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Sport and Society
Jesse Owens: An American Life
Born the tenth child of a poor Southern sharecropper and barely able to read or write, Jesse Owens used his astonishing drive and athletic ability to win an unprecedented four gold medals at the 1936 Berlin Olympics. He became an international superstar overnight and exploded Hitler’s myth of Aryan supremacy in the process. This Press edition of the William J. Baker's acclaimed work offers the most complete and probing biography of Owens ever written, vividly detailing the successes and failures of this complex and troubled but ultimately indomitable figure.
- GenresBiographyNonfiction
289 pages, Paperback
First published March 1, 1988
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
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April 6, 2015Marcus Daniels
Jesse Owens was born September 12, 1913 born in Alabama as the tenth child. His parents were poor share croppers and they weren't able to read our write. By the age of 9 years old Jesse and his parents moved to Cleveland Ohio where he found a brand new world for education. Also this is where he got the nickname J.C. Next Jesse went to East Tech High school and became a superstar. Jesse set nation wide records for the 100 and 200 yard dash, and in long jump. Jesse did not lose a race his whole high school career. Next Jesse decided to attend Ohio state University! However his freshman year he wasn't illegable because his grades,and sophomore year he had a terrible tail bone injury. Junior year Jesse came back with revenge. At the Big 10 championships he won 3 good medals, and set 3 college records for all of them. Also that same year at the AAU championship he won 2 gold medals. So total Jesse had raced 42 times that year and won them all. After that Jesse decided to go pro and compete in the 1936 Olympic games. Hitler thought it would be a German show, Jesse dominated by winning 4 gold medals during the Olympic and United States finished with a total of 12 medals total. Jesse ride back home wasn't as planned president Roosevelt didn't meet him on his success nor did his home crowd. After all of that Jesse felt it was time to retire. He became a public relations rep. Then sadly died of lung cancer from smoking at least a pack of cigarettes a day.
I highly enjoyed this book. The book kept me on my toes to see how Jesse would react to certain situations ,also I enjoyed seeing the success that Jesse was overcoming when everyone said he wouldn't amount to anything. There wasn't anything I dislike about this book. Plus I would highly recommend this book yo someone especially if they have a passion for track.
Jesse Owens was born September 12, 1913 born in Alabama as the tenth child. His parents were poor share croppers and they weren't able to read our write. By the age of 9 years old Jesse and his parents moved to Cleveland Ohio where he found a brand new world for education. Also this is where he got the nickname J.C. Next Jesse went to East Tech High school and became a superstar. Jesse set nation wide records for the 100 and 200 yard dash, and in long jump. Jesse did not lose a race his whole high school career. Next Jesse decided to attend Ohio state University! However his freshman year he wasn't illegable because his grades,and sophomore year he had a terrible tail bone injury. Junior year Jesse came back with revenge. At the Big 10 championships he won 3 good medals, and set 3 college records for all of them. Also that same year at the AAU championship he won 2 gold medals. So total Jesse had raced 42 times that year and won them all. After that Jesse decided to go pro and compete in the 1936 Olympic games. Hitler thought it would be a German show, Jesse dominated by winning 4 gold medals during the Olympic and United States finished with a total of 12 medals total. Jesse ride back home wasn't as planned president Roosevelt didn't meet him on his success nor did his home crowd. After all of that Jesse felt it was time to retire. He became a public relations rep. Then sadly died of lung cancer from smoking at least a pack of cigarettes a day.
I highly enjoyed this book. The book kept me on my toes to see how Jesse would react to certain situations ,also I enjoyed seeing the success that Jesse was overcoming when everyone said he wouldn't amount to anything. There wasn't anything I dislike about this book. Plus I would highly recommend this book yo someone especially if they have a passion for track.
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September 29, 2023First
I like William J Baker's characterization of Jesse Owens because Jesse was an honest man to the core of his heart. He soon accepted the reason for committing the mistakes. He also realized that a great sportsman can also fail if he is psychologically anxious about something. “We all have dreams but in order to make dreams come into reality it takes an awful lot of determination, dedication, self discipline and effort”
October 23, 2016
An excellent biography - fair,candid,comprehensive and sympathetic.I began just knowing the 1936 Olympics but ended up seeing a rounded portrait of a gifted athlete but a man with flaws who nevertheless kept being optimistic.Well written
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews