From: Dorian Chong <dchong>
Date: Fri, 3 May 1996 19:59:36 -0700 (PDT)

I am an MLIS candidate at San Jose State University and I have focussed my studies on children's literature. I am currently doing an internship in the Children's Room at Berkeley Public Library under Linda Perkins.

As part of my internship work, I recently reviewed a new biography, BABE RUTH, SULTAN OF SWAT by Lois Nicholson. It is an good example of successfully handling the warts and all problem. Nicholson portrays Ruth as a gifted athlete with extraordinary accomplishments. But she doesn't shy away from his personal problems, mentioning his love for partying and the night life. She gives good coverage of his sometimes stormy relationships with managers, and his being penalized for breaking the training rules. His lack of discipline throughout his playing career is portrayed as ultimately costing him the opportunity to ever become a manager himself. This aspect of Ruth's life as portrayed in the biography provides a good balance (the human weaknesses) against the larger than life heroics of his baseball career.

I also liked the biography for the care taken in presenting the information. The first chapter tells a famous story about the Babe, setting the stage for the story to follow. Then the events of his life are laid out in chronological fashion. Also, the book was designed with extra care. The graphics of each chapter heading, the layout and captioning of photographs, the choice of photos all reflect an effort to create a work of art. This book is not simply a book of information.

The qualities of a good book which one hopes to find in fiction apply to non-fiction and biography as well.

After lurking on this list for a few months, I hope I haven't overstayed my welcome with this lengthy first posting!

Dorian Chong dchong at wahoo.sjsu.edu
Received on Fri 03 May 1996 09:59:36 PM CDT