Rating: 
Summary: Watch the movie instead
Review: It's not often that one reads a book and then is more pleased with the flick, but this is one of those times. I can't slam this book, because it spawned one of the favorite films, "Field of Dreams," but the incessant comparisons of baseball to religion were annoying, and the whole subplot of Ray's twin brother in the book was thankfully snipped out of the film. One neat point is the connection between Ray and J.D. Salinger. It's not a bad read, by any means, but it doesn't compare to the film.
Rating: 
Summary: "If you read it, it will come."
Review: "If you build it, he will come." Cheered, shamed, analyzed, and even parodied, these seven words first written by W.P Kinsella, later glorified by the early 90's film "Field of Dreams", have come to represent baseball and the meaning it holds for its players, fans, and for Americans in particular. For half a century, from 1903 to 1953, baseball survived unscathed by modern day chaos; with the same 16 major league baseball teams playing in the same American cities. This stability along with the calming, pastoral effect of the game helps to answer readers' questions as to why baseball is so severely cherished. The book's strength is its lush description that gives the reader's imagination no limits; whether it be envisioning ghastly White Sox players in a perfect Iowa cornfield or running their fingers through a delicate patch of left field grass. The book's only weakness is that the plot sometimes get lost among the detailed travels of the main character. While chronicling a man's journey from building a baseball field in his corn crop to his realization of why he was selected to hear the voice that started it all, the book manages to bring its theme home. This is not just a book about an extraordinary person but rather the story of an ordinary person (perhaps like the reader) with a love for his family, a love of memories, a respect for the land, and a long regretted mistake. While the story revolves around baseball, it is simply a metaphor for the larger picture of a person's unrealized dreams, or unrealized life in general. The reader comes to understand that a love for ny sport or hobby, not just baseball, can give way to dreams and a stable calmness, even a oneness. In the second to last chapter when he gathers enough courage to talk to a catcher on the team we realize why Ray, the main character, was selected to build the field. At the same time readers must face their own journey. One day if a voice were to whisper to you, "If you build it, he will come," what would you build and who would come?
Rating: 
Summary: A Great Movie Based on a Great Story
Review: It was a quiet friday with perfect weather on a splendid midsummer night. The Mets had completed their evening game with yet another loss to the Braves at Turner Field, and nothing was on the other 81 channels of overpriced cable TV that was at all bearable to watch. What's a baseball fan to do?I sat down with a glass of iced tea in a quiet room and placed my 10-year old VHS copy of "Field of Dreams" in my VCR. This, as you may remember, was film #2 of 3 of the "Kevin Costner Didn't Play In The Majors So He Does it On The Screen" trilogy. "Bull Durham" is of course the classic first movie in this series, with "For The Love Of The Game" bringing up the rear as the most forgettable of the 3 entries.) "Field of Dreams" is a rare baseball movie: both men and women should enjoy it as it is not a hardcore baseball film, rather a touching and moving story about one man's personal inner journey to peace and satisfaction thru building a baseball field. There isn't much action, but the story, as mythological as it is, makes you want to run out to the local sandbox with your mitt and a smile, and makes you forget those killer millionaire salaries that these overpriced performers of today make. No matter how many times I watch this movie, tears still well up in my eyes at the end, when Costner's character Ray Kinsella meets his deceased father John in the middle of an Iowa baseball cornfield and they proceed to have a traditional father/son baseball catch, healing many years of hard feelings between the two. Does it get any better than that? Baseball has its share of fictional movies, and besides "The Natural", this is probably the best there is for making the case that baseball is the true national pastime. Baseball transcends communication; look to the scene when Shoeless Joe arrives at the field, and they play ball before they even speak. Baseball binds families together; Baseball heals emotional wounds. It is based on the 1982 book "Shoeless Joe" by W.P. Kinsella.
Rating: 
Summary: WAY TOO DESRIPTIVE
Review: The book Shoeless Joe would have been excellent,if it didn't have all the continuous description.
Rating:
Summary: For the teacher
Review: I had the idea of reading this book with my class and watching the movie. The book is awesome. I loved it. If you have seen the movie, Ray in the book is a little more psycho. Kevin Costner makes him seem like a regular Joe. In the book, he is more edgy. With a high school class, this book would be appropriate. Of the 265 pages, 99% of the ideas expressed are wholesome, life-altering, and clever. It's the one percent that will not allow me as a professional educator to read this book with my sixth grade class next year. I would recommend this book if a student asked me about it, but I would not assign it. There are a few questionable passages that are unnecessary to the plot, yet help us understand the edgy Ray. The movie is pretty true to the book. The book is satisfying to read, whether you enjoy baseball or not.
Rating:
Summary: A literary masterpiece...
Review: There is a famous quote floating around out there that conveys the essence of baseball and this novel: "Many attend, but few understand." Put simply, this book is a work for true lovers of the game. If you heart doesn't skip a beat on opening day, or you don't appreciate the smell of old leather and fresh cut grass, then this book is not for you. If you look down upon people who are oversentimental and nostalgic, then this book is not for you. But if you do understand the game and how it is a symbol of America and of youth and memory and peace and beauty, then buy a copy of this book. There are passages in "Shoeless Joe" that continue to amaze me. Prose in the form of poetry. The best baseball novel ever written. No contest.
Rating:
Summary: The movie fails in comparsion!
Review: Shoeless Joe Jackson comes to Iowa in the movie Field of Dreams. This audio book is the basis for that blockbuster movie, and what the movie leaves out you'll find in this recording. The audio book is far more detailed and in some cases different than the movie, and it would be better if you have not seen the movie at all. I thought this recording was far better than the movie. Over the course of the six tapes I was treated to a story that starts off grabbing you and never lets go until the last minute. I enjoyed the way the reader brought to life the characters of Joe Jackson, Ray Kinsella and others. What I enjoyed most was the way the author ended the book, leaving you with a sense that maybe a sequel would be in line. It was my listening privilege and I have recommended this to so many baseball fans already.
Rating:
Summary: A feel good experience
Review: I read this book in a few days over the summer for a class I was taking. Out of the seven other books we read in five weeks this one really stands out in my mind. I am not a fan of baseball either I don't watch or play it, but I was able to follow and understand this book completely. The story line was very different and effective. It is more about a son looking for closure with his father than baseball. Ray's experience in the novel takes on an almost religious quaility. Every time I think about this novel I feel good and want to read it over.
Rating:
Summary: ok book, but not the best
Review: Like some of the people that rated this book, i am also a student. I had to read this book for my final Gr. 11 English ISU. I found this book really confusing due to the fact that it does not have a clear timeline. The book was good only because it showed pride, love, and passion for baseball, which reflected well with the main theme. But it was really hard to understand what was real and what was not. The book was less enjoyable as i thought it would be since my teacher recommended it. I'm more into the mystery or thriller books, so this book seemed pretty boring to me. I think i am being generous for giving it a 4 star rating. Too bad you can't give it .5 ratings here.
Rating:
Summary: Shoeless Joe, Very Slow.
Review: I happen to be a Canadian High School student in OAC. This means that I am the same age as those Americans in first year college or university. I do know what a simile is, and at least I can spell it, so please do not think I am ignorant, take the time to read this. I am sure 'Shoeless Joe' has a great meaning to convey, but it is boring. I have read a great deal of books and know that some are not for everyone. This book was not for me. The description is amazing, but the content is a bit lacking excitement and 'page turning anticipation.' I would read 'Jane Eyre' 5 times before reading another page of this book. Personally, I do not reccomend this novel, especially to high school students because they are simply not interested. Maybe the school curriculum could be changed and save a lot of students from some painful reading. Though, it is a good cure for insomnia!
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