Synopsis
1990, hardcover edition, Harper & Row, NY. 305 pages. Black and white photo gallery. Autobiography of Bob Hayes, once billed as the "fastest man in the world." He set all kinds of records in college and won two Gold Medals at the 1964 Tokyo Olympics. He later played pro football. After that experience, he became involved with drugs and alcohol and wound up in prison. Quite a story
Reviews
Hayes, often dubbed the world's fastest human, first distinguished himself as the winner of two gold medals in the Tokyo Olympics in 1964. (Indeed, the evidence suggests that he ran the anchor lap in the 400-meter relay in 8.6 seconds, an almost incredible time.) He went on to enjoy an exceptional career in football as a pass receiver with the Dallas Cowboys. But after Hayes retired he became peripherally involved in a drug deal, spent 10 months in prison and then endured further troubles with alcohol. In this autobiography, written with freelancer Pack, he is as forthcoming as when he was in the public eye: he recalls his poverty-ridden childhood, his academically unsuccessful college career, his two failed marriages. Hayes proves equally outspoken on racism in America and on professional football's tolerance for players' drug and alcohol abuse so long as the sport's image is not damaged. The unswerving candor makes this book more than just another athlete's story. Photos not seen by PW.
Copyright 1990 Reed Business Information, Inc.
Another in the innumerable sports bios published each season. Hayes recounts in detail his early life in the slums of Jacksonville, Florida, rise to stardom as a football player and track star, and subsequent fame as the "World's Fastest Human" for his 100-meter triumph at the Tokyo Olympics in 1964. He devotes nearly half of the book to a game-by-game, season-by-season recap of his play with the Dallas Cowboys. He reports on racism and drug and alcohol use in pro football in a nonsensational way. At the conclusion of his career Hayes's life went downhill; he tells of his drug conviction (later overturned), stay in prison, and alcoholism. His recovery from alcoholism presents a glad moment but it is not enough to cause this book rise above the pack. Only for the most complete sports collection.
-William O . Scheeren, Hempfield Area Senior High Sch. Lib., Greensburg
Copyright 1990 Reed Business Information, Inc.
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