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My Dad, the Babe: Growing Up With an American Hero
The author shares her memories of her father, discusses the secret of her birth, and offers a fresh perspective on Ruth's life and career
- GenresBaseball
264 pages, Hardcover
First published June 1, 1988
31 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
August 15, 2023
My Dad, the Babe: Growing Up with an American Hero
By: Dorothy Ruth Pirone, Chris Martens
Published: June 1, 1998 by Quinlan Pr
“My Dad, the Babe: Growing Up with an American Hero” is a phenomenal look into the life of an American Hero. This book takes the reader into the depths of Babe that have not been covered by other various other books written about Babe. Dorothy gives insight into the Babe, Helen, and Claire (the second wife). As the story goes, Dorothy was first introduced into Babe’s public life when she was about 16 months old- this leaves us with the undeniable questions of who’s baby was she really? Why did the family wait so long to introduce baby Dorothy? Dorothy tells the tale of learning who her mother is/was (spoiler alert), a journey that took place over a span of 45 years. We find out that Babe had an affair with Juanita that no one knew about until Juanita’s death bed.
This novel tugs at the heart strings and illustrates the terrible upbringing Dorothy was forced to endure at the hands of Claire (a Hollywood starlet, and by Dorothy’s accounts, a Diva). Claire seemed to favor her daughter (Julia) over Ruth’s daughter (Dorothy), despite adoptions of both by both parents.
This book re-introduced Babe Ruth to me. Prior to reading this excellent book, I was under the impression that Ruth lived in an orphanage. Rather, Ruth was placed in an orphanage due to some behavioral problems stemming from a bad upbringing. Babe didn't know how to be a loving father as his own upbringing was entrusted to the brothers of St. Mary's Industrial School. He didn't have a role model on how to be a good father. He had so much love to give and gave it to every disadvantaged child that he could find at the expense of his flesh and blood daughter.
I highly recommend this book to anyone looking to learn more insight into the life of one of the most iconic historical figures in American History.
By: Dorothy Ruth Pirone, Chris Martens
Published: June 1, 1998 by Quinlan Pr
“My Dad, the Babe: Growing Up with an American Hero” is a phenomenal look into the life of an American Hero. This book takes the reader into the depths of Babe that have not been covered by other various other books written about Babe. Dorothy gives insight into the Babe, Helen, and Claire (the second wife). As the story goes, Dorothy was first introduced into Babe’s public life when she was about 16 months old- this leaves us with the undeniable questions of who’s baby was she really? Why did the family wait so long to introduce baby Dorothy? Dorothy tells the tale of learning who her mother is/was (spoiler alert), a journey that took place over a span of 45 years. We find out that Babe had an affair with Juanita that no one knew about until Juanita’s death bed.
This novel tugs at the heart strings and illustrates the terrible upbringing Dorothy was forced to endure at the hands of Claire (a Hollywood starlet, and by Dorothy’s accounts, a Diva). Claire seemed to favor her daughter (Julia) over Ruth’s daughter (Dorothy), despite adoptions of both by both parents.
This book re-introduced Babe Ruth to me. Prior to reading this excellent book, I was under the impression that Ruth lived in an orphanage. Rather, Ruth was placed in an orphanage due to some behavioral problems stemming from a bad upbringing. Babe didn't know how to be a loving father as his own upbringing was entrusted to the brothers of St. Mary's Industrial School. He didn't have a role model on how to be a good father. He had so much love to give and gave it to every disadvantaged child that he could find at the expense of his flesh and blood daughter.
I highly recommend this book to anyone looking to learn more insight into the life of one of the most iconic historical figures in American History.
November 8, 2022
4.5 Stars. This book by Babe's daughter is fascinating and takes you to places that are not covered in other books about Babe Ruth. I've read a number of books about Babe. This one gives you an inside the family view of Babe, Helen, and Claire, the second wife. Dorothy shows up into Babe's life when she's about 16 months. Why is that? Whose baby was she really? All of this comes out in this book, 45 years later. Babe had an affair with Juanita Jennings and no one knew about the baby until Juanita was on her death bed at 86.
Dorothy had a terrible upbringing. After Helen died, (or was she murdered?)and Babe remarried, the new wife Claire treated Dorothy horribly. She did bring another child into the picture from her first marriage, Julia. Babe adopted Julia. Claire adopted Dorothy. There's plenty about Babe's stats, and what made him so great. But to hear about Babe from his neglected daughter is really fascinating. It was sad to read about this. Fame and fortune are certainly overrated.
Dorothy had a terrible upbringing. After Helen died, (or was she murdered?)and Babe remarried, the new wife Claire treated Dorothy horribly. She did bring another child into the picture from her first marriage, Julia. Babe adopted Julia. Claire adopted Dorothy. There's plenty about Babe's stats, and what made him so great. But to hear about Babe from his neglected daughter is really fascinating. It was sad to read about this. Fame and fortune are certainly overrated.
March 5, 2022
A reasonable account of the Babe's life told by his long-suffering daughter. She was loved by the Babe but hated by her evil step-mother. She is the unfortunate victim of all the negative emotions felt by Babe's second wife Claire. Babe didn't know how to be a loving father as his own upbringing was entrusted to the brothers of St. Mary's Industrial School. He didn't have a role model on how to be a good father. He had so much love to give and gave it to every disadvantaged child that he could find at the expense of his flesh and blood daughter. A sad story.
April 16, 2023
Probably the best book written about Babe Ruth. It portrays him greater than I thought, but also having a lot of flaws.
You get a good picture of how he lived his life, as the author was his only child., Ruth was a philanderer and had two bad marriages.
His daughter Dorothy had a difficult upbringing.
It didn't cover much of Ruth's upbringing, many people think he was raised in an orphanage, but he was there due to behavior problems and truancy.
You get a good picture of how he lived his life, as the author was his only child., Ruth was a philanderer and had two bad marriages.
His daughter Dorothy had a difficult upbringing.
It didn't cover much of Ruth's upbringing, many people think he was raised in an orphanage, but he was there due to behavior problems and truancy.
February 20, 2020
a well written book from the daughter of babe Ruth and the life she led with and without him and how she embraced her father's legacy. some happy moments and some sad one with babe Ruth second wife Claire that she was the one who wore the pants in the family and not babe. so please just read it if you want some information on babe life.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews