Anyone know how to get "Out at home" by Glenn Burke?

July 25, 2006 11:53 AM

Anyone know how to get a copy of the book "Out at home" by Glenn Burke without breaking the bank? I'm suddenly fascinated by this guy, who was an openly gay baseball player who many credit with inventing the high-five.

All I can find is ~$100 copies from various booksellers. His story seems amazing (became friends with Tommy Lasorda’s estranged gay son, was offered a free luxurious honeymoon by the Dodgers if he would get married, etc) and I'd love to read it. Anyone have any ideas?

posted by ORthey to Writing & Language (13 answers total)

Library? Major libraries have inter-library loan services.
posted by docgonzo at 11:57 AM on July 25, 2006

This copy is going for $50.
posted by docgonzo at 11:59 AM on July 25, 2006

If you are in Berkeley, CA, you can do an inter-library loan for $2 from any Berkeley Public Library Branch. (More info).
posted by docgonzo at 12:02 PM on July 25, 2006

FWIW, it's not in the UC system, which is odd.
posted by docgonzo at 12:05 PM on July 25, 2006

Response by poster: Thanks docgonzo. I'll check the Berkeley public library. I wanted to own it, but this may be the only way unless I'm willing to spend some money.
posted by ORthey at 12:10 PM on July 25, 2006

Looks like it, I'm afraid; I know a friend of mine has a copy, but I know he won't part with it -- queers in sports being a particular interest (and beat) for him. Good luck!
posted by docgonzo at 12:50 PM on July 25, 2006

Write to the publisher and ask if they can sell you an overstock copy or the like. If they cannot, ask them if they have plans for another printing and point out to them that copies are going for $50-$100 on the open market so a $20 copy would sell well.
posted by JohnnyGunn at 1:33 PM on July 25, 2006

AFAIK the book was essentially self-published. The original mailing address for the publisher is a mailbox place on Madison Avenue. Burke having died, there might be no one with the rights and motivation to reprint.

His co-author might be the only possibility for an overstock copy. It might be this guy: Erik Sherman. Or it might not. Wow, what a lot of mights.
posted by expialidocious at 2:18 PM on July 25, 2006

Response by poster: That certainly 'might' help. Thanks!
posted by ORthey at 2:45 PM on July 25, 2006

Response by poster: Dang - that's the wrong erik sherman. I emailed him. Back to square one.
posted by ORthey at 3:13 PM on July 25, 2006

Don't mean to derail... but I had read/heard somewhere that the high five was invented by a women's volleyball team, after they kept accidentally slapping hands when going up for a spike/block. What's the story with Glen Burke re: high fives?
posted by ewiar at 3:16 PM on July 25, 2006

Here's the relevant Glenn Burke/high-five story.
posted by docgonzo at 3:46 PM on July 25, 2006

Wiki says there is a filmed example of a high-five that predates Burke:

The origin of the high five is largely unknown but it became popular in the 1960s when flower power was at its peak. The first notable filmed example came in the 1968 movie The Producers where the character L. S. D., satirical of hippies, is shown doing it. It is also said that the University of Louisville's basketball team made it popular during its NCAA tournament run. Other individuals linked to the burgeoning of the high five are former baseball player Glenn Burke and former college basketball player Lamont "Mont" Sleets.
posted by docgonzo at 3:47 PM on July 25, 2006