The Soul of Baseball: A Road Trip Through Buck O'Neil's America

This book bursts with optimism and hope while balancing itself with disappointment and setbacks. Just like life.So many emotions are evoked while reading this book, but the one that lingers is grace.

This is a fun read, no matter how much you know or remembered about Buck O'Neil. This is essentially (as it advertises) a shorter version of what you'd read if you were to purchase O'Neil's "I Was Right On Time"-- much of O'Neil's characteristic wit and wisdom is captured very well in this book. It doesn't hurt, either, that Posnanski own wit and writing style overlap, and it made it easier, I believe, for him to write this book in the "narrative road trip" style that he did. O'Neil's voice and speaking style echoed in my mind over and over again as I read. I'm sure you would hear it in this book, as well, if you heard him tell his stories.I fell in love with O'Neil when I heard him on Ken Burns' documentary, and I've sought to read more and learn more about the Negro Leagues and its players ever since. I learned some new details about O'Neil's story in the book and remembered other ones as I read. In particular, reading about the momentum to get the Negro Leagues Museum open and his own satisfaction that Negro League players were finally inducted into the Hall of Fame was very moving-- as was his own (and others') reaction to not being included on the list of HOF inductees. Posnanski related those event well and shared his own disappointment (which I and many others share) when O'Neil was passed over for the Hall. Posnanski does the same throughout the book, which makes it an enjoyable read.I'm sure the reader will notice that if he or she has read O'Neil's story in his own book, that reader will not learn new information here. If you have, do not expect new information. Rather, you'd enjoy it if you wish to hear O'Neil tell those stories "all over again for the first time" in the road trip narration as the two make their way across the country. That is what made this book worthwhile and entertaining for me. If, on the other hand, you are new to learning about O'Neil, you will learn them in O'Neil's fun and compelling way, and engage him and Posnanski as they travel on their road trip! If you purchase this book, I believe you'll find it as engaging as I did. Enjoy the ride! :)

Buck O'Neil's America Is absolutely one of the most inspirational books I’ve ever read. You will cringe, cry, grow angry and shake your head often, but you will also laugh out loud in true joy. I promise that, in the end you will come to know one of the most remarkable men in American history. You will finish with a smile on your face, wishing that everyone knew about this wonderful man. Well done Buck. Well written Joe.

It’s a book about a baseball player but it is so much more than that. I bought this book years ago but for some reason never read it. Then as the baseball lockout ended and I started looking forward to the season I decided this would be a good read.I should have read this much sooner but sometimes a book finds you at just the right time. After a long offseason and several seasons of baseball that is just not fun to watch, this book reminds you of the joy in the game. But more than that — in a time when we are all so polarized about EVERYTHING, you read about a man who could look past all of the crap and still see what was good.Joe Posnanski is one of my favorite writers, and now that I’ve spent some time with Buck O’Neil, he’s one of my favorite people. I highly recommend this to any baseball fan but truly believe it would appeal to anyone.

Wonderful book! I previously read a friend’s copy and wanted my own. Exactly as described. Arrived on time and in perfect condition. I would buy from seller again.

This is the best book on basrball I've ever read. It's one of my favorite books of the past few years I've been to Kauffman Stadium many times and heard references to the Buck O'Neil Legacy Seat. I felt bad that I didn't know much about him. Then this book showed up in my recommendations. I read it in less than a day and ended up ordering two more books about baseball's history. Through Posnanski's understated and conversational prose, Buck O'Neil comes to life as a humble man who loved baseball and fought hard so that some of its most important stories would never be forgotten.

Anything Joe Posnanski writes is beautiful, touching, and rewarding. When the subject is Buck O’Neil, it’s good therapy for your eyes, mind, heart, and yes, soul.

Superb. Absolutely superb..A great book about an incredible man. I learned a lot and found it a very enjoyable read

Malheureusement, le livre était dans un très mauvais état tellement, qu'il a l'air usagé. Le contrôle de qualité n'a sûrement pas été fait avant qu'il soit mis dans l'enveloppe... Je suis un collectionneur de livres (et autres) sur le baseball et je ne l'aurais jamais acheté dans cet état dans un magasin même s'il avait été à 50% de rabais... Dommage. Par contre, le contenu est excellent !!

Getting inside the day-to-day with Buck O'Neil surprisingly doesn't diminish the feeling that he spent his life spreading the gospel of baseball. It makes him seem more real even. Joe is a terrific writer. I was completely impressed and will be lending this story to anyone who shows the slightest interest.

Excellent moving story about a genuinely kind person. Wish I had the opportunity to meet him.

I watched a PBS series about the history of baseball and was fascinated by the struggles of the black players and racism within the history of the national pastime. So I bought several books on the significant players within that time including Buck o Neil. The trouble is with this book is that it was not what I wanted. It is not a biography of Buck, but a story of the writer's journey as he travelled with Buck around the States when Buck was 90 something and doing interviews and appearances. Yes, it captures the essence of Buck's character and flashbacks to incidents and encounters in the past, but not the history I was looking for. I found it dull and gave up by page 77. That does not mean this book is no good. But I did not like it as it was at times more about the author himself than Buck o Neil.