Dodgers to Damascus (David Lesch's Journey from Baseball to the Middle East)

David Lesch is a modern-day polymath whose life journey has spanned continents and explored cultures near and far. Widely known as an acclaimed scholar, educator, author, and conflict resolution specialist, he has advised four United States presidents and their cabinets about the head-spinning political, religious, and cultural complexities of the Middle East.

Long before, as the number-one draft pick for the Los Angeles Dodgers in 1980, he followed his American dream, playing with many baseball greats until a shoulder injury sidelined him. Turning to an academic career, he became a distinguished professor of Middle East studies and was soon tapped by the United Nations, international policy centers, and governments around the world including the U.S. State Department. His work in Syria resulted in a tenuous friendship with President Bashar al-Assad, and many tense situations including a poisoned meal that almost cost him his life. As author or editor of seventeen – including the bestsellers The History of the Middle East Since the Rise of Islam, Syria: A Modern History, and The Arab-Israeli Conflict: A History – he has documented a part of the world that has been shrouded in mystery and plagued by conflict, power struggles, and warfare.  
Lesch’s experiences and adventures offer a firsthand glimpse inside modern Syria and its neighboring countries, with insights into the dynamics between them and their connections to the rest of the world. His encounters with elected officials, diplomats, spies, and conflict resolution specialists have all the elements of a Hollywood thriller, and parallels his own personal story of loss, crisis, and redemption reflecting the universality of life’s journeys, wherever they may lead us.

This book title, Dodgers to Damascus (David Lesch's Journey from Baseball to the Middle East), ISBN: 9781595343239, by Catherine Nixon Cooke, published by Trinity University Press (October 21, 2025) is available in hardcover. Our minimum order quantity is 25 copies. All standard bulk book orders ship FREE in the continental USA and delivered in 4-10 business days.

Unlike Amazon and other retailers who may also offer Dodgers to Damascus (David Lesch's Journey from Baseball to the Middle East) books on their website, we specialize in large quantities and provide personal service, from trusted, experienced, friendly people in Portland, Oregon. We offer a Price Match Guarantee, and QuickQuote form, to make purchasing quick and easy.

Prefer to work with a human being when you order Dodgers to Damascus (David Lesch's Journey from Baseball to the Middle East) books in bulk? Our Book Specialists are standing by Monday-Friday 8-5 PST, ready to help!