If you see the movie "42", you quickly realize that without Branch Rickey (portrayed wonderfully by Harrison Ford), there might not have been a Jackie Robinson breaking the racial barrier in major league baseball. This book provides excellent back story on the courageous, progessive-minded owner of the Brooklyn Dodgers. And, who better to write this book than legendary writer Jimmy Breslin.   posted Apr 19, 2013 at 3:58PM

A strong tip of the cowboy hat to the author for carrying on Parker's western series in fine fashion. Knott weaves an exciting story with sharpshooting lawmen Virgil Cole and Everett Hitch, with plenty of 19th century railroad details that make it all the more interesting.   posted Apr 13, 2013 at 3:48PM

Another great novel set in Holt, Colorado from Kent Haruf. Very well written in a no-frills style. Great story, great characters.   posted Mar 27, 2013 at 3:13PM

You don't have to be a baseball fan to enjoy the story of this promotional genius, crusader for racial integration in baseball, and one of the most funniest, generous and anti-establishment team owners ever.   posted Mar 12, 2013 at 7:34PM

Oftentimes a children's book makes good reading for kids and adults alike...and this is one them! A great mix of history, humor, lore and gore regarding the demise of such famous people as Julius Ceasar, George Washington, Mozart, etc.   posted Feb 27, 2013 at 4:17PM

The story of a young woman, her mother, and her grandmother, who, along with two of her brother's friends, are caring for her brother as he is dying of AIDS. A very emotional book about character and family dynamics. One of my top four in 2012.   posted Dec 29, 2012 at 4:22PM

The life of Mary, the mother of Jesus, told from her perspective. A work of great imagination. Written in the first person, Mary comes to life in ways quite different from what you may have learned in catechism class. A short and very intense book. Colm Toibin is a master. One of my four favorites for 2012.   posted Dec 17, 2012 at 7:12AM

How wonderful to see a first novel as strong as this! No surprise it is a National Book Award Finalist or that the author is a Michener Poetry Fellow.   posted Nov 1, 2012 at 12:19PM

This is an enjoyable read, with plenty of circa 1950 nostalgia set in St. Paul. A good story, too, that keeps you turning the pages until the very end.   posted Aug 18, 2012 at 2:56PM

This is a superb autobiography by one of America's finest sports journalists and commentators (National Public Radio). Deford, a long-time writer for Sports Illustrated, is insightful, humorous and a highly literate observer of America and its sporting life.   posted Jul 21, 2012 at 3:56PM