One Nation Under BaseballHow the 1960s Collided with the National PastimeJohn Florio and Ouisie ShapiroNarrated by James McSorley Book published by University of Nebraska Press One Nation Under Baseball highlights the intersection between American society and America’s pastime during the 1960s, when the hallmarks of the sport—fairness, competition, and mythology—came under scrutiny. John Florio and Ouisie Shapiro examine the events of the era that reshaped the game: the Koufax and Drysdale million-dollar holdout, the encroachment of television on newspaper coverage, the changing perception of ballplayers from mythic figures to overgrown boys, the arrival of the everyman Mets and their free-spirited fans, and the lawsuit brought against team owners by Curt Flood. One Nation Under Baseball brings to life the seminal figures of the era—including Bob Gibson, Marvin Miller, Tom Seaver, and Dick Young—richly portraying their roles during a decade of flux and uncertainty. John Florio is a freelance writer and novelist. He is the author of Sugar Pop Moon and Blind Moon Alley. Ouisie Shapiro is an Emmy-winning writer and producer of sport documentaries. REVIEWS:“Florio and Shapiro have captured the essence of the decade offering some compelling stories of the events and people.” — New York Journal of Books “A riveting account.” — Dallas News “Careful, pointed writing shows us that professional sports should not be viewed in isolation from the society in which they function.” ——Kirkus “This well-researched and -referenced book is a very enjoyable read. Everybody who is interested in knowing and understanding the history of baseball and race relations in America must read it.” —Washington Book Review |