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When Baseball Went to War
Combined with never-before-published photographs and other special features, this account tells the compelling and unforgettable story of ballplayers such as Ted Williams, Dom DiMaggio, Jerry Coleman, Bob Feller, Lou Brissie, and Johnny Pesky who answered their nation's call to serve their country.
256 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2008
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
February 27, 2025
A good collection of stories about baseball, baseball players and the impact World War 2 had on the game. The book focuses mainly on a few major league players, of whom more than 500 served of which two were killed in action. Although so many served, very few of them went to the frontlines, while most played service baseball for troop entertainment and morale building. It also takes a look at some pre-war minor league players who went to the majors after the war, these men have more interesting service histories as they saw more action. It always have brief chapters on African American and Japanese American players and their service, and the brief women's baseball league during and after the war. Interesting and quick read.
December 17, 2017
It is a very straight-forward and simple read. There are a lot of good stories and anecdotes of major and minor league ballplayers who served in the United States military during World War II. There is not a lot of depth to this book as it barely scratches the surface of the topic, but it gives a good overall perspective. The stories are very entertaining and when you are finished, you come away with a bit more understanding to how important baseball was to the troops serving overseas.
February 26, 2009
A very good book about baseball stars who went off to war and missed prime years of their baseball careers. True hero's. If you are a baseball fan and/or a patriot you should read this.
June 5, 2017
Fast read. Recommended for anyone who is interested in World War II, and baseball.
March 24, 2020
When Baseball Went to War is edited by Todd Anton and Bill Nowlin. This book was made possible by the National World War II Museum in New Orleans. This book was a tribute to the hundreds of baseball players, major and minor leagues, who served in the US Armed Forces during World War II. Some went voluntarily and some were drafted. Interestingly, there is only one mention of anyone’s interference politically to keep an individual out of the war and it didn’t work.
The book tells about some of the individuals who were inducted into the armed forces. Some of these men survived, others survived but were wounded, and others died. They had given up their livelihood and good pay for $21 a month for the Armed Forces. Whatever their reason for serving, they served well. One individual they speak of is Moe Berg. Moe was fluent in several languages, he had attended Princeton and Columbia, and he was Jewish. He entered in intelligence and became a successful spy. He was never captured and he solved the question of whether or not Hitler was experimenting with creating an atomic bomb. Had he been captured, he would have been treated as a Jew rather than a spy or a POW.
The book tells about the return of the players to the game. They still had a league to go to because of the existence of the Women’s league and the Colored league. They took their place back at the top of the heap while the women and Colored leagues took second place. Some of the men continued their career as if nothing had happened. They had not been injured and just stepped back in place, although they had to go up against younger players. There were some who were unable, due to injuries, age, or something else, to return. There were a few who returned in spite of their injuries from warfare. Telling about these heroes brought tears to my eyes. In spite of their injuries, these men were successful.
The book was terrific. As it is told through a series of essays by many, you get a variety of viewpoints. Although they may disagree on some things, they are all very pleasant with what someone else days. The essays are all very respectfully written. It is well worth reading.
The book tells about some of the individuals who were inducted into the armed forces. Some of these men survived, others survived but were wounded, and others died. They had given up their livelihood and good pay for $21 a month for the Armed Forces. Whatever their reason for serving, they served well. One individual they speak of is Moe Berg. Moe was fluent in several languages, he had attended Princeton and Columbia, and he was Jewish. He entered in intelligence and became a successful spy. He was never captured and he solved the question of whether or not Hitler was experimenting with creating an atomic bomb. Had he been captured, he would have been treated as a Jew rather than a spy or a POW.
The book tells about the return of the players to the game. They still had a league to go to because of the existence of the Women’s league and the Colored league. They took their place back at the top of the heap while the women and Colored leagues took second place. Some of the men continued their career as if nothing had happened. They had not been injured and just stepped back in place, although they had to go up against younger players. There were some who were unable, due to injuries, age, or something else, to return. There were a few who returned in spite of their injuries from warfare. Telling about these heroes brought tears to my eyes. In spite of their injuries, these men were successful.
The book was terrific. As it is told through a series of essays by many, you get a variety of viewpoints. Although they may disagree on some things, they are all very pleasant with what someone else days. The essays are all very respectfully written. It is well worth reading.
October 11, 2017
After browsing the cover the book seemed interesting, what a disappointment. Honestly, the author is so dry in both his writing and content, and I normally love books about baseball or world war II.
May 26, 2010
Predictably, I found the chapters written on players who played after WWII and into the 1950's (and whom I therefore followed as a young boy) much more interesting than the chapters on players whose careers were at an end by the time of WWII much more interesting.
January 4, 2014
This was a good story - collection of many voices from the baseball past.
January 3, 2018
Unfortunately, received this book as a free gift from an in-law who thought I would enjoy it since I am an avid baseball fall and am currently getting my masters in history related to world war two. This book is a snooze fest at times and isn't really worth the read or consideration.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews