BASEBALL A History of America's Favorite Game

It's a bit surprising that anyone would come out with a new history of baseball--after all, is there anything new to say? Indeed, Vecsey's brief narrative is simply a brief synthesis of other people's histories. What sets this audiobook apart is his personal connection to the game. Vecsey grew up watching the Brooklyn Dodgers in the era of Jackie Robinson, and he relates these stories with nostalgia, and with only a little regret that the game ain't what it used to be. Alan Nebelthau does a mostly good job of capturing this tone, which evokes a wise old guy sitting next to you in the bleachers, though at times you sense he doesn't quite get Vecsey's sense of humor. D.B. © AudioFile 2007, Portland, Maine [Published: JUN/ JUL 07]