I may be a bit biased being a Cubs fan since birth and attending as many games as I have had the ability to attend with my father in Chicago and in Cincinnati, but I was enthralled with this book and really enjoyed learning about Mr. Cub. Ron Rapoport does an excellent job detailing not only the career but life of Ernie Banks in such a way it feel as though you are a good friend riding through with Mr. Banks. The animosity that he experienced in a time where whites mostly took up each player slot within ball teams and the challenges he faced throughout his career. I really appreciated the full story that the author brought to light in regards to the racism he faced and did not sugar coat the issues at all. It was so interesting for me to learn so much more about one of mine and my father's heroes as I read this book. Even if you aren't a Cubs fan, you will enjoy this book!

Although I am too young to have seen Ernie Banks play, he was a childhood hero of mine. This book is a great tribute to the man we called, Mr. Cub.

Despite being a Cubs fan, I really didn’t know too much about Ernie Banks. It was really cool to get to learn so much more about Mr. Cub from this book. It was evident that this was a well-researched endeavor for the author, and it was eye opening to read about Ernie’s experiences and also how it impacted the Cubs. He definitely left a legacy. Thank you, NetGalley, for the ARC!

This is the first time I am reading anything about Ernie Banks. I know he played for the Cub’s and that he was called “Mr. Cub” This book gave me the information that I had never heard. He was born and raised in Dallas. That he started in baseball with the Kanas City Monarchs of the old “Negro” league”. With Josh Gibson being his coach and mentor. Someone who gave him guidance on and off the field. His time there really prepared him for the major leagues. He would win Home run titles, MVP, RBI, but never played in the World Series. The closet they in 69 they went into a slump at the end of the season after being ahead of the Mets by 8 and a half games. Also speaks about the owner of the Cubs Wrigley, and of course manager Durocher. I found this book to be a good baseball book with the information and showing me what he did in his career. I also found his life to be sad in a way though he got to play baseball he had other issues that seemed to plague him. But overall a good book about someone I did not know about before.

Maybe the years have rolled by and nowadays there might be many who don’t know who said those words and the impact they had on baseball and the nation. To me, they epitomized the character of a fantastic ballplayer, one I thoroughly enjoyed as I spent my youth in the suburbs of Chicago. I still remember my father telling me that even if the rest of the team wasn’t hitting, you could count on Ernie Banks regularly swatting balls out of the park.

Author Ron Rapoport hits a grand slam with his book on Ernie. “Let’s Play Two” is a revealing look at not only a talented athlete, but the man who quietly gave so many years to the Chicago Cubs, a team that spent most of his career out of contention. The book is amazing, and the extensive list of sources – interviews and publications -- explains why.

Along the way, Mr. Rapoport fleshes out the story in many directions. Ernie Banks was brought to the Cubs in the early days when most players were white and fans were still not used to black players on the roster. The author does not shy away from the racism, and recounts numerous stories that are hard to believe 55-65 years later. Players like Banks quietly took the abuse and internalized it.

The glory and the pain of 1969 is relived, bringing back the memories that evince flashes of a rollercoaster ride that climbed to such heights and then swiftly rocketed back down to the bottom. While we see Ernie on this trip, there are plenty of moments that help us to understand the make-up of Cubs roster as well as the rest of the league.

Overall, an informative book that provides plenty of backdrop to help explain the central character. Ernie Banks was a hometown hero and the player that every team in the league wanted to have. Mr. Rapoport artfully explains this in what is probably the best sports biography I have ever read. Five stars.

My thanks to NetGalley and Hachette Books for an advance complimentary copy of this book.

Any fan of baseball will enjoy this book. Ernie Banks is beloved by so many. A classy guy, team player, and hero of the game. This was an exceptional look at the life of Ernie Banks.

But this book is just not for fans of baseball. This is a fan for anyone who wants to read a story about a great man who had such an impact on so many.

I am not a fan of the Chicago Cubs, but I am a fan of Ernie Banks. I have not read any of the previous biographies of Ernie so I thought that I would give this one a try. While the book is an interesting read, I found it to be somewhat disappointing. Half of the book is  devoted to other players, coaches and managers of the Cubs during Ernie's tenure with the team. It feels like either filler or the author didn't want to spend time doing indepth research on Banks.

My suggestion is that you read one of the other biographies of Ernie Banks for a more detailed story. I imagine that a reader will enjoy this book more that I did if they are a fan of the Chicago Cubs.

I received a free Kindle copy of Let's Plaly Two by Ron Rapoport courtesy of Net Galley  and Hachette Books, the publisher. It was with the understanding that I would post a review on Net Galley, Goodreads, Amazon and my fiction book review blog. I also posted it to my Facebook and Twitter pages.

I requested this book as I am a fan of baseball and have always admired Ernie Banks. This is the first book by the author that I have read.

Let me preface this by saying I’m a huge Cubs fan. That being said, this book is a interesting tale about a very humble man. Ernie Banks was a quiet public figure who loved his fans. I enjoyed learning about his life.

Well-written and interesting book. Highly recommended for fans of baseball, history, and the Chicago Cubs.