The Last Hero: A Life of Henry Aaron - Howard Bryant - 5 Stars

[Jason]

Hank Aaron, 755 Home Runs, 2297 RBI, 3771 Hits, 1477 extra base hits, .305 batting average.

Henry Aaron did not want to be defined by anything mentioned above. He was Henry Aaron. He was a better than just home runs, better than just hits.

Hank Aaron is a myth, a legend. He broke the hallowed Home Run Record of Babe Ruth. He won an MVP, a World Series, played 23 years and is rumored to originally hold the bat incorrectly. But this book tells the story of Henry Aaron. A boy that grew up in the Jim Crow south of Montgomery, AL and to become a great, if not the greatest, baseball player while dealing with racism and discrimination and seemingly playing second fiddle to Eddie Matthews, Willie Mays, and other greats.

This biography reduces the myth and legend to a real, complicated man who had a difficult relationship with baseball and the fans.

Bryant also tells the story of the Braves, moving from Boston to Milwaukee, to Atlanta. He gives insights to other players at the time as well as framing Henry Aaron and baseball in the social and political climate.

This is an exceptional biography that shows how Henry Aaron was greater than his Home Runs, both on and off the field. It shows how Henry Aaron's talents are surprisingly undervalued. It shows how baseball did not give Henry Aaron half as much as he gave it.

[Joy D]

I had not heard of this book. It sounds great!

[Charlie]

Great review!