Big Red Dynasty: How Bob Howsam & Sparky Anderson Built the Big Red Machine

This history of how the Reds became the Big Red Machine was a must for myself. I was only 4 years old when the Reds won their second of back to back World Series so most of the players and accomplishments are lost on me. Being a Reds fan now I have to harken back to the days of the 1990 wire to wire team for my nostalgia. This book brought that era to life for me, providing a comprehensive overview of how the team was built and the different parts acquired. It really makes one aware of how good a player Pete Rose, Johnny Bench, and Joe Morgan were. It also makes you see how underrated a player Tony Perez, Dave Concepcion, and George Foster were. And what always seems to get lost in the shuffle of this great Reds lineup is that they did have pitchers. Not to mention that no matter how good the team was, the starting eight did not play in that many games as a single unit until the playoffs. A must for Cincinnati fans and a great catchup of one of the great dynasties of baseball for anyone born after the 1970s.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. The Big Red Machine of the 70's dominated my childhood. They are my all-time favorite team and I found this compilation entertaining, enlightening and well-researched. This is my #1 reference book for the Reds of the 70's. Great going guys!

What a joke that a misleading impression of this book has to be left on visitors to this site based on the ridiculous "reviews" of the first two "reviewers."This book is a wonderful, comprehensive overview of one of baseball's best teams of the 1970s (ranking only with the Charley Finley A's dynasty) that succeeds because it is willing to go into each season from 1970-78 in depth and provide more than just a skimped over rehash of events. You get the full picture of how the "Big Red Machine" was put together on the field and off, and also get candid insights into how the dynasty ultimately declined as the free agent revolution hit baseball in the late 70s.My only complaint with the book is the authors decision to stop their study after the 1978 season with the departure of Pete Rose and the dismissal of Sparky Anderson. The Reds won a division title in 1979 with most of the "Big Red Machine" still intact (Morgan, Bench, Foster, Concepcion) and also put together baseball's best record in 1981 and this final phase of Reds quality baseball merited analysis as well, and not just the quick, casual dismissal the authors give it.

There are great photos and anecdotes that I'd never read before. It's an entertaining and easy to read book.