Librarian of Congress Carla Hayden's baseball roots aren't in Washington, but she knows the sense of pride that baseball fans in the nation's capital feel toward their team and national pastime. "They represent the capital, and the team in the capital, and this is the all-American game," she said, previewing the Library of Congress' new exhibit, "Baseball Americana," which opened Friday amid the buildup to the 89th All-Star Game on July 17 at Nationals Park. Washington baseball fans can...

As a presidential historian, Doris Kearns Goodwin is at the top of the list. Her works have that magical quality of readability and substance. "The Bully Pulpit" is of a different age, but much of the substance is of today. The book looks at Teddy Roosevelt and his leadership of the progressive movement and party. Until a rancorous split, there was William Howard Taft at Roosevelt's side. Both sought to address big business's domination over individuals and the need for equality of income....

David Brooks, author of "The Road to Character," is a columnist for the New York Times and frequent guest on news shows, particularly on public radio and television. He is often self-effacing, yet unafraid to make his points. That is his approach in this book. He longs for a greater sense of "character" on an individual basis in this country, finding the "celebration of self," often cited as the narcissism of our time, to be unflattering to each of us and to our national...

Susan Slusser is a sports journalist for the San Francisco Chronicle who covers the Oakland A's on the baseball beat, has covered the NBA and is an unequalled fan of the NHL. She is the first woman to be president of the Baseball Writers' Association of America. For me, she is a go-to authority of whatever sport or team she is covering. She is a pro and the term "journalist" is not used lightly to describe her work. Susan sat down with me on a recent trip to Oakland to talk about her...

In case this is the first time you've found our blog, welcome! Once a week, we take a look at a book that is a favorite of mine that helps eat up all that baseball travel time. The Enoch Pratt Free Library lends us a hand with recommendations from their staff, we note others sites that offer suggestions and, thanks to you, we have recommendations in the comments section. Thanks for that. Generally, you don't figure to be lying on the floor and laughing your head off when you read a mystery...

In case this is the first time you've found our blog, welcome! Once a week, we take a look at a book that is a favorite of mine that helps eat up all that baseball travel time. The Enoch Pratt Free Library lends us a hand with recommendations from their staff, we note others sites that offer suggestions and, thanks to you, we have recommendations in the comments section. Thanks for that. Generally, you don't figure to be lying on the floor and laughing your head off when you read a mystery...