Mark Winegardner (born November 24, 1961) is an American writer born and raised in Bryan, Ohio. His novels include The Godfather Returns, Crooked River Burning, and The Veracruz Blues. He published a collection of short stories, That's True of Everybody, in 2002. His newest novel, The Godfather's Revenge, was published in November 2006 by Putnam. His Godfather novels continue the story of the Corleone family depicted in Mario Puzo's The Godfather.
Winegardner published his debut work, an autobiographical travel book titled Elvis Presley Boulevard: From Sea to Shining Sea, Almost, in 1987.[5][6]
In 1990, Winegardner published the nonfiction book Prophet of the Sandlots, about the life of baseball scout Tony Lucadello. While writing the book, Winegardner convinced Lucadello to allow him to travel along with him as he scouted talent.[7] The book was well received by critics at the time of its publication and in retrospective reviews,[8][7] and has been called one of the greatest baseball books of all time.[9]
After the publication of Sandlots, Winegardner published Steve Fireovid's autobiography, The 26th Man: One Minor Leaguer's Pursuit of a Dream.[10]
Winegardner's debut novel The Veracruz Blues was published in 1996, and centred on five brother's attempt to create a Mexican baseball league that could rival the MLB.[11][12] He published Crooked River Burning in 2001, to generally positive reviews.[13][14] The book is set in midcentury Cleveland, Ohio and centers on the relationship between David Zielinsky, an engaged man from a union family, and affluent journalist Anne O'Connor.[15]
He published That's True of Everybody, his debut collection of short stories, in 2002.[16][17]
In 2006, Winegardner published a follow-up titled The Godfather's Revenge. The book received mixed reviews, with praise for its style but criticism for failing to innovate.[22][23]
