Wilmington (N.C.) StarNews the latest to review The Greatest Show on Dirt

Add the Wilmington (N.C.) StarNews to the growing list of newspapers and websites to review The Greatest Show on Dirt. Longtime books editor Ben Steelman found the novel relevant with Wilmington making news recently for landing a new minor league team. Here are some of the highlights:

Lane's co-workers are colorful enough to make Damon Runyan's characters look like the cast of a Henry James novel. Besides a few leftover college buddies (see: "Animal House"), you have vendors who work the county fairs in the off-season, a scattering of elderly dugout denizens, the occasional foul-mouthed kid and assorted trailer trash.

Their common denominator, if there is one, is a shared worship of The Game. Nearly all of them played it, nearly all had to face that moment when they realized they'd never reach the big time, but they still can't let it go. They'll put up with a lot – including loudmouthed, and often drunken, ballpark fans – to stay near it.

Something's always happening. Lane has to dodge the glare of a hot but deranged (and possibly ‘roid-raged') pitcher who takes a dislike to him. There's a mystery to be solved about who's filching from the locker rooms during games.

And in summary:

"The Greatest Show on Dirt" will appeal to any hardcore reader of box scores who doesn't mind the feel of wooden bleachers and isn't put off by tobacco chaws.

You can read the full review here: Review - Durham Bulls novel looks at life behind game