Spalding's World Tour: The Epic Adventure That Took Baseball Around the Globe - And Made It America's Game

Talk about an ambitious undertaking, allegedly for the love of the game. From October 1888 to April 1889, A.G. Spalding conducted a 57-game world tour of baseball all-stars to showcase America's game. Starting and ending in cities in the United States, the road show played games - on the field and off - in Hawaii, New Zealand, Australia, Egypt, Italy, Great Britain and Ireland. Author Mark Lamster delivers a round-tripper on the twists, turns and pratfalls of Spalding's public-relations machine in bringing the sport to new fans.....which would - he hoped - boost sales of his sporting goods. There is personal and professional intrigue - superstar John Ward was in the midst of divorcing his starlet wife, while plotting to seize control of Spalding's National League organization - games played before monarchs & fields that made for a comedy of errors, with baseballs batted at the great Sphinx. This is a wonderful account of "America's Pastime" being trotted around the globe for the good(s) of the game.

Must have for 19th century baseball fans. Fans of Spalding and Ward will appreciate this book. I recommend.

Mark Lamster has written a fascinating account of Albert Spalding's 1888-89 world tour. I had long assumed that all but the most general details of this event were lost to history, but the author's prodigious research and lively style has resulted in a vivid account that I couldn't put down. Not only was the tour brought to life for me, but the ball players' personalities as well. Lamster's coverage of the tour also serves as a window on society and life in the 19th century, in a most revealing way. In a word, this amazing book is delightful.

A fascinating and exceptionally well written view into America in the late 19th century. If you love either history or baseball then you should read. If you love both then this book is made for you. If you love neither but have interest, then I strongly reccommend because the author does a terrific job of making the characters and scenes come to life. I very much enjoyed this book.