You Gotta Have Wa

Rating:
Summary: Excellent, even for people who hate baseball
Review: A fascinating cultural history disguised as sports lore. I bought this book because I'd seen it quoted in several other books about Japan that I had greatly enjoyed. Even though it turned out that I knew several of the best anecdotes, I still found the book to be wonderful in its evocation of how a different culture approaches something as all-American as baseball. (The aside about British tutors having to teach their charges baseball instead of rounders or cricket during the 1870s made me laugh. How odd.) The book seems a bit dated, with some of the stereotypes that mark the bubble years still in evidence. But Whiting's prose and research combine to make it a solid and accessible contribution to popular writings about Japan.

Rating:
Summary: Excellent, even for people who hate baseball
Review: A fascinating cultural history disguised as sports lore. I bought this book because I'd seen it quoted in several other books about Japan that I had greatly enjoyed. Even though it turned out that I knew several of the best anecdotes, I still found the book to be wonderful in its evocation of how a different culture approaches something as all-American as baseball. (The aside about British tutors having to teach their charges baseball instead of rounders or cricket during the 1870s made me laugh. How odd.) The book seems a bit dated, with some of the stereotypes that mark the bubble years still in evidence. But Whiting's prose and research combine to make it a solid and accessible contribution to popular writings about Japan.

Rating:
Summary: Same, but Different
Review: Baseball is baseball, right? Not when it's played in Japan, it seems. Pitchers pitch "until their arms fall off." Fielding practice is done until players drop from exhaustion. Fans chant highly organized and rhythmic chants at the same piercing volume, all game long, regardless of the score. It's not "play ball" in Japan, it's "work ball." And into this arena come the foreigners. Often bench-warmers and minor leaguers in North America, they are expected to become instant stars in Japan. The pressure and the intense work ethic drive many away after only a few weeks or months. Others, like Randy Bass, become national heroes, appearing on TV commercials nightly. However even Bass must have felt his outsider status when he was intentionally walked for the rest of the season when he challenged Sadaharu Oh's single-season home run record. If you are interested in baseball, or in what happens when Japan meets the outside world, this is the book for you.

Rating:
Summary: Great learning on Japanese way of life, not just baseball
Review: Bravo Robert Whiting for composing the greatest baseball book! Thru Robert's book, you can visualize the Japanese noble philosophy on baseball and life. Its team harmony concept can hardly be found anywhere else, and soon its baseball will catch up to the Major League level. Order this book today! Hank Tran ([e-mail])

Rating:
Summary: Greatest Baseball Book Ever
Review: By far, this is the greatest baseball (if not sports book) ever written. And with today being Opening Day, it would be most appropriate to have on hand. A+ classic! Bob Whiting sure does grasp the essence of baseball! Good Deal. A true classic. GET IT!

Rating:
Summary: Great Look Into Japanese Culture
Review: Having spent a number of years living and working in Japan and being a big Japanese baseball fan, I found this book both entertaining and educational. Whiting has taken baseball, something both cultures understand, and shown how different both the USA and Japan treat their national past time. I highly recommend the book to anyone not just interested in baseball, but also Japan-US relations. This book was released before the recent influx of Japanese pitchers into the major leagues (Irabu, Nomo, Hasegawa, Yoshii). With their successes in the big leagues it shows that Japanese players can compete with any in the world.

Rating:
Summary: This book will get you thinking
Review: I enjoyed this book so much that I went out and did quite a bit of research on my own about the Japanese leagues. It is entertaining and at the same time you will be educated. I recommend this one to anyone who loves baseball or is interested in the Japanese culture.

Rating:
Summary: This book will get you thinking
Review: I enjoyed this book so much that I went out and did quite a bit of research on my own about the Japanese leagues. It is entertaining and at the same time you will be educated. I recommend this one to anyone who loves baseball or is interested in the Japanese culture.

Rating:
Summary: Is It Really About Baseball?
Review: I have had the fortunate experience of visiting Japan twice and seeing some Japanese baseball. It was an experience I shall never forget. Curious about the subject I picked up and read this awesome book. However, as much as this book is about baseball. And it is filled with some great stories and information. I wonder how much this book is really about the cultural differences between the United States and Japan. Using the history of Japanese baseball and the rough experiences of many of the American players who have tried to play in Japan, the author does an awesome job teaching about Japanese culture. This is much more than a baseball book. Its about baseball and culture, and cultural diffusion, and the differences between Americans and Japanese. This is a funny book, a fun to read book, but you will learn alot about Japan by the time you are done. I have even assigned this book to my students. This book is worth it. An unforgettable read.

Rating:
Summary: Is It Really About Baseball?
Review: I have had the fortunate experience of visiting Japan twice and seeing some Japanese baseball. It was an experience I shall never forget. Curious about the subject I picked up and read this awesome book. However, as much as this book is about baseball. And it is filled with some great stories and information. I wonder how much this book is really about the cultural differences between the United States and Japan. Using the history of Japanese baseball and the rough experiences of many of the American players who have tried to play in Japan, the author does an awesome job teaching about Japanese culture. This is much more than a baseball book. Its about baseball and culture, and cultural diffusion, and the differences between Americans and Japanese. This is a funny book, a fun to read book, but you will learn alot about Japan by the time you are done. I have even assigned this book to my students. This book is worth it. An unforgettable read.