From the icons of the game to the players who got their big break but never quite broke through; The Baseball Talmud provides a wonderful historical narration of Major League Jewish Baseball in America. All the stats; the facts; the stories; and the (often unheralded) glory.The Baseball Talmud reveals that there is far more to Jewish baseball than Hank Greenberg's powerful slugging and Sandy Koufax's masterful control. From Ausmus to Zinn; Berg to Kinsler; Holtzman to Yeager; and many others; Megdal draws upon the lore and the little-known details that increase our enjoyment of the game; including:Which Jewish player spent a portion of his retirement as a spyWho received $50;000 and a car to quit school and join the Major LeaguesHow many players sat out of games scheduled on Yom KippurWhich famous player chose baseball over becoming a rabbiBut this is more than just stories. Megdal; a stat geek himself; uses the wealth of modern sabermetrics to determine the greatest Jewish players at each position; the all-time Jewish All-Star Team; and how they would rate against the greatest teams in baseball history; from the 1906 Chicago Cubs to the 1998 New York Yankees.The Baseball Talmud rewrites the history of Jewish baseball and is a book that every baseball fan should own.
#651251 in Books Paul Douglas Lockhart 2010-02-02 2010-02-02Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 8.00 x .79 x 5.31l; .57 #File Name: 0061451649352 pagesThe Drillmaster of Valley Forge The Baron de Steuben and the Making of the American Army
Review
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. Von Steuben; the 18th century top-kick Drill Instructor!By Mike E.A fine book about the Prussian General who taught the raw American Continentals how to fight the well trained European armies. Americans did not lack the will; but they were stubbornly independent and had to schooled in military discipline; formations; drilling and use of weapons and tactics.Baron Von Steuben was the man that taught them the essentials during that terrible winter of 1777-1778 at Valley Forge; and much more. He cared about his men; and though he was an officer; he knew the privations of the ordinary infantryman; and drilled them like an Marine D.I. or an Army Drill Sergeant. And the troops loved him for it! He learned one English curse word that served him well - "God-Damnit!" I have both the Audible and the print edition of this book; and the audio version is fascinating; I learned much more about the American Revolution from this book than I had in high school. It also taught me once again that we are a nation of immigrants; and we need every one to make this country work and grow.1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. History Comes Alive!By jwolf69Very informative and a delight to read. History really comes alive with a sense that you are there to watch. Only disappointment was to find the author concluded in the last pages that very few people visited the gravesite of the Baron. The author unfortunately did not mention where that site is located. He did make a vague remark about the resting site being near; Rome; NY. Researching the location myself I found it is located in Remsen; Oneida County; NY at the Steuben Memorial State Historic Site. However; I thoroughly enjoyed the author's personal approach into the man who was instrumental in not only the outcome of the American Revolution but who also left his mark on the foundations of many other aspects within the military. A wonderful addition to any library and a must read for history enthusiasts.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Good BookBy Allan W. MarcotteI enjoyed the book very much; I didn't know that much about the good Baron. His service under the King of Prussia during the Seven Years War was interesting and well as the fact that he was wounded in combat. To learn that the stories of him being a fraud were not entirely his responsibility proved interesting. If you enjoy the Rev War it is a great read.
