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Playing with the Enemy: A Baseball Prodigy, World War II, and the Long Journey Home Paperback April 1, 2008
Excellent Book
Paperback
First published August 1, 2006
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About the author
Gary W. Moore
15 books12 followersGary W. Moore is known worldwide as an inspirational and motivational speaker of choice, successful entrepreneur, accomplished musician and award winning and critically acclaimed author.
As author of Playing with the Enemy, Gary tells the story of his father, Gene Moore and his remarkable life in baseball and war, soon to be a major motion picture.
Gary is a recipient of the prestigious Sam Walton Leadership Award and because of his unique speaking and writing style, has become known as "America's Storyteller!"™
As author of Playing with the Enemy, Gary tells the story of his father, Gene Moore and his remarkable life in baseball and war, soon to be a major motion picture.
Gary is a recipient of the prestigious Sam Walton Leadership Award and because of his unique speaking and writing style, has become known as "America's Storyteller!"™
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 168 reviews
August 24, 2008
It kills me to say this, because it had such promise - UGH. There's a lesson to be learned in this book, and it has nothing to do with baseball: sometimes, family members shouldn't be the ones to write a biography. Sometimes you need that bit of distance, or that... ability to write.
I'm pretty sure that there's a really interesting life story in there somewhere, but I got 40 pages in and had written "GAG ME" and "VOMIT" all over the margins (and other variations thereof, plus many more rude things), because the writing was terrible. Telling instead of showing. Complete and utter schmaltz. An overly idealized subject - Gene - who spoke like he was slightly retarded. (There's another lesson for future memoir/biography writers! We, as readers, understand that you are fudging most, if not all, of the dialogue in your book, for lots of reasons. But, please, give us a little bit of realism - some improper grammar, some slang, maybe even a little bit of profanity! Fewer people will throw your book across the room.)
The scene where Gene and his friend watch Citizen King and then hear about Pearl Harbor was particularly bad, and I wrote "SHUT UP WARD" (Gene's brother) and "I HATE EVERYONE" all over the page... if that tells you anything.
I'm pretty sure that there's a really interesting life story in there somewhere, but I got 40 pages in and had written "GAG ME" and "VOMIT" all over the margins (and other variations thereof, plus many more rude things), because the writing was terrible. Telling instead of showing. Complete and utter schmaltz. An overly idealized subject - Gene - who spoke like he was slightly retarded. (There's another lesson for future memoir/biography writers! We, as readers, understand that you are fudging most, if not all, of the dialogue in your book, for lots of reasons. But, please, give us a little bit of realism - some improper grammar, some slang, maybe even a little bit of profanity! Fewer people will throw your book across the room.)
The scene where Gene and his friend watch Citizen King and then hear about Pearl Harbor was particularly bad, and I wrote "SHUT UP WARD" (Gene's brother) and "I HATE EVERYONE" all over the page... if that tells you anything.
December 11, 2011
Gene Moore was an athletic prodigy who had his whole life set on the game of baseball. Unfortunately the start of War World II postponed his dream with the Brooklyn Dodgers indefinitely. Playing with the Enemy is a fascinating true story about the author’s father who could hit a baseball a country mile. Gary W. Moore manages to recap his dad’s life in a story that not only is engaging, but full of heart. The author manages to make you feel the Gene’s pain and happiness throughout. The plot is beautifully paced and a movie is now in the works for the novel. I enjoyed Playing with the Enemy for its intriguing story and important messages.
Gene is a very likable character and you want him to make it in the Major Leagues, because you end up connecting with him like a close friend. His character is well detailed as are many in the book. Each has a distinctive personality that influence how they behave. Gene was caring, his brother was brave, and his baseball scout was determined. They all tried their hardest to help Gene the best they could during and after the war. The plot these characters created is even more interesting as it follows Gene through baseball, war, and realization.
Most of Playing with the Enemy takes place while he is in the Navy playing baseball. During that time he manages to shine as an athlete and leader. At one point of the story he is given the opportunity to teach German prisoners of war the game. The events that occur during and after that time are gripping and heartbreaking. The story is made even more depressing as you realize all the incidents did in fact occur. The baseball games he plays are somewhat exciting as is the war occurring, but most of your interest lies in the fate of Gene as a person and not as a professional baseball player.
Playing with the Enemy is an excellent story that everyone deserves to hear. The only problems I had while reading was the long explanations of War World II history, which I usually ended up skipping. Athletes would probably relate to Gene the best, but really anyone with a passion for anything would find this book amazing. I would recommend it to history lovers or people who love a true realistic story about a tragic hero. The significance of Gene’s life was important enough for the author to write about it, a movie to portray it, and for me to share my thoughts on why you should learn about it.
Gene is a very likable character and you want him to make it in the Major Leagues, because you end up connecting with him like a close friend. His character is well detailed as are many in the book. Each has a distinctive personality that influence how they behave. Gene was caring, his brother was brave, and his baseball scout was determined. They all tried their hardest to help Gene the best they could during and after the war. The plot these characters created is even more interesting as it follows Gene through baseball, war, and realization.
Most of Playing with the Enemy takes place while he is in the Navy playing baseball. During that time he manages to shine as an athlete and leader. At one point of the story he is given the opportunity to teach German prisoners of war the game. The events that occur during and after that time are gripping and heartbreaking. The story is made even more depressing as you realize all the incidents did in fact occur. The baseball games he plays are somewhat exciting as is the war occurring, but most of your interest lies in the fate of Gene as a person and not as a professional baseball player.
Playing with the Enemy is an excellent story that everyone deserves to hear. The only problems I had while reading was the long explanations of War World II history, which I usually ended up skipping. Athletes would probably relate to Gene the best, but really anyone with a passion for anything would find this book amazing. I would recommend it to history lovers or people who love a true realistic story about a tragic hero. The significance of Gene’s life was important enough for the author to write about it, a movie to portray it, and for me to share my thoughts on why you should learn about it.
December 3, 2018
In the Preface the author states that most of his research comes from conversations and that some names have been changed and some people in the books are composites of a few people. But while reading the book I asked myself a few times how much is fact and how much is fiction? While a few quick Google searches showed me that the Greenville Pirates was not based in Mississippi, but in Alabama and had a coach by another name than the one given in the book (why would he change the name of the coach?) and that I could not find that there was a team called the Tuscaloosa Braves, I wondered how the author could have missed this if he could quickly look it up for research purposes. So I quickly lost confidence in this book and it would have had a lot more credibility if there were just a few references added. The book crosses the line from fact to fiction in my opinion, and if this was purely a fiction book based on Gene Moore's life, I would have given it 4 stars at least... But that is not how the book was sold and this was a waste of money and time for me.
June 20, 2021
I enthusiastically give this book 5 stars. I knew it would be a good book based on the recommendation given to me by a friend. But I didn't realize how powerful and moving the story would be. And it's a true story.
It's the story of Gene Moore, as told by his son Gary. Gene was a country boy from Southern Illinois, a boy with an incredible gift--he could really hit a baseball. He was so good that word got around and a scout for the Brooklyn Dodgers came to Gene's small town to see him play. Although Gene was only 15, the scout wanted to sign him up for the Dodgers organization, to start him in the minor leagues. With his father's permission, Gene was signed up and could start his career. BUT, it was 1941 and, on a Sunday morning in December, Gene learned the Japanese had attacked the US Navy at Pearl Harbor and the nation was at war.
The Dodgers made arrangements for Gene to join the Navy and serve on the US Navy Touring Baseball Team. Gene and his teammates would play exhibition games for American troops overseas--and, following the war, Gene's baseball career would resume and, most likely, it would be with the Dodgers. Of course, the best-laid plans of mice and men don't always work out....An accident occurs which would cut short Gene's big-league career before it could really begin. The story becomes one of second-chances and, more than that, how letting go of a dream can lead to discovering one's true fortune.
It's a baseball story and it's a story about World War II. And it's the story of one incredible human being and a story of sacrifice and triumph--and heart.
It's the story of Gene Moore, as told by his son Gary. Gene was a country boy from Southern Illinois, a boy with an incredible gift--he could really hit a baseball. He was so good that word got around and a scout for the Brooklyn Dodgers came to Gene's small town to see him play. Although Gene was only 15, the scout wanted to sign him up for the Dodgers organization, to start him in the minor leagues. With his father's permission, Gene was signed up and could start his career. BUT, it was 1941 and, on a Sunday morning in December, Gene learned the Japanese had attacked the US Navy at Pearl Harbor and the nation was at war.
The Dodgers made arrangements for Gene to join the Navy and serve on the US Navy Touring Baseball Team. Gene and his teammates would play exhibition games for American troops overseas--and, following the war, Gene's baseball career would resume and, most likely, it would be with the Dodgers. Of course, the best-laid plans of mice and men don't always work out....An accident occurs which would cut short Gene's big-league career before it could really begin. The story becomes one of second-chances and, more than that, how letting go of a dream can lead to discovering one's true fortune.
It's a baseball story and it's a story about World War II. And it's the story of one incredible human being and a story of sacrifice and triumph--and heart.
May 27, 2014
This book was a great story that gave me the feeling that I could never put it down. I loved this book because of the way Gary Moore created such a close relationship with Gene Moore and the reader. Gary Moore had such a great story telling ability, that I nearly felt the excitement and pain that Gene Moore was feeling in the story. As a huge baseball fan and player, I, myself, could nearly put myself in the tough position that Gene Moore was in. For example, I could feel Gene’s pain when it said, “Ward listened to his brother try to explain the game he so loved, but when Gene stopped talking he just shook his head and sighed. ‘When are you gonna grow up, Gene? You’re not gonna be a big league baseball player!” (Moore 30) Gary Moore included this into the story because he knows all of us have had that person who tells us we can’t or won’t do something. We can all relate to something like that which is perfect if his goal is for us to be able to put ourselves in Gene Moore’s shoes. A future baseball prodigy, he loved baseball, but in the heart of World War II, he also loved his country. Eventually Gene was able to play baseball in the United States again, and Gary Moore uses great imagery when he says, “Game two of the three game series against the Braves was played on a hot and sunny afternoon--a day made for baseball. The Braves always drew a crowd. The local buzz about Gene’s home run the day before had made the rounds, so the crowd for the second game was larger than normal.” (Moore 249) The way I could imagine this scene really made this book. If we did put ourselves in Gene Moore’s shoes, and we knew that more people were coming to the game because of us? A really great feeling just reading the book, because all I wanted was the best for Gene Moore, and that so it happened.
June 20, 2016
I actually started to read this book about a month ago but this crazy little thing called life got in the way and I was unable to resume reading. Yesterday I picked up the book, started at page 1 and read it from cover to cover! What an amazing story! Gary does an amazing job of incorporating America's love of baseball with World War II events and life in general that his father experienced and came up with a bestseller!
The story is based on actual events and It brought out actual feelings of laughter and sadness as well as contentment and concern.
I recently read Gary's latest book,The Final Service, which is another incredible parental relationship story for you to read. I was recently asked which Book I felt it was better. My response is even though they were both based on father child relationships, they are two very different and well written stories with different messages in each.
Be sure to pick up a copy of both of these books…You will not be disappointed!
The story is based on actual events and It brought out actual feelings of laughter and sadness as well as contentment and concern.
I recently read Gary's latest book,The Final Service, which is another incredible parental relationship story for you to read. I was recently asked which Book I felt it was better. My response is even though they were both based on father child relationships, they are two very different and well written stories with different messages in each.
Be sure to pick up a copy of both of these books…You will not be disappointed!
October 22, 2011
I read this for a couple of reasons. First, it's a baseball book, and I enjoy baseball stories, especially about the minors. Second, the subject is a Sesser native. My Dad grew up in a small town a county over and a decade after Gene, and it's always interesting to find good stories from Southern Illinois -- this one is good and you can feel the Southern Illinois character in Gene's story. I feel that I got a good baseball tale that at times sounded a bit too much like other baseball media(Homer makes an appearance here, just like in the Natural movie). In addition, this is a WWII story. I listened to this just after listening to "Unbroken", another WWII story about an athlete (track star) who loses his athletic capability through injury in WWII (POWs are involved)and comes back to the US a bitter veteran until healed much later. Sound familiar? That's roughly what happens here. And I have read that both "Unbroken" and "Playing with the Enemy" are being made into movies.
The blurbs led me to believe more happens in this story than ends up happening, but had I not read the blurbs prior to listening, I'd have been even happier. I appreciated the short afterward to this updated version, which included some additional information and a bit of a call to action to think about your family. The book website also has some interesting and fun additional information about Sesser and the book - I recommend taking a look at it (Sesser started a bit of a media war with NYC!). I listened on audio. I enjoyed the mulitple narrators, but I noticed one line was repeated and there was a stutter at one point -- not the kind of production quality I generally hear in other audiobooks. Overall, I enjoyed this book.
The blurbs led me to believe more happens in this story than ends up happening, but had I not read the blurbs prior to listening, I'd have been even happier. I appreciated the short afterward to this updated version, which included some additional information and a bit of a call to action to think about your family. The book website also has some interesting and fun additional information about Sesser and the book - I recommend taking a look at it (Sesser started a bit of a media war with NYC!). I listened on audio. I enjoyed the mulitple narrators, but I noticed one line was repeated and there was a stutter at one point -- not the kind of production quality I generally hear in other audiobooks. Overall, I enjoyed this book.
October 3, 2007
First time author Gary Moore takes this book, which could have just been written for his family, and turns it into a must read about the Greatest Generation, the American pastime, World War II, motherhood, apple pie, family, and the American way of life. It is simply a masterpiece. The paperback was just purchased by a major publisher so now, perhaps, this book will get the attention it so deserves. Academy Award winning producer Gerald Molen has the book in pre-production currently. They are hoping for a summer 2008 release. Read the book; give it to your loved ones for Christmas, birthdays, whatever. Anyone who ever played baseball or softball; who threw a ball with their dad, will relate to this book. It is incredible!
May 2, 2010
3.5 Written by Gene's son Gary. Combined some of my favorite things: sports, history, and I learned something I didn't know. Gene was drafted while still in high school before World War II broke out. At age 17 he entered the military and played on a team in Northern Africa that helped entertain the troops. As the war moved into Europe the team was sent back to the States to guard a group of POW's. There was a U-boat that the Germans "sunk" in which the US captured the boat, a copy of the enigma, and the prisoners. Since the world thought they were dead, they couldn't be kept in a normal POW camp. To fight the boredom Gene eventually got permission to teach them baseball. Oh, there's so much more to it ... read it!
February 27, 2011
I was very skeptical when I read that the author was a motivational speaker. Some of the dialogue is strangely exaggerated and it's not really how people speak, but the story is a definite winner. It moved me near to tears at points, which surprised me. It really does show how baseball is as important to the American consciousness as mom and apple pie, and with the season right around the corner, it just serves as a reminder of hope.
I also enjoyed this book because it gave me a look at something I wasn't able to cover in my senior history thesis: the Navy baseball team during WWII. I wrote mine on baseball's importance during WWII and what went on, but stories like this slipped through and I am glad to know they exist.
I also enjoyed this book because it gave me a look at something I wasn't able to cover in my senior history thesis: the Navy baseball team during WWII. I wrote mine on baseball's importance during WWII and what went on, but stories like this slipped through and I am glad to know they exist.
May 29, 2008
The story itself is worthy of being told, the writing is not great (stiff dialogue, the hero seems idealized and just too perfect), but worth the time. Too many "well-written" books have no story and get placed back on my shelves half read. Playing With the Enemy will be read all the way through and enjoyed.
June 25, 2010
Beyond awful. It's the next book for my book club, and I have to say that it's so bad I couldn't finish it. All the dialogue sounds like it's out of Leave It To Beaver. I liked the idea of a son writing his dad's story, but I take it back - I'm only for it if the son is an actual writer.
August 8, 2020
A story about a baseball prodigy who’s life changed with the snap of a finger on December 7, 1941. The story, told by his son, is both sad and joyful & shows the invisible scars of those who served during WW2.
April 11, 2013
An absolute awesome read, could not put down! Also, I am not a sports or baseball fan, but this book is well worth taking a chance on!
October 16, 2020
Playing with the Enemy by Gary Moore is a thrilling and entertaining novel based on the true story of Eugene “Gene” Moore, a young baseball prospect who went on to assist his country in World War II by joining the navy. This novel contains intriguing dialogue and a magnetic plot; making it a very hard book to put down. I particularly enjoy reading novels that are about sports and history, especially World War II, and books that are non-fiction. So, basically, Playing with the Enemy was a perfect fit for me. If you, like me, are someone that is interested in novels about World War II, you may be familiar with the novel Unbroken by Laura Hillenbrand. Unbroken and Playing with the Enemy have somewhat similar plots. Both are stories about extremely promising athletes who joined the United States Military during the Second World War. In both novels, the main characters end up suffering terrible injuries or are forced to live under conditions that completely alter the direction of their careers. Louis Zamperini, the main character of Unbroken, was taken by Japanese forces as a POW and was starved and beaten to the point where most people would have given up. These poor conditions led to Louie not being able to compete in the Olympics that he would have taken part in. Gene Moore, the protagonist of Playing with the Enemy, suffered a gruesome ankle injury that prevented him from making it to the Major League of Baseball. Also, both athletes fell into alcoholism shortly after returning home from their deployments. Gene and Louie were each able to overcome their short lived addictions, though. All in all, I highly recommend reading this novel, especially if you are a history buff who is interested in sports.
March 30, 2012
This book is much more noteworthy than I expected. I chose it because the baseball pickings on audible.com were slim and because I like its intersection with history. This was a first-time author, and I hadn't heard much about his book, either.
The story was so engaging I had to keep reminding myself that it was true. The author's father took a riveting journey from baseball prospect, to soldier, to broken, hopeless man to one determined to carry on for others. At times the story hurts to read, but it will stay with you.
The take-away for me is this – that I must remember the power of other people's dreams and the pain of losing them. Gene Moore was a man's man, physically strong and personally magnetic. And yet, even for him the adjustment of aspirations was extremely difficult. Most tellingly, it was not a linear process. He adjusted, then he grieved his way into a tailspin, and then he adjusted again. What weight do those around us carry that we are willing to dismiss with a curt, "Get over it!"
The story was so engaging I had to keep reminding myself that it was true. The author's father took a riveting journey from baseball prospect, to soldier, to broken, hopeless man to one determined to carry on for others. At times the story hurts to read, but it will stay with you.
The take-away for me is this – that I must remember the power of other people's dreams and the pain of losing them. Gene Moore was a man's man, physically strong and personally magnetic. And yet, even for him the adjustment of aspirations was extremely difficult. Most tellingly, it was not a linear process. He adjusted, then he grieved his way into a tailspin, and then he adjusted again. What weight do those around us carry that we are willing to dismiss with a curt, "Get over it!"
June 28, 2022
A feel good story about a little known Brooklyn Dodger recruit whose baseball career is interrupted by World War II. The book is written by the player's son who did not know the story until a very short time before his father's death. A book that will have you double checking your priorities. This audio was partially narrated by the son/author. This is his first book and his first narration. I had more issues with the first-time narrator than the first time author, but even those did not restrict my enjoyment of this book.
November 13, 2014
I don't normally read sports books, but recently I've read several.
Playing with the Enemy was about sports (baseball), but so much more — and with so much more depth and meaning that I had anticipated going into the book.
It was powerful, profound, and encouraging. Excellent book!
(HT to Brian E. for this gift of broadening my reading into sports.)
Playing with the Enemy was about sports (baseball), but so much more — and with so much more depth and meaning that I had anticipated going into the book.
It was powerful, profound, and encouraging. Excellent book!
(HT to Brian E. for this gift of broadening my reading into sports.)
Read
November 19, 2007An interesting, sweet story, but certainly not the best writing I've ever read. There is a lot of gratuitous and cheesy dialog for this kind of book.
August 22, 2008
Interesting story...but not the best writing.
November 22, 2019
Author: Gary W. Moore
Title: Playing with the Enemy
Publication: First Published in 2006
Genre: Sports/War
Recommended Age: 15 and Older
Playing with the Enemy by Gary W. Moore is a story of perseverance set during the Second World War and portrays the life of Gene Moore. Moore is a young baseball prodigy, and is signed to play for the Brooklyn Dodgers in the 1942 Major League season. Then, the Japanese bomb Pearl Harbor and Gene is drafted into the United States Army. While serving in North Africa, Gene teaches the German prisoners of war how to play baseball when they are off duty. While playing, Gene breaks his ankle and is unable to play the game he once loved. However, he is still given a chance by the Pittsburgh Pirates to continue his baseball career. Through guidance and perseverance, Gene works hard to try to fulfill his childhood dream and play in the big leagues.
As Gene goes through the struggles of his everyday life after his injury, I can truly connect to his problems and feel sympathy for him. Tending to his family’s farm is a daunting task by itself. This book also makes you feel the emptiness inside of Gene’s heart after his accident. For example, when he receives a letter from the Pirates offering a potential career revival, he just throws it out, symbolizing the love he once had has vanished. I truly loved this book because it shows the struggle that everyone goes through to get what you want.
Playing with the Enemy is an overall great story about persevering through the hard times and overcoming your own hurdles. Gary W. Moore does a great job portraying the baseball career of Gene Moore and his way to the top from rock bottom.
Title: Playing with the Enemy
Publication: First Published in 2006
Genre: Sports/War
Recommended Age: 15 and Older
Playing with the Enemy by Gary W. Moore is a story of perseverance set during the Second World War and portrays the life of Gene Moore. Moore is a young baseball prodigy, and is signed to play for the Brooklyn Dodgers in the 1942 Major League season. Then, the Japanese bomb Pearl Harbor and Gene is drafted into the United States Army. While serving in North Africa, Gene teaches the German prisoners of war how to play baseball when they are off duty. While playing, Gene breaks his ankle and is unable to play the game he once loved. However, he is still given a chance by the Pittsburgh Pirates to continue his baseball career. Through guidance and perseverance, Gene works hard to try to fulfill his childhood dream and play in the big leagues.
As Gene goes through the struggles of his everyday life after his injury, I can truly connect to his problems and feel sympathy for him. Tending to his family’s farm is a daunting task by itself. This book also makes you feel the emptiness inside of Gene’s heart after his accident. For example, when he receives a letter from the Pirates offering a potential career revival, he just throws it out, symbolizing the love he once had has vanished. I truly loved this book because it shows the struggle that everyone goes through to get what you want.
Playing with the Enemy is an overall great story about persevering through the hard times and overcoming your own hurdles. Gary W. Moore does a great job portraying the baseball career of Gene Moore and his way to the top from rock bottom.
October 15, 2020
Why you should read “Playing with the Enemy”
“Playing with the Enemy”, is a biography following the life of Eugene Warren Moore written by his son Gary W. Moore. Moore takes us through his father’s life growing up in the little town in Sesser, Illinois. We follow his father through life learning about his love and affection for the game of baseball. But his life changes when World War II starts and he signs up for the navy. When he is assigned the boring job of guarding prisoners of war he thinks of the idea to teach the prisoners how to play baseball to make his job more exciting. I would recommend this book to readers who enjoy the game of baseball and World War II because this book has a perfect combination of these two topics. I had a hard time putting this book down because of how enjoyable it was to read. There is nothing I dislike about this book except for some missing information on some of the characters. I enjoyed the parts where Gene would amaze everyone on the field and how he acted as a hero to everyone he met. I especially enjoyed when Gene picks up his team, who is afraid of World War II, and leads them onto the field heroically without fear because he loves baseball so much. I also enjoyed when baseball brought the Americans and Germans, who were currently at war, together because they showed compassion and love even though their countries were killing each other. Gene is a hero in this story for baseball and America.
“Playing with the Enemy”, is a biography following the life of Eugene Warren Moore written by his son Gary W. Moore. Moore takes us through his father’s life growing up in the little town in Sesser, Illinois. We follow his father through life learning about his love and affection for the game of baseball. But his life changes when World War II starts and he signs up for the navy. When he is assigned the boring job of guarding prisoners of war he thinks of the idea to teach the prisoners how to play baseball to make his job more exciting. I would recommend this book to readers who enjoy the game of baseball and World War II because this book has a perfect combination of these two topics. I had a hard time putting this book down because of how enjoyable it was to read. There is nothing I dislike about this book except for some missing information on some of the characters. I enjoyed the parts where Gene would amaze everyone on the field and how he acted as a hero to everyone he met. I especially enjoyed when Gene picks up his team, who is afraid of World War II, and leads them onto the field heroically without fear because he loves baseball so much. I also enjoyed when baseball brought the Americans and Germans, who were currently at war, together because they showed compassion and love even though their countries were killing each other. Gene is a hero in this story for baseball and America.
October 18, 2019
Playing with the Enemy: A Baseball Prodigy, World War 2, and the Long Journey Home was written by Gary W. Moore. It was published by the Penguin Group in New York in 2008. The genre is nonfiction and the recommended age is 15 and older.
The story is about a young boy who becomes a man through his love of baseball. A very talented athlete from a young age, Gene Moore was one of the best catchers in the game. When it was time for him to serve in the Navy, he continued playing baseball. He was able to help the other soldiers remain calm in a hard time by continuing to play the sport they love. The sport teaches him many lessons and helps him to become a mentor for those around him.
The book was very inspiring. Gene Moore, a young kid from a small town, worked very hard for his goals. Not only was he an amazing baseball player, but he was a great coach, leader, and friend. Each new character to enter the story had their life changed due to Gene. He made a positive impact on everyone around him, even those who were fighting against him in the war. Gene never gave up, and he worked constantly to become a better athlete and person.
There were many hard times along the way, but with the help of his mentor, Frank, Gene was able to help many people during his life. By reading this book, you can learn many valuable lessons, including being grateful for everything you have.
The story is about a young boy who becomes a man through his love of baseball. A very talented athlete from a young age, Gene Moore was one of the best catchers in the game. When it was time for him to serve in the Navy, he continued playing baseball. He was able to help the other soldiers remain calm in a hard time by continuing to play the sport they love. The sport teaches him many lessons and helps him to become a mentor for those around him.
The book was very inspiring. Gene Moore, a young kid from a small town, worked very hard for his goals. Not only was he an amazing baseball player, but he was a great coach, leader, and friend. Each new character to enter the story had their life changed due to Gene. He made a positive impact on everyone around him, even those who were fighting against him in the war. Gene never gave up, and he worked constantly to become a better athlete and person.
There were many hard times along the way, but with the help of his mentor, Frank, Gene was able to help many people during his life. By reading this book, you can learn many valuable lessons, including being grateful for everything you have.
June 8, 2024
As a big baseball fan growing up and more of a causal observer today, I was indeed looking forward to reading Gary Moore’s telling of his father’s story. After reading it, I have to admit that the first 2/3 of the book sort of dragged on like a hot Summer’s day in my native southern Illinois. The last 1/3 of the book, while not overly surprising in content, was paced better in its writing mechanics.
Overall, I tried and I tried, but I just could not connect with this book. I’m sure that the author had good intentions, but it just read like a somewhat corny and cliched set of notes for a screenplay, rather than a gripping story of old. I’m sure that writing it was a loving way for the author to remember and better understand his father, but I, like others on here, have questions about the story’s authenticity as well. Hence, I cannot give it more than two stars.
Overall, I tried and I tried, but I just could not connect with this book. I’m sure that the author had good intentions, but it just read like a somewhat corny and cliched set of notes for a screenplay, rather than a gripping story of old. I’m sure that writing it was a loving way for the author to remember and better understand his father, but I, like others on here, have questions about the story’s authenticity as well. Hence, I cannot give it more than two stars.
March 26, 2020
This book is lightly entertaining, though it reads to me as shameless hagiography. The man Moore is a sort of Forrest Gump, literally turning up anywhere to toss around his baseball and lighten the dank ambience of the WWII era.
The problem of the good Nazi seems to be an artistic quandary in all manner of the arts. Were there any good Nazis? If not, how did one country manage to corner such a large share of the world's evil, at that time? If so, how does a writer depict a good Nazi, or even just an okay Nazi?
I found myself wondering if there was any one on the American team named Goldberg or Leibowitz, and if so, how he felt playing the innocent and carefree game of baseball with the POWs....?
The problem of the good Nazi seems to be an artistic quandary in all manner of the arts. Were there any good Nazis? If not, how did one country manage to corner such a large share of the world's evil, at that time? If so, how does a writer depict a good Nazi, or even just an okay Nazi?
I found myself wondering if there was any one on the American team named Goldberg or Leibowitz, and if so, how he felt playing the innocent and carefree game of baseball with the POWs....?
May 1, 2020
This was such a great read. It definitely has heart. The writing could be a bit stilted, but I was so wrapped up in the story, I hardly noticed. Gene Moore had a tough break, literally, and suffered in silence for many years. I loved the words of wisdom from Heinrich Mueller at the end of the book - beautiful and so true. Circumstances can change our lives, but the focus needs to be on what matters most, love and family. What you do doesn't define you nearly as much as the kind of person you are.
January 2, 2020
So glad I read this book. I would not have read it if my husband hadn't suggested it. I'm not into baseball or war history. Gary Moore brings history to life by telling the story of his father's life experience with baseball and WWII and how the two tied together. Very well written. Easy to read. A thought provoking look into human interaction and the reality of war.
December 4, 2017
This book was about a young boy who had the chance of playing in the big leagues until World War II. You will learn how people were drafted into war and how people had to come back to there day to say life and adapt to their new life after the war.
March 25, 2019
I thought this book was a lot more than baseball. It’s a touching emotional story of a young boy from a very small Midwestern town. Growing up myself on a farm, I could relate to his dreams. I thoroughly enjoyed this story and thought the character development was excellent.
July 18, 2018
A great story of chance between WWII Navy baseball players and a group of Uboat survivors who became PWO in the United States southern states.
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