4 comments about Ted Williams at War.

1. I will agree with the other reviewers on the excellence of the research in this book, at least in regards to its comprehensiveness in covering so many details of Ted's service. Ted Williams truly was a great American hero, and he deserves to have his story preserved.
   
   However, the writing in this book is just not good. The prose is as stale as it could possibly be; it is bad enough that even the most exciting scenes of combat and competition somehow come off as dry and dull.
   
   In addition, there are some glaring errors even in the research. For instance:
   How ON EARTH does one write an entire book dealing largely with aviation and pilots, yet never learn that the term "knots per hour" is gallingly incorrect? That is basic stuff: The error is as bad as if he had written that teams each get 4 outs per inning in baseball. Not good.



2. Ted Williams was a great baseball player. But this book tells another side of Williams, a true American Hero. He served in 2 wars; lost what would have been peak playing years (what would his stats be if he had those years back). Sometimes we admire players for the wrong reasons. Baseball is going through a big scandal right now. How many of our "heros" have feet of clay? This book reminds us of who our true heros are, those who serve and defend us in the military. Thanks to all our veterans both in the past and those defending us today.



3. Author Bill Nowlin has put together the ultimate book on Ted Williams and it is not about his Hall of Fame baseball days. Nowlin's wonderfully researched book "Ted Williams At War" presents to us a different image of a sports idol--one that shows us a real honest-to-goodness hero! The book is so well written and fascinating that the reader will find himself totally emerged into the story and unable to put it down. The words and great collection of photos captures the essence of a Ted Williams few Americans knew about. We discover a man who was a really true American War hero!
   
   Nowlin goes into great details like who flew missions with Williams in the Korean War. We learn about a young officer named John Glenn, who later goes on to conquer space and become a US Senator. We also read about his air combat missions and how he risked not only his life but also his baseball career when he crashes. The author digs into old flight log books and interviews dozen of former pilots who flew with Ted. All this detailed research makes for a most insightful look at a complicated man. The reader will not be disappointed in this large volume of work.
   
   This book should appeal to not only baseball fans but also all readers who love inspiring life stories. Ted Williams was the only Hall of Fame player to have served in two wars for his country. He did his service when he was at his peak age for baseball playing and yet, he was still able to come back and continue to achieve greatness.
   
   
   The book is honestly written and tells it all. It is a book that I highly recommend. It is given "The American Authors Association's" highest book ranking of FIVE STARS! That Association also nominated it for it's annual Gold Medal Award for Non-Fiction.



4. Normally I would not get too worked up about another biography of a baseball superstar; afterall, how many books do we really need on Babe Ruth, Jackie Robinson and Ted Williams. Is there ever anything new and exciting in these books? Usually not.
   
   Well, Bill Nowlin has proven my theory wrong. His "Ted Williams at War" is an amazing piece of research. Every detail about Williams' military career - World War II and Korea - is there. The fans either loved or hated Williams - who always spoke his mind - and Nowlin has presented Ted's opinions along with those who served with him.
   
   I didn't count the numerous photos - must be more than 100 - and only a few had I seen before.
   
   This is a treat for any fan of Ted Williams, and a must for anyone who considers themselves a baseball historian.

2 comments about The Essential Vince Lombardi : Words & Wisdom to Motivate, Inspire, and Win.

1. This is not the coach, someone with the same name, followed by "Jr.". Its about him, and uses his writings, but isn't authored by him. A little disappointing.



2. The book, The Essential Lombardi is half a biography, and half quotes and speeches. The book was written by Vince Lombardi Jr. Vince Lombardi is a famous football coach, who coached the Green Bay Packers and led them to the first Super bowl. This book was a very good book, and I found it especially good, because in my eyes he is the best, ever! The book is very inspirational. Vince was all about pushing his players to go farther. He is recognized by so many. As a matter of fact, my whole football team knew who he was. This book is very good; I'd recommend it to anyone in sports. I give it 4 stars.

5 comments about This Voice in My Heart: A Runner's Memoir of Genocide, Faith, and Forgiveness.

1. An excellent book. Not only does it give the story of Gilbert's experience, but a wonderful insight to the culture and educational system of the country. Many of our teachers and students have enjoyed the book. I made a second purchase to donate to the school library.
   It is also a beautiful inspirational read.



2. It is too easy to think the world is right. We may see or hear things on TV and get along with our day and our activities. Here is a real story of survival that was born out of an ordinary day in the life of a privileged young man, and how everything changed in his life from that moment on. How he found guidance through the Voice in his Heart that he has now learned to trust and follow in all decisions.



3. I truly enjoyed this book.
   It meant a lot to me because I was able to see Gilbert speak at the Oklahoma City Marathon.
   He is an inspiration!



4. Pause a bit in your busy life and read this amazing book. The writing style is unique. The message of hope is clear. Genocide on a large scale is a subject we don't understand here in America. Gilbert's story will enlighten you, force you to count your blessings, and make you ponder.
   
   The story of early explorations of Africa by David Livingstone is a helpful introduction to this continent. Gilbert's description of his country is very modern - his ordeal began only fourteen years ago. It provides a whole new way of thinking about how Africans lived and now live.
   
   I am grateful to my friend in Pa. who shared a copy (signed by Gilbert) of the book with me. It's an unforgettable story about a place in Africa (Burundi) I had never heard of; about running competitions and how qualified runners in developing countries can acquire training, and about a terrible tragedy. Gilbert, a gifted runner, being the lone survivor to give the account.Gilbert details his life, his education, his experience in international running competitions, and his present life in Austin, Texas.
   
   Best wishes, Gilbert, for success in the 2008 Olympics. May your story reach every nation. May genocide in Africa and everywhere else in our world be banned. May God continue to bless you and your efforts to build of bridge of understanding and love between nations.



5. This Voice in My Heart by Gilbert Tuhabonye (Amistad--May 2006) is a heart wrenching account of what one young man, Mr. Tuhabonye, who, at the time, went by his birth name of Tuhabonyemana--Child of God--went through at a time of extreme political upheaval in his homeland of Burundi. This book is a must-read for those interested in history as well as those who want to know more about what can drive a young man to overcome and not only survive, but make a name for himself.
   
   Early on in his story, Mr. Tuhabonye writes, "If you were to read the history of Burundi in a schoolbook, it would tell a story very different from the story of my early years. You would read words like war-torn, genocide, impoverished and sanctions. Despite all the violence and unrest that has plagued the country since it first achieved independence in 1962, for me, growing up on its southern hillsides and deep valleys, Burundi was truly a paradise." I imagine this was placed where it was to set the contrast in motion in the reader's mind--that what we get on the news--especially the Western News--is not necessarily what people are experiencing, however it had a different effect to me. Burundi, whether painted in a positive or negative light, hadn't made much of an impact on me. I don't recall spending more than a few moments glossing over the country in history and geography classes so this insider's look told me more than I could ever have expected to know. And though he wrote it as an adult, we got the point of view of a young child peering out at the world from the safety of his campus and trying to make sense of a world gone seemingly mad. An idea that most people born and raised in the relative safety of the USA cannot even begin to imagine.
   
   The author also focuses on the little things, which serve as a reminder that material things are not necessary in order to remember times in our lives. If you fix something that's broken there's a chance that you'll lose the story of why it was broken in the first place. And what's more important? The story of the homeland to pass on to future generations or a perfect smile? A smile can always be addressed but a story once gone is lost forever. Mr. Tuhabonye's work with this story is key to making sure the story of the Burundi genocide is not lost. A reminder to the West that we must remember if we're going to avoid repeating history.
   
   The story's pace kept the reader engaged in the story--we learned some details of the country's history while at the same time learned the small details of the life of a normal teenage boy--a life seriously interrupted by a snowballing series of events in October 1993.
   
   From his recollections of his early days, how he longed to follow his older siblings in both their chores and going to school to the day when his life changed in seemingly an instant, Mr. Tuhabonye covered it all with a voice that seemed more as if he was talking to a few friends rather than such a large audience. It all started on a normal day: a young boy worrying about exams and thinking about a race--never realizing the next race he'd be facing was one to save his own life--to prove he was a true survivor.
   
   I cannot imagine what it must have been like to be in a room where your classmates and teachers were dying around me. Dying at the hands of people I'd lived along side of. I cannot imagine having the foresight to use a classmate's bone to free myself, but Mr. Tuhabonye showed us that he has what is needed to succeed.
   
   That drive will take him far, whether it's to Beijing in 2008 or to the next location where he speaks of the atrocities he faced, but it will help him to succeed in whatever path he pursues. He's already shown what he's made of.

2 comments about Heart of a Husker: Tom Osborne's Nebraska Legacy.

1. Author Mike Babcock has covered Nebraska football for nearly three decades. He is a contributing editor for Huskers Illustrated magazine, and author of several books about Nebraska football, such as "Stadium Stories: Tales from the Nebraska Sideline", and "Go Big Red: The Ultimate Fan's Guide to Nebraska Cornhusker Football."
   
   Heart of A Husker starts with a forward from Bobby Bowden, relating that Florida State's win over Nebraska in 1980 was their biggest win since it put them on the map. Bowden compliments Cornhusker fans and feels that it is a reflection of Tom's character.
   
   The book begins with Mike Babcock's recollection of his first dealings with Osborne which were awkward at best. Babcock then goes on to interview over 100 players and assistant coaches, covering Osborne's entire career. Each interview begins with an introduction to the interviewee - whether it be how they came to be at Nebraska or a defining game or play - placing them into the context of Husker football.
   
   Heart of A Husker is divided into several sections, each covering a period in Osborne's career:
   
   Following A Legend (1973-79)
   Changing Philosophy (1980-85)
   Great Expectations (1986-92)
   Finishing Strong (1993-97)
   Assistant Coaches
   There are many many stories from players and coaches regarding Cornhusker football. What I found interesting were the subtle changes in Osborne throughout the years. As his career progressed he became less tense and more comfortable in his position. The interviewees include just about anybody with a name that you can recall.
   
   The book does get redundant (and a little dry) as the interviews contain the same themes - Tom Osborne did have a sense of humor, he said "Dadgummit" when he got angry, he was a great coach, he never forgot a person's name, he was a master of offensive football, yada yada yada.
   
   It's disappointing until you realize that this is Tom Osborne, a model of character and consistency. The book isn't about telling fantastic stories about what happened during such and such game (although some are included), but about establishing what kind of person Osborne is through the eyes of his players throughout the years.
   
   Heart of A Husker is a tremendous accomplishment for Babcock when you consider that the day will come when a lot of these guys are gone but there will remain a detailed record of what Osborne was like through the eyes of his players and assistant coaches.
   
   I'd recommend it if you're someone who's an admirer of Osborne, or a fan of Nebraska football history and want to know more about the Osborne era. If you're someone looking for a bunch of humorous stories about Nebraska football then this isn't the book for you, you'd be better off with Steve Smith's excellent Forever Red.



2. "Heart of a Husker" provides an insight of one of America's greatest college football coaches and all-around great guy.
   
   The common theme through the entire book is former players, whether in 1973 or 1997, praising Osborne's coaching and positive relationships formed with players and their families.
   
   While the player's recollections are consistent, there are different stories which are both humorous and touching incidents that occurred with Osborne both on and off the football field.
   
   I own over 100 books written on Nebraska football published between 1940 and 2006 and I truly enjoyed this read. "Heart of a Husker" is a must for all true Cornhusker football fans.
   
   A wonderful book about a Nebraska living legend.

5 comments about The Best of Frank Deford: I'm Just Getting Started.

1. I love listening to Frank Deford on NPR. He gets to the heart of the matter and uses such great vocabulary. I am not a sports fan but, as a High School teacher and Wife & Mother of 2 sports aficionados, I am interested in the History and modern day controversies that go on in sports, so I can periodically speak with some credibility with my constituents.
   
   I bought this book for my 15 year old son, who had never heard of Deford, but is a fan of Rick O'Reilly. He loved this book and could not put it down. He has added Deford to his list of favorite writers.



2. For anyone who enjoys Deford's witty, literate commentaries on sports and society-or those who haven't had the pleasure of reading his work-this book is a great introduction!
   I have to agree that Deford's best work is found in his longer magazine articles. His work for 'Sports Illustrated' alone could fill a few volumes, and the best pieces in this volume are those 'SI' stories already mentioned by other reviewers. Personally, I would have preferred more articles and fewer NPR essays. The shorter, 'intended for broadcast' commentaries are sort of a 'Reader's Digest Condensed' version of Deford's wit and wisdom-tantalizing glimpses that leave the reader wishing he had more room to elaborate!
   I especially recommend "When There Were Still Elusive Barriers"(about Bannister and Hillary), and "Got to Do Some Coachin'" (the brilliant play that encapsulizes the turbulent personal life of Arkansas basketball coach Nolan Richardson).



3. One of the more boring and ill-thought out books I have read this decade. Deford is somewhat of a moron, yet thinks he is the gift to planet earth. I would not recommend reading this at all. I can't believe I gobbled it up at a used book store.



4. Frank Deford is a most articulate, persuasive, engaging writer---perhaps the finest sports journalist writing today.

   The collection of articles and commentaries contained in "I'm Just Getting Started" are from 1980 to 1999 and touch on every aspect of sports.

   You get insight, irony, humor, commentary, entertainment, nostalgia and optimism as you turn the pages---all delivered in a most literate manner.

   The essay on Bill Russell alone is worth the price of admission. "Frank Deford Goes Bowling" is an intriguing take on a subject seldom written up in sports pages.

   Enjoyable for more than sports fans.




5. Frank Deford is a brilliant writer, not to mention, probably the single greatest sports' writer on the planet. He just takes sports' writing to a higher level. The Best of Frank Deford will prove this.

   This book showcases some of Deford's best work as a journalist. Although some of the articles are a little dated, his style and amazing use of language still shines. The pieces included in this book are easily some of the best writng available. Any inspiring journalist could learn a great deal from this collection of writings.

   Deford never holds anything back, and he is never afraid to speak his mind. I personally enjoyed the in-depth look at Bobby Knight. But, there are many other treasures in this candid book.

   Overall, this is an excellent book and quite a fast read. Deford's witty and extremely articulate writing style allows you to flow right through the book. This is a masterpiece of writing, and a true pleasure for any sports' fan. The Best of Frank Deford is simply the best.

5 comments about View from the Summit: The Remarkable Memoir by the First Person to Conquer Everest.

1. Sir Edmund Hillary was clearly a remarkable man with his life marked particularly by the first successful ascent of Mt. Everest. The descriptions of the climb to the summit of Everest along with Tenzing Norgay are particularly interesting, especially his discussion of the period immediately flowing the first ascent when immense pressure was brought on Tenzing to say that he had reached the summit first. However, Everest was not the only adventure for Hillary. Other trips to the Himalayas and to other parts of the world are described and give you an idea of Hillary's overall achievements.
   The most meaningful parts of the book to me were Hillary's efforts to lead the way in helping the Sherpas by building schools, hospitals, and pipelines. Also, the chapters detailing his upbringing give you a good idea of how far he had come from his early days in a beekeeper's family. The chapter about the plane crash in Nepal that took the lives of his wife and daughter was extremely emotional.
   However, the book does have its slow moments. I found the sections about the journey to the South Pole to be tedious and confusing. A good map would have helped. Hillary's writing style is fairly pedestrian, but he does give a number of examples of where he thought he fell short as a person, husband, and father. His extreme confidence in his own abilities shows through during the book.
   All in all, the book is certainly worth reading if you are interested in Edmund Hillary or mountain climbing.



2. On the plus side, this is indeed a proper 'boys own' story and is very well written. Unfortunately, the reader becomes quickly aware of the arrogance of Hillary. Clearly he is a gifted climber who possesed endurance way beyond that of the average human. However, this is over-shadowed by the authors arrogance as he tells the reader how much better he was than those around him.
   
   In a way i wish i had not read the book as it has shattered a romantic illusion I had of what Hillary was really like. It also made me very sympathetic of those who had to endure him in the ice packs of Antartica and the isolation of the death zone of Everest.



3. I remember how exciting it was for those of us in London for Queen Elizabeth II's coronation (on June 2, 1953) to find out that Mount Everest had been climbed at last! And Sir Edmund Hillary's story of how he and Tenzing Norgay did it is terrific and even to my suspicious eyes seems sincere.
   
   The portion of the book I was most curious about dealt with the Antarctic Expedition of 1957 to 1958. Hillary was the leader of the Ross Sea Party, which was to was to lay provisions between the Ross Sea and the South Pole to support the crossing of Antarctica by the Transpolar Party, starting from the Weddell Sea. The Transpolar Party was led by the overall expedition leader, Dr. Vivian (Bunny) Fuchs. The two parties reached the South Pole in January, 1958 after which they made it to the Ross Sea in less than six weeks. As the two parties neared the Pole, the telegrams between Bunny and Hillary were in all the newspapers. Vivian had told the story from his point of view in his 1958 book, "The Crossing of Antarctica," and even though that book also included eighteen pages written by Hillary, I was glad to see more of what Hillary had to say, especially with his perspective of writing about it so much later.
   
   This entire book is worth reading and tells us plenty about the life of a successful adventurer.



4. I found this book a pleasant surprise, after having read a few mountaineering adventure books. If you are looking for one, look elsewhere; Hillary climbed Everest, but did not have any major mountaineering accomplishments thereafter. Instead, we see the picture of a simple man, a very likeable and sincere one, with flaws and virtues.

   We can see his sneakiness in going for the south pole despite orders not to, we can see his dedication to the people of Nepal, we can see his somewhat estranged relationship with Tenzing and the tensions that arose after Tenzing said he had reached the summit first. The discussion is a futile one, but it seems to put a damper on the relationship.

   In this book we also follow his life, not just his great conquests. We see the backstage of the lecture circuit he went through after Everest, then the honors he received and his attempt to maintain some normalcy in his life. Overall, it is a very good life book, and despite it being filled with adventures, we see the character of a person that is much more than simply an adventurer.




5. Unless Edmund Hillary can produce definitive evidence that A.) George Mallory and Andrew Irvine did not reach the summit of Mt. Everest in 1924 or B.) that Tenzing Norgay was not actually the first to set foot on the summit, he cannot truthfully bill himself as "The First Person to Conquer Everest."

5 comments about Terry Funk: More than Just Hardcore.

1. I saw this book for a while and finally got around to reading it. Its what you would expect from Funk. It's kind of all over the board, but it is very interesting if you are into wrestling from the 80's right up to the classic days of ECW. I saw Funk referred to as a madman in several other wrestling books and he truly does not let the reader down on this one. He has some great stories, on par with Classy Freddy Blassie's book. It holds your attention and the length is perfect. He does not get into the blood and gore that you would have expected, but he really does not need to. He gives an entertaining account of his life and really takes you into the locker room to understand the hijinks, tears, laughs, and betrayals that took place. Defintiely worht it if you are into 80's and 90's wrestling stars.



2. Right up there with Foley's first book, Terry Funk's autobiography is respectful, honest, and straightforward. Great anecdotes, along with some genuinely reasoned essays on what has gone both right and wrong with wrestling over the years. A must-read for any wrestling fan.



3. I grew up a fan of Terry, Dory Jr and Dory Sr. I was familiar with all the wrestlers he profiled in his book - but I felt as though the book was written very quickly and almost stream of conscious. He would start telling one story and then rush off to the next. I wanted more details, I suppose. He certainly comes off as likeable and funny. The book was fun, but I wanted a whole lot more from my childhood hero.



4. I have always loved Terry Funk.I first seen him in ECW and he was byond a doubt my favorite.Little did I know then in years I would discover that not only did I realize why he was so popular and beloved,but why he is bar none THEE Best Wrestler of all time.His career spanded 40 years and through it he trailblazed a legacy of greatness with originality,charisma and gold around his waist.He set his sites to Japan and became a deity to the Japanese.He also fought in the bloodiest brutal of all matches consisting of glass,barbed wire,nails,thumbtacks,electricity and explosives.Terry would fight all over the world and for a 3 year run as NWA World Heavyweight Champion.Becoming an Actor and starring in blockbuster movies with Sylvester Stallone.HELL he's still is wrestling well in his 70's-crazy yo.But awesome as it gets.I don't want to spoil anything else,but these are facts I'm sure you know as I do.
   
   This book is by far my most treasured piece of liturature.If you love Terry Funk like I do you'll be drooling as you absorb every detail in fresh perspective of his acounts of his life.Many out there consider Flair or Hogan the best there is,but I promise you when you read this book you'll realize that only Terry Funk can deservingly claim that distinction.And don't get me wrong I respect and admire both Flair and Hogan,but after I read this book you'll know for sure that Funk is not only the best,he is Wrestling.
   
   I cannot stress enongh how wonderful this book is and that if you consider yourself a true Wrestling Fan then it's a requirement to read this book.Whiether it be ECW,NWA,WCW,WWE that you want to read about his experiences in you'll be so enlightened about him and the Wrestling Industry that it will always be with you.And especially about other Wrestlers he mentions in this book is just as entertaining and enlightening and Terry himself.
   
   So,I highly,highly-HIGHLY recommend this book to true Wrestling Fans.You'll be amazed like I was about this great man and Professional Wresler.WOW!I just can't praising this ultiate legend enough and when you're finished with this book you'll realize that as well.
   
   Long live the Funkner baby!



5. Great book by one the all-time best.A must read for any true oldschool fan.

5 comments about Searching for Bobby Orr.

1. Being brought up in Detroit I knew of Hockey but that was it. I went to a few games as a child with Grandpa but everyone jumped up and I couldn't see anything. Now retired and with a wife that was a hockey fan I decided a few years ago to try watching the game. Low and behold a instant fan. This book did more for me that anything else in explaining the game and the names I had heard but really did not know. The sad side is like so many sports and jobs the management or agents or lawyers use and abuse their help. I enjoyed the book and it has certainly brought my knowledge of the sport and the game up. Go Red Wings.



2. If you like Hockey and grew up during the time of the legend Bobby Orr playing against the Canadians, the Maple Leafs, the Blackhawks and others this book is well worth the read. I enjoyed the book and will pass it on to others to enjoy as well.



3. I purchased and read this book only after receiving a recommendation from a hockey buddy. I originally passed on it based on the few reviews on Amazon.com; however, I was pleasantly surprised. Despite the "up and down" reviews, I thought this book was interesting and well written. One reviewer wrote, "In the course of researching this book, author Stephen Brunt was not able to talk to Orr or any of his close knit circle of friends and family. As a result, Brunt's account is superficial and, ultimately, disappointing and unsatisfying." I disagree. Because Orr was, in the reviewer's own words, a "secretive, introverted man", I do not believe that he is inclined to reveal any more of his private life than was shared in this book. The book provides an objective account of the best and most exciting hockey player ever to lace a pair of skates. Included are Bobby's battle with knee problems that robbed him (and all hockey fans) of a lengthy career and his financial difficulties linked to his association with Alan Eagleson.



4. Just how good was Bobby Orr? Harry Howell said it best during the National Hockey League awards ceremony, where he was presented with the Norris Trophy as the League's top defenseman: "I've been around for fifteen years, and thank God I finally won the trophy. I've got the feeling that for the next twenty years it will be known as the Bobby Orr Trophy." High praise indeed, but consider this: Orr had just completed his rookie season, earning respect almost unheard of at that stage of a career, and he wasn't even the runner-up for the award.
   
   Bobby Orr was regarded as a savior for the Boston Bruins from the very moment he was first seen on the ice by members of the Bruins management, playing in a junior game with children three and four years older than him, dominating the game and controlling the puck better than anyone. He was just an average kid from an average town --- not well off financially and not the greatest of students, though he tried hard --- but on the ice he became a legend.
   
   Stephen Brunt likens Orr to the Greek hero Achilles. The National Hockey League was Troy, and Orr was the most powerful and dynamic hero of the game. And yet, like Achilles, Orr had a flaw. While he had the heart, the determination and the will, it was his knees that ultimately would cut short an exciting and record-setting career. He was the flash of light, the great fire that burned too bright for too short a time. He would win the Norris Trophy the next eight consecutive seasons and lead the League in scoring twice.
   
   As popular and as masterful as he was on the ice, Orr was savagely private about his personal life. He was quiet and reserved, and Brunt shows us that even though he would join his teammates at a party, he often was the first to quietly slip away unnoticed. In putting together this book, Brunt approached Orr about being involved, but he declined and also made a stipulation: Brunt would not be allowed to approach his family.
   
   In some ways that is a loss. Hearing about the storied career from the man who wrote it with his play would have been enlightening and lent a sense of charm and closeness, a way for those who worshiped him to get closer to their hero. Perhaps, however, it was more of a boon that Orr did not wish to be involved. It freed Brunt to seek his own answers and create his own path. The story he chose to pursue could not be shaped and molded, and things he discovered may never have come to light in speaking with the man himself.
   
   One of the fabulous aspects of this book is that Brunt seems to know that a hero, no matter how grand or powerful, is not self-made. Along the way Orr has people who shape his world-view and his life. Those figures are given definition here, particularly Wren Blair, who saw the young boy play in Canada and tried to secure a contract for Boston. "Bucko" McDonald, his junior coach, recognized that Orr was exceptional: a rushing defenseman who was small. McDonald let Orr be who he was and didn't attempt to turn him into something he wasn't. Alan Eagleson was the lawyer who worked with Orr in drafting up a healthy contract in his first season and paved the way for the creation of player agents and sports management groups. However, Eagleson, who would also be the ruin of many a good man by pilfering their retirement funds, ultimately was brought down by Orr and fellow player Carl Brewer. And then there were Orr's parents, who were both encouraging and very protective.
   
   As quickly and beautifully as he came, Orr would be gone. Brunt does an excellent job at revealing him, yet, when all is said and done, there is still so much unknown. The title, SEARCHING FOR BOBBY ORR, is very accurate. Brunt had to search, and could probably keep searching for years. What the author has done, however, is give us an exceptional biography of the greatest hockey player ever to lace up a pair of skates.
   
   --- Reviewed by Stephen Hubbard



5. In the course of researching this book, author Stephen Brunt was not able to talk to Orr or any of his close knit circle of friends and family. As a result, Brunt's account is superficial and, ultimately, disappointing and unsatisfying. Orr has hinted that he might tell his story himself some day but I won't hold my breath. I suspect he will remain a secretive, introverted man, someone who plied his trade for too short a time, then bowed out with dignity. There's really nothing new in SEARCHING FOR BOBBY ORR and, as much as I like and respect Mr. Brunt, he has done little to disspell the mystery surrounding Number 4...and perhaps that's for the best.

5 comments about Tris Speaker: The Rough-and-Tumble Life of a Baseball Legend.

1. Tris Speaker is someone is someone worth reading about. It's claimed that he is the biggest "old-time" baseball superstar not to get the recognition years later that others in his era obtained.....and after reading this book, I'd have to agree.
   
   Speaker was not the most pleasant of people, but he sure could play the game, and manage it. I can see where this man was a legend in Cleveland. The unfair part is that he should be a legend to all baseball fans who appreciate a little history of the game. No, he wasn't Babe Ruth or Ty Cobb, but who was? Speaker does have the fourth-best career batting average in history and was considered the best centerfielder of his era. He played a shallow field and raced back to catch balls like the great ones have done since Joe DiMaggio, but he did it much better than anyone prior to him.
   
   Here's a man who has fantastic offensive "numbers," but is one of the all-time great defensive players in baseball history as well, holding numerous defensive marks, too. He "did it all," as they say.
   
   What makes this book interesting isn't just Speaker's baseball ability but his quirky and complex personality. There was a lot of good and a lot of bad in the man, which translates to a good biography, which author Timothy Gay provides for us.



2. Of course everyone has heard of Willie Mays, Joe Dimaggio, Duke Snyder and the great Mickey Mantle. Did anyone ever hear of Tris Speaker???
   Probably not!! His fielding exploits are on par with the Say Hey Kid. Mr. Speaker played the shallowest centerfield in MLB history!! He leads the Major Leagues in Outfield Assists!!! His batting average is better than both Dimaggio and Mantle. His lifetime hitting of doubles will probably never be broken.
   Tristium Speaker was born in 1888 in Texas. His first Major League club was the Boston Red Sox where he became a leading hitter and outfielder . While he was there he helped Boston to win 2 World Championships.
   However, it was not until he was traded to Cleveland in 1916 that Mr. Speaker really became a legend. He played centerfield and later was asked to be Player-Manager of the Cleveland Indians. He directed the team in an extraordinary season in 1920 to become the World Series Champions. For you that don't know, please Google October 10, 1920.
   Tris Speaker's life is well documented in this book. Please read it. You will learn that everything baseball does not reside in the Bronx!!!!



3. Tris Speaker is probably the best baseball player (excluding Negro League greats like Oscar Charleston) who has been largely forgotten by the public today. Even most casual baseball fans have at least heard of Ty Cobb, Honus Wagner, and Walter Johnson, but you mention Tris Speaker in any baseball discussion, you are likely to get blank stares in return. This is a shame as Spoke (as he is called) was truly one of baseball's greatest players. Timothy Gay has written a solid biography that is equal parts the story of Spoke's life and a history of the early era of baseball. One thing I really liked about this book was that it was partly a story about Spoke as a player, but I also learned a great deal about Spoke as a person. Spoke grew up in small town Texas before the turn of the century. It is interesting that he started his professional career in Boston, which couldn't possibly have been any further from his roots. Gay makes a great deal of Speaker's antipathy toward Catholics, blacks, and everyone who would have been out of place in his Texas hometown. I think that Spoke's time in Boston was very difficult for him personally, and he was often in conflict (i.e. fisticuffs) with many of his teammates, but it ultimately made him the man that he became (eventually marrying a Catholic woman!). Spoke's best seasons were with the Red Sox (where he was a contemporary of the Bambino), but he really came into his own when he went to the Indians (guiding them to one of their two World Series pennants). I think that he always felt more comfortable in Cleveland, remaining active in that city long after his baseball days were over. Spoke's reputation was severely tarnished by his involvement in a gambling scandal. Gay discusses this at length and suggests that Spoke may have become one of the greatest managers had he not been tainted by gambling (he was effectively banished from the game after 1926). Gay ultimately indicts all the participants: the players, the management, the owners, in the sad saga of gambling during the second and third decade of the 20th century. He makes a strong case that Spoke (and even the Black Sox) paid a heavy price for the sins of many. The taint from gambling may in part explain why Spoke is not so well known today. In any case, this is a solid, if not uniquely outstanding, bio of a great player and I think will be of interest to any baseball fan regardless of how much they know (or don't know) about the deadball era. This tends toward a scholarly book (detailed, well documented), I certainly wouldn't characterize it as a light read.



4. Mr. Gay has written one of the better baseball books I have ever read. Tris Speaker is a great read. The author weaves the history of the game and its relationship with Speaker. As a Red Sox fan, I've always been interested in learning more about Speaker and this book filled that void.
   Great job.



5. This is probably the best baseball bio I've read yet. Unlike many other bios of renowned players of the past that delve into the playing statistics of the subject, this one does it's share of that but also touches on the life of his subject outside of the game, the attitudes of the nation, city, and people of the time, and the evolvement of those attitudes during and after the course of the subject's career.
   
   I recommend this book to anyone who may be interested in Speaker, the deadball era, or just baseball in general. Thumbs up from me.

5 comments about Let Me Tell You a Story: A Lifetime in the Game.

1. One thing about Red Auerbach: love him or hate him, he's always interesting to hear. The "hear" translates to "read," as noted author John Feinstein gives us an ear to Red and his weekly group of guys who met at a Chinese restaurant and shot the bull about various topics over the years. Feinstein sat in for four of those years and relays some of the conversation.
   
   This is an extremely fast read. It's so entertaining that you'll zip through it, laughing in many spots. It is biased: oh, yeah.....so Celtic fans will love this book more than others but everyone should enjoy it. Basketball in the "early" days, with Bill Russell, Wilt Chamberlain, Jerry West and other big stars are always fun to hear about and nobody had more opinions and/or "hot air" than Red! He is a great storyteller, as this book testifies.



2. but I loved reading this book. So much info in there about the history of the game and the Boston Celtics. We'll miss ya Red!



3. great book awesome stories. i actual went by the restaurant wherte they eat. The game lost an amazing lifer.



4. Of all the Sports that Feinstein covers I think he covers Basketball Best.
   This is a superb tale of the Legendary Boston Celtic's LEADER. I was told that Red grew up in the DC area going to a Segregated Roosevelt High School. I wondered how someone coming from a Segregated Environment could draft one of the first 3 African Americans in the Now NBA. Also how he could select the first African American Coach. Well he grew up in Brooklyn in a multi-cultural Neighborhood. Fascinating stories about the Carnegie Deli area. He went to college in DC (GW) (Which I knew), and then later taught at Roosevelt (Which may have been where the confusion started.) I think it helped that I have been in the Chinatown Restaurants that are the setting for a lot of the stories, This an absolutely Great Read, and one of Feinstein's best.



5. I have never been a fan of the Celtics, but a big basketball fan none the less. Having said that, this book was perfect for me. It is a in-depth, personal look into the life of the greatest coach in basketball history, as told not only by the man himself, but the great writer John Feinstein. This book gives great insight not only the the makings of the Celtic dynasty, but into the beginnings of the games, and how Red has shaped the game into what it is today. Must read for all basketball fans.