Playing for Keeps: A History of Early Baseball

Rating:
Summary: Informative
Review: A nicely written book regarding the beginings of base ball from 1857 - 1876. A great book for the baseball historian.

Rating:
Summary: Informative
Review: A nicely written book regarding the beginings of base ball from 1857 - 1876. A great book for the baseball historian.

Rating:
Summary: Precise and to the point.
Review: Warren Goldstein has written a extensive book on the early beginnings of baseball as a national past-time. He begins with the formation of base ball clubs during the 1850's and takes the history through the formation of the National League in 1876. During this time he highlights the transformation from a game played for fun and recreation to one played as a business. His insight into the history of the post-Civil War Era and the Industrial Revolution add to the social aspect of why baseball emerged into the professional sport which it became. He uses primary sources and footnotes them readily throughout the book. This is a must book for any fan of the game who wants to know the social evolution of the game as well as the famous participants and teams.

Rating:
Summary: Precise and to the point.
Review: Warren Goldstein has written a extensive book on the early beginnings of baseball as a national past-time. He begins with the formation of base ball clubs during the 1850's and takes the history through the formation of the National League in 1876. During this time he highlights the transformation from a game played for fun and recreation to one played as a business. His insight into the history of the post-Civil War Era and the Industrial Revolution add to the social aspect of why baseball emerged into the professional sport which it became. He uses primary sources and footnotes them readily throughout the book. This is a must book for any fan of the game who wants to know the social evolution of the game as well as the famous participants and teams.