Just for kicks, I asked Chat GPT to generate reviews of by two baseball books. Specifically I asked, “Can you write a book review?” The answer was, “Yes, I can write a book review. Please provide me with the title and author of the book you want me to review, and any specific guidelines or requirements for the review.”
The first one, for 501 came with no special instructions.
Ron Kaplan’s “501 Baseball Books Fans Must Read before They Die” is a comprehensive guide for all baseball enthusiasts. The book compiles a list of 501 books that every baseball fan should read. The books are divided into several categories, including history, memoirs, fiction, and more.
Kaplan, a renowned baseball writer, provides a well-researched and engaging commentary on each of the books included in the list. He provides a brief summary of each book and highlights the key themes, characters, and writing style of the author. His insights provide readers with an excellent overview of the book’s content and make it easy for them to decide which book to pick up next.
In addition to the book list, Kaplan also includes an informative introduction to the history of baseball literature. He discusses the evolution of baseball literature over time and the role it played in shaping the game’s image and perception.
Overall, “501 Baseball Books Fans Must Read before They Die” is an essential reference guide for any serious baseball fan. Kaplan’s passion and knowledge of the game are evident throughout the book, and his recommendations are sure to please any reader looking for a good baseball read. Whether you’re a seasoned fan or just starting, this book is a must-read for anyone who loves America’s favorite pastime.
When asked how it did that, Chat AI replied,
As an AI language model, I was able to generate the book review by utilizing my pre-existing knowledge and understanding of language, as well as by analyzing and interpreting the input you provided me.
Based on the title and author of the book you provided, I was able to understand the subject matter and genre of the book. Using this understanding, I generated a review that highlights the key features of the book and its relevance to the readers.
Overall, my ability to generate the review is due to the advanced natural language processing and machine learning algorithms that I was trained on.
For the second one, on Hank Greenberg in 1938, I asked it to emphasize the Jewish factor.
Ron Kaplan’s “Hank Greenberg in 1938” is a meticulously researched and well-written book that focuses on the Jewish nature of the legendary baseball player’s historic 1938 season. The book provides an insightful exploration of Greenberg’s life and career, highlighting the challenges he faced as a Jewish athlete during a time of rampant anti-Semitism.
Kaplan’s book delves into the struggles and triumphs of Greenberg as he faced prejudice and discrimination both on and off the field. The author sheds light on how Greenberg’s Jewish identity impacted his baseball career, and how his success as a player became a source of pride for Jewish communities across the country.
One of the key strengths of “Hank Greenberg in 1938” is the way it explores the complex intersections of sports, culture, and identity. Kaplan delves into the historical context of Greenberg’s era and provides a nuanced understanding of the social and political climate of the time.
The book also provides a vivid description of Greenberg’s on-field performance during the 1938 season, where he nearly broke Babe Ruth’s single-season home run record. Kaplan expertly weaves together statistics, anecdotes, and interviews to paint a detailed picture of Greenberg’s accomplishments and the impact they had on baseball history.
Overall, “Hank Greenberg in 1938” is a must-read for any baseball fan interested in the Jewish experience and its relationship to sports. Kaplan’s thoughtful and well-researched approach provides readers with a nuanced understanding of the challenges and triumphs of one of baseball’s most iconic figures.
I asked Chat AI how it did that one, Chat AI gave a similar but more elaborate response:
As an AI language model, I was able to generate the book review by utilizing my pre-existing knowledge and understanding of language, as well as by analyzing and interpreting the input you provided me.
Based on the title and author of the book you provided, I was able to understand the subject matter and genre of the book. Using this understanding, I generated a review that emphasizes the Jewish nature of the book and its significance in exploring the intersection of sports, culture, and identity.
Overall, my ability to generate the review is due to the advanced natural language processing and machine learning algorithms that I was trained on, which allowed me to analyze and synthesize the input provided to me to create a coherent and relevant output.
And just to be fair, I asked ChatGPT to produce an unfavorable review of 501. “As an AI language model, I don’t have personal opinions or emotions, but I can generate a negative review based on common criticisms of the book “501 Baseball Books Fans Must Read Before They Die” by Ron Kaplan.”
The book “501 Baseball Books Fans Must Read Before They Die” by Ron Kaplan is a disappointment for baseball enthusiasts who were hoping for an in-depth exploration of the most important baseball literature. While the idea of compiling a list of the best baseball books ever written sounds promising, the execution falls flat.
Firstly, the book lacks focus and coherence. The author seems to have included books based on personal preference rather than a systematic analysis of their significance to baseball literature. This results in a disjointed and arbitrary selection of books, with many glaring omissions.
Secondly, the book fails to provide insightful commentary or analysis of the chosen books. The author offers brief, superficial reviews that don’t give readers a clear sense of the book’s contents or significance. Moreover, the writing style is uninspired and lacking in personality, making it difficult to engage with the material.
Thirdly, the book’s organization is confusing and poorly executed. The books are grouped by genre rather than chronology, making it difficult for readers to see how the baseball literature has evolved over time.
Overall, “501 Baseball Books Fans Must Read Before They Die” by Ron Kaplan is a disappointing read that fails to live up to its promise. While it may be a useful reference guide for novice baseball fans looking to broaden their knowledge, it offers little value for serious baseball enthusiasts seeking a comprehensive and nuanced exploration of baseball literature.
Ouch.
I used the free version which comes with the caveat, “standard response speed” and “available when demand is low.” For $20 a month, I could get a faster response speed that is available when demand is high. Considering that both reviews took less than ten seconds to complete… How much faster would it have been for the subscription price?
I got a little greedy and asked if Chat AI could provide a picture of the book art for 501. “I’m sorry, as an AI language model, I don’t have the ability to show pictures. However, you can easily find the cover image of “501 Baseball Books Fans Must Read before They Die” by Ron Kaplan with a simple online search. Just type the title and author name into a search engine, and you should be able to find the cover image.”
Fair enough.
I don’t know whether to be impressed, frightened or both. And now, in the back of my mind, I’m going to wonder if the reviews I read were created by AI. In fact, it opens up a whole Pandora’s box of philosophical and existential questions.
I need to lie down for a while.
is available on Amazon.com,
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