Scan barcode
collinaj's review against another edition
challenging
informative
inspiring
reflective
slow-paced
4.0
This book was unbelievable well-researched. The author really set the context for Henry Aaron's childhood, move to Milwaukee, and tense relationship with the Atlanta Braves. I learned a great deal and also had space to reflect on our relationship to baseball heroes. The sport's racist history is incredibly problematic and is depicted in all of its complexity. Slow at times, to get through the individual games affecting pennant races and playoff series. But so detailed and thorough that I was impressed and inspired. A good read for any sports fan, anybody interested in a deep look at race in baseball, or an Atlanta native who wants to learn more about an Atlanta legend.
readandlisten's review against another edition
5.0
The best baseball bio I have read, and one of the best biographies period.
wescovington's review against another edition
Henry Aaron ("Hank" was more or less just the name used to refer to him as a baseball player) should be a larger than life figure with all of his accomplishments in baseball. When he broke Babe Ruth's career home run record in 1974, it was one of the most exciting moments in this young baseball fan's life (I was 8 at the time.)
However, the home run record seems to define Aaron in just one small part of his life, and for just one part of his career. Bryant tries to flesh out the whole person that Henry Aaron was and is.
Born in Mobile, Alabama, Aaron grew up in a much different setting for African-American from other stars like Jackie Robinson and Don Newcombe. Aaron was immediately branded as a simple country boy, who had a funny swing, and didn't seem to try very hard.
Aaron's Southern upbringing is continually brought up by Howard Bryant, whose previous book, "Juicing the Game" examined steroid use in baseball. Prior to that, Bryant wrote "Shut Out" a story about the Boston Red Sox shameful record on signing black players.
Bryant almost manages to paint a complete portrait of Aaron's life and his place in the civil rights movement (which Aaron believed in strongly, although he was not perceived as being outspoken on the topic) to Aaron's disappointment at seeing Barry Bonds break his home run record.
The only part that Bryant didn't address was whether or not Aaron used performance-enhancing drugs (namely amphetamines) during his playing career. Greenies (which were mentioned as being available in the Atlanta Braves clubhouse like they were in a candy jar) were the drug of choice in the 1960s and 1970s. However, players from that era either do not mention them or do not feel that they gained an advantage from them.
However, the home run record seems to define Aaron in just one small part of his life, and for just one part of his career. Bryant tries to flesh out the whole person that Henry Aaron was and is.
Born in Mobile, Alabama, Aaron grew up in a much different setting for African-American from other stars like Jackie Robinson and Don Newcombe. Aaron was immediately branded as a simple country boy, who had a funny swing, and didn't seem to try very hard.
Aaron's Southern upbringing is continually brought up by Howard Bryant, whose previous book, "Juicing the Game" examined steroid use in baseball. Prior to that, Bryant wrote "Shut Out" a story about the Boston Red Sox shameful record on signing black players.
Bryant almost manages to paint a complete portrait of Aaron's life and his place in the civil rights movement (which Aaron believed in strongly, although he was not perceived as being outspoken on the topic) to Aaron's disappointment at seeing Barry Bonds break his home run record.
The only part that Bryant didn't address was whether or not Aaron used performance-enhancing drugs (namely amphetamines) during his playing career. Greenies (which were mentioned as being available in the Atlanta Braves clubhouse like they were in a candy jar) were the drug of choice in the 1960s and 1970s. However, players from that era either do not mention them or do not feel that they gained an advantage from them.
dave37's review
3.0
A fascinating life. It took me a long time to finish due to its frequent dips into pitch by pitch, stat by stat baseball stories, which apparently have magical sleep-inducing powers. The real hook for me was the man outside the diamond, and you get plenty of the here as well. A special man who came to fame in a unique time in America and left his own legacy.
greebytime's review against another edition
Didn't finish this one - wanted to love it (Hank Aaron is a legend, after all) and I've liked Bryant's previous writing but ... it just wasn't all that interesting. Too many other books to read.
chewdigestbooks's review against another edition
5.0
You need to be a baseball fan to really enjoy this, which I am.