Teams Books

Brian Cooper's book, Red Faber, is more than just a biography of a great baseball pitcher. It is filled with insights into the baseball world of Faber's era -- the era of the spitball, Babe Ruth and the infamous "Black Sox" scandal of 1919, among other things. Cooper tells a story that begins in the little town of Cascade, Iowa, weaves its way through a baseball career that saw Faber win 254 games, and peaks when Faber was elected to the Hall of Fame. It is a thoroughly enjoyable book that makes the reader realize that Red Faber was one of those "what if" ballplayers. What if he had not been sidelined for the 1919 World Series? Would the White Sox have won, despite the fix? What if he had not played for such bad ballclubs in the 1920s -- would he have won 300 games? One thing is for certain. This book belongs on every baseball history buff's bookshelf.

This is an excellent book if a person is interested in baseball and how the game was played years ago. The author did a fantastic job of describing a real baseball talent, Red Faber and his life story.
It was a walk down memory lane for me as I grew up in the same neighborhood as his family on the Southwest side of Chicago. I loved going over to his house and seeing the signed baseballs, the trophies and the numerous signed letters he received over the years.
This is a fun read and the book contains some great snapshots!
Mary Jane Cole

I was born in Dubuue where my father was a sports reporter for the Times Journal. In later years he would relate stories, some of which are brought to life again by this story about RED. I also was in Chi town in August 1933 when the Sox and Yankes went 18. I sat through all 18 and often have wished that I could rememder more. I thought it was still light enough for more, but it was called anyway. I am sure that it was a get away day for the yankees and they had to rush to make the train. I also was a batboy for the Guttenberg Gaints in the late 30'3 when they played in Cascade. What great memories from this great story

This book is a young authors journey through those memorable years of his life following the Red Sox through the trials they endured to become champions. It reflects the "never give up!" attitude of die hard sports fans everywhere. A Must have for anyone who has supported there team thorugh good times and bad! This book is the heart of what a "True Fan" really is! I Highly recommend this to anyone who loves Baseball!

This book is amazing, it was funny, informative and touching all in one as it takes you through the rollercoaster ride of being a Boston Red Sox fan. If your a new lover of the Boston Red Sox or a diehard fan I highly recomend it. The author really hit this one out of the park!!!!!!!!

If your in love with the Boston Red Sox and are a part of Sox Nation then this book is ABSOLUTELY for you....Author does a great job describing how your life is changed FOREVER when you Really embrace the Red Sox...You will go on journeys of Sox Past all the way up to the Best Comeback in Sports History, the 2004 World Series.....Great Reading and brings back a lot of memories.....highly recommended......

I was attracted to this book because Allie Reynolds, Vic Raschi, and Ed Lopat were the big three with the Yankees when I was a boy growing up a Tigers' fan in the early 1950s. I was surprised to learn that Raschi's record of 120-50 in eight years with the Yankees was the best won-lost record in Yankees' history to this day. Reynolds both started and relieved during his time with the team. Lopat served as a tutor for Whitey Ford. Their pitching coach during this time was the much respected Jim Turner. The villain in this book is clearly General Manager George Weiss who clearly alienated the players with his reluctance to reward performance, and took shameful advantage of the reserve clause which bound players to the team that owned them. Author Sol Gittleman states it was the big three pitchers who were the true leaders on these teams that featured five consecutive World Championships. Allie Reynolds states the best thing he ever did in baseball was to make the game better for the players through his representing the American League along with Ralph Kiner in the National League in beginning the players' revolution in negotiating with the owners. The Odd Couple in this book is manager Casey Stengel and GM George Weiss. Polar opposites they were together for nearly 30 years with the Yankees and Mets. I did find one minor mistake on page 95 when Alfonso "Chico" Carrasquel was referred to as "Alex". This book does a great job in bringing these Yankees back to life in addition to highlighting the stronghold the owners had over the players in regard to players' salaries. When the players could no longer serve the team at the pittance they received they were promptly dispatched elsewhere. GM Weiss had a chance to sign Willie Mays, but his bigoted attitude prevented that from occurring. There are numerous tidbits of trivia here, also. Hank Bauer was the only one to play on all of Stengel's nine pennant winners. Of the 12 players who played on these five championships, the manager, coaches, and GM, there were no divorces. This book brought back a lot of memories to me of the players who were on the New York Yankees during this time, and added considerable insight into what baseball and playing for the Yankees was like.

It's curious that the only baseball team to win five straight championships is mostly given the brushoff when discussions of "Great Dynasties" begin. The 1949-53 Yankees are generally considered a series of flukish winners, with no regular position stars in their primes except Yogi Berra and Phil Rizzuto. Oh, and then someone will remember a trio of "pretty good" pitchers named Raschi, Reynolds and Lopat.

Yeah, those were pretty fair country hurlers, all right. In successive Octobers, they shut down the mighty Boys of Summer three straight times, stopped The Little Miracle of Coogan's Bluff in its tracks, and turned the Philadelphia Whiz Kids into Cheeze Whiz. And then went quietly home to their families and waited for the Yanks' General Manager George Weiss to try to chisel them out of every penny in their next contract. Sol Gittleman brings us their story in one of the more gripping baseball books I've read in the past few years.

The "Big Three," as they were called, were the heart of this unparalleled dynasty. Not Dimaggio--he was gone after three years. Not Mantle--he only played a significant role in the last two titles. Not Ford--he was only there for a year and a half. Not Rizzuto--he faded quickly after 1951. And not even Berra, though from 1950 on he could fairly be included in the mix--before that the pitchers told HIM what the next pitch was to be.

Ted Williams called Raschi "the best pitcher alive--there just can't be anyone as good." Unless, he added, it was one of "those other two," by which he meant Reynolds or Lopat.

The Big Three embodied the concept of TEAM. If Allie Reynolds pitched a complete game one day, he might be warming up in the bullpen the next, in case he was needed to save a game. Vic Raschi threw his arm out for the Yankees, led them to five straight titles, and then was unceremoniously dumped for his trouble. And all Eddie Lopat did was to beat the Yanks' archrival Cleveland Indians 80% of the time he took the hill against him. They even tried throwing a black cat in front of him one day, so great was their frustration. By contrast, it was a snowy day in July when the great Warren Spahn even took to the mound against the Braves' main rival, the Brooklyn Dodgers, so thoroughly did they dominate him.

These three magnificent aces were collectively handled not by Casey Stengel, but by the veteran pitching coach Jim Turner. And then when Whitey Ford came into the picture, he was coached by Eddie Lopat himself. With the help of the veterans Hank Bauer and Gene Woodling, they made sure that nobody ever loafed on the field. One word to any potential slacker was sufficient.

I could go on for many more paragraphs about this terrific book, but suffice it to say that if anyone wants to know how a unit that NOT ONCE in five years had a player who led the league in ANY offensive category, and yet could still manage to be the ONLY team to win five straight World Series, this is the book for you. It's the perfect complement to David Halberstam's "Summer of '49". Like that great Yankee dynasty itself, this book is an underrated champion.

This is a wonderful book, and Sports Illustated should take notice. Professor Gittleman is not sports beat reporter, so he avoids their frequent self-importance (Roger Kahn) nor does he do this stuff for a living, so he is not unnecessarily verbose (John Feinstein). He's a college professor with wisdom, understanding, and a love for his subject.
His intuition leads him to the real themes of his story (making Jim Turner, the pitching coach, the central figure) and he understands what details are meaningful (all of his three pitchers spoke a second language in their childhood homes). He gives us as much sociology--without preaching--as we get from Jules Tygel's "Time Out," another excellent baseball book.
If you are old enough to know who these guys are, the book is a must--probably perfect for a holiday or birthday gift. If you just love baseball, nothing does a better job of summing up the early 50s, and I realize many authors--not Gittleman's equal--have tried.
This is a real gem.
Wight Martindale

This was a very intrestling book about the 2nd best coach and the incredible story of the 1991 season. This is a must read book for FSU Fans everywhere. I thourghly enjoyed this book. I would recommend this book to anyone who loves college football.

As a freshman at Florida State in '91, I worked with the football team as a student athletic trainer. I remember Ben Brown, and how he spent almost every minute with the team, nearly becoming a part of it. Take it from someone who was there: Ben Brown got it right. If you want to know what a season at the top of college football's elite feels like, read this book. Even today, reading passages takes me back to memories I will never forget. I just wish Ben could have been with us in '93, when we won the National Championship, so he could have written a happier ending.

I felt this book reached deep down into college football. I was thrilled when names such as Edgar Bennet, Charlie Ward, Amp Lee, and Danny Kanell. I felt the boos of the opossing fans and felt the cheers of ours. Until I read this book, I never realized the preparation it takes to coach a college football team. This was a well planned, well thought, documentation of Florida State Football.

Santa's Little Helpers: "Sometimes even Santa could use a little muscle."

This is a short book about a small group of thieves who try to recover a truckload of stolen toys from *another* group of thieves.

The "welcome" that the lead character gives to a group of carolers is alone worth the price of the book.

This is a very short book, and the cover price is low to match the length, but you should buy it with a group of other books because Amazon's shipping charge would nearly double the cost of the book if you ordered it separately.

Around Christmas time, you might want to buy a few extra copies of "Santa's Little Helpers" and give them as gifts. They'd probably make good stocking-stuffers for anyone who doesn't absolutely *hate* to read. You can even give it to teens. (I don't remember anything offensive being in the book.)

I also recommend Heisler's earlier book, "An American Christmas," a collection of 5 short stories.

W.A. Heisler created a fantastic, feel good, easy to read, hard to put down, story when he came up with Santa's Little Helpers. Young or old, you will have no trouble connecting with Heisler's characters and letting them rope you into their world. I would recommend a visit to that world to anyone looking for a great story to read in their favorite reading spot.

Prison, bad boys, bad luck, good vs. evil. Entertaining and one mans life journey and soul search in one quick read. You got to love it! W.A. Heisler sets the story line but then takes you on an unexpected journey that tugs at the heart but also warms it. A full circle story with the right amount of humor.

Another well written plot and subplot from this author. Action packed and explosive. It shows the real heart of these men who keep fighting even when they don't know who to trust. Superb and I can't wait to reread it.

This book is one of the best in this amazing series about Navy SEALS and the missions they are in. It is a fast paced book with on-the-edge of your seat action and adventure. If you want a great military series with guns and troops on secret missions, this is for you!!
Seal Team Seven RULES!!!

Seal Team Seven (15) Ambush has to be in the top three best in this series. From start to finish, I could not put it down. The only thing I didn't like is the death of one of my favorite characters. I will not reveal who that was so I do not ruin the book for those who have not read it yet. At least the new Master Chief is good addition. Navy Seals are a cold, calculated
group of men. These books do them justice.

Book shows the first time the team has to work with other agencies or groups. Well handled. Each scene is carefully written so new readers can keep up. A well plotted story from start to finish. A good read.

A terrific military thriller. Filled with action and suspense it is the best book ever written about the Navy Seals. Fictional but could easily be tomorrow's headlines.

Nucflash is the closest to the first book. Great action scenes and great scenarios for operations. These books have the perfect pace for the reader who loves a great blend of speed, action, and techology, without stretching it to 1000 pages.

The book Snake is the biography of Ken Stabler the Oakland Raiders renegade quarterback of the 1970's. The book was very interesting and was very detailed. I recommend reading this book if you are a football fan. Also if you are an Oakland Raiders fan this book is for you. If you do not vulgar language or talks of sex, drugs and rock and roll you should not read this book. The book had many strong points, which include very detailed recolations of games and wild nights. My overall opinion of the book is that was very interesting and if you have a weak stomach this book is not from you. Snake is a book for football lovers and if you liked this book check "I'm the Assassin" by Jack Tatum another renegade from the Oakland Raiders in the 1970's. Go Raiders.

This had to be one of the funniest behind the scenes sports books ever. Shocking tales of hot-tub orgies, drunken spree's, and other general hedonism highlight page after page. And there is some football, too.

What were considered rumors about the wild lifestyles of the Oakland Raiders are actually truths according to one of the leaders, Kenny Stabler. Drinking, honky-tonking, reading the playbook by the jukebox light, womanizing and oh yes - football are some of the sideshows in this book. This is not only about the "Snake" but also about the other characters from the Oakland Raiders during their heyday.

This book is a great read. It is very well written. The writing is so clear and crisp the pages almost turn themselves. The book is also jam packed with action. This is one of those books where you feel like you get to know the people. I wanted the book to keep going after I read the last page. I was glad the author included an epilogue which followed up on he and his commrades. I hope Dan Mills continues to write. He is a born writer.

It never ceases to amaze me the respect that Americans have for we British.
Dan Mills account of his platoon actions in Iraq,2004, is a perfect example of why this is so.
If you re into this subject.....just buy the book.

I haven't blown through a book more quickly in years. It's non-stop action from start to finish and gives a fascinating look into life on the front lines in Iraq. Definitely gives a new appreciation for what those soldiers have to endure for our freedom. Highly recommended!

Most of the Iraq war stories have been dominated by American soldiers or Marines and it's refreshing to read Allied war stories for a change.

If you are thinking of starting a team, or you have had one fail miserably, then you MUST read this book!

I've read Star Team Dynamics and am convinced that it is one of the best resources on teams and team-building available. The book is full of examples, how-to advice, charts, etc. The author relates accounts of companies who have gone "through the fire" and have come out the other side -- healthy, well-functioning teams. She also tells what NOT to do. The book is well-written, humorous and informative. I highly recommend Star Team Dynamics.

A wonderful guide to creating teams within any size company. The author is insightful,providing terrific, practical suggestions just when you need them!