This Ain't Brain Surgery

Reviews / Votes

"[Larry Dierker] came to be known as one of the brightest and most engaging minds in baseball ... and his book shows why. It's an unvarnished insider's view of what goes on within the game at many levels and a refreshingly honest exercise in self-discovery... Dierker's observations remain as fresh and as stimulating as they were when the book was first published in 2001."-Dan McGrath, Chicago Tribune -- Dan McGrath Chiago Tribune "[Dierker] has a healthy perspective about the game and his role in it, as reflected in the title of this literate, humorous, and entertaining memoir. As he recounts his tenure as manager, he splices in anecdotes from his playing days, effectively contrasting the life of the ballplayer in both eras."-Booklist Booklist "There's a richness to the language in This Ain't Brain Surgery that isn't typically found in a book with an ex-player's (or ex-manager's) name on the cover."-Rob Neyer, ESPN.com -- Rob Neyer ESPN.com "Dierker's prose is witty and easy-reading."-Publishers Weekly Publishers Weekly "A breezy collection of anecdotes and insights, carefully crafted and presented with a mixture of humor and thoughtfulness."-Richard Justice, Houston Chronicle -- Richard Justice Houston Chronicle "It's a book that ... has reenforced everything I love and have always loved about baseball. Above all else, baseball is a game that inspires wonder and Dierker-former player, broadcaster, and manager for the Houston Astros-Illuminates that nicely."-William Boyle, Sports Literature Association -- William Boyle Sports Literature Association "Needless to say, a book entitled This Ain't Brain Surgery makes no pretence to scholarly profundity, but it is a witty, breezy, intelligent account of baseball as experienced by Larry Dierker."-William M. Simons, Journal of Sports History -- William M. Simons Journal of Sports History