Ty Cobb: A Terrible Beauty

Baseball is a compelling sport because of the skill and personalities of its players. The research into Ty Cobb's life, in this book gave dignity to the sport and its players through his exhaustive analysis. Good read for all you historical baseball lovers.

Author clarifies reality of the great Cobb. Cuts through the myths which have been given far too much play. Excellent research. Gave you a feeling for Cobb's passion and how respected by other players. One of the best parts was how Cobb developed his strategy for utilizing his talents especially in the era he played, and key issues in his early development. It stirs the imagination to envision how Cobb would have adapted to today's game.

Leerhsen corrected the Cobb misconceptions in this finely written accounting of Cobb's career. An easy and enjoyable read. If you have an interest in turn of the century baseball, this book is a must. I'd rate it closely to Ritter's The Glory of Their Times.

Really enjoyable and informative read. The research into Ty Cobb's life goes much deeper than anything I'd read before. Really alters the perception of the man who it seems has been wronged by lazy writers and historians until this book.

Really recommend this to fans of baseball and early 20th century America.

Well written and engaging. As a baseball fan and history buff, I truly appreciated this great book. It challenged and changed my long held beliefs about a remarkable, innovative competitor. If you love baseball and American history, this is a great read.

I have read both the newer Cobb autobiographies, Leerhsen's (A Terrible Beauty) and Hornbaker's (War on the Basepaths).

Both do a great job at tackling some of the misconceptions of Ty Cobb, namely the claims of him being a racist and him constantly physically attacking and spiking others.

A Terrible Beauty has the better flow, and the writing style bolsters moments where you as the reader will laugh and even chuckle at some of the lines and baseball jokes.

However, I I believe War on the Basepaths is the stronger autobiography. Hornbaker is a little dry at times, but he does a more thorough job highlighting Ty Cobb's father, Cobb's military time, his second marriage, and actually has direct quoting and insight into Cobb saying that if he could live life all over again, he'd select a career in medicine.

Leerhsen does do a better job at presenting material on Cobb's final months alive in the hospital, namely his personal relationship with a medical student,who Cobb spent significant time with. Leerhsen also nicely ties Cobb's interactions and correspondence with Joe DiMaggio

I'm an avid baseball reader, fan, and even collector. I tip my hat to both Leerhsen and Hornbaker. Both are nice reads and both show a much more sophisticated and realistic portrait of Ty Cobb.

Finally a book that cuts through the myths created about one of baseballs greatest players. It makes you question what have you read in other biographies that may have embellished the story to satisfy the writer.

Any fan of baseball will like this book. One must greatly admire Ty Cobb for what he achieved in his field. He insisted on excellence and did not suffer fools. He was a man of his times in a rough and ready sport. Yet the author documents his theory that Cobb was not the devil as many believe. Most people would say that Cobb filed his spikes, punched anyone, anywhere, and was just plain mean. He did have several confrontations as he defended his space. Yet, the research by the author disproves most of the common perception of Cobb. He was just a ball player, maybe the best ever in baseball. He is to be deeply respected for his achievements. Sadly, most younger people today have never heard of Ty Cobb. He, too, will fade in history. Amazing, however, that books are still published today about Ty Cobb who was playing ball 100 years ago.

So much myth and misinformation has been written and passed down thru the years. This book sets the record straight about the greatest ballplayer of all time. A perfect person? No. The monster that has been previously depicted? Not even close.

This biography may be the next best thing. Though I missed him by two decades, the references in the account are to baseball names I have heard all my life, and made Cobb's story seem virtually real to me. I hope some who have relied on the many hyped books picturing Cobb as a vicious ball player will read this well- documented biography. (I enjoyed the movie--true or not!)

Not only does this book paint a different picture of the legendary baller, it also dismantles claims against his character in previously written biographies. Mr. Leerhsen has thoroughly researched and cited sources on all accounts. The best part is that the entire thing is incredibly well-written using intelligent language and (dare I say) prose!