The Last Hero: A Life of Henry Aaron

Great seller, always buy from them.

Author Howard Bryant gives Henry (what he is called by all of his friends) Aaron, whom he calls "the most underrated superstar of all time," his due in this exceptional biography.When Aaron retired after the 1976 season, he held baseball's records for most home runs, most at-bats, most RBI, most total bases and most extra base hits. Only Ty Cobb had more hits and scored more runs. Aaron, however, never quite received the publicity he deserved during his 23-year career.Considered bland by reporters, Aaron preferred to let his actions speak for themselves. Early in his career, he was overshadowed by this Milwaukee Braves teammates--Warren Spahn, Eddie Mathews and Lew Burdette. Later, he played second fiddle to the flashy, child-like and exuberant Willie Mays and the more flamboyant Roberto Clemente.Aaron, however, didn't help his case. Suspicious of the press, self-conscious about his background and uncomfortably thrust into the pre-dominantly all-white world of professional baseball at an early age, Aaron, a loner, built a wall around himself.Non-confrontational, he allowed writers to turn him into a caricature of a simple, uncomplicated black man who wasn't smart enough to understand the reasons for his success.By the age of 24, Aaron had been voted NL MVP, played on a World Championship team, won a batting title and a home run crown. He was, according to the New York Times, "Milwaukee's answer to Mickey Mantle."The Braves played the Yankees in the World Series in 1957 and 1958 and lost a three-game playoff to the Los Angeles Dodgers in 1959. Aaron always felt as if the Braves should have won four consecutive pennants.While Aaron enjoyed some of his best years from 1960-65, the Milwaukee Braves spent just four days in first place during those years.When the Braves moved to Atlanta after the 1965 season, Aaron was less than enthusiastic to return to the deep South where segregation and racism were ever present. Concerned about civil rights, Aaron was reluctant to speak out and he was often criticized for his lack of involvement. He became more outspoken near the end of his career and in retirement.After being overlooked in the 60s, attention turned to Aaron in the early 70s as people realized he had a chance to break Babe Ruth's career home run mark. The quest to break Ruth's record became joyless as hate mongers threatened Aaron. Even baseball snubbed him when Commissioner Bowie Kuhn wasn't present for his 700th homer and baseball didn't recognize the achievement in any special way.Aaron, the first player to collect 3,000 hits and 500 home runs, resented being considered a one-dimensional power hitter and being defined by his home run record.After the Braves made little or no attempt to keep him after the 1974 season and didn't seriously consider him as a potential manager, Aaron was traded to the Milwaukee Brewers. Although it was a chance for the financially struggling Aaron to cash some hefty checks, all the magic was gone. In two seasons with the Brewers, he batted .234 and .229, slugging a total of 22 home runs.In retirement, Aaron prospered financially and made peace somewhat with the baseball establishment. Although he hoped to be the first unanimous selection to the Hall of Fame in 1982, Aaron received 97.8 percent of the vote, second highest to Cobb's 98.2 percent.

As some of the other customer reviewers have indicated, this is a book about America in the 1950s and 60s, just as it's a fine personal account of the great Henry Aaron. I found it exceptionally well-written, with the baseball action always vivid and the cumulative portrait of Aaron across the decades no less riveting in a different way entirely. This is because, even with Aaron's cooperation (a coup in itself), the author had to meet the challenge of portraying a relatively private man who never wore his heart on his sleeve (well, maybe with the exception of his uncharacteristic, in-air fight with Rico Carty). Howard Bryant succeeded admirably -- his analyses of Aaron the man and athlete are clear and penetrating, and the reader comes away with well-rounded pictures of both realms. No matter what cruelties he encountered (including from the press) amid his many triumphs, Aaron stayed true to himself and proved to be more of unassuming role model than people knew when the steroid era dawned. Seeing places like Mobile, Milwaukee and Atlanta through the prism of Aaron's experience, we learn a lot about America (south and north) and baseball in an era when both nation and sport moved slowly to more enlightened levels. The story of the Braves' move from Boston to Milwaukee is fascinating in itself (as are the portraits of teammates Spahn, Mathews, Adcock, Bruton and Burdette). Bryant also gives us deep thematic contrasts between Aaron, Willie Mays and Jackie Robinson. There's a lot of rich baseball history in "The Last Hero," and throughout it towers a class act whose ambition to be the best baseball player alive was matched by his pure strength of character. A genuine page-turner.

I enjoyed reading about Henry Aaron and his life time history. I feel that there was way too much discussion on the racism in the first few chapters. The whole book was too long as a result. Could have done away with that and gotten right into Henry Aaron directly. Yes, there was way too much racism back in his days which was unfair and a disgrace. He had to over come much more than any white player ever did but he hung in there with his toughness and became a great player as well as a man. But I would still recommend it as a read.

Henry Aaron was a hero of mine growing up in Milwaukee and this biography did not disappoint. But as I read the details of the discrimination that he endured, it made me realize that I grew up in a sheltered environment. I never realized how tough it was for him and the other African American players. I had assumed that because he arrived in MLB seven years after Jackie Robinson that things had gotten a lot better, but I was wrong. He had to play and perform with teammates that were openly racist, and his intelligence being questioned by people in the media. It makes all his accomplishments even the more remarkable.

I bought two books on Hank Aaron and because of the layout of one I decided to start with "HOME RUN: MY LIFE IN PICTURES," but being possessed by the influence of the subject matter, I was not able to make that decision on my own. Hank Aaron has very strong views on the perception that is created about him. So, the choice was accordingly. Even though, I was looking for the glamorous aspect which I thought he could provide to the new industry of baseball. The choice made, surprisingly gave me such much more. The book contains no simple matters, no throwaways; not even in contexted words like "babble." My research into the word, which is still on going, has uncovered a relation with the biblical account of the Tower of Babel; the situation is prophetic. It is not a simple word as it might at first sight appear; In our time it is the place where the national anthem is in context. The national anthem relates to the rate of speech mostly. The sound produced by the geese is not that of a turkey. It is part of the ..."gleam of the morning first beam.

Sportsmanship, Excellence, Integrity, Competitive Drive, Systemic Racism, Courage, Resilience, so many lessons to learn in this version of the story of Henry (Hank) Aaron. It is stunning to consider a time, not long ago, when you could not be Black and in the major leagues of baseball. Overcoming the racial disrespect, rudeness, envy, hate and then watching while another generation cheated to overtake totals of greats like Henry Aaron. History, courage and sport competitive drive to be your very best, all things I enjoy.

I have read several books on the great Henry Aaron. This is the most complete and best biography. A fantastic read!

An excellent read if you enjoy the deeper side of the game . A history of the integration of baseball after Jackie Robinson

This is possibly the best sports book I hav ever read. I would highly re3commend it to all my friends even if they are not baseball fans,