My Prison Without Bars

I really enjoyed Pete's account of all the many experiences he has had in his life. He has an infectuous sense of humor that makes for a good read. I hope MLB lifts the ban on him because he is the symbol of how the game should be played. He gave it all he had, all the time and did it better than ANYONE else, period.

My Prison Without Bars provides a decent insight into the trial and tribulations of the life of Pete Rose. The book shows the reader both the good and dark side of one of the all time heroes of America's pastime. The first third of the book is dedicated to Rose's childhood, where the reader gains an understanding of how his gambling addiction first happened (his father took him to his first race track at the very young age of 12). The second third of the book depicts the life Rose had on the baseball field. It emphasizes his love, desire and devotion to the game of baseball. The section puts into perspective how Rose's staggering desire to win, excel, and be the best that won him fame, admiration, and love from millions of people; but ultimately was the reason for his fall. The section illustrates the innocence, or better put, the ignorance, of Rose and severity of the consequences for the crimes he committed as far as baseball is concerned. In Chapter 9 "the Long Hot Summer" Rose says: I managed my last baseball game on August 21, a night at Wrigley Field... After I shook hands with all the players, I took one last look at the ivy on that old brick wall and turned in my spikes... I figured I'd be away from the game for a least one year. But after what I'd done - one year was fitting punishment... enough time to get my life back on track. The final third of the book deals with the prison time Pete Rose served for cheating on his taxes. Pete Rose discusses how he could empathize with the inmate who "got started in a life of crime because they came from broken homes - something I could relate to." Rose ends the book with a very uplifting reference to his family, and how he feels that he has come to the point of redemption. The lasts words of the book are, fittingly, lyrics to the song Amazing Grace. I highly recommend reading My Prison Without Bars. Rose's story is a very true, very tragic story of success and failure. Diehard fans of Rose will fall in love with the book. Casual fans of baseball will have apprehensions about certain parts of the book that see somewhat fictitious. One aspect of the book that I believe no one will disagree with is that Pete Rose loves the game of baseball.

Was there ever a man more misunderstood. This guy worked hard his whole life. He made some mistakes along the way. If you read the book you will get some insight into Pete Rose. He admits his mistakes. He is older and wiser since he retired so it is time to lighten up on the guy. I wish some baseball player-athletes who are making the really big bucks these days come out and say they are using steroids if in fact they are. Some of the homerun numbers being posted the last few years look questionable. If just one player using steroids to enhance his statistics makes it into the baseball hall of fame on tainted records, that would destroy the credibility of the entire sport and all the legitimate records of players who went on the field and performed with their natural given talents. Pete Rose's story is the real thing and so was his play on the field. After reading this book I feel for the guy.

The title of this book, MY PRISON WITHOUT BARS, appears on a background of solid red, perhaps as a nod to the team on which Pete Rose earned his fame and infamy. On the back is a photo taken when he broke Ty Cobb's all-time hit record, showing him in an uncharacteristic display of emotion ("I'm not a warm-and-fuzzy kind of guy" is his mantra). It could also be a metaphor for the shame one might expect him to feel over his banishment from baseball for almost fifteen years.Ultimately, as Rose has maintained, he is the only one who really knows the whole story. He has been lying so long, why should the public believe him now? What can he really say to persuade a public anxious to welcome the return of baseball's prodigal son? He concludes MY PRISON WITHOUT BARS with a left-handed regret: "I know I [messed] up. . . . I'm sorry it happened and I'm sorry for all the people, fans, and family that it hurt. Let's move on."Readers will undoubtedly interpret his story in different ways, depending on point of view. Some will agree that his vice is his own business and that he should be reinstated. Others might believe there is no excuse for his transgressions and demand his exile remain in place. Then there are those who might be more forgiving, believing that he did wrong, paid the price and should be forgiven.Is this the final say on the matter? If he is ever allowed back into baseball's good graces, and into baseball's Valhalla, don't bet against another volume on the life of Pete Rose. --- Reviewed by Ron Kaplan

I bought MY PRISON WITHOUT BARS as soon as my local Barnes & Noble opened today and then I spent the rest of the day reading it. This is one of the truly great sports memoirs of all-time. Not because it's literature or all that dramatic -- but, because it's the self-portrait of a great American hero who turned himself inside out and emerged as a great American villian. Pete Rose operates under a set of ethics and rules unique to superstar atletes who think they're gods living among mortals. This mindset has resulted in his offering up an autobiography that's as bizarre as it is compelling. In its own strange way, this is a sports classic.