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Luckiest Man: The Life and Death of Lou…
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Luckiest Man: The Life and Death of Lou Gehrig (edition 2006)

by Jonathan Eig

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4691052,618 (4.18)17
Recounts the life of the Hall of Fame ballplayer whose career was cut short by the disease now commonly called after him, in a portrait that shares details about his rivalry with Babe Ruth, the onset of his illness, and the final years of his life.
Member:drewxpx
Title:Luckiest Man: The Life and Death of Lou Gehrig
Authors:Jonathan Eig
Info:Simon & Schuster (2006), Paperback, 432 pages
Collections:Your library
Rating:****
Tags:Sue's News

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Luckiest Man: The Life and Death of Lou Gehrig by Jonathan Eig

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This is a bio of Lou Gehrig so, naturally, there's a lot about the Yankees in this book. But whether you love the Yankees or hate them, this is worth reading. Always in the shadow of the Babe and later DiMaggio, Gehrig was one of the greatest Yankee hitters and best ballplayers of all time, until being tragically stricken with ALS at the age of 36. ( )
  KathleenBuckley | Jul 25, 2022 |
I’ve long been a fan of Gehrig—my mother introduced me to his story, and even bought me his wife’s memoirs as a gift. I’ll always be appreciative of her showing me the ‘human’ side of sports.

It was with great joy that I received Jonathan Eig’s definitive biography of The Iron Horse. By page 2 of the Introduction I was almost in tears.

Eig covers Gehrig’s childhood poverty, development as an athlete, unusual attachment to his mother, his shyness around women with great detail, including contemporary witnesses, newspaper accounts and excerpts from letters.

As you read through Gehrig’s successes on the field, you know that you are heading to a point in the story that we know too well, and by the time you’ve come to appreciate this physically powerful yet emotionally sensitive man, it is simply heartbreaking.

For me, the best parts of this book were the storybook years as Babe Ruth and Lou Gehrig carried the Yankees to pennant races and World Series championships. This is the stuff of baseball legend, and Eig includes the details so clearly that you can practically hear the crowds and the snap of the ball in the gloves.

This is a must-read for any fan of sports history—an extraordinary biography of one of the greatest ball players to ever lace up a pair of cleats. ( )
  Riverdeboz | Jul 25, 2021 |
I try to read a few baseball books every year. This is a great biography. ( )
  burningdervish | Nov 29, 2016 |
A very good documentary of the life of Lou Gehrig. It begins when his parents meet and goes to his death. The story shows his love of baseball and his mother. It is unclear as to whether he ever knew how serious his disease was or if he was ever told because his medical records were sealed at the time and unavailable to this author. It could have been possible that he knew but chose not to address that fact and who could blame him.

He was an unsung baseball hero till towards the end of his career and a hero in how he handled his disease.

I thought this was very good and very emotional story of Lou Gehrig. You don't have to be a baseball fan to enjoy the book and the story of this amazing man. ( )
  Diane_K | Jul 14, 2015 |
One of the most inspiring lives in American History, Lou Gehrig was a true legend. Baseball lovers need to know his story. History lovers need to know his story. Americans need to know his story! ( )
  mgeorge2755 | May 13, 2014 |
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Author nameRoleType of authorWork?Status
Jonathan Eigprimary authorall editionscalculated
Herrmann, EdwardNarratorsecondary authorsome editionsconfirmed
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Recounts the life of the Hall of Fame ballplayer whose career was cut short by the disease now commonly called after him, in a portrait that shares details about his rivalry with Babe Ruth, the onset of his illness, and the final years of his life.

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