Jersey Jewish News . His book reviews, author interviews, and articles have appeared in publications such as the Huffington Post , Baseball America , and Mental Floss , and he hosts a blog on baseball literature.