The Ancient Wisdom of Baseball
Lessons for Life from Homer's ODYSSEY to the World Series
Placing personal memories in the context of baseball history and classic myths, The Ancient Wisdom of Baseball is a moving memoir–cum–philosophy text.
Blending thoughts on America’s favorite pastime with classic mythology, Christian Sheppard’s ruminative book The Ancient Wisdom of Baseball examines the intersections of life, love, and baseball.
Touching on spiritual, emotional, and relational elements of life, spanning from ancient Greece to the incomparable 2016 World Series victory by the Chicago Cubs, the book draws deep connections between fundamental human experiences, Greek myths, and the heroics often exemplified by iconic baseball players, including Andre “Hawk” Dawson, Carlton Fisk, and Joe DiMaggio, at seminal moments in baseball history. The stories of Achilles and Odysseus are refreshed by being placed in conversation with sports legends. Personal stories related to the birth of Sheppard’s daughter, his nostalgic visits to Wrigley Field, and wrestling with his Catholic faith flesh the portrait out further, as when Sheppard was prompted to consider important life questions about raising his daughter related to faith, purpose, and Cubs fandom. Legendary baseball moments are also used to impart life lessons related to courage, failure, and happiness.
Each chapter is treated as an inning in the book’s larger project, moved along by themes of “Virtue,” “Courage,” and other tenets of human morality and principles. Subheadings within the innings serve as moments of respite, signaling transitions between the book’s anecdotal, historical, and theological ruminations. To further the implicit lessons and connections to ancient Greek heroics, each inning blends personal and profound thoughts. When discussing tragedy and grief, for example, Sheppard recalls the passing of his grandmother. Elsewhere, he likens the infamous Cubs fan Steve Bartman’s experience—he snatched a fly ball and, with it, the Cubs’ chance at a World Series appearance—to his daughter’s brush with illness at birth and Jesus’s crucifixion.
With vivid, engaging descriptions from Shepard’s personal life as well as seminal moments in baseball history and the humor of a long-suffering Cubs fan, the book places its personal connections in the context of baseball’s history and classic myths. Facts related to seminal moments in baseball retain a nostalgic personal connection through Sheppard’s life stories. This is most effectively rendered in memories with his daughter, Cecilia, which serve as a common thread within all of the sections. The insertion of vintage baseball flyers and photographs coupled with images of ancient Greek artifacts embellishes the work further.
A philosophical text, The Ancient Wisdom of Baseball bridges generational trials and triumphs with insight, relevance, and originality.
Reviewed by
N.T. McQueen
Disclosure: This article is not an endorsement, but a review. The publisher of this book provided free copies of the book and paid a small fee to have their book reviewed by a professional reviewer. Foreword Reviews and Clarion Reviews make no guarantee that the publisher will receive a positive review. Foreword Magazine, Inc. is disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.
