{"product_id":"9798216472735","title":"Baseball's Mad Russian and the American Dream The Story of Rollicking Lou Novikoff","description":"\u003ch1\u003eBaseball's Mad Russian and the American Dream\u003c\/h1\u003e\u003ch2\u003eThe Story of Rollicking Lou Novikoff\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003ch3\u003eGaylon H. White | Jim McConnell\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cdiv\u003e\u003cb\u003eSports \u0026amp; Recreation \/ Baseball \/ History\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cdiv\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eThe colorful biography of Lou Novikoff, one of the most fascinating characters in baseball history.\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e For baseball fans today, the name Lou Novikoff may not ring a bell--but he was the most publicized rookie in National League history when he joined the Cubs in 1941. In fact, he charmed and captivated sports enthusiasts throughout the Great Depression, World War II, and the Cold War with his power hitting and oddball antics.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e In \u003ci\u003eBaseball's Mad Russian and the American Dream\u003c\/i\u003e, Gaylon White recounts for the first time the life of Lou Novikoff, bringing him back in the limelight where he always belonged. The son of Russian immigrants, Novikoff emerged from obscurity to become the king of softball in the 1930s and baseball's hard-hitting and hilarious Mad Russian during World War II. Once described as a combination of Babe Ruth, Hank Greenberg, and the Marx brothers, White details how the eccentric Novikoff enthralled baseball fans, sang like a pro, played a mean harmonica, and clowned around on the field, providing much-needed joy and laughter to a nation beaten down by the Great Depression and the war.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e The Mad Russian oozed with color, but soon after World War II, he returned to the minors and eventually fast-pitch softball where he first achieved fame. Baseball forgot him, but now, decades later, \u003ci\u003eBaseball's Mad Russian and the American Dream \u003c\/i\u003efinally brings his vibrant story to life.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eGaylon H. White\u003c\/b\u003e is the author of multiple books, including \u003ci\u003eCoach of a Lifetime\u003c\/i\u003e; \u003ci\u003eThe Best Little Baseball Town in the World\u003c\/i\u003e; \u003ci\u003eLeft on Base in the Bush Leagues\u003c\/i\u003e; \u003ci\u003eSingles and Smiles\u003c\/i\u003e; and \u003ci\u003eThe Bilko Athletic Club\u003c\/i\u003e. He is also the co-author with Ransom Jackson of \u003ci\u003eHandsome Ransom Jackson: Accidental Big Leaguer\u003c\/i\u003e. White was a sportswriter for the \u003ci\u003eDenver Post\u003c\/i\u003e, \u003ci\u003eArizona Republic\u003c\/i\u003e, and \u003ci\u003eOklahoma Journal\u003c\/i\u003e before working nearly 40 years for such varied companies as Hallmark Cards, Inc., The Goodyear Tire \u0026amp; Rubber Company, and Eastman Chemical Company. He resides in Kingsport, Tennessee.\u003c\/div\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003ctable\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePublication Date: \u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e04 March 2027\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePublisher: \u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eBloomsbury Academic\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eImprint: \u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eRowman \u0026amp; Littlefield\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eISBN-13: \u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e9798216472735\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eFormat: \u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eHardback\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePage Count: \u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e304\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eWeight (oz): \u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e16.0\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e","brand":"Bloomsbury Academic","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":51669722857612,"sku":"9798216472735","price":31.5,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0710\/9545\/1788\/files\/getimage_2cd1ae8a-ffae-4ad0-afbf-c70df3b8503b.jpg?v=1785203717","url":"https:\/\/lateknightbooks.com\/products\/9798216472735","provider":"Late Knight Books and Services, LLC","version":"1.0","type":"link"}