Path Lit by Lightning

By: David Maraniss

Narrated by: David Maraniss

Length: 23 hrs and 26 mins

Publisher's summary

A biography of America’s greatest all-around athlete that “goes beyond the myth and into the guts of Thorpe’s life, using extensive research, historical nuance, and bittersweet honesty” (Los Angeles Times), by the bestselling author of the classic biography When Pride Still Mattered.

Jim Thorpe rose to world fame as a mythic talent who excelled at every sport. Most famously, he won gold medals in the decathlon and pentathlon at the 1912 Stockholm Olympics. A member of the Sac and Fox Nation, he was an All-American football player at the Carlisle Indian School, the star of the first class of the Pro Football Hall of Fame, and played major league baseball for John McGraw’s New York Giants. Even in a golden age of sports celebrities, he was one of a kind.

But despite his awesome talent, Thorpe’s life was a struggle against the odds. At Carlisle, he faced the racist assimilationist philosophy “Kill the Indian, Save the Man.” His gold medals were unfairly rescinded because he had played minor league baseball, and his supposed allies turned away from him when their own reputations were at risk. His later life was troubled by alcohol, broken marriages, and financial distress. He roamed from state to state and took bit parts in Hollywood, but even the film of his own life failed to improve his fortunes. But for all his travails, Thorpe survived, determined to shape his own destiny, his perseverance becoming another mark of his mythic stature.

Path Lit by Lightning “[reveals] Thorpe as a man in full, whose life was characterized by both soaring triumph and grievous loss” (The Wall Street Journal).

©2022 David Maraniss. All rights reserved. (P)2022 Simon & Schuster, Inc. All rights reserved.

Perfect summer read

David Maraniss has written many of the best political and sports biographies of our time. His latest, on Jim Thorpe, is one of his best. He illuminates the incredibly compelling and heartbreaking story of the greatest athlete of all time. His avuncular narration adds to the whole experience . 5 stars.

He was great.

I love the ending quote from Grace Thorpe. Her father was indeed great. Mr. Maraniss gives a deep, thorough understanding of Jim Thorpe - all the deserved accolades, balanced by an equal, if not greater weight of obstacles and challenges. The reading or listening of the book is not for the faint of heart or interest… but we’ll worth the effort.

Good content but a slog

This is an important story to tell. The author made the cardinal mistake of reading his own book. Kind of emotionless. Leave to the pros who could possibly have brought the book to life. Though maybe not. It was more like a well researched chronological biography that you would expect from a college student. There was little “story telling”. And I am sure there were stories to tell. I am glad I read it as there really is quite a bit of good content. But listener beware.

History well done

Maraniss masterfully tells his story through a trail of artifact, leaving the reader to come to come to the only feasible interpretation: Thorpe’s greatness is undeniable.

Pace of the story

Hard to discern what Thorp felt in most situations. But I guess that was part of the entire narrative.

Extremely interesting and respectful

Wonderfully researched history of the life of the great Jim Thorpe. It is also a history of westward expansion, Native American history, sports history, collegiate sports history, racism, transportation throughout the United States, international relations, the Titanic gets a shout out - this book has something for everyone.The author did an excellent job with sensitive and complicated topics as seen looking back through the decades.

Fantastic

What a way to learn about our country’s past! So sad that we don’t accept our biases and prejudices. Wonderfully read and as sad as it is, a beautiful story.

An American story

Although longer than it needed to be. This was a fascinating look at a true American story- a talented, resilient, hard- working individual whose success benefited others more than it did him. His path intersected with many well known and lesser known Americans and regions of America. It’s a worthwhile read.

Respectfully Thorough

A comprehensive history on the life of Jim Thorpe. Excellently written, superbly narrated. This book will be publication that defines Jim Thorpe for years to come.

Pretty good

I liked the story but not the presentation. It seemed a little scattered. It’s still worth listening to.