Includes bibliographical references (pages 274-276).
Contents:
You can call me Jim -- Running away -- Finest game in the world -- Carlisle's visit -- Back home -- Garden Grove -- Off to Carlisle -- Follow the trolley tracks -- Cadet Thorpe -- Routine -- Outing -- Clearing the bar -- Keep a-goin' -- Ex -- Summer at Carlisle -- Nobody tackles Jim -- World of the football boys -- Indian field -- First touchdown -- Association -- Doing well -- Oklahoma summer -- Warm-up games -- Toughest season -- Reluctant track star -- Summer ball -- Being missed -- Tough seasons -- Friend for life -- So far, so good -- Iva -- Harvard -- All-American -- Better than ever before -- Olympic glory -- All kinds of opportunities -- 1912 season -- Everything comes to an end -- Disgrace -- Things come around -- Author's note -- Bibliography.
Summary:
Jim Thorpe played professional football and major league baseball, and won Olympic gold medals in track and field. He'll be forever revered by the sports community and by his Native American community. Born on the Sac and Fox Reservation, Jim was sent as a young boy to various Indian boarding schools- strict, cold places that didn't allow their students to hold on to their Native American traditions. Jim ran away from school many times, until he found his calling at Pennsylvania's Carlisle School. There, coach Pop Warner recognized Jim's athletic excellence and welcomed him onto the football and track teams. Glory followed, as did a surprising disgrace. But through everything, Jim was a person to admire- an engaging, spirited, and impressive young man. Told in Jim's voice, this is a rousing, fascinating read about a truly great American.
This resource is supported by the Institute of Museum and Library Services under the provisions of the Library Services and Technology Act as administered by State Library of Iowa.