Official Review: Diamonds are a Man's Best Friend
Posted: 19 Mar 2019, 02:19
[Following is an official OnlineBookClub.org review of "Diamonds are a Man's Best Friend" by Tye michael Elliott.]
3 out of 4 stars
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For many years, baseball has endured as one of America’s most-loved pastimes. Likewise, for generations in a particular American family, the Elliotts, baseball has been a favorite pastime and more. In Diamonds Are a Man’s Best Friend, author Tye Elliott gives a personal account about the remarkable role baseball has played in his life and in the lives of his loved ones.
Right off, this memoir’s title stands out with its recognizable play on words and a positive nod to classic American culture and entertainment. After a brief introduction in the book, Elliott launches into key aspects of his family history. The narrative then moves through the author’s childhood and adulthood, describing the joys and hardships of his past as well as his optimism for his family’s future. While Elliott does not neglect to paint a broader picture beyond baseball’s impact on his family, he never strays too far from that central theme.
This balanced memoir is rather concise without being superficial or vague. The author has a down-to-earth style that blends in dashes of humor, pain, and hope. Whether Elliott has just recounted a victory on the baseball field or the grief of losing a loved one, he ends each chapter on a high note, relaying jokes from his comedic father.
With his keen perspective, the author steps past some of the more common information and ideas about baseball. In his reflections on immediate families, he conveys how bonding through baseball is not limited to fathers and sons; mothers and daughters are just as much a part of the tradition. While many Americans are at least somewhat familiar with Major League Baseball, Elliott goes a ways further to discuss Minor League Baseball as well as collegiate baseball careers. Moreover, the author touches on racial diversity within the sport and how sports in general have affected his family’s relationships with people of color. In fewer than two hundred pages, Elliott’s memoir offers an inclusive and satisfying slice of Americana.
Now, to an extent, the book suffers from technical errors. Some of the dialogue runs together in single paragraphs instead of there being separate paragraphs for different speakers. Errors in letter case, verb tense, and punctuation also appear in various places through the book. Although the errors are not excessive, the moderate amount of them does detract from the book’s overall presentation.
In spite of the minor lack of technical polish, this is a thoughtful, engaging, and inspiring account of love, recreation, dedication, and tradition. Therefore, I give Diamonds Are a Man’s Best Friend a rating of 3 out of 4 stars. I’d recommend it to memoir fans, particularly those with an interest in sports and athletic careers.
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Diamonds are a Man's Best Friend
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3 out of 4 stars
Share This Review
For many years, baseball has endured as one of America’s most-loved pastimes. Likewise, for generations in a particular American family, the Elliotts, baseball has been a favorite pastime and more. In Diamonds Are a Man’s Best Friend, author Tye Elliott gives a personal account about the remarkable role baseball has played in his life and in the lives of his loved ones.
Right off, this memoir’s title stands out with its recognizable play on words and a positive nod to classic American culture and entertainment. After a brief introduction in the book, Elliott launches into key aspects of his family history. The narrative then moves through the author’s childhood and adulthood, describing the joys and hardships of his past as well as his optimism for his family’s future. While Elliott does not neglect to paint a broader picture beyond baseball’s impact on his family, he never strays too far from that central theme.
This balanced memoir is rather concise without being superficial or vague. The author has a down-to-earth style that blends in dashes of humor, pain, and hope. Whether Elliott has just recounted a victory on the baseball field or the grief of losing a loved one, he ends each chapter on a high note, relaying jokes from his comedic father.
With his keen perspective, the author steps past some of the more common information and ideas about baseball. In his reflections on immediate families, he conveys how bonding through baseball is not limited to fathers and sons; mothers and daughters are just as much a part of the tradition. While many Americans are at least somewhat familiar with Major League Baseball, Elliott goes a ways further to discuss Minor League Baseball as well as collegiate baseball careers. Moreover, the author touches on racial diversity within the sport and how sports in general have affected his family’s relationships with people of color. In fewer than two hundred pages, Elliott’s memoir offers an inclusive and satisfying slice of Americana.
Now, to an extent, the book suffers from technical errors. Some of the dialogue runs together in single paragraphs instead of there being separate paragraphs for different speakers. Errors in letter case, verb tense, and punctuation also appear in various places through the book. Although the errors are not excessive, the moderate amount of them does detract from the book’s overall presentation.
In spite of the minor lack of technical polish, this is a thoughtful, engaging, and inspiring account of love, recreation, dedication, and tradition. Therefore, I give Diamonds Are a Man’s Best Friend a rating of 3 out of 4 stars. I’d recommend it to memoir fans, particularly those with an interest in sports and athletic careers.
******
Diamonds are a Man's Best Friend
View: on Bookshelves
Like NadineTimes10's review? Post a comment saying so!
The history and nostalgia of it--yes. And I love the movie A League of Their Own. But sitting down to actually watch a baseball game? Well. I might enjoy the hotdogs at the stadium, but... 
