The Life That Ruth Built: A Biography - Paperback

by Marshall Smelser (Author)

"Smelser demonstrates that a good historian can write good sports history and that good sports history makes good history. Of course Smelser had an ideal subject: Babe Ruth, the Sultan of Swat, the Colossus of Clout, the Bambino. But the author made the most of his opportunity."--Eugene Murdock, American Historical Review

Back Jacket

This is the story of a man greatly praised by the people, and of what their joyous acclaim did to him. He was a paid performer in an organized amusement.

Author Biography

Marshall Smelser was for many years on the history faculty of the University of Notre Dame. The author of The Winning of Independence (1973) and other books, he was also a musician and dedicated baseball scholar.