Classic Wiley

The definitive collection from the late Ralph Wiley -- pioneering journalist, acclaimed author of Why Black People Tend to Shout, and a towering voice in the world of sportswriting.When Ralph Wiley, a columnist for ESPN.com and a former writer for Sports Illustrated, passed away on June 13, 2004, he left behind a rich legacy of written work. This volume brings together Wiley`s best feature stories from Sports Illustrated, columns from ESPN.com, his Parting Shots from the ESPN television show The Sports Reporters, and excerpts from his books and screenplays.Whether musing about the meaning of baseball legend Jackie Robinson, presenting an intimate portrait of the O. J. Simpson he knew and worked with, questioning the public`s enduring fascination with Mike Tyson, or simply expressing his love of the game, Wiley had a unique and engaging style that made him not just a chronicler of American sports but of American life itself. As Spike Lee said in an interview shortly after Wiley`s death, Ralph was much more than a sports writer. He was a social critic.Like the sports figures he wrote about, Ralph Wiley was larger than life. His passion for sports and for the written word was legendary, and this collection (which includes a special essay by ESPN commentator and Washington Post columnist Michael Wilbon) will ensure that his singular voice is passed on to a new generation. This book is a celebration of his indomitable spirit and his extraordinary skill as a journalist. Copyright (C) Muze Inc. 2005. For personal use only. All rights reserved.