The Empire Strikes Out

Reviews

“The Empire Strikes Out is a rare and wonderful combination of splendid scholarship and lively writing. Robert Elias’ affection for baseball illuminates its pages, even when he is unearthing episodes of organized baseball’s racism, jingoism, unbridled militarism, and insensitivity to other cultures. Simultaneously, and gracefully, the book describes the development of baseball and its impact overseas as a sort of quasi instrument of American foreign policy…A truly fine work. Highly recommended.”

“An intriguing look at the game of politics and diamond diplomacy…The wealth of neat gems [in The Empire Strikes Out] provide a fresh perspective from many unique angles.”

“Elias has written both fiction and nonfiction about baseball and his love for the game shines through. But he also doesn’t hold back (or maybe steps up to the plate?), indicting America’s pastime for aligning itself with political conservatives and the military, and becoming a tool for globalization. He tells a compelling story made more vivid by thorough research and authoritative writing.”

“Good stories and nimble prose along with original research…and shrewd analysis and appropriate historical revision—this book hits it out of the park.”

“The Empire Strikes Out isn’t your typical baseball history, chock full of stats and charming anecdotes about baseball’s greats, although it does have some of both. But Robert Elias’ mission in writing it is to show American foreign policy’s effect on baseball and the reverse as well.”

“Refreshing stuff…exceptionally ambitious.”

“The Empire Strikes Out is, without question, a masterful piece of research and writing. Elias has been able to bring first rate insight and analysis into an area—baseball and foreign policy—that has never really been adequately covered. I was equally impressed by the quality and depth of research…Baseball history has a new mentor.”

“Sports have always been ripe for exploitation by those who would pump the
politics of militarism through play. No one has ever broken down the history of this process in baseball like Robert Elias. The Empire Strikes Out should be required reading for anyone who considers themselves a baseball fan, or for anyone who has questioned the military misadventures of the past decade. It is an unqualified triumph.”

“Lively and provocative, this is the ‘big picture’ look at the entangled, and sometimes nefarious, relationship between our national pastime and US foreign policy. Well crafted, it is, at once, nuanced, imaginative, and provocative. Robert Elias provides a riveting account of how our national pastime has been part and parcel of American diplomacy, militarism, and globalization. This is the definitive account of how baseball has been used to sell and export the American dream.”

“Elias’ thought-provoking book traces the intertwined history of American imperialism and organized baseball. The author spends most of his time on recent history—the Cold War and its aftermath. It’s hard to tell if Elias is angrier at major league baseball—for steroids, segregation, and the reserve clause—or at American imperialism—for invading almost every country in Central America, bombing innocent people around the world, and encouraging baseball in its wake. In the end, he sees redemption in baseball, not in empire. William Hughes’ clear tenor makes it all come to life, from the arrogance of Commissioner of Baseball Kenesaw Mountain Landis to the arrogance of President George W. Bush. Hughes tells the story without drama or accents—just the text, well presented.”

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