For once, the term “master” is appropriate

Posted Sep 21, 2006 by Kevin Walker

Updated Sep 21, 2006 at 11:59 AM

Robert Ludlum is a master of suspense thrillers involving international intrigue. It seems every other thriller has the word “master of” mentioned somewhere near the author’s name, but in this case it’s deserving. Ludlum is that good. His latest is “The Bancroft Strategy,” and it involves - surprise! - involves a special agent tracking down an arms dealer.

Couple of other coffee table books to mention. One is “Home Ground,” edited by Barry Lopez. The books features more than 850 definitions for landscape terms like kiss tank, cowbelly, bedrock and point bar. Lopez called on 45 writers to help provide the words and definitions. It’s the only book I know of that includes “alligator hole” (from Florida) and “eyebrow scarps” (Texas). Unusal book.

The other is also unusual, at least among baseball books. “The American Game” by Ira Rosen concentrates on minor league baseball, which as any true fan know is - especially these days - the best place to have that true “going to the ballpark” experience. The photos are beautiful and the sentiment correct. In fact, allow me a moment to make a plug for attending a Tampa Yankees game next year. It’s not only less expensive than a major league park, but the atmosphere is much closer to what I grew up believing was what you were supposed to experience when you went to the ballpark.