Review of “Heartland”

The strong start to 2026 for my reading continues with this excellent book on Larry Bird’s time at Indiana State and stories about his teammates there as well. 

Title/Author:

“Heartland: A Forgotten Place, an Impossible Dream and the Miracle of Larry Bird” by Keith O’Brien

Rating: 

5 of 5 stars (excellent)

Review: 

Before Larry Bird became a legendary NBA player with the Boston Celtics, he was an All-American player for the Indiana State Sycamores, a basketball program very few knew about before Bird’s arrival. The story of Bird’s path to the Terre Haute campus and the Sycamores’ magical 1978-79 season is told in this excellent book by Keith O’Brien.

Much like his other books, most notably his biography of Pete Rose, O’Brien conducts hundreds of interviews with people involved in Bird’s life. They can be family, teammates, other acquaintances or even someone who had a brief encounter or event with Bird. An example of this is that O’Brien interviewed the two Indiana State cheerleaders who appeared with Bird on the cover of Sports Illustrated in 1977. At that time, getting on that cover was very prestigious. Getting the perspective of that event from these two women is just one example of the depth of the book.

O’Brien has also shown in other books that storytelling is one of the strengths of his writing and this book has plenty of stories. Whether these are from coaches such as Bob King and Bill Hodges the two coaches for Indiana State during Bird’s time there (King had to give up coaching due to health issues and Hodges, who was on King’s staff, took over those duties), from teammates such as Carl Nicks and Bob Helton, or even people from Bird’s hometown of French Lick, Indiana, these paint a fascinating picture of Bird during this time frame.

The book not only covers the Indiana State basketball team, but also a deeper look at Bird’s life before he reluctantly agreed to go with King to visit the campus. It is known that he originally intended to attend Indiana and play for legendary coach Bob Knight there, but he grew depressed and lonely there and did not play a game for the Hoosiers. This, along with other parts of his personal life such as a short marriage that resulted in a daughter being born, his father’s suicide and his time working for the town as a garbage collector are also chronicled here. No matter what Bird was doing at that point, O’Brien describes it well and completely.

The book is an easy read and is broken up into many smaller chapters, making it easy to digest and finish in a short amount of time. Any basketball fan will enjoy this book on one ofn the true legends of the game. 

I wish to thank Atria Press for providing a copy of the book via NetGalley.  The opinions expressed in this review are strictly my own.

Link: https://www.amazon.com/Heartland-Forgotten-Place-Impossible-Miracle/dp/166821170X/ref=tmm_hrd_swatch_0 

Review of "Baseball's First Superstar"

Ever pick up a book thinking it was going to be of a certain type, only to find out while reading it that it wasn't at all what you expected?  That was the case for me with this book on Christy Matthewson - but even with that, it turned out to be all right.  Here is my review.

Title/Author:

“Baseball’s First Superstar: The Lost Life Story of Christy Matthewson” by Alan D. Gaff

Rating: 

3 of 5 stars (good)

Review:

As one of the first five players inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame, Christy Matthewson established himself as one of the finest pitchers in the early 20^th century.  This book by Alan D. Gaff is part a history of newspapers, part an argument to convince the reader that Matthewson was the first true superstar and mostly accounts written about the great pitcher by himself, his widow and sportswriter Bozeman Bulger.

It was puzzling to understand why Gaff opened the book with a history of newspapers and their coverage of baseball, but after reading the whole book, it made sense. It was a preface to the section of the book (the biggest one) where Bulger’s account of Matthewson’s life was included. This makes the book more of a reference or scholarly type of read instead of one that is a true biography of Matthewson. When taken into that context, this book is a good account of the “lost” stories about Matthewson.

Aside from what is in the writing from Bulger and Matthewson himself, the only true writing about baseball is Gaff’s chapter on why Matthewson should be considered baseball’s first true superstar. He compares Christy to the other four players enshrined with him on that initial ceremony in Cooperstown: Walter Johnson, Babe Ruth, Ty Cobb and Honus Wagner.  The reader can decide for themselves whether this argument for Matthewson to hold the title is valid, but it did have some interesting information on all five baseball greats.

While I learned new information about Matthewson from this book, it did not come away to me as a great work, but I did enjoy reading the accounts of Matthewson himself and the stories told by Bulger.  It’s a good book for those readers interested in early 20^th century baseball.

I wish to thank University of Nebraska Press for providing a copy of the book.  The opinions expressed in this review are strictly my own.

Link: Baseball's First Superstar: The Lost Life Story of Christy Mathewson: Gaff, Alan D.: 9781496243270: Amazon.com: Books

Review of “10th Round”

This was a book I obtained earlier but recently received a message in which I had a deadline to submit a review. Thankfully it was a short book, but it was excellent.  Here is my review of “10th Round.”

Title/Author:

“10th Round: Every Fight Has a Final Bell” by Eric J. Polli

Rating: 

5 of 5 stars (excellent )

Review: 

While I don’t read many fictional stories with a sports theme, the description of this short book by Eric J. Polli intrigued me. It’s the story of Mickey Brannigan, a former middleweight boxing champion whose life has been broken by several bad decisions after his time in the ring was over. Diagnosed with terminal cancer, he tries to make peace with his estranged son Danny. He is also making one last entry into the sport - not by fighting, but by training a young, up and coming fighter named Tyrell Banks. 

The story is very inspiring, no matter if the reader is reading it through the eyes of Mickey, Danny or Tyrell. Polli does an excellent job of developing all three of these characters fairly quickly without needing to go into extraneous information or with long side stories to explain their characteristics.  This is the biggest strength of the book, along with a good fast paced story.

If a reader wants to read it as a sports story more than as a story about the main characters, then it’s quite good for that as well. While the reader will get some bits and pieces of Mickey’s fights through flashbacks, the best writing about the sport is during Tyrell’s training sessions, both before and after Mickey becomes his trainer. 

Not only is the story great, but so is the ending for all three of these characters. It’s a short, quick read that readers of both boxing and inspiring stories will enjoy.

I wish to thank the author for providing a copy of the book.  The opinions expressed in this review are strictly my own.

Link: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0FXHBWTKH/ref=x_gr_bb_kindle?caller=Goodreads&tag=x_gr_bb_kindle-20 

Review of "Return of the King"

I had time during the holiday weekend to read multiple books.  This was another one I finished during that time, and it was eye-opening.  Here is my review of "Return of the King." 

Title/Author:

“Return of the King: The Rebirth of Muhammad Ali and the Rise of Atlanta” by Thomas Aiello

Rating: 

4 of 5 stars (very good)

Review:

Many people are familiar with the legacy of Muhammad Ali. Even if one does not follow boxing and know about his career in the sport, they are familiar with his story of activism, including refusing to be drafted to serve in the Vietnam War.  This book by Thomas Aiello describes the circumstances when his conviction of avoiding the draft was overturned and he returned to boxing.

The title of the book is a perfect one as Aiello not only thoroughly discusses Ali’s legal issues, his alliance with the Nation of Islam and his training for returning to the ring, but also about the politics of Atlanta at the time, led by Georgia state senator Leroy Johnson, who was the first Black person elected to that office. Johnson had to balance the concerns of the white voters with the needs of Black voters to have equal access to items like quality housing, jobs and education. This review won’t go into the political details of Atlanta and Georgia at that time, but it should be noted that Aiello does an excellent job of presenting these issues in a balanced and informative manner.

There isn’t a lot of boxing text in the book, dealing more with Ali’s legal matters and activism.  It doesn’t ignore all of Ali’s action in the ring, be it sparring or his official return to the ring against Jerry Quarry.  The fight took place in Atlanta on October 26, 1970.  However, that wasn’t Ali’s first action in the ring after getting his conviction overturned and his boxing license approved.  That came in an exhibition at Morehead College in Atlanta. These events brought attention to the city in both sports and politics.  For the former, it was to show that Atlanta was a “major league city”, even though it already had the Braves (MLB), Falcons (NFL) and Hawks (NBA).  For politics, while it was mainly a show, there was the perception that Atlanta was more progressive on racial relations. Johnson played a very important role in getting the fight to be held in Atlanta and his political career was helped with this, even if only briefly.

There are many facts and items that might be surprising while reading the book.  The biggest one I found was the revelations by Aiello that in his election to the governorship of Georgia, Jimmy Carter was appealing to white voters with the appearance of racism.  He does give credit to the future President that he did support more progressive measures but reading that was surprising.  This is just one example of those types of passages. This is a good book that is recommended for readers of racial relations, politics and yes, even boxing.  

I wish to thank University of Nebraska Press for providing a copy of the book.  The opinions expressed in this review are strictly my own.

Link: Return of the King: The Rebirth of Muhammad Ali and the Rise of Atlanta: Aiello, Thomas: 9781496244185: Amazon.com: Books

First post of 2026 - “Everest: Alone at the Summit”

Happy New Year! I am hoping to continue my strong reading performance of 2025 with setting a higher goal (100 or more reviews here, 120 or more total books read) and expanding my topics. But to start the new year, I went back to a favorite topic of mine - climbing the tallest mountain in the world. This book was written just a few months after this 1988 expedition but is still a great book. 

Title/Author:“Everest: Alone at the Summit” by Stephen Venables

Rating: 5 of 5 stars (excellent)

Review: As someone who could never attempt to climb a mountain, I am always fascinated with the adventures of those who attempt to reach the summit of the world’s highest peaks like Mt. Everest and K2. This book by Stephen Venables on his 1988 expedition on Everest when he became the first British climber to reach the peak without supplemental oxygen is no exception.

 

Something very remarkable about this climb was that a team of only 4 climbers made the attempt, and Venables was the only one to reach the summit. This didn’t diminish the accomplishments of the other three climbers as Venables expresses much kindness and praise for them throughout the book. Even with just one of them making it to the top, it’s clear that they worked well as a team. The porters and Sherpas who assisted in getting the supplies to Base Camp, as well as the team doctor and cooks also are given much thanks.

The book, while excellent overall, did feel like it was dragging when Venables was describing their travels into Nepal and finally getting to Base Camp. But once the actual climb started, the book was a gripping account of accomplishment, disappointment, near tragedy and ultimately relief at having survived the adventure. It was different to read that Venables wasn’t brimming with excitement at reaching the peak, but it was clear that his hypoxia was taking over and he knew that he had to start his descent soon.

The details of the climber’s struggles and the technical details while climbing are very good. While I never climbed I have read enough books on the sport that I understood most of it, but novices to mountain climbing, whether they do it or read about it, might find these parts too technical for their liking. Here is a passage to illustrate the details:

“It was a masterly performance. First, he took off his rucksack and left it on a ledge, clipped for safety into the rope. Now, without the weight of a sack, he could at least stay in balance for the first moves up a little ramp which leaned rightwards into the cliff. He moved confidently up this, placed an ice screw, climbed higher, then placed another ice screw, clipped in a footloop and used this to surmount an overhanging bulge. Then he moved back left, like some spidery crab spread-eagled on four clawed legs. The most impressive part was the speed and skill with which he placed protecting ice screws, whilst hanging so precariously from one ice hammer. He climbed diagonally left for about ten metres, then moved straight up.” (Venables writing about Ed Webster during a climb to another ledge).

This is just one passage of the several that made this book one that I thoroughly enjoyed. Highly recommended  for those who climb or those who read many books on the sport like I do.

Link: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07L4946L8/ref=x_gr_bb_kindle?caller=Goodreads&tag=x_gr_bb_kindle-20 

Last review of 2025 - "The Last One Out of Town Turn Out the Lights"

Happy New Year!  2025 was a good reading year for me - over 110 total books read with this one being the 90th one reviewed on this site.  While it was good, I am shooting for 120 total books with 100 being reviewed here.  I won't call it a "resolution" - that means it will be broken.  Instead, enjoy the end of 2025 with this review of a very good high school basketball book.

Title/Author:

“The Last One Out of Town Turn Out the Lights” by David Albee

Rating: 

4 of 5 stars (very good)

Review:

When a basketball fan thinks of areas where high school basketball is big, Maine won’t be the first thing on their mind.  Indiana will certainly come to mind, and maybe Kentucky and Maryland, but certainly not Maine. However, in 1975, a school in rural Maine captivated the town and the state with their improbable run to the state championship.  The story of the Foxwood Academy basketball championship team of that year is told in this book by David Albee, a graduate of the school.

This came at a time when there were school closures and consolidations were common in rural Maine. A good section of the book begins with this backdrop.  Foxwood Academy, located in Dover-Foxwood was consolidated with Monson which led to much grief, especially in the latter town. Monson was very good in basketball at the time of the consolidation, which added another layer of issues many had with the merger.  While reading this part of the book, I was wondering what this had to do with the story, but as it turned out, Albee was right to include this history in the book as it was important to the story of Foxwood’s success on the court later in the decade.

The biggest factor (literally) in the rise of Foxwood basketball was a 6’ 8” player named Kevin Nelson.  He came over from the Monson school district while younger and grew into one of the better players in the state.  His story is told well by Albee as is that of the Foxwood coach Skip Hanson.  In fact, many of the players, parents and others who were important to the success of the Ponies are portrayed well in the book.

The basketball action, not only for the championship season where the Ponies went undefeated, but for the seasons in which Monson was a powerhouse for smaller schools as well as the rise of Foxwood Academy is described quite well.  A reader will not only feel the action on the court, but the excitement in the stands and in the band as well.  They are just as important to the story as the players.

Overall, this was a very good account of a rural school and community coming together after a rough transition period.  The story of the Foxwood Academy basketball team is one that high school basketball fans will want to read.

I wish to thank Globe Pequot Publishing for providing a copy of the book via NetGalley.  The opinions expressed in this review are strictly my own.

Link: Amazon.com: The Last One Out of Town Turn Out the Lights: The Epic 1975 Foxcroft Academy Basketball Season eBook : Albee, David: Kindle Store

Review of “Moses Malone”

 As I usually do at the end of every year, I am making on last post-Christmas rush to get multiple reviews done. Here’s one on a book on Hall of Fame basketball player Moses Malone.

Title/Author: “Moses Malone: The Life of a Basketball Prophet” by Paul Knepper

Rating:  5 of 5 stars (excellent)

Review: Fairly or unfairly, the public perception of a superstar athlete will often be evaluated on his or her relationship with the media. Hall of Fame basketball player Moses Malone was a player who may not have had the popularity of others in his era like Magic Johnson or Michael Jordan, but that didn’t stop him from having a great basketball career and show his true side to teammates and others out of the spotlight. That trait of Malone’s, as well as his success on the court, is documented in this excellent biography by Paul Knepper.

Malone became famous at a young age when he became the first high school player to be drafted and signed by a professional team in 1974. After a brilliant high school career in Petersburg, Virginia, Malone was ready to play college ball at the University of Maryland, he instead signed with the Utah Stars of the American Basketball Association (ABA). The poverty he experienced due to being raised in a fairly large family led by a single mother certainly played a role in the decision. Knepper’s research and interviews help the reader learn about this period of Malone’s life. 

The pages about Malone’s professional basketball career are just as good. The ABA and its teams were on shaky financial ground and the Stars eventually folded and Malone joined the Spirits of St. Louis. While he was a young and raw talent playing for these teams, he impressed coaches and veteran teammates with his work ethic and willingness to listen to coaches. This bode well for him after the ABA and NBA merged. Because the Spirits were not one of the 4 teams to enter the NBA, Malone was put in a dispersal draft, where he was selected by the Portland Trail Blazers and soon thereafter dealt to the Buffalo Braves. After some time in Buffalo, Malone was traded again, this time to the Houston Rockets.

It was in Houston where Malone was finally able to show the talent, skill and smarts on the court that made him a Hall of Fame player. He led the Rockets to the NBA Finals once and made several all star teams. However, after not receiving an offer he saw as fitting for what he did in Houston, he signed with the Philadelphia 76ers. That team was already loaded with stars like Julius Erving, Bobby Jones, and Maurice Cheeks. The 76ers, having lost twice in the Finals to the Lakers in the previous three seasons, finally won it all in 1983. Malone made a famous quote of “Fo, fo, fo” meaning the Sixers would win the three series needed to become champions in four game sweeps - he was only one game off.

During this time with the Sixers is when the reader, thanks to Knepper’s excellent writing, learns the complicated person Malone is. He is generous with his time to teammates and fans, but not always with the press. He can seem charming but infidelity and allegations of hitting his wife brings down that image. After his skills were declining, he struggled to find a career after basketball although he did not blow all his money away. All in all, this book is an excellent look at the complex life of one of the best basketball players of the 1980’s. 

I wish to thank University of Nebraska Press for providing a copy of the book via NetGalley.  The opinions expressed in this review are strictly my own.

Link:https://www.amazon.com/Moses-Malone-Life-Basketball-Prophet/dp/1496238974/ref=tmm_hrd_swatch_0