Hank Greenberg was coming off a stellar season where he’d hit 40 home runs and 184 RBIs, becoming only the 13th player to ever hit 40 or more homers. From his first day in the big leagues, the New York-born Greenberg had dealt with persecution for being Jewish; he always did his best to shut the noise out and concentrate on baseball. But in 1938, that would be more difficult than he ever could have imagined. Adolf Hitler had taken direct control of Germany’s military in February 1938. He then began his methodic takeover of all neighboring countries, spreading Nazism and the early stages of World War II and the Holocaust. Ron Kaplan’s latest book chronicles the events of 1938, both on the baseball diamond and the streets of Europe.

Having grown from 390 athletes from 14 countries to 9,000 athletes from 78 countries, the Maccabiah Games (or the “Jewish Olympics,” as it has come to be known) continue to gain popularity. THE JEWISH OLYMPICS by Ron Kaplan details the history of the Maccabiah Games, including how they began, how they have impacted the Jewish community worldwide, and much more. In addition, it highlights the countless special achievements of the athletes over the course of the 19 games.

Baseball literature is formidable --- vast and varied, instructive, often wildly entertaining, and occasionally brilliant. From this bewildering array of baseball books, Ron Kaplan has chosen 501 of the best, making it easier for fans to find just the books to suit them (or to know what they’re missing). From biography, history, fiction and instruction to books about ballparks, business and rules, anyone who loves to read about baseball will find in this book a companionable guide.