Ted Williams : The Biography of an American Hero

[Crash Course]

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0385507488/netshrinecom-20

This one is getting a lot of exposure.
Anyone going to read it?

[RedSeat]

I'm sure I will, but I'm not going to rush right out to buy it. Should be interesting and I've always liked Montville's writing. Him on TV, that's another story. Virtually unwatchable/unlistenable, IMO.

[Craig S.]

I'm waiting to get it from the library - I don't generally like buying bios. Still, I"m definitely looking forward to it.

[TimmyB]

I'm reading the exerpt in SI right now... pretty interesting. I suspect Montville will flesh out even more of the things Halberstam hit on in his Teammates book from last summer (that was the name of it... right?)

I always enjoyed Montville's essays and columns when he was writing for the Globe back in the '80s. He went a littlelite when he went to SI. The exerpt seems promising.

Long answer to short question -- I'm sure I'll read the book. Given the way things work around here I'll probably find it in my stocking.

[Crash Course]

I'm reading the exerpt in SI right now... pretty interesting.

The exerpt seems promising.



Ditto here. This looks like one to check out.

[Joseph]

There seem to be a lot of Ted Williams books out there, I wonder what this one has that will set it apart from the others? I guess I'd better pick up a copy of SI to see.

[Crash Course]

I'm wondering if this will be the Ted version of Cramer's DiMaggio?

[rcartman28]

I saw the excerpt in SI, too. I'd love to get it, but I will either have to get it for a Christmas present or wait until it comes out in softcover version next year.....

[Makofan]

I started flipping through it in the book store - very interesting

[Craig S.]

I'm about 50 pages in. I'm enjoying the stories about the young Williams, but Montville's style takes getting used to.

[Crash Course]

How so Craig?

[Craig S.]

How so Craig?

It's hard to explain - I guess I'd say that much of the book reads like an extended magazine piece, which isn't surprising given Montville's occupation. Lots of short sentences. Fragments, really.

Once you get used to it, the book moves along, and there's a great deal of input on Williams from those who knew him on and off the field. I'm about 150 pages in, and I'm enjoying it.

[Crash Course]

I have one coming soon. Thanks. You're getting me more and more into wanting to read it.

[pathogan]

I'm wondering if this will be the Ted version of Cramer's DiMaggio?


...simply because Tw was out there, warts and all,wheresas Jdimaggio so carefully cultivated his "image' that people were shocked by the reality. Tw was a sob in alotof ways, and didnt try to hide it.

[Craig S.]

I finished this one last night. I came away with the impression that Williams' on-field greatness didn't carry over into his personal life, and that being an ass came to him quite easily.

I enjoyed the fact that the book didn't delve too much into statistical detail. A great deal of time is spent on his volatile relationship with the Boston writers, almost all of whom (and especially Dave Egan) never gave Williams credit for his greatness. They never could get past the fact that Ted couldn't carry the Sox team to a championship, so they spent much of their time accusing him of playing only for himself.

Williams' troubles in love are laid bare by Montville, and he really doesn't come off as much of a husband. Seems he expected perfection from his wives and girlfriends just as he did from his teammates and the players he would manage in Washington/Texas.

It might not surprise people as much as Cramer did with Dimaggio, but Williams definitely comes off less than great.

[Joseph]

an interview with the author:
http://www.redsoxnation.net/index.php?showtopic=4564&

[Crash Course]

Here's a recent review on the book: http://www.baseballthinkfactory.org/files/main/article/boys_of_summer_reading_ted_williams_the_biography_ of_an_american_hero/