Roberto Clemente: The Great One

Rating:
Summary: Rave Review
Review: I'm not sure where the previous reader is coming from. There is plenty about Clemente the man-- his sense of humor, his pride, his work ethic, his philanthropy. Yes, the emphasis is on baseball in this book, but thoughts on Clemente's personality and character are interspersed throughout. Great descriptions of Clemente in the World Series and in the '71 All-Star Game. I highly recommend this book.

Rating:
Summary: An excellent read for fans of the GREAT CLEMENTE
Review: The 1971 World Series was the first one that I remember vividly. I was nine years old at the time, and I remember rooting for the Pirates. I also vividly remember how Clemente took over the series. His talents were put on the national spotlight for baseball fans in a big way.

This book in great detail displays not only Clemente's terrific skills as a baseball player, but also his wonderful work as a humanitarian and the numerous good deeds he did for men,women,and children.

The book also discusses the many struggles that Clemente and other Latinos experienced during their careers. Clemente was an extremely proud man, and was justified in his anger when certain people tried to 'Americanize' him.

It is rare for an athlete to become more popular after his death, but I believe that Clemente is a prime example of this. He never really got the national exposure he deserved until the 1971 World Series, and his death in 1972 cut short not only a tremendous playing career, but more importantly deprived the world of no doubt more humanitarian efforts to those in need.

This is the second book written by Bruce Markusen that I have had the pleasure of reading. His talents as a baseball writer are evident, this is by far the best baseball book that I have read. I look forward to the next book!!!!!

FIVE STARS for a greatly detailed book on one of the best baseball players of our time, but most important, one of the best human beings of our time.

Rating:
Summary: Interesting because of the subject
Review: This biography of Roberto Clemente could have been so much better. It's easy enough to read, because Clemente himself is so interesting, but there are flaws with it. The book is not well-edited and tends to repeat itself too much; for instance, the subject of reporters quoting Clemente phonetically is mentioned several times throughout the book, as if the writer feels the need to reintroduce us to this fact over and over and over. Also, little sense of Clemente as a man emerges.