Ted Williams

The Biography of an American Hero

By: Leigh Montville

Narrated by: Scott Brick

He was one of the greatest figures of his generation and arguably the greatest baseball hitter of all time. But what made Ted Williams a legend and a lightning rod for controversy in life and in death? New York Times best-selling author Leigh Montville delivers an intimate, riveting account of this extraordinary life.

Still a gangly teenager when he stepped into a Boston Red Sox uniform in 1939, Williams' boisterous personality and penchant for towering home runs earned him adoring admirers (the fans) and venomous critics (the sportswriters). In 1941, the entire country followed Williams' stunning .406 season, a record that has not been touched in more than six decades. At the pinnacle of his prime, Williams left Boston to train and serve as a fighter pilot in World War II, missing three full years of baseball. He was back in 1946, dominating the sport alongside teammates Dominic DiMaggio, Johnny Pesky, and Bobby Doerr.

Ted Willams' personal life was equally colorful. His attraction to women (and their attraction to him) was a constant. He was married and divorced three times, and he fathered two daughters and a son. He was one of corporate America's first modern spokesmen, and he remained, nearly into his 80s, a fiercely devoted fisherman. With his son, John Henry Williams, he devoted his final years to the sports memorabilia business, even as illness overtook him. In death, controversy and public outcry followed Williams, the result of disagreements among his children over the decision to have his body preserved in a cryonics facility; a fate, many argue, Williams never wanted.

With unmatched verve and passion, and drawing upon hundreds of interviews, acclaimed best-selling author Leigh Montville brings to life Ted Williams' superb triumphs, lonely tragedies, and intensely colorful personality in a biography that is fitting of an American hero and legend.

©2004 Leigh Montville (P)2004 Books on Tape

Critic reviews

"Thanks to the author's ability to track down new sources of information, Montville presents a more nuanced portrayal of the baseball star than many previous biographies.... An extraordinary glimpse into Williams' complex psyche." (Publishers Weekly)

"Montville...offers a warts-and-all portrait of the Red Sox star but also shows Williams' wit, empathy, intelligence, uncommon loyalty to those he called friends, and unswerving commitment to excellence." (Booklist)

"The strength of Montville's book derives from how Williams emerges from all of this not as victimized but as accountable. It is unlikely that any reader could view Ted Williams just as a ballplayer ever again." (The New York Times Book Review)

A must for all baseball fans

If you like the game or you are a Real baseball fan to your core, you must listen to this book. Ted Williams was one of a kind. The greatest hitter in the game, his relationship with the writers, war hero, crazy family life, his bizarre end, it's all here.

The author does the research to be the authority on the splinter. It is well written, Scott Brick is a great voice, and what an extraordinary true story. This was one of a kind. Treat yourself baseball fans, you won't be sorry.

Not the typical sports biography

Very interesting and a little different for a sports biography. It was 22 hours and his baseball career ended before the first 12 hours were done. He was one of baseball’s greatest hitters, flew planes in WW2 and Korea, was one of the best fishermen in the world and upon death made headlines when his two youngest children had his head and body cryogenically frozen (in two different locations). His son either used him as a cash cow signing autographs for a fee in his 80s or he provided for his kids by doing so depending on which version you believe. He was a complex man, who didn't adhere to social norms because he could get away with not doing so due to his huge talent. But, he was very generous to the people and causes that touched him.

Magnificent

My favorite book is the "Once and Future King" by T.H. White. It's a fictional account that chronicals King Arthur's life from his youth to his death. Montville's non-fiction book does the same with Ted Williams.

Like the author I have been a Ted Williams fan as long as I can remember. This biography doesn't just give us the bright side of an American Hero, it shows everything from his greatness as a ballplayer, friend and chariable fund raiser to his many flaws. I loved this book. Montville probably has enough stories left to write a sequal. I can't get enough.

Ted Williams ... at last!

Mr. Montville gives us the Ted Williams we baseball (particularly Red Sox nation) fans have been yearning for - unvarnished, revealing, insightful writing and the usual excellent narration by the peerless Scott Brick make this audiobook a "must-have" for your library. Even if baseball isn't a prime interest, this book offers a fascinating look at one of America's most perplexing personalities. I don't use the word "fascinating" lightly, this title will grip you and draw you in. If you are on the fence about purchasing this, it's ok to get off of it and click the button, you won't regret it!

Job Done Right : Complete and Compelling

It was evident that the author wanted this to be done right. It's incredibly complete, from the high school years to the jaw dropping circumstances following his death. The Author admits to being a huge fan at the end, but he doesn't hold back... this is a pure, unfiltered, nonjudgmental account of the life of this fascinating man. For books on legends, you want to hear great stories, quotes, and first hand accounts, and this book has a countless number. The audio book is broken into 3 downloads, each about 6 hours long. The first part delivers on what we want when we pick up the book, his early life with baseball triumphs, and military life. The second focuses more on his personal life, his wives and family, and hits a little bit of a lull. The third part goes into his final years, with a perfect closing and excellent epilogue. Narrator Scott Brick, who I know well from his other books in the Thrillers / Suspense genre, was the right man for the job... nailed it. The book is a bargain, one of the best biographies I have ever read. I can't wait for my kids to be old enough to handle Ted's foul language, so they can read it.

The Greatest!!!

Great bio, great player, & great narrator, what more need be said! Enjoy!

Fantastic

Leigh Montville is one of America’s finest sportswriters of all time. His portrayal of Williams is a perfect illustration into who the man was and what made him tick. A perfect read for any person.

All around awesome

I chose the unabridged version of this book, and was not disappointed. Great info on Ted Williams, but the reader on this book also does the job very well even when alternating between different sexes during the section with Ted Williams's 2nd or 3rd wife. The quality definitely won't let you down.

Amazing read!!!

This was an amazing telling of an amazing life filled with highs and lows and stardom. Ted Williams has always been a "hero" of sorts in my eyes, but is more so now after listening to his full story so eloquently presented.

Phenomenal Book (Felt like 3 books)

This is not only a book about one of the greatest baseball players to ever play the game. This is a must read book for anyone even those who aren’t baseball fans. The man who would visit countless sick children in hospitals and raise hundreds of thousands of dollars towards the Jimmy V foundation. This books is about the man that was Ted Williams, warts and all. His public persona and the mask he wore around fans. His anger towards the media. How he was a neglectful father towards his kids and how his kids would fight, sue and argue to get every single cent they had out of him. Even fight about how they should burry him. This book perfectly encapsulates the great life of Ted Williams.