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Rating: 
Summary: A kind of minor league baseball 'Travels with charley'
Review: As I read this book, I was reminded a bit of Steinbeck's old book, "Travels with Charley." In both books, the reader is treated to a commentary of "life on the road." However, in this case it's following the author as he travels across country in his RV to watch numerous minor league baseball games. How many of us as baseball fans secretly wish we could do just that? How many of us however actually have the time and more importantly the finances to do this? While the book is dated, it still is well worth a read. The author describes the dreams of numerous minor league ballplayers to make it to "the Show," but points out only one out of every fourteen actually makes it to the big leagues. And not only is this book about their stories, but the stories of numerous minor league towns, and the people the author encounters. He also gets to meet and talk with several of his boyhood idols, players from the 1957 Milwaukee Braves. Some of the stories of these people are sad, some hilarious, but all of them are quite entertaining. I've recommended this book to a friend with a son who aspires to be a "big leaguer" someday, because it entails some of the hardships involved in getting there. This book is a travelogue of places where time has seemingly stood still and the players are gods, even if they are only minor leaguers pursuiing a dream.
Rating:
Summary: A kind of minor league baseball 'Travels with charley'
Review: As I read this book, I was reminded a bit of Steinbeck's old book, "Travels with Charley." In both books, the reader is treated to a commentary of "life on the road." However, in this case it's following the author as he travels across country in his RV to watch numerous minor league baseball games. How many of us as baseball fans secretly wish we could do just that? How many of us however actually have the time and more importantly the finances to do this? While the book is dated, it still is well worth a read. The author describes the dreams of numerous minor league ballplayers to make it to "the Show," but points out only one out of every fourteen actually makes it to the big leagues. And not only is this book about their stories, but the stories of numerous minor league towns, and the people the author encounters. He also gets to meet and talk with several of his boyhood idols, players from the 1957 Milwaukee Braves. Some of the stories of these people are sad, some hilarious, but all of them are quite entertaining. I've recommended this book to a friend with a son who aspires to be a "big leaguer" someday, because it entails some of the hardships involved in getting there. This book is a travelogue of places where time has seemingly stood still and the players are gods, even if they are only minor leaguers pursuiing a dream.
Rating:
Summary: Outstanding book
Review: David Lamb's summer through the minor leagues is one of the most outstanding baseball books I've ever read. He writes like a storyteller and really makes the reader care about every team and player he writes about. These players, particularly in the low minors, really play baseball for the love of the game and the chance they might make it big one day. Lamb also takes the time to make the local color of the towns he visited come alive. With all the problems of Major League Baseball now, this book will remind you why you care about baseball.
Rating:
Summary: An American Classic
Review: Mr. Lamb's use of baseball as the backdrop for this narrative of travel and rediscovery is entrancing. Though my enjoyment of Stolen Season was enhanced by my love of the game, I have passed this book around to friends who have no interest in the national pastime and they have enjoyed it as much as I. The vividly described scenes and characters are a delight - from the hills of West Virgina to the California Valley - from the aspiring pitcher Monson to Hurricane Bob Hazel, a player that lived the dream one fall many years ago. Outstanding!
Rating:
Summary: A Love Story
Review: Simply, one of the best books I have read. This book is more about life than it is about baseball. The underlying theme is of young men chasing their dreams and the baseball diamond is the medium.
Rating:
Summary: A Tremendous Journey
Review: Stolen Season is a very enjoyable read that chronicles a Summer of writer David Lamb's life. Badly needing a break from his job as a foreign journalist, Lamb decides to fulfill a life long dream of driving accross the country visiting as many minor league baseball parks as he can. Although baseball games are the intended stops, his encounters with the people around the country are just as important, making this an enjoyable read whether you are a baseball fan or not. This book has inspired me to make an effort to visit more minor league parks where the game is still just a game. Make it a point to check this book out.
Rating:
Summary: A Tremendous Journey
Review: Stolen Season is a very enjoyable read that chronicles a Summer of writer David Lamb's life. Badly needing a break from his job as a foreign journalist, Lamb decides to fulfill a life long dream of driving accross the country visiting as many minor league baseball parks as he can. Although baseball games are the intended stops, his encounters with the people around the country are just as important, making this an enjoyable read whether you are a baseball fan or not. This book has inspired me to make an effort to visit more minor league parks where the game is still just a game. Make it a point to check this book out.
Rating:
Summary: a poignant and fun look at the minors
Review: To read this book has made me jealous that it wasn't me on the road having a cup of coffee with small town America and viewing the last great Norman Rockwell painting that is Minor League Baseball. From the towns, to the players, to the owners and staff, you learn of the hardships, heartaches, joys and jubilations that everyone involved with minor league baseball has. Mr. Lamb had a wonderful adventure and a wonderful idea on his journey and has a talent for putting it into words. Next time, maybe it will be me on the road.
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