The Perfect Game: America Looks at Baseball

Beautiful photos of baseball folk art and an informative text which discusses the specific pieces of art shown and the artists who created them -something many art books don't do- this book is a treat for baseball fans and art lovers, as well as a deserving CASEY Award Finalist for 2003.

I don't usually buy "art" books, but as a baseball fan I couldn't resist this one. I'm glad that I didn't, since I don't remember when I had so much fun with a book. Page after page surprised, entertained, and informed me. I don't know which I enjoyed more, the illustrations or the text. One intriquing aspect of the book is the way in which it ties the changing folk art and ephemera of baseball to a changing American society.Would I have enjoyed the book if I weren't a baseball fan? Probably. I lent my copy to a friend with an interest in art, but absolutely no interest in sports. She liked it enough to visit the show at the American Folk Art Museum. (But not enough that I could talk her into attending an actual baseball game.)In summary, I strongly recommend this book to anyone with an interest in EITHER baseball or folk art.