Luckiest Man: The Life and Death of Lou Gehrig

Additional Luckiest Man: The Life and Death of Lou Gehrig Information

Drawing on new interviews and more than two hundred pages of previously unpublished letters to and from Gehrig, Luckiest Man gives us an intimate portrait of the man who became an American hero: his life as a shy and awkward youth growing up in New York City, his unlikely friendship with Babe Ruth (a friendship that allegedly ended over rumors that Ruth had had an affair with Gehrig's wife), and his stellar career with the Yankees, where his consecutive-games streak stood for more than half a century. What was not previously known, however, is that symptoms of Gehrig's affliction began appearing in 1938, earlier than is commonly acknowledged. Later, aware that he was dying, Gehrig exhibited a perseverance that was truly inspiring; he lived the last two years of his short life with the same grace and dignity with which he gave his now-famous "luckiest man" speech.

Meticulously researched and elegantly written, Jonathan Eig's Luckiest Man shows us one of the greatest baseball players of all time as we've never seen him before.

What Customers Say About Luckiest Man: The Life and Death of Lou Gehrig:

If you like Lou Gehrig or just want to find out about his life, this is a great read.

For baseball fans, Luckiest Man provides a deeper understanding of the colorful characters and events that shaped the game in the `20s and `30s. Luckiest Man chronicles Gehrig's transformation from a shy and awkward son of immigrants to the Yankees' legendary first baseman and power hitter, and then through his decline from the illness that now bears his name. Using skills honed as a reporter for several of the nation's leading newspapers, author Jonathan Eig weaves threads of previously unpublished information from Gehrig's personal correspondence -- along with a mountain of newsprint and newsreel footage from the period -- to bring the hall-of-famer to life. Readers less familiar with America's favorite pastime will find themselves entranced by how Gehrig's work ethic enabled him to quietly rack up record after record, even as the flamboyant Babe Ruth dominated the headlines. Then, as the narrative begins to describe Gehrig's diagnosis and rapid decline, all readers will be moved by his heroic struggle.Luckiest Man is a thoroughly researched and well-rounded portrait that chips away at the myths surrounding Gehrig and exposes a humble man with tremendous athletic gifts, who lived his life with conviction and bravery.

This book is a very good read for baseball fans. The end of Lou's career, as it is not a secret, was very sad. As a fan of the history of baseball, I enjoyed this book for several reasons.First of all, Lou Gehrig was a great person and great baseball player. This book covered his life adequately. The way he hung on and lived everyday of his life to the fullest was inspiring.Second, Eig gives great insight into the daily and yearly responsibilities of a major league baseball player in the late 1920's and 1930's. That was unexpected on my end, but very enjoyable.

service was excellent. and i am so gladi have this book. price exceptional.go to Cooperstown and compare price.this was a bargain. and i received itquickly.thanks.

I read this book while in middle school and it inspired me. Yes even a Red Sox fan enjoyed this book. This is not a book about a Yankee or baseball but a story about an amazing person.