Customer Reviews

Confessions of a She-Fan: The Course of True Love with the New York Yankees

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I loved Confessions of a She-Fan. Loved it. It is a funny, funny look at the life of a female Yankee fan, that I think most female Yankee fans will identify with. Jane Heller explains why she loves baseball in a few perfect paragraphs that I am tempted to copy and carry with me for reference when confronted with anyone, male or female, who claims that baseball is boring. Heller retraces the entire 2007 Yankee season, and some of the post-season antics of that year. A few weeks into the season, she decides to follow the team as a basis for the book. The ups and the downs are wittily recounted. I really, really enjoyed reading this book, but it is clearly not for everyone. Red Sox fans (or really, any Yankee-hater) most likely won't see the point of her Yankee obsession. Also, the language can be salty at times, so hold off on letting your 13 year old neice read it just yet. This book is a must read for all Yankee fans and anyone curious to see what it is about baseball that causes such devotion. Her recognition of She-Fans is refreshing in this world of mainly male-dominated baseball coverage. As a bonus, Ms. Heller keeps a blog, which is included at this Amazon site. It is terrific as well; perhaps a sequel is in the works? We can only hope so, and we can only hope that this book ends with the Yankees 27th ring.

Excerpt of my July 16 review on[...]

Despite living in Santa Barbara, novelist Jane Heller is a die-hard Yankees fan. (She has NY roots, of course.) Heller normally focuses on "chick lit" books (Some Nerve, An Ex to Grind), but this is her first non-fiction book.

It all started when she wrote an hysterical essay in early summer 2007 in The New York Times, demanding a "divorce" from the Yankees -- that infuriated and delighted fans across the country. That lead to a book contract, and Heller and her husband Michael hit the road, with the goal of attending (almost) every game, talking to players, and writing about the 2007 season from a "she fan's" POV.

The result is an funny yet amazingly nuanced non-fiction book that reads like a juicy novel. After hunting for it all over NYC (Hey! Barnes & Noble - get your act together) I finally found a copy at the Wall Street Borders. I started reading it at the beginning of Monday's Home Run Derby, which proved no distraction, and didn't go to sleep until I had finished it.

I've always wondered why I care so very very much about games that I absolutely have no control over -- and that's a constant theme in Heller's book. (Yes, part of it is that the Yankees tend to end up in the playoffs despite al odds and I'm the world's most competitive person -- I once had my friends form a tenants' union against me when playing Monopoly).

My recessive sports gene did not kick in until I moved to New York in 1998, and became curious about why Joe Torre switched pitchers. Within a year I was drinking the Kool-Aid.

My biggest revelation after becoming a beisbol addict was how powerful a baseball game is as "social networking" -- it empowers you to talk to just about anyone in this baseball-crazed city, from cab drivers to top executives. But it ALSO teaches intense lessons about how to succeed in business (a theme explored years ago by Betty Harragan, in Games Your Mother Never Taught You.)

But as much as I love the game, I'm so not a "groupie" -- I have zero interest in meeting (most) players, or getting autographs (although one of my favorite possessions is a signed pix of Scooter with Sinatra, that my bro gave me). Think about it -- would you really want to endure a long dinner with 80% of the players? Sure, Moose, Leiter, Mo or Jeter -- but I'd be bored to tears if I had to spend 15 minutes with preening A-Rod, and I don't speak Spanish so that would rule out Melky. I'm much more interested in talking to the managers, administrators, and media -- especially folks like Michael Kay, Joe Girardi, Brian Cashman, and Kevin Dart. I'd happily give up a weekend in Hawaii to have a quiet lunch with any one of them.

And that turns out to be the real heart and soul of Heller's book -- her plot line revolves around whether she'll be able to break through the NYY administrative moat (which makes getting a visa to Cuba look easy) and get the coveted press credentials she needs to get access to players for her book. In the end, the book is more about the beat reporters and the "traveling circus" of away games -- and that's what makes it absolutely magical. I won't give away the ending, but let's just say it involves one of my all-time favorite players.

I flat-out loved this book on so many levels:

* As a journalist, I resonated to her subtle revelations about how tough it is to cover the Yankees, and how guarded folks like Suzyn Waldman and John Sterling must be to cope with all the demands on them, and yet how warm and caring they prove to be.

* Because I go to a lot of away games as part of my job, I thought she absolutely nailed the "traveling circus" -- including the dynamics of rooting against the home team (especially at Fenway). And the unique rituals of away parks (eg, the "O" at Camden, the umpire intros at McAfee, etc.)

* Her light, respectful touch gave dignity to even some of the young naive women who don't really understand the Jose Canseco perils of being too eager of a fan. And she gracefully explores how much going to even one game can mean to many folks who are facing astounding personal challenges.

* Her insight into the politics of access to the team, and how "who you know" can make all the difference in the world; and yet how the surprises of unexpected encounters ultimately prove productive.

* Why it's a lot more fun, if you are a true baseball fan, to sit in the upper deck, and why night games are usually better than weekend games.

* The sheer joy of watching nine talented athletes take the field almost every day of summer, and the sheer bliss in February when Pitchers & Catchers finally report.

[...]

I love reading this book - I literally laugh out loud in a lot of places...

I've been a fan of Ms. Heller's books for years...I think I've read about 8 or 9 of them...but as a huge Yankee fan, when I discovered that 'Confessions of She-Fan' existed, I immediately seeked it out and devoured it in 2 days!...I think it's my new favorite book...really! It made me laugh so many times as well as cry a few. Ms. Heller totally captured the Yankee fan experience. I cannot tell you how many times I laughed out loud and nodded in total agreement with so many things she said. She captures following 'her boys' around, not so much from a female perspective, but as one of a fan...and what it means to have faith. A really good read and highly recommended.

Without a doubt, Jane's a yankee fan. If you don't take my word for it, check out her website for her blog. The proof's in the pudding there.
I'm a die hard yankee fan as well, and can't wait to complete the book in a day or so. I love the sarcasm, humor, stats, and of course baseball chatter.
A must read for any female yankee-holic, like myself.
Happy reading!

What a delightful book. It's written from a woman's POV, but that makes it even more unique, fascinating, and fun. Sure it helps to be a Yankee fan, or even a baseball fan, but only in that it makes you appreciate more of it more quickly. It's also a book about life, and the simple joys (and profound highs & lows) of being a devoted fan. The tidbits about the whole atmosphere of pro sports, the traveling circus, unexpected spiritual moments (seriously), and the random encounters with fellow fans, good and bad, even the security people,...well, it's an eye-opener. And having her husband there as the trusty sidekick adds yet another dimension -- sampling the cuisine at every ballpark? -- now that's important! Great timing, too, to have been there for what turned out to be the Yanks' last playoff run in The House That Ruth Built. Loved every bit of it; it reaffirms my own sometimes-shaky faith in the ballclub, the sport, and everything else. Wonderful stuff.

This is a must read! Forget the Torre story, She-Fan is told from a female point of view, most often humorous but also quite poignant. The sheer chutzpah and determination of the author, as she follows her favorite team from coast to coast, trying to open doors to an interview, while being thrown one roadblock after another...is absolutely fascinating. What awaits her would sink a lesser person but Heller's trek is written with grace, love, and a bit of the middle finger, too! I thought I knew everything there was to know about the sport but I discovered who made the author's life difficult, who displayed acts of kindness, a touching sidebar about a Yankee reliever and, a prince charming who unexpectedly shows up. Buy this book...it's endorsed enthusiastically -- by me. Two big thumbs up for this slice of America's favorite pasttime!

Laugh out loud funny, both in obvious and subtle ways. Reflective, smart, packed with all the emotions that go along with being the thing they call a baseball fan. Jane's journey to prove her worth as a true fan takes her across the country where she and her husband visit ballparks and meet all kinds of fans: angry, crazy, drunk, life-long, first timers, die-hard, tenacious, sweet courageous and hopeful. This book is a great read - a must read for she-fans and he-fans alike.

Having been a lifelong Yankee fan I love the observations and stories in this book. I lived on Martha's Vineyard for 4 years - try being a Yankee fan there! Now I'm in Florida and follow every game. I felt like I was sharing the rollercoaster ride with Jane Heller and thoroughly enjoyed reading "Confessions of a She-Fan" as much as I have her other works.

I got this for my husband who is a huge Yankees fan, but I started to read it and couldn't put it down. What a HOOT Jane Heller is.
I've read her articles in The New York Times, and am so happy she made her travels and travails with the Pin Striped Guys in book form. Oh, and also with her husband.
This is a terrific book about life and love around those New York Yankees always the best, except when they are not. If you've loved the Yankees, if you've hated the Yankees, if you never cared but always heard baseball in the background of a summer's day - this one's for you.
First sports book I have ever read straight through. Great Mother's Day Gift if your mom has had to sit through years of Yankees games - here is the backstage gossip we always wanted to hear.