Playing with the Enemy: A Baseball Prodigy, World War II, and the Long Journey Home

I purchased this story on the advice from a friend. All I can say,,,Is that I am NOT a baseball fan, but I now want to attend a live game. But is is so much more. The Depression, small town America, Dreams, broken dreams. The WAR, hero's on and off the field of baseball, and on the field of life and so much more. I received this book on a Wed. started reading it on the Friday of Memorial weekend and could not put it down. I finished it 2 days later, on the back porch, sitting in the summer shade with a cigar, a beer and my cats. I made the sign of the cross, and said a small prayer for the soul of Mr. Moore and what he taught me in these short few days.

I upped my rating to two stars only because it is a good work of fiction. None of the characters (including Gene Moore) ever played professional baseball. Tuscaloosa has never had a professional team and the '49 Greenville club didn't have any of the players on their team. This book is a fantasy of a son describing what he would have liked to have happened for his father. In interviews, he admits the book came about after a one-time conversation between he and his dad at the dinner table.

As an eight year professional player and author of the book, Beating About the Bushes, I take great pride in my career. I dislike anything passed off as being real life, along with all the accolades written by others as if it were true.

Good book

what a story. I really enjoyed the story of this great American. I was heartbroken by his injury but enjoyed his rise from adversity.

This book was unbelievable. A must read for any baseball fans or people who enjoy reading a heartwarming story. This will go down as one of my favorite sports books-and books- of all time!

I loved this book. Two of my favorite subjects are baseball and World War II, so this book was perfect for me. I have also been in the submarine U505 at the Museum of Science and Industry in Chicago, so that made the story even more interesting to me. I was also one of the people that incorrectly assumed that the character of Ray Laws was actually Elroy Face, but I apparently was far from alone in making that assumption. I am eagerly anticipating the movie and hope they get started on it soon.

This book was a gift from my son who appreciates and shares my love for sports and history. Gary Moore's entertaining tribute to his father is a wartime story of humanity at its best and triumphing over life's obstacles.

I discovered my late father was involved in the capture of U-505, and this book re-connected me with my brothers and gave us better insight about our "greatest generation". I hope my son enjoys this story as much as I did.

A wonderful book, I couldn't put it down! It made me very sad that Gene Moore never was able to fulfill his dream of playing in the majors, it was the game's loss, not just his, as he would've probably been in Cooperstown by now. However, he accomplished so much by the friendships he formed in his town, in the Navy, and in the minor leagues. Gary Moore did an excellent job of telling his story, it made me laugh, it made me cry, and I will definitely read it again! His writing made me feel like I was right there observing the story firsthand. Not only do you get an appreciation for Gene's amazing baseball ability and love for the game, but the story about life and relationships in a small town and the impact that WWII had on so many lives all combine for an excellent read.

What an excellent book. So well written you will not want to put it down!
Read this book it is a classic, especially if you are interested in WWII era history and baseball of course!
Gary Moore is a real gentleman he responded right away to an email, with a humble and heartfelt response. D. Bradshaw

This book is a fun one to read to "meet" some real people in America's heartland. The history lesson is interesting too. I had no idea our country set up Army and Navy baseball teams for entertaining the troops. The sad story of his alcoholic decline rings true in so many lives, but the redemption through an unexpected friendship warms your heart. We all need to remember that our accomplishments do not define us.