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If You Build It...: A book about Fathers, Fate and Field of Dreams...
If You Build It… is a funny and moving memoir about Fathers, Fate and Field of Dreams.
Dwier Brown played Kevin Costner’s father for five minutes at the end of the movie Field of Dreams. Despite being an actor for 35 years and performing in hundreds of other films, plays and television shows, it was those five minutes that changed his life. Since the movie’s release in 1989, Brown has been recognized by dozens of fans who have told him poignant stories about their fathers and how watching the film changed their lives. Their touching stories helped Brown put into perspective his own father’s unexpected death just a month before he began filming Field of Dreams.
Dwier Brown played Kevin Costner’s father for five minutes at the end of the movie Field of Dreams. Despite being an actor for 35 years and performing in hundreds of other films, plays and television shows, it was those five minutes that changed his life. Since the movie’s release in 1989, Brown has been recognized by dozens of fans who have told him poignant stories about their fathers and how watching the film changed their lives. Their touching stories helped Brown put into perspective his own father’s unexpected death just a month before he began filming Field of Dreams.
- GenresBaseballNonfiction
266 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 1, 2014
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
January 16, 2023
A wonderful book about a very special movie and the impact it has had on Dwier Brown’s life. More importantly it is a book about father/child relationships, addressing those that are both close and estranged. It’s beautifully written and holds special significance if you love the film.
May 28, 2021
Great book and an even nicer person!
July 8, 2018
Beautifully Written, Moving Memoir of An Actor's Profound Theatrical and Emotional Breakthrough
This beautifully written memoir is a deeply moving insight into the complex relationships between fathers and sons. It is also a revealing look at the equally complex path of becoming and being an actor, as well as the many talented individuals it takes to assiduously create a perfect film with a meaningful message. One doesn't have to be a father, a son, an actor or even a man to be mesmerized and moved by this sensitive and powerfully honest and revealing memoir.
This beautifully written memoir is a deeply moving insight into the complex relationships between fathers and sons. It is also a revealing look at the equally complex path of becoming and being an actor, as well as the many talented individuals it takes to assiduously create a perfect film with a meaningful message. One doesn't have to be a father, a son, an actor or even a man to be mesmerized and moved by this sensitive and powerfully honest and revealing memoir.
October 23, 2020
What a great book!
I really loved reading this book. I read a preview of it last year and knew right then that I had to read it. This is more than a baseball book or a book about a movie that is about baseball. The author, who was cast in “Field of Dreams” talks about his life, experiences in acting with the different roles he played and also includes anecdotes of ordinary people that he has talked to. The people in the book tell hims of their personal experiences with their Fathers and how watching the movie had a big impact on their lives.
I highly recommend this book!
I really loved reading this book. I read a preview of it last year and knew right then that I had to read it. This is more than a baseball book or a book about a movie that is about baseball. The author, who was cast in “Field of Dreams” talks about his life, experiences in acting with the different roles he played and also includes anecdotes of ordinary people that he has talked to. The people in the book tell hims of their personal experiences with their Fathers and how watching the movie had a big impact on their lives.
I highly recommend this book!
December 22, 2025
This book is such an unexpected joy, I don’t know where to begin. Mr. Brown’s weaving together of his own life’s story, the making of the film “Field of Dreams” and his stories from people who’s lives were touched by the film make for a very compelling book. “If You Build It…” proves the indelible marks made by the beloved movie and all of the people who brought this treasure to the screen.
Mr. Brown deftly writes with humility, insight, humor, compassion and poignancy. His tone is genuinely pitch perfect. This is the book we didn’t know we all needed.
I listened to the audiobook so wonderfully performed by Dwier Brown. I didn’t want the story to end. I heartily love this book and I can’t wait to read it again. Do yourself and your family a favor and read this book.
Mr. Brown deftly writes with humility, insight, humor, compassion and poignancy. His tone is genuinely pitch perfect. This is the book we didn’t know we all needed.
I listened to the audiobook so wonderfully performed by Dwier Brown. I didn’t want the story to end. I heartily love this book and I can’t wait to read it again. Do yourself and your family a favor and read this book.
April 19, 2022
Lyrical book where actor Dwier Brown muses on the parallels between the Kinsella father and son from his movie, The Field of Dreams, and his own father while growing up in rural Ohio.
Sprinkled throughout the book are stories of adults who have stopped Brown to see if he was the “father in that film”, and end up having a therapeutic conversation with the actor about their own fathers.
Beautifully written and easy to relate to, this book is as comfortable as a warm flannel shirt on an early autumnal evening, while waiting to watch the World Series. Brown has hit a home run with the bases loaded and has won my admiration and respect!
Sprinkled throughout the book are stories of adults who have stopped Brown to see if he was the “father in that film”, and end up having a therapeutic conversation with the actor about their own fathers.
Beautifully written and easy to relate to, this book is as comfortable as a warm flannel shirt on an early autumnal evening, while waiting to watch the World Series. Brown has hit a home run with the bases loaded and has won my admiration and respect!
August 25, 2019
This book is wonderful!! Dwier Brown has this amazing way of grabbing and pulling you into this book right away! The way he incorporated the stories of his childhood, fan stories he has heard and stories of working on the movie “Field of Dreams” all flowed brilliantly. This book pulls every emotion out of you and makes you feel what he is feeling at that exact moment. This is definitely a must read book for everyone!! - Amanda S.
April 21, 2026
A real pleasure to read. Saw a copy of this on a bookshelf while touring the Field of Dreams farmhouse in Dyersville and decided to pick up a copy when I got back home, very happy I did. One of those books that’s hard to put down once started. A must for anyone, like myself, who makes it an annual tradition just before opening day of baseball to fire up the dvd player and watch Ray Kinsella “have a catch” with his father (while choking back tears).
March 10, 2023
The book itself is filled with rotating melancholic and optimistic tones. The anecdotes are unassuming and touching. It's a simple, short, and honest memoir.
Brown does a wonderful job of diving into the father-child dynamic in a blameless way. He's not focused on a victim or fault, but on understanding.
Brown does a wonderful job of diving into the father-child dynamic in a blameless way. He's not focused on a victim or fault, but on understanding.
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December 8, 2021ASpecial Treat
I've loved the movie for years, but I downloaded the book a little reluctantly. After all, he was only on screen for five minutes! The charm and insight won me over quickly, though. I laughed out loud and teared up softly quite a few times as I read.
I've loved the movie for years, but I downloaded the book a little reluctantly. After all, he was only on screen for five minutes! The charm and insight won me over quickly, though. I laughed out loud and teared up softly quite a few times as I read.
April 25, 2018
Loved it
Thank you, Mr. Brown, for being in one of my favorite movies and for writing this book. I hated for it to end.
Thank you, Mr. Brown, for being in one of my favorite movies and for writing this book. I hated for it to end.
December 29, 2024
I just can't read biographies. I will keep this book and cherish it, but not my kind of reading. Seems to be well written.
January 14, 2025
You don’t have to be a guy to enjoy this book! Dwier Brown writes very well about life events and the Field of Dreams movie. I loved it.
August 16, 2026
Very enjoyable. An easy read. Great for any father or son.
My father and ai visited the Field of Dreams in 2019, before MLB came in with the eyesore of a stadium. A great experience.
My father and ai visited the Field of Dreams in 2019, before MLB came in with the eyesore of a stadium. A great experience.
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews