Cincinnati and the Big Red Machine [Paperback]

... this is the history of a surprisingly fascinating symbiosis, of as much interest to social historians as to baseball fans. Publishers Weekly

... a sound account of a baseball teams place in the life of a community... effectively focused on the most exciting era of a club that has meant so much to so many people. Greensboro (NC) News & Record

Any baseball buff will enjoy this entertaining look at the hey-day of the Big Red Machine. Monterey (CA) Herald

In interviews with players, including Bench, Rose, Concepcion, Perez, manager Sparky Anderson, journalists, owners, and civic leaders, Walker reveals what it is that defines the Reds, and what Cincinnati as a city represents.

List of Illustrations
Preface

Prologue: Rose Rounding Third

One Backdrop

Two Setting the Stage

Three The Image: Clean and Traditional

Four The Needle and the Spark

Five The Reds Players: On Stage at Riverfront

Six After the Ball

Seven The City and the Game

Epilogue: Rose at Home

Key to Interviews
Note on Sources
Index