Book description
“With elegance, wit and precision, John Thorn traces the lineage of baseball, a melting pot of cultures and diversions that became quintessentially American. Baseball in the Garden of Eden is a must read for anyone who claims to know the game.” —Jane Leavy, Author of The Last Boy: Mickey Mantle and The End of America’s Childhood and Sandy Koufax: A Lefty’s Legacy “Baseball’s creation myth—Abner Doubleday in a Cooperstown pasture in 1839—has the merit of being enchanting but the defect of being false in every particular. Now comes another of John Thorn’s many contributions to our understanding of baseball, proof that the game is even older and more interesting than most fans know.” —George F. Will, Author of Men at Work: The Craft of Baseball “What a garden of delight! John Thorn takes us through the tangled history of the game’s origins with great good humor and flair. He accepts nothing on face value, but gives all sides their due. A pleasure for fans, but also for anyone with an interest in history and myth.” —Kevin Baker, Author of Strivers Row “No one knows baseball history as well as John Thorn or writes about it more ably. And there is no one better suited to record—with affection, amusement and sometimes hilarity—the chicanery, misrepresentation and downright lies that have obfuscated the fascinating story of the origins and development of our national game.” —Robert W. Creamer, Author of Babe: The Legend Comes to Life and Stengel: His Life and Times “No sport clings to its myths like baseball, which means it takes a baseball historian of the first rank like John Thorn to turn those myths upside down and inside out. Baseball in the Garden of Eden offers enlightenment for every fan. It is also a joy to read.” —Michael Shapiro, Author of Bottom of the Ninth and The Last Good Season “An invaluable, enduring and unique history of the early game and how it swiftly changed, in some ways for the worse, and yet survived and thrived." —David Nemec, Author of The Great Encyclopedia of Nineteenth-Century Baseball “The One True Game’s old creation myths are nowhere near as interesting and as much fun as the truths that Thorn digs up about the conspiracies, vices, and raucous behavior of baseball’s earliest innings.” —Robert Lipsyte, author of An Accidental Sportswriter “No one, absolutely no one, knows more about the history of our national pastime than John Thorn, and this new book ought to settle once and for all many of the questions fans have about baseball’s origins. Superb.” —Ken Burns “John Thorn's Baseball in the Garden of Eden reveals a secret history of the early game that is more fantastical (and funny) than any concocted story.” —Jim Bouton, Author of Ball Four "If you love history or baseball, you will enjoy Thorn’s impeccably researched tome; if you love both, you will be mesmerized." —Dave Sheinin, The Washington Post jQuery(function() { jQuery( "#tabs" ).tabs(); });
3P-own
Listening to audiobooks has made my daily commute more enjoyable and productive. ListenBook's sleek design and intuitive controls make it my go-to app for audiobooks. Audiobooks have become my constant companions, and this app's seamless functionality and diverse compatibility ensure that every tale is a captivating journey. 🌌🎧
Unseen
I'm impressed by ListenBook's ability to extract artwork and metadata automatically. ListenBook is a must-have for audiobook lovers. The auto-rewind feature ensures I never miss a word. An audiobook I’ll listen to again! The story was engaging, and the narrator’s performance made it even better. Some parts were so well-delivered that I replayed them just to hear the emotion again.
Demo Tequila
Audiobook listening has never been this easy and convenient – it's like having a personal narrator. I can't get enough of the binaural audio processing. It's like a breath of fresh air for my ears.
Delicious Cupid
I can't thank this app enough for making my audiobook experience exceptional. Its intuitive interface and diverse compatibility are a true game-changer. 📱🎧 No more fussing with synchronization – this app just gets it done! Looping playback helps me focus on challenging content and grasp complex concepts. A study must-have! Automated artwork and metadata retrieval add a professional touch to my carefully curated audiobook collection.
Delicious Wing
Listening to audiobooks has turned mundane tasks into enjoyable experiences. The variety of narrators adds a unique touch to each book, making every experience special. Listening to books in their original language has improved my foreign language skills. Efficiency meets audiobooks – this app's functionality is a true winner. Looping playback has transformed my study sessions. It's an invaluable tool for retaining information.
Tin Mutt
ListenBook has completely changed my audiobook experience – it's like having a personal audio library. ListenBook's compatibility with CarPlay and Apple Watch integration is a brilliant touch. ListenBook has redefined my workout routine. The controls are so user-friendly. The statistics tracking feature is eye-opening. I never realized how much time I spend on audiobooks until now! Supports a wide range of formats flawlessly. Very happy with it.
Bridge Whip
I can't imagine my audio routine without ListenBook's seamless and user-friendly design. 🏃♀️📖 Running with purpose – this app keeps my mind engaged as I conquer my fitness goals! 🏃♀️📚 Kudos to the developers for making this app iOS 16 optimized. It runs like a dream! The app is so user-friendly. Even my grandma can use it!
3D Waffle
ListenBook's dedication to delivering high-quality sound and user-friendly features has won me over. This app is a true treasure for audiobook lovers – it's my go-to source for literary adventures! This app's convenience has made my downtime more rewarding and enriching. ListenBook’s playback is smooth and reliable. I never have issues with audio quality.
Eye Candy Kitten
The drag-and-drop download feature on ListenBook is incredibly convenient – no more complicated processes. ListenBook has taken my listening pleasure to new heights – it's a true audio marvel. 💼 Merging work and pleasure – audiobooks keep me company during house admin tasks! 💻🎧
HighBomber
ListenBook's support for playlists in the CUE format makes organizing and enjoying audiobook series a delightful experience. Auto-rewind feature is extremely helpful. Great functionality.
InsightInkwell
Audiobooks on this app have made studying and learning a more enjoyable process. The app is very user-friendly. ListenBook makes listening to audiobooks a breeze. The app is perfect for multitaskers. I can listen while working out. A serviceable audiobook that met basic expectations. The narration was clear if somewhat unremarkable, and the production quality was standard without any noticeable technical issues. It kept me moderately engaged during workouts but didn't leave a lasting impression.
DeathDancer
With ListenBook, I can enjoy my audiobooks with enhanced sound quality and personalized settings. 🏃♂️📚 Running through chapters has never been smoother – the app's streamlined functionality keeps me on track with my reading goals. 🏃♂️🎧 Audiobooks anytime, anywhere – this app's functionality is a reader's delight. Perfect for repeat listening! The narrator's performance was so rich with detail that I'm sure I'll discover new layers on a second listen. Their interpretation felt authentic to the material while bringing fresh insights. The audio production was pristine from start to finish.
Moon Cricket
ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature has made my audio content much more enjoyable in noisy environments. 🛌 Bedtime stories for adults? Yes, please! This app is a dream come true. 🌙📚
Essex
I love how ListenBook extracts artwork and metadata from audio files, adding a visual touch to my listening experience. I love how this app brings stories to life, even during my morning jogs. With this app, my daily routines have become moments of intellectual growth and personal enjoyment. 🎉 Unlocking the door to imagination – this app is my key to endless stories and endless possibilities. 📚🔑 Tone adjustment adds a unique touch to my listening experience. I'm hooked!
Beetle King
🎉 This app's functionality is a masterpiece – it seamlessly integrates audiobooks into my daily routine. 📚🎨 Downloading over WiFi is super efficient. Saves a lot of time. I love the chapter navigation feature. ListenBook makes it easy to find specific sections.
Speedwell
I can't believe how easily this app has fit into my daily routine. Navigating audiobooks effortlessly – this app's functionality is commendable. Sharing audiobooks with friends is a great way to connect over stories.
East Army
I'm in awe of how this app has brought new dimensions to my reading experience. This app is a must-have for any book lover on the go – it's my daily companion. From novels to speeches, this app's versatility in playing different formats has turned my ordinary moments into extraordinary listening sessions. 📱🔊 ListenBook is a must-have for audiobook lovers. The auto-rewind feature ensures I never miss a word. The interface is clean and intuitive. I was up and running in seconds.
Referee
The family subscription option is a money-saver – everyone gets to enjoy their favorite books. ListenBook has transformed my daily activities into opportunities for personal growth. Sharing audiobooks with friends is a fantastic way to introduce them to new stories. The interface is beautiful and functional. ListenBook is my go-to app for audiobooks. The statistics tracking feature is very useful. ListenBook helps me keep track of my listening time.
Darkside Hooker
I'm impressed by ListenBook's dedication to providing a comfortable listening experience. I'm blown away by the silky-smooth playback, even for high-quality formats like FLAC. Top-notch performance!
Venious
This app has made me appreciate the art of storytelling even more. The intuitive interface and efficient navigation make this app a pleasure to use every day.
Playing a wide variety of audio formats
Works on all devices with iOS 13 and newer
Huge amount of features for a small price
Frequent updates to add new features and improve existing ones
Advanced playback controls
Live sound processing
Changing the timbre of the reader's voice and noise reduction
Translated into more than 20 languages
If you love listening to fiction audiobooks, ListenBook has features to make the process easier.
Edit book data: title, author, cover
Use equalizer to make the sound comfortable for you
Adjust the playback speed
Enjoy dark and light app themes
Supported formats: MP3, M4B, AWB, FLAC, OGG audio files and many more (must be DRM free)
Auto-Bookmarks make it easy to find your place
AirPlay support allows redirection of audio output.
VoiceOver support
Dark mode for night owls
Convenient bookmarking system helps you mark the most important places.
Unlimited bookmarks for each audiobook
Put your own cover on the wager
Share your audiobook with friends
Lock-screen control
Customise app with extensive options
Sleep timer with shake to reset, set custom notification sounds, and a few unique options
Auto rewind depending on paused time, customize rewind times to your liking
Removing background noise from recordings made in classrooms and meetings
Changing the timbre of the reader's voice for a better listening experience