Official Review: Diamonds are a Man's Best Friend

[NadineTimes10]

[Following is an official OnlineBookClub.org review of "Diamonds are a Man's Best Friend" by Tye michael Elliott.]

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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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[kandscreeley]

I'm not a huge baseball fan, nor do I appreciate many memoirs. So, while I'm glad that you were able to enjoy this, I don't think I would. It sounds like Elliott had an interesting life, though. Thanks for sharing with us.

[NadineTimes10]

I'm not a huge baseball fan, nor do I appreciate many memoirs. So, while I'm glad that you were able to enjoy this, I don't think I would. It sounds like Elliott had an interesting life, though. Thanks for sharing with us.

Yeah, I'm not a fan of baseball either. 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...

[chiefsimplex]

I do not understand enough about baseball to appreciate the story.Perhaps i am missing something ,but the title of the story doesn't seem to relate well to the story.Thanks for the review.

[NadineTimes10]

I do not understand enough about baseball to appreciate the story.Perhaps i am missing something ,but the title of the story doesn't seem to relate well to the story.Thanks for the review.

Oh! The author doesn't explain the title in the book, but a lot of people familiar with baseball and a particular song will recognize the title's play on words.

The layout of a baseball field is in the shape of a diamond, so people often call it a "baseball diamond."

There's also a classic American musical where a character named Lorelei sings a song called "Diamonds Are a Girl's Best Friend." Although Lorelei is talking about her love for jewelry in that song, the author of this book borrows the title and changes it a little to refer to his love for a baseball diamond--and the sport of baseball in general.

[chiefsimplex]

I do not understand enough about baseball to appreciate the story.Perhaps i am missing something ,but the title of the story doesn't seem to relate well to the story.Thanks for the review.

Oh! The author doesn't explain the title in the book, but a lot of people familiar with baseball and a particular song will recognize the title's play on words.

The layout of a baseball field is in the shape of a diamond, so people often call it a "baseball diamond."

There's also a classic American musical where a character named Lorelei sings a song called "Diamonds Are a Girl's Best Friend." Although Lorelei is talking about her love for jewelry in that song, the author of this book borrows the title and changes it a little to refer to his love for a baseball diamond--and the sport of baseball in general.

Ok ,thanks for clarifying

[FOOD AND HOUSING]

Baseball is sort of a twist or spin of sports plays. Players are paid for their endurance of playing a long game and fans are liked for their endurance of being a watchdog of the game of baseball. I am certain that relationships between different people can be difficult because your use to a person of the same circle or creed. I give this book four stars because the author went beyond what people said about people of color and bleneded relationships regardless what people said. I am a woman of color I look for clarity within myself. There's no prefect person.

[Amanda Deck]

The title is what made me read this review. Now that I know what it means, I have to share this review with my sister who is a baseball mom. Baseball is the most important thing in my nephew's life currently so this sounds perfect for them.

[NadineTimes10]

The title is what made me read this review. Now that I know what it means, I have to share this review with my sister who is a baseball mom. Baseball is the most important thing in my nephew's life currently so this sounds perfect for them.

AWESOME!

[omppuli]

Interesting! I don't much about baseball, but sometimes it's good to dive into the unknown, right? Maybe I'll pick this book up later.

[Nyambura Githui]

I'm not a baseball fun. Your review makes the book sound quite interesting. Good review.

[Juliana_Isabella]

A baseball-themed memoir was definitely not what I expected when I read the title, so I'm glad your review cleared things up for me. I probably won't read the book since baseball isn't nostalgic for me, but thanks for the review.

[Prisallen]

This sounds like a book my husband would enjoy as he is a big baseball fan. Thanks for the review!