Author:Stephen Jay Gould
Among Stephen Jay Gould's many gifts was his ability to write eloquently about baseball, his great passion. Through the years, the renowned palaeontologist published numerous essays on the sport which have now for the first time been collected in a volume alive with all the candour and insight that characterized Gould's writing. Here are his thoughts on the complexities of childhood streetball and the joys of opening day; tributes to Mickey Mantle, Babe Ruth, and lesser-knowns such as deaf-mute centerfielder 'Dummy' Hoy; and a frank admission of the contradictions inherent in being a lifelong Yankees fan with Red Sox season tickets. So, too, does Gould deftly apply the tools of evolutionary theory to the demise of the 0.400 hitter, the Abner Doubleday creation myth, and the improbability of Joe DiMaggio's 56-game hitting streak. This book is a delight - an essential addition to Gould's remarkable legacy, and a fitting tribute to his love for the game.
Ideal birthday present fodder and perfect on-the-bog literature... Top work all round.
—— All Out CricketThe ultimate compendium of humorous quotations... Marvellous.
—— Yorkshire Evening PostUndoubtedly a definitive collection.
—— The Good Book GuideExamines big waves from every angle, and goes in deep with... mariners, wave scientists and extreme surfers... [A] wonderfully vivid, kinetic narrative
—— New York Times Book ReviewImmensely powerful, beautiful, addictive and, yes, incredibly thrilling... Like a surfer who is happily hooked, the reader simply won't be able to get enough of it
—— San Francisco ChronicleAs a snapshot of a tumultuous era and a portrait of two legends, this is frequently fascinating
—— Metro LondonWell-researched
—— Sunday TimesDraws on a rich archive
—— Daily TelegraphMee goes into every detail in his meticulously researched book
—— Colin Hart , The SunDoes a great job of examining not only the fighters, but the wider social and political implications of their meeting. Detailing the story with clarity, depth and insight, it's a fine account of a tumultuous time
—— The Big IssueA fine account of a sparkling career in the saddle
—— Sunday Business PostA fine account of a professional sport on the verge of fundamental change
—— Times Literary SupplementA gripping insight into an unrelenting hard world
—— IndependentA stylish, whimsical and ultimately tragic jaunt through one of cycling’s golden ages
—— Daniel Friebe , Outdoor FitnessLaurent Fignon gives cycling fans a fascinating glimpse of what really went on behind the scenes of this epic sport
—— Cycle Sport