"John D'Agata is an alchemist who changes trash into purest gold." —Guy Davenport, Harper's John D'Agata journeys the endless corridors of America's myriad halls of fame and faithfully reports on what he finds there. In a voice all his own, he brilliantly maps his terrain in lists, collage, and ludic narratives. With topics ranging from Martha Graham to the Flat Earth Society, from the brightest light in Vegas to the artist Henry Darger, who died in obscurity, Halls of Fame hovers on the brink between prose and poetry, deep seriousness and high comedy, the subject and the self.

Presents historical photographs and original essays on Hall of Fame players by nine of the country's finest baseball writers.

There is no question that football is indeed America's most popular sport, and the Pro Football Hall of Fame's 50th Anniversary book totally captures our passion for the game. Having opened its doors in Canton, Ohio on September 7, 1963, the Hall will be celebrating its 50th anniversary year from 2012 to 2013, commencing with the Pro Football Hall of Fame Enshrinement Festival, a ten-day period in early August which culminates in the annual Hall of Fame Game. The Pro Football Hall of Fame Enshrinement Festival draws close to a million fans each year. The book has been crafted by Joe Horrigan, the Hall's VP of Communications/Exhibits, along with John Thorn, creator of Total Football, and the end result is a beautifully bound keepsake for any serious football fan. The 50th Anniversary Book features essays by football writers, broadcasters, and celebrated players. Every living Hall of Famer will contribute a commentary on some aspect of the game and its history; each deceased member will be represented in a sidebar or pullout quote. In addition, the book features rarely seen photos and artifacts of some of the Hall's greatest treasures.

Featuring more than 200 full-color photographs, a stunning collection that brings to vivid life the greatest treasures of baseball's shrine, most of them rarely if ever displayed to visitors. The images captured in these pages take readers into the most fascinating moments of the game's past and present.

Arguing about the merits of players is the baseball fan's second favorite pastime and every year the Hall of Fame elections spark heated controversy. In a book that's sure to thrill--and infuriate--countless fans, Bill James takes a hard look at the Hall, probing its history, its politics and, most of all, its decisions.

"A must-have for hockey lovers." -- Library Journal Profiles, stories, artifacts and archival images of every player in the Hockey Hall of Fame. The greatest individual honor that can be bestowed upon a professional hockey player is to be inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame. Hockey Hall of Fame Book of Players celebrates each and every one of the 276 players who have been so honored since the Hall of Fame's first class in 1945. Here are just a few of the Hockey Hall of Fame's most famous inductees: Wayne Gretzky Gordie Howe Bobby Orr Maurice Richard Guy Lafleur Patrick Roy Tim Horton Johnny Bower Ken Dryden Mark Messier Brett Hull Steve Yzerman Joe Sakic Scott Niedermayer Eric Lindros Teemu Selanne Dominik Hasek. Hockey Hall of Fame Book of Players also features artifacts and memorabilia from the Hockey Hall of Fame's extensive archive, including Wayne Gretzky's record setting 802nd goal puck, Jacques Plante's game-changing mask, and Mario Lemieux's 1987 Canada Cup jersey. Complete with more than 450 photos and full of artifacts, stats, facts, quotes and other interesting stories and snapshots from each star's career -- Hockey Hall of Fame Book of Players is the definitive book on the stars who have been awarded hockey's most prestigious honor.

Provides a comprehensive listing, including biographical information and statistics, of each athlete inducted into one of the major sports halls of fame.