Jim Brown: The Fierce Life of an American Hero
 
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From Publishers Weekly In the context of today's world of sports-commercialization, bloated salaries and superstar athlete egos-the newest from sports writer and author Freeman (Bloody Sundays) is not just a definitive biography of pioneering African-American athlete Jim Brown, arguably the best football player ever, but a fascinating look at a culture in transition. Broken down by decade, each section of the book covers a distinct phase in Brown's life and career, based on old coverage as well as new interviews with family, friends and enemies. In an engaging, honest and powerful narrative, Freeman covers all aspects of the American hero, including his amazing athletic feats-besides football, he was also a top-notch lacrosse player-as well as his work with the Civil Rights movement, his explosive anger and his run-ins with the law. Beginning in the fifties, Freeman convincingly recreates the dirty game of the time, in which shoves and blinding jabs to the eyes were commonplace-especially for Brown, as Freeman uncovers in candid interviews with players and coaches who admit to pointed attacks on the running back. Though he forgives the American hero a little too easily for his history of domestic abuse, Freeman captures the life of a legend with grace and passion, while brilliantly exposing the hypocrisy and cruelty suffered by the black athletes of yesterday. Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. From Booklist Of the great running backs of football's modern era, the first and probably best was Cleveland Browns fullback Jim Brown, who played from 1957 through 1965. As Jackie Robinson did in baseball, so Brown helped break down football's color barrier and revolutionized his game, bringing quickness and finesse to what had been a power position. So any biography that reminds fans of Brown's importance to football well serves the strong sports collection. Freeman, former Florida Times-Union columnist who now writes for cbs.sportsline.com, brings competence, if not great wit, to his task, tracing Brown's life, from his embattled and unorthodox youth (Brown was one of the nation's premier lacrosse players as a high-schooler) to his Syracuse University playing days, through his nine seasons with Cleveland (playing every game), through his acting career, and into his years as an effective advocate for black causes. If Freeman explores Brown's ugly side--domestic abuse, womanizing, his penchant for intimidation off the field--he counters by showing the man's positive side, including his immeasurable contributions to the black community. Alan Moores Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

Submitted On:

09 Sep 2007

File Author:

Freeman, Mike

File Size:

14.01 MB