Path Lit by Lightning: The Life of Jim Thorpe

This biography of America’s greatest all-around athlete, Jim Thorpe, delves into his life beyond myth. Rising to fame as a mythic talent, Thorpe excelled in various sports, winning gold medals in the decathlon and pentathlon at the 1912 Stockholm Olympics. A member of the Sac and Fox Nation, he played football at Carlisle Indian School, became a star in the Pro Football Hall of Fame, and played major league baseball for the New York Giants.

Despite his talent, Thorpe’s life was marked by struggles. He faced racist assimilation at Carlisle, had his gold medals revoked, and was abandoned by allies when their reputations were at risk. Alcohol, broken marriages, and financial distress plagued his later life. He moved from state to state, even taking bit parts in Hollywood. Persevering through his travails, Thorpe shaped his destiny, becoming another mark of his mythic stature.

(This book may contain a sharpie mark on the top or bottom edge and may show mild signs of shelfwear.)