Barry says in his acknowledgements that this is a work of imaginative non-fiction. That may be the perfect way to describe it. It's not so much a detailing of the longest game in history, but a rumination on player's thoughts, their histories, their lives, where they've come from and where we are all going as a nation. The history behind this game, the team members, the ball clubs, and the stadium is awe-inducing at times. If you're a baseball fan, this is a must-read; if you're not, then you should read it anyway.