adult nonfiction; baseball/Japanese culture. Interesting but not riveting (to me). I'd have read further than Chapter 4 but I have a lot of other books I want to finish right now. ( )

Whiting explores through anecdotes the differences between Japanese and American baseball culture and practice. A very enjoyable and informative book. ( )

What better way to celebrate the Fall Classic than reading a baseball book. Though written two decades ago, Whiting gives us a peak into besuboru, or, Japanese baseball. One would think that the unchanging rules of the game would dictate a commonality, whether played in the United States, Japan, or anywhere else. However, that simplistic view is quickly eradicated when the author helps the reader take into account differences in culture and strategy. In Japan, baseball teams are marketing arms of corporations (that is, overseen by business people, not baseball people). Players are subservient to the team, and specifically, to the manager and coaches. They train almost year round, believing that the harder and longer one trains, the better player a person can become. Furthermore, Japanese baseball strategy is dictated on small ball, precision, and saving face, dragging games to four hours or longer, with the possibility of games ending in a tie. Perhaps the most interesting aspect is reading about the challenges in acculturation of imported (gaijin) players, mostly former MLB castaways. While Japanese besuboro can be defined by its spirit it ultimately lacks the soul so evident in baseball played in the West. ( )

An interesting take on the cultural differences between Japan and the United States as told through baseball. Whiting's book only goes up through the late 80's so it misses a large amount of the globalization that has occurred in both countries over the past few decades. However, that being said it was a really quick read that gave a brief synopsis of different facets involved in the Japanese game. I would have liked a more coherent narrative instead of the chapter's functioning as article pieces for magazines. I would recommend it for anyone trying to understand the cultural interaction between the U.S. and Japan. ( )

A fascinating cultural study of baseball as played in Japan, and the cultural clash that occurs when Western ballplayers play in the Japanese leagues. A must for fans of the international pastime. ( )