The Life that Ruth Built: A Biography

by Marshall Smelser

"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 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

Genres: Baseball, Biography, Sports

592 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1975

About the author

A specialist in the history of the early American republic, Marshall Smelser was professor of history and former chair of the history department at Notre Dame University, where he taught from 1947 until his retirement in 1977. A graduate of Quincy College, Smelser earned his doctorate in history from Harvard University in 1948.

Reviews

[Melsene G · Rating 4 out of 5]

This Babe book is very long (600 pages) and covers Babe's early life to his death in 1948. Other books on Babe cover most of the same material, but the lens is a little different. There's plenty of detail from Boston to the Yankees, nasty managers, greedy team owners, etc. Babe meets and marries Helen, then she dies in a fire, baby Dorothy shows up, and then Babe marries Claire. Nothing really new here. Babe is always in and out of surgery, seeing doctors, etc. Every year he had the flu/grip, etc. He was a horrible driver, didn't pay his taxes, sat in a jail cell a few times, and ignored his commitments. From 1926 on he worked out at Artie McGovern's gym-was a huge help. He made a ton of money and was probably the highest paid ballplayer of the day, and he always held out.

In 1935, Babe was done as a player. He wanted to manage but never got the opportunity. Very sad indeed. He was a 'Hercules' but after baseball he struggled. He golfed a ton and never wanted for money. Claire is probably given more credit in this book than is due, but winners write the history. Dorothy is not mentioned much, nor is Babe's philandering. On to the next Babe book.

[Tyler · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Notre Dame History professor who wrote this book not only chronicles Ruth's achievements in baseball, but also critically examines his significance to the history of baseball. Before Ruth, the "scientific" approach of hit and runs and stolen bases prevailed. After Ruth, the idea of swinging for distance prevailed. The public responded by buying more tickets and pouring unprecedented revenue into the game, making the Bambino the most important figure in the game's history.

[Carol Storm · Rating 5 out of 5]

This good-natured, surprisingly insightful biography of baseball legend Babe Ruth is miles ahead of Ken Sobol's Babe Ruth and the American dream. It's bigger, more authentic, and more fun!