Book Description
More than thirty years after its demolition, the Polo Grounds—like some other urban neighborhood parks such as Ebbets Field, Yankee Stadium, Fenway Park, and Wrigley Field—still holds a place in the hearts of baseball fans.
The Polo Grounds was the home of the New York Giants from John McGraw and Christy Mathewson to Carl Hubbell and Mel Ott to Willie Mays and Leo Durocher. It was also home to the Yankees when Babe Ruth's home run production was soaring (which led to "the House that Ruth built") and home to the Mets in their painful early years.
From "Merkle's Boner," which cost the New York Giants a pennant, to Bobby Thomson's homer, which won them one, Stew Thornley retells the legendary events of the park and its legendary personalities. He reveals little-known facts, too:
When the championship Giants and Yankees played in the 1921 and 1922 World Series, it wasn't a "subway series," because the two teams shared the same ballpark.
The team Mays was playing for when he hit his first home run in the Polo Grounds was not the Giants, but the Birmingham Black Barons. The Polo Grounds was also the site for two Negro World Series games in 1946 and 1947.
Fans cherish not only the historic moments and team traditions of these stadiums, but treasure their physical peculiarities. Like the "Green Monster" at Fenway Park, the unusual horseshoe shape of the Polo Grounds made the park a special place to play. Stew Thornley analyzes the effect of the very short porches along the foul lines and a cavernous center field on home run production and hitting in general.
Baseball wasn't the only sport played in the Polo Grounds. The football Giants played here from 1925 to 1955, but the stadium was better known for some of the great college games, including the 1924 Army-Notre Dame game in which the "Four Horsemen" of Notre Dame were christened. Numerous boxing title bouts were held at the Polo Grounds, and it also hosted tennis, rodeo, midget auto racing, outdoor opera, ice skating, and religious rallies.
Customer Reviews:
Once there were Giants.......2002-09-16
This is a concise but thorough story of one of baseball's most fabled stadiums. As many of the old classic ballparks go the way of the wrecking ball, such accounts become more and more necessary.
The Polo Grounds met its demise as long ago as 1964, but it is likely to continue to have a hold on baseball fans long after some of the newer monstrosities which were built and/or abandoned afterwards (I.e., Riverfront Stadium, Houston Astrodome, Three Rivers Stadium) have been long forgotten.
Many of those who pick up this book will already know that the New York National League baseball team (which was known as the "Mutuals" before it became the "Giants") actually played in four different ballparks known as the Polo Grounds and that polo was never played in any but the first one (the succeeding ones simply kept the name for familiarity's sake).
But this book will add some breadth and scope to that knowledge. The author, Stew Thornley, has nothing new to add concerning the most famous events that took place there. At this late date, what more is there to be said about Merkle's Boner, Zimmerman's Boner, Snodgrass's Muff, Merkle's Second Boner, Hubbell's 1934 All Star Game performance, The Shot Heard Round the World, or Willie's Catch?
On the other hand, would you believe that Willie Mays's first Polo Grounds home run took place before his 1951 rookie season with the Giants? How and when? I didn't know before reading this book.
Thornley also seems to have swallowed the myth that a vengeful Brooklyn Dodgers team beat the Giants in 1934 to spoil their pennant chances and get even for the slight that Bill Terry inflicted when he asked, "Is Brooklyn still in the league?" The story is part of Giant-Dodger lore, and all of those events took place, except that it is likely that Terry's question was really an innocent response to a rumor circulating over that franchises's future.
Thornley's principal contribution concerns the political and business history of the four ballparks, as well as their dimensions and how they affected baseball as it was played there. But while there are some wonderful photographs in the centerpieces of the book, Thornley fails to integrate them with his technical descriptions of the ballparks' dimensions. Some maps of old New York and some diagrams of the four ballparks facing the pages containing the descriptions would have been helpful.
There were not only once baseball giants at Polo Grounds IV but football giants too. Boxing and other athletic events also took place, and, in a separate chapter, Thornley dutifully pays homage to the Grounds's non-baseball history.
Regarding Polo Grounds I, where the Giants played from 1883 to 1888, it is described as a "difficult place to hit home runs". As Thornley states, "Total Baseball lists the home run factor for the east diamond as 71, with 100 being average; this means that home runs were reduced by nearly 30 percent...because of the characteristics of the ballpark itself."
Thornley continues, "However, the Giants had a slugger capable of reaching not just the outfield fences but the property fences that provided the outside border to the stadium itself." The slugger was Hall of Famer Roger Connor, described by another historian as "the premier power hitter of the `Gaslight Era'", and Thornley recapitulates a contemporary description from 1886 of a Connor home run traveling majestically over the right field stands and into a field across 112th Street.
A Giants baseball team playing its home games in a pitcher's ballpark, stingy with home runs, but having in its lineup the premier home run hitter of the era, a left-handed slugger and future Hall of Famer capable of overcoming the park's dimensions by muscling baseballs entirely out of it.
Thornley deserves thanks for reminding his readers that after 116 years and a move to the West Coast, the more baseball changes, the more it remains the same.
The Historic Horseshoe on the Harlem.......2002-03-04
One ballpark that has fascinated me more than any other has been the Polo Grounds, home of the New York Giants. This is due to my interest in reading books about John McGraw and Christy Mathewson. My only two visits to the site came long after the stadium had been demolished. Author Stew Thornley provides the reader with a concise history of all four arenas called the Polo Grounds. Polo Grounds I was located at 110th Street and 5th Avenue and was the only location that polo was acutally played. Polo Grounds II was located on the site of Manhattan Field where the parking lot for the future arenas was to be located. Polo Grounds III had a short life as fire destroyed the park and the team moved into Hilltop Park after accepting an invitation from the Highlanders (Yankees) to play there while Polo Grounds IV was being rebuilt on the same location. I enjoyed the pictures that were in the book which included a couple views I hadn't seen before and also the history of the plaques in center field. I've often wondered what happened to the Eddie Grant memorial and I've found I'm not alone in this respect. Also of interest to me was the information provided on the Putnam Bridge near center field outside the park and the Macombs Dan Bridge that crosses the Harlem River. Of additional interest is the information provided on groundskeeper Matty Schwab and his family that lived in an apartment in the left field area and his son who had friends who would sleep over with him on the outfield grass. The area around Coogan's Bluff has history dating back to the days of George Washington and the Revolutionary War and two of baseball's most memorable moments in the 1950's took place there, Thompson's homer off Branca in '51 and Mays's catch off Wertz in '54. I remember writing to Tom Meany who worked for the New York Mets in the 1960's, asking him if he could provide me with a piece of concrete from the stadium when it was to be demolished. He sent back a picture with a note saying, "Sending you a piece of concrete would necessitate my using a chisel and I've never been a chiseler in all my life." The history of the Giants and Mets provided in this book can be found in any number of other baseball books, but some of the things I mentioned above I was not familiar with. Thanks, Stew Thornley, for an interesting book.
Back to the Polo Gronuds.......2001-04-09
This book is an one special of its kind. It's like "Lost Ballparks" but enfocused only at the mythic Polo Grounds. The simply evocation of the name of the former field of the baseball's Giants wake up alots of events and personalities all very well descripted there in the book. Highly recommended.
One only thing I didn't like from the book: its binding.
A GOOD BOOK ABOUT A STADIUM WITH GREAT MEMORIES.......2000-12-31
I REALLY LIKE THIS BOOK. THE AUTHOR DOES A GOOD JOB OF DESCRIBING THE HISTORY, APPEARENCE, AND EVENTS OF THIS TRULY A LANDMARK FACILITY. I WISH HE WOULD HAVE ADDED MORE PICTURES AND MORE DESCRIPTION OF THE 4 HOMERUNS THAT WERE HIT INTO THE CENTERFIELD BLEACHERS. AN AWESOME ACCOMPLISHMENT BY 4 MEN. THE ONLY BAD PART OF THIS BOOK IS THAT IT ENDED. WELL WORTH PURCHASING. A MUST FOR NOSTALGIC FANS.
The Big Green Bathtub.......2000-12-24
1963 - my first look at the Polo Grounds as a child. All I remember is that the seats, the facade, and the grass was green. Little esle did I remember Stew Thornly brought it all back. Stew delves into how the stadium grew into that weird horseshoe shape and does a great job highlighting all the great events that took place there. Its an easy read but I wish he included more pictures and blueprints. Nonetheless, its the best work I've ever seen of the big green bathtub in Harlem.
Customer Reviews:
Good Encouragement for Christians.......2004-01-27
Enjoyed reading Mitchell's book encouraging people to stop living the "grasshopper mentality" of 10 of the 12 spies who on Moses' orders went to spy on the Land of Canaan.
Among the important points Mitchell covers include:
1. If we attack giants in our own strength, we will be defeated every time!
2. Medical evidence suggests positive thinking is good for our health.
3. Be careful of who you spend time with. Be around encouragers and avoid overly negative people.
4. Faith is best placed in God, not self.
5. We must be willing to pay the price for dealing with giants.
6. Be an encourager! Encouragers are strong and secure enough to give of themselves to other people.
7. Larger successes result from larger challenges - God uses challenges to mold us into His likeness.
8. Sometimes God will get us out of our comfort zone because He wants to do a great work in our lives.
9. Slaying giants can benefit others as well as ourselves.
10. Joshua was one Biblical figure who was successful because he was able to keep his focus.
If you are looking for an easy read full of encouraging thoughts and words, then this is an excellent read.
Very good resource.......2002-12-02
I used this as text for a small group Bible study for pre-teens. The participants responded very positively to the encouraging and self-concept building message. In a culture which focuses on the "outward man" and robs youth of self-confidence, it is a blessing to have a guide which teaches today's youth that God looks inside and that each of them can be mighty, victorious, and successful! This book would also make a fine family devotional guide as well as in small groups. Though it is targeted at youth, adults will learn and grow by internalizing the concepts of overcoming "grasshopper mentality". You won't be disappointed.
Book Description
In this stunning sequel to Sindbad: From the Tales of The Thousand and One Nights, Sindbad, now a rich sultan, recounts more of his adventures. On this voyage, Sindbad and his hapless crewmates are driven off course, and their ship is overrun by monkeys. They abandon the ship but row into more trouble, landing on an island inhabited by a man-eating giant. They are captured but devise a daring escape, and think they are almost away, when they encounter even greater obstacles. With his ingenuity and quick wits, Sindbad prevails, but there are yet more seafaring adventures in store.
Sindbad earned top marks from critics and readers alike for its breath-taking art. In Sindbad in the Land of Giants, Ludmila Zeman has once again delivered an action-packed, suspenseful tale worthy of The Thousand and One Nights.
Customer Reviews:
Great Continuation.......2005-09-03
We very much liked how smoothly this volume carries on the story in Zeman's Sindbad series. Very nice introductions to Sindbad for younger children.
Filled with suspense and comedy.......2001-08-17
Sindbad In The Land Of Giants is a wonderful retelling of a classic fairytale adventure drawn from the "Arabian Nights". Sinbad is not long on his voyage of adventure when his ship is overrun by monkeys. To escape, the crew abandons the ship and rows toward a mysterious island where they find that the "rocky" beach is actually covered in bones! A terrible, man-eating giant captures the Sinbad and his crew, and begins to prepare to eat them for his dinner. Sinbad and some of his comrades are able to escape, but danger lurks around every turn. It will take all of Sinbad's cunning, courage and luck to return safely to Baghdad! Ludmila Zeman is a master storyteller and a superb artist who is able to provide young readers ages 6 and older with a delightful storybook experience filled with suspense and comedy.
Book Description
"A tale of science, adventure, and personality that evolves into a complete review of the history and knowledge of Beringia.... I recommend it to everyone." -The Times (London)
The intriguing theory of a land bridge linking Siberia and Alaska during the coldest pulsations of the Ice Ages had been much debated since the idea was first proposed in 1589. But proof of the land bridge-now named Beringia after eighteenth-century Danish explorer Vitus Bering-eluded scientists until an inquiring geologist named Dave Hopkins emerged from rural New England and set himself to the task of solving the mystery.
This compelling blend of science, biography, and history follows the life story of the eclectic Hopkins as he solves this mystery-and creates an international stir that solidified his place in history. An account that is both thrilling and accessible, The Last Giant of Beringia is popular science writing at its best.
Customer Reviews:
Not Necessarily the Last Giant of Beringia.......2007-06-27
A good read for someone who is a beginner or just beginning to be interest in Beringia.
I was disappointed that it did not contain data from the explosion of research that has occurred in the last 10 - 15 years in Beringia, from sea bed core drillings to off-shore cave exploration. Along with a multitude of core drilling from glaciers that can now more accurately be analyzed. I had hoped for more scientific date especially since there has been so much work done up there recently.
The biography of the major pioneer in the field was interesting as a passing by-line to the overall picture.
The book was well written, interesting, held my attention, not too long and generally a good read - just light on the science.
Overall a book for beginners.
Adventures in Beringia.......2006-08-30
This book is about the scientists who have studied Beringia and how they have put together the pieces of the puzzle to develop our current knowledge of this very interesting part of the earth. Actually, the title refers to one particular person, the geologist Dave Hopkins (1921-2001), who devoted his life to the study of the Holocene geology of Alaska. There are also almost entire chapters about others, including the Swedish botanist Eric Hultén and the American archeologist Louis Giddings. The accounts of their field trips are all fascinating, but I wish the overall story was presented more coherently. Many others entered and left the story, often making me forget about Hopkins. The couple of chapters on Native Americans at the end could also have been left out. The origins of Native Americans, a fascinating subject on its own, and although closely tied in with Beringia, doesn't quite fit into this book.
Nevertheless, I did learn quite a bit from this book. And although it is for the general readers, the book ends with a long list of references to the scientific literature that would be very helpful for those interested in learning more.
A Great Read.......2005-04-21
This book has a good style, topic, and size. I am not an earth science person but still understood most of this book and enjoyed reading this book. The information was concise without being too dense to understand. It also helped me understand something I remember hearing about in grade school but never thought deeply about. I highly reccomend this book as a science narrative!
The Last Giant of Beringia.......2004-09-28
This book is a "must read". While the existence of a prehistoric land bridge connecting Alaska and Asia has been surmised for hundreds of years, it was David Hopkins with his multi-discipline approach who pulled the evidence all together. The book, while giving a detailed yet easy to understand explanation of the reasoning involved, pays tribute to a tremendous individual and his work.
While many branches of science are discussed, the writing is concise, easy to understand and never gets bogged down with scientific jargon. O'Neill has a firm handle on the English language, and presents a very readable work.
Whether you are researching or reading for pleasure, this book is a very worthwhile endeavor. Don't miss it.
Product Description
This second volume covers Lost in Space, Land of the Giants, The Swiss Family Robinson, The Return of Catain Nemo, Man From the 25th Century, City Beneath the Sea, and The Time Travellers. Each show is explored in depth with articles and reviews, comprehensive notes on every episode of each series, actor biographies, interviews with the stars, coverage of never-before-seen episodes, a review of Irwin's career, an Irwin Allen Collectables Guide, and more. 240 pages, over 100 photos, perfect bound, full color cover.
Customer Reviews:
A great, motivational read.......2003-05-23
This is a really good book about a basketball player who overcame his great height disadvantage to become an NBA superstar. This book takes you through the basketball career of Tyrone "Muggsy" Bogues. All his life he was shorter than everone on the basketball court. Can you imagine how it's like playing in the NBA when you are on average about 1.5 feet shorter than every one else? That's how Muggsy Bogues has played for his whole life.
Yet he persevered and overcame his height. His basketball career was by no means all easy and problem-free, and many people doubted that someone who was 5'3 could play basketball with guys who were 7 foot tall. But in this book Muggsy shows that height doesn't determine whether or not you can play basketball. Heart and skill are what determine how well you play. From his wonderful high school basketball days to his terrible rookie year days in the NBA, the reader sees how Muggsy overcame his height to become a great point guard. His assist and stealing ability proved vital to the success or the Hornets. You have to admire the little fella'.
I mainly talked about the great facts in this book........1999-09-05
i thougt that this was a great book for any fan of muggsy bogues, or basketball itsself. if you are a fan of muggsy and do not already have this book, you should definately but it. it all the facts you need to know and great up-to-date pictures. this is a great atleast 5 star book. The main reason i liked this book so much is because i am a long time fan and it told me things, or facts that i had never known about the great muggsy bogues. all the information is great, and correct. also, the chapters have very catchy titles, and you will never get bored of this book. i would like to give mad props to muggsy, of course, and the author for making such a great book.
It was good, but sometimes boring.......1999-03-25
It had a good story behind it and it explained his life very well but it just kept going on and going on. It made me tired to read that book.
a must read for all ages!!!.......1998-07-12
inspiring story. Entertaining and captivating. Muggsy tells a riveting story of challenges and triumphs! Great for adults and a must read for youths!
Product Description
My agent and I snuck onto the studio lot, then headed over to the tiny man-made lagoon where the Gilligans Island beach scenes were filmed, hoping to run into someone whod read my script. As we wandered through the maze of soundstages, Ray pulled out a fat cigar and lit it, trying desperately not to inhale because he didnt smoke. Whats that for? I asked. Its a prop, he gasped in my direction. It makes me look like a big deal. Ray then blew a thick cloud of smoke, gagging on his own exhaust. He was starting to turn green. Im not sure this is such a good idea, I confessed. What if someone finds out were not supposed to here? Ray chuckled. Dont you have faith in me, kid? I didnt. Sure I do, I lied. Ray suddenly stopped and leaned over to throw up. After a few heaves, he thrust his cigar at me. Here -- take it -- damn things making me sick! Hold it for me until we see someone important! 'MY SO-CALLED CAREER IN HOLLYWOOD' may just be the most brutally honest book about Hollywood ever written. E. Klass delivers a scathing, unflinching behind-the-scenes look at show business that is both hysterically funny and tragically sad. This book is mandatory reading for anyone who thinks Hollywood is all glitz and glamour!
Customer Reviews:
Fact or fiction?.......2006-05-23
This book is a fun, easy, very fast read. I could not put it down. But I am left wondering if it is true or not. As he readily indicates in the story, he is a habitual liar. He lies in order to try to make a buck. So, is his story truth or more lies? Who knows?
The book is billed as an insider's view, the true story, etc. But this guy failed. In fact, his character has very few morals whatsoever. So I wonder what the real insider view is, perhaps as written from someone with a bit more character and who did not fail.
If true, I feel sorry for the author because he obviously did not have much common sense and was repeatedly taken in by an individual he thought was his agent. If false, I feel sorry for all the people who will read it an believe it to be true.
A Great Read!.......2006-04-05
I bought this book because of the clever title, hoping the inside would be just as good, and I certainly wasn't disappointed. My So-Called Career In Hollywood is the true story of a struggling, on-the-fringe writer who tried to become rich and famous in show business. He came very close many times. The resulting book, which recounts his adventures on the set of some of the most famous TV shows in history (Lost In Space, The Partridge Family, Land Of The Giants, Happy Days, etc) is both very funny and tragically sad. A victim of the cruel and unforgiving Hollywood system, Ellery Klass spent most of his life "on the verge" of making it big, the brass ring always mere inches out of reach. Anyone who wants to work in Hollywood needs to read this sobering account of what it's really like behind the studio walls.
I loved this book.
Love it!.......2005-12-22
I love this book. I could not put it down. It is an honest and funny story about the author's experience writing for T.V. shows and about the stars he has met through the years. If you are looking for a, can't put down book, buy this one. You will not be disappointed. This book will not be re-sold by me. It will go into my bookcase to be re-read in the future. I do hope E. Klass writes another one as he still has more stories to tell and I would love to hear them.
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Books Index
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General
| Baseball
| Sports
| Subjects
| Books
Greatest Ballpark Ever: Ebbets Field And the Story of the Brooklyn Dodgers
New York Giants: An Informal History of a Great Baseball Club (Writing Baseball)
The Echoing Green: The Untold Story of Bobby Thomson, Ralph Branca and the Shot Heard Round the World
MLB Vintage World Series Films - New York Giants 1954
The Era, 1947-1957: When the Yankees, the Giants, and the Dodgers Ruled the World
