Reed Browning Books

Connie Haydn and Shrug Speaker, former professor and stockbroker, embark on a new adventure as amateur sleuths. Their investigation into the 20-year-old disappearance of a woman's daughter, Joan, leads them away from their small-town roots in Humboldt, Ohio. As they delve into the case, they encounter a range of intriguing suspects, including a concert violinist and a dubious evangelist, while gathering evidence and formulating theories in their makeshift War Room, dubbed the Second-Best Club.

The narrative captures the thrilling 1924 baseball season, marked by unexpected twists and heightened fan engagement. Initially anticipated as a showdown between the Yankees and the Giants, the season culminated in a historic victory for the Washington Nationals (Senators), who clinched their first World Series title in a dramatic twelfth-inning play. As major league baseball returns to Washington, D.C., this account revives the unique significance of that championship, highlighting its emotional resonance in the history of the sport.

Reed S. Browning explores the often-changing war aims of the major belligerents-Austria, France, Great Britain, Prussia, Piedmont-Sardinia, and Spain-and links diplomatic and military events to the political and social context from which they arose.

The life of Denton True "Cyclone" Young is vividly re-created, highlighting his significance in baseball history while situating his story within the transformative landscape of early 20th-century America. The narrative delves into his accomplishments and the cultural shifts of the time, bringing to light the legacy of a legendary yet often overlooked figure in the sport. Accompanied by 24 illustrations, the book offers a rich visual and historical context that enhances the reader's understanding of Young's impact on baseball and American society.