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I Had a Hammer: The Hank Aaron Story Kindle Edition

by Hank Aaron (Author), Lonnie Wheeler (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
4.7 4.7 out of 5 stars 323 ratings
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I Had a Hammer: The Hank Aaron Story is an intimate memoir by a baseball legend—and a fascinating social history of twentieth-century America.

The Classic New York Times Bestseller

The man who shattered Babe Ruth's lifetime home run record, Henry "Hammering Hank" Aaron left his indelible mark on professional baseball and the world. But the world also left its mark on him.

With courage and candor, Aaron’s revelatory life story recalls his struggles and triumphs in an atmosphere of virulent racism. He relives the breathtaking moment when, in the heat of hatred and controversy, he hit his 715th home run to break Ruth's cherished record—an accomplishment for which Aaron received more than 900,000 letters, many of them vicious and racially charged. And his story continues through the remainder of his milestone-setting, barrier-smashing career as a player and, later, Atlanta Braves executive—offering an eye-opening and unforgettable portrait of an incomparable athlete, his sport, his epoch, and his world.

“Elegant, uncomplaining, and inspiring, I Had a Hammer is a true American treasure about a true sustainable hero.” —New York Times–bestselling author Douglas Brinkley

“Beautifully written. This book covers so many bases, it is virtually impossible to consider it just another sports biography.” —New York Times Book Review

“[Hank Aaron’s] book is written with the same authority with which he wielded his bat.” —San Francisco Chronicle
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  1. Print length
    448 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Sticky notes
    On Kindle Scribe
  4. Publisher
    HarperCollins e-books
  5. Publication date
    March 17, 2009
  6. File size
    1872 KB
  7. Page Flip
    Enabled
  8. Word Wise
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  9. Enhanced typesetting
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Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Fans will be eager to read all-time home-run king Aaron's autobiography, written with freelancer Wheeler, especially as he was one of the last major league players with his roots in the Negro League. At 18 the Mobile, Ala.-born athlete was signed by the Indianapolis Clowns and within months was on his way to organized white baseball. He helped to integrate the South Atlantic (Sally) League--a horrible experience--and within two years was playing for the Braves in Milwaukee, Wis., a city that loved him; after 13 years the team moved to Atlanta, where he was shown little affection. Each chapter begins with a scene-setting introduction by Wheeler, then Aaron takes over, aided by reminiscences of boyhood friends, former teammates and baseball executives. The book is as much a social document as a memoir, for Aaron is militant on race relations and views himself as a major successor to Jackie Robinson in the fight to end sports racism, which he finds widely practiced still. Photos not seen by PW. 100,000 first printing; $125,000 ad/promo; author tour.
Copyright 1991 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From School Library Journal

YA-- Aaron's autobiography is much more than a collection of baseball memories. It is the first-hand account of the prejudice faced by Aaron and his contemporaries who followed Jackie Robinson into the big leagues. The narrative is modest yet supremely confident ; from it emerges a picture of an incredibly talented man who fought for the opportunities he deserved. During the 23 years he played the game, Aaron became the best hitter of all time, surpassing even Ted Williams and Willie Mays. Readers will enjoy this inside look at his life and career.
Copyright 1991 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B000W939Z2
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ HarperCollins e-books; Illustrated edition (March 17, 2009)
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ March 17, 2009
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 1872 KB
  • Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Sticky notes ‏ : ‎ On Kindle Scribe
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 448 pages
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.7 4.7 out of 5 stars 323 ratings

About the authors

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  1. Lonnie Wheeler

    Lonnie Wheeler

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    Full content visible, double tap to read brief content.

    Lonnie Wheeler is a former journalist and the author of non-fiction books. His latest, Pitch by Pitch, marks his third collaboration with baseball great Bob Gibson. Released on October 6, 2015, by Flatiron Books, it tracks Gibson's historic performance in Game One of the 1968 World Series.

    Pitch by Pitch closely follows Intangiball, which was released on August 11, 2015. Published by Simon & Schuster, it champions the value of intangibles in relation to baseball players and teams. For Intangiball, Wheeler was a winner of the 2016 SABR Baseball Research Award.

    A native of St. Louis, Wheeler moved to Kirksville, Missouri, during his high school years, and there began his newspaper career. As a journalism student at the University of Missouri (class of 1974), he interned in the sports departments of the Cincinnati Enquirer and Miami Herald. He returned to the Enquirer in 1977 and left in 1984 to pursue freelance writing. Wheeler later wrote a sports column for the Cincinnati Post.

    His first book, The Cincinnati Game, was co-authored by John Baskin and published by Orange Frazer Press in 1988. The same year saw the release of Bleachers, for which Wheeler spent a season watching ballgames from the bleachers of Wrigley Field.

    In 1991, he collaborated on Hank Aaron's autobiography, I Had A Hammer, which reached No. 5 on the New York Times bestseller list. He also assisted on the autobiographies of Gibson (Stranger to the Game) and Mike Piazza (Long Shot), another Times bestseller; and joined Gibson and Reggie Jackson to write Sixty Feet, Six Inches.

    Wheeler's other collaborations include the memoirs of former Detroit mayor Coleman Young (Hard Stuff) and Omega Boys Club founder Joe Marshall (Street Soldier). In 1998, he described the culture of Kentucky basketball in Blue Yonder.

    Lonnie and his wife, Martie, live in Cincinnati, Ohio, where they raised three children: Abby, Clark, and Emily.

    See more on the author's page
  2. Hank Aaron

    Hank Aaron

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    Full content visible, double tap to read brief content.

    Discover more of the author’s books, see similar authors, read author blogs and more

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Customer reviews

4.7 out of 5 stars
4.7 out of 5
323 global ratings

Top reviews from the United States

Michael Mondesire
5.0 out of 5 stars Tremendous Biography about a truly great Major league ball player. One of the all time greats!
Reviewed in the United States on August 2, 2021
Verified Purchase
An absolute page turner. Hank Aaron is forthright and honest in describing his experiences in professional baseball. No sugarcoating here. He does not hold back in describing his emotions and the emotions of others he played with and against. I could not put the book down! Probably the best baseball biography I have ever read and I have read many. Mike
3 people found this helpful
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Kindle Customer
5.0 out of 5 stars Great book!
Reviewed in the United States on March 10, 2021
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I have a five star because I feel an excellent account of Mr. Aaron's life and baseball career. Since his recent passing it made me want to know more about him.
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Richard Rosera
5.0 out of 5 stars My favorite baseball player of all time!
Reviewed in the United States on February 21, 2019
Verified Purchase
As a youngster in Milwaukee, I was privileged to see him break into the Majors. Great insights on his unique hitting approach, and his evolution from a line drive hitter who wanted to hit .400 for a season to a home run hitter who did not aim for tape-measure distance - finally culminating in his pursuit of Babe Ruth's career record. Lots of stories and insights about teammates and opponents, baseball managers and executives, and sportswriters, as well as his frustrations with the way black players were treated - both during and after their playing careers.
10 people found this helpful
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Wishwasbiking
4.0 out of 5 stars Honest account of Aaron's story
Reviewed in the United States on June 20, 2016
Verified Purchase
This is basically an autobiography. Aaron does not make apologies for the sometimes severe elements of his personality and does not attempt to conceal them. He shares with the reader his expereinces as a black player breaking into and advancing within the mayors. He also shares a lot about his baseball strategy. His insights into the science of hitting are fascinating. Overall and honest and interesting read.
3 people found this helpful
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Edwin Ortiz
5.0 out of 5 stars A MUST READ baseball biography ..
Reviewed in the United States on March 12, 2020
Verified Purchase
Henry Aaron one of the very great baseball
Players of all time details his trials and tribulations in a fascinating book. The book is important and should be required reading by all.
5 people found this helpful
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JB Vick
5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful book about a great man
Reviewed in the United States on November 15, 2019
Verified Purchase
If you read this you will understand why Hank did what he did. Its a fascinating look into the past. I had no idea from just watching TV. Hank Aaron is an American icon.
4 people found this helpful
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Dr R
5.0 out of 5 stars Thank you Hank!
Reviewed in the United States on March 4, 2022
Verified Purchase
Excellent read!
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