Synopses & Reviews
Most fans donand#8217;t know how far the Jewish presence in baseball extends beyond a few famous players such as Greenberg, Rosen, Koufax, Holtzman, Green, Ausmus, Youkilis, Braun, and Kinsler. In fact, that presence extends to the baseball commissioner Bud Selig, labor leaders Marvin Miller and Don Fehr, owners Jerry Reinsdorf and Stuart Sternberg, officials Theo Epstein and Mark Shapiro, sportswriters Murray Chass, Ross Newhan, Ira Berkow, and Roger Kahn, and even famous Jewish baseball fans like Alan Dershowitz and Barney Frank.and#160;
The life stories of these and many others, on and off the field, have been compiled from nearly fifty in-depth interviews and arranged by decade in this edifying and entertaining work of oral and cultural history. In American Jews and Americaand#8217;s Game each person talks about growing up Jewish and dealing with Jewish identity, assimilation, intermarriage, future viability, religious observance, anti-Semitism, and Israel. Each tells about being in the midst of the colorful pantheon of players who, over the past seventy-five years or more, have made baseball what it is. Their stories tell, as no previous book has, the history of the larger-than-life role of Jews in Americaand#8217;s pastime.
Review
“There may well be more books about Jews and baseball than there are Jews who played professional baseball. But this one is different. Here baseballs most interesting Jews speak in their own words about their lives, their love of the game, and above all about their Judaism. Informative, inspiring, historically significant, and a pleasure to read, this is a book that anybody who cares about Americas game or Americas Jews will cherish.”—Jonathan D. Sarna, author of American Judaism: A History and chief historian of the National Museum of American Jewish History Jonathan D. Sarna
Review
“American Jews and Americas Game is a highly accessible book about the game Americas Jews love to love. The author allows his subjects great latitude to comment on their Jewishness and their association with the game. The interviewees range from baseballs best to ordinary fans, united around their faith and favorite sport. This is an enjoyable read.”—Daniel Kurtzer, former U.S. ambassador to Egypt and Israel and the first commissioner of the Israel Baseball League Daniel Kurtzer
Review
and#8220;The historian Jacques Barzun was right when he said, and#8216;Whoever wants to know the heart and mind of America had better learn baseball.and#8217; Larry Ruttman knows that too, and that is why I chose to write this Foreword to his book American Jews and America's Game. His stories cover almost one hundred years of American history and the place of American Jews in that history. . . . This is a book that celebrates familyand#8212;baseballand#8217;s, yours, and mine.and#8221;and#8212;from the foreword by Allan H. and#8220;Budand#8221; Selig, Commissioner of Major League Baseball
Review
“[These] stories are a unique mix of baseball and reflection on [the interviewees] lives as Jews. . . . These interviewees are for the most part conscious of the fact that although [their] values do in fact have roots in Judaism, they are also deeply rooted in the best of Americas culture and the American self-image.”—from the introduction by Martin Abramowitz, President of Jewish Major Leaguers, Inc. Martin Abramowitz
Review
“American Jews And Americas Game is as much cultural history as it is baseball, and there is nothing quite comparable.”—Sol Gittleman, Tufts University former provost and professor, and author of Reynolds, Raschi and Lopat: New Yorks Big Three and the Great Yankee Dynasty of 1949-1953 Sol Gittleman
Review
"This longtime attorney remains a gentle, always enthusiastic questioner, interested in his subjects' love for the game, their experiences with anti-Semitism and their connection to their faith."and#8212;Kirkus
Review
"Jews have played a key role in baseball history, as has been frequently noted. There is now a celebratory tone to the topic, and this book is firmly within the new tradition."and#8212;Library Journal
Review
"American Jews and America's Game is a highly personal, heartfelt collaborative exploration between the interviewer, his subject and its participants and devotees."and#8212;Andrew P. Fleischer, Jewish Journal
About the Author
“This book of intimate and revealing conversations with Jews who care passionately about baseball is a surprise and delight. . . . In the tradition of Studs Terkel, Ruttmans warm and folksy style lets us feel like were in the room with them as they share their thoughts and feelings about Judaism, baseball, and life. Its a great read. Ruttman has a gift for bringing people out and the results are fabulous.”—Rabbi Rebecca T. Alpert, associate professor of religion at Temple University and author of Out of Left Field: Jews and Black Baseball