.jpg)
"What seems, at first, to be just a pleasant historical footnote... turns into a fascinating intersection of sports and politics that reveals the serious purpose behind a seemingly whimsical tradition. Manheim has a real sense of scale and impact of how small gestures and attitudes meant so much more than you’d initially imagine. The crisp and engaging prose style also makes historical events feel both relevant and riveting, animating a pivotal moment in U.S. legislative history through one of America’s classic sports with all the drama, action, and tension you’d expect from it.
"The House Divided is a highly recommended must-read for political history buffs and baseball fans from cover to cover."
K.C. Finn, Readers' Favorite
"The House Divided is a supremely interesting and well-researched deep dive into a unique chapter in American history. As a non-American reader who knows very little about baseball or the American political machine, I was surprised at how comfortably I was able to round out the knowledge bases with both, which is a clear testament to Manheim's skill as a writer. The style is crisp and straightforward without feeling formulaic or, worse, like an encyclopedia. Instead, Manheim's deep immersion into the era and the game’s cultural significance add richness and excitement to it, so it is both informative and enjoyable. The book shines in its portrayal of how sports can bring people together across divides—something we desperately need today. For those interested in the molding of politics, culture, and sports, Manheim serves up an intelligent and thoughtful read, presenting a fresh look at an event that continues to thrive in the great American tradition."
Asher Syed, Readers' Favorite
"Manheim explores how the Congressional Baseball Game served as a pressure valve during an intense political battle over tariffs, reform, and power struggles led by towering figures such as Speaker Joseph Cannon and President William Taft. Through the lens of this unlikely event, [he] maps a broader story of power, ambition, and calculated distraction, portraying baseball not only as America’s pastime but also as a deliberate political maneuver.
"Readers interested in U.S. political history, early 20th-century Americana, or baseball as social commentary will find the book informative and engaging. The House Divided presents a unique slice of history that shows how even a ballgame can reflect, and perhaps influence, the workings of a divided government."
Carol Thompson, Readers' Favorite
"From Sunbury Press comes an astonishing little book entitled What's In Ted's Wallet? by J.B. Manheim and Lawrence Knorr. The book celebrates the collection of 61 T206 baseball cards of Thomas Edison's youngest son, which Ted Edison kept all his life in a ratty checkbook cover-like wallet. The authors found the wallet and cards in the archives of the Thomas Edison National Historical Park while doing research on Edison and baseball. Contained in the book are color photos of the cards and bios of the players depicted, as well as delicious bits of Edison's connection to Deadball Era baseball, his campaign against cigarettes, and speculations on how the eleven-year-old Ted got interested in collecting tobacco cards in 1909. Wonderful!"
Spitball: The Literary Baseball Magazine, Fall 2024, pages 47-47
"Thanks to their discovery by Manheim and Knorr and the well-written, well-researched volume that they produced, fans of the Deadball Era and the T206 set can enjoy this fine addition to the literature of the game."
Ed Edmonds, The Inside Game, November 2024, pages 27-28
"Found among the donated items – and of special interest to those of us who are students of baseball history – was Ted Edison’s tattered wallet containing 61 vintage T206 baseball cards dating from the Deadball Era years of 1909 and 1910. For this discovery, we are very grateful; as we are to J.B. Manheim and Lawrence Knorr for documenting the collection in their outstanding new book, What’s in Ted’s Wallet."
Gary Livacari, BaseballHistoryComesAlive.com, May 24, 2024
"My favorite part of this story is the pictures of the collection of baseball cards that Ted kept in his wallet. These pictures add a tangible connection to Ted's youth and dreams. I appreciated the historical aspect that this narrative offered on the most iconic American game, capturing the evolution of baseball and its cultural significance."
Maalin Ogaja, Readers' Favorite
The Deadball Files:
Redefining Baseball Fiction
"Manheim is a master storyteller. He doesn't just take the reader from Point A to Point B, he takes the reader on an adventure. Each book is told from various perspectives. Each also has a series of underlying themes. Baseball plays a big role in his books, sometimes more so than others, but he also tells stories about history and about so much more. There are twists and turns in each book. The characters are well-developed and very real to life - as are the conversations and the stories themselves. Each novel presents a detective-type story, each in their own way. The endings are always a surprise. There is an O. Henry quality to each story with the way each surprises the reader in a different and original way."
Paul Semendinger, "J.B. Manheim Goes 5 for 5!" Start Spreading the News Blog, May 17, 2024
"When you've read as much baseball history as I have, it takes a little extra to get me to go back and read about Ty Cobb, Christy Mathewson, the Federal League.... I've been immersing myself in that period since, really, since I was eight or nine years old. So whenever I can find something that puts a new spin on that era I get a little excited, and that's what happens in these books, which look at [the subject] from a fictional yet very realistic behind-the-scenes perspective - looking at the power structure of baseball in that era."
Rob Neyer, SABRCast Podcast, January 8, 2024
"Manheim has steamrolled his way into this sub-genre based on research into things that are closely associated with the grand beginnings of baseball. He calls his homepage the “Home of History, Mystery, Deception, Intrigue.” All smelling of horsehide, tobacco juice and maybe even pine tar. It seems perfect for a display at the Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, in a “Believe it Or Not!” section bound to draw theorists from all parts of the map who love this kind of mind-bending drama."
Tom Hoffarth, The Drill, March 22, 2024
"Manheim is a knowledgeable baseball researcher and a talented creative writer. Readers benefit from that combination in The [Deadball Files].”
Tim HaggertyMurrow Award-Winning Broadcaster
and Contributor to Baseball Digest and The Sporting News
"The author has done a exceptional job with this book series."
Amazon Reviewer
.jpg)
What Others Say
"... a riveting story that any reader interested in baseball or World War I will truly enjoy."
The Guy Who Reviews Sports Books, March 10, 2024
"I LOVED THIS BOOK....
"JB Manheim writes extremely well. This book is a baseball story, a detective novel, and an overall great read....
"The story is a modern story with such intrigue that the reader gets immersed in the mystery. The characters that Manheim develops who try to uncover the truth behind the mysterious papers they find are very real and very likeable. I found myself rooting for them....
"In This Never Happened, JB Manheim hits a home run!" Paul Semendinger, Start Spreading the News Blog, November 14, 2021
"JB Manheim writes extremely well. This book is a baseball story, a detective novel, and an overall great read....
"The story is a modern story with such intrigue that the reader gets immersed in the mystery. The characters that Manheim develops who try to uncover the truth behind the mysterious papers they find are very real and very likeable. I found myself rooting for them....
"In This Never Happened, JB Manheim hits a home run!" Paul Semendinger, Start Spreading the News Blog, November 14, 2021
"Wow! If ever there was a rip-roaring narrative, This Never Happened by JB Manheim is it! ... The result is an absorbing page-turner that I could not put down.
"This Never Happened is completely unpredictable, as JB Manheim leaves one thread of the story to continue with another. He is a versatile writer, showing not only an ability to change voice from character to character but also an ability to change language style to match the historical period in which the story is set. ... The illustrations and photographs lend a level of authenticity that leaves the reader wondering what is true and what is fiction. I look forward to Manheim’s next novel."
Frances Deborah Kerr-Phillips, Readers' Favorite
"I really enjoyed This Never Happened. I came away impressed with the author’s writing skills, including his outstanding character development and his ability to create and develop a fictionalized plot — alternating between flashbacks and current day — that holds the reader’s attention from start to finish. Although I knew from the beginning that it was a work of fiction, by the end I found myself wondering if the story the author stitches together was actually closer to the truth than the official version, which, Manheim makes clear, doesn’t completely add up. We may never know.
"The fact that I’m familiar with all the involved baseball personalities, and with this era of baseball and American history, added to my enjoyment. This Never Happened, The Mystery Behind the Death of Christy Mathewson, is a fascinating book I can recommend to all baseball history fans and to all others who are interested in learning about the unique role baseball played in early twentieth-century American history."
Gary Livacari, Baseball History Comes Alive , October 12, 2023
"This Never Happened is a fictional sports tale based firmly on fact, ... a well- researched story, based on real army documents and journals that were once hidden, combined with a twisting thriller that you will remember long after you've finished reading it. This is the kind of story that will make you question everything you hear; it will make you wonder how much is truth and how much is pure propaganda designed to throw you off the scent. .... (T)his is one book you will not put down until the end. The characters are amazing, well-developed, and likable; some real people, some fictional but all adding their own style to the story. Fiction it may be, but it does offer a plausible alternative to the official story and is packed with action, twists and turns. Highly recommended for anyone who wants something different to read...."
Anne Marie Reynolds, Readers' Favorite
"What a cool book [and] one heck of a baseball story."
Goodreads Reviewer
"I enjoyed this book as much for the history lesson as for the mystery plot, and give a HUGE credit to JB Manheim for making a book about baseball, which I ordinarily would not have read, very engaging and entertaining! If you like mysteries, give it a go, even if you are not a baseball fan!"
Amazon Reviewer
"A great deal of research is needed for fiction writing. Especially with historical fiction, there’s a lot I’ve learned, and the details often stick with me better when put into a storytelling format. So it is with J B Manheim’s This Never Happened....
"The story switches between characters and time frames. Like a Harlen Coben novel (or for that matter, the movie Pulp Fiction), the time jumps are clear, and a reader is able to follow the narrative with no confusion....
"From This Never Happened, readers can be entertained by a gripping story while still learning a lot of things that they never knew before." The Inside Game, Society for American Baseball Research, August 2021
"The story switches between characters and time frames. Like a Harlen Coben novel (or for that matter, the movie Pulp Fiction), the time jumps are clear, and a reader is able to follow the narrative with no confusion....
"From This Never Happened, readers can be entertained by a gripping story while still learning a lot of things that they never knew before." The Inside Game, Society for American Baseball Research, August 2021
"Manheim... does an admirable research job, both on the baseball side and America during the period of the War and into the 1930s, when the Hall of Fame was conceived and constructed.... He goes back and forth between those and modern times to weave this detective story. He also weaves fictional characters with real-life figures, so well in fact, that at times I had a hard time keeping them apart." Ron Kaplan's Baseball Bookshelf, August 5, 2021
.jpg)
What Others Say
"I highly recommend this book. It's a quick read - light enough to be fun, but deep enough to make the reader think deeply about the characters, the plot, and the twists. The book is a complete work of fiction, but it feels real enough (just like This Never Happened) to ring true."
Paul Semendinger, Start Spreading the News Blog, June 30, 2022
"The second book in the [series], The Gamekeepers is just as gripping as the first book, This Never Happened. I particularly enjoyed how Manheim, like the craftsman of a Persian rug, literally weaves the different strands of the story together to create the final masterpiece. ... What a treat!"
Frances Deborah Kerr-Phillips, Readers' Favorite
"Excellent book, after reading the first book in the series I began reading this one expecting to be let down, but I was surprised by how good it was. Once I started reading I could barely put it down. Highly recommend this book and this series for anyone who likes mystery and baseball."
Raymond W., Amazon Reviewer
"Many times, a series starts really well only to fall apart from the second book onwards - this one did not, and, having enjoyed Book 1, Book 2 didn’t disappoint. It is packed with intrigue and mystery and, once you start, putting it down is not an option."
Anne-Marie Reynolds, Readers Favorite
"The GameKeepers is a ripping-good tale that stands alone for new readers or serves as a satisfying continuation for readers of This Never Happened. Manheim's engaging storytelling and creation of vibrant characters bring to life the attempts of the GameKeepers to keep baseball's scandals buried."
Stew Thornley
"Manheim's... depictions are intense and impressively picturesque, and reading the book felt like watching a well-plotted movie.... There is action, adventure, mystery, thrills, suspense, secrets, and so much more.... It is a great piece of work and I loved it."
Keith Mbuya, Readers' Favorite
"Manheim engages the imagination with a carefully and colloquially well-written novel whose originality will send you in search of... other secrets of our game's origins."
Peter Rutkoff
.jpg)
What Others Say
"J. B. Manheim once again got me hooked on his book, flipping through page after page. He loads his sentences with sophisticated vocabulary. He hatches an intriguing plot that features spell-binding cliffhangers and exciting characters. His narration maintains a tone of mystery, suspense, and adventure. All these kept me on edge, longing for more."
Keith Mbuya, Readers' Favorite
"Manheim is a master at luring his reader into his stories.... The plot gathers momentum, and [the] twists and turns continue apace until the very last page, where the final twist is sprung."
Francis Deborah Kerr-Phillips, Readers' Favorite
"If you enjoy history, baseball, and conspiracy theories, you will enjoy Doubleday Doubletake."
Jason Love, author of Slices of Americana: A Roadtrip Through American Baseball History.
"There's more truth in there than you think."
Amazon Reviewer
.jpeg)
What Others Say
.jpg)
"The Federal Case is one of the year's best legal thrillers."
BestThrillers
"Move over, John Grisham and Charles Dickens! J.B. Manheim, the celebrated author of The Deadball Files, has written a novel that masterfully incorporates legal intricacies and genealogical twists in a compelling legal thriller....With the skill of a consummate storyteller, Mr. Manheim weaves a remarkable web of mystery, revelation, and betrayal that plays out in a tense courtroom drama pitting David versus Goliath battling over $500 million."
Frank Amoroso, author of Wopper Trilogy - Pigtown, The Show, The Series, and Diamond Fever, a series of historical novels starring Babe Ruth and Enrico Caruso.
"As a lawyer... I was blown away by both the completely believable premise of The Federal Case as well as the realism involved in the legal aspects of the novel.... [It] wasn't too weighty on the 'legaleze' while at the same time creating a picture of what actually really does happen behind the scenes of a law office...."
D.K., Reader
"The novel masterfully combines legal drama with America's favorite pastime, making it a must-read for baseball enthusiasts and legal thriller fans alike. The Federal Case is a gripping and enlightening read that keeps you on the edge of your seat."
K.C. Finn, Readers' Favorite
"J. B. Manheim offers up a compelling law case and a strong plot to make his new novel a fascinating read. Baseball stories are known for underdog challenges, and this one certainly follows the script. It is obvious that Mr. Manheim is a legal expert, and when he combines this knowledge with his skill as a writer, his book is not to be missed. Throw in a strong love story and frequent timely curves, and the reader is never disappointed."
Alan Mindell, Author, The Closer: A Baseball Love Story
Alan Mindell, Author, The Closer: A Baseball Love Story
"This book has all the elements of a good read. It mixes fact, fantasy and baseball history to create a wonderful story.... Who knew the 'rule against perpetuities could be entertaining?"
Amazon Reader
"Manheim masterfully weaves together elements of baseball history with an entertaining and fascinating fictional storyline that leaves readers rivited to their seats.... Once [they] become truly immersed in The Federal Case, they will find it extremely difficult to put this compelling book down."
Ronald T. Waldo, baseball historian and author of Days of Reckoning: Players Punching Their Ticket Out of Pittsburgh During the Barney Dreyfuss Era.
"Absolutely fantastic book...."
Amazon Reviewer
"Manheim mixes John Grisham with baseball history to create an interesting, well-written book with wide appeal."
Barry Sparks, author of The Search for the Next Mickey Mantle: From Tom Tresh to Bryce Harper.
"Do yourself a favor and read the first three novels in this series as well. You'll be hooked rather quickly."
Goodreads Reviewer
.jpg)
What Others Say
"Who knew that baseball, history, legal issues and great writing could be so much fun?"
Amazon Reviewer
"... an intriguing tale that takes readers beyond the ballpark for a tense and thrilling adventure. Manheim's storytelling... perfectly captures the essence of an era marked by technological innovation, social change, and the enduring love for America's favorite pastime. "
K.C. Finn, Readers' Favorite
"Manheim is an extremely talented writer with a unique ability to craft historically-based fictional novels. His skills especially shine in character and plot development, editing (the book is very well edited), and research, including an ability to incorporate his extensive research seamlessly into his novels. In general, he’s well-skilled in making a fictionalized storyline flow in a way that holds the reader's attention from start to finish."
Amazon Reviewer
"As with any good mystery, the attorney’s and his girl-friend’s search comes with twists and turns, leading to even more twists and turns and the introduction of many interesting secondary and minor characters, who each add a piece needed to solve the puzzle. The author uses his broad knowledge and research into a wide variety of topics to hold the reader’s interest through numerous and sometimes complex challenges. Watching the lead characters overcome each of these in a step-by-step journey to solve the strange case of Mr. Edison’s relationship with the family of Dennum’s client makes this an enjoyable read."
Paul Browne, The Inside Game, May 2004, p. 28
"I learned an incredible amount of detail about the life of Thomas Edison. It is a very good read and I recommend it!"
Goodreads Reviewer
"Thank you for a very interesting book."
Bernadette Longu, Readers' Favorite
"Love this book...."
Amazon Reviewer
"The level of attention to detail is near perfect. The novel is noteworthy for its seamless integration of a captivating treasure hunt into a narrative that could easily be a business and baseball history lesson."
Essien Asian, Readers' Favorite
.jpg)
What Others Say
"Field of Schemes is the sixth book in The Deadball Files series by J.B. Manheim. A thrilling mix of baseball history, politics, and investigative mystery, this book really wraps up the series in style. Detective Adam Wallace finds himself pulled into two cases that seem unrelated—digging into the 1909 Congressional Baseball Game and uncovering Major League Baseball’s connections to gambling. As he puts the pieces together, he realizes that history might be repeating itself in unsettling ways. The book moves smoothly between the past and present, offering a gripping story about power, corruption, and America’s favorite pastime. The historical details are incredibly well-researched, making the past feel just as vivid as the present-day mystery, and the political angles feel all too realistic given today’s climate.
"J.B. Manheim has a real talent for blending historical facts with a modern mystery, creating a story that’s both educational and highly entertaining. His deep knowledge of baseball and politics adds extra layers to the plot, making the book more than just a typical detective novel. The twists and turns keep you hooked, and, by the end, everything falls into place in a way that is both surprising and completely logical. I loved how the dual timelines added depth, using real historical events to reflect on modern issues. Adam Wallace is a smart and engaging detective—his sharp mind and personal struggles make this just as much about his journey as it is about solving the case. Even if you’re not a huge baseball fan, the way the game’s history and culture are woven into the plot makes it easy to appreciate why it all matters. Overall, Field of Schemes is a fantastic conclusion to the series, but it also works as a standalone story that will appeal to fans of historical mysteries, political thrillers, and sports fiction." K. C. Finn, Readers' Favorite
"J.B. Manheim has a real talent for blending historical facts with a modern mystery, creating a story that’s both educational and highly entertaining. His deep knowledge of baseball and politics adds extra layers to the plot, making the book more than just a typical detective novel. The twists and turns keep you hooked, and, by the end, everything falls into place in a way that is both surprising and completely logical. I loved how the dual timelines added depth, using real historical events to reflect on modern issues. Adam Wallace is a smart and engaging detective—his sharp mind and personal struggles make this just as much about his journey as it is about solving the case. Even if you’re not a huge baseball fan, the way the game’s history and culture are woven into the plot makes it easy to appreciate why it all matters. Overall, Field of Schemes is a fantastic conclusion to the series, but it also works as a standalone story that will appeal to fans of historical mysteries, political thrillers, and sports fiction." K. C. Finn, Readers' Favorite
"The author’s knowledge of the sport and of the many aspects that influence the outcome of a specific game, inning, out, and even a pitch are remarkable — and presented in an engrossing format... that keep[s] the reader guessing as the plot moves forward."
Kris Rutherford, Review in Here's The Pitch, March 14, 2025
"[Manheim] is to be commended for penning an interesting tale that effortlessly blends fact with fiction, along with ample doses of baseball history, American history, and politics. He demonstrates a remarkable ability to intertwine numerous threads into a coherent narrative covering different historical eras; and somehow, in the author's skilled hands, they all tie together by the story's surprising conclusion.
"Manheim's attention to detail, his extensive research into the subject matter, and his talent for character and plot development make this a book well worth reading."
Gary Livacari, Baseball History Comes Alive
"Field of Schemes is the perfect book for fans of baseball and history. In addition, if you are a sleuth mystery lover, you're in for a treat!"
Pikasho Deka, Readers Favorite