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Biographical Note: "This is more than the definitive story of Nolan Ryan, or the greatest right arm in the history of baseball. Nolan recalls another America, infused with a brand of taciturn masculine virtue, where modesty and ferocity weren't mutually exclusive. For all Ryan's strikeouts and the no hitters - records that'll never be broken - this is a story of endurance, of a man's fidelity to his greatest gifts (arm and family), and because of it, managed to play as hard as he could for as long as he could. So where have you gone, Nolan Ryan? And what did it all mean? Tim Brown knows. There's not a writer more deeply in touch with the soul of the game." -- Mark Kriegel, New York Times bestselling author of Baddest Man: The Making of Mike Tyson and Pistol: The Life of Pete MaravichReview Quotes: "Mr. Ryan once complained that all he really knew about Walter Johnson, who won 417 games as a pitcher in the early 20th century, were the stats he saw in a reference book: 'It didn't say too much about the man.' Mr. Brown's book does." -- The Wall Street JournalPublisher Marketing: The definitive biography of Nolan Ryan, arguably the greatest pitcher in the history of baseball, from New York Times bestselling sportswriter Tim Brown. Nolan Ryan was the hero to two of America's biggest institutions: Texas and baseball. Nolan is an exploration of God, family, baseball, and America--and a tribute to one of the greatest pitchers to ever step on the mound. He grew up in the small, hard town of Alvin, Texas, was graced with a fastball, and fell in love with a woman named Ruth, then honored all three in his pursuit of hardball perfection. Alongside Nolan's personal story, renowned sportswriter Tim Brown offers a thoughtful, deeply researched history of baseball in the Lone Star State, and an unforgettable account of three glorious decades in the Major Leagues. Nolan Ryan's story is about dominating on the field, then growing old in the game, then just plain growing old. It's about the man who has become a symbol of the game at its best, the way it used to be. It's about deeds over words. About cattle matching the hat. About fastballs over all else. Nolan makes the case that there has never been another like him. And there won't be again. Review Citations:
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