The Boys of Summer

[Silver Blaze]

I posted this in books but want to get Dodgers fans' opinions of the book. The ones I received so far are less than flattering.

[VIBaseball]

I always liked it. I found Roger Kahn's memories of his Brooklyn childhood and young adulthood charming (though I gather in later years his ego became inflated). I also think he created the mold for the "where are they now?" approach in the second section.

[Ralph Zig Tyko]

I think that "Bums," by Golenback, is the bible of your franchise.

[dodger dynamo]

I like "Bums" better, the where are they now portion of The Boy's of summer is depressing and portrays the former Brooklyn players as if they were in their 70's and experiencing more failures than successes, when, It had been only just about 12 to 13 years since the team left Brooklyn. truths in part perhaps, but far from the whole or true stories. Reese's broadcasting career barely mentioned, Hodges success with the Mets, he had yet to win the series, but he had improved the team, was overlooked for more gloomy (albeit more serious aspects) facts concerning His heart attack.
I guess the thought of eroding, decaying heroes interests a publisher more than writing right down the middle and giving a truer picture. As much as the first half of the book made me feel good remembering, the second half gave me that funny feeling in the pit of my stomach a sadness, depressed melancholy. I guess that was what Kahn was aiming at even though it wasn't all of the story, a complete picture. I guess it sells more books to see those of lofty heights come back to earth with a thud, makes for a more drastic and dramatic difference
from first half to second half. When reality is more like yea, they were leading
more ordinary lives though some still were leading extraordinary lives.
How could anything they ever did, compare to being a star in Brooklyn?. I think had the team remained in New york, the tone of Roger Kahn's book, would have been different. battlin bake, the dodger dynamo

[Silver Blaze]

Thanks for the reviews. Ugh, I'm regretting buying this now, even though it seemed like something every serious baseball fan has to do. Even the first page kinda put me off with the writing style.

Still, I really like the Brooklyn Dodgers so hopefully it won't be too bad.

[108stitches]

Thanks for the reviews. Ugh, I'm regretting buying this now, even though it seemed like something every serious baseball fan has to do. Even the first page kinda put me off with the writing style.

Still, I really like the Brooklyn Dodgers so hopefully it won't be too bad.

Don't let one or two bad reviews fool you. The book gets very interesting. From a baseball standpoint, it is one of the elite baseball books. It may seem a little biased at times, but most first hand stories are. If you put the time in to read it, you will glean some wonderful things from this book.

[parlo]

I like "Bums" better, the where are they now portion of The Boy's of summer is depressing and portrays the former Brooklyn players as if they were in their 70's and experiencing more failures than successes, when, It had been only just about 12 to 13 years since the team left Brooklyn. truths in part perhaps, but far from the whole or true stories. Reese's broadcasting career barely mentioned, Hodges success with the Mets, he had yet to win the series, but he had improved the team, was overlooked for more gloomy (albeit more serious aspects) facts concerning His heart attack.
I guess the thought of eroding, decaying heroes interests a publisher more than writing right down the middle and giving a truer picture. As much as the first half of the book made me feel good remembering, the second half gave me that funny feeling in the pit of my stomach a sadness, depressed melancholy. I guess that was what Kahn was aiming at even though it wasn't all of the story, a complete picture. I guess it sells more books to see those of lofty heights come back to earth with a thud, makes for a more drastic and dramatic difference
from first half to second half. When reality is more like yea, they were leading
more ordinary lives though some still were leading extraordinary lives.
How could anything they ever did, compare to being a star in Brooklyn?. I think had the team remained in New york, the tone of Roger Kahn's book, would have been different. battlin bake, the dodger dynamo

Considering that Hodges died of a heart attack the same year the book was released, leads me to believe that the focus was in the proper place.
Robinson died that year too.

[dodger dynamo]

Yet, when he took hodges recollections down, it was just after the 68 season. One wonders if Gil hadn't died would R. K have put some things in about the 69 series? would have been nice either way and a more true picture of Gil Hodges life after playing. Then If your going on the assumption, Gil's part was finished and put to bed just after 68, before the 69 series, then why does the book seem slanted (in hodges portion ) in the direction of an impending tragedy? When it was over three years later that Gil died?. No real optimism in the fact that Gil had survived the heart attack in 68 and looking forward to 69, as if he (Roger Kahn) knew something, no one else at the time did. Odd to say the least. The somber tone of the second half has always kind of, I don't want to say bothered me, but left me feeling a bit down. What's puzzling is why he chose this approach. battlin bake, the dodger dynamo

[KCGHOST]

I always always loved "The Boys of Summer". It is one of the seminal baseball books ever written. Yes it can be depressing at times as you interview the story of the 1952-53 Dodgers, who were destined for failure, with the difficulties life presented many of them in later years.

[VIBaseball]

What's puzzling is why he chose this approach. battlin bake, the dodger dynamo

I agree with KCGhost...what befell so many of those Dodgers largely dictated the path Kahn followed (sensitively, in my view).

It's worth looking again to the Dylan Thomas quote that provides the title. There's an extra layer of meaning beyond baseball.

[musial6]

I agree with KCGhost...what befell so many of those Dodgers largely dictated the path Kahn followed (sensitively, in my view).

It's worth looking again to the Dylan Thomas quote that provides the title. There's an extra layer of meaning beyond baseball.

Let's not forget Thomas's opening line:

I see the boys of summer in their ruin.

[dodger dynamo]

Don't get me wrong the boy's of summer is fine for what it is and it is regarded as one of the best baseball books of all time. Yet, it's not really
reading that leaves you in a great mood. Years ago when I first read it, I kept thinking after each chapter of the "where are they now" part of the book that someone, somewhere who played for the team, must have had some success and a little happiness. Each chapter left me feeling older and older. (I was only in my 30's at the time), but for those of us who grew up in the shadow of ebbets field, to see you heroes, those baseball gods, those people we so wanted to be falter so much made me wonder what was just around the corner for an average Joe like me?. We were all more naive when we were young and to see our heroes "in their ruin" yes, makes us realize their humans susceptible to all the frailties and failures we all have, is hard. Heroes though at least in our minds should never grow old, never fail for if they fail how can we succeed? the 10 yr. old inside me who loved baseball and the Brooklyn dodgers who wanted to "be" (and still does in a way) a Brooklyn Dodger is, I guess, the biggest part of me that was was affected the most by kahn's expressions.
I prefer "Bums" "ebbets field", "the greatest ball park ever" and even "Gil Hodges", the quiet man ( the latter sections, a little truer and complete picture of hodges life after playing). battlin bake, the dodger dynamo

[strummer]

But remember it is also a story of Roger's relationship with his father; a father to son passing, just like baseball is passed on from generation to generation. It is passing of time and a maturing of the viewing of heros and reality.