Cracking the Show

"Anyone interested in baseball can not fail  to be captivated by Boswell's penetrating look at  the game, and by his graceful  prose."--USA Today



Thomas  Boswell, longtime Washington Post  syndicated sports columnist, has been called  "an astute observer of the human condition disguised  as a first-rate sportswriter." Boswell will  be featured as a major on-screen spokesman in Ken  Burns's PBS series on baseball, which airs in fail  '94 and will attract millions of viewers. His  three previous baseball collections have won wide  praise across the country and sold close to two  hundred thousand copies. In this latest book, Boswell  has handpicked his best baseball pieces of the past  five years to create a collection that will be  must reading for fans across the country. These  pieces, from The Washington Post  and national magazines, are arranged thematically so  there is a narrative flow to the book and cover  everything from Fay Vincent's ouster to Pete Rose's  gambling to the Bo Jackson saga to the return of  Steinbrenner. Another splendid gathering of smart,  witty, beautifully written stories aboutt our  national pastime, Cracking The Show  confirms that when it comes to baseball, Boswell  is in a league by himself. It's a sure hit for the  1995 baseball  season.



"Boswell...is the thinking person's writer about the  thinking person's sport...inexhaustibly interesting  and fun."--George Will

Standard and Primary covers are widely available through general retailers. They often have higher print runs and can be cheaper, especially during sales.

In contrast, Direct Market (DM) and variant covers are primarily sold in comic shops. DM editions tend to have more limited availability and may be more valuable to collectors.

The main differences lie in artwork style, availability, price, and collector appeal. Ultimately, the choice between standard and variant covers depends on personal preference, budget, and individual collecting goals.

Comic book enthusiasts have various formats to choose from when collecting their favorite stories.
Here's a brief overview of the main types:

Omnibus

• Large, hardcover collections
• Usually contain complete runs or extensive story arcs
• Typically 800-1000+ pages
• Higher price point, often €100-€150

Oversized Hardcover (OHC)

• Similar dimensions to omnibus, but thinner
• Collect shorter runs or story arcs
• Usually 300-600 pages
• Priced between €30-€50

Hardcover (HC)

• Standard-sized hardcover books
• Collect 6-12 issues typically
• Similar dimensions to single issues, but with a hard cover
• Priced around €25-€35

Trade Paperback (TP)

• Softcover collections
• Standard comic book size
• Usually collect 4-6 issues
• Most affordable option, typically €15-€25

Other Formats

• Absolute Editions: Oversized, deluxe hardcovers (mainly DC Comics)
• Compendiums: Massive paperback collections
• Graphic Novels (OGN/GN): Original stories not previously released as single issues

The choice between these formats often depends on personal preference, budget, and collecting goals. Omnibus and OHC editions offer larger artwork and more content but at a higher price, while TPs provide a more affordable way to collect complete story arcs