Description
Book Synopsis: In 2002, Tabitha Soren first began photographing a group of minor league draft picks for the Oakland A’s—young men coming into the major league farm system straight from high school or college. Since then, she has followed the players through their baseball lives, an alternate reality of long bus rides, on-field injuries, friendships and marriages entered and exited, constant motion, and very hard work, often for very little return.
Some of the subjects, like Nick Swisher and Joe Blanton, have gone on to become well-known, respected players at the highest level of the game. Some left baseball to pursue other lines of work, such as selling insurance and coal mining. Others have struggled with poverty and even homelessness.
Fifteen years after that first shoot, Fantasy Life portrays a selection of these stories, gathering together a richly textured series of photographs taken on the field and behind the scenes at games, along with commentaries by each of the players and memorabilia from their lives—from kindergarten-age baseball cards to x-rays of player injuries.
Dave Eggers contributes five linked short stories that compellingly condense the roller-coaster ride of the minor-league everyman, from youthful pursuit of stardom through the slog of endless hardscrabble games, to that moment of realization that success may not be just around the corner after all.
Additionally, a number of the featured players add their own real-life experiences of trying to make it to “The Show.” Together, these elements evoke the enduring spirit of this quintessential American fantasy of making it in the major leagues.
Details
Are you a baseball enthusiast? Do you dream of what it takes to make it in the big leagues? Look no further than Tabitha Soren's captivating book, "Fantasy Life: Baseball and the American Dream". Through her expertly crafted photographs and insightful commentaries by the players themselves, this book offers a unique glimpse into the lives of minor league draft picks for the Oakland A's. Whether they become well-known players or face challenges along the way, their stories will inspire and resonate with you.
Experience the roller-coaster journey of these aspiring athletes, as they navigate through the minor-league system filled with long bus rides, on-field injuries, and unwavering dedication. Tabitha Soren's lens captures the raw emotions and hardships faced by these players, creating a richly textured series of photographs that bring their stories to life. And with Dave Eggers' powerful short stories that vividly encapsulate the trials and tribulations of the minor-league everyman, you'll be hooked from start to finish.
But "Fantasy Life" goes beyond the field. You'll delve behind the scenes, discovering the personal lives of these players through their memorabilia, from their early-age baseball cards to revealing x-rays of their injuries. Feel the passion, the struggle, and the pursuit of the American dream that fuels the desire to make it to "The Show". This book captures the enduring spirit of this quintessential American fantasy and will leave you inspired to chase your own dreams.
Don't miss out on this extraordinary journey into the world of baseball. Order your copy of "Fantasy Life: Baseball and the American Dream" now and be captivated by the stories that define the heart and soul of America's favorite pastime. Order now!
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