The Eastern Stars: How Baseball Changed the Dominican Town of San Pedro de Macoris Audiobook

" This is a book I typically would not read, however it was interesting and I received a great history lesson on a number of topics. For a baseball fan this would be a great book. "

" Not bad, but drags a lot for a short book "

" Named after San Pedro's home team, Estrellas Orientales, The Eastern Stars hit a home run with some critics and struck out with others. Kurlansky tackles his subject capably, explaining key baseball terms and concepts for readers unfamiliar with the game, but he doesn't write with the passion and determined focus of a sportswriter. Critics who panned The Eastern Stars cited Kurlansky's failure to humanize his story as well as a few holes in his own understanding of the game. However, as the study of a troubled, economically depressed community, Kurlansky's book fares better. Based on solid research and framed in simple, forthright prose, his reflections on history, culture, religion, and racial relations--oh, and baseball--charmed critics who didn't necessarily have their hearts set on a baseball book. This is an excerpt from a review published in Bookmarks magazine. "

" I was really looking forward to this book but found it disappointing. I was left with the sense that Mark Kurlansky likes baseball and wanted a warm holiday. It lacks the rigor and connections that I've enjoyed in his previous work. "

" Great concept, but poorly executed. Kurlansky doesn't seem to have even a basic understanding of baseball. "

" Oceana - I was really looking forward to this book but found it disappointing. I was left with the sense that Mark Kurlansky likes baseball and wanted a warm holiday. It lacks the rigor and connections that I've enjoyed in his previous work. "

" Interesting historical, baseball, political read (in that order), covering the baseball hotbed San Pedro de Macoris. "

" A well-done look at how baseball became a phenomenon in the Dominican ... "

" As a personal preference I wished this book focused more on baseball then on the way of life in San Pedro. I did like learning more about guys like Andujar, G. Bell and A. Griffen. Also enjoyed learning more about their own World Series during the mlb off-season. "

" Kurlansky is great at threading baseball, history, social movements, industrial development, sugar, etc. into one compelling story. "

" Kind of boring - no new ground covered here. "

" Adequate history of baseball in the Dominican Republic, including a general overview of baseball and race relations in the US and Caribbean. Not terribly interesting without prior curiosity. "

" If you are a baseball fan, this is a must read! Very interesting that so many pros come from this one town... "

" I came across this in New Release section at the Tribeca Barnes and Noble where I like to kill time during my lunch hour. The blurb from Junot Diaz convinced me to give it a shot. It's an interesting read, but I wasn't blown away or anything. "

" Fair. Somewhat interesting but assumes no baseball knowledge. "

" This was a fun read and I felt for the desperation of the young men and boys who see baseball as the only way out of poverty, despite the high odds against making it to the major leagues. I am always somewhat disappointed in Mark Kurlansky's later works. Nothing can live up to Salt: A World History. "

" Fascinating look at the region of the Dominican Republic that produces a disproportionate number of Major League Baseball players. Author is best at describing the history and culture of the area and not baseball. "

" I was really looking forward to this book but found it disappointing. I was left with the sense that Mark Kurlansky likes baseball and wanted a warm holiday. It lacks the rigor and connections that I've enjoyed in his previous work. "

" Oceana - I was really looking forward to this book but found it disappointing. I was left with the sense that Mark Kurlansky likes baseball and wanted a warm holiday. It lacks the rigor and connections that I've enjoyed in his previous work. "

" Fair. Somewhat interesting but assumes no baseball knowledge. "

" As a personal preference I wished this book focused more on baseball then on the way of life in San Pedro. I did like learning more about guys like Andujar, G. Bell and A. Griffen. Also enjoyed learning more about their own World Series during the mlb off-season. "

" Kind of boring - no new ground covered here. "

" If you are a baseball fan, this is a must read! Very interesting that so many pros come from this one town... "