About the Author:
Paul Haddad is an Emmy-winning television writer and executive producer who has worked on shows for Discovery Networks, Fox Sports, Travel Channel, National Geographic and AMC, among others. His articles have appeared in magazines such as Filmmaker, LA Sports & Fitness, and the Los Angeles Times Magazine. He was featured in ESPN Films' 30 for 30 documentary series in an episode recapping the phenomenon of Fernandomania. He lives in Los Angeles.
Jon Weisman, who wrote the Foreword, is the former proprietor of Dodger Thoughts, a popular weblog about the Los Angeles Dodgers. He current oversees Digital and Print Content for the Los Angeles Dodgers.
Review:
"With Vin Scully's broadcasts as a touchstone, Paul Haddad revives the glory years of the Dodgers. His recollections are as rich and wonderful as Scully himself." —Chris Erskine, Los Angeles Times
"Warm and fuzzy time! Paul Haddad's account is the shirt from the back of the closet that still fits and never goes out of style. I enjoyed it thoroughly." —Jerry Reuss, Los Angeles Dodgers, 1979–1986
"An evocative, playful, exuberant tribute to the sunniest days of the Los Angeles Dodgers and to the unmatched purity, intensity, and hilarity of fandom as a child, High Fives, Pennant Drives, and Fernandomania is a crystal-clear signal breaking through the static of fading memories and the distance of time. Reading it is like somehow finding your hometown team's game on the radio while hundreds and hundreds of miles away."—Josh Wilker, author, Cardboard Gods
"We never forget our first loves—whether it was a fresh-grilled Dodger Dog, a double bag of salted-in-the-shell peanuts, or Tommy John's bionic arm. All my adult life I've wondered if someone could bring back to life those wonderful days of a childhood lost to Vin Scully on the transistor radio and the team that dared you to believe even when they crushed your heart. Now somebody has." —Les Carpenter, Yahoo! Sports
"As a fan of sharp writing, warm childhood memories, and all the visceral elements of baseball, this book left me exhilarated. As a die-hard Montreal Expos fan who'd love to never hear the name Rick Monday again, this book left me saddened and furious. I want to buy Paul Haddad a beer, shake his hand . . . then punch him in the face." —Jonah Keri, author, The Extra 2%
"If you bleed Dodger Blue and want to relive a championship time, this is an ideal read -- breezy, funny and unsparing in its praise of the Blue Crew and its criticism of all other teams." --Jim McConnell, Pasadena Star-News
"Haddad's sense of humor shines throughout the book, particularly when detailing some of the low points of the hometown team." --James Bailey, Baseball America
"Extremely unique... The author does a good job of splitting [the book] up and giving the reader different topics about the Dodgers to focus on throughout each chapter. Even if your team is not the Dodgers, all fans will be able to relate to Haddad's thoughts, actions and words throughout the book." --Bill Jordan, Baseball Reflections.com
"Haddad explores one of America's most important teams the way only a true fan can." --Larry Mantle, AirTalk, KPCC 89.3 FM
"It will invoke warm nostalgia among those who were present, and it is a purposeful guide to others who may not realize how dominant radio broadcasts were now that we live in a time when you can purchase and watch the entire baseball season on your television, computer, phone, even a watch... Haddad has hit one out of the park." --Mike Terry, San Fernando Sun
"About this title" may belong to another edition of this title.