Bums: An Oral Histor of the Brooklyn Dodgers [Paperback]

Peter Golenbock (Author)

Book Description

Series: Contemporary Sports Classics | Publication Date: May 1, 2000

"Revealing . . . memorable . . . reminiscences about the most beloved baseball team of all time." -- New York Times "An era is brought to life with remarkable, consistent passion." -- Newsweek "Golenbock gathers stories of a team, a park, and an era gone by in Bums. Few teams experienced more greatness or more heartbreak, which makes the book worthwhile for an audience wider than just New Yorkers or just National League fans." -- Cleveland Plain-Dealer Before the team headed to Los Angeles in 1957, the Brooklyn Dodgers were one of the most colorful and beloved teams in baseball. In Bums, bestselling author Peter Golenbock has compiled a fascinating oral history of the Ebbets Field heroes with recollections from former players, writers, front-office executives, and faithful fans. Dodgers legends such as Pee Wee Reese, Leo Durocher, Duke Snider, Roy Campanella, Ralph Branca, and many others recall the ups and downs of that unforgettable ball club in their own words.Among his many books are Dynasty, the definitive history of the 1949-1964 New York Yankees (also available from Contemporary Books); Wild, High, and Tight, his revealing biography of Yankees manager Billy Martin; and Wrigleyville, an oral history of the Chicago Cubs. He has been a frequent guest on many television shows, including A&E's Biography, ESPN's 50 Greatest Athletes, and Larry King Live. He lives in Saint Petersburg, Florida.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Peter Golenbock is the author of many bestselling books, including Dynasty, The Bronx Zoo, Number 1, Balls, and Personal Fouls.

Product Details

• Paperback: 528 pages
• Publisher: McGraw-Hill/Contemporary (May 1, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0809223953
• ISBN-13: 978-0809223954
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 5.9 x 1.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.3 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,064,184 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars First-hand accounts, January 30, 2001

By 

Raul R Ruiz - See all my reviews

This review is from: Bums: An Oral Histor of the Brooklyn Dodgers (Paperback)

The strength of this book lies in the first-hand accounts given by the players, executives, and fans that made the Dodgers franchise what it was. It is around these accounts that the book is built, and there is nothing more fascinating than hearing contemporaries reminisce about Campy or the Duke. This moves the book away from journalism and makes it something deeply personal. A must-have for any fan of the game, and especially of the Brooklyn Dodgers.

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Detailed and stirring review of the Dodgers history, June 2, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Bums Oral History of the Brooklyn Dodgers (Hardcover)

This is a wonderful book if you're a fan interested in the early days of baseball, especially the New York teams. The author captures everything around the human spirit surrounding the Dodgers, Ebbets Field, the fans that treated the team like family, Jackie Robinson, Duke Snider, the Giants and Yankees rivalries.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Nicely Readable Oral History, April 12, 2006

By 

K.A.Goldberg (Chicago) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Bums: An Oral Histor of the Brooklyn Dodgers (Paperback)

This is a very good and quite readable oral history about the Brooklyn Dodgers of the 1940-1950's. That celebrated team won several pennants, integrated baseball with Jackie Robinson, and had many colorful and talented characters. Written in the 1980's, we hear from ex-Dodgers stars like Roy Campanella, Duke Snider, Ralph Branca, Pee Wee Reese, Leo Durocher, and even some fans. We see how this team played in quaint little Ebbets Field, mostly succeeding except for some heartbreaking losses in the World Series against the Yankees. But sadly, the real heartbreak came when greedy owner Walter O'Malley looked at declining attendance and fled to Los Angeles after 1957. This book should be of great interest to baseball aficionados, particularly those that remember their heroes in Ebbets Field. Readers should also enjoy THE BOYS OF SUMMER, a superb if melancholy account by Roger Kahn.