Could this finally be the Cubs' season? The team is in first place and playing well as the All-Star break approaches.<P><BR>As every die-hard Cubs fan knows, however, the team's success cannot come easily. Never, however, could they imagine the hurdles this club would face in its attempt to reach the World Series for the first time since 1945. No club in baseball history has ever had to overcome the challenges that suddenly are thrust upon these Cubs. <P><BR>The Curse: Cubs Win! Cubs Win! ... Or Do They? by former major league player Andy Van Slyke and veteran baseball author Rob Rains takes readers along for this thrilling fictional journey that involves much more drama and action than just winning and losing games on the field.<P><BR>Written with the inside baseball knowledge that only someone who has spent a lifetime working in the sport can provide, the book uses a fictional backdrop to revisit many of the Cubs' failed pennant pursuits of the past - the Curse of the Billy Goat; the late season collapse in 1969; watching the ball squirt through Leon Durham's legs in the 1984 playoffs, and how Steve Bartman got in the way of the 2003 pennant-clinching moment.<P><BR>More than just a baseball novel, this is a story about the bond that exists between fathers and sons, the bond that exists between a team and its fans, and the dangers of the lust for power, glory, and money.
The Curse: Cubs Win! Cubs Win!... Or do they?
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
By Book Guy
Format:Paperback
I wanted to like this book and couldn't quite get there. The plot had several interesting twists and I enjoyed the baseball and Cubs history. Unfortunately, character development was lacking--the new owner, for instance, suddenly became a glory hound, disliked by everyone around him, but the reason for this change was never foreshadowed or explained. Most irritating of all was the dialogue, which was often stilted and amateurish. A good editor, or even an average one, would have been a big help. Overall, a nice effort that could have been more.
3 of 4 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
Andy Van Slyke was a terrific ballplayer in his day; known as much for his irreverent and spontaneous sense of humor as his remarkable "Gold Glove" defensive skills in centerfield; he was a fan and sportswriter's favorite throughout his 13 year major league career. His partner in crime for this particular book - Rob Rains - is a very gifted writer who also happens to be the most prolific author of Cardinal baseball history - and the men who made Redbird history - since Bob Broeg's engaging stories, dating back well over a half century ago.
Together, these guys really know baseball; and they know how to concoct a great piece of fictional folklore about one of baseball's most storied - and frustrating - franchises in history: The Chicago Cubs.
Anyone who follows baseball with any degree of regularity is quite familiar with the last century of Chicago Cubs agony - from the Billygoat Curse of 1945, to the shocking Meltdown of 1969, to the Great Postseason Collapse of 1984, to the recent torment of poor Steve Bartman in 2003; if something can go wrong with the Cubbies, it always does.
After back to back Central Division titles in 2007 & 2008, the Cubs were eliminated in stunning fashion both years; swept by the Diamondbacks & Dodgers, respectively, in the very first round of the playoffs. Of course, it seemed like they were The Team of Destiny in '08 - the 100th anniversary of their last World Series championship, while entering the post season with the National League's best regular season record (97 - 64). How could they possibly be denied? Come on; these are the Cubs!
Thanks to the magic of Facebook, I recently became aware of this particular book, ordered it right here on Amazon, received it earlier today, and polished it off in one sitting. I had no idea what was in store for me as I began reading this remarkable and thrilling piece of fiction. To say Andy Van Slyke has a very complex and fascinating "story-telling imagination" is an understatement. The saga he devised kept me on the edge of my seat, as the surprising plotline unfolds within the 317 pages of this wild ride of contemporary and outrageously entertaining fake Cubs "history".
I loved it, and whether or not you're a Cubs fan or even a baseball fan in general; it doesn't really matter; you'll love it, too.
Together, these guys really know baseball; and they know how to concoct a great piece of fictional folklore about one of baseball's most storied - and frustrating - franchises in history: The Chicago Cubs.
Anyone who follows baseball with any degree of regularity is quite familiar with the last century of Chicago Cubs agony - from the Billygoat Curse of 1945, to the shocking Meltdown of 1969, to the Great Postseason Collapse of 1984, to the recent torment of poor Steve Bartman in 2003; if something can go wrong with the Cubbies, it always does.
After back to back Central Division titles in 2007 & 2008, the Cubs were eliminated in stunning fashion both years; swept by the Diamondbacks & Dodgers, respectively, in the very first round of the playoffs. Of course, it seemed like they were The Team of Destiny in '08 - the 100th anniversary of their last World Series championship, while entering the post season with the National League's best regular season record (97 - 64). How could they possibly be denied? Come on; these are the Cubs!
Thanks to the magic of Facebook, I recently became aware of this particular book, ordered it right here on Amazon, received it earlier today, and polished it off in one sitting. I had no idea what was in store for me as I began reading this remarkable and thrilling piece of fiction. To say Andy Van Slyke has a very complex and fascinating "story-telling imagination" is an understatement. The saga he devised kept me on the edge of my seat, as the surprising plotline unfolds within the 317 pages of this wild ride of contemporary and outrageously entertaining fake Cubs "history".
I loved it, and whether or not you're a Cubs fan or even a baseball fan in general; it doesn't really matter; you'll love it, too.
2 of 3 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
I couldn't put it down! Finished it in 2 days and when I wasn't reading it, it was occupying my thoughts about how quickly I could get BACK to reading it...
Go cubs go!
Go cubs go!
Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
Not what I thought it would be, turned out even better!
When Rob Rains writes a book on baseball I'm always interested because of his knowledge of the game and the National League. Read more
Published on January 27, 2011 by Gregory P. Richter
5.0 out of 5 stars
Cubs Mystery owner and a Curse
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The Curse by Andy Van Slyke and Rob Rains. Read more
The Curse by Andy Van Slyke and Rob Rains. Read more
Published on August 30, 2010 by Tom Barnes
5.0 out of 5 stars
Horse King
Rob Rains and Andy Van Slyke have banded together to form a perfect story, one that all baseball fans will enjoy. Read more
Published on July 20, 2010 by Steve Overbey
5.0 out of 5 stars
Not just for Cubs fans !!
This is a book not just for Cubs fans but for any fan! It is filled with suspense, mystery, hope, drama and action, that will keep you intrigued from the Prologue to the final... Read more
Published on June 18, 2010 by John Weitzman
