As Matt pointed out, Eliot Asinof tends to overuse exclamation points, as they seem to be present on almost every page. However, considering what I know about this scandal, the information provided in the book appears to be correct, and it offers a fairly accurate portrayal of the events that occurred before, during, and after the scandal.

My favorite line from the book can be found on page 192: "Reutlinger had seen enough of America to know that the written rules were rigid and righteous, while the real rules were wide open and dirty." I believe this statement holds just as true today as it did back in 1919 - 1920. If we fail to read the signs and make an effort to maintain some semblance of order, our system, as we know it, will completely collapse. Some rules are explicitly written, while others are implied. But if we deliberately choose to ignore the rules, it seems to me that we are being willfully ignorant or perhaps even sociopathic :-).

As a die-hard baseball fan, I simply couldn't read Eliot Asinof's novel without constantly reflecting on the present state of the game. In recent years, baseball has truly taken a significant hit (no pun intended) due to its ongoing battle against steroids and performance-enhancing drugs (PEDs). As the sport delves deeper into this scandal in an attempt to clean up its act, baseball itself is staggering, and the public often finds itself disenchanted with this grand old game. The proverbial witch hunt to identify those who were "doping" has not only made us question the morality of the sport but has also opened the door to other crucial inquiries: Which players from this "steroid era" deserve a place in the Hall of Fame? Which heralded records and statistics should remain intact? And what can be done to enhance the integrity of the sport?

Much like the current PED scandal, the infamous Black Sox Scandal of 1919 shocked and disillusioned fans of the sport nearly a century ago. And just like the present scandal, it was an arduous task to precisely piece together how it began, who was culpable, and what further solutions could be found to address the problem. This novel holds great relevance to the rampant corruption that can occur in any sport.

Eliot Asinof's "Eight Men Out" offers an intriguing perspective on the White Sox 1919 World Series scandal, which encompassed the "fixing" of the World Series, including all the events leading up to it and its devastating impact on the players and the sport. What the author does exceptionally well is set the stage for narrating what transpired by outlining all the principle individuals involved, such as the eight players on the White Sox, as well as the owners and big-name gamblers. He accomplishes this with a timeline that takes us through the events leading up to the White Sox-Reds World Series and then details the public exposure and the trial. You gain some understanding as to why such talented players on the White Sox would even consider participating in this. Asinof clearly adds his own flavor to the events and those involved, but his book is well-researched and written, with a keen eye for detail and accuracy. Particularly poignant is Asinof's portrayal of the public's reaction to this scandal: “…the American people were at first shocked, then sickened. There was hardly a major newspaper that did not cry out its condemnation and despair…It was a crushing blow at American pride.”

In many respects, "Eight Men Out" is not only about a dark moment in America's baseball history but also about greed, gambling, and the corruption of power in sports and business. It is truly a brilliant read for anyone with an interest in baseball or historical events.

As a passionate baseball fan, I was already acquainted with the 1919 Black Sox, albeit at a rather superficial level. Their act of throwing the World Series is widely regarded as one of the most infamous scandals in the annals of sports history. It has also been frequently alluded to in pop culture, most notably perhaps in the movie Field of Dreams. Nevertheless, my understanding of the incident was lacking in details, and I had long harbored a desire to learn more. Additionally, I had repeatedly come across this book either at or near the top of numerous lists of the "best baseball books of all time". Regrettably, my enjoyment of this book did not quite measure up to these overly hyped expectations.

On the positive side, the author, Eliot Asinof, was able to unearth an impressive level of detailed information. As his introduction implies, he had to consult a plethora of diverse sources, often extracting just a single useful piece of data at a time, in order to piece together the entire puzzle. At times, the book reads like a novel, as it includes back-and-forth dialogue between co-conspirators in secret closed-door meetings. While I'm certain much of this was inexact, it was still fascinating. Not only was the book well-researched, but it was also well-written (aside from an odd number of typographical errors in my copy). Despite this, surprisingly, the topic itself was just... dull.

Perhaps it's unfair to downgrade a well-written book simply because its subject matter was less titillating than I had anticipated, but I must judge it based on its overall ability to hold my interest. What struck me most about the scandal was its utter lack of organization. The scheme to throw the 1919 World Series against the Cincinnati Reds was actually initiated by one or two players on the White Sox. They approached a mid-level gambler, indicating that they would be open to losing deliberately in exchange for $100,000. Once word spread that there was an opportunity to make some money, the scheme ultimately involved 8 players on the White Sox and a number of different professional gamblers, including the notorious Arnold Rothstein of the New York Jewish Mafia. I had assumed that the plan was instigated by the mob, but it turns out that it was started by the players. White Sox owner Charles Comiskey was notoriously stingy. In an era long before the advent of free agency in baseball, owners could pay their players pretty much whatever they pleased, and the players had little choice but to accept or leave. Despite having some of the best players in all of baseball at the time, the White Sox had an extremely low payroll. So, when certain players saw the opportunity to double their salary by simply throwing a few baseball games, it's not difficult to understand why they would attempt it.

When White Sox ringleader "Chick" Gandil realized that multiple parties were interested in paying them to throw the Series, he thought he could profit even more. His teammates were all expecting a certain amount of money, and anything extra would be pure gain for him. The problem was that the players' naivete and inexperience in dealing with professional gamblers led to them being the ones who were duped. The real money was to be made in the betting markets, betting on the underdog Reds to win the World Series. The White Sox players received very little money upfront but continued to lose games in the hope of more to come. In the end, the players made relatively little money (compared to the gamblers), but ended up bearing the brunt of the blame and consequences. Although ultimately acquitted of any crime, all 8 players were banned from professional baseball for life by the newly installed Commissioner Kennesaw Mountain Landis.

This book serves as an example of a case where my imagination of the details was far more interesting than the actual truth. Everyone knows the name Shoeless Joe Jackson - his name is synonymous with the Black Sox Scandal. However, not only was he not the ringleader of the group, but he perhaps did less than most on the field to assist in losing baseball games. He was arguably the best player of the 8, but there were also a few others who were considered the best at their respective positions at that time. Perhaps it's simply because he had a cool nickname that he ended up being the most famous one associated with this.

Asinof did an excellent job of telling this story - it's just that the topic as a whole failed to meet my expectations.

As a die-hard baseball fan, I came across the audiobook of “Eight Men Out” at a bargain price and immediately decided to explore an account of one of the most significant landmark moments in baseball history.

Most people are familiar with the movie from the late 1980s, but seldom do they discuss the book that served as its inspiration.

The book presents a portrayal of baseball that is not as idyllic as our perception of the sport's early days in the 19th and early 20th centuries. It was rife with gambling and sordid disputes, yet it was considered cleaner compared to other sports at that time. Each of the key players involved in the scandal is spotlighted, along with the circumstances that led to the eight players throwing the 1919 World Series. It turns out that the situation is not as straightforward as I initially thought. In essence, it all boiled down to money. After the series, the book details how the sport was cleaned up and gambling was essentially eradicated for decades. The ending is also tragic, depicting how the eight men coped with life after the trial. Even though they avoided jail, they were banned from baseball. One aspect that I wished the book had covered was the owners' perspective.

This book was published in 1963, nearly 60 years ago (and 40 years after the main events of the story). While it is well-researched, the writing feels dull and outdated for 21st-century readers. It also lacks the poetic elegance that I anticipate from baseball literature. I'm glad I listened to this audiobook for 8 hours, as the story unfolded relatively quickly. However, the narrator's reading was also a bit lackluster.

I would recommend this book to baseball enthusiasts and history buffs, but I highly doubt it would appeal to those outside of these demographics.

As a baseball history nerd, I found myself becoming completely obsessed with the Black Sox scandal from an early age. The story of that infamous World Series fix had always intrigued me, and when I read Asinof's detailed account in his book, it only deepened my fascination.

One day, to my great excitement, I got the opportunity to interview Asinof. It was a dream come true for me. As I sat down with him, I could hardly contain my enthusiasm. During the interview, I asked him all sorts of questions about the scandal and his research.

After the interview was over, it was one of the few times in my career working at the newspaper that I asked someone for an autograph. I nervously handed him my copy of "Eight Men Out," and he graciously signed it for me. That autograph has since become a cherished possession, a reminder of that special day when I got to meet one of my heroes and learn more about the captivating world of baseball history.

You know you've written a remarkable book when people are still passionately discussing it 60 years after its initial publication.

Six decades after it first hit the shelves, "Eight Men Out" remains the most beloved account of the infamous 1919 White Sox scandal where the team allegedly threw the World Series. It's not difficult to understand the reason behind its enduring popularity. Asinof's writing is truly brilliant. He skillfully portrays the personalities of the men involved against the complex cultural backdrop of post-WWI America, with all its contradictions.

Unlike many other baseball historians, Asinof uses statistics strategically and sparingly, and he firmly refrains from hero worship. The characters he describes are flawed and human, and there are no clear-cut good guys or bad guys - although Rothstein surely comes across as a Mephistopheles-like figure.

The greatest proof of the success of this book is its continued popularity despite its obvious flaws. It's no secret that Asinof took a few liberties here and there to enhance the narrative. He also seems to have the uncanny ability to access the thoughts of long-departed historical figures. Some have even labeled this book as "historical fiction" as a result - although, to be honest, the story is far too complex and there are too many characters to neatly fit it into that category.

What is absolutely clear is that this is the finest baseball book written prior to Lawrence Ritter's famous interviews. Asinof may have made a few mistakes in details here and there, but he also got a great deal right. He demonstrates a profound understanding of contemporary newspaper articles, court documents, and the culture of the sport in a very different era. He might not be a fan of footnotes (the historian's crutch), but there is no doubt that he has conducted thorough research and knows his subject matter inside out.

When your book inspires dozens of historians to try and prove you wrong, you know you've achieved something significant.

The author of "Eight Men Out" passed away last week. I first became aware of him and the book through a public radio show titled "It's Only a Game". Interestingly, I seem to have good fortune when it comes to books I discover in this way.

The book is truly remarkable. It vividly captures the essence of 1919, making you feel as if you are sitting in the ballpark. It delves into the world of gamblers and the obsession that can be seen in both the blues guitarist and the baseball fan. The book strikes the perfect balance between history, personality, and reporting on a dark chapter in baseball history. Although I am not a baseball fan by any means, I thoroughly enjoyed the book and have an even greater appreciation for those who are. Baseball is a much more mathematical game compared to other sports. Even back then, statistics were collected, shared, and committed to memory.

All in all, it is an excellent book from start to finish. It is perhaps one of the saddest stories I have ever read. It is tragic, infuriating, and fascinating all at once. Maybe it's even dramatic, but it is undoubtedly an American tragedy. While I am still not any more interested in watching the game itself, I am now more intrigued by the fans and the players.

I have a deep love for baseball, and this book has truly captured my heart.

Baseball is not just a sport for me; it's a passion that runs deep within. The moment I picked up this book, I knew it was something special.

The author has done an excellent job of bringing the world of baseball to life on the pages. The vivid descriptions, the engaging stories, and the detailed accounts of the games and players make this book a must-read for any baseball enthusiast.

Whether you're a die-hard fan who follows every game or someone who is just starting to discover the beauty of baseball, this book has something for everyone. It offers insights into the strategies, the history, and the culture of the sport, all while entertaining you with exciting tales.

If you have a passion for baseball, I highly recommend this book. It will transport you to the ballpark and make you feel like you're right there in the action. You won't be able to put it down.

Having seen the movie years ago and having grown up going to Cooperstown every year, I had a certain degree of familiarity with the story. However, I was finally glad to read the "actual" historical account of the Black Sox. "Actual" must, of course, be treated with care as so much of the truth was hidden and forgotten. This is a point that Asinof could have emphasized more often in the book. While he acknowledges the limitation of sources, it might have been more interesting to present it in a different way. For example, "Here's the story people commonly believed, here's the story as this source tells it, here's the story as this other source tells it, etc." rather than a narrative that starts with what seems to be the truth of events and is then only contradicted by false testimony.

As a story that encompasses baseball, greed, politics, business, gambling, justice, injustice, and the culture of the early 20th century, it is both fascinating and frustrating. It offers a unique window into a complex and troubled era, filled with characters and events that have had a lasting impact on American history. The story of the Black Sox is not just about baseball, but about the human condition and the choices we make in the face of temptation and adversity.

The story of the Black Sox who threw the 1919 World Series is truly a captivating one.

It has been a source of great entertainment and has fascinated baseball enthusiasts for decades. However, it should be noted that some aspects of this story have been the subject of dispute.

Despite the controversies, it remains an essential read for baseball fans.

The events surrounding the Black Sox scandal are not only a part of baseball history but also a reflection of the human nature and the pressures that can lead to unethical behavior.

By delving into this story, fans can gain a deeper understanding of the game and the people who have played a role in shaping its history.

Whether you believe the entire account or not, the story of the Black Sox is one that cannot be ignored and continues to intrigue and engage baseball fans to this day.

As a die-hard cricket fan, I always had a hunch that at some point in my life, falling in love with baseball would be inevitable. I had read WP Kinsella's Shoeless Joe and, in my opinion, the far superior but lesser-known The Iowa Baseball Confederacy some time ago. However, I could never truly get into the game. This season, though, everything has changed. Not a single night passes when I'm not completely glued to the baseball action on ESPN America at some stage. If this is what middle age brings, then, well, I absolutely love it.

Now, let's turn to the book.

Eight Men Out tells the true story of eight players from the great 1919 Chicago White Sox team who were forever banned from baseball. Some of these players, like Joe Jackson and Buck Weaver, were at the peak of their talent. They were accused of conspiring to throw the World Series by accepting bribes from gamblers. The America of that era, on the verge of prohibition, and baseball, under the control of millionaire mogul owners, is vividly described, providing a resonant backdrop to the lives and actions of the largely uneducated and naive ball players.

Asinof takes the reader through the conspiracy, beautifully describes the actual games in the World Series, and reveals in a heart-wrenching way how the players faced their ultimate fate. It's a cautionary tale about how easily one can make a hasty decision without fully understanding the consequences, and how a machine, whether it's the underhanded machinations of lawyers or the high-minded morals of the super-rich, can grind a man down and literally trample on his field of dreams.

Sport today is still rife with stories of players and teams who have allowed their talent to be exploited for the sake of fattening their bank accounts by getting involved with professional gamblers and syndicates. My own beloved cricket has witnessed some of the most high-profile casualties, from Danish Kaneria and Mervyn Westfield at Essex Cricket Club to the three Pakistani bowlers Salman Butt, Mohammad Asif, and Mohammad Amir, and of course, the late South African Captain Hanse Cronje.

When I finished reading Eight Men Out, I was overcome with a profound sense of sadness and had an urge to once again read the wonderful books of WP Kinsella, so that I could once again elevate the games I love to the level of pursuits of wonder and those who excel to the status of heroes.

If you have an interest in the history of sport, then I highly recommend this book.

Of all the scandals that have rocked the sporting world, few can rival the magnitude of the Chicago White Sox throwing the 1919 World Series. This infamous scandal not only earned them the "Black Sox" nickname but also left a tarnished reputation that has endured for 100 years.

Asinof's research is truly meticulous. He provides a detailed play-by-play account of how the scam unfolded, from its inception to how the White Sox players carried it out. He also delves into the resulting trial and the long-lasting aftermath. While he seems to have some sympathy for the players, overall, he does an excellent job of presenting a reasonably unbiased account of the fix.

For a die-hard baseball fan with a passion for the history of the sport, this book is likely to be a five-star gem. However, for someone like me, an admitted fair-weather fan who might casually turn on a game in the background on a lazy afternoon, it contains a bit too much inning-by-inning detail about the games. I found my mind wandering at times during the game descriptions. Nevertheless, the post-series narrative was truly fascinating. For me, this book is a 3.5-star read, but I'm rounding it up to a 4 because I recognize that a true fan would undoubtedly enjoy it more than I did.