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Playing with the Enemy: A Baseball Prodigy, World War II, and the Long Journey Home | 
 enlarge | Author: Gary W. Moore
Creator: Jim Morris
Publisher: Penguin (Non-Classics)
Category: Book
List Price: $15.00
Buy New: $1.00
You Save: $14.00 (93%)
New (46) Used (34) from $0.99
Avg. Customer Rating:  100 reviews
Sales Rank: 76227
Media: Paperback
Number Of Items: 1
Pages: 336
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.7
Dimensions (in): 8.3 x 5.4 x 0.9
ISBN: 0143113887
Dewey Decimal Number: 977.394092
EAN: 9780143113881
ASIN: 0143113887
Publication Date: April 1, 2008
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Shipping: Expedited shipping available
Condition: New, Excellent Condition, may have Remainder Mark , Immediate Shipping, Email Notification, Professional Service, MILLIONS Served, SATISFACTION GUARANTEED!
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Product Description
Part Tuesdays with Morrie, part Field of Dreamsa true American story of World War II and redemption
Driven by word of mouth and the authors heroic efforts to tell the world his fathers story, Playing with the Enemy was a surprise hardcover hit for its independent publisher. Gary Moores book about his fathera baseball phenom whose future in the majors was cut short by World War II and a fateful occurrence during a top secret mission for the U.S. Navyis a warm-hearted memoir of faded dreams and new hope that is destined for the bestseller lists. Filled with memorable characters from an extraordinary time in our countrys history, it is a truly redemptive story that will be read and reread for generations to come.
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| Customer Reviews: Read 95 more reviews...
Very Good Book October 3, 2008
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
I loved this book. Two of my favorite subjects are baseball and World War II, so this book was perfect for me. I have also been in the submarine U505 at the Museum of Science and Industry in Chicago, so that made the story even more interesting to me. I was also one of the people that incorrectly assumed that the character of Ray Laws was actually Elroy Face, but I apparently was far from alone in making that assumption. I am eagerly anticipating the movie and hope they get started on it soon.
Playing with the Eenemy September 23, 2008
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
This book was a gift from my son who appreciates and shares my love for sports and history. Gary Moore's entertaining tribute to his father is a wartime story of humanity at its best and triumphing over life's obstacles.
I discovered my late father was involved in the capture of U-505, and this book re-connected me with my brothers and gave us better insight about our "greatest generation". I hope my son enjoys this story as much as I did.
 Not What I Expected September 23, 2008
0 out of 3 found this review helpful
With the title of Chapter 40, the author asks the reader "Is that the story you expected to hear?" My honest assessment is 'No'. Much as the author, my father passed away suddenly. I was only 19 at the time, so he and I had not yet formed a father-son relationship at the adult level. It's a totally different relationship than that of a child and father, and one I truly regret missing out on.
In the end, what the author does not know about his father hurts this story. Yes, it's a nice tribute, but the mix of fact and fiction just does not work for me. I realize that every historical piece written has to take some liberties with dialogue and peripheral characters, but this book just does not always have a ring of authenticity to it.
That said, the story of Gene Moore is a sad one. Many of us have had childhood dreams that have been shattered, but Gene's experience is so tough because he actually possessed the talent to do what he loved. Many of us don't get as close to our dreams as Gene, but his was within his grasp and then slipped away. With that background, I wanted more true storyline and less fiction. Whether it was available in this situation or not is irrelevant, but in the end, the book suffers.
I applaud the author for devoting time and effort to write a tribute to his father, but it never quite touched me the way I thought it would. The author can count me among the readers bothered by the Elroy Face passage at the end. Whether a connection is intended or not, the storyline certainly pulls the reader in that direction. In the end, since the 'facts' in the book do not allow the dots to be connected that way, the meeting with Face simply muddles the fact/fiction problem further.
Inspiring and heartwarming... September 9, 2008
2 out of 2 found this review helpful
A wonderful book, I couldn't put it down! It made me very sad that Gene Moore never was able to fulfill his dream of playing in the majors, it was the game's loss, not just his, as he would've probably been in Cooperstown by now. However, he accomplished so much by the friendships he formed in his town, in the Navy, and in the minor leagues. Gary Moore did an excellent job of telling his story, it made me laugh, it made me cry, and I will definitely read it again! His writing made me feel like I was right there observing the story firsthand. Not only do you get an appreciation for Gene's amazing baseball ability and love for the game, but the story about life and relationships in a small town and the impact that WWII had on so many lives all combine for an excellent read.
Playing with the Enemy September 8, 2008
2 out of 2 found this review helpful
I suppose given the choice between being a vacuum sweeper salesmen or a major league baseball player most of us would chose the latter. I know I would. And I'm sure Gene Moore would have made the same choice as a 15 year old boy in a small town in Illinois in 1940. Now, don't misunderstand me. Vacuum sweepers are important. I own two. But they are not the stuff dreams are made of.
In his book, Playing with the Enemy, Gary Moore relates how his father, Gene, had dreams like all young men and how the choices he made caused those dreams to become something very different in reality. The book is full of twists and turns that you will find hard to believe. That is until you near the end of the book and he reveals the way in which his father told him the story and what happened to his dad the day after he told him.
At first glance, there seems to be nothing special about Gene Moore. But as we come to know this young boy and watch him become a man we see that he is a very unique person. His ability to adapt to his situation and cause others around him to work for the common good is truly extrodinary and inspiring.
The book caused me to stop and think about my parents and the sacrifices they made during WWII. The world is a very different place today and I don't know if I can really comprehend what they went through. But I'm glad they did.
The book also reminded me of a truth that has been with me for a long time and a truth I try to pass on to my children. That truth is that our lives are not determined by the dreams we dream but by the choices we make.
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