The Big Bam

The Life and Times of Babe Ruth

By: Leigh Montville

Narrated by: Scott Brick

Length: 15 hrs and 36 mins

Publisher's summary

Babe Ruth was more than baseball's original superstar. For 85 years, he has remained the sport's reigning titan. He has been named Athlete of the Century...more than once. But who was this large, loud, enigmatic man? Why is so little known about his childhood, his private life, and his inner thoughts? In The Big Bam, Leigh Montville, whose recent New York Times best-selling biography of Ted Williams garnered glowing reviews and offered an exceptionally intimate look at Williams's life, brings his trademark touch to this groundbreaking, revelatory portrait of the Babe.

Based on newly discovered documents and interviews, including pages from Ruth's personal scrapbooks, The Big Bam traces Ruth's life from his bleak childhood in Baltimore to his brash entrance into professional baseball, from Boston to New York and into the record books as the world's most explosive slugger and cultural luminary.

At a time when modern baseball is grappling with hyper-inflated salaries, free agency, and assorted controversies, The Big Bam brings back the pure glory days of the game. Leigh Montville operates at the peak of his abilities, exploring Babe Ruth in a way that intimately, and poignantly, illuminates a most remarkable figure.

©2006 Leigh Montville (P)2006 Books on Tape

Critic reviews

"[Montville is] one of America's best sportswriters." (Chicago Tribune)

the babe truly bigger than life

All though Ruth was a towering figure in baseball off the field he was pretty much a one dimensional hedonist. Knawing at food sex and partying like a starved animal. Good full life view of the Babe from orphan days to his personal reform at the end of his career. A likeable guy if you were partying with him but horrible if you had to room with him on the road.

It’s the Babe!

I haven’t read a baseball book in a long while but when I saw the narrator was Scott Brick - I’m in. The story moves along quickly, more focused on the man than on his baseball prowess. There is enough about baseball to keep fans reading, but enough character study to keep avid readers enthralled.

Scott Brick narrates the book. Enough said - he’s the best in the business.

Amazingly read.

Scott Brick proves why he is the best narrator again. The story written here was read brilliantly by Scott Brick. The story itself was extremely well written as well. I will definitely come back to revisit this one again and again. Thank you for a great book and an amazing read.

Outstanding book

This was an excellent book on the life of Babe Ruth. Every baseball fan should read. Babe Ruth was probably one of the greatest or the greatest ever to play the game. This book tells a story not only about baseball of this era but the life he lived.

The finest Babe Ruth book I've read.

Excellent in every way, especially the first section that describes in great detail his upbringing at St. Mary's School.

Super Babe

Outstanding biography of the Babe's amazing energetic life, well read. Great for the baseball fan, but also just a great story.

Ruth Live Life to the Fullest!

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Those that love baseball need to get this audiobook!

What did you like best about this story?

Very insightful, it really captured Ruth life story well. Plus, I listened to "The Glory of Their Times" by Lawrence Ritter, and EVERY player that played during Ruth's time had nothing but great things to say about Ruth! Cobb on the other hand, not so much!

Have you listened to any of Scott Brick’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

I have not.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

No, it was book I enjoyed during my commutes back and forth to work.

Any additional comments?

Great book about a person who lived his life to the fullest!!!! When Ruth was given lemons in life, he made lemonade (added vodka most likely) and enjoyed every sip!

A wonderful book!

What did you love best about The Big Bam?

It was interesting, well written and recited.

What did you like best about this story?

All the details of Babe Ruth's life.

Have you listened to any of Scott Brick’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

No

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Yes, absolutely.

Any additional comments?

I highly recommend this book.

A Biography Flawed by the Unknowable Facts

The book's first chapter is largely spent owning up to its biggest problem: There's a whole lot we don't know - and will probably never know - about Babe Ruth. In some cases there are major turning points in his life, or major figures in it, which aren't known to any historian. Look elsewhere online and you won't find more than a couple of other details about the subjects. In some cases it simply feels as though we're watching a celebrity from afar, because the small anecdotes and thoughts of private life weren't recorded. Some famous people record all of their mundane thoughts and feelings in letters and diaries, or have hordes of associates eager to blab about them in interviews. Some barely ever wrote a sentence and kept their real circle of trust fairly small. Ruth is in the latter category. I don't blame the author, but it does at times make the book less exciting or fulfilling than other historical biographies I've read.

See Just How Great the Babe Was

We know he hit a lot of home runs, but his single season and total records have been broken. So was he really a big deal? This book puts it all into perspective. His stats were staggering compared to everyone else in the era... 3 times as many home runs as the previous leaders. He was as popular as Michael Jordan and John Mayer put together... a symbol of the country. And wait until you read how fast the Babe was going when he was ticketed for speeding down Broadway. The Brick / Montville duo is the best. I would say this is not as good as the Ted Williams book, but close.