Customer Reviews

Innings Through Time: The Greatest Baseball Story Ever Told

5 star:		(13)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Here is a story that starts agonizingly slow, but finishes in the big league of stories that are magical, compelling and wonderful. It's a Wonderful Life baseball story with so many twists and turns that finally ends like all great stories should. The characters are compelling, truly human beings whose empathy you share. As you turn each readable page and the story unwinds, you feel a part of it. It's baseballs best story as advertised. It's the Gone With the Wind of baseball magical stories with an ending you cannot reveal because you could not describe it adequately as Chris Valenti has arranged it with genius. Five stars aren't enough. This book bats 1000. Richard Grudens ( see all my reviews and books sold on Amazon.)

I'm usually very skeptical about claims of being the greatest of anything so I stayed away for about a day or so then I finally made the plunge. Glad I did. If this isn't made into a movie I'd be very surprised. I am very familiar with every baseball title referenced in the description and most are my favorites. So I was floored when I finished this book to have learned that every claim held up specifically. This was also the quickest I've read a book in a while and I think that says something. Bravo to author Valenti! I think he has something here and gave us something to truly enjoy. I am very tough on things and was planning on being tough here too, but I can't. I can't believe I'm saying this, but this might the greatest baseball story I've ever read or known. I give it 5 stars! Jack Maura

Innings Through Time is most of all, a Unique tale. Something very rare in today's world. The author has crafted a story that pulls you in from page one and keeps you there until the very end. This is a labor of love. The author obviously has a big heart. Finely drawn characters who grow with the story. It's also a time travel story. The author shows his knowledge of history and his love for the 1940's. I especially love the fact that the book centers on the minor leagues. The tension is almost unbearable as the book rises to a great crescendo. The pacing is fantastic! The book keeps you on the edge of your seat from start to finish. There is not a wasted scene or wasted word. You can't wait to see what happens next but you don't want to finish it either, wanting it to just go on. This is more than a baseball story, it's a psychological study by someone who understands the human condition and who can expertly chronicle it. Mr. Valenti is a major talent with a terrific imagination! One can only hope there are more books coming from the pen of this author.

This is a wonderful read, and this comment is from a "Two-Book-A-Week" Reader! I have read the novels of Dickens, and this book reminds me in so many ways of Charles Dickens approach to the novel. A stimulating story, a slice of present day life, good guys, with even villains having their attributes! Underlying all, social mores, lessons to be learned, and who will ever forget "Joe & Marie". Finally, just a touch of the supernatural in the purest way, to stimulate our sense of forever! In summary, I highly recommend this book to readers of all ages and gender, even if they have never heard of "baseball"! Ron Hughes, Vero Beach FL

This is a must read for baseball enthusiasts, nostalgia buffs and all others who are tied of reading some of the mundane writtings that have appeared over that last few years. If you read one book this year make it this one. From the first chapter it has you in its grip. The uncle, the mystery tale he is about to unfold in chapter one. After that you can not put it down! Buy it, read it, recommend it, No disappointments here.

I love baseball and love baseball stories and movies. So, Innings Through Time is my kind of book. But, I am surprised to see no other reviewers noticed how exceptionally badly this otherwise good story is written. I'm surprised it made it in its current form through the editing process.

There are grammar errors on at least every other page. Cliches abound, "he was madly in love". I almost decided against putting a litany of the offenses in the review it would run too long. Writing them down was distracting from my read to where I almost quit the book. But hardly a page passes where you don't wince at the bad writing.

But, some examples include (page 11) describing an event as "tragically or tragic" about 5 separate times. Are there no other words to use or synonyms for tragic and tragedy and tragically? On the pages preceding and thereafter, "tragically or tragic" is used ad nauseam.

He mentions a character "bailing out" out of biplane before parachutes were in common usage. The plane "suddenly without warning" starts to vibrate. (Well, I didn't think there usually was warning when something happens suddenly). He writes "all Joe and Marie wanted was this last and final game to be over". Last and final? I think last covers it. So does final. Redundant.

He consistently refers to the "majors" when that term was almost never used during the era in which the story is being told. Everyone referred to the "big leagues", never the majors. He refers to the coach, when in baseball its a manager. He references Ted Williams being in the Army. He never was. Marines. Big difference. He refers to stadiums, a term rarely used in baseball even today but nearly never when this story is set. Baseball is played in ballparks, not stadiums. (Yankee Stadium being the longtime major exception), though people still refer to Yankee Stadium (the official name) as a ballpark.

The whole early scene when Uncle Joe opens up and they drink all this coffee is tough to see as real. They go through something like 3 pots of coffee, where the coffee pot is put on the table, not apparently left where it will keep warm and they drink in "oversized mugs" (but go through three pots) in a short period of time. Richard reaches out for "another cup" and realizes its empty". Makes no sense. The author is not thinking through the way things really occur.

He writes of a euphoric high (is there any other kind)? He references Joe's mother having a serious stroke (are there any nonserious strokes?). At a key point in the book at a local pub he writes, "It was a most unforgettable evening...aside from not knowing this would be the last time (one character would see two others alive again". So, clearly he should have written (or meant to) "It was a most FORGETTABLE evening...aside from..." How's does an editor not catch this?

There are incomplete sentences, non sequiturs, and lazy choice adjectives. (e.g. He sluggishly walked the first block). He vastly overuses the phrase "for some strange reason".

He concludes his A Special Thanks up front in the book with this gem, "To have a gentleman such as Clyde King, who is revered in this field the way he is, is an honor." To have a gentleman such as Clyde King is an honor? To have him what? How about "To have a man such as Clyde King, a man revered in this field, endorse my work, is an honor".

The author is just not a good writer. His vocabulary range and "phrase portfolio" are severely limited. I could go on. I have, I shouldn't. Very disappointing given all the accolades I'd heard. Needed a much keener editor and proofreader.

If they make it a movie, do not let Mr. Valenti write the screenplay. To his credit, he has conjured a very interesting story and displayed more creativity in the process than I (casting aspersions from the peanut gallery) ever could have. So, bully for him there. Maybe a good book for younger audiences who won't be put off or notice the bad writing.

Finally, I was put off by the subtitle "The Greatest Baseball Story Ever Told". Hubris. Self-aggrandizing. Let the readership, the critics and sales figures decide that. Two (to two 1/2) stars.

After reading this book you come away with a feeling of being uplifted and transcended into a life you wish you were part of. It made my love of baseball have a deeper meaning, one that will I will carry with me forever. These "baseball buddies" are as real to me as any friend or family member. A very memorable read.

Richard Callori

This is a great story! Just buy it and read it. You'll be happy that you did!

Since I am not a sports enthusiast, this was the first book I've read that had baseball as a theme, or any sport. Something about it intrigued me greatly so I purchased it. I am a bit of a history buff so I thoroughly enjoyed all of the history that was interwoven throughout. But this was also the first book I've ever read in one day! It was that engrossing. The story, the layout of it, the twists and turns, and everything about it was ingenious. And as I read from a previous review, the ending cannot be described accurately. One has to read it to believe it. GREAT BOOK! GREAT READ! WOULD MAKE A GREAT MOVIE! 5 Stars aren't enough!

This book is incredible. I loved, loved, loved it. I read it cover to cover without putting it down. I couldn't; I was captivated after the first few pages. Mr. Valenti does a wonderful job, with so many twists and turns, you'll never figure out the ending. Don't think twice about reading this one......you most definitely won't regret it. This would make a wonderful movie.