Most Popular Books by Peter Golenbock

A chronicle of the 1983 baseball season with the New York Yankees.

A vivid portrait of baseball greats from the 1940s, 50s and 60s, offering a fascinating account of the golden age of baseball. This book is based on hundreds of hours of taped interviews featuring the likes of Roy Campanella, Ted Williams, Phil Rizzuto, Jim Bouton, Stan Musial, and more

Dear Baseball Fan: I know what you’re thinking: Couldn’t he have come up with a better title? My mother agrees with you, but unfortunately Genius just doesn’t have the same ring. Let’s get something straight right away. I may be an idiot, but I’ve tried to do more in this book than just revisit the Red Sox’s Miracle Season. I want to give you a sense of what it’s like to grow up with baseball dreams, to spend long years climbing the ladder, and then over the course of three years to see the building blocks of those dreams fall into place. In this book, you’ll be reading about the son of an Army staff sergeant—a thrill-seeking Orlando kid who at age thirteen was gifted with a man’s body, including rare speed and reflexes. It was some straight talk from my brother that kept me from abandoning that talent, which led to my eventually catching on with the Kansas City Royals and later the Oakland A’s. Starting in 2002 with the Red Sox, I got to see what can happen when a determined front office decides to roll the dice and acquire players who, like me, leave the thinking out of it—who trust their instincts and play team baseball. Forget what you’ve read about the posse of long-haired rebels who eventually made up the 2004 Red Sox. I''ll give you the straight dope, including who''s got the biggest mouth (hint: his first name is Kevin); what Pedro Martinez was doing all those times when you couldn’t find him on the bench; what game David Ortiz should never play; and why I sometimes question Curt Schilling’s sanity. Memo to Curt: the statue of you is being erected. What’s it like being responsible for the hopes of millions? In the fall of 2004 my teammates and I got to find out. What I’ve tried to do in these pages is bring you inside, show you the black humor that erupted when it seemed we could do nothing right, and the immense joy that followed when 25 guys took turns picking each other up, and by sheer force of will reached baseball’s summit. Red Sox Nation (both natives and new arrivals), this one’s for you. —Johnny Damon, #18

The heart and soul of NASCAR is bared in this collection of stories from people intimately involved in stock car racing. Best-selling author Peter Golenbock interviewed a wide range of known and not-so-well-known players in the NASCAR game, ranging from the feisty female racer from the 1950s, Louise Smith, to the legendary champion Fred Lorenzen and announcer Benny Parsons. Golenbock draws incredible stories from these people, and has assembled a collection of stories that tells the tale of not only NASCAR''s transformation from a regional backwater sport to an empire, but also brings to light new twists on the most dramatic stories of the sport. Golenbock''s interviews pull out the human side of the men and women of racing, offering an intimate glimpse of life on and off the track.

New York Times bestseller Presumed Guilty exposes shocking, never-before revealed, exclusive information from the trial of the century and the verdict that shocked the nation. When Caylee Anthony was reported missing in Orlando, Florida, in July 2008, the public spent the next three years following the investigation and the eventual trial of her mother, Casey Anthony. On July 5, 2011, the case that captured headlines worldwide exploded when, against all odds, defense attorney Jose Baez delivered one of the biggest legal upsets in American history: a not-guilty verdict. In this tell-all, Baez shares secrets the defense knew but has not disclosed to anyone until now and frankly reveals his experiences throughout the entire case—discovering the evidence, meeting Casey Anthony for the first time, being with George and Cindy Anthony day after day, leading defense strategy meetings, and spending weeks in the judge''s chambers. Presumed Guilty shows how Baez, a struggling, high-school dropout, became one of the nation''s most high-profile defense attorneys through his tireless efforts to seek justice for one of the country''s most vilified murder suspects.

A premier racer in NASCAR history drives his way into readers'' hearts with an inside story of his amazing recovery after a 1994 crash, his strong opinions of the racing world today, and a candid account of his personal life. of photos.

The commandments of hitting.

Written in collaboration with New York Times bestselling author Peter Golenbock, Larry Lawton''s true-life story is a Hollywood producer''s dream. Larry and Peter show the world a life of a straightforward, no excuses man who refused to let a broken system keep him down. Think Goodfellas, only better. Gangster Redemption tracks Larry''s life growing up in the Bronx, his connection to organized crime, and how he went on to steal over 15 million dollars in jewels, ultimately landing himself in one of America''s most brutal maximum-security prisons where he was exposed to unbelievable torture. Through reading this book, readers will discover: a vivid account of Larry''s crimes and how he managed to evade law enforcement and the FBI for nearly six years a secret life of corruption the truth about prison life, what is lost, how to avoid and dissolve bad associations, and how to turn ones life around how Larry developed the #1 program in the country designed to steer teens away from a life of crime Lawton''s Reality Check Program is nationally recognized and used by judges, law enforcement, government officials, attorneys, and parents all over the country. It has kept thousands of teens and young adults from going to prison. His success rate is incredible and well documented. So is Larry Lawton''s story.

Describes the racial prejudice experienced by Jackie Robinson when he joined the Brooklyn Dodgers and became the first black player in Major League baseball and depicts the acceptance and support he received from his white teammate Pee Wee Reese.

The controversial baseball figure, presently manager of the Oakland A''s recalls his turbulent years as player or manager with the winning Yankees, Twins, Tigers, and Rangers.