Rating: 
Summary: Solid but overdone in some respects
Review: This book is largely about how the 1998 Baseball season brought the sport back into the American consciousness and does so by using his family as amicrocosm of the nation. I think the book is efective and Lupica is knowledgable about the game despite some factual errors. I do think there is too much of a LOOK I'M SPECIAL type of namedropping and atitude in the book but overall it is a worthy effort though Baseball did not supplant Footbal as our nation's top sport in 1998 and has failed to capitalize on the succes of that season.
Rating: 
Summary: Stroll down Memory Lane
Review: This book is a great account of the best baseball season of all time. Lupica uses his great writing style to bring out every major story of the season, giving each one equal attention and a unique spin on it. This book is a tremendous addition to a library, and one I plan to have my kids read when they ask about the Home Run Chase of '98. It not only tells the stories, but gives Lupica's version, with his thoughts and memories. The effect is that I would then pause, and remember the college final I was 15 minutes late for to watch Wood's 20 K's, the 25 jumping idiots in a dorm room slapping five and hugging when Mac hit 70, and it goes on. It is just a great book, from an insider's perspective.
Rating:
Summary: Stroll down Memory Lane
Review: This book is a great account of the best baseball season of all time. Lupica uses his great writing style to bring out every major story of the season, giving each one equal attention and a unique spin on it. This book is a tremendous addition to a library, and one I plan to have my kids read when they ask about the Home Run Chase of '98. It not only tells the stories, but gives Lupica's version, with his thoughts and memories. The effect is that I would then pause, and remember the college final I was 15 minutes late for to watch Wood's 20 K's, the 25 jumping idiots in a dorm room slapping five and hugging when Mac hit 70, and it goes on. It is just a great book, from an insider's perspective.
Rating:
Summary: Solid but overdone in some respects
Review: This book is largely about how the 1998 Baseball season brought the sport back into the American consciousness and does so by using his family as amicrocosm of the nation. I think the book is efective and Lupica is knowledgable about the game despite some factual errors. I do think there is too much of a LOOK I'M SPECIAL type of namedropping and atitude in the book but overall it is a worthy effort though Baseball did not supplant Footbal as our nation's top sport in 1998 and has failed to capitalize on the succes of that season.
Rating:
Summary: Not just for fans
Review: This book was so great. It made me realize how amazing that summer really was. Not only as a Yankee fan, but as a fan in general. It was great to read about all the events and see how they related to each other in some way.Even if i wasn't a fan, the connection between Lupica and his family was adorable. The way his children reacted and were amazed by the entire events will constanly be in my mind as I remember the summer that also turned me on to baseball.
Rating:
Summary: Worth reliving the memories
Review: This is Lupica's "Tuesday's With Morrie", only Lupica's Morrie isn't sick and dying. Baseball is what Lupica warms us with, and baseball in 1998 was alive and well. Lupica effectively demonstrates the ever-lasting appeal for the game, especially between fathers and sons and how that appeal tends to go on from generation to generation. All the great events from that memorable summer are included, with insights from those close to the key players. My own father passed away on March 31, 1998--opening day for the 1998 baseball season. What a great way to relive a season he would have absolutely loved--a season I was able to enjoy even more thanks to the passion he installed in me for so many years. An excellent read. Enjoy.
Rating:
Summary: Wonderful View of Baseball Thru the Eyes of Fathers & Sons
Review: This was a nice recap of the magic and wonder of the 1998 season, which made us forget about the egos and politics of America's Pastime for a little while (see his earlier book Mad As Hell). Especially touching was Mike Lupica's interactions with his father and 3 sons of the highs and lows of last season, particularly Darryl Strawberry's battle with cancer. In the face of Darryl's recent troubles with the law, I wonder how Mr. Lupica was able to his sons how far their hero had fallen.
Rating:
Summary: A sweet retelling of an amazing season via father and son
Review: Tim McCarver's "The Perfect Season" was the first book about the spectacular 1998 baseball season to hit the bookshelves. Mike Lupica's, "Summer of 98" was not far behind. What makes owning both books worth it is that each one presents a different way of remember that season. "The Perfect Season" is an excellent companion piece and reference manual for that year because McCarver breaks down all the events vividly in separate chapters. Lupica's presentation is more chronological and revisits the day-to-day emotion every true baseball fan felt following baseball that year. There have been many past baseball seasons that have been romanticized in newspaper print and book pages (notably the "Summer of 41", with the amazing seasons of Ted Williams and Joe DiMaggio), so the precedent had been set for narrative of "Summer of 98". Lupica, in true McGwire fashion, hits a home run in reliving the year. The centerpoint of the story focuses on how he and his son shared and developed an indelible bond following everything from the record home run chases by both Mark McGwire and Sammy Sosa to the amazing excellence of their beloved Yankees (on their way to a record 125-win season... counting playoffs). On nights when his son could not stay up to watch McGwire at bats or Yankee games, Lupica would leave him notes in the morning recapping what happened the night before. As a fan of baseball myself, it took me back to that year and seasons past when I would get up at the crack of dawn the grab the paper and go right to the sports section to see what happened. I had fond memories of following my beloved Orioles during their almost miraculous 1989 season and of trying to see if anyone could break Roger Maris' record of 61 home runs. 1998 had all that amazing magic and "Summer of 98" relives it with such vivid detail.
Rating:
Summary: A sweet retelling of an amazing season via father and son
Review: Tim McCarver's "The Perfect Season" was the first book about the spectacular 1998 baseball season to hit the bookshelves. Mike Lupica's, "Summer of 98" was not far behind. What makes owning both books worth it is that each one presents a different way of remember that season. "The Perfect Season" is an excellent companion piece and reference manual for that year because McCarver breaks down all the events vividly in separate chapters. Lupica's presentation is more chronological and revisits the day-to-day emotion every true baseball fan felt following baseball that year. There have been many past baseball seasons that have been romanticized in newspaper print and book pages (notably the "Summer of 41", with the amazing seasons of Ted Williams and Joe DiMaggio), so the precedent had been set for narrative of "Summer of 98". Lupica, in true McGwire fashion, hits a home run in reliving the year. The centerpoint of the story focuses on how he and his son shared and developed an indelible bond following everything from the record home run chases by both Mark McGwire and Sammy Sosa to the amazing excellence of their beloved Yankees (on their way to a record 125-win season... counting playoffs). On nights when his son could not stay up to watch McGwire at bats or Yankee games, Lupica would leave him notes in the morning recapping what happened the night before. As a fan of baseball myself, it took me back to that year and seasons past when I would get up at the crack of dawn the grab the paper and go right to the sports section to see what happened. I had fond memories of following my beloved Orioles during their almost miraculous 1989 season and of trying to see if anyone could break Roger Maris' record of 61 home runs. 1998 had all that amazing magic and "Summer of 98" relives it with such vivid detail.
Rating:
Summary: Heartwarming revisit to a memorable season.
Review: To date, there have not been many worthwhile words written on what could be the most magical season in all of sport. Mr. Lupica captures the emotion and excitement of the 1998 baseball season like it happened just yesterday. I found myself unable to put this book down and I am dead tired because of it. I literally read this book cover to cover in one sitting. Lupica does a magnificent job of recreating the season from a genuine family perspective. I highly recommend this insightful look back at America's pastime.
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