Reversing the Curse: Inside the 2004 Boston Red Sox

by Dan Shaughnessy

Book Overview

For nearly a century, the Boston Red Sox played the underdog to the indomitable New York Yankees in what ESPN named the number-one sports rivalry of all time. But in 2004 the snakebitten Sox finally... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0618517480
• ISBN13: 9780618517480
• Release Date: January 2005
• Publisher: Houghton Mifflin
• Length: 260 Pages
• Weight: 1.20 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.1" x 6.3" x 9.5"

Customer Reviews

Is Everyone Reading The Same Book

Usually when a book gets ripped (and I have ripped many), it is for factual errors, sloppiness, prejudice. But I have never seen such animosity towards an author. Now Dan Shaughnessy keeps a high profile with his writing in the Globe, TV appearances and books. And like any opinionated writer, he gets his share of critics, that is legit. But not the vilness of the personal attacks. I work a few blocks from Yankee Stadium and had in-laws in Brookline, Mass who were Red Sox fanatics. I see both sides of the rivalry. I always liked Shaughnessy, he always treats his readers with respect for their intelligence. And he has always treated the "company line" with great cynicism. That said, if you want a blow-by-blow account of each game of the 2004 season, move elsewhere. The book is much more an overview and it eventually becomes evident that the author has much more access to the front office people than to the players. It is also a book that maintains its perspective at all times. The book is immensely interesting, partly because of the story but mostly because Shaughnessy is simply a wonderful writer. You feel like he is talking to you as you are reading it. I always ignored catch-phrases and curses. In 2004, the Red Sox became the best team in baseball. Their comeback in the Yankee series thrills me to this day. This book is not the only book for that team, but it is certainly a must-have.

Excellent read

The book is very enjoyable and a must read for all Red Sox fans.

A Triumph!

This book was tremendous! What could I have done to get through the winter without it? It was so cold and my firewood was damp and ice-encrusted. But Shaughnessy's book was just what the doctor ordered! Tucked neatly under a heavy piece of split red oak, it provided more than enough kindling to get the fire started! It allowed me a few peaceful hours of warmth and contentment! What a book! (Disclaimer. You can achieve the same effect with one of those firestarter synthetic logs, which can be had for 1/5th the price).

Shame On You Reverse The Curse Haters!

Typical of many prejudiced readers to pile on Mr. Shaughnessy's book without having read it, In fact, most of the "reviewers" below seem to dislike the person who wrote it, not the book itself. Well, as Ice-T put it, "don't hate the playa." I know for a fact that Mr. Shaughnessy has made his reputation by being a straight shooter, and some people (mostly Red Sox Fanboys who frequent websites like "The Sons of Sam Horn," "Royal Rooters" and "Agganis' Abattoir") can't handle the truth. To wit: How would former Red Sox outfielder Jeff Stone have ever known he had a learning diability unless Mr. Shaughnessy hadn't gently pointed it out in print? When other Sox beat writers were "politely" ignorning the young man's mild retardation, the author of "Reverse The Curse" was willing to speak truth. How he didn't get the Pulitzer that year is beyond me. By the same token, Mr. S. has always been on the lookout for ways to help socially challenged African-American members of the Red Sox. When Jose Offerman's play wasn't up to snuff, it took Dan to declare the malingerer a "piece of junk." When writers found out that former Sox outfielder Carl Everett was not only short-tempered, but a devout Christian, only Shaughnessy was willing to call him out in the Boston Globe, courageously pointing out that the slugger's beleifs were out of line. I could go on. When the Sox acquired lazy Dominican David Ortiz, only Shaughnessy was willing to say what we were all thinking--that Ortiz was a "sack of you-know-what." When lazy Pedro Martinez was at the hospital in 2003 getting a superfluous IV, it took Dan to break the story--nobody else would touch it. Martinez has somehow convinced a hospital to admit and treat him for absolutely no good reason, and the rest of the Boston media ignored the scandal. So save your bile. Dan's record speaks for itself.

The Red Sox book to read!

This is such a great recap of the season. Not just a fan's perspective, or a "quickie" book. Great depth - an insider look at the season everyone wants to remember.