Amazon.com: Customer Reviews: The Ball: Mark McGwire's Home Run Ball and the Marketing of the American Dream

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1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars DEAD-ON ACCURATE, May 8, 2000
By James B. Kohler (barkingpenguin@hotmail.com) - See all my reviews
Daniel Paisner has hit another home run. The absurdity that has entered into the sports memorabilia market is clearly exposed here. He accuarately illuminates just how hard it is for the average fan to collect that "special piece." Unfortunately, sports memorabilia collecting can no longer be just for the love of the game. The book was a great read and highly recommended!
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1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars Quick, Pleasurable Read, December 25, 1999
By C.W. Marinac (Atlanta, GA) - See all my reviews
You'll be amazed how quickly 200 pages turn with this well-written, fast-paced dialogue of Mark McGuire's 70th baseball and the hoopla that endured for a lucky scientist in St. Louis. Even if you're not a huge baseball fan, this story is likely to keep your attention. Thanks to Barron's newspaper for the recommendation!
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1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars A must read ... before Sammy hits 71!, September 8, 1999
I had the opportunity to work with the author on parts of this book. I remember him fretting early on about how to fill the space with only one story. But cutting into the story of "The Ball" was like cutting into the leather of a ball itself. Layer after layer, yarn after yarn, once the shell was removed it began to unravel until all that was left was the core. In the case of a baseball, it is made of rubber. In the case of "The Ball," it is made of money, people trying to get their cut of the money, and the moral battle of trying to do the right thing when the right thing is not very clear.

This book is a wonderful tale of how the American Pastime collided with the American Dream. It gives behind-the-scene, never-before-printed insight into the sometimes seamy worlds of auctions, sports collectibles and the people who inhabit those worlds. Whether it is chuckling at some of the knuckleheaded ideas people had about what to do with the ball or giving detailed accounts of how the specially numbered baseballs were put into play through September 1998, "The Ball" is a well-reported, well-written book. Buy it now and read it 20 years from now to remember a slice of what most fans consider the best baseball season ever.

"The Ball" isn't just a home run. It is a McGwire-esque blast. 500 feet at least!

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5.0 out of 5 stars witty, funny and interesting stories that surround the sale, November 10, 1999
By A Customer
an adventure of a young scientist into the world of big money and big people with "good" guys and villans...with cameos from mcgwire, sosa and donald trump....this was a home run catch with a home run ending
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1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars You'll never look at a baseball the same way again!, September 26, 1999
By A Customer
Round and round and round she goes... Someone, maybe you, could strike it rich at the ballpark and bring home #62 or #63 or, heaven forbid, #70. Here it is, the great lottery of the magical 1998 baseball season. The buzz about Sammy and McGwire was matched by an undercurrent of instant fame and wealth, the American pastime promising to bestow the American dream. THE BALL captures it all. And it is truly a fascinating and highly entertaining read. I recommend this book not only to baseball fans (for whom it is a must) but also for anyone interested at a look behind the scenes of one of the great fairy tales of our times.
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5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent, a must read, September 24, 1999
By A Customer
This book captivates you as you get a first hand look into the pursuit of the so-called American Dream. Not only is the story interesting in itself but it prompts you to analyse and question your own values. This book is just marvalous on so many levels. I can't wait for the next Paisner book to again enjoy his insights into the human personality.
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The Ball: Mark McGwire's Home Run Ball and the Marketing of the American Dream
The Ball: Mark McGwire's Home Run Ball and the Marketing of the American Dream by Daniel Paisner (Hardcover - August 1, 1999)
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