An excellent biography on one of the most polarizing figures in baseball history. From Pete Rose's early days as a high school athlete to his time as the Reds manager and baseball pariah, O'Brien provides much on how and why Pete Rose's trouble with gambling and baseball occured. He doesn't skirt around any of the issues that plagued Rose in his life. Pete Rose's Hall of Fame candidacy will always be a point of contention among baseball fans. but Keith O'Brien's book brings to light many of the problems that caused Rose's downfall.

I remember the Pete Rose scandal of the 1980's, but as someone who enjoys baseball without following it closely, I really knew very little about the man or the events surrounding his downfall. After reading Charlie Hustle, I have a great respect for him as a player, and simultaneously, I find his actions off the field deplorable. Keith O'Brien does a fantastic job of showing both sides of the legendary player, as well as the entire world of baseball, in a well-researched, very readable biography. The author portrays Pete as a hustler on the baseball field who worked harder than most others to reach the top, and delves into the politics and leadership of baseball commissioners and owners, who had roles in his career.

As a casual baseball fan, I found the book an easy, informative and entertaining read. Those who are more enthusiastic fans will enjoy the deep dive into baseball of the era, and the backstory behind Pete Rose's implosion.

Thank you to Netgalley and Pantheon Books for the digital ARC of Charlie Hustle: The Rise and Fall of Pete Rose, and the Last Glory Days of Baseball by Keith O'Brien. The opinions in this review are my own.

Pete Rose is an enormous jerk. That’s common knowledge. Does he belong in the Hall? Definitely. That should be common knowledge as well.

He worked harder for what he achieved than anyone else. What he did outside of the stadium wasn’t particularly nice or legal, but not surprising. He loved baseball, and never bet against his team, so bring him in.

There’s a lot of reasons Pete should never have played baseball, but he got a few lucky breaks and then completely proved himself worthy of that break. What happened after that was pretty much guaranteed.

This book was amazingly well researched, but the reliance of certain phases, “He ran to first base, on a walk”, was really annoying and could have been a drinking game if you’re so inclined. The writing was mildly biased against him being in the Hall, which kind of surprised me.

But, I learned more about Pete, and baseball than I ever would have guessed! I really recommend it.

Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC. All opinions are my own.

I have been a baseball fan all my life. I'm 62 now. I remember with great fondness the career of Pete Rose. I watched as much of it as you could back then. I saw the play at the plate in the All-Star game with my dad on TV. I watched him break the records. I watched him get banned for life from the game because of gambling on baseball. And yet, I never knew most of the stuff that Keith O'Brien includes in this wonderful book. It doesn't praise the legend. Yet, it doesn't really cancel him either. It's a fair treatment of the man, his life, his passion for winning, and his many mistakes along the way that made him who he is. Charlie Hustle isn't just a nickname for Pete Rose, in many ways it is who the man is. Baseball fans will appreciate the behind the scenes depth of the book. The biography makes Pete Rose become a real person to us all. Not just a figure, not just the persona that is so polarizing, but in the end you can't help but feel some compassion for all he lost. I've long thought that Pete Rose should be in the Hall of Fame and this book doesn't change that. He should be in for what he did on the field. Yet there should be a sign that also tells of the mistakes he made off the field as a warning to others not to follow his path. This book may not change your opinion on that debate, but it will give you more insight into the circumstances that led to those tragic mistakes.

An in-depth biography of Pete Rose. The author goes into great, documented detail on Rose's gambling activities, information even serious baseball fans don't know. It's an enlightening well-written book.

Keith O'Brien did the research for this one and interviewed a lot of people on the record specifically for this book. My favorite sections dealt with the time period in the late 1980s when Rose was battling with Giamatti and Vincent as well as all of the details of Rose's circle of friends and acquaintances.

Thank you to Knopf, Pantheon, Vintage, and Anchor, Pantheon as well as NetGalley for the ARC.

"Charlie Hustle" by Keith O'Brien is a captivating exploration of the life and career of baseball legend Pete Rose. O'Brien skillfully weaves together Rose's journey from a small-town kid with an unmatched work ethic to his rise as one of the greatest players in the history of the sport. The book not only delves into Rose's on-field achievements but also sheds light on the controversies that surrounded his career, particularly the infamous gambling scandal that led to his banishment from baseball.

O'Brien's writing is both informative and engaging, providing readers with a nuanced understanding of Rose's complex personality and the challenges he faced. The author seamlessly blends sports history with personal anecdotes, creating a well-rounded portrait of a man who became both a hero and a pariah in the world of baseball. "Charlie Hustle" is a must-read for baseball enthusiasts and anyone intrigued by the intersection of talent, ambition, and the consequences of one's choices in the pursuit of greatness. O'Brien's meticulous research and compelling narrative make this biography a standout contribution to the literature on America's pastime.