Kings of the Diamond - Softcover

Robert T. Diamond

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0980982103 ISBN 13: 9780980982107

Publisher: Robert Diamond Publishing, 2008

Synopsis

Kings of the Diamond is a story based on historical events in Winnipeg in 1950, drawing on the city s great sporting heritage. The main storyline follows the 1950 season of the Northern Hotel team of the Twentieth Century Community Softball League. They were a powerhouse team that went on to play in the Western Canada Softball Championship that year under the direction of Lazar Diamond, the story s chief protagonist. The early days of that legacy are brought to life in this book, which tells the story of the Diamond family and the Northern Hotel and of many of the players and principals of the Twentieth Century Community Softball League. The entire narrative builds inexorably towards the pinnacle event, when 8,000 people crammed the Aberdeen School Grounds to witness the final championship game.

About this title

About the Author

This book was researched for over four years, and the numerous detailed references to prominent people and places of 1950s Winnipeg that are woven into this historic tale of overcoming adversarial circumstances demonstrate the author's commitment to accuracy in this, his first historical fiction.

Review

I commend Robert on his book. It was well put together and highly entertaining. Both my wife and I enjoyed it very much, not only for the sports aspect, but also for the characters and other stories about that time which he wrote about extremely well. --Lou Lucki, pitcher; I read every word of Kings of the Diamond and was amazed at how Robert recreated the feeling and character of Winnipeg of that era. He has combined a wonderful, exciting sports history book with a great story that will have a broad appeal beyond those who love sports and history. I couldn't put this book down, and after I finished it, I read it all over again. --Dr. Jack Rusen, son of coach, Dr.Charley Rusen; --Lou Lucki, Jack Rusen

Winnipeg's Mayor, Sam Katz, had the following to say in the foreword he wrote for this book: Winnipeg had its share of larger than life characters in those days. The athletes played softball games surrounded by thousands of spectators, managers, umpires even the bookies who capitalized on the city's fascination with the sport. Robert, the son of Lazar Diamond, one of the title characters who managed the Northern Hotel team that was inducted into the Manitoba Softball Hall of Fame in 2005, aptly and authentically describes them all in this tale of Winnipeg sports and other games: horse racing at Polo Park, for example, and Stanley Zedd's network of floating, Las Vegas style card games (controlled with military precision from his headquarters at the Margaret Rose Tearoom on Osborne Street), activities liberally punctuated by nights on the town at many of the fine eateries and clubs the city offered in its heyday. Ex-pat Robert Diamond pays homage to his hometown, offering fascinating insights into how Winnipeg earned its moniker, the Chicago of the North, and to a very special era in softball history. Kings of the Diamond is the story of one of the most colourful chapters in the sporting and cultural history of Winnipeg, and of the legendary characters who were the main players on this stage. It is also a story of family and friendships that survive tests of emotional strength, love, and commitment, and of how they find final vindication. --Sam Katz, Mayor of Winnipeg

"I commend Robert on his book. It was well put together and highly entertaining. Both my wife and I enjoyed it very much, not only for the sports aspect, but also for the characters and other stories about that time which he wrote about extremely well." --Lou Lucki, pitcher

About this edition

• Publisher: Robert Diamond Publishing
• Publication date: 2008
• ISBN 10: 0980982103
• ISBN 13: 9780980982107
• Binding: Paperback
• Language: English
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 326
• Editor: JoAnn Cleaver