Red Headed Book Lady: The Batter's Box by Andy Kutler

The Batter's Box by Andy Kutler

Publication Date: March 12, 2019

Warriors Publishing Group

Hardcover, Paperback, eBook

Genre: Historical Fiction

In 1946, a returning World War II veteran is determined to reclaim his place among professional baseball's upper echelon and win back the woman he once fell for. Two months into the new season, at the top of his game, he abandons his team, casting aside his fame and riches and vanishing forever from the public eye. What drives a man to walk away from everything he cherishes, never to be heard from again? The Batter's Box follows the path of Will Jamison, a star player with the Washington Senators who enlists in the U.S. Army following the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor. When the war ends, Jamison returns to Washington, a decorated hero tormented by deep emotional scars. Burdened with a crushing guilt and harrowing memories he cannot escape, Jamison's life is consumed by an explosive temper, sleepless nights, and a gradual descent into alcoholism. Will he continue, alone with his anguish and misery? Or will he level with those around him, including the woman he loves, and seek the professional care he desperately needs, even at the risk of exposing his most closely guarded secrets?

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Praise

"We remember World War II as 'the Good War, ' when right and wrong seemed so clear. We won, they lost, and our guys came home as heroes. But as gifted author Andy Kutler tells us in THE BATTER'S BOX, mortal combat is anything but good, heroism comes with a horrific price, and some of the most tragic wounds don't bleed -- and don't go away. If you want to know what really happened at Bastogne in the terrible winter of 1944, read this powerful, haunting book." -- Daniel P. Bolger, Lieutenant General, U.S. Army (Ret.), author of Our Year of War: Two Brothers, Vietnam, and a Nation Divided "Andy Kutler has the eyes and ears of combat soldiers and the heart of those who love them. The horror, courage, and camaraderie of battle rivals the grit of Once an Eagle, while the poignant authenticity of Will Jamison's struggles with his hidden wounds highlight that, for many, the impact of war lingers far past the last shots of battle. THE BATTER'S BOX is a superb work of historical fiction that carries important lessons for today." -- William E. Rapp, Major General, U.S. Army (Ret.), Former Commandant, U.S. Army War College, and Commandant of Cadets, U.S. Military Academy “The Batter's Box is a riveting read. It is a love story and a war story and a novel with far more truth than fiction. I’m a psychiatrist specializing in treating men and women with post-traumatic stress disorder. If you love someone with that invisible wound, read this book. If you are curious and concerned about the condition, read this book. Most survivors of profound trauma lack a language to convey their life stories because those stories include the unspeakable. When the hero of this compelling novel speaks, we listen, we learn and we are transformed. If you are currently struggling with the impact of major trauma, reading passages here may be disturbing and ‘triggering.’ But I believe it is worth the risk because this book affirms your reality and your dignity.” --Frank M. Ochberg, MD, Former Associate Director, National Institute of Mental Health "Historical fiction, if it reflects careful scholarship, is a powerful tool in the hands of a gifted writer, and can deepen our understanding of real events and people. Andy Kutler's THE BATTER’S BOX offers an impressive addition to World War II literature, bringing fresh attention to the adjustment struggle faced by so many returning war veterans. Kutler's depiction of one of the more heroic small-unit engagements in US Army history is both compelling and long overdue." -- Gordon H. "Nick" Mueller, President & CEO Emeritus, The National WWII Museum

MY REVIEW

I think what is so interesting about historical fiction is that there are a lot of truth mixed in with fiction. Which is why a lot of us myself included are more apt to love it than we did when we were in school.

Will Jamison is truly an amazing man. He has worked really hard to reclaim his place after the War.

I'm pretty sure it isn't easy doing that because sometimes war can do really bad things to a person man or woman. It creates memories that are never easy to forget and it makes them different from when they went in.

I loved the different time lines that Andy has put Will through. It gives us a glimpse of what he went through like for example 1944 at the Battle of the Bulge. Andy described it so well that I felt I could hear the sounds of war and got a first look at Belgium. (Jack Van Impe is from there). I felt sorry for the residents that lived there. War doesn't care who it destroys whether human, buildings or turn lives upside down. It made me want to cry and scream at them to stop this horrific goings on.

I haven't had any experience with that but everytime I see a service man or woman I try to thank them for their service and let them know that I appreciate what they do.

My grandfather was a service man for the 2nd world war and the stories he told! Some were hair raising at what he had done. I think this is why he drank so much until his first heartattack. My grandmother said that he quit after that first one. She said that in the years he was drinking was hell on Earth. But she stuck with him and for that I"m forever grateful because it showed me that their faith, determination and love for each other has helped them through these difficult times.

And the stuff he'd brought back from the war! Just wow!! I didn't discover this until after grandma had passed away and no wonder she had them hid and I could see why.

But anyway,

The author has done a fabulous job in keeping my attention with vivid details of certain scenes in the book. His writing is wonderful and I sure loved the story!

The title and trying a new author has captured my attention for this book and I"m sure glad I gave it a try for it was truly fascinating!

I loved that the people were flawed, broken and complex because we can see how it would relate to our own lives! And this one hit the spot for me.

I'm also pretty sure he had to some research as well about the times but then again I"m not sure that this is told from his point of view in life! But either way, well written, wonderful supporting characters and great plot!! A plot that had me up until after midnight to finish.

I will be looking for more from this author and adding him to my list of favorites and believe me, it's a very long list!!

Great job Andy Kutler!! I loved and I will be recommending this book to others!! It has made me understand much much more about the people who enter war and come back with demons or whatever the case may be.

I strongly recommend this book and I hope that you will receive a better understanding like I did and a blessing as well.

P.S. I also learned a few things about baseball along the line too.

My thanks goes to Amy Bruno who had graciously allowed me on this tour and I really love working with her on these wonderful books! She does a great job in recommending books!

NO compensations were received and all opinions are my own.

About the Author

Andy Kutler is a writer living in Arlington, Virginia. His debut novel, The Other Side of Life, was awarded a Bronze Medal from the Independent Publishers Book Awards, and Honorable Mention from Foreword Reviews' INDIEFAB Awards. He has also authored a number of columns for the Huffington Post and the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, and spent more than a quarter century in public service, including with the United States Senate and the United States Secret Service, and as a consultant in the national security community.

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Blog Tour Schedule

Tuesday, October 8 Review at Gwendalyn's Books Thursday, October 10 Feature at What Is That Book About Monday, October 14 Interview at Jathan & Heather Friday, October 18 Review at Reading is My Remedy Review at Locks, Hooks and Books Monday, October 21 Interview at Passages to the Past Wednesday, October 23 Excerpt at Chicks, Rogues and Scandals Thursday, October 24 Review at Impressions In Ink Tuesday, October 29 Review at Peaceful Pastime Thursday, October 31 Review at Passages to the Past Friday, November 1 Feature at Coffee and Ink Tuesday, November 5 Review at Red Headed Book Lady

Giveaway

During the Blog Tour, we are giving away a paperback copy of The Batter's Box! To enter, please use the Gleam form below. Giveaway Rules – Giveaway ends at 11:59 pm EST on November 5th. You must be 18 or older to enter. – Paperback giveaway is open to the US only. – Only one entry per household. – All giveaway entrants agree to be honest and not cheat the systems; any suspicion of fraud will be decided upon by blog/site owner and the sponsor, and entrants may be disqualified at our discretion. – The winner has 48 hours to claim prize or a new winner is chosen.