Customer Reviews

Marge Schott Unleashed

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
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With the Reds' recent ownership change earlier in 2006, I began to wonder more about the Reds' past ownership changes. From the first businessmen who decided to pay professional ballplayers to the legendary reign of Powel Crosley, the subject continued to interest. However, it's impossible to really examine the history of the subject without considering Marge Schott, who is perhaps the most infamous of all Reds owners. So I picked up this book.

Although the book was released 13 years ago, it remains relevant today. The book will no doubt entertain, educate and shock Reds fans just as it did during its initial release. For any Reds fan to truly understand the history of the team, this is one of those must-reads.

For years, I was under the impression that despite her rough edges, underneath Marge was a person who had her heart in the right place. "She just didn't know better," I, and many others, thought. "She's just a product of her times."

However, Bass does an incredible job of reporting so that readers can understand Marge on a deeper level. What you find is not someone simply ignorant and flawed, but rather, a person who seemingly enjoyed terrorizing her employees, thrusting her racist and bigoted beliefs on others, and generally making the lives of people around her miserable. You learn how she sabotaged her own friendships, businesses and the Reds out of spite -- and drunkenness.

Although the book sometimes felt dry and textbook-like, the facts uncovered make it worth a read. Pick up a cheap used copy from Amazon, and learn why the excuse "That's just Marge" should never, ever be used in her defense again.

Mike Bass presents a finely written detailed account of this woman, that is shocking to read. Each carefully reported incident and anecdote informs the reader to an astounding degree. The reporter Mike has researched his material thoroughly, presenting words and stories directly from the mouths of the people who witnessed the truth of how this woman acted in her role as a team owner, a role we usually expect played by people with morals, a sense of justice, and manners. Though filled with many people, and following several years, the book is easy to read, and interesting to follow. Mike Bass has done an exceptional job recounting the tale of Marge. The information is presented without bias, but the reader's opinion will easily be formed by the truth of the matter. It takes a high degree of skill to report such incidents accurately, and quote so many individuals and their perspectives. The story is chock full of recollections and honest feelings that are clearly displayed by the recollections. Only certain kinds of writers can gain the confidence of those who hold the truths and are willing to share it. Mike Bass is one of those rare breeds.The book is an eye-opener. Books that tell the truth of how things really are, can truly allow us to judge for ourselves. I highly recommend this book .

Mike Bass presents a finely written detailed account of this woman, that is shocking to read. Each carefully reported incident and anecdote informs the reader to an astounding degree. The reporter Mike has researched his material thoroughly, presenting words and stories directly from the mouths of the people who witnessed the truth of how this woman acted in her role as a team owner, a role we usually expect played by people with morals, and justice, and manners. Though filled with many characters and following several years, the book is easy to read, and interesting to follow. Mike Bass has done an exceptional job recounting the tale of Marge. The information is presented without bias, but the reader's opinion will easily be formed. The book is an eye-opener. Books that tell the truth of how things really are, can truly allow us to judge for ourselves. I reccoment this book, highly.

I hate you all. I hate everyone. My heart is black, and pumps blood made of coal.