Ted wasn't a great man most of the time, but boy could he hit. Solid bio of arguably the greatest hitter whoever lived. ( )

First and foremost, Ed Linn is a master storyteller. How? His prowess is in the little details that give things depth, that make situations and histories real. There are a few items that have stuck with me since reading this book years ago: that Williams' real full name was "Teddy Williams" – not "Theodore Samuel Williams," as he was credited on his baseball cards and in other mentions over the years; that Williams was of Mexican descent, so often glossed over in Boston and histories of the man; and that he was happier by himself.

Linn pulls no punches, which is a great benefit to the reader looking for a history that sidesteps the hero worship that runs rampant in so many sports biographies.

A must read. ( )