Michael Nelson

As the season kicks off, Michael Nelson offers a roundup of new and forthcoming books

Years ago the popular sociologist Vance Packard told me that he hated to have one of his books paired with another in a review. “All a review like that ever says is, ‘This book is better than that one,’ ” he complained, “and you can’t use a quote like that in an ad.”

Years ago the popular sociologist Vance Packard told me that he hated to have one of his books paired with another in a review. “All a review like that ever says is, ‘This book is better than that one,’ ” he complained, “and you can’t use a quote like that in an ad.”

In little more than a half-century, the United States has become a gambling nation. In 1963 a map of the country would have shown one state, Nevada, with legal casino gambling and no states with government-sponsored lotteries. It would have shown racetracks that were merely racetracks, not fronts…

When I watch a football game, here’s most of what I see: either guys going out for passes and quarterbacks throwing the ball in their direction or blockers trying to push defenders aside to create holes for runners to charge through. In other words, I see almost nothing. Multiply me by millions of…

When I watch a football game, here’s most of what I see: either guys going out for passes and quarterbacks throwing the ball in their direction or blockers trying to push defenders aside to create holes for runners to charge through. In other words, I see almost nothing. Multiply me by millions of…

"Sean,” said catcher Isaac Wenrich to pitcher Sean Conroy, the first openly gay active player in professional baseball history, "slow down and let me put a dip in my mouth. That wasn't a gay reference. I said dip."

"Baseball is great,” a friend said years ago as we pushed away from the kitchen table and grabbed our mitts. “It’s the only game you can play right after lunch.”

BOGSAT: according to urbandictionary.com, a “Bunch Of Guys Sitting Around Talking” in “regularly scheduled daily/weekly worthless meetings.”

Bob Dylan and Annie Lennox have each released standards albums recently, joining a long procession of contemporary singers that extends back to Willie Nelson and his 1978 Stardust album and includes Rod Stewart, Linda Ronstadt, Carly Simon, and, in the finest and most improbable effort of all,…

Concussions that lead to degenerative brain disease. Domestic violence committed by oversized men against women and young children. Rampant use of steroids and other performance-enhancing drugs. Bullying of the crudest sort.