Iron Horse: Lou Gehrig in His Time (Hardcover)

~ (Author) "If a single episode encapsulated the essence of Lou Gehrig's achievements, while underlining his perennial supporting role to Babe Ruth, it was that moment in..." (more)
Key Phrases: infield practice, first basemen, New York, World Series, American League (more...)

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Gehrig, who played baseball for the New York Yankees from 1925 to 1939, is best known for having participated in a record 2130 consecutive games--and for having died at 37 (in 1941) of what is now called Lou Gehrig's disease. His career was a triumphant one, even though he labored for many years in the shadow of Babe Ruth, but Gehrig's personal life was not without problems. He was born into near-poverty in New York City, the son of an unambitious father and a driving, domineering mother. His immigrant parents wanted him to earn a college degree, but he left Columbia when the big money of baseball beckoned. Exceedingly shy and inarticulate, he was seen by many as sullen and unfriendly, although all respected him. He had a happy marriage but his mother hated his wife. This biography by Robinson ( Oh Baby, I Love It! ) is sensitive and moving. Photos not seen by PW.
Copyright 1990 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From School Library Journal

YA-- The shy and reserved Lou Gehrig, overshadowed by Babe Ruth, played for the New York Yankees from 1925-1939 and earned the nickname "Iron Horse" for playing in 2130 consecutive games. Robinson traces Gehrig's life from his poverty-stricken childhood with a domineering mother until he drops out of Columbia to play baseball. His happy marriage is covered, plus an insight into baseball during the 1920s and 1930s. His death at the age of 37 from a rare disease, now called Lou Gehrig's disease, completes a carefully researched biography. Appendices follow his baseball record and list winners of the Lou Gehrig Award.
- Mike Printz, Topeka West High School, KS
Copyright 1991 Reed Business Information, Inc.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 300 pages
• Publisher: W. W. Norton & Company; 2nd Printing edition (October 1990)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0393028577
• ISBN-13: 978-0393028577
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 6.4 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (17 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #1,239,025 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A good book about Lou worth reading, June 15, 2000

By	Ernest Boehm (Des Plaines, IL United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This review is from: Iron Horse: Lou Gehrig in His Time (Paperback)

Even though I am a Cubs fan, my favorite baseball player is Lou Gehrig. This book has a lot of baseball information that My Luke and I did not have.

If you want to read about Gehrigs baseball career this is a great book to read. I suggest if you really want to read about Gehrig get a copy of My Luke and I By Elenor Gehrig even if it is out of print.

11 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Not for Adults, October 1, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: Iron Horse: Lou Gehrig in His Time (Paperback)

Like most of his other titles, Robinson's biography of Lou Gehrig is a book best not judged by its cover. At first blush and on a brief perusal, it looks like a handsome, serious, thoughtful biography. But upon reading it is mostly hackneyed filler and exhibits no true scholarship. Instead of really telling you anything of importance about Gehrig, you get colorless run-downs of his seasons and a hodge-podge of information primarily culled from other books. That's not entirely bad and not without some merit, for the definitive Gehrig book has yet to be written and this will have to do for now, but it does his subject a disservice. There is also virtually no discussion of the surrounding historical and social context indicated by the title. Gehrig deserved better. Kids may enjoy this, but if you are looking for something substantial, pass.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A RARE TREAT, September 1, 1998

By	Randy Pathe ([e-mail]) "rparthe" (Northbrook, Illinois) - See all my reviews

Ray Robinson gives us a different look at Lou's life. The often strained relation with fellow teammate Babe Ruth. The softness in Lou's heart that touches many as well as the outstanding performances Lou achieved in his brillant baseball career that were often over shadowed by Ruth. A definate must read for Yankees fans, baseball fans and anyone one interested in a remarkable man.