Ross reveals the story of New York Yankees baseball, as told by Yankee players, coaches, opponents, fans, and the media. It salutes the great pinstripers and the unrivaled championship teams, major moments, and the tradition. Includes a tribute to the immortal No. 7, Mickey Mantle.

I REMEMBER REGGIE WHITE presents the recollections and favorite stories of this dynamic minister and pro football's Minister of Defense as captured in the more than two dozen interviews with teammates, friends, coaches, acquaintances, and members of the media.

I REMEMBER REGGIE WHITE presents the recollections and favorite stories of this dynamic minister and pro football's Minister of Defense as captured in the more than two dozen interviews with teammates, friends, coaches, acquaintances, and members of the media.

Ernie, Gabby, Billy, Fergie, Cap and Hack, Rhino and Santo, Andre and Sammy, Wrigley, the ivy. Tinker-to-Evers-to-Chance, tossing back opposing team's homers, the Billy Goat Curse, Bartman's ball. Sixteen National League pennants, two World Series crowns, but...95 years and counting. Cubs Pride spans 129 years of Chicago Cubs ups, downs, and almosts. Extolled are the great legends, the lustrous lore, and the fabled futility of the Windy City's favorite nine. It's certain to work up a case of diamond fever for Cubs fans and baseball enthusiasts everywhere. In 2003 the Cubs were just five outs away from their first World Series appearance since 1945, but the mysterious forces of fate intervened once again, and a late-game eight-run-rally by the Florida Marlins ended the dream. Such mishaps have made the Cubs America's "favorite losers," according to Chicago TV station WGN, owned by the same company that owns the Cubs. The team's perennial failings and underdog status have created a national following. Cubs Pride provides firsthand accounts of the great Cubs players; the intense rivalries; the testaments to Cubs character; the great moments in Cub history; all 16 National League pennant-winning rosters; the all-time Cubs team; and even a shrine to No. 14, the immortal Ernie Banks. All are told by the players themselves, managers and coaches, Cubs' opponents, and members of the media.

'Lakers Glory' captures the enormity of Minneapolis-Los Angeles Lakers basketball: the great players, teams, magical moments, riveting rivalries, an all-time Lakers team (imagine picking a center for that group!), rosters of all fifteen championship squads, and more, as told by Lakers players, managers, coaches, opponents, fans, and the media.

First published in 1954 as South to Sardinia, this account of a summer journey in the early 1950s sees Alan Ross alternating the past and present of a strange island whose interior, especially, had been only rarely visited at that point. His descriptions of the landscape and local customs and mores (including billiards, 'one of the great Sardinian occupations') are interspersed with tales of a cast of characters who might have come out of Boccaccio, adding up to a memorable evocation. 'An alert and sensitive travel book... Alan Ross has an exceptional descriptive gift.' Listener 'So closely packed with good writing that it requires to be read slowly, as Mr Ross travelled.' Time and Tide 'He is a specialist in the vin triste... a delightful offbeat.' Cyril Connolly, Sunday Times 'An exceptionally good book by any standard.' TLS 'A work of art and imagination.' Times

'This is Alan Ross's fourth volume of autobiography (following on from "Blindfold Games," "Coastwise Lights," and "After Pusan")... "Winter"" Sea," like his previous volumes, is an intriguing mix of memoir, poetry, and travel writing.' "PN Review"

'Fragmentary and delightfully idiosyncratic... "Winter"" Sea"] has a distinctly maritime flavour, and the wartime memories recalled after 50 years mostly concern North Sea or Baltic cities... The smell of the Baltic, Ross writes, is 'a fusion of salt, sand dunes, pine trees and tar'... Wherever Ross travels, he has a book in his pocket, and more often than not his reading is by way of homage to a native poet or writer... The symphonic quality of this wistful and, at times, very moving collection is maintained with a final section of 15 new poems, mostly relating to the author's more recent travels. "Winter"" Sea" is a book to savour; Alan Ross brings history to life as only a poet can.' Euan Cameron, "Independent"

"After Pusan," first published in 1995, is the third panel (alongside "Blindfold Games" and "Coastwise Lights," also in Faber Finds) of a triptych of memoirs by Alan Ross. Inspired by Ross's visit in 1986 to the South Korean coastal city of Pusan, like its predecessors it gracefully entwines poetry and prose.

'"After Pusan" opens with a thirty-page prose memoir of Ross's] visit, economically and self-effacingly told, deft in its detail and tireless in its curiosity... This memoir is more than merely an adjunct to Ross's other travel writings, though, and more than only a prelude to the poems which fill the rest of these hundred pages. "After Pusan" breaks a long silence in his life as a poet; and it was that visit to Korea... that suggested to him 'that if poetry was ever going to come again it might do so now.' "PN Review"

In 1960, against most predictions, the England cricket team won their first ever series in the West Indies. Even against a home side boasting Hall and Watson, Worrell, Sobers and Ramadhin, the visitors - fuelled by the bowling of Trueman and Statham and a batting order including Dexter, Barrington and Subba Row - emerged triumphant over five tests.

Alan Ross describes the action in graphic detail, including some violent scenes at Port-of-Spain. And as always he paints vivid pictures in words of all that he saw outside of the cricket grounds, from Spanish Town, Jamaica, to Nelson's dockyard in Antigua, and the carnival in Trinidad.

'Alan Ross has established himself as one of the most graceful and cultured of cricket writers.' "Times"

'This valedictory volume is the quintessence of Alan] Ross, a deft and deceptively airy set of literary wanderings through a part of the Mediterranean - the islands of the south-western coast of Italy - he had known since being demobilised from the Royal Navy at the end of the Second World War... Ross's memoir is a showcase for a supremely poetic sensibility, and a naturally gifted writer with an unerring eye for detail, reporting on his experience with an infectiously joyous lyricism.' Eldon King, "Observer"

'A fund of associative literary information that could only have been amassed by a passionate reader. Gorky, Ibsen, Rilke, DH Lawrence, Walter Benjamin, Pablo Neruda and scores more wrote in or near Ischia; Ross describes their books and their lives with detailed succinctness, en route dipping in and out of his own thoughts and travel observations.' Helen Simpson, "Guardian"

Indian prince, Sussex and England cricketer, K.S. Ranjitsinhji was unique in many ways. W.G. Grace predicted that there would not be another batsman like 'Ranji' for a hundred years; arguably we are still waiting. His prodigious run-scoring ability alone assured his place in the annals of cricket, but his talents transcended statistics. His batting married subtlety and strength in a way that was quite new to the game, and he was a 'character' and crowd-pleaser from his century-making test debut in 1896 to his withdrawal from cricket in 1907 after he was installed as Jam Saheb of Nawanagar. 'A splendid memorial... In Alan Ross, Ranji is perfectly matched with one of the best writers the game ever attracted.' Guardian 'A gem of a book.' Yorkshire Post

Every so often a Test match offers such high drama as to transcend the series of which it was part. Such a battle was the second Test between England and West Indies at Lord's in June 1963. "Wisden" called it one of the most dramatic played in England. Alan Ross's eyewitness account amply evokes its excitement.

Lord's was packed with supporters of both sides, and the two teams, led by Ted Dexter and Frank Worrell, were very strong. West Indies had Garry Sobers and the pace attack of Wes Hall and Charlie Griffith, against whom Dexter's first innings 70 was noteworthy. Fred Trueman took 11 wickets for England, though he could not stop a colossal century by Basil Butcher. But England's final innings run-chase would be distinguished by one courageous knock from Brian Close, and a commensurately brave effort by Colin Cowdrey.

Alan Ross (1922-2001) - distinguished poet, travel writer, and editor of "London" Magazine - also managed to excel in the role of cricket correspondent for the "Observer," in which capacity he followed England/MCC on tours of Australia, South Africa and the West Indies. In the book-length accounts he published of these tours, his lifelong love of the game found glorious expression.

"Cape Summer and the Australians in England" (1957) treats the 1956 Ashes series, memorable above all for the bowling performance of Jim Laker; and the following winter's MCC tour to apartheid South Africa, where one of England's strongest ever sides had an unexpectedly tough contest and where, as ever, Ross's discerning eye and finessing pen were alive to dimensions of the game beyond the boundary rope.

This, the second volume of Alan Ross's autobiography, deals with his postwar life as cricket correspondent, publisher, man of letters and racehorse owner. The narrative is richly peopled: Johnny Minton, Keith Vaughan, Agatha Christie, Gavin Maxwell, Wilfred Thesiger, Cyril Connolly, T. C. Worsley, William Plomer, Terence Rattigan, William Sansom are just some who are memorably characterized.

William Boyd has written of Alan Ross, 'He was the opposite of parochial, his interests were wide and not elitist, his enthusiasms were carefully hedonistic. He was a very fine writer of prose - his two volumes of memoirs are small classics - and his poetry is limpid and evocative.' As a beguiling bonus, each chapter of Coastwise Lights is eked out with a small and apt selection of his poems.

The first autobiographical volume, "Blindfold Games," is also available in Faber Finds as will be many other of his titles.

'A true celebration of friendship and talent as well as the sports - football, cricket, horse-racing - which have engaged him in the last four decades.' Philip Oakes, "New Statesman"

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'His obvious affection for the friends who flit through this beautifully written sketchbook is masked by a writer's curiosity and detached amusement.' Euan Cameron, "Independent"

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'A fascinating history of metropolitan literary life from the end of the war.' Chris Peachment, "The Times"

'It was rugged travel; the hotels where we stayed were basic and often dirty. We lived on bread, cheese, figs, pastis and wine. The bus journeys were slow and suffocating, with long stops for no particular reason. One day we would be languishing in the humid heat of an estuary, the next exhilarated by sweet mountain air, waking to forests and mountains. We never saw an English person, and hardly any French, except at Calvi and Ile-Rousse towards the end of our trip.'

That is Alan Ross describing Corsica in 1947 which he and the artist John Minton visited, in the footsteps of Edward Lear, expressly to write this book. Although admitting, perhaps too modestly, to the influence of Graham Greene's "The Lawless Roads" and" Journey Without Maps" and therefore 'too inclined to see Corsica in terms of defeated priests, corrupt politicians and saintly monks' he wrote one of the best travel books since the Second World War. It is, in fact, a collaboration between a gifted writer and the most romantic artist of his generation, and, in its own lesser way, it played a part, alongside the early Elizabeth Davids (also illustrated by John Minton), of reminding drab, grey, post-war Britain of a warmer, sunnier, more colourful alternative: the Mediterranean.

'Evocative and splendid . . . alert, fresh and sensuous' "Times Literary Supplement"

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'Poetic, personal, the pungent effect of travel on keen senses' V. S. Pritchett, "New Statesman"

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'Splashed with bold strokes and burning colours . . . We are made to see and small, hear and feel the place. That is the test of a good travel book' "Observer "

Blindfold Games was the first volume of Alan Ross's autobiography. He was a most attractive man. William Boyd has eloquently described his appeal, 'There was a sophisticated raffishness and glamour about him . . . nothing seedy or earnest. He owned racehorses. He loved women and travel. . . He was a poet and a brilliant writer on cricket.' He was also one of the great literary editors, running the London Magazine in its heyday.

This volume begins in Bengal, where he was born, and ends in Germany in 1946 when the author was twenty-four. It takes in his childhood in India, his schooldays in England, his time at Oxford, and, most hauntingly, his experiences on the Arctic convoys during the Second World War. He survived: very many of his friends were killed.

To give it a less humdrum description one can turn to the author's own words. 'War, India, cricket: these were my first subjects as a writer and they remain the preoccupations of this book. In due course, the playing of games was replaced by writing about them, and it was to the belief that the best characteristics of each derive from the same source that I nailed my colours. The searching for 'suitable similes' . . . whether for Hammond's off-drive, Stanley Matthews' mesmeric dribbling, or a racehorse's action, was as good a way as I could imagine of relating techniques to aesthetics. . .

Perhaps, as much as anything, writing this book has been an attempt to reconcile differing definitions of style and to trace the manner in which a single-minded devotion to sport developed into a passion for poetry.'

'An exceptional autobiography, beautifully written' John Carey

'A beautifully composed book' Raleigh Trevelyan

'A Delightful account of the first part of his life, which, I shall lay odds, is likely to become a classic' Allan Massie, Listener

'A brilliant performance' Anthony Curtis

AWAY FROM THE BALL presents the stories of a different kind of NFL player. In it Alan Ross takes a look at the positive accomplishments generated by many of today's athletes, such as Indianapolis Colts coach Tony Dungy, Atlanta Falcons running back Warrick Dunn, Seattle Seahawks lineman Grant Wistrom, New York Giants linebacker Michael Strahan, New Orleans Saints running backs Deuce McAllister and Reggie Bush, and former Dallas Cowboys cornerback, Everson Walls. AWAY FROM THE BALL is a timely book that tells a part of the NFL story that is frequently overshadowed by negative news events and overlooked by the sports media. An inspirational look at the positive influence many NFL players have in their communities, AWAY FROM THE BALL will be an encouragement to football fans who love the game and want to look up to the men who play it.

'Steelers Glory' is the story of Pittsburgh Steelers football as told by the players, coaches, opponents, fans, and the media. It salutes the great stars, teams, moments, rivalries, venues, fans, and traditions of the Steel City, including a chapter on the Steelers' all-time team. In addition, all five Super Bowl-winning rosters are presented.

"Twins Pride" recounts the players, teams, magical moments, riveting rivalries, and memorable venues, plus a special tribute to "Mr. Twin"?Harmon Killebrew. Other features include the all-time Minnesota Twins team, the rosters of all three world championship teams, Twins humor, and more, as told by players, manager, coaches, opponents, fan, and the media.

Ross reveals the story of New York Yankees baseball, as told by Yankee players, coaches, opponents, fans, and the media. It salutes the great pinstripers and the unrivaled championship teams, major moments, and the tradition. Includes a tribute to the immortal No. 7, Mickey Mantle.