Cincinnati and the Big Red Machine [Hardcover]

Robert Harris Walker (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0253328632 | ISBN-13: 978-0253328632 | Publication Date: July 1988 | Edition: 1St Edition

"... this is the history of a surprisingly fascinating symbiosis, of as much interest to social historians as to baseball fans." —Publishers Weekly

"... a sound account of a baseball team's place in the life of a community... effectively focused on the most exciting era of a club that has meant so much to so many people." —Greensboro (NC) News & Record

"Any baseball buff will enjoy this entertaining look at the hey-day of the Big Red Machine." —Monterey (CA) Herald

In interviews with players, including Bench, Rose, Concepcion, Perez, manager Sparky Anderson, journalists, owners, and civic leaders, Walker reveals what it is that defines the Reds, and what Cincinnati as a city represents.

--This text refers to the Paperback edition.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

This hypnotic, historical lament for the "Good Old Days" focuses on Cincinnatithe Queen City, the River Cityand the Big Red Machinethe Cincinnati Reds baseball team, particularly during the '70s when the Reds won two consecutive World Series. "Town ball" came to Cincinnati in 1860, and after the Civil War, baseball grew in popularity. "Gentlemanly deportment" was replaced by "unerring play," and baseball became a business. Cincinnati fielded the first "openly professional team," the 1869 Red Stockings. The Reds claim credit for the appointment of "the first reporter to travel with a ballclub, and the first policy of publishing the results of games on a daily basis," and for the introduction of night baseball to the major leagues. In the form of the Reds, baseball gave the city civic pride and financial income, and in 1970 when Riverfront Stadium was opened, a likely case for the conjunction of professional sport and urban renewal was made. Repeatedly, the author suggests that the conservative, old-fashioned Reds represent Cincinnati in attitude, appearance and style. Extensive interviews with players, owners, managers and other germane parties are sprinkled generously throughout. All in all, this is the history of a surprisingly fascinating symbiosis, of as much interest to social historians as to baseball fans. Walker ( American Society , etc.) is a professor of American Civilization at George Washington University. Photos not seen by PW.
Copyright 1988 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to the Paperback edition.

Review

" ... this is the history of a surprisingly fascinating symbiosis, of as much interest to social historians as to baseball fans." Publishers Weekly " ... a sound account of a baseball team's place in the life of a community ... effectively focused on the most exciting era of a club that has meant so much to so many people." Greensboro (NC) News & Record "Any baseball buff will enjoy this entertaining look at the hey-day of the Big Red Machine." Monterey (CA) Herald --This text refers to the Paperback edition.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 176 pages
• Publisher: Indiana Univ Pr; 1St Edition edition (July 1988)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0253328632
• ISBN-13: 978-0253328632
• Product Dimensions: 9.5 x 6.5 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,799,462 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Walker Hits A Homer, January 27, 2005

By 

Patrick M. Mccoy (Kettering, OH USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Cincinnati and the Big Red Machine (Paperback)

The book begins with an excellent demographic background of Cincinnati and the surrounding area and gives the reader a true feeling of the baseball climate in SW Ohio, in 1869 and now. I found the interviews with Sparky Anderson, Buddy Bell, Johnny Bench, Brooks Robinson, Bernie Stowe, Pete Rose, Joe Morgan, and a host of others insightful and enlightening. This is no typical historical biography of the Big Red Machine. This is an indepth look at what made the Machine tick and how it accomplished the amazing feats it did. This book is a must for the true Reds fan and baseball lover.

4 of 26 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Great Robert,The Hub, Walker., March 30, 1997

By A Customer

This review is from: Cincinnati and the Big Red Machine (Paperback)

The author of Cincinnati and the Big Red Machine is one of the world's greatest writers and my father. He is Robert H. Walker; not Robert Martin Walker as per the above interview. I'm sure that Robert Martin Walker is a talented author as well, but I think an interview with my Dad would be much more interesting on this subject. He has a great sense of humor too. It's a great book and I'm glad to see it listed.