Baseball's First Inning: A History of the National Pastime Through the Civil War

By Nevil Shute

Book Overview

This history of America's pastime describes the evolution of baseball from early bat and ball games to its growth and acceptance in different regions of the country. Such New York clubs as the Atlantics, Excelsiors and Mutuals are a primary focus, serving as examples of how the sport became more sophisticated and popular. The author compares theories about many of baseball's "inventors," exploring the often fascinating stories of several of baseball's oldest founding myths. The impact of the Civil War on the sport is discussed and baseball's unsteady path to becoming America's national game is analyzed at length.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0786441941
• ISBN13: 9780786441945
• Release Date: May 2009
• Publisher: McFarland & Company, Incorporated Publishers
• Length: 269 Pages
• Weight: 1.10 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.7" x 6.9" x 9.9"
• Age Range: 18 years and up
• Grade Range: Postsecondary and higher

Customer Reviews

Adventure story with likable characters

Nevil Shute was an excellent writer, with truly "decent" people for characters. This story has a bit more action than some of his later ones, and a little less character development. But a good read - adventure and suspense without filthy language and gore.