Babe Ruth [Paperback]

Kal Wagenheim (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: July 2, 2001

The most famous and enduring baseball player in history, Babe Ruth is remembered for his dramatic heroism not only on the baseball diamond but also in his life. Kal Wagenheim illustrates this larger-than-life athlete in his book Babe Ruth: His Life & Legend, and describes him as both a product of his childhood in Baltimore and of his formative years as a New York Yankee. Ruth struggled desperately with the dramatic contrast between the poverty of his youth and the glamour and stardom that his famed career brought him, and although his name became synonymous with wooing women and abusing alcohol, nothing could prevent him from becoming one of history-s greatest athletes.

--This text refers to the Kindle Edition edition.

Editorial Reviews

Review

-Makes grand reading for the clubhouse and bleacher set-Wagenheim-s richly detailed narrative-still has the power to touch off both guffaws and tears.--Publisher-s Weekly --This text refers to the Kindle Edition edition.

Product Details

• Paperback: 316 pages
• Publisher: e-reads.com (July 2, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0759231508
• ISBN-13: 978-0759231504
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 5.6 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #283,527 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #17 in Books > Biographies & Memoirs > People, A-Z > ( R ) > Ruth, Babe

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars It's A Homer!, February 19, 2005

By 

James Gallen (St. Louis, Missouri, U.S.A.) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Babe Ruth (Audio Cassette)

In "Babe Ruth" Kal Wagenhem introduces the reader to one of the greatest icons of American sport. From his home in Baltimore through the minor leagues, the major leagues and retirement we see the man behind the hero. Wagenhem does an excellent job of interweaving baseball with life.

Through the pages we meet the dichotomy that is Babe Ruth. Though America's greatest sports hero, he never learned to take care of himself. Though he could afford any car he wanted, he needed them because he never really learned to drive safely. Despite achieving riches unimaginable for an athlete of his day, he never quite crossed to the right side of the tracks. Despite a life dripping with debauchery, he never left the Church in which he had been raised. A vocal supporter of Al Smith, he did not register to vote until long after the Smith era. After having established himself as an outstanding pitcher, he became the game's greatest hitter.

The baseball world of Ruth's day is portrayed as differing greatly from that of today. In the off season players doubled their earnings on barnstorming tours. Players rode trains rather than planes. Some abused booze rather than drugs, but Oh, they played the game and the Babe dominated it as no other player has before or since.

Babe's life was a combination of triumph and tragedy, fulfillment and despair. The road from the top was bumpy for he Babe. His dream to manage never fulfilled, Babe resented a world which, though it was his life, he never really understood.

This book changed my view of Babe Ruth. He emerges as a figure despiseable and lovable, heroic and irresponsible, admired and pitied. The ability to lead the reader to see a different viewpoint is a test of a good book. By this measurement "Babe Ruth" hits a homer.

3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A good book for any baseball fan, March 24, 2000

By 

Sam - See all my reviews

This review is from: Babe Ruth: His Life and Legend (Paperback)

I really enjoyed this book. As a baseball fan (and a NYY fan), I had to read about Ruth. A great person from some aspects, this book took a look at the Babe from every point of view. It showed Ruth from his private and public life, his love life to his Saturday night (to Sunday morning)life. This was a very good book.