Rating: 
Summary: One of the best
Review: Among the best baseball books ever written. James is known for his statistical work, but he's also a terrific writer, always willing to venture down the back alleys of baseball history. The book has many great photos (check out the photo of Joe Martina, or Ty Cobb in his David Byrne-like big suit) and lot of odd tales about the lives of old-time players. I'm looking forward to its re-release.
Rating:
Summary: The Best Baseball Book in My Library
Review: As a baseball author myself, I'm pretty picky when it comes to reading about the game. The Bill James Historical Baseball Abstract is the best book in my baseball library, which now approaches 200+ titles. [Somebody] complained about James's opinions, but for me, that's why I read Bill James: for his opinions! James doesn't present opinion as fact; he presents opinion as opinion, fact as fact, and then tries to persuade you that he's right. His work has influenced a number of modern baseball writers, including Rob Neyer of ESPN..., as well as myself. I read James's yearly Abstracts in the 1980s, but it's this book that really got me interested in learning more about baseball.Apparently, a new edition of the Historical Abstract is due for publication in summer 2001. Buy it!
Rating:
Summary: Good fastball, fabulous breaking stuff
Review: Bill James is the best at what he does because he makes the statistical side of the game interesting. He never forgets that the game is played by human beings with human strengths and weaknesses. His perspective on players' rankings and his ability to tell a good story are what keep me coming back for more. As for the comments of the reviewer who thinks Bill is obsessed with Joe Jackson: Get over it! Sounds like you're just a bit obsessed yourself. Why would you pick on this one thing and use it as the basis for a review of the entire book? For everyone else: Read anything Bill James writes about baseball.
Rating:
Summary: Great analysis -- outdated rankings (9 yrs old)
Review: Bill James presents an excellent overview of baseball in every decade that it has been played, except the 1990's. He also presents insight into statistical analysis of players without focusing so much on stats that he ignores reality. When I read it in 1989, it was the best baseball book I had ever read. Now, the rankings in this book are somewhat outdated since they don't include many recent players, but the history and theories presented in the book are still the best out there
Rating: 
Summary: Fundamental Problems With Bill James
Review: I have owned for many years, and read this particular book over and over again. Although it is very informative, the one hashing item that just sticks in your throat like a jagged stick, is James pre-occupation with truly believing he is the only authority as to who should and who should not be in the Baseball Hall of Fame. I will use his "little" speech about Joe Jackson in the book, as a primary example of why I have stated that James is pre-occupied and borderline obsessed. The fact that the man even dedicated another book to his view of the HOF is yet more proof, but that is for another review of that book, and certainly not this one. Outside of "my opinion" (of which I am entitled), I do like the book a great deal, for statistical value alone. It is one of most informative in terms of interest and statistical detail. Is James the best baseball writer? Not even close in my opinion. Until he can get over his obsession with the HOF, my review stands, like it or not.
Rating:
Summary: Bill James is a genius, period.
Review: I have the yearly Abstracts from '83 to the end in '88 and have reread each many, many times and I reread the Historical Abstract at least once a year. Simply great books for anyone who loves the national pastime.
Rating:
Summary: Bill James is a genius, period.
Review: I have the yearly Abstracts from '83 to the end in '88 and have reread each many, many times and I reread the Historical Abstract at least once a year. Simply great books for anyone who loves the national pastime.
Rating:
Summary: Invaluable resource for serious baseball fans
Review: If I could keep only two books in my baseball library, Bill James' Historical Abstract would be one of them; the other would be among Total Baseball, Macmillan's Baseball Encyclopedia and STATS' All-Time Major League Handbook. While James has stated he will update this baseball classic (it is over a decade old now), this book has aged much more proudly than most old sports histories. James mixes in colorful anecdotes with crisp analysis and helpful statistical evaluations. The new edition, if it ever is published, will undoubtedly employ updated statistical tools to compare history's best players. In the meantime, grab this book if you can find a copy. I don't know of many owners willing to part with it -- even on loan!
Rating:
Summary: One of the best
Review: The Historical Baseball Abstract is perhaps the most read book in my baseball library. It has something inside to satisfy every kind of baseball fan. James provides his trademark cogent statistical ysis on many of the subjects he has written about before. The historical information on former players is outstanding - any baseball fan looking to expand their knowledge of the game's history will devour this book. James chimes in informatively on some interesting player debates (Mantle vs Mays, Berra vs Dickey) and offers his insight on how the great players in history match up to each other. Some of the information is admittedly outdated, as the book was published in the mid-80s. However, that flaw will change upon the publishing of James' updated Abstract, due out within the next couple years.
Rating:
Summary: An Essential For Any Serious Baseball Fan
Review: The Historical Baseball Abstract is perhaps the most read book in my baseball library. It has something inside to satisfy every kind of baseball fan. James provides his trademark cogent statistical ysis on many of the subjects he has written about before. The historical information on former players is outstanding - any baseball fan looking to expand their knowledge of the game's history will devour this book. James chimes in informatively on some interesting player debates (Mantle vs Mays, Berra vs Dickey) and offers his insight on how the great players in history match up to each other. Some of the information is admittedly outdated, as the book was published in the mid-80s. However, that flaw will change upon the publishing of James' updated Abstract, due out within the next couple years.
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