OT: The Glory of their Times

[T206Collector]

To purchase the DVD, click here:

http://raresportsfilms.com/1900-1918...-of-times.html

I haven't seen the DVD, but based on the descriptions in this thread, I believe you can watch the film on YouTube here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f4G0nbtLLeQ

[Snapolit1]

I may be in a very very small minority here, but I thought the book was a mixed bag. While some of the chapters were very good and a few riveting, I found a good chunk of it to be just old guys telling the same old war stories that seemed sketchy at best. A lot of the book sounded to me like barroom tales of days gone by of very dubious veracity. Maybe I've read too many books on the limitations of human memory. After a few years you are basically hearing fictional recreation. Never mind 60 years ago.

[Hankphenom]

Originally Posted by Snapolit1

I may be in a very very small minority here, but I thought the book was a mixed bag. While some of the chapters were very good and a few riveting, I found a good chunk of it to be just old guys telling the same old war stories that seemed sketchy at best. A lot of the book sounded to me like barroom tales of days gone by of very dubious veracity. Maybe I've read too many books on the limitations of human memory. After a few years you are basically hearing fictional recreation. Never mind 60 years ago.

I haven't read the book in so long, all I remember is how much I enjoyed it. In putting the audio set together more recently, however, I did listen to all of the original tapes, and some of the players were more "blustery," to put it kindly, than others. Overall, though, I found them to be credible and even surprisingly candid for the most part, seemingly quite interested in getting things straight as best as they could remember them. I suspect that a fact check would reveal them to be about as accurate on the details of events so far in the past as could be reasonably expected. Just how much tolerance a particular reader would have for "old guys telling the same old war stories" is another matter altogether, and would depend in large part on their interest in the subjects at hand. I think I can speak for most fans of "Glory" in my appreciation of the miracle that, despite whatever limitations they might possess, these recollections were preserved by Ritter for future generations to read, hear, and enjoy.

[Hot Springs Bathers]

I have been a SABR member for decades and over the years there have been literally dozens of polls and debates on the best baseball books of all time.

With no room for question Ritter's book has never failed to win first place, it is always The Glory of Their Times and everyone else. As my old friend Michael McGreevy used to say "Nuf Ced."

[Zach Wheat]

Originally Posted by Snapolit1

I may be in a very very small minority here, but I thought the book was a mixed bag. While some of the chapters were very good and a few riveting, I found a good chunk of it to be just old guys telling the same old war stories that seemed sketchy at best. A lot of the book sounded to me like barroom tales of days gone by of very dubious veracity. Maybe I've read too many books on the limitations of human memory. After a few years you are basically hearing fictional recreation. Never mind 60 years ago.

Steve,

I generally tend to agree with you, but when you hear the emotion of Davey Jones telling about his first shoes, or the intelligence of Snodgrass as he recounts the play which became known as the Snodgrass Boner, it actually brings their stories to life. One of the guys I could never quite figure out was Goose Goslin - but hearing him recount some of the stories in 1st person, you start to believe this is a guy who could wander off and sleep through the night on a boat while fishing.....and miss a key start. The emotions and personality that come through the audio version are key to understanding their personality. JMO


Z

[Zach Wheat]

One other story in TGOT that I was going to mention as truly unique, was "Snow's" (Fred Snodgrass) recollection Charles Victory Faust. His telling of the story was quite amusing whether or not it actually happened in the manner in which the story was told. Just gives character to the person....

Z

[Snapolit1]

Originally Posted by Zach Wheat

One other story in TGOT that I was going to mention as truly unique, was "Snow's" (Fred Snodgrass) recollection Charles Victory Faust. His telling of the story was quite amusing whether or not it actually happened in the manner in which the story was told. Just gives character to the person....

Z

I wasn't trying to kick anyone's sacred cow or anything, but I wasn't as moved by it as I expected. To each his own as they say. I realized it is beloved in many quarters.

[Hankphenom]

Originally Posted by Snapolit1

I wasn't trying to kick anyone's sacred cow or anything, but I wasn't as moved by it as I expected. To each his own as they say. I realized it is beloved in many quarters.

No sacred cows with this crowd, that's what I like about it.

[Snapolit1]

Originally Posted by Zach Wheat

Steve,

I generally tend to agree with you, but when you hear the emotion of Davey Jones telling about his first shoes, or the intelligence of Snodgrass as he recounts the play which became known as the Snodgrass Boner, it brings the actually stories to life. One of the guys I could never quite figure out was Goose Goslin - but hearing him recount some of the stories in 1st person, you start to believe this is a guy who could wander off and sleep through the night on a boat while fishing.....and miss a key start. The emotions and personality that come through the audio version are key to understanding their personality. JMO


Z

Zach - I went back and re-read the Snodgrass chapter last night. Incredible. You are absolutely right. What a sharp, insightful guy.

[oldrighty35]

My first post here as a newbie. I love "Glory Of Their Times." Great insight to the early days of the game. I have seveal copies that I share with those who wish to learn more.

[frankbmd]

If you have just read this thread and are interested in the audio CDs (near new), shoot me a PM.

SOLD

[Huck]

Well over a decade ago, I set out to create a baseball library. I found the two sites below and started looking for the books.

http://baseballguru.com/b_sabr.html

http://www.sandlotshrink.com/bookoldbb.htm

The first book purchased was The Glory of Their Times. Years later, I purchased the cds. In the realm of baseball books the book is one of the best. The book comes highly rated. At one time or another,each of us have bought into the hype of something only to be let down or wonder - "why all the hype?" One of my personal let downs was the movie Pulp Fiction. Everyone at work raved about the movie. I purchased my ticket sat down in my seat, thinking my life was somehow going to be changed. The movie was okay, but frankly I did not understand the hype.

A few good reads:

Dollar Sign on the Muscle by Kevin Kerrane - a good book about scouting prospects.

Prophet of the Sandlots - another book on scouting the ending is a surprise.

Men at Work - By George Will (certain chapters are better than others)

Anything by Roger Angell is usually good. I just hate having to pick up the dictionary every few paragraphs to find the definition of a word.

All of the Fireside books.

Enjoy!