Diamonds: The Evolution of the Ballpark

Rating:
Summary: Best book about ballparks I have ever read
Review: Michael Gershman has done an extraordinary amount of research and it shows! This is a beautifully written and informative account of the evolution of the baseball stadium. A must have for any true baseball historian.

Rating:
Summary: Best book about ballparks I have ever read
Review: Michael Gershman's "Diamonds" is a killer book! I was interested in learning about the old ballparks, like Ebbets Field and the Polo Grounds, and "Diamonds" gives a complete historical perspective on the architecture, personality, and importance of ballparks in America. Gershman gives a synapis of all the major ballparks of the 19th and 20th centuries. The writing is excellent, and you can tell Mr. Gershman has done some pretty extensive research; while you're reading the book, he makes you feel as though you're actually sitting in the ballpark. Or, at least, you'll want to go back in time and take in a game at one of those great old ballparks.

And, as you make your way through the book, you realize that through telling the history of the ballpark, Mr. Gershman is telling the history of baseball itself. Ballparks provide the theatre; the game provides the drama. Anyone just interested in learning about baseball history will enjoy this book.

Rating:
Summary: Great book on the history of the ballpark
Review: Michael Gershman's "Diamonds" is a killer book! I was interested in learning about the old ballparks, like Ebbets Field and the Polo Grounds, and "Diamonds" gives a complete historical perspective on the architecture, personality, and importance of ballparks in America. Gershman gives a synapis of all the major ballparks of the 19th and 20th centuries. The writing is excellent, and you can tell Mr. Gershman has done some pretty extensive research; while you're reading the book, he makes you feel as though you're actually sitting in the ballpark. Or, at least, you'll want to go back in time and take in a game at one of those great old ballparks.

And, as you make your way through the book, you realize that through telling the history of the ballpark, Mr. Gershman is telling the history of baseball itself. Ballparks provide the theatre; the game provides the drama. Anyone just interested in learning about baseball history will enjoy this book.

Rating:
Summary: Look elsewhere
Review: The book has lots of terrific pictures, but if you're looking for something to tell you what the inside of Ebbets Field or Crosley Field looked like, this book is short on such details. There are many stories mined from the usual resources recounting what led to the building of the ballparks, and great moments inside them, but "Diamonds" is near useless for getting a sense of detail about these ballparks.

Rating:
Summary: Good book, but misleading title
Review: This is a nice read, filled with nifty anecdotes, and very well researched.

But, its more about the history of baseball in general and not on its playgrounds.

I would say that if you want a history of baseball, this is a good book, but if you're looking for a nice coffeetable book with lots of color pictures, look elsewhere (the photos are all black and white) and likewise if you are looking for a book focusing on the architectural elements, look elsewhere.