The American Game

By: Jeff McArthur

Narrated by: Steve White

Length: 9 hrs and 58 mins

Publisher's summary

For three long years, the American Civil War has raged across the nation, scorching the land, leaving thousands dead, and tearing families apart. The endless fighting has hardened the hearts of soldiers of both sides.

But on a lonely field in mid-Tennessee, some of those soldiers will come face to face with one another in a series of ball games. Stalled in a stalemate, the soldiers start out with small bets on who is better at the game; but as the wagers increase, so do the risks.

In order to play, they will have to accomplish what their governments were incapable of doing to avoid the war, compromise. Each man will bring his own ideas and rules to the sport, and together they formulate their own form of the American game. But they have to be cautious, for soon the war will catch up with them, and they will be forced into conflict once again.

©2014 Jeff McArthur (P)2018 Jeff McArthur

Excellent tale, well-told

This is a terrific mix of civil war historical fiction and baseball story. Rooted in facts, the author weaves a multitude of interesting characters around common themes of civil war stories with a lot of great baseball tidbits. While I read it, I kept thinking it would make a neat movie, only to learn in the afterward that it started as a movie that eventually didn’t get made. The cinematic elements are brought out by the fine audio narration, as the reader makes the characters and setting come alive with strong descriptive vigor. He does a great job. Two thumbs up for the listening experience.

Fascinating account of the origins of baseball!

Do you have any additional comments?

This is a great book. An interesting history of the beginning of baseball, its rules, and its presence during the civil war. Reminiscent of "Joyeaux Noel" as to the North and South interaction during the baseball games. There are lots of characters which is a little difficult to keep straight. The author said that Martin Sheen attempted to make a film about the book.I think this is a must listen for baseball fans and history fans alike.

Excellent story and reading!

I throughly enjoyed The American Game. It is a great story of two warring regiments of the Civil War and how they found a little peace on the baseball diamond. The author gives an insightful look into the past of how life was for both Yankee and Rebel soldiers.

The reading by Steve White was also excellent! He really got you transfixed in the story with the different voices of characters and emotions that played out during the novel. I will definitely check out some of his other works.

Overall, a wonderful book that I think could be enjoyed by everyone!

Just a little slow in the telling.

A little slow....just like baseball. A very wonderful story about the Civil War. Showed how brothers directly fought brothers on both sides. Very graphic, just like the Civil War was. Amazing how both sides could stop fighting, play baseball, then continue butchering each other. I highly recommend this book. Now for the obligatory: "I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review."

Good History book.

Although the book is fiction, I thought the author inserted great historical facts into the writings that true history buffs can appreciate.

In a League of Its Own

What did you love best about The American Game?

I am not a baseball fan but I am a history buff so I decided to take a chance on this book. I am so glad that I did! The characters were believable and easy to relate to. The moral dilemmas they faced made me wince, and I thoroughly enjoyed getting to know each character as their individual stories were told retrospectively. I wanted to meet these characters in real life! And now I also want to learn more about the sport of baseball and more about the Civil War.

What about Steve White’s performance did you like?

His performance was excellent, especially considering the number of characters he had to voice and the various dialects he had to master.

There was a raspiness, perhaps machine noise, that came across in the background at times. Also, towards the end of chapter 13 there was some kind of glitch where the recording slurred and repeated itself briefly. The rights holder might want to investigate that.

Any additional comments?

I was given this book in return for an honest review.