Three Nights In August: Strategy, Heartbreak, and Joy Inside the Mind of a Manager

From Strand Bookstore

Inside the Mind of the Manager. A Pulitzer Prize-winning author captures baseball's strategic and emotional essences through a point-blank account of one three-game series viewed through the keen eyes of legendarymanager Tony La Russa. Drawing on unmatched access to a manager and his team, Bissinger brings the same revelatory intimacy to major league baseball that he did to high school football in his classic bestseller, 'Friday Night Lights.' Buzz Bissinger is also the author of 'A Prayer for the City.'

From the Publisher

The Pulitzer Prize-winning author of Friday Nights Lights chronicles a three-game series between baseball rivals Cardinals and Cubs, focusing particular attention on the stars of the game, Albert Pujols, Sammy Sosa, Mark Prior, and Scott Rolen.

Review

John Grisham - New York Times Book Review
"THREE NIGHTS IN AUGUST takes us inside the mind of one of the great [managers.]...LaRussa collaborated fully, hid nothing, freely divulged his thoughts, notes, fears. The result is a fascinating look inside the day-to-day, game-by-game, inning-by-inning management of a professional baseball team."

More about the book

Sports writer Buzz Bissinger (author of the bestselling FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS) focuses on a three-game National League series in August 2003, between the St. Louis Cardinals and the Chicago Cubs. Given complete access to the dugout, the clubhouse, and the field, Bissinger provides a fascinatingly detailed look not only at the games themselves in a series of thrilling play-by-plays, but also at the personalities involved. Starting with Cardinals manager Tony La Russa--the main character here--Bissinger branches out to include the entire diverse array of players and coaches involved, such as JD Drew, Garret Stephenson, Albert Pujols, and Kerry Robinson. For Cardinals and Cubs fans, or for anyone who loves baseball--or just a good read--THREE NIGHTS IN AUGUST is a gripping narrative that brings the national pastime to vibrant life.