Two in the Field: A Novel

By Darryl Brock

Book Overview

Baseball-loving time traveler Sam Fowler returns for another heart-pounding through America's past in this sequel to the best-selling If I Never Get Back

The year is 1875. Gripped by an economic depression, America is a darker place. Once again, time traveler Sam Fowler falls in with ballplayers, but then spins off on his own seeking the whereabouts of Caitlin, the woman he loves. His knight-like, hazardous quest forces him to ride the rails with tramps, deal with starving miners and the desperate Molly Maguires, work in a Saratoga casino, venture into the Nebraska prairies--and even encounter author Mark Twain. In the end, Sam will have to head into the Black Hills accompanied by Cait, a former slave, and a Sioux guide to face the ultimate reckoning of his life.

Like its predecessor, Two in the Field combines authentic research (including accurate details of early baseball), a narrative filled with twists and turns, and memorable characters in a white-knuckle ride through a dramatic period of American history.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1583941886
• ISBN13: 9781583941881
• Release Date: May 2007
• Publisher: North Atlantic Books
• Length: 408 Pages
• Weight: 1.13 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.1" x 5.6" x 8.4"

Customer Reviews

great story

As a sequel this book does a good job on answering questions that may have lingered. I really enjoyed reading this book. You have to be prepared that this is not a baseball story but more of a part 2, or even western. Still wonderfully written. Anytime the book may slowdown a little nostalgia comes along.

A sequel that delivers

After reading "If I never get back," I immediately ordered "Two in the Field." While some disparage this sequel because of the comparative lack of baseball scenes, I found that a plus. I'm not a big baseball fan, and could do without extended descriptions of ball games, as occurred in "If I never get back." I found "Two in the Field" to be exciting, a real adventure story with enough plot twists to keep me glued to the page. I appreciate Brock's attention to detail, and this made the characters seem real and believable. This is the best book sequel that I've ever read. I do agree, however, that to fully enjoy this book, you need to first read "If I never get back." I would love to read a continuation of Sam Fowler's adventures in the past. He's quite a likable character.

Interesting historical fiction

The author made you feel as if you were there, back in that period of history. Great adventure with a good ending, and the hero getting the girl. I loved it.

A GREAT sequel to "If I never get back"

"If I Never Get Back" was the greatest baseball novel I have ever read. When I heard that the sequel had come out, I ordered it immediately. I was not disappointed. Darryl Brock brings back most all of the main characters from the first novel.These were a group of characters with depth, and I cared about them. As the other reviewers have said, this book was a continuation of the first. Its as if Mr. Brock wrote this book specifically for fans of "If I Never Get Back", which number many. Baseball is less of a theme in this book, but it never strays far from the main theme. I also thought the book ended a bit abruptly, but I really didnt want it to end.

Outstanding sequel to a classic baseball fiction book

Darryl Brock's problem, quite frankly, is that he hit a grand slam with "If I Never Get Back" (1989), a classic baseball adventure, time travel book. So what does he do for an encore? Well, if you're Mr. Brock, you send Sam Fowler back to the past to search for his beloved Cait, then get him involved with a little bit of baseball (unlike his first book in which baseball dominated), Mark Twain (delightfully again), Gen. George Custer, the American West and an interesting group of new characters. A grand slam? Well, maybe not, but a two- or three-run home run at least. In other words, Mr. Brock has written a sequel worthy of IINGB. A must read - but start with IINGB first. You won't put either of them down.