Reviews

At one time, the sign at the Pontiac Silverdome read “Restore the Roar.” But as Thomas E. Hall points out in “The Detroit Lions,” there has been much for the Lions faithful to cheer about in recent years. In fact, the Lions have never made it to the Super Bowl. The last time the Lions […]

Neil Lanctot’s “Negro League Baseball” is the definitive history of Negro League Baseball in the United States. The author maps out the rise of this once beloved enterprise, the growing pains along the way, and its ultimate demise after Jackie Robinson finally broke the color barrier. Black entrepreneurs such as Cumberland “Cum” Posey, Gus Greenlee,

“The Cleveland Strangler” Anthony Sowell was responsible for the death of at least eleven women between 2007 and 2009. This sadistic serial killer and rapist lured vulnerable women to his house of horrors with promises of drugs and alcohol. Law enforcement found the remains of his victims in various parts of his residence, including shallow

If you watched professional wrestling in the 1990’s, you were probably a fan of ECW – Extreme Championship Wrestling. A small independent promotion from Philadelphia that expanded across the nation, being briefly recognized as the number three promotion in the United States – behind WWF and WCW. In “Tod is God,” former ECW owner Tod

“Both Sides of the Line” is fascinating story about the undersized 1974 Bosco Bears in Massachusetts, with a strange twist, as a former player shares his appreciation for a former coach who was secretly connected to the mob. The former inner city technical school ended the long winning streak of Catholic Memorial, en route to

Tris Speaker might be the best player never mentioned among the listed baseball greats. If not for Willie Mays, he may have been the greatest center fielder to play the game. Speaker, or “Spoke” as many called him, was a defensive wizard (recording a record 449 career outfield assists), but was also deadly with the

In “The Great Baseball Revolt,” Robert B. Ross examines the environment in the early days of professional baseball in the United States that led to the formation of the Brotherhood of Professional Baseball Players organizing the Players’ League in 1890. The new league formed to counter National League’s and American Association’s control of the players,

If you enjoy true crime stories, “Wrong Numbers” is packed with intriguing mob tales. The book opens with the history of prostitution in “Sin City.” As outlined by the authors, the number of brothel controllers dwindled as organized crime entered the fray. The focus of this work is on the calling diversion scheme that devastated

By: Craig R. Coenen Narrated by: Troy Klein Length: 11 hrs and 19 mins Release date: 10-08-13 “From Sandlots to the Super Bowl” by Craig R. Coenen offers a concise history of the national football league from the birth of the organization through the first Super Bowl. Despite the NFL’s popularity today, the league struggled

By: George H. Gregory Narrated by: Chaz Allen Length: 9 hrs and 22 mins Release date: 05-07-20 “Alcatraz Screw” by former prison guard George Gregory offers a first hand perspective on the daily routine at the famed Alcatraz Federal Penitentiary. Gregory details the rules and procedures on the island prison, and delivers the specifics on