Overview

""Intersecting baseball with the horrors of war, The Batter's Box is a creative, compelling, and profound piece of historical fiction. You won't be able to put this book down."" -Tim Kurkjian, Senior Baseball Analyst/Writer, ESPN During World War II, a star baseball player trades his bat for a rifle and discovers that some battles can't be won on any field. Will Jamison has it all as a rising star for the Washington Senators when Pearl Harbor changes everything. Driven by patriotism and family legacy, he enlists in the Army, leaving behind fame, fortune, and his secret affair with the married Kay Barlow. During the Battle of the Bulge, Jamison's unit makes a heroic stand near Bastogne against overwhelming German forces. He earns a Silver Star, but the brutal carnage leaves invisible scars that no medal can heal. Returning home, Jamison fights to reclaim his playing career while battling haunting memories. He struggles with explosive rage and heavy drinking, and when Kay tries to rekindle their romance, she discovers a man fundamentally changed by war. As Jamison pushes away those who love him, can he find the courage to face one last battle that will determine his fate? The Batter's Box is a powerful work of historical fiction that shines a spotlight on a neglected chapter of wartime sacrifice. With vivid detail and emotional depth, Andy Kutler has crafted an unforgettable story that honors our veterans and the resilience of the human spirit.

Full Product Details

9781685137588

Table of Contents

Reviews

""The Batter's Box is a tour de force-a riveting tale of baseball, war, and the human spirit. This is an amazing story-well-written, beautifully designed, and emotionally satisfying."" -Military Writers Society of America ""While the author's book is fictional, the rigorous historical research he must have done to achieve such an impressive sense of period authenticity is evident on virtually every page. This is an emotionally affecting story, both heart-rending and thrilling, as dramatically captivating as it is historically edifying."" -Kirkus Reviews ""We remember World War II as `the Good War, ' when right and wrong seemed so clear. 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, US Army (ret.), author of Our Year at War: Two Brothers, Vietnam, and a Nation Divided ""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. -Gordon H. ""Nick"" Mueller, President & CEO Emeritus, The National WWII Museum ""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, US Army (ret.), Former Commandant, US Army War College ""Enjoy gripping tales of World War II? Heroic sports sagas well told? Or just a fine novel full of engaging characters? The Batter's Box gives readers all three and more. I enjoyed every page I read of this epic story. Highly recommended!"" -Ralph Peters, Award-Winning author of Cain at Gettysburg ""Intersecting baseball with the horrors of war, The Batter's Box is a creative, compelling, and profound piece of historical fiction. You won't be able to put this book down."" -Tim Kurkjian, Senior Baseball Analyst/Writer, ESPN

Author Information

Andy Kutler is a proud native of Madison, Wisconsin, patiently waiting for his beloved Milwaukee Brewers to win their first World Series. After migrating to the Washington, D.C. area three decades ago, he has somehow survived an earthquake, cicadas (twice), and, for a brief, traumatizing period, subpar bagels. Andy has enjoyed a lifelong passion for World War II history, awed by the incredible resilience and sacrifice of so many during this extraordinary era. In addition to The Batter's Box, he is also the author of the award-winning The Fight of Their Lives: A 21st Century Primer on World War II, and creator of the World War II history website www.ww2snapshots.com. His articles on the war have appeared in such publications as The Philadelphia Inquirer and The Baltimore Sun.

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