Books by Martin Gitlin

This book covers the entirety of franchise history, from their birth and struggles as the Highlanders to the bludgeoning bats of Murderer's Row and the first Yankees dynasty to the juggernauts of the 1940s, 1950s and early 1960s, to the anomalous mediocrity that followed, to the championships and circus of the Steinbrenner, Jackson and Billy Martin era to, the run of crowns two decades later, to the years of frustration and missed opportunity through the second decade of the twenty-first century. However, how to make a book exceptional when champonships are routine, and scores of a team's player are immortal? Emphasize a variety of players, teams, moments, events and contributors that made the Yankees unique in the annals of American sport, which this book ably does.

The Detroit Tigers have been marked neither by dynasties nor doldrums. The Tigers captured just four World Series championships since becoming a charter member of the junior circuit in 1901. They compiled a record barely above .500 during that 120-year span. They have suffered through seasons of failure so pronounced that they have gone down as some of the worst in the annals of baseball. But their periodic years of greatness have proven so memorable that they have remained in the hearts and minds of Tigers fans forever. They have provided a sense of pride and optimism to even the most fervent and critical followers during the most woeful periods. This book covers the entirety of Tigers history and even delves into the birth of professional baseball in Detroit in the National League to its continuation in the Western League, which morphed into the American League. This book details the Tigers' greatest and most interesting teams, players, moments, and eras.

Long before her tragic death, Diana, Princess of Wales was a beloved modern icon, relatable to the general public in a way that transcended the barrier between royal and commoner. This volume explores her life, including her aristocratic upbringing, her whirlwind engagement to Prince Charles, their rocky marriage, and her role as mother.

This title offers a detailed look at the effect concussions have had on the sports world. Clear text, compelling images, and helpful sidebars and infographics make this book an accessible and engaging read.

From their ignominious 40-120 debut in 1962, to the "Miracle Mets" of the shocking 1969 season, to the teams of Darryl Strawberry, David Wright, and Jacob deGrom, the New York Mets have in nearly sixty years become the city''s other beloved baseball franchise, with its fan base stretching well beyond the New York suburbs. The Mets'' rich history is told in over two dozen engaging chapters celebrating the highlights, as well as the low lights, of baseball''s most lovable team--win or lose.

In this latest addition to the "Time Machine" Lyons Press baseball series, The Ultimate Chicago Cubs Time Machine presents a timeline format that not only includes the Cubs' greatest moments-including the 2016 World Series victory and individual achievements from Cap Anson to Ernie Banks to Ryne Sandberg to Anthony Rizzo-but would focus also on some very unusual seasons and events. There are dozens of impressive, wild, wacky and wonderful stories over the years regarding Cubs history and Gitlin is the perfect person to write it with his trademark humor and thorough knowledge of Cubs lore.

The Ultimate Boston Red Sox Time Machine presents a timeline format that not only includes the Red Sox's greatest moments-including its nine World Series wins and individual achievements-but focuses also on some very unusual seasons and events, such as the refusal of the New York Yankees to go up against them in the 1904 World Series, the derivation of its name, and of course the famous Curse of the Bambino. There are dozens of impressive, wild, wacky and wonderful stories over the years regarding Red Sox history and Gitlin is the perfect person to write it with his trademark humor and thorough knowledge of Red Sox lore.

The Indian wars of the 19th century played an intrinsic role in shaping American history. During the half-century period from 1840 through 1890, the Plains Indians found themselves in unavoidable conflicts with white settlers, particularly the United States government and its military forces. As a result, these native residents lost their freedom and their way of life as nomadic hunters and were eventually forced onto reservations. The Wounded Knee Massacre: Landmarks of the American Mosaic focuses on events from the Battle of the Little Bighorn in 1876 to the tragic slaughter of 300 Lakota Sioux on December 29, 1890. The book closely examines the factors and circumstances that led up to the slaughter, providing an accessible and straightforward look into the Wounded Knee massacre that will captivate both high school and college-level students. An explanation of the event's legacy, including the Native American takeover of Wounded Knee in the 1970s, is also presented.

As the anchor titles in a new "Time Machine" Lyons Press baseball series, The Ultimate Cleveland Indians Time Machine presents a timeline format that not only includes the Indians' greatest moments-including World Series appearances and individual achievements-but would focus also on some very unusual seasons and events, such as the team's 20-134 season of 1899 (the absolute worst in baseball history), the "Crybabies" of 1940 (who received this nickname after complaining about their manager to such as extent that fans even turned on them), or the infamous "Ten Cent Beer Night of 1974" (when thousands of drunken fans stormed the field and forced the team to forfeit). Of course there are other events to recall, like 17-year-old Bob Feller making his debut and striking out 17 batters in 1936, or Albert Belle famously pointing at his muscle after a playoff opponent claimed (rightly) that he had corked his bat and one of his teammates sneaked into the umpire's room to steal it back so the umps could not find out that it was corked. There are dozens of impressive, wild, wacky and wonderful stories over the years regarding Indians history and Gitlin is the perfect person to write it with his trademark humor and thorough knowledge of Indians lore.

In this book, Martin Gitlin has ranked the 100 greatest American athletes across all sports, from football and baseball to the decathlon and skateboarding. Taken into consideration are the athletes' achievements, mental toughness, versatility, athleticism, and overall impact on their sport.

A Celebration of Animation explores the best-of-the-best cartoon characters from the 1920s to the 21st century. All the greats gracing this book are sure to trigger memories of carefree Saturday mornings or after-school hours in front of the TV.

The Battle of the Sexes. Jesse Owens at the 1936 Olympics. The passage of Title IX. Some moments in sports, whether they take place on a tennis court or in a courtroom, transcend the event itself. Some have helped America live out its creed that all men are created equal. Others have pushed the nation toward a goal of gender equality. Others have changed individual sports to such a degree that they have transformed society. Powerful Moments in Sports: The Most Significant Sporting Events in American History is about more than a single player, team, or game. It is about how the event affected the sport, the country, and sometimes the world. Martin Gitlin includes such impactful moments as Jackie Robinson integrating Major League Baseball, Gertrude Ederle becoming the first female to swim the English ChannelΓÇöand shattering the times of five men who had also accomplished the featΓÇöand the US hockey team defeating the vaunted Soviets at the 1980 Olympics. The twenty events featured in this book not only inspired a nation, they also had profound social, political, and cultural importance. Spanning across multiple decades, Powerful Moments in Sports reveals the tremendous impact athletes have had on AmericaΓÇöand the worldΓÇöover the years. Covering football, baseball, hockey, basketball, track and field, boxing, and more, sports fans, historians, and those interested in the impact of sports on culture and society will find this book fascinating and enlightening.

Since the advent of network television, situation comedies have been a staple of prime-time programming. Classics of the genre have emerged in every decade, from The Honeymooners and Make Room for Daddy in the 1950s to 30 Rock, The Office, and Modern Family of the twenty-first century. Other shows that have left enduring impressions are The Andy Griffith Show, Get Smart, The Bob Newhart Show, Barney Miller, Cheers, The Cosby Show, The Golden Girls, Home Improvement, Will & Grace, and Everybody Loves Raymond. All of these shows are assured a place in history and would make almost anyone's list of the most beloved comedies. In The Greatest Sitcoms of All Time, Martin Gitlin has assembled the top seventy sitcoms in television history. The rankings are based on such factors as longevity, ratings, awards, humor, impact, and legacy. Iconic programs such as I Love Lucy, The Dick Van Dyke Show, and Leave It to Beaver join contemporary shows The Simpsons, Arrested Development, and Family Guy on the list. Other programs include perennial favorites like All in the Family, The Mary Tyler Moore Show, and Seinfeld, as well as short-lived treasures that never found the audiences they deserved like Mary Hartman, Mary Hartman. Each entry contains a comprehensive compilation of information, including: Cast membersCharacter listNetworkAir datesRatings historyTime slotsSeries overviewNotable episodesAwardsFun facts and quotesAppendixes list the top male and female sitcom characters of all time, the best sitcom spin-offs, and shows that just missed the cut. By ranking these programs, The Greatest Sitcoms of All Time is sure to inspire debate. Whether you agree with this list or whether your favorite show placed as high as you think it should have, this book will be an entertaining and informative readnot only for students and scholars of television history but for sitcom fans as well.

This history of the Ku Klux Klan traces the evolution of the organization from its 1865 founding to the present, drawing extensively on contemporaneous media reports.

From the moment she appeared on the American silver screen as a runaway princess in "Roman Holiday", Audrey Hepburn was beloved by critics and audiences alike. A graceful and diminutive presence onscreen, she breathed life into some of the most iconic film roles in Hollywood history. This biography explores the life and work of this actress.