Montville, Leigh. The Big Ba; the life and times of Babe Ruth.

MONTVILLE, Leigh. The Big Bam; the life and times of Babe Ruth. Read by Scott Brick. 10 tapes. 15.5 hrs. Books on Tape. 2006. 1-4159-3027-9. $90.00. Vinyl; content notes. SA

This fast-paced, well-written book gives a glimpse into what Ruth meant to baseball. Ruth grew up in an orphanage, with thousands of boys; baseball was a way of life. Large and strong, Ruth spent his entire childhood playing baseball. Before Ruth came to the majors, home runs were rare and nobody had ever seen a swing like his. He transformed the New York Yankees into a dynasty that endures to this day. He earned all the money he wanted and had all the food, drink and women he wanted, too. When his excessive life style caught up with him, he enlisted the services of a trainer who forced him to be disciplined. The cure worked. Ruth loved the game, and would do anything to stay in it. His big heart was also legendary. In many ways, the saddest part of Ruth's life was after his career was over. He desperately wanted to be a major league manager, but the offers never came. Montville suggests that Ruth might have been African American (his nickname at St. Mary's was "nigger lips") and that for this reason he was not offered any managerial positions.

Brick offers an outstanding reading of this very human book. His voice is clear, well modulated, and captures the poignancy as well as the glamour and excitement of Ruth's life. Susan Offner, Teacher, Lexington HS, Lexington, MA

S--Recommend for senior high school students.

A--Recommend for advanced students and adults. This code will help librarians and teachers working in high schools where there are honors and advanced placement students. This also will help KLIATT's usefulness in public libraries.