"An exceptional anthology. . . .Before the Curse presents a team in full."--Journal of Sport History "Full of lively newspaper accounts and vintage articles, Before the Curse: The Chicago Cubs' Glory Years, 1870–1945 will draw a wide audience among baseball scholars and, of course, Cubs fans."--David Zang, author of Sports Wars: Athletes in the Age of Aquarius "This book delights because it brings a collection of primary journalism to the baseball history buff and Cubs fans in easy bite sizes."--Library Journal "A substantial, in-depth collection that shows how the Cubs came to be, from the late nineteenth century up to the mid-twentieth century, and how they set up the direction of the franchise into the present day."--George Castle, Chicago sportswriter and author of Sweet Lou and the Cubs: A Year Inside the Dugout