Through Hope and Despair: A Fan's Memories of the Chicago White Sox 1967-1997 [Unqualified]

Let me start out by saying that there is no other team in sports that I hold in the same regard as the White Sox. I am a passionate White Sox fan. I was excited to find a book on my team, particularly from the fan's point of view. Dan Helpingstine has his finger on the pulse of White Sox fans. He understands the pain of White Sox fans. Even better than any media source has been able to state, he understands why these are the most bitter and apathetic fans in baseball and perhaps sports as a whole. In a city full of losing teams, no fan has been walked on more than White Sox fans.Dan Helpingstine begins the book with a history of the White Sox through his eyes from the 1967 through the 1997 seasons. I particularly enjoyed reading about the 1977 and 1983 teams. While the chapters about the seasons are informative and well researched, I only regret that they could not be more thorough. On the other hand, some of those seasons really need not be visited again. Helpingstine finishes the book with a look to the future and a look at the eroding fan base. In his look at the eroding fan base, he could not be more accurate in listing poor decisions by ownership, a history of late season failure, and a media that is critical of Sox fans as the problem. The one solution to the problems is a consistent winner/playoff team and a World Series Championship. Go White Sox!

Being a lifetime Sox fan, I can remember the late 70's chi-sox until the present. With that said, I had no real recollection of the first few years (chapters) covered in the book. The rest of the book brought back many wonderful (and some not so wonderful) memories for me. This book is a must for any White Sox fan who would like a reminder of the good (and not so good) things that have happened to our beloved Sox.

it was my pleasure to read this book which is an education in itself for sox fans all over the world. dan's insightfullness into the history of an infamous group of ball players give the real and true ideals of the game of baseball. his ability to tell the truth and not sugar coat failures and successes is refreshing. anyone who has ever been a fan has to read this book in order to truly know what the real deal is realy about. in closing, only dan helpingstine can give this wonderful experience.