'.vibrant, funny.To call it simply a 'tell-all book' is like describing The Grapes of Wrath as a book about harvesting.' 'An irreverent, best-selling book that angered baseball's hierarchy and changed the way journalists and fans viewed the sports world.' Christopher Lehmann-Haupt, The New York Times ' Ball Four is a people book, not just a baseball book.' 'A book deep in the American vein, so deep in fact it is by no means a sports book.' The 50th Anniversary of his historic book includes a touching and personal new forward by his wife, Paula Bouton. Following his death, Bouton's landmark book has remained popular, and his legacy lives on through its many readers, including those who don't ordinarily follow baseball. And serious critics called it an important social document. Sportswriters called author Jim Bouton a traitor and 'social leper.' Commissioner Bowie Kuhn tried to force him to declare the book untrue. Commissioners, executives, and players were shocked. When Ball Four was first published in 1970, it hit the sports world like a lightning bolt. New Foreword from Jim Bouton's Wife, Paula Bouton Time Magazine '100 Greatest Non-Fiction Books' Selection New York Public Library Book of the Century Selection For this edition, Bouton has written a new epilogue, detailing his perspective on how baseball has changed since the last edition was released.

Bouton's landmark book is still being read by people who don't ordinarily follow baseball. Fans, however, loved the book, and serious critics called it an important social document. Commissioner Bowie Kuhn tried to force him to declare the book untrue. Sportswriters called author Jim Bouton a traitor and social leper. About the Book When Ball four was first published in 1970, it hit the sports world like a lightning bolt.

Books by jim bouton