Jim Thorpe: An Athlete for the Ages (Sterling Biographies Series) »

Simply the best: those words perfectly describe the multitalented Native American athlete Jim Thorpe. Not only did he excel at baseball and football, but he also won gold medals in the pentathlon and the decathlon—the only person in Olympic history to do so. This fascinating biography discusses:

Thorpe’s many family tragedies—including the childhood death of his twin brother

Why he was temporarily stripped of his gold medals (which were restored posthumously)

How he helped establish the sport of major league football

His selection as Greatest Athlete of the 20th century in an Internet poll conducted by ABC’s Wide World of Sports

Kids will enjoy meeting this amazing sports star whose Indian name aptly meant “Bright Path.”

Introduction: Simply the Best 1

Chapter 1 Young Jim 2

Chapter 2 Welcome to Carlisle 12

Chapter 3 The Natural 20

Chapter 4 Becoming a Star 28

Chapter 5 All-America 38

Chapter 6 Olympic Glory 47

Chapter 7 A Hero's Welcome 57

Chapter 8 Scandal 68

Chapter 9 Life as a Pro 76

Chapter 10 The Beginning and the End 86

Chapter 11 Life After Sports 96

Chapter 12 Honor Restored 108

Glossary 116

Bibliography 117

Source Notes 118

Image Credits 122

About the Author 122

Index 123