I thought it was a good book overall. It provided a detailed account of a huge scandal that involved many different people. At times, it was a bit challenging to keep track of all the individuals and their roles in the scandal. However, the book did offer a wealth of valuable information. It delved into the players involved, exploring their motives and reasons for their actions. Additionally, it described the setting of that particular time, highlighting how it differed from the present day. This aspect added an interesting layer to the narrative, allowing readers to gain a better understanding of the context in which the scandal occurred.

I don't know what it says about me that I can watch a Shakespearean tragedy and be more or less unaffected, but that reading Eight Men Out just tore my heart out.

Should these ballplayers have been punished for throwing World Series games? Absolutely. But when you learn the extenuating circumstances regarding their meager pay and treatment by Charles Comiskey, it’s hard to not feel like the punishment doesn’t fit the crime. Compounded by the fact that the gamblers involved in the fix got off scot-free, in part due to assistance by Comiskey himself. Buck Weaver, Shoeless Joe, and Eddie Cicotte are particularly tragic figures, and their lifetime bans hurt the most.

On another note, this book was written in 1963 which is like 25 years earlier than I thought. I've seen the 1988 movie based on the book and figured that the book was published around that time. Not so. Author Eliot Asinof was actually born the same year that the 1919 fix occurred. Regardless of when this thing was published, it reads easy. Eight Men Out has a lot of moving parts and plenty of material to cover (lots of people, two different fixing operations, an entire World Series, an investigation, and multiple trials/court actions) but the chapters still managed to fly by.

I particularly appreciated that Asinof managed to keep the chapters of the book about the World Series contained and to the point. I’ve read plenty of baseball books where readers received pitch-by-pitch coverage of baseball games and I’m usually ready to tear my hair out by the second inning. Asinof covers the World Series comprehensively but focuses on the aspects that are of relevance to the story he’s telling and as a result, doesn’t overstay his welcome. Bravo!

And while the writing is mainly workmanlike, every so often Asinof would bust out a particularly good turn of phrase. I particularly liked the following, regarding manager Kid Gleason's suspicions of his team during the Series:

"It was apparent that there were no facts. Reality was a vague stink that anyone could smell, but no one knew where it came from."

My only real quibble with the book is some confusion around how the two different fixing operations went down. I had a hard time understanding what the two groups of gamblers knew about, how aware the players were of these two distinct groups. For the most part, though, Asinof does a good job of keeping everything straight. I also appreciated his ability to keep the reader aware of the book’s timeline. I had no idea that the investigation, grand jury, and trial stretch into the next season and playoffs. Nor did I realize how close the White Sox came to winning the pennant the following season, which could have potentially resulted in the White Sox playing in a World Series DURING the court proceedings on the previous year’s World Series fix. The PR nightmare that would have been is kind of a wonder to think about.

So all in all, a good book. Totally worth reading if you’re a baseball fan, though I would recommend watching Field of Dreams as a chaser. I suppose after a heaping helping of unyielding justice, I need a bit of mercy (even if it’s fiction) to help take the edge off.

An interesting but often dry look at the 1919 World Series, the players, and the mobsters involved.

The 1919 World Series was a significant event that has captured the attention of many over the years. It was a time when the sport of baseball was at its peak, and the eyes of the nation were focused on the games.

The players who participated in the series were some of the best in the game. However, their actions on and off the field would soon come under scrutiny.

The involvement of mobsters in the series added an element of intrigue and mystery. Their influence and manipulation behind the scenes would have a lasting impact on the sport.

While the story of the 1919 World Series is interesting, it can often be presented in a dry and academic way. However, by delving deeper into the details and exploring the personalities involved, we can gain a better understanding of this fascinating chapter in baseball history.

Eight Men Out (the movie) held a special place among my favorite baseball movies. So, I decided to give the audio book a listen. To my surprise, there is an abundance more to the story in the book compared to the movie. It's truly fascinating to learn how gambling had a firm grip on baseball right from the start of the sport. For instance, people would hurl rocks at outfielders attempting to catch a fly ball if they had a wager on the game. And the strange part is, there was no rule prohibiting such behavior!

After delving into the book, one can better understand why Bart Giamatti took such a tough stance against Pete Rose. You simply cannot have any connection with gamblers and organized baseball. The throwing of the World Series back in 1919 would be equivalent to a team rigging the Super Bowl today. It was the national pastime and by far the biggest sporting event in the country.

Even after reading the book, it remains difficult to determine if Joe Jackson was innocent, guilty, or just naïve. Buck Weaver, who was portrayed by John Cusack in the movie and was my favorite character, was aware of the scandal, even though he declined to participate. The owner (Charles Comiskey) was undoubtedly a cheapskate and was really the reason the players resorted to what they did. The White Sox were one of the greatest teams in history, and it's a pity what transpired.

Baseball fans, rejoice! Here is a narrative nonfiction work that is truly at its best. It's a must-read for anyone who has a passion for the sport.

This book takes you on a captivating journey through the world of baseball, filled with real-life stories, fascinating characters, and the raw emotions that come with the game.

But that's not all. As you delve deeper into the pages, you'll also come to a startling realization: rich people can be truly terrible. The book uncovers the darker side of wealth and power, showing how it can corrupt and lead to immoral behavior.

Whether you're a die-hard baseball enthusiast or simply interested in exploring the human condition, this book has something for everyone. So grab a copy, sit back, and prepare to be entertained, enlightened, and perhaps even a little bit shocked.

This is a truly remarkable baseball story. It involves a cast of characters including talented ballplayers, shrewd gamblers, greedy owners, and corrupt politicians, all of whom contributed to creating the most infamous scandal in baseball history. The fact that some aspects of the story may be closer to creative fiction than strict fact does not diminish the excitement and intrigue it holds.

The tale centers around eight disgraced ballplayers who accepted bribes to throw the 1919 World Series, a group that has since become known as the Black Sox. While two of the players, Chick Gandil and Swede Risberg, come across as less than sympathetic, the rest of the group seems to have become involved in a more half-hearted and hapless way. Shoeless Joe Jackson and Buck Weaver, in particular, are tragic figures. Jackson, one of baseball's all-time great hitters, was undone by his naivete, while Weaver's failure to report the scheme led to his downfall.

The role of the gamblers in this drama is also particularly fascinating. There were three distinct levels of gamblers involved in the fix, with each group playing a different role. Sleepy Bill Burns, an ex-ballplayer and small-time gambler, did the legwork, but was ultimately double-crossed. Abe Attell and Sport Sullivan were a level up, and managed to make a profit through their constant maneuvering and double-dealing. Arnold Rothstein, the big fish in the pond, backed the fix with his money, but took almost no personal risk and emerged unscathed.

In this story, the least likeable characters are Charles Comiskey, the owner of the White Sox, and the other baseball owners. For years, they turned a blind eye to the corruption of gambling in the game, choosing to protect their own profits rather than expose the problem. When the scandal finally broke, they used their wealth and connections to shift the blame onto the eight ballplayers, presenting them as the scapegoats for the nation's outrage.

It should be noted that since the publication of "Eight Men Out," the story has been challenged for making unsubstantiated and false claims, and for getting some of the basic facts wrong. However, despite these criticisms, the basic story presented here is still excellent, even if it is more of a work of historic fiction than a strictly accurate account of the events. It is a story that continues to captivate readers and serves as a reminder of the darker side of America's national pastime.

Thoughts are like fleeting clouds in the sky, constantly changing and evolving.

Sometimes, a single thought can spark a chain reaction of ideas, leading to new discoveries and breakthroughs.

Other times, thoughts can be fleeting and hard to capture, like a wisp of smoke in the wind.

It is important to pay attention to our thoughts and try to understand where they come from and what they mean.

By doing so, we can gain a better understanding of ourselves and the world around us.

Thoughts can also have a powerful impact on our emotions and actions.

A positive thought can lift our spirits and give us the motivation to take on new challenges, while a negative thought can weigh us down and hold us back.

Therefore, it is essential to cultivate positive thinking and learn to let go of negative thoughts.

In conclusion, thoughts are an integral part of our lives, and we should strive to make the most of them.

By being aware of our thoughts and using them to our advantage, we can lead more fulfilling and meaningful lives.

This is the kind of nonfiction read that I truly love. It's a book about an iconic incident that you might think you know something about.

"Say it ain't so, Joe!" That's pretty much all I knew of the "Black Sox" baseball scandal.

However, everything I thought I knew about the throwing of the 1919 World Series turns out to be incorrect. Just about every fact that Mr. Asinof unearthed came as a surprise to me. Why did they do it? Were they just bad apples? When did people start to suspect that the fix was on? Who initiated the fix? Who really made money? Who was indicted and who was convicted? Was justice served? Did anyone live happily ever after?

Not only does Mr. Asinof shed light on this one sad incident in the great sport of baseball, but he also places it evocatively in an era when the game was transitioning. It was moving from a sandlot pastime played by talented yet naive amateurs and run by ruthless businessmen to a professional sport played by trained pros and governed by rules enacted to eliminate the exploitation of the early years.

Asinof examines the series literally pitch by pitch and hit by hit to demonstrate how the games were cleverly thrown. He does the same with the trial, witness by witness and motion by motion. It can all get a little confusing, but it's worth staying with him. It's like watching a ballgame on TV - you can get up, make a sandwich, walk the dog, and call your mother, and when you sit back down, it's still the same inning. You'll figure it out. Watching the movie Eight Men Out can also be helpful.

Historian Jacques Barzun once wrote, in a statement that is often quoted, that "Whoever wants to know the heart and mind of America had better learn Baseball."

This statement holds great significance, as seen in the case of "Eight Men Out." This work serves as a retelling of Baseball's original sin: the fixing of the 1919 World Series and the fallout surrounding the eight players who were bribed, including the legendary "Shoeless" Joe Jackson.

"Eight Men Out" is not merely a tale of original sin; it is also a story that is distinctly American. It showcases the tendency to let the rottenness fester rather than take the risks associated with exposure and cleanup. As described in the book, Baseball and its owners presented the game as something holy, yet they were all aware that behind the scenes, games and players were constantly being bought and fixed.

Asinof details a world where the written rules are strict and moral, while the real rules are often flexible and corrupt. This is a dilemma that baseball has grappled with for 150 years and that American Exceptionalism and Meritocracy continue to struggle with today. It is an idea that other artists have also explored in their work, most notably film director David Lynch in "Mulholland Drive," "Blue Velvet," and the TV show "Twin Peaks."

The story of America is one of feigning outward exceptionalism while remaining hypocritically silent on the issues that are eating away at the country. This mirrors the story of the 1919 World Series and the Black Sox scandal, making "Eight Men Out" a worthwhile read.

Incredible story!

This is a truly amazing and unbelievable story that will leave you in awe. It is filled with unexpected twists and turns that keep you on the edge of your seat. The characters are vividly described, making you feel as if you are right there with them, experiencing every moment. The events that unfold are nothing short of extraordinary, defying all expectations. It is a story that will make you believe in the power of the impossible and the magic that can exist in the world. You won't be able to put it down until you have reached the very end. Prepare to be amazed by this incredible story!

This was an extremely good and highly informative book.

It delves deep into the story of the ballplayers who found themselves in a tragic situation. I truly feel sorry for them. They were the best players of their era, yet they threw the World Series.

Now, history unfortunately only remembers them as cheaters. In reality, they were betrayed by the gamblers who pressured and manipulated them.

At the end, all they wanted was to clear their names and be remembered for their true talent and not just for this one fateful act.

It is a very sad ending indeed.

Despite the tragic nature of the story, I would highly recommend this book. It offers a unique perspective on a dark chapter in sports history and makes you think about the pressures and temptations that athletes can face.

It also serves as a reminder that sometimes, the truth is more complex than what history initially portrays.

Overall, it is a captivating and thought-provoking read that I believe many will enjoy.

What I knew about the 1919 Chicago White Sox before reading this book could be simply summarized in two facts. Firstly, they were infamous as The Black Sox for cheating in the World Series. Secondly, Shoeless Joe Jackson played for them.

However, after delving into the book, my understanding has expanded significantly. I now know much more about the players and the circumstances that led to the fix. Mr. Asinof did an outstanding job in crafting a narrative that painted a relatively clear picture of life and the pressures that combined to make such a thing possible.

In the end, I felt an overwhelming sense of sadness for most of the ballplayers involved. I was frustrated with the concept of "justice" in the United States and turned off by the wealthy's ability to defend themselves through means such as obfuscating the truth, burying facts, or buying off key players. I also appreciated the difficulty of reconstructing this story, considering the passage of time, the conflicting and missing reports, and the lack of enthusiasm among those most directly involved to talk about it.

Despite these limitations, the book is quite comprehensive and engaging. I would recommend it as a fairly quick read. It is less about baseball (although a basic knowledge of baseball and its history can enhance the experience) and more about the crime and the subsequent trial and cover-up.