Two in the Field: A Novel

By Darryl Brock

Book Overview

Bestselling author Darryl Brock returns to post Civil War America with Two in the Field, a novel that brings back his beloved protagonist Samuel Clemens Fowler. Recently returned from a trip through history, where he was a part-time "ballist" with the Cincinnati Red Stockings-baseball's first all-professional team-Sam is trying to readjust to life in the 21st century. But part of him is still back in 1869 Ohio, where he fell in love with a beautiful Irish widow named Cait. Determined to find her again, he sets out on a cross-country journey. Lightning really does strike twice when his car flips over in the middle of a raging storm outside Keokuk, Iowa. Sam awakens in 1875, where he is once again caught up in the tempestuous events of the era. Soon he's riding the rails as a tramp, tracking through Pennsylvania coal mining country, and heading west in a frenzy of gold rush fever before he can reclaim his lost love. Peopled by such unforgettable historical figures as Samuel Clemens and George Armstrong Custer, and filled with vivid period detail, Two in the Fieldtakes readers back to the years when America was young-a must-read for fiction lovers and nostalgia buffs alike.

• Format: Mass Market Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0452283566
• ISBN13: 9780452283565
• Release Date: August 2002
• Publisher: Plume Books
• Length: 400 Pages
• Weight: 0.80 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.9" x 5.4" x 8.1"

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.