Get New Releases Audiobooks in Bios & Memoirs, Celebrities

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Title: Finally Free

Subtitle: An Autobiography

Author: Michael Vick

Narrator: Rodney Gardiner

Format: Unabridged

Length: 6 hrs and 3 mins

Language: English

Release date: 09-04-12

Publisher: Oasis Audio

Ratings: 4 of 5 out of 26 votes

Genres: Bios & Memoirs, Celebrities

Publisher's Summary:

One of the most talented and polarizing athletes of our generation, Michael Vicks stunning story has captured news headlines across the nation. From his poverty-stricken youth, to his success on the field in high school and college, to his rise to NFL stardom and his fall from grace, Finally Free shows how a gifted athletes life spiraled out of control under the glare of money and fame, aided by his own poor choices.

In his own words, Vick details his regrets, his search for forgiveness, the moments of unlikely grace - and the brokenness that brought his redemption on the way to his celebrated return to the NFL with the Philadelphia Eagles.

PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying reference material will be available in your My Library section along with the audio.

Critic Reviews:

"Finally Free tells an amazing story. Its not all pretty, but its real. This book will let you know why Im so proud of Michael Vick and honored to call him a friend." (Tony Dungy, Former NFL head coach for the Indianapolis Colts)

Members Reviews:

Sugar Coated and Simplistic

Would you recommend this book to a friend? Why or why not?

I would not recommend this book to any of my friends because the primary reason this book was written is strictly to serve as a Public Relations move instead of with the purpose of giving a honest perspective on life experience many people are curious know. Instead of explaining how he (Michael Vick) feels he goes out of his way to try to make you believe he is a devoted Bible reading dog lover. By over stressing these points the overall theme and quality of the book is put in jeopardy.

Would you be willing to try another book from Michael Vick? Why or why not?

It will be very difficult for me invest time and money into a book by Michael Vick. The most disappointing thing about this book is that he comes across very simplistic and gives little insight into his intelligence. I believe Vick has some intelligence but he completely abandons

Would you be willing to try another one of Rodney Gardiners performances?

This narrator was extremely disappointing. I hope Michael Vick did not pay for this performance. Rodney Gardiner's performance gives Vick a less than intelligent reflection and gives the book the feel of a simplistic high school drop out. The narrator reads with below average expression and poor diction leading to a painful listening experience. I hope I never have the opportunity to listen to any of Rodney Gardiner's performances again.

Did Finally Free inspire you to do anything?

It does shed some light on some inside football information that true football fans will enjoy but after reading this book I am inspired to learn as much as possible to never come across as dull as Michael Vick did in this book. I feel inspired to make sure my children take advantage of all educational opportunities so that they do not sound as indolent and obtuse as this book reflects upon Michael Vick.

no true remorse* no real explanation

I started reading this book because. i was trying to find a way a reason to forgive this man who I believe is a wolf in sheep's clothing.. that others can't see and after listening to this he truly is . because everybody kept on saying well he did his. time everybody deserves a second chance..Not This Man . .He's sorry for what he did?... I did not get that from this book I got that he feel's sorry for his self..

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Title: Paterno

Author: Joe Posnanski

Narrator: Joe Mantegna

Format: Unabridged

Length: 13 hrs and 3 mins

Language: English

Release date: 08-21-12

Publisher: Simon & Schuster Audio

Ratings: 4.5 of 5 out of 100 votes

Genres: Bios & Memoirs, Celebrities

Publisher's Summary:

Joe Posnanski's biography of the late Penn State football coach Joe Paterno follows in the tradition of works by Richard Ben Cramer on Joe DiMaggio and David Maraniss on Vince Lombardi. Having gained unprecedented access to Paterno, as well as the coach's personal notes and files, Posnanski spent the last two years of Paterno's life covering the coach, on (and off) the field and through the scandal that ended Paterno's legendary career.

Joe Posnanski, who in 2012 was named the Best Sportswriter in America by the National Sportswriters and Sportscasters Hall of Fame, was with Paterno and his family as a horrific national scandal unfolded and Paterno was fired. Within three months, Paterno died of lung cancer, a tragic end to a life that was epic, influential, and operatic.

Paterno is the fullest description we will ever have of the man's character and career. In this honest and surprising portrait, Joe Posnanski brings new insight and understanding to one of the most controversial figures in America.

Members Reviews:

The Truth about the Real JoePa

I listen to three or four books a month, try to rate most of them but seldom write a review. This time I am obligated. Let's preface it all with stating I am a Penn State alumni. I bleed Blue & White. But it isn't because of a school known for football (and gymnastics and ice hockey and volleyball and wrestling), but, more importantly, because it is a great academic institution. Being Penn State proud I wanted to know the REAL, full story about JoePa. The author began and almost finished this biography before the Sandusky incident, but, as he explains, he could not write an honest biography without getting into all the circumstances surrounding that terrible issue. I am sure many of those who believed in Paterno will want to hear this story; but it is those who did not, or lost faith in this man, they need to hear the whole story. I will admit I cried more than once listening to how this coach dealt with many of the incidents of his life and his coaching career. This is a good book, a moving story, and an emotional ride.

And it would be remiss on my part to fail to mention the tremendous job Joe Montenga did in narrating this book. The texture of his voice, the empathy of his reading, was first rate.

Thank you Joe Posnanski for a most thorough story on the full life of Joe Paterno.

Sobering

What made the experience of listening to Paterno the most enjoyable?

The way he approached coaching and developing young people into adults.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

How Mr. Paterno did not follow his own teachings. It appears his dislike towards Sandusky clouded his understanding of the severity regarding the terrible acts.

A+ narration

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Highly recommend

What was one of the most memorable moments of Paterno?

The tragic ending of Joe Paterno's life. You get to see every facet of the man, his family, his friends, his enemies during those crucial last months.

What about Joe Mantegnas performance did you like?

He put his acting chops to work using emotion in his voice when the scene called for it. He also read Paterno's quotes with Paterno's voice.

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Title: The Devil and Bobby Hull: How Hockey's Original Million-Dollar Man Became the Game's Lost Legend

Author: Gare Joyce

Narrator: Bernard Clark

Format: Unabridged

Length: 8 hrs and 28 mins

Language: English

Release date: 08-03-12

Publisher: Audible Studios

Ratings: 4 of 5 out of 26 votes

Genres: Bios & Memoirs, Celebrities

Publisher's Summary:

An award-winning writer sets the record straight on hockey's forgotten golden boy - Bobby Hull....

In his prime, few could dispute Bobby Hull's athletic brilliance - the first to have five fifty-goal seasons, the highest scorer on the 1976 Canada Cup team, the first to use the slap shot as a scoring weapon, and the first hockey player to sign a million-dollar contract. With his body-builder torso and his 100 mph volleys across a rink, the world of hockey glory was his to lose. And he did.

With his publicized marital troubles and his defection from the NHL to the WHA, Hull's star began to fall, leaving him broke and in exile from the game. In The Devil and Bobby Hull, this once great hockey player and pioneer is finally given his due.

Not only are Hull's remarkable on-ice achievements finally put in perspective, so, too, are his achievements off the rink - including endorsements for a wide array of products (rare for an NHL player) and his appearance on the cover of Sports Illustrated a record four times. And the book details how Hull's battle with the owners of the Chicago Blackhawks - challenging the reserve clause in his contract, a move that enabled him to move to the WHA - helped other players follow him. The author places Hull squarely in the pantheon of other hockey greats, including Gordie Howe, Bobby Orr, and Wayne Gretzky - and makes the case that he is the game's most influential and important player

This full, unauthorized story of Hull's life - that doesn't sidestep the controversies (including the domestic violence tainting his private life) - details Hull's recent reconciliation with the Chicago Blackhawks. A candid look at one of hockey's most gifted and controversial figures, The Devil and Bobby Hull tells the story of his extraordinary career and life - and why this remarkable man has not faded into oblivion.

Members Reviews:

Learn the Names.

This is a fantastic listen. I love Bobby Hull and am a HUGE Jets fan. I recently bought a copy of Hull's photo book 'The Golden Jet' from him (autographed and all!). I recommend giving that book a quick read before listening to this. While I don't think the Golden Jet was anything special...especially since it only concentrated on his Chicago Black Hawk days, this book takes place during a typical signing session that Bobby Hull is doing for it. So, that book kind of creates the setting and when they mention a photo or some blurb contained within it, it was nice to know what they were talking about. However, it is very minimal and won't affect anything. It just enhanced my listening experience with this book.

The story was great. Like I said, Bobby Hull is a favourite of mine and I found that this book was the most well rounded biography I have ever listened to of his. It is honest. It is critical. It still gets through to the listener just how great of a hockey player he was. It tells of how he changed hockey, toppled greedy National Hockey League (NHL) extortionists, and on and on.

The book is very thorough. Like I mentioned previously, in the Golden Jet, nothing else but the Black Hawks are mentioned. I know the NHL likes to ignore anything to do with the old World Hockey Association (WHA) or even Hockey Canada stuff from back in the day.

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Title: An Autobiography of Buffalo Bill

Author: William Frederick Cody

Narrator: John Hill

Format: Unabridged

Length: 9 hrs and 4 mins

Language: English

Release date: 10-20-11

Publisher: Coolbeat Audiobook Publishing

Ratings: 4 of 5 out of 19 votes

Genres: Bios & Memoirs, Celebrities

Publisher's Summary:

Here is the incredible life story of the world-famous Great Plains frontiersman William "Buffalo Bill" Cody: scout, buffalo hunter, pony express rider, bullwhacker, stagecoach driver, and showman. Those are just a few of the titles held by this amazing man, who faced death countless times while guiding the transition between the old and new American West.

Members Reviews:

Better than expected

I was curious to learn more details of Cody's history after visiting the Cody Museum. The writing quality is much better than I had expected and it was very interesting to listen to the work of this primary source. My only disappointment was the lack of information about Cody's family life.

Enjoyable

Where does An Autobiography of Buffalo Bill rank among all the audiobooks youve listened to so far?

One of the better ones

Any additional comments?

I love history and the detail and revelations of a real person's life in the frontier was enlightening.

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Title: Small Man in a Book

Author: Rob Brydon

Narrator: Rob Brydon

Format: Unabridged

Length: 8 hrs and 45 mins

Language: English

Release date: 10-13-11

Publisher: Penguin Books Ltd

Ratings: 4 of 5 out of 80 votes

Genres: Bios & Memoirs, Celebrities

Publisher's Summary:

Who is the man behind the many voices of Rob Brydon? Read by the man himself, this audiobook memoir will reveal the warm heart behind one of Britain's favourite impressionists.

A multi-award-winning actor, writer, comedian and presenter known for his warmth, humour and inspired impressions, Rob Brydon has quickly become one of our very favourite entertainers. But there was a time when it looked like all we'd hear of Rob was his gifted voice.

Growing up in South Wales, Rob had a passion for radio and soon the Welsh airwaves resounded to his hearty burr. However, these were followed by years of misadventure and struggle, before, in the TV series Marion and Geoff and Gavin and Stacey, Rob at last tickled the nation's funny bone. The rest, as they say, is history. Or in his case autobiography.

A Small Man in a Book is a funny, heartfelt, honest, sometimes sad, but mainly funny, memoir of how a young man from Wales very, very slowly became an overnight success.

Members Reviews:

Funny and Interesting

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

I would recommend this book to anyone with a sense of humour and perhaps knowing who Rob Brydon is might help. The story is both interesting and funny - not fits of laughter funny but warm chuckle funny. His reading and narration style is conversational and friendly and you feel like he's sitting talking to you - I don't think anyone else could have narrated his book. There are lots of things that you can relate to and have empathy for Rob. It is also a book I'd recommend to many people because it doesn't contain a lot of swearing or indecent jokes - he's classier than that.

What did you like best about this story?

It felt natural and honest.

Which scene was your favorite?

His birth.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Yes, but time didn't permit. It was fine listening to it in pieces - we were travelling in the car on a holiday.

Any additional comments?

Congratulations to Mr Brydon on a lovely book.

Brydon fan

Would you say that listening to this book was time well-spent? Why or why not?

Certainly, because I had the time to.

What was the most interesting aspect of this story? The least interesting?

The foundations of a successful comedian/actor's career....the hard work, persistence and luck involved.

I got a bit bogged down in some of the details prior to his breakthrough as I did not know many of the other persons he worked with as I live in North America.

Did the narration match the pace of the story?

Brydon's delivery was...well, Brydon and being a relatively new fan of his work I enjoyed getting to know him better through him.

A good read

Very well read. I enjoyed hearing this in Rob's voice. It's interesting to hear of his struggles to make it

Cosy listening, easy on the ears but not great.

Would you recommend this book to a friend? Why or why not?

Not really, it has its moments but it's not a book I love.

What about Rob Brydons performance did you like?

Great, little hard to understand in the beginning, but once you get used to the accent, he has a lovely voice...

Mind Numbing

I just couldn't keep listening, Robs life although I'm sure very interesting doesn't share very well and just comes across slow and boring.

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Title: Sleeping with the Enemy

Subtitle: Coco Chanel's Secret War

Author: Hal Vaughan

Narrator: Susan Denaker, Mark Deakins

Format: Unabridged

Length: 8 hrs and 36 mins

Language: English

Release date: 08-16-11

Publisher: Random House Audio

Ratings: 3.5 of 5 out of 88 votes

Genres: Bios & Memoirs, Celebrities

Publisher's Summary:

"From this century, in France, three names will remain: de Gaulle, Picasso, and Chanel."

André Malraux

Coco Chanel created the look of the modern woman and was the high priestess of couture. She believed in simplicity and elegance, and freed women from the tyranny of fashion. She inspired women to take off their bone corsets and cut their hair. She used ordinary jersey as couture fabric, elevated the waistline, and created bell-bottom trousers, trench coats, and turtleneck sweaters. In the 1920s, when Chanel employed more than 2,000 people in her workrooms, she had amassed a personal fortune of $15 million and went on to create an empire.

Jean Cocteau once said of Chanel that she had the head of "a little black swan". And, added Colette, "the heart of a little black bull".

At the start of World War II, Chanel closed down her couture house and went across the street to live at the Hôtel Ritz. Picasso, her friend, called her "one of the most sensible women in Europe". She remained at the Ritz for the duration of the war, and afterward went on to Switzerland.

For more than half a century, Chanels life from 1941 to 1954 has been shrouded in vagueness and rumor, mystery and myth. Neither Chanel nor her many biographers have ever told the full story of those years. Now Hal Vaughan, in this explosive narrativepart suspense thriller, part wartime portraitfully pieces together the hidden years of Gabrielle Coco Chanels life, from the Nazi occupation of Paris to the aftermath of World War II.

Vaughan reveals the truth of Chanels long-whispered collaboration with Hitlers high-ranking officials in occupied Paris from 1940 to 1944. He writes in detail of her decades-long affair with Baron Hans Günther von Dincklage, Spatz (sparrow in English), described in most Chanel biographies as being an innocuous, English-speaking tennis player playboy and a harmless dupea loyal German soldier and diplomat serving his mother country and not a member of the Nazi party.

In Vaughans absorbing, meticulously researched book, Dincklage is revealed to have been a Nazi master spy and German military intelligence agent who ran a spy ring in the Mediterranean and in Paris and reported directly to Nazi propaganda minister Joseph Goebbels, right hand to Hitler.

The book pieces together how Coco Chanel became a German intelligence operative; how and why she was enlisted in a number of spy missions; how she escaped arrest in France after the war, despite her activities being known to the Gaullist intelligence network; how she fled to Switzerland for a nine-year exile with her lover, Dincklage. And how, despite the French courts opening a case concerning Chanels espionage activities during the war, she was able to return to Paris at age 70 and triumphantly resurrect and reinvent herselfand rebuild what has become the iconic House of Chanel.

Members Reviews:

If we all knew how things went...

Very interesting book with lots of details. When we see the famous people and their creations we never imagine what there was behind the curtains. Worth listening to the story.

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Title: A Spectacle of Dust

Subtitle: The Autobiography

Author: Pete Postlethwaite

Narrator: Philip Jackson

Format: Unabridged

Length: 9 hrs and 11 mins

Language: English

Release date: 07-01-11

Publisher: Orion Publishing Group Limited

Ratings: 4.5 of 5 out of 17 votes

Genres: Bios & Memoirs, Celebrities

Publisher's Summary:

Read by Philip Jackson with an introduction by Sean Bean.

After training as a teacher, Pete Postlethwaite started his acting career at the Liverpool Everyman Theatre, where his colleagues included Bill Nighy, Jonathan Pryce, Antony Sher, and Julie Walters. After routine early appearances in small parts for television programs such as The Professionals, Postlethwaite's first success came with the acclaimed British film Distant Voices, Still Lives in 1988. He then received an Academy Award nomination for his role in The Name of the Father in 1993. His performance as the mysterious lawyer "Kobayashi" in The Usual Suspects is well-known, and he appeared in many successful films including Alien 3, Brassed Off, The Shipping News, The Constant Gardener, Baz Luhrmann's Romeo + Juliet (as Friar Lawrence), and in Inception with Leonardo di Caprio.

Members Reviews:

Pete's story of the love of his craft

I enjoyed the narration of this book but think I would have lost interest if reading it. The narrator spoke in Pete's voice which kept me glued but he went into so much detail on every aspect of his craft that I felt it was more a text book for actors than of general interest to a layperson. This does not detract from his total dedication to fine tuning that craft and I am a great admirer of his work and will look up movies that impressed me at the time. As he says, his face is no oil painting but his love of his chosen path shines through on screen. Unfortunately, the opportunity to see him acting on stage was never possible. I would have loved to have witnessed his "King Lear". His complete lack of regard to his health with heavy drinking, drugs and smoking seem an anathema for one so dedicated to his career. That he had the love and respect of his peers and total commitment to his family makes his early death so much sadder.

A great read!

I am very glad Pete shared his life with us through this memoir. A testament that people can make it in this arena and remain human, kind, just, and civil and still be a raving success in the entertainment industry. This was a fine gift to leave behind for anyone who has ever been or will be part of the entertainment industry. I loved the memoir.

Just one big positive, real, sincere gush. A pleasure to read and a joy to view life and entertainment through Pete's eyes. A book you will not forget.

Well worth listening to.

What a great audiobook. I thought it would be quite boring at first when he talks about his love of King Lear but it develops into a great, honest story of a guy who just wanted to have fun. The ending is heart wrenching.

An Extraordinary Life

This has got to be the best written, best presented and most engaging autobiography I have ever listened to.

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Title: Death Clutch

Subtitle: My Story of Determination, Domination, and Survival

Author: Brock Lesnar

Narrator: Dunsworth Bob

Format: Unabridged

Length: 5 hrs and 30 mins

Language: English

Release date: 05-24-11

Publisher: HarperAudio

Ratings: 4.5 of 5 out of 117 votes

Genres: Bios & Memoirs, Celebrities

Publisher's Summary:

"He is the biggest pay-per-view attraction in the world. He is "the Baddest Dude on the Planet.' "

He is Brock Lesnar.

For countless fans of professional wrestling and mixed martial arts, Brock Lesnar has long been known for his freakish athleticism, mind-blowing speed, and meteoric rise to the top. Yet despite the fame and fortune that have come with his enormous success, Brock has shunned the media, choosing instead to remain intensely private about his life and his accomplishments.

Now, for the first time, he tells his remarkable story in his own words, describing the journey from his South Dakota farmboy roots to becoming the most popular pay-per-view attraction in the world. From the small-town amateur wrestling where he honed his skills to taking on The Rock at SummerSlam, Brock discusses how his natural athletic talent combined with the dark side of the wrestling business to make him the youngest-ever WWE World Champion.

Epic as it was, Brock's overnight rise to fame came with a price, as he saw firsthand the toll that life on the road and in the ring could take on a pro wrestler's body and mind. Weary of the punishing lifestyle and backstabbing politics, he chose to do the unthinkable: walk away from professional wrestling at the peak of his career and break all ties with the organization that made him a star on the global stage. It was a move that stunned WWE executives and fans alike, and one that Brock himself has never fully explained - until now.

Not one to stay quiet for long, Brock was soon back in the spotlight: this time in the UFC - home of the most dangerous mixed martial arts fighters in the world. Here he offers a behind-the-scenes look at his shocking decision to leave the wrestling entertainment business for a legitimate combat sport. From training to be a real fighter, to immediately being thrown into the Octagon against the UFC's best heavyweights, to the psychology behind his legendary trash-talking, Brock opens up about what it takes not only to succeed in the world's fastest-growing sport but to become the Undisputed Heavyweight Champion of the World. He also speaks candidly about the illness that nearly killed him, how it changed him as a fighter and a man, and how it shaped his will to survive.

In the end, Brock holds nothing back. A revealing, raw, and ultimately redemptive tale of Brock's determination and domination, DeathClutch is the untold true story of becoming one of life's true champions.

Members Reviews:

Great Book

I loved the narration in this book. It's a very easy listen. It's written for the common man. It gives great incite into Brock's way of thinking. I'll recommend it to any Brock Lesnar or wrestling fan.

The beast in writing

Where does Death Clutch rank among all the audiobooks youve listened to so far?

It's a great biography that stands alone. Brock is such an interesting guy.

What did you like best about this story?

His no B.S attitude

What does Dunsworth Bob bring to the story that you wouldnt experience if you just read the book?

Nothing

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

No, just liked it

Any additional comments?

The mayor of suplex city has had an interesting life

inspirational!!

When you hear the name Brock Lesnar, two words come to mind.. Dedication and Brutal..

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Title: Stan Musial

Subtitle: An American Life

Author: George Vecsey

Narrator: Scott Brick

Format: Unabridged

Length: 12 hrs and 7 mins

Language: English

Release date: 05-10-11

Publisher: Random House Audio

Ratings: 4.5 of 5 out of 62 votes

Genres: Bios & Memoirs, Celebrities

Publisher's Summary:

When baseball fans voted on the top 25 players of the 20th century in 1999, Stan Musial didnt make the cut. This glaring omission - later rectified by a panel of experts - aised an important question: How could a first-ballot Hall of Famer, widely considered one of the greatest hitters in baseball history, still rank as the most underrated athlete of all time?

In Stan Musial, veteran sports journalist George Vecsey finally gives this 20-time All-Star and St. Louis Cardinals icon the kind of prestigious biographical treatment previously afforded to his more celebrated contemporaries Ted Williams and Joe DiMaggio. More than just a chronological recounting of the events of Musials life, this is the definitive portrait of one of the games best-loved but most unappreciated legends, told through the remembrances of those who played beside, worked with, and covered Stan the Man over the course of his nearly seventy years in the national spotlight.

Stan Musial never married a starlet. He didnt die young, live too hard, or squander his talent. There were no legendary displays of temper or moodiness. He was merely the most consistent superstar of his era, a scarily gifted batsman who compiled 3,630 career hits (1,815 at home and 1,815 on the road), won three World Series titles, and retired in 1963 in possession of seventeen major-league records. Away from the diamond, he proved a savvy businessman and a model of humility and graciousness toward his many fans in St. Louis and around the world. From Keith Hernandezs boyhood memories of Musial leaving tickets for him when the Cardinals were in San Francisco to the little-known story of Musials friendship with novelist James Michener - and their mutual association with Pope John Paul II - Vecsey weaves an intimate oral history around one of the great gentlemen of baseballs Greatest Generation.

There may never be another Stan the Man, a fact that future Hall of Famer Albert Pujols - reluctantly nicknamed El Hombre in Musials honor - is quick to acknowledge. But thanks to this long-overdue reappraisal, even those who took his greatness for granted will learn to appreciate him all over again.

Critic Reviews:

Although Stan Musial is universally regarded as one of baseball's greatest players, he is nevertheless underrated. He played far from the national media spotlight, in America's best baseball city, St. Louis. (One reason it is the best: Musial played there.) And his amazing consistency - he got 1,815 hits on the road and 1,815 at home - made him unspectacularly spectacular. Happily, and at long last, George Vecsey has taken Musial's measure in this delightful biography of a man and a baseball era. (George Will)

A fascinating and profound look at the most underrated great player of all time, and one of the true gentlemen of the game, Stan Musial. No one researches a book like George Vecsey. I learned something on every page.(Tim Kurkjian, Senior Writer for ESPN the Magazine and analyst for ESPNs Baseball Tonight and SportsCenter)

Members Reviews:

Vecsey is great... narrator, not so much

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

I knew very little about Stan Musial before reading this book and thoroughly enjoyed getting to know him through Vecsey's writing.

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Title: Titanic Thompson

Subtitle: The Man Who Bet on Everything

Author: Kevin Cook

Narrator: Joe Barrett

Format: Unabridged

Length: 8 hrs and 25 mins

Language: English

Release date: 05-03-11

Publisher: Audible Studios

Ratings: 4.5 of 5 out of 104 votes

Genres: Bios & Memoirs, Celebrities

Publisher's Summary:

Capturing the spirit of a freewheeling era, this rollicking biography brings to life the gambler-hero who inspired Guys and Dolls. Born in a log cabin in the Ozarks, Alvin "Titanic" Thompson (1892-1974) traveled with his golf clubs, a .45 revolver, and a suitcase full of cash. He won and lost millions playing cards, dice, golf, pool, and dangerous games of his own invention. He killed five men and married five women, each one a teenager on her wedding day. He ruled New York's underground craps games in the 1920s and was Damon Runyon's model for slick-talking Sky Masterson. Dominating the links in the pre-PGA Tour years, Thompson may have been the greatest golfer of his time, teeing up with Ben Hogan, Sam Snead, Lee Trevino, and Ray Floyd. He also traded card tricks with Houdini, conned Al Capone, lost a million to Minnesota Fats, and then teamed up with Fats and won it all back.

A terrific listen for anyone who has ever laid a bet, Titanic Thompson recaptures the colorful times of a singular figure: America's original road gambler.

Editorial Reviews:

Former Sports Illustrated editor Kevin Cook's account of extraordinary legend Titanic Thompson is both beautiful and exhaustive. Cook's effusive writing is well-matched by Joe Barrett's easy narration. Barrett's smooth, confident voice is particularly suited to this story about an infamous road gambler from times long past.

Cook follows Alvin Thomas from modest Arkansas beginnings to his emergence as Ti Titanic Thompson, the most respected hustler in America. Along the way, we're treated to a plethora of fantastic stories, including various outlandish wagers on the usual cards, dice, horses, horseshoes, baseball, and golf, as well as the not-so-usual rock retrieval and walnut tossing. We also learn the origin of Ti's enormous nickname, which involves a very long jump over a very wide pool table.

The book, much like the man himself, is a clever hybrid of history and myth. With insanely precise vision and hand-eye coordination to match, there are times when Ti comes off as more of a mutant superhero than a man. Of course, these brief stints are always punctuated by the not-so-subtle reminders that, more than anything else, Ti was a clever conman with hundreds of tricks up his sleeve.

Ti's life also touched those of many other legends of the time, including Nick The Greek Dandolos and Arnold The Brain Rothstein, the Jewish mafia kingpin responsible for fixing the 1919 World Series. Furthermore, Titanic served as the inspiration for Guys and Dolls lead Sky Masterson. These bits of history and trivia only add to his immense reputation.

By the end of Titanic Thompson: The Man Who Bet on Everything, Cook's writing style and Barrett's excellent Titanic drawl transforms the listen into a romantic ode to a very different America, one populated only by sharps and marks. Gina Pensiero

Critic Reviews:

"Cook's raucous narrative introduces readers to an eccentric, fascinating personality." (

Publishers Weekly)

"[R]eaders will revel in every rambunctious page about an outlaw spirit who lurked on the frontiers of society, sports, and fair play." (

Booklist)

Members Reviews:

Great Book

He was no Saint but this is a great story about a bye gone time in america.