Includes bibliographical references (p. [371]-374) and index.

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? Based on newly discovered documents and interviews--including pages from Ruth's personal scrapbooks--this book 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. Sports biographer Montville explores every aspect of the man, paying particular attention to the myths that have always surrounded him. At a time when modern baseball is grappling with assorted controversies, this book brings back the pure glory days of the game.--From publisher description.