Bronx Epitaph: How Lou Gehrig's "Luckiest Man" Speech Defined the Yankee Legend (Excelsior Editions)

Beginning with the cover’s photo, this book is an extensive and meticulously researched peek into a long ago era of baseball and a man whose name reminds us of a very sad and hopeless disease that took Lou Gehrig’s life at his prime. Wagner has proven in previous works that he doesn’t let the reader down by including only bits and pieces of a subject. He includes many other facts about his subject and many other interesting stories of others in the game up to the present day. Fans young and old will enjoy various parts of the book. The young will learn about a bygone era and to never quit on their dreams while the older generations will enjoy learning many “behind the scenes” facts they didn’t know before. If you love baseball as much as the author does, this book is a must read!

The Bronx Epitaph was an insightful read. I enjoyed learning about Lou Gehrig's life and the assembly of his famous speech, but more importantly, it opened my eyes as to how would I handle myself if I knew the end of my life was near. His speech was simple, home spun, to the point and thoughtful. Instead of boasting about his stats, he put his heart out for everyone to know how much they meant to him and that he appreciated their love and support. Wagner's book puts depth to the speech and the man. The reconstruction of the speech is impressive and the details behind the speech's components gives insight into the man. Bronx Epitaph brings Lou to life as a human, not just a famous baseball player.

This is Mr. Wagner's finest achievement. The research is incredible. I learned so much about Lou Gehrig's life on and off the field, that the actual speech was almost incidental. If you loved baseball back when it was magical, then you have to buy this book and experience it for yourself.

This book about a famous moment in Major League baseball history concerning one of the legends of baseball is terrific. Each chapter is about a person or persons mentioned in Lou Gehrig's speech. The speech is featured at the end with a review of The Iron Horse's career. For anyone who is a Gehrig fan, a Yankee fan or a basebal fan in general this would be a terrific book to have on your bookshelf.

Package arrived intact in plastic bubble envelope but book was obviously water damaged. I can only assume it was shipped this way. It is still readable but not something you would leave out or want to share with others.

I have been a diehard Yankees fan for over 5 decades and have read countless books, interviews, and articles and have watched an equal amount of videos, interviews and movies of the team & players since their very beginning. This book is surely a treasure to add to my collection. Steven Wagner took a minutes-long event from their storied history and expanded it amazingly to include touching stories of the most meaningful people in Gehrig's life during his incredible baseball career. Many of the anecdotes I learned for the first time, and it deepened the respect and awe I not only have for Gehrig, but for the passionate friends, teammates, coaches, executives, writers, and family that loved and supported him through his triumphs and tribulations.I believe this is MUST READ for not only all Yankees fans, but all sports fans and historians will gain enlightenment to the relationship integrity that helps nurture a good athlete to Hall of Fame status as a player and role model.Mr. Wagner hit one squarely out of the park with this effort, and he receives a standing ovation from me.I highly recommend this work of baseball art.

Through Mr. Wagner’s detailed research we are able to enjoy, admire, be inspired, and celebrate a life cut short, but well lived. The humbleness of Gehrig’s personality and talent was shown in his 1939 heartfelt speech and with Mr. Wagner’s detailed breakdown of those words, generations are able to learn and benefit from them. A must read for all baseball fan’s and inspirational for all.

Fascinating, moving recounting of the career of a baseball legend. A re-telling of the amalgamation of humanity and talent which elevated a “hero” when facing impending tragedy to the sublime.