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Overview
Lou Gehrig's perseverance is legendary. During fourteen years as a first baseman for the New York Yankees, he played in a record 2,130 consecutive games, earning himself the nickname Iron Horse. Lou loved baseball and considered himself a very lucky man, even though on his thirty-sixth birthday he was diagnosed with a rare and fatal disease.
Traces the life of the Yankees' star ballplayer, focusing on his character and his struggle with the terminal disease amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.
Synopsis
This biography traces Gehrig’s life, from childhood through his illustrious career with the Yankees to his struggle with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and his tragic death at age thirty-seven. Expressive illustrations capture the strength, modesty, and dignity for which this remarkable man will always be remembered. “Readers will feel good after reading this biography—and maybe even inspired to start measuring themselves against Gehrig’s standard.”—Kirkus Reviews
Boston Globe
A touching tribute to the baseball superstar . . . Stunning illustrations.
Editorials
From The Critics
A touching tribute to the baseball superstar . . . Stunning illustrations.Boston Globe
A touching tribute to the baseball superstar . . . Stunning illustrations.Boston Globe
A touching tribute to the baseball superstar . . . Stunning illustrations.Publishers Weekly -
PW called this picture-book biography of the man who played 2,130 consecutive games for the New York Yankees "a gracious tribute to a stalwart, modest and tirelessly optimistic man. Widener's stylized acrylics vividly re-create the look and feel of major league baseball in the '20s and '30s." Ages 6-9. (Apr.) Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information.Children's Literature -
David A. Adler's Lou Gehrig, is a poignant biography of the legendary first baseman who, when terminally ill, still considered himself "The luckiest man on the face of the earth."Children's Literature -
When we think of Lou Gehrig, we probably think of four things: his rags-to-riches life, his outstanding ability in baseball, his early death to what is now called Lou Gehrig disease, and the grace with which he faced his death and the public during the last years of his life. Adler has done a most admirable job with all four. The layout of the book is attractive, and Widener's illustrations accurately evoke early twentieth century New York City. The book also gives an indication of how profoundly the nature of professional sports has changed since Gehrig's time.Children's Literature -
The story of the amazing Yankee whose stamina, courage, and humility on the ball field was equaled by the way he lived his life. Illustrations capture the excitement of the game and the power of a man who refuses to see terminal illness as a defeat.Kirkus Reviews
The aw-shucks decency of Gehrig drives this picture-book biography from Adler (One Yellow Daffodil, 1995, etc.); what comes through is Gehrig as a genuine rarity, blessed with colossal athletic talent that he carried with dignity and modesty.The familiar story (no sources are given, but it follows the Gary Cooper movie, Pride of the Yankees, quite closely) is here: how Gehrig left college and signed with the Yankees to get money for his family; his remarkable, 14-year, 2,130-consecutive-game record; how he benched himself when he started to experience the effects of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis; his farewell speech to Yankee fans ("I'm the luckiest man on the face of the earth"); his death at age 37 and the rain that fell on his funeral. Adler never overstates the adulation, which would sound hokey on anyone else's shoulders, but fits Gehrig snugly. Newcomer Widener's illustrations capture the texture of Gehrig's city and playing fields, although one spread—of Yankee Stadium in the rain—brings the book to a premature close (a dangling page of text follows). Readers will feel good after reading this biography—and maybe even inspired to start measuring themselves against Gehrig's standard.