Baseball, barbecues, and more! | Undergraduate Library Blog - University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

In celebration of July 4th (on which day all campus libraries will close so we can all eat until we drop and then stay up late to watch fireworks), here’s some hot-off-the-grill…er, presses, explosively American, red-white-and-blue reads!

Baseball team posing for picture One Shot at Forever by Chris Ballard

This is one of those heartwarming stories about a little team with big dreams: in 1971 the Macon, Illinois, high school baseball team – lead by an English teacher with no coaching experience – became the smallest team to make it to the finals of the Illinois state championship, a record that has never been broken. Patriotism, state and school spirit all abound in this summer read!

baseball player making dramatic gesture

Imperfect: An Improbable Life by Jim Abbott and Tim Brown

Another baseball read that’s heavy on inspiration. Many of you may know about Jim Abbott, who, born without a right hand, beat the odds, overcame struggles, and triumphed to the highest baseball degree: pitching a no-hitter as a Yankee. Even non-baseball fans will love this one. (Hear more from Abbott, about the book and his life, in his interview with NPR earlier this year.)

book cover with old-fashioned adverstisements on it

Barbecue: The History of an American Institution by Robert F. Moss

This one will make your mouth water, guaranteed. Moss traces the history of barbecue as an American institution: that’s right, folks, it’s more than just a way to make food taste great, it’s a cultural icon! If you like reading about social history, this is a fun, summery, food-based way to do so. And find a few more saucy BBQ reads here!

The Short American Century: A Postmortem edited by Andrew J. Bacevich The Short American Century book cover with red stripes

A collection of essays based on the premise that the “American century,” declared by Henry Luce as the period of prosperity beginning in 1941, is over. Might sound pessimistic, but this group of distinguished historians does more than just lament the events of the past 70 years, they explain them and offer hope for the changing role of America today and in the future. If you want to get down with some serious thoughts prior to the election, this is the summer read for you!

action-packed GI Joe book cover And, finally, just for fun: Classic G.I. Joe!