A fantastic social history from the author of Salt and Cod (USA Today) In the Dominican Republic town of San Pedro de Macorís, baseball is often seen as the only way to a better life. For those who make it, the million-dollar paychecks from Major League Baseball mean that not only they, but their entire families as well, have been saved from grinding poverty. The successful few set an example that dazzles the neighbors they left behind. But for the majority, this dream is illusory.
In
The Eastern Stars, New York Times bestselling author Mark Kurlansky reveals the connection between two countries' love affair with a sport, and the remarkable journey of impoverished San Pedro and its baseball players-including Rico Carty, Albert Pujols, Robinson Canó, Sammy Sosa, and Alfonso Soriano-who have sought freedom from poverty through playing ball.
Mark Kurlansky is the
New York Times bestselling author of many books, including
Cheesecake,
The Food of a Younger Land,
Cod: A Biography of the Fish That Changed the World;
Salt: A World History;
1968: The Year That Rocked the World; and
The Big Oyster: History on the Half Shell. He has received the Dayton Literary Peace Prize, Bon Appetit’s Food Writer of the Year Award, the James Beard Award, and the Glenfiddich Award. He lives in New York City.
Part One
Sugar
La caña triturada, como una lluvia de oro,
en chorros continuados, baja, desciende y va
allí donde la espera la cuba, para hacerla
miel, dulce miel, panal.
El sol que la atraviesa con rayo matutino,
de trav&lÓ=
![The Eastern Stars: How Baseball Changed the Dominican Town of San Pedro de Macoris [Paperback]](/itemImage/2/3/5/5/2_7194956.jpg "The Eastern Stars: How Baseball Changed the Dominican Town of San Pedro de Macoris [Paperback]")