West Haven Native Dominic Konareski Scores Big With Barnes & Noble Debut Book

In an era dominated by viral headlines and fast-moving digital content, few local authors manage to break through the noise and create something that resonates deeply with their community. Yet that is exactly what Dominic Konareski has done with his debut book, 'Gloves, Engines & Glory.'

What began as a passion project centered around West Haven, Connecticut, sports history has quickly evolved into one of the most talked-about local sports books.

Gloves, Engines & Glory is currently available exclusively through Barnes & Noble as a paperback book. 

The book, which was released in January of this year, has earned continued recognition, attracting readers who would like to learn or even relive the stories of West Haven’s past.  

For Konareski, the success of the book is not simply about sales or recognition. It represents years of dedication to preserving local history that he feared was slowly disappearing.

“I love my town, I love sports and I love history. I truly feel like the book represents the person I am so well and also showcases a unique way to preserve West Haven’s past,” said Konareski.

Born and raised in West Haven, Connecticut, Konareski developed a love for sports and storytelling at a remarkably young age. While many teenagers spent their free time chasing likes and social media trends, Konareski became obsessed with box scores, lesser-known sports stories and uncovering the sports history buried beneath his town’s landscape.

At just 13-years-old, Konareski launched the New York Sports Show, a sports media platform that blended current sports coverage with historical storytelling. Over the years, the platform steadily grew an audience while also establishing Konareski as one of the region’s most recognizable young sports journalists and historians. According to YouTube, the New York Sports Show has a following of more than 75,000 and is approaching 300 million views.

What makes Konareski’s story even more impressive is his age. At only 21-years-old during the book’s release, he has already accomplished what many aspiring journalists and historians spend decades pursuing: building a recognizable media platform, establishing credibility in historical research, and publishing a successful book with national retail availability.  

But despite his growing media presence, Konareski remains deeply connected to his hometown roots.

That connection is from years of research that eventually grew into Gloves, Engines & Glory, a detailed historical account documenting nearly a century of sports history tied to Savin Rock and Donovan Field, which would later be known as the West Haven Speedway.

“As a big racing fan that I am, I was taken back when I found out that West Haven was once one of the biggest auto racing capitals of the northeast. And as a baseball fan as well I also found it incredibly interesting how a baseball diamond was part of it all,” said Konareski.

The book dives into the rise of organized baseball in the area during the late1800s, the impact of the New Haven Profs, and the transformation of Donovan Field into one of the Northeast’s notable auto racing venues. Through archived newspapers, photographs, memorabilia, and personal research, Konareski reconstructs an era that many modern residents never knew existed.  

What makes the book particularly compelling is its ability to bridge multiple generations of sports fans. Baseball historians appreciate the detailed coverage of early Connecticut baseball, while racing fans have embraced the extensive documentation of West Haven Speedway and the personalities that helped shape the region’s motorsports culture.

Konareski’s approach to storytelling also sets the book apart. Rather than treating local history like a collection of dusty archives, he presents the stories with the energy and emotion of modern sports journalism. 

The reception has exceeded expectations.

The book has appeared across numerous sports-related categories on Barnes & Noble’s website. According to a report from the  West Haven Voice, the book was even briefly recognized as one of Barnes & Noble’s “Best New Sports Paperbacks.”  

“I truthfully did not expect the book to gain the type of publicity that it has, I thought I was one of very few that would find a book like this so interesting. I am very happy to see I got proved wrong,” said Konareski.

The young author also mentioned how the public’s response has given him hope that his town’s history won’t be forgotten. “When the Savin Rock Museum closed I felt like and still feel that was a big blow in honoring the town’s history. I hope to see it reopened soon and I hope my book sheds light on the importance of getting a museum back.”

Older readers have praised the book for reviving stories they remember hearing decades ago, while younger audiences have discovered an entirely new side of their hometown’s identity. Educators and historians have also taken notice. On the book’s official page, a former teacher and a local historian praised Konareski’s extensive knowledge of West Haven history and his efforts to preserve the legacy of Donovan Field and Savin Rock.  

More importantly, he has accomplished something that every historian hopes to achieve: ensuring that the stories of a community are not forgotten.

You can purchase Dominic Konareski's 'Gloves, Engines & Glory' book here.