The Last Folk Hero: The Life and Myth of Bo Jackson

The Last Folk Hero: The Life and Myth of Bo Jackson

  • Downloads:3554
  • Type:Epub+TxT+PDF+Mobi
  • Create Date:2022-09-23 06:53:47
  • Update Date:2025-09-06
  • Status:finish
  • Author:Jeff Pearlman
  • ISBN:0358437679
  • Environment:PC/Android/iPhone/iPad/Kindle

Summary

By the New York Times bestselling author of Showtime—the source for HBO’s Winning Time—the definitive biography of mythic multi-sport star Bo Jackson。

From the mid-1980s into the early 1990s, the greatest athlete of all time streaked across American sports and popular culture。 Stadiums struggled to contain him。 Clocks failed to capture his speed。 His strength was legendary。 His power unmatched。 Video game makers turned him into an invincible character—and they were dead-on。 He climbed (and walked across) walls, splintered baseball bats over his knee, turned oncoming tacklers into ground meat。 He became the first person to simultaneously star in two major professional sports, and overtook Michael Jordan as America’s most recognizable pitchman。 He was on our televisions, in our magazines, plastered across billboards。 He was half man, half myth。

Then, almost overnight, he was gone。

He was Bo Jackson。

Drawing on an astonishing 720 original interviews, New York Times bestselling sportswriter Jeff Pearlman captures as never before the elusive truth about Jackson, Auburn University’s transcendent Heisman Trophy winner, superstar of both the NFL and Major League Baseball and ubiquitous “Bo Knows” Nike pitchman。 Did Bo really jump over a parked Volkswagen? (Yes。) Did he actually run a 4。13 40? (Yes。) During the 1991 flight that nearly killed every member of the Chicago White Sox, was he in the cockpit trying to help? (Oddly, yes。 Or no。 Or … maybe。)

Bo Jackson isn’t Jim Thorpe。

He’s not Deion Sanders, either。

No, Bo Jackson is Paul Bunyan。

The Last Folk Hero is the true tale of Bo Jackson that only “master storyteller” (NPR) Jeff Pearlman could tell。

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Reviews

Stephanie Crowe

The Last Folk Hero: The Life and Myth of Bo Jackson by Jeff PearlmanIf you are a fan of Bo, this is the book for you。 An informative and intimate look at Bo’s life growing up and his athletic career。 Pearlman does detailed research to give an insightful look at Bo’s personality and values。 Very enjoyable!

Dave

I really couldn’t put this one down。

Caroline

I couldn't put this book down。 I am not an in depth sports fan, but even I know who Bo Jackson is。 If you were alive in the 80's you know that Bo knows。 The author did a great job explaining why Bo was a pop culture icon of the 80's and 90's and a sports icon for the ages。Thanks to Net Galley for the advanced copy。 I really enjoyed it。 I couldn't put this book down。 I am not an in depth sports fan, but even I know who Bo Jackson is。 If you were alive in the 80's you know that Bo knows。 The author did a great job explaining why Bo was a pop culture icon of the 80's and 90's and a sports icon for the ages。Thanks to Net Galley for the advanced copy。 I really enjoyed it。 。。。more

Mike

It’s been nearly 30 years since Bo Jackson last played MLB and even longer since he suffered the hip injury that ended his football career。 During that time Jackson has largely disappeared from the public scene leaving us with just memories and videos to recall his impact upon sports and society。 Thankfully, Jeff Pearlman has filled the void with this definitive biography。 Backed by extensive research Pearlman covers all things Bo from his childhood through high school and college and into MLB a It’s been nearly 30 years since Bo Jackson last played MLB and even longer since he suffered the hip injury that ended his football career。 During that time Jackson has largely disappeared from the public scene leaving us with just memories and videos to recall his impact upon sports and society。 Thankfully, Jeff Pearlman has filled the void with this definitive biography。 Backed by extensive research Pearlman covers all things Bo from his childhood through high school and college and into MLB and the NFL。 The book is a definite must-read for all who remember Jackson’s exploits as well as those who have heard stories from parents/grandparents。 It was recently disclosed that Bo Jackson paid for the funerals of those lost in the Uvalde massacre。 There is no better time than now to learn about Bo Jackson and no better chronicler than Jeff Pearlman。 Thanks to Net Galley and Mariner Books for providing an advance copy。 。。。more

Scott Nickels

I am a big (big) fan of Jeff Pearlman and have had the joy of reading several of his books。 Further, I enjoy a great biography and this latest work by Mr。 Pearlman is a great biography about the life and times of sports legend Bo Jackson。 The book did not disappoint…”The Last Folk Hero” walks us at just the right pace through the Bo Jackson saga。 As with all of Pearlman’s works this is a well-researched tale of a man who reached legendary status in three sports - football, baseball, and track-an I am a big (big) fan of Jeff Pearlman and have had the joy of reading several of his books。 Further, I enjoy a great biography and this latest work by Mr。 Pearlman is a great biography about the life and times of sports legend Bo Jackson。 The book did not disappoint…”The Last Folk Hero” walks us at just the right pace through the Bo Jackson saga。 As with all of Pearlman’s works this is a well-researched tale of a man who reached legendary status in three sports - football, baseball, and track-and-field - but also became a Shakespearean tragic hero while still a young man。 The book captures larger-than-life athletic feats (as well as moments of great failure, both athletically as well as personally。)I did not have any great feeling, neither good nor bad, before reading “The Last Folk Hero。” Bo Jackson has not been a sports hero to me when I was young nor when I am no longer young。 But Jeff Pearlman engaged me enough in Jackson’s life story I stopped reading my beloved British mysteries for the past several days as I became engrossed in this latest narrative。 Thanks, as always, to NetGalley for giving me the chance to read and opine on “The Last Folk Hero。” 。。。more

Scott Nickels

I am a big (big) fan of Jeff Pearlman and have had the joy of reading several of his books。 Further, I enjoy a great biography and this latest work by Mr。 Pearlman is a great biography about the life and times of sports legend Bo Jackson。 The book did not disappoint…”The Last Folk Hero” walks us at just the right pace through the Bo Jackson saga。 As with all of Pearlman’s works this is a well-researched tale of a man who reached legendary status in three sports - football, baseball, and track-an I am a big (big) fan of Jeff Pearlman and have had the joy of reading several of his books。 Further, I enjoy a great biography and this latest work by Mr。 Pearlman is a great biography about the life and times of sports legend Bo Jackson。 The book did not disappoint…”The Last Folk Hero” walks us at just the right pace through the Bo Jackson saga。 As with all of Pearlman’s works this is a well-researched tale of a man who reached legendary status in three sports - football, baseball, and track-and-field - but also became a Shakespearean tragic hero while still a young man。 The book captures larger-than-life athletic feats (as well as moments of great failure, both athletically as well as personally。)I did not have any great feeling, neither good nor bad, before reading “The Last Folk Hero。” Bo Jackson has not been a sports hero to me when I was young nor when I am no longer young。 But Jeff Pearlman engaged me enough in Jackson’s life story I stopped reading my beloved British mysteries for the past several days as I became engrossed in this latest narrative。 Thanks, as always, to NetGalley for giving me the chance to read and opine on “The Last Folk Hero。” 。。。more

Daniel Shiell

As an Australian and before the internet, Bo Jackson was relatively unheard of。 Reading this well researched book changes that, Jeff Pearlman has interviewed team mates, opposition players and fellow college students to give a well rounded and even account of Bo's life。 Going from growing up without his father, through high school and on to college。 His athletic performances are to the fore, the myths are sorted out from the truths in this great read。 The professional career in both Baseball and As an Australian and before the internet, Bo Jackson was relatively unheard of。 Reading this well researched book changes that, Jeff Pearlman has interviewed team mates, opposition players and fellow college students to give a well rounded and even account of Bo's life。 Going from growing up without his father, through high school and on to college。 His athletic performances are to the fore, the myths are sorted out from the truths in this great read。 The professional career in both Baseball and Football are not missed, including all the behind the scenes machinations that led to the choices Bo made in his career。 Thanks to Net Galley and Harper Collins publishers for the advance copy 。。。more

Aaron Brown

Pearlman always writes an entertaining sports biography and this is no exception。 Bo Jackson is a legend and Mr。 Pearlman does him justice。 Lots of nuggets, revelations, insights and stories。

Jake

Exactly what you would expect by combining the writing talents and enthusiasm of Jeff Pearlman with a subject such as Bo Jackson。 Pearlman covers it all, the good, the bad and the ugly of Bo。 The definitive Bo Jackson biography。 This book had me going to YouTube often in hopes of finding the highlights referenced in the book, and Pearlman interviewed a ton (over 700) of people on the record for this one。Right up there with another great sports bio from 2022, Howard Bryant's "Rickey," as books th Exactly what you would expect by combining the writing talents and enthusiasm of Jeff Pearlman with a subject such as Bo Jackson。 Pearlman covers it all, the good, the bad and the ugly of Bo。 The definitive Bo Jackson biography。 This book had me going to YouTube often in hopes of finding the highlights referenced in the book, and Pearlman interviewed a ton (over 700) of people on the record for this one。Right up there with another great sports bio from 2022, Howard Bryant's "Rickey," as books that sports fan of a certain (or any) age should have on their Must Read List。Thank you to NetGalley and Mariner Books for the advance reader copy。 。。。more