Customer Reviews (1)

A voice from Sportswriting's Golden Age
In the late 1920's and into the 1950's there emerged a group of beat writers in the sports sections who would change the perception of sports and the sports page forever.Among them Grantland Rice, Damon Runyon, Hype Igoe, Red Smith and W J Heinz.

Almost every legitimate sports town had a great one, and the columns that would appear on a daily basis, would rival almost any article you might see in one of today's glossy weekly or monthly sports magazine.

Paul Gallico is not typically named in the former category of the truly greats.Whereas Smith and Rice' writings leave the reader feeling as if they are intimate with the subject, almost beside Jack Dempsey or Sonny Liston or the Babe as we read their offerings, Gallico tends to insert himself, his vantage point and his opinion of the situation.

But make no mistake, this elegaic look at his sports experience is a classic to be treasured.Gallico writes a series of chapters about different sports, sports figures and sports subjects as he contemplates taking leave of the sports beat and broadening his horizons of journalism.

His observations of the sports world of the 1910's, 1920's and 1930's can be exhiliarating, but they can also be a painful reminder of where our society has emerged from.

Following the great Bobby Jones depicts a sports hero as this reviewer would like to believe they can be.Humble, God-fearing, a man of the people, and an incredibly disciplined athlete.A man who inspired a generation of hackers to believe that they can prevail over an 18 hole course.

Jack Dempsey and Babe Ruth, as well are described in a manner that brings their larger than life talent out, packaged into their all-too-human sub-frames.

Gallico shares his vision of what the future of sports will look like, pining for the opportunity to live long enough to witness the evolution of sports in the future world.He clearly would have been surprised to see the parity of the races.He decries the treatment of Joe Louis and "negro" college football players.

At this point in time, these people were relegated to the bottom of the sports food chain, and although Gallico championed their equality, it is still painful to read about.

Gallico devotes several chapters to the women athletes of his time.This, too represents a change in our society Gallico never contemplated, and his candor in his opinions of these women athletes is both disarming, funny, and at times, a bit disturbing.

For the sports historian, looking for some perspective, this book is a national treasure. ... Read more

Product Description
Miranda's uncanny vision of the Victorian house that used to stand on the site of their new apartment building has varying and crucial effects on the other tenants. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Love of Seven Dolls - sentimental claptrap or a work of literature?
If you have read any Paul Gallico before, you probably already know what you're getting into. If you are into stories with heart, regardless of whether or not they are considered works of literature, then Paul Gallico is your man.
Personally I find his stories very moving. His writing paints a picture and he has the ability to flesh out his characters more than almost any other writer I've read, making them utterly believable.

The antagonist Peyrot is completely detestable, yet Gallico with his deep regard for all the characters he creates, gives him such depth that you find yourself wishing the best for him despite his thorough immorality. Sweet little Mouche is the archetypal innocent but completely convincing - many of us would have known a 'Mouche' at some time or other in our lives. The puppets too, are fully rounded characters and utterly believable as individuals - a combination of human frailties and purest love, even though they are operated by the complete [...] Peyrot.

For me, all Gallico's work is art. I have a penchant not only for good writing, but for the story to also pull at my heart. If your taste in literature leads you to the more dry and clipped version of the art form, so be it, but if you like having your heart messed with, if you like to maybe have a cry or an upswelling of joy, then probably all of Gallico's work will please you. Some others I could mention are 'Jennie', 'The Snow Goose' and 'The Day the Guinea-pig talked' (children's). If you do like this type of writing, then I would also recommend Theodore Sturgeon's 'More than Human' and 'The Dreaming Jewels' (SciFi) and Jack London's 'Call of the Wild'.

If you think you are able to read the book understanding not only the time in which it was written, but also the environment in which it is set, you will enjoy the book despite its rampant portrayal of racism and sexism. Be warned and open your mind before diving in. The whole point is that just beneath the surface of hatred, hurt and profanity, lies something that goes beyond the mere 'science' of psychology, or the condescension of forgiveness, and moves into a much deeper place - true love. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

THE STRENGTH OF THE WEAKLING
This gentle, sentimental tale offers the possibility of an animal's ability to pray.What, that dumb beats of burden are endowed with spiritual grace and can actually recognize the need for intercessory prayer? It seems ludicrous that a mere cow could deliberately stop and place an unspoken request at the shrine of Ludmila, patroness of herders and dairymaids. Set in Switzerland in an age when faith in miracles must compete with modern, scientific notions LUDMILA attempts to explain the presence of a sun-scorched cow skull at the foot of the saint in her mountain niche.

Fanciful stuff for contemporary generations, nevertheless this book provides pleasant reading for those who are of fond of animals and who realize that Heaven hears all petitioners--not just those who can put their request in human language.On one hand we have Father Polda with his simple faith in miracles, declaring his conviction that the mute appeal of a lowly, scorned cow was definitively answered: to win the coveted prize of Best Milker for her poor owner at the annual end-of-summer milking contest.While on the other hand: Alois, the cynical chief herder, who understands all there is to know about the dairyman's art, yet remains woefully ignorant of the role of the heart--in Animals--and of faith in human beings.Is the "miracle" merely the result of eating special plants in a secret meadow?Even his own little daughter supports the side of Divinity in this Alpine debate.

This short book, which can be read in one sitting, offers refreshing respite from the down-to-earth reality of animal husbandry.It uplifts the child-like spirit that is still granted to people with pure souls.No matter how the miracle occurred--in this story or in the Swiss legend--all miracles are the direct result of divine intervention.A quiet charmer of a read.

One Sentence Distills This Adult & Children's Masterpiece
Paraphrasing: When evil hasn't the strength to go beyond it own radius, the Divine love of God in one child's soul, or the silent prayer of a sincere, pure heart has the power to alter the stars in their courses. ... Read more