Catcher

By Peter Morris

Hardcover, 400 pages,

Amazon 1566638224



You don’t have to be a baseball nut to find yourself enlightened, engaged and entertained with almost every turn of the page in this fascinating, exhaustively researched look at the history, evolution and often overlooked significance of the catcher. The author, one of baseball’s top historians and most compelling writers, turns the spotlight on the often under-appreciated man behind the plate, the armor-plated warrior who “holds the game in the hollow of his hand.”

—Neil Pond, American Profile





Mickey and the Beanstalk

DVD ($19.99)

Amazon B001PK47GC



Part of Disney’s new DVD release of classic-cartoon packages, this one includes the 1947 “Jack and the Beanstalk” spin-off of the title, plus four other shorts starring the company’s adventurous superstar, Mickey: “The Brave Little Taylor,” “Gulliver Mickey,” “Thru the Mirror” and “Mr. Mouse Take a Trip.” Disney fans and admirers of classic animation will enjoy this family-friendly reminder of a bygone entertainment era.

—Neil Pond, American Profile





Slumdog Millionaire

DVD ($29.98)

Amazon B001P9KR8U



If you missed it in theaters, now’s your chance to see why everyone was talking about this rags-to-riches saga of an orphan boy from the slums who grows up to bust the bank on India’s version of the TV show “Who Wants To Be a Millionaire.” How he got there, and why, makes for a wild, wooly and wonderfully entertaining ride, ending on a rousing note of beauty and uplift that will make your own spirits soar. Extras include deleted scenes and commentary from star Dev Patel and director Danny Boyle, who was awarded an Oscar—one of five given to “Slumdog” at this year’s Academy Awards—for his work. (Rated R)

—Neil Pond, American Profile