“The Mudville Heritage,” “Joe
Louis,” “Eddie Shore” and more
The
variety and range of sports books is seemingly endless. Big time
publishers and writers along with smaller companies and less known
scribes are all out there producing mostly quality products. What
follows are a few cases in point.
"The
Mudville Heritage" by Tristram Potter Coffin (gotta love
that name) from Rvive Books, $15.00, paper, 171 pages is yet another
re-issue of a wondrous tome first published in 1971. Anecdotes
galore about the national pastime and many of its heroes grace the
pages of this unique book.
"Joe
Louis" by Randy Roberts (Yale University Press, is a long
over-due book updating the role of the Brown Bomber in American
sports and culture. Roberts has done his homework and we are the
better for it. First hand interviews, and careful research blend
together. The book is a knockout!
For
the golf guys out there -"Golf
and Philosophy" edited by Andy Wible (University of
Kentucky, $35.00, 275 pages) is all about lessons from the links. A
range of contributors have their say on all kinds of philosophical
implications the game has to offer.
"Mr.
Hogan, the Man I Knew" by Kris Tschetter (Gotham, $22.50,
223 pages) is a bit over-priced for its size, but that's publishing.
The author, an LPGA touring pro since 1988, lays it out nicely -
-her relationship with a legend when both were at different phases
of their life and golf game.
"Eddie
Shore" by C. Michael Hiam (McClelland & Stewart, $27.95,
352 pages) is a wonder of a book about one of the true legends of
hockey, of all sports. We are truly there and up close and personal
with the man who came out of the Canadian prairie to impact hockey
as few before or since have.
"Find
A Way by Merrill Hoge (Center Street, $21.99, 205 pages)
is his story of fighting back and beating all kinds of challenges
and obstacles throughout his life including cancer. A former NFL
running back and now an ESPN sportscaster, Hoge found a way. Moving
reading.
