Once Upon a Fastball

I was given this book to read because someone had suggested it. I finished it in 2 sittings. It is a wonderful book. The interlacing of history, literature, and sports makes it a fun read. I would recommend it to everyone, especially if you like baseball. But, if you did not like baseball, then you would enjoy it too. An excellent book. One of the better books I have ever read. Enjoyed it thoroughly.

Mitchell has touched all the bases in this clever novel that blends a love story, a complex intergenerational family tale, and baseball lore. It will make for excellent summer reading at the beach. Mitchell knows his baseball and his use of four of the great moments in the last sixty years of baseball grabs the reader--Bobby Thomson's home run in 1951, McCovey's line drive that ended the 1962 World Series, Bill Buckner's 1986 error to end all errors, and the 2004 Red Sox comeback from oblivion against the Yankees in the ALCS. For readers who got hooked on baseball in the immediate post-World War II era, this is especially a delight as he trots out names that resonate down through the passing of time. Some readers might find the ending of this fable a stretch, but it is is a delightful stretch that leaves the reader in an upbeat state of mind. With all the gloom and doom in the air, this lovely story restores one's faith in the human condition....and makes that timeless connection between the generations that, of all our sports, only baseball can do. Dick Davies, Reno, NV

Once Upon A fastball is the second of Bob Mitchell's books I have read. I enjoyed this one every bit as much as I did the first one. Bob has tremendous knowledge of the subjects about which he writes, but the most important thing for me is the message of the book. The ending of this very great, sweet story left me with many tears in my eyes -- a sign of my having enjoyed it thoroughly! I look forward to reading many more of Bob Mitchell's books. He's definitely my kind of author.

...you will enjoy this book. From the introduction, when Bob Mitchell describes basball cards and players from the 50's and 60's to the journeys back in time to The Polo Grounds, Candlestick, the Buckner Blunder and the Red Sox finally breaking the curse, you will find yourself thoroughly engrossed in a tale of what America's Pastime means to so many of us,especially those of us who grew up in the 50's and 60's, and also meant to our parents and grandparents. This is a book with a lot of heart and one that easily takes the reader on a jouney of remembrance of both baseball and the relationships we shared with parents and grandparents.

As an ex-marketing director of a major American corporation, I understand the fundamentals of markets, customer segments and consumer demographics. But Bob Mitchell's books are not about such things. This book should not be read by people because they fit a 'demographic'. Anyone and everyone can read this book and get something out of it. Mitchell is a true artist. He has produced another book which is totally different from anything else I have ever read, including his amazing first novel "Match Made in Heaven". Mitchell's creativity is quite unique and his writing is both challenging and thought provoking while being comfortable and enjoyable all at the same time. He confesses to be a sports nut. I thought I was a sports nut until I read this book. He has made me think completely differently about my own experiences in sports and my enjoyment of them. Mitchell sees and writes about Sports as a metaphor for life and this book intertwines the story of the characters and their lives both past and present with the pivotal events of historic baseball games. I am not going to reveal anything else. Go and read it. It is a brilliant book by a brilliant writer. I loved it.