Customer Reviews (1)

hank aaron
"Aaron could hit anybody, and for a skinny kid he was pretty strong." That was one of the many quotes from Hank's teammates featured in this biography. The vast amount of quotes is one of the reasons that I would recommend this book. I also would recommend it because it tells the legendary story of one of the most under appreciated and possibly the best baseball player ever. It was a very interesting book for a baseball fan like me. I learned many facts as the book is packed with information. I would enjoy non-fiction books like this one because I know what I'm reading is true. The book was very well written. I liked it a lot and I hope you read it too. ... Read more

Product Description

Baseball has witnessed more than 125,000 home runs. Many have altered the outcome of games, and some have decided pennants and become legend. But no dinger has had greater impact than Hank Aaron's 715th home run. His historic blast on April 8, 1974, lifted him above Babe Ruth on the all-time list, an achievement that shook not only baseball but our nation itself. Aaron's magnificent feat provoked bigotry and shattered prejudice, inspired a generation, emboldened a flagging civil rights movement, and called forth the demons that haunted Aaron's every step and turned what should have been a joyous pursuit into a hellish nightmare.

Customer Reviews (22)

But Where Are the Strawberries?
A glowing and well deserved 30th anniversary salute to Hank Aaron and his pursuit of Babe Ruth's "immortal" record of 714 career home runs, concentrating mainly on 1973 anbd 1974.

Expertly researched and written in an engaging an fast paced manner, but...

But where are the strawberries?

As laudatory as it is, and Hank Aaron deserves every accolade that comes his way in this or any other work, the book loses some credibility when it totally omits the incident when Aaron shoves or thows a bowl of strawberries at a sportswriter out of anger or disgust.

Everything is laudatory and praising of Aaron, but he would have come across a little more human if this and other such instances, few though they were, had been included.None of us are perfect and this book almost--almost--goes overboard in making Aaron a little too perfect.

The book is a bothersome and troubling reminder of the racist taunts and hate Aaron had to endure in his pursuit of Ruth and how he handled it with grace and dignity, strawberry incident aside. This book makes Aaron's chase come alive, even 30 years later.

Bowie Kuhn, the Baseball Commissioner who virtually ignored Aaron's chase, comes across as an oaf as well he should.

The book's subtitle, "The Home Run That Changed America," is a bit over the top, a bit overstated, but it was certainly a specific highlight of a changing America.

And for the record, Hank Aaron is still the all-time homerun king. He got his the right way--he earned them. No hint, none, of performance enhancing drugs.

And, also for the record, Hammerin' Hank is the home run king, but Babe Ruth is still, and always will be, the Bambino and the "Sultan of Swat. His style and flambouncy are second to none.

More than just a great baseball player...
The tale of Henry Aaron is naturally characterized by the "chase"...the 1973 and '74 attack on the storied career home run record of 714 set by Babe Ruth. What's been missing, however, from the colossal amount of literature on Aaron's career is an integrated contemporary account of his immense contribution not only to baseball but to minority America and causes thereof. This book by Tom Stanton, although lacking the emotion and fluidity of his seminal work "The Final Season", succeeds in giving realism to that afflicted pursuit of Ruth while honoring his enduring standing as an elder statesman and humanitarian.

This story is necessarily centered around the pursuit and subsequent breaking of the home run record. Stanton's narrative begins with Aaron attending Jackie Robinson's funeral in 1972. A sort of "passing of the torch" ideology exists following the funeral that speaks to Aaron as he continues the minority equality struggle that Robinson fought so hard for throughout his short life. Aaron embraces and also symbolizes these principals as he gets closer and closer to the hallowed record...all the while facing extreme Robinson-esque racism and defamation. Hate mail and death threats grow as he nears the mark and Stanton adeptly describes the extreme pressure Aaron faces daily during the chase in 1973. That season ends with him at 713 home runs and the disparaging mail and commentary continue throughout that winter.

In the midst of crisis, the true measure of a man's character is typically evident. And so it is with Henry Aaron as we see that which separates Aaron from the average human. Class and dignity define him (as it has throughout his career) and is clearly on display throughout the turbulent run in to the 1974 season. The Atlanta Braves season starts in Cincinnati and they announce that Aaron will sit this series and begin his season in the home opener against the Dodgers. Commissioner Bowie Kuhn, in a colossal display of disrespect, orders the Braves to play Aaron and he hits the tying homer in his first swing of the season. Stanton unravels this murky episode with great care while providing all the drama leading into and after the 714th.

Aaron of course hits the record breaker in his first game against the Dodgers and the video clearly shows that the weight has been lessened from his shoulders. Stanton's discourse emotes the same feeling as accolade after accolade are now showered upon Aaron and we again see the character and distinction as he accepts congratulations from teammates and fans. Finally, Stanton closes the book with a profound Epilogue showing Aaron in his seventies and still active in baseball and the community.

In 2007, of course, Aaron's record was "broken" by Barry Bonds. Aaron exhibited true class in his remarks to Bonds, while fans across the country were and continue to be outraged at baseball for continuing to recognize this "record". My belief is that the sad state of baseball's stance on performance enhancing drugs during the Bonds/McGwire/Sosa era bears further scrutiny and should be open to new and meaningful punishment. These players continue to be accorded record book notoriety along with the greats and it really is time for baseball to step up and do the right thing. They need to show the same class that Henry Aaron exhibited and deserves.

excellent recount of a great moment in baseball history
I was not yet 5 years old on 4-8-74.This book provided me with a great historical account of one of the greatest moments in baseball history. ( At 4 and a half years old toys interested me more than baseball.) This book also gets into detail, more than I ever knew, about the racial bigots and their actions.Mr. Aaron's home run did change America for the better.The "content of our character", became more of the focal point for judgement rather than the color of ones skin after the home run.I sense this in my gut after reading this book.I was happy that the city of Atlanta in 1974 finally came to their senses and packed the stadium to capacity on that historic night.
I read this book and I will read other historical baseball books.I am looking forward to reading one about Josh Gibson.I am fed up with todays athletes.Steroids, ridiculous salaries, and attitudes make me wish I was old enough to watch a player like Mr. Aaron.He still holds the home run title in my book!

Baseball History Comes Alive
In his usual, thorough and mesmerizing manner, Stanton takes us thru the times of one of baseball's true heroes.Aaron emerges at once a hero AND a normal man withwants, fears and determined expectations lived under the canopy of the race issue.This book is one that is easily read because Stanton makes the progression to the final home run go swiftly.But he includes statistics and surprises which make each page worth the close scruitiny required if a reader is to get the full meaning of Hank Aaron's life and his importance to America's Game.This is a book I'm saving for my young grandson to read and before he is old enough to appreciate it's impact, I'm going to enjoy reading it again!

Three reasons why it's the best
Early last summer, I walked out of a Vermont bookstore with a copy of Hank Aaron and the Home Run that changed America by Tom Stanton. I wanted to learn about Aaron and his quest to break Babe Ruth's all-time career home run record. About nine months later, I picked the book up and began reading it. I learned more about those two heart wrenching years than I ever thought I could. I also realized that I had just read one of the greatest sports books ever.
There are three main reasons why I consider this book to be one of histories greatest. The first is that it only chronicled the two years Aaron was chasing Ruth's coveted record. Most other sports books I've read, including Sandy Koufax: A Lefty's Legacy by Jane Leavy and Derek Jeter: The Life You Imagine By Jack Curry and Jeter himself both told of the life stories of the athlete the book portrayed. This book is one of the only sports biographies that doesn't tell about an athletes entire life. Although it did tell of Aaron's personal life during those two years, including his marriage to wife Billye Williams, and his childhood inspirations from Jackie Robinson in the first chapter, it is almost entirely about "the chase".
Another reason I enjoyed this book so much, is that it kept interviewing and talking to the same characters, including teammate Dusty Baker and manager Eddie Mathews. With this, not only were you connecting with and watching Aaron grow, but also you saw what happened to his friends throughout all of the two years. With other books, you'll be lucky to hear about a sub-character, or read an interview from the same person mabey on two pages tops.
The third and final reason this is the best sports novel ever is because it showed how hard it was to mentally survive the two record breaking seasons. It told of all the death threats, hate mail, and concerns Aaron had for his family. It also told about kidnappings that were going on at the same time that made him so cautious.
I hope by posting this book review that I have intrigued some of you sports fans to pick up a copy of Hank Aaron and the Home Run that changed America. After reading it you all will agree that this book is not only one of the greatest sports books ever, but one of the greatest books in history as well.
... Read more

Product Description
Home Run is a vivid glimpse into the life of one of the most memorable figures in sports history. Twenty-five years after shattering Babe Ruth's career home run mark, Hank Aaron offers his thoughts on being a hero, on the game of baseball, and on our times. The book provides an unparalleled portrait of Aaron's life - through photographs and throughout his works, as well as many insights by well-known fans, including Jimmy Carter, Bob Costas, Jesse Jackson, and Ted Williams.Amazon.com Review
Twenty-five seasons after shattering baseball's sacredstandard for career home runs, the game's most overlooked superstarbangs out the kind of celebratory volume his brilliant careerdeserves. While Hank Aaron is a center-stage contributor throughoutthis rich testament of words and images, its real power is in theall-star lineup that goes to bat for his achievements--both on and offthe field. Names from within and beyond baseball, teammates andopponents alike--Jimmy Carter, Bob Gibson, Warren Spahn, RachelRobinson, Jesse Jackson, Yogi Berra, Bob Costas, and Willie Mays forstarters--all tip their caps to a man of uncanny consistency,persistence, and modesty. He needed all of that, of course, to chasedown Babe Ruth.

It would be nice to look back and recall how thenation got behind Aaron in his solitary pursuit. The sad truth, asHome Run inspiringly recounts, is that it didn't. In his questfor the record, Aaron not only came face to face with the ghost of TheBambino; he also had to look squarely into the ugly eye of the specterof racism. Simply by doing his job as well as he could, Aaron staredthem both down with his will, courage, pride, and decency. JesseJackson sums up the man, and the chase, with marvelous simplicity:"[Aaron] didn't hit a home run to take dignity away from thepitcher. He hit a home run to assert his skill." Home Run is alovely reminder of that assertion. --Jeff Silverman ... Read more

Customer Reviews (5)

All Milwaukee Braves and baseball fans should have this book
If you lived in Milwaukee as I did during the Braves tenure here, this is the book for you. But, all baseball fans will revel in this book. The section that I liked the most was the listing of all of Aaron's home runs, the team he hit them against and the pitcher he hit them against. It is a large book dimensionally with tons of pictures. I recommend it to baseball fans of all ilk.

incredible
the man was not only a great ball player but a reminder of the struggle for african-americans.he broke down so many doors.imagine having the fbi escort you to a baseball game? hate mail for breaking babe ruth's record?jackie robinson&larry doby opened the doors as well as the negro leaguebut mr. Aaron kicked it thru.he is a class act and a true ambassador.hestared racisim dead in the eye and achieved.a true hero for all time.thisbook states that&more.

Great book -- made me cry ...
the book deeply touched me , as it told the life of the great base ball palyer , and his struggle as an african american in the major leagues.

Beautiful book
This was an excellent book with beautiful illustrations.The quotes from so many exceptional athletes really adds to the book.It made a great Father's Day gift, especially since Hank was in Atlanta last week for thebook signing. He's a class act who is very humble.He's the type ofperson I hope my children have as one of their heroes.I didn't realizeuntil I read the book the kind of discrimination and criticism he had todeal with in baseball.

A great book but I have not read.
I haven't read this book but I think it is a great book about a great player as well as person.I was shocked that he was getting death threats from people and it was over a stupid homerun.Thats my review on the bookHomerun:My Life In Pictures by Hank Aaron and Dick Schapp and a forword byTed Williams. ... Read more

Product Description

The man who shattered Babe Ruth's lifetime home run record, Henry "Hammering Hank" Aaron left his indelible mark on professional baseball and the world. But the world also left its mark on him.

Customer Reviews (26)

I Had a Hammer
Book arrived very quickly.Very slight wearing on the cover edges but otherwise in great shape.

The life of Aaron is the story of the integration of baseball and great changes in America that were for the better
When the subject of the integration of baseball is raised, the focus is almost exclusively on Jackie Robinson. While his role cannot be overstated, it does overshadow the difficulties that the second wave of black players had, of which Hank Aaron was one. Most of these players began in the old Negro leagues and then were given the chance to play in the major leagues after Jackie's success. Aaron was one of those players and he was also one of the black players that integrated one of the minor leagues based in the south. It was a harsh existence as the players were forced to follow the Jim Crow segregationist norms. They knew that the integration of baseball was a critical step and pushing against the Jim Crow norms would have endangered it. Therefore, the black players tolerated the daily humiliation.
However, nothing compared to the hate mail that Aaron received when he was approaching Ruth's record and several of the letters are reprinted here. The vileness of the comments is so appalling that it shocks you thirty years later. These stories are a sad aspect of what was an incredible life and career.
Henry Aaron was one of the best and smartest players of all time, his career statistics, done without the benefit of chemical enhancement, speak for themselves. His life story was one of fame, incredible achievement and the changing of America as it moved towards complete integration. While that movement was difficult and sometimes went into reverse, it did happen and Aaron lived to see the country move from a point where a black was forbidden to even step on a ball field to where a black is now President. His story is a moving one and the look back is of great historical importance.

Arnold Palmer written by James Dodson
James Dodson does a great job in this book as in all of his books. Takes time to get the details correct. Nice book on a very nice person Arnold Palmer.Carl Welty

An Angry Legend
333 pages chronicling wrongs inflicted on him by players, fans, owners, officials and reporters, mostly due to their distaste of his skin color. He has every right to be angry, but even righteous anger can be wearisome unless leavened by generous doses of humor and humility.Aaron's career statistics tower over all but a handful of legendary players, yet he rarely connects with the heart.This book will help you understand why.

Still the greatest home run hitter ever.
It doesn't matter how many home runs Berry Bond's or anyone of this aera of Baseball, what Hank AAron endured and the racial hatred he went through only proves that he is the BEST. These modern day players could not survive what he and others went through. ... Read more

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Customer Reviews (4)

Hooray for Hank Aaron!
This is a nice book about Hank Aaron, the baseball player who broke Babe Ruth's home run record.It is also about an African-American man who managed to brake into Major League Baseball and endure threats from racist people who didn't like the fact he played.An inspiring story about overcoming people's bad attitudes and hatred while trying to achieve a goal.

Hank Aaron's Life was Great
The story Henry "Hank" Aaron begins right when you open Hank Aaron Brave in Every Way by: Peter Golenbock.Paul Lee colorfully illustrates every page.Hank's story from birth to the HR record is told in this great biography.
The book will inspire every young person to not give up.Hank's perseverance to make the majors will show kids that miracles can happen.Paul Lee's illustrations by there selves could tell the story.Pictures of Henry with his family are extremely artistic.Hank Aaron is a great example that hard work pays off.His mom said "Hank, try to be the best."He took that attitude all the way.
Hank Aaron: Brave in Every Way is a great read for people of all ages.People will admire Hank Aaron's talent and will.The pictures also help tell the story very well.

Hank Aaron's Life was Great
The story Henry "Hank" Aaron begins right when you open Hank Aaron Brave in Every Way by: Peter Golenbock.Paul Lee colorfully illustrates every page.Hank's story from birth to the HR record is told in this great biography.
The book will inspire every young person to not give up.Hank's perseverance to make the majors will show kids that miracles can happen.Paul Lee's illustrations by there selves could tell the story.Pictures of Henry with his family are extremely artistic.Hank Aaron is a great example that hard work pays off.His mom said "Hank, try to be the best."He took that attitude all the way.
Hank Aaron: Brave in Every Way is a great read for people of all ages.People will admire Hank Aaron's talent and will.The pictures also help tell the story very well.

brave in every way
it is a great biography that descibes hanks courage during a very difficult time in his carrer.however, hank overcomes all the negativity and becomes the all time home run record holder. ... Read more

Product Description
A biography of the baseball player who displaced Babe Ruth as the hitter with the greatest number of career home runs. ... Read more

Product Description
Biography of baseball Hank Aaron. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

Not Bad
This was certainly not a bad baseball book, but it is not the totally forthcoming, critical review of Aaron's time in the game that came later. This book basically reviews the home run king's career up until the time he broke the Babe's all-time home run mark. It's a nice biography, just not a extremely revealing.

Great Book by Aaron himself
If your looking for a book about Henry Aaron, this is the one.Although it may be hard to find a copy, it is a must have for the Aaron fan.Aaron talks about his entire baseball career in this book, and it feels as if the reader gains a acurate insight.Overall, GREAT BOOK. ... Read more

Product Description
A biography of the man who hit more home runs than anyone else in baseball. Includes discussion of the racism and segregation he faced during his carreer. ... Read more

Product Description
A biography of the major league baseball star who at the end of the 1972 season had hit more home runs than any player in history except Babe Ruth. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Hank Aaron
Damon...
Mrs. Willis
Sunday, February 22, 2004
HANK AARON
By: Bill Gutman

Hank Aaron was born in Mobile, Alabama, on February 5, 1934.His father was a boilermaker's assistant.He was luckier than many black men in Mobile.Jobs were hard to find.But he had a wife and seven children to support and he worked very hard for his family.

Hank wanted to be a baseball player from the time he was a little boy.He would always dream of becoming a big leaguer.It is good to dream.It makes you work harder to try to make that dream come true.Hank Aaron worked very hard.He practiced everyday and made that dream come true.He set many records in baseball.His batting average is over .300.He has over 3,000 base hits.He hit 755 home runs, 41 more than Babe Ruth.That is one of the things that made him a baseball legend.

The main character is Hank Aaron.He was not a confident person until he began to play Major League Baseball.He was caring and very sensitive.For example, it really hurt his feelings when they rejected him when he wanted to get into the Major Leagues.

The conflict for Hank Aaron was when they would not allow him into the Major League Baseball.That really put him down.They told him, "No blacks are allowed to play in this league.You will just have to play in the Negro League like the rest of the blacks."So, he did.He went to the Negro League and played for the Indianapolis Clowns, in 1952, making $200.00 a month.

To resolve his conflict, he was observed by the manager of the Milwaukee Braves.He saw that Hank batted cross handed, but that only mattered until he saw how powerful Hank's swing was.Also, he saw how Hank got a base hit almost every time he was up to bat.The manager asked him to be on his team.Of course, Hank said yes. He has gone on to become one of the greatest players in baseball history.And he has done it in a quiet, calm way.He just plays the game.

I would recommend this book especially to people who like baseball.I would give this book five star rating and two thumbs up.Hank Aaron's story will inspire you and sometimes make you want to cry. ... Read more

Product Description
A biography of the major league baseball slugger who finished the 1973 season within a few home runs of breaking Babe Ruth's career home run record. ... Read more

Product Description
This first book in a series about fictional encounters between children and their sports heroes features home-run legend Hank Aaron. In this gorgeously illustrated picture book, Mark, a young boy who idolizes Aaron, meets his hero and learns that there's more to being a great baseball player than hitting the ball out of the park. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

Hammering Hank NAILS It
I challenge even the most dedicated fan of 1960s and 70s baseball and Hank Aaron to read this book and not come away with an entirely new appreciation for the times that Hank had to endure while he was shattering baseball's most revered record.Mssrs. Kennedy and Stewart have crafted a thoroughly researched and wonderfully written book that baseball fans, especially Hank Aaron fans, will enjoy and refer back to.

A master work.

Don't waste your time or money
After reviewing the title and inside jacket, this book seemed like it would provide a critical look at an American hero and a personal favorite of mine.However, the book is a mere rehash of topics that have already been covered in other publications-- most notably, Hank Aaron's own autobiography, I Had A Hammer.This book offers no new insights into either the man or his career.Ironically, the authors state one of the reasons for doing this book is because Hank's previous books lacked sufficient insight into the man.I would stick with his 1991 autobiography and skip this.One last thing state that Hank's portrait somehow lacks substance and he is a caricature.These words are no only unfair and also I found no substantiation in the book for this conclusion.Interestingly enough, for a man supposedly lacking substance he was somehow selected as the Black Enterprise Magazine's Auto Dealer of the Year in 2004. ... Read more

Product Description
An easy-to-read biography of the baseball star who broke Babe Ruth's homerun record. ... Read more

Product Description
Purchase includes free access to book updates online and a free trial membership in the publisher's book club where you can select from more than a million books without charge. Chapters: Satchel Paige, Hank Aaron, Willie Mays, Ozzie Smith, Lyman Bostock, Bo Jackson, Ben Paschal, Jake Peavy, Tommie Agee, Cleon Jones, Riggs Stephenson, Juan Pierre, Monte Irvin, Lee Maye, Jimmy Sexton, Rudy York, Bobby Bragan, Willie Mccovey, Slick Coffman, Josh Hancock, Dan Thomas, Tim Hudson, Delmon Young, Don Sutton, Andy Phillips, Early Wynn, Rip Sewell, Marlon Anderson, Matt Cain, George Foster, Billy Williams, Jimmy Key, Alex Ríos, Rusty Greer, Andre Thornton, Wilmer Mizell, Luke Sewell, Willie Wilson, Ray Prim, Artie Wilson, Mickey Mahler, Heinie Manush, Terry Leach, Terry Adams, Mike Mordecai, Joe Sewell, David Robertson, Virgil Trucks, Butch Hobson, Lee May, Bill Bruton, Gabby Street, Eric Yelding, Amos Otis, Jeff Brantley, Oscar Gamble, Doyle Alexander, Bill Selby, Pete Milne, Gary Knotts, Billy Hitchcock, Carlos May, Don Mincher, Marv Breeding, Bob Veale, Dusty Rhodes, Tike Redman, Gary Redus, Alex Grammas, Dave Stapleton, Tommie Aaron, Ron Jackson, Craig Brazell, Frank Lary, Josh Willingham, Mike O'berry, Lum Harris, Jim Nelson, Ike Boone, Frank Bolling, Dan Bankhead, Connor Robertson, Ken Mcbride, Willie Smith, Clay Carroll, Fresco Thompson, Terry Moore, Al Worthington, Colter Bean, Tom Oliver, Ted Sizemore, Bubba Church, Ehren Wassermann, Jeremy Brown, Hal Morris, Jim Davenport, Harry Malmberg, Wesley Wright, Guy Morton, Mike Potts, Jimmy Hitchcock, Bruce Benedict, P. J. Walters, Brandon Medders, Randy Tate, Dee Miles, Jerry Hairston, Sr., Jai Miller, Ed Morris, Willie Kirkland, Al Lary, Buddy Hancken, Fred Hatfield, Johnny Hairston, Frank House, Johnny Watwood, Jason Standridge, Fred Sington, Greg Wells, Terrence Long, Paul Phillips, Prentice Redman, Mark Woodyard, Ollie Brown, Chris Booker, Dick Coffman, Charlie Moore, Dave Veres, Ed Levy, Bill Holden, Gus Niarhos, ... ... Read more