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

Thank you for downloading this Simon & Schuster eBook.

Join our mailing list and get updates on new releases, deals, bonus content and other great books from Simon & Schuster.

C LICK H ERE T O S IGN U P

or visit us online to sign up at
eBookNews.SimonandSchuster.com

We hope you enjoyed reading this Simon & Schuster eBook.

Join our mailing list and get updates on new releases, deals, bonus content and other great books from Simon & Schuster.

C LICK H ERE T O S IGN U P

or visit us online to sign up at
eBookNews.SimonandSchuster.com

Praise for Luckiest Man

Jonathan Eig has done a superb job of digging out the real Gehrig from behind the legend..... captivating.... Luckiest Man stands in the first rank of sports biographies.

Kevin Baker, The New York Times Book Review

Luckiest Man is a first-class biography, thoroughly researched and nimbly written.... If Gehrigs luckiest man speech offered fans a glimpse into his character, Eigs Luckiest Man pushes the door wide open.

Bill Syken, Sports Illustrated

As my consecutive games streak grew, my curiosity about Lou Gehrig also grew and I wanted to learn more about him and what kind of person he was. Jonathan Eigs book, Luckiest Man, really helped me put all of the pieces together and gain a solid understanding of Lou, both on and off the field. I thought it was a wonderful book that provided insights about Lou, his amazing life and outstanding career.

Cal Ripken, Jr.

This is a book for Yankee fans, baseball fans, and anyone who wants to read about a man whose determination and heroism inspire us today.

Rudolph W. Giuliani

Jonathan Eigs portrait of Lou Gerhig is as elegant, understated, and powerful as the Iron Man himself.

Jane Leavy, author of Sandy Koufax: A Leftys Legacy

Admirably thorough, richly detailed and nicely written.... Luckiest Man is a compelling and haunting read, a worthwhile way to get back into baseball at a time when many of its biggest stars can hardly be described as noble or sympathetic.

Dan McGrath, Chicago Tribune

Luckiest Man is now the definitive life of Gehrig.

Henry Kisor, Chicago Sun-Times

A wonderful old-fashioned biography of one of the greatest players of all time.... The book is immensely satisfying as a picture of baseball and the Yankees during the 1920s and 30s, and is moving in its account of Gehrigs courage and determination in fighting the disease that bears his name.

Katharine Powers, The Boston Globe

With splendid results, Jonathan Eig separates fact from fantasy in his stirring portrait of an athlete dying young. The Lou Gehrig he presents is more subtle, nuanced, and indeed more neurotic than the stiff, cardboard figure we previously knew. All of which makes Gehrigs tragic final struggle more moving and profound. A wonderful book.

Roger Kahn, author of The Boys of Summer

The ancient maxim Never get to know your heroes does not apply to Lou Gehrig, the tragic Yankee whose life is so deftly and thoroughly examined by Jonathan Eig in this superb biography.

Fay Vincent, former commissioner, Major League Baseball

Eigs meticulously researched, lucidly written book seems likely to become the definitive biography of one of Americas most genuine heroes.

James McManus, author of Positively Fifth Street: Murderers, Cheetahs, and Binions World Series of Poker

It is entirely appropriate that, after all these years, Gehrig is the subject of a full biography that treats him not just as a superb athlete but also as an admirable, if far from flawless, human being.... [Eigs] research is thorough, and he pays due attention to Gehrigs few shortcomings as well as his many strengths.... good, solid work.

Jonathan Yardley, The Washington Post Book World

Luckiest Man is the most interesting treatment of a diamond personality I have ever read. Eigs scholarship, minute detail, and balance combine to give a human insight into the heroic life story of the doomed Yankee slugger.

Ernie Harwell, Detroit Free Press

A baseball icon, as never before portrayed.... Eigs highly readable account brings uncommon humanity to a legendary, golden sports hero. One of those sports biographies that transcends sports.

Kirkus Reviews (starred review)

Eig belts a home run with this probing, exhaustive biography of baseballs Iron Horse.... the definitive treatment of one of the games most iconic figures.

Library Journal

Luckiest Man joins biography, history, sociology, and journalism into a graceful, satisfying work.... The books rich detail comes from original sources, including Gehrigs personal letters, interviews with guys who were in the dugout and colorful newspaper articles of the era.... Mr. Eigs keen analysis of game stories allows us to see inside the dugout, the clubhouse and owners offices, and to the heart of competition, especially the Yankees rivalry with the Giants and Athletics. You might as well shell peanuts while youre reading, you feel that close.

Lois Reed, Dallas Morning News

Eig does a wonderful job of adding a third dimensionheartto our understanding of a legendary ballplayer who had become a two-dimensional sports clich.

Booklist

Jonathan Eigs Luckiest Man is comprehensively researched and richly detailed. It justifies its length by presenting a wealth of new information on Gehrigs life and times, retrieving the real Gehrig from the mists of legend while showing us why legend claimed him in the first place.

Allen Barra, Los Angeles Times

Thoroughly researched and engagingly written.... This book does honor to one of baseballs great figures, a man who stands in sharp contrast to many of todays overpaid player personalities.

Robert Finn, The Plain Dealer (Cleveland)

Excellent.... Eig shows impressive scholarship in his biography.

Peter Clarey, Philadelphia Inquirer

Luckiest Man, Jonathan Eigs elegantly written, ironically titled biography of Yankee great Lou Gehrig, is a compelling retelling of a story many people think they already know.... From beginning to end, Eig has produced a compelling and readable story of a great athlete, a great tragedy andin that Yankee Stadium speechan unscripted moment of grace under pressure that would turn Gehrig into an icon.

John Keenan, Omaha World-Herald

Eig makes baseball history come alive.... a resonant and very sad story. And Eig has captured it perfectly.

John B. Saul, The Seattle Times

Like a swing of Gehrigs bat, this story is delivered with simple, natural grace that connects with surprising impact.

Rick Harmon, The Montgomery Advertiser

[Eig] supplements the existing biographical record with a tremendous amount of additional detail.... What separates this biography from several earlier attempts to capture the essence of Gehrig is the very detailed account of his illness.... [Eigs] considerable journalistic experience is evident in the evenhanded analysis of Gehrigs treatment and the ethical dilemma faced by his doctors.

Peter Schmuck, The Baltimore Sun

In Luckiest Man, journalist Jonathan Eig has provided a balanced account of Gehrigs life, athletic achievements, and above all, his gallant, losing battle with ALS.... This fine book tells us much about Gehrig.

John M. and Priscilla S. Taylor, The Washington Times

Jonathan Eigs meticulously researched and solidly written new biography of Gehrig, Luckiest Man, is the definitive book on the slugger who died in 1941 and who was immortalized on film by Gary Cooper in Pride of the Yankees.

Cary Clack, San Antonio Express-News

A moving and colorful portrait of the Yankee great.

John Curtis, The San Diego Union-Tribune

Jonathan Eigs meticulously researched biography finally brings some much-needed clarity and color to baseballs Iron Horse.... provides the most comprehensive portrait ever written about Gehrig.