The Batter's Box: A Novel of Baseball, War, and Love
Gold Medal Winner from the Military Writers Society of America!
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. He must also navigate public misconceptions about mental illness in the 1940s, and stigmas that often silenced those who suffered and drove veterans like Jamison into dark corners. Will Jamison continue on, 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 secrets and shame?
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"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 an exceedingly well-written and timeless tale of the sacrifices men and women make both on and off the battlefield and after the war is over. Regardless of what it is called throughout history - 'shell shock, ' 'battle fatigue' or 'post-traumatic stress disorder' - it continues to be an issue that is not discussed or treated as openly as it should be. THE BATTER'S BOX shows that while this is not a new phenomenon, it is one that must be addressed openly and with compassion if we are truly to fulfill President Lincoln's promise to care for those 'who shall have borne the battle' and their families." -- Richard M. Lake, Major General, U.S. Marine Corps (Ret.)
"As a historian, a World War II veteran, and a devoted baseball fan, I can say that Andy Kutler's imaginative dive into the past gave me special pleasure, but his new novel, THE BATTER'S BOX, will richly reward any reader who enjoys a gripping and skillfully told tale." -- Bernard A. Weisberger, historian and author of When Chicago Ruled Baseball
"Andy Kutler's THE BATTER'S BOX is a compelling story about a star athlete's transition from All-Star baseball player to shell-shocked veteran suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder. Kutler's protagonist, Will Jamison, is an authentic and captivating hero trying to make sense of his world after enduring the horrors of the Battle of the Bulge. Though he survived the war, Jamison's battle is far from over as he tries to reintegrate into post-war America. I couldn't put down THE BATTER'S BOX. It may be a work of historical fiction, but the story was all too real for many of America's veterans. This is a must-read about those who survive a war only to realize the fight for their future in peacetime has only just begun." -- Leo Barron, award-winning author of Patton at the Battle of the Bulge: How the General's Tanks Turned the Tide at Bastogne
