Casey at the Bat [Hardcover]

LeRoy Neiman (Author), Ernest L. Thayer (Author), Joe Torre (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 7, 2002 | Age Level: 8 and up | Grade Level: 3 and up

Think back to those amazingly languid summers of your childhood, when in the heat of the day you followed the game on a distant radio, watched the pros on the living-room TV, or cheered your local heroes at the hometown ballpark. Ernest Thayer's classic tale of baseball hopes and dreams comes to life like never before with LeRoy Neiman's lush, meticulously detailed charcoal drawings and an original introduction by Yankees manager Joe Torre, considered by many to be the greatest baseball manager of all time. These illustrations -- a rare departure from the vibrantly colored paintings that made LeRoy Neiman famous -- evoke Mudville's beloved Casey in images that are muscular, immediate, and unmistakably American.

A volume of matchless artistry, this edition of Casey at the Bat is a treasure for all generations.

Editorial Reviews

From Booklist

Gr. 2-6. There always seems to be one more version of the news that there's no joy in Mudville. The 1888 poem is given very modern dress by Neiman, who forsakes his usual gaudy palette for muscular charcoal drawings. There's a profusion of full-page and double-page-spread images of Casey and his fellow players, dramatic close-ups and poses worthy of antique Greek statuary. Neiman raises his figures to mythic level: even long shots showing the pitcher throwing to Casey from the mound achieve a hieratic quality. Christopher Bing's Caldecott Honor book, Casey at the Bat (2000), with its marvelous period images and collage effects, is about as different from Neiman's Sports-Illustrated-esque style as it could possibly be and is possibly more kid-friendly. However, Jose Torre's genial introduction, which talks about teamwork and play and passion, may draw young fans. GraceAnne DeCandido
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

About the Author

LeRoy Neiman, best known for his brilliantly colored, stunningly energetic images of sporting events and leisure activities, is a long-time chronicler of contemporary lifestyles and one of the most popular living artists in America. Neiman's work is represented in the permanent collections of the Art Institute of Chicago, the Whitney Museum, the Minneapolis Institute of Art, the Hermitage in St. Petersburg, the Baseball Hall of Fame, and numerous other museums and private collections. He lives in New York City.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 8 and up
  
• Hardcover: 96 pages
• Publisher: Ecco; 1 edition (May 7, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0060090685
• ISBN-13: 978-0060090685
• Product Dimensions: 11.8 x 9.2 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.7 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #665,733 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Casey at the Bat text change disturbing, January 25, 2003

By 

ronn (new jersey) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Casey at the Bat (Hardcover)

Having a son named Casey, I have many copies of "Casey at the Bat". Each and every one of them has Cooney and Burrows die at first. The new Harper Collins edition reads.."And then when Cooney died at second, and Burrows did the same..." Not only does this interrupt the meter of the poem, it doesn't make any baseball sense. Mudville is losing by two runs in the bottom of the ninth. When Cooney gets up there are no outs. How does he die at second? How does Burrows do the same? Did they try to stretch a single into a double? I can just see the veins popping out on the managers forehead when they pulled that stunt. This line is really something to think about and I am wondering where the editors at Harper Collins came across it.
The illustrations by Leroy Neiman are wonderful. Here you see a very Mantlesque looking Casey straining every muscle to connect with that pitch and end the game with a towering blast. I also loved the fact that they are not in color. The only disturbing part is that before the final verse of the poem, you are clearly shown that Casey has missed the ball. Now we all know that Casey struck out, but you don't want to know that until the text tells you. To this day I always hope that air which is shatterd has been the result of his hitting the ball. The placement of Mr Neiman's illustrations takes that hope away. If I had been reading this to my son for the first time, he would surely have seen that the mighty Casey had failed. There would have been no need to read the last stanza. I certainly do not recommend this as a childs first introduction to this poem. The format and illustrations are wonderful, but save it for your second purchase!

3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Mighty Casey has Struck Out....., June 26, 2002

By 

Roz Levine - See all my reviews

This review is from: Casey at the Bat (Hardcover)

What do you get when you combine Ernest Thayer's beloved, boys of summer poem and artist, Leroy Neiman's rich, charcoal illustrations? A unique and evocative rendering of Americana that adds an additional rare gem to the rich collection of Casey At The Bat books. Mr Neiman's unique, expressive, and dynamic artwork brings the poem to life in all its emotional splendor and glory. From the introduction by New York Yankee's manager, Joe Torre, to the very last page, as muscular Casey, bat in hand, hangs his head and takes that lonely walk from the plate into fictional history, young and old alike will be entranced by this powerful and engaging, larger than life story. Perfect for youngsters 8 and older, Leroy Neiman's, oversized, coffee table-like Casey At The Bat is a combination of verse and artwork at its finest, and a must for both baseball fans and art lovers everywhere.

2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Casey at the Bat, February 14, 2009

By 

James G. Casey (NY USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Casey at the Bat (Hardcover)

One of the book covers was torn and covered with a black substance. It was unsuitable to gift to the intended recipient. I had to obtain another book locally. I tried to contact Horizon Books via telephone, but never got an answer. I would appreciate a replacement copy!