The Last Folk Hero: The Life and Myth of Bo Jackson
Product ID: 565334663
By the New York Times bestselling author of Showtime —the source for HBO’s Winning Time— the definitive biography of mythic multi-sport star Bo Jackson. From the mid-1980s into the early 1990s, the greatest athlete of all time streaked across American sports and popular culture. Stadiums struggled to contain him. Clocks failed to capture his speed. His strength was legendary. His power unmatched. Video game makers turned him into an invincible character—and they were dead-on. He climbed (and walked across) walls, splintered baseball bats over his knee, turned oncoming tacklers into ground meat. He became the first person to simultaneously star in two major professional sports, and overtook Michael Jordan as America’s most recognizable pitchman. He was on our televisions, in our magazines, plastered across billboards. He was half man, half myth. Then, almost overnight, he was gone. He was Bo Jackson. Drawing on an astonishing 720 original interviews, New York Times bestselling sportswriter Jeff Pearlman captures as never before the elusive truth about Jackson, Auburn University’s transcendent Heisman Trophy winner, superstar of both the NFL and Major League Baseball and ubiquitous “Bo Knows” Nike pitchman. Did Bo really jump over a parked Volkswagen? (Yes.) Did he actually run a 4.13 40? (Yes.) During the 1991 flight that nearly killed every member of the Chicago White Sox, was he in the cockpit trying to help? (Oddly, yes. Or no. Or … maybe.) Bo Jackson isn’t Jim Thorpe. He’s not Deion Sanders, either. No, Bo Jackson is Paul Bunyan. The Last Folk Hero is the true tale of Bo Jackson that only “master storyteller” (NPR.org) Jeff Pearlman could tell. Supplemental enhancement PDF accompanies the audiobook. Review: Excellent writing and research - This is a light yet very engaging read. I grew up during the “Bo Knows” period and found many details I didn’t know. The research is excellent and the writing is great. Jeff Pearlman truly captured the essence of this unfortunately brief period in sports history. It’s accessible and captivating for all audiences. Review: Great Book and Excellent Service - An excellent book, shipping was fast and book arrived in new condition.
A**Y
Excellent writing and research
This is a light yet very engaging read. I grew up during the “Bo Knows” period and found many details I didn’t know. The research is excellent and the writing is great. Jeff Pearlman truly captured the essence of this unfortunately brief period in sports history. It’s accessible and captivating for all audiences.
C**U
Great Book and Excellent Service
An excellent book, shipping was fast and book arrived in new condition.
A**N
Now you know Bo
Growing up near(ish) Kansas City, and falling in love with the Royals at a very early age (they were good back then!), Bo Jackson was my hero. I saw the man do superhuman things that I wouldn't believe if they didn't happen right in front of my very eyes. The title "last folk hero," as it pertains to Bo, was coined by Joe Posnanski (who I wish had written the book); it means Bo was the last major phenomenon before the YouTube era with tall tales that no one is sure are true or not. And there are some amazing stories here, and many you haven't heard before. I knocked off a star because Pearlman's writing is too cutesy and gimmicky to suit me, and because the editing of the first edition was awful - so many typos and grammatical errors, including a reference to "George C. Patton" (obviously General cGeorge S. Patton, who was played by George C. Scott). I will say, though, that Pearlman did a fantastic job carrying through this project even though its (very complex) subject declined to be interviewed. If you're a Bo fan, and/or want to know more about this enigma, or have been asking "what could have been" since THAT game in January 1991, ignore my nitpicks and buy this book. As reclusive as Bo is now, this is the most definitive biography of him that we're likely to see. Now Bo knows unauthorized biographies!
J**S
Bo Did it All
Jeff did a great job interviewing so many people to pull this book together. Bo is one of the most interesting/polarizing athletes ever.
J**D
A fantastic book about a once in a lifetime athlete
This book is fantastic (and sometimes brutally honest) look at former NFL/MLB player Bo Jackson. It included a ton of information that I never knew about him, which makes sense considering the amount of research that went into it. I've been a long time fan of Pearlman's writing, and in my opinion, this is one of his best. There are parts in the book that make me understand why Bo turned down the chance to make it an authorized biography. At times, he doesn't come off as the larger than life superhero that a lot of people see him as. But, I can say this after finishing the book, that it was a fair representation of the man, with just as many anecdotes about positive things he did as negative. If you get the chance to read this, don't miss it.
J**I
Bo knows football and a whole lot more
Down to the bone story of one of the greatest two sport athletes ever Well written
J**E
Great writing, Jackson gets balanced look some others don't
Tons of fun. Fascinating detailed account of an amazing athlete. He doesn't try and make Jackson look good when he doesn't deserve it. Fair in that sense. What I didn't like was the almost cartoon trashing of so many other main characters. Al Davis is all evil, all wrong, all the time. Same goes for a dozen other people who are part of the Jackson story. They just get trashed. For example, I accept that Davis was a bad egg, but he had to have done something right, sometime. As far the main focus, Jackson, the good writing in describing his feats is appreciated.
B**R
Fascinating Person
I have, and will, read every book that Jeff Perlman writes! He has a great writing style. It is like he is sitting next to you talking. As a sports fan, I knew "enough" about Bo. Certainly, the most dynamic athlete I have ever seen. This book exposed so much more of him. it has the parts of him most people won't like (arrogance, treating people like poop) and parts that most people will admire (empathy for others, especially his family). All in all a great read that I could not put down.
M**U
Beautiful story
Jeff Pearlman it's a guarantee.
A**R
Arrived quickly & in great condition Not read as is a gift
Arrived quickly & in great condition Not read as is a gift
J**N
Buena Historia
Buena narrativa
J**F
Brilliant
Loved Bo growing up and this book is great behind the scenes of the legend. Worth a read
A**E
Great product
Looking forward to reading this book, imagine what he could have done without that hip injury
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