Joan Wendl Thomas

More photo album than book – no surprise, considering the subtitle – this is nevertheless a captivating volume concerning America’s pastime in one corner of the buckle of the Corn Belt. This is essentially a history of baseball in 19 counties of the Hawkeye State as told through black-and-white photographs. Why the focus on less than two dozen sparsely populated rural counties? The two-page Introduction doesn’t say, but suggests that this area was a hotbed of development back in the early days and which gave rise to the present American League. Eight chapters cover a handful of counties each. Browsers will be rewarded with many historical tidbits, such as learning that Herbert Hoover, our nation’s 31st President, was not only an ardent fan, but the state’s only native son to occupy the White House. Besides being of interest to current and former residents and baseball aficionados, this slender volume will also be of use to those involved in genealogy research, especially if they know of family members that played the game.… (mere)

Thanks to Librarything and Arcadia Publishing for a free copy of this book.
"To grow up and play with a clean ball and a special bat most likely inspired many a youngster to choose baseball as a career."
Baseball in Northwest Iowa (Images of Baseball) is more than just a history of baseball in that state starting in the late 1800's. It provides the reader with a slice of Americana. There is a multitude of fascinating photos spanning from the early 1900's to the present that portray the fashions and trends of the time. You don't have to be a baseball fan or even American to enjoy this book. I am interested in history and found myself intrigued right from the beginning to the end. I had no idea that polo matches were played after baseball games in the 1880's until its popularity waned while baseball's popularity grew. I was also surprised to find out that there were all black, interracial, and girls' teams. One such team, the Bloomer Girls would make stops to play against local teams while travelling around the country in a pullman car. Whether you're a baseball fan or would just like a taste of small town America in the past 100 years or so, I highly recommend this book.… (mere)