Streak: Joe DiMaggio and the Summer of '41

by Michael Seidel

Streak vividly and poignantly tells the story of "Joltin' Joe" DiMaggio's legendary fifty-six-game hitting streak and the last golden summer of baseball before America was engulfed by the maelstrom of the Second World War. That long-lost summer also witnessed other unforgettable Ted Williams's quest to bat 400 and Lefty Grove's pursuit of his three-hundredth victory; a sizzling, epic race between the Dodgers and the Cardinals for the National League pennant; and Mickey Owen's infamous passed ball in the fourth game of the World Series. Featuring complete box scores for each game, Streak showcases DiMaggio's crowning achievement, commemorates a baseball season like no other, and invites us to an America in the last moments of its innocence.

Genres: Baseball, Sports, Nonfiction, History

347 pages, Kindle Edition

First published July 1, 1989

Reviews

[Evan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I picked this book up on a whim and it took me a little while to get into it, as the author is thick with detail about how each game went as well as some of the more important news of each day. However, as the streak continued on I found myself not drawn to how the Yankees were doing so much as how World War Two was unfolding. I had no idea about what happened to Charles Lindbergh after his flying days and was fascinated every time he, FDR and Churchill popped up in the news write ups.

It's a pretty good book overall with plenty of information about the old days of baseball with a fine bit of history lessons included.

[Nancy · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fascinating blend

I love baseball. I love history. Never would I have thought a book would so vividly combine the two while making both fascinating. Yes, this is a diary of Joe DiMaggio's 56 game hitting streak. But given the overwhelming historical significance of it happening in 1941 this book does not skimp on contextualizing the game and the streak with events across the ocean and, as well, here in the U.S. Totally recommend this book!

[Justin Bumgarner · Rating 5 out of 5]

A perfect book, not only about Joe DiMaggio's hit streak, but America on the brink of World War II and how people were thinking at the time as well. Crazy how similar some groups were to the fascist idiots on my Facebook today. Time really is a flat circle.

[Matt Maslikowski · Rating 3 out of 5]

Streak details the Summer of 1941 as Joe Dimaggio was in the midst of his incredible 56-game hit streak. The book gives readers a glimpse not only into the streak and a little behind the scenes, but also the state of the world at the time. This book immerses readers in the US in the summer of '41.

[Tom Gase · Rating 4 out of 5]

A pretty good book that details the days of Joe DiMaggio's 56-game hitting streak in 1941, and what was going on around the world while he was doing it. This is basically a journal from writer Michael Seidel, although a very good one. The book flows pretty well for a second-person journal. It will put a number, say Game 16, and then he'll write exactly what happened on that day. If you want a book on DiMaggio's entire life, this is not the book to get. If you want a book on what DiMaggio did in the Summer of 41, and what the Yankees, Cardinals, Dodgers and Ted Williams did in the Summer of 41, then yes, this book is a can't miss. Pretty quick read as well, I recommend this book to any baseball fan.

[Duane Schmidt · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting juxtaposition of the streak with current world events. Interesting comparison with Ted Williams.

[Derrick · Rating 4 out of 5]

not just about baseball. lots of history. pretty sweet book, but no Gentle Ben (spoiler).

[Mike Kriesel · Rating 3 out of 5]

A great read about the summer of '41. Not just about baseball but America as well.