by Andy Kutler
Publication Date: March 12, 2019
Warriors Publishing Group
Hardcover, Paperback, eBook
Genre: Historical Fiction
About the author
Andy Kutler is a writer living in Arlington, Virginia. His debut novel, The Other Side of Life, was awarded a Bronze Medal from the Independent Publishers Book Awards, and Honorable Mention from Foreword Reviews' INDIEFAB Awards. He has also authored a number of columns for the Huffington Post and the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, and spent more than a quarter century in public service, including with the United States Senate and the United States Secret Service, and as a consultant in the national security community.
Book Summary:
In 1946, a returning World War II veteran is determined to reclaim his place among professional baseball's upper echelon and win back the woman he once fell for. Two months into the new season, at the top of his game, he abandons his team, casting aside his fame and riches and vanishing forever from the public eye. What drives a man to walk away from everything he cherishes, never to be heard from again?
The Batter's Boxfollows the path of Will Jamison, a star player with the Washington Senators who enlists in the U.S. Army following the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor. When the war ends, Jamison returns to Washington, a decorated hero tormented by deep emotional scars. Burdened with a crushing guilt and harrowing memories he cannot escape, Jamison's life is consumed by an explosive temper, sleepless nights, and a gradual descent into alcoholism. Will he continue, alone with his anguish and misery? Or will he level with those around him, including the woman he loves, and seek the professional care he desperately needs, even at the risk of exposing his most closely guarded secrets?
Praise:
"We remember World War II as 'the Good War, ' when right and wrong seemed so clear. We won, they lost, and our guys came home as heroes. But as gifted author Andy Kutler tells us in THE BATTER'S BOX, mortal combat is anything but good, heroism comes with a horrific price, and some of the most tragic wounds don't bleed -- and don't go away. If you want to know what really happened at Bastogne in the terrible winter of 1944, read this powerful, haunting book." -- Daniel P. Bolger, Lieutenant General, U.S. Army (Ret.), author of Our Year of War: Two Brothers, Vietnam, and a Nation Divided
"Andy Kutler has the eyes and ears of combat soldiers and the heart of those who love them. The horror, courage, and camaraderie of battle rivals the grit of Once an Eagle, while the poignant authenticity of Will Jamison's struggles with his hidden wounds highlight that, for many, the impact of war lingers far past the last shots of battle. THE BATTER'S BOX is a superb work of historical fiction that carries important lessons for today." -- William E. Rapp, Major General, U.S. Army (Ret.), Former Commandant, U.S. Army War College, and Commandant of Cadets, U.S. Military Academy
“The Batter's Box is a riveting read. It is a love story and a war story and a novel with far more truth than fiction. I’m a psychiatrist specializing in treating men and women with post-traumatic stress disorder. If you love someone with that invisible wound, read this book. If you are curious and concerned about the condition, read this book. Most survivors of profound trauma lack a language to convey their life stories because those stories include the unspeakable. When the hero of this compelling novel speaks, we listen, we learn and we are transformed. If you are currently struggling with the impact of major trauma, reading passages here may be disturbing and ‘triggering.’ But I believe it is worth the risk because this book affirms your reality and your dignity.” --Frank M. Ochberg, MD, Former Associate Director, National Institute of Mental Health
"Historical fiction, if it reflects careful scholarship, is a powerful tool in the hands of a gifted writer, and can deepen our understanding of real events and people. Andy Kutler's THE BATTER’S BOX offers an impressive addition to World War II literature, bringing fresh attention to the adjustment struggle faced by so many returning war veterans. Kutler's depiction of one of the more heroic small-unit engagements in US Army history is both compelling and long overdue." -- Gordon H. "Nick" Mueller, President & CEO Emeritus, The National WWII Museum
My thoughts:
I'm not normally a fan of baseball relate novels but when I saw this was about the Washington Senators and my husband and I have been watching the Washington Nationals , I decided it would be an interesting read. Plus, it's a time slip novel which I am a huge fan of and I love this genre. So, win-win, right?
I have to say that I loved this book much more than I thought I would. The author seamlessly transitions between time periods in such a way that I never felt like I was missing any part of the story. I loved the beginning of the book where we meet Kay in 2005 and how the story is told through her and her interview with an investigative journalist. I loved that we got to know the story of Will Jameson a star player with the Senators who enlisted in the Army following the attack on Pearl Harbor. What a story it is, too. Plagued by PTSD, Will is one of those characters who will really make you think how difficult it is for any returning soldier but one returning in that time period was so sad because back then, they really didn't seem to know about treating something like that.
Will and countless other were left with horrific emotional scars that left them with unbearable darkness to overcome. The author tell this heartbreaking story so well that I kept reading late into the night. I found this well paced and extremely interesting novel hard to put down which is why I recommend it to other readers.
My thanks to the author and HFVBT for the complimentary copy of this book. All opinions expressed are my own.
During the Blog Tour, we are giving away a paperback copy of The Batter's Box!
Giveaway Rules
– Giveaway ends at 11:59 pm EST on November 5th. You must be 18 or older to enter.
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– Only one entry per household.
– All giveaway entrants agree to be honest and not cheat the systems; any suspicion of fraud will be decided upon by blog/site owner and the sponsor, and entrants may be disqualified at our discretion.
– The winner has 48 hours to claim prize or a new winner is chosen.
Blog Tour Schedule
Tuesday, October 8
Thursday, October 10
Monday, October 14
Friday, October 18
Monday, October 21
Wednesday, October 23
Thursday, October 24
Tuesday, October 29
Thursday, October 31
Friday, November 1
Tuesday, November 5
What a great review! I'm reading it now and liking it more than I expected as well! Thank you for hosting the tour :)
ReplyDeleteAmy
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