Bob Wheeler has become my Thorpeologist and his biography of JimThorpe has become my go-to book for understanding what inspired the world’s preeminent athlete to greatness. Bob’s meticulous research, his interviews with Jim Thorpe’s contemporaries, and his compelling narrative make this book a must read. Thank you, Bob, for sharing the true story of Jim Thorpe!”—Nedra Darling (Prairie Band Potawatomi), Producer and Co-founder of Bright Path Strong
“Bob Wheeler hitch-hiked, lugging his bulky reel-to-reel tape recorder, across America in search of the true Jim Thorpe story, interviewing nearly 200 people, including President Dwight Eisenhower, actor Burt Lancaster, and a teacher from the Carlisle Indian Industrial School. Wheeler used this treasure trove of material to write this marvelous, compelling, definitive biography. And, with a huge assist from his wife, Flo Ridlon, he wound up righting historical wrongs and helped get Thorpe’s Olympic medals, records, and legacy restored.”—Scott Pitoniak, Rochester Business Journal columnist and author of Syracuse University Football
“The standard by which to build upon Thorpe has been set. Robert Wheeler’s book is still the bedrock-solid pinnacle book on the great athlete’s life which must be adhered to if that future author has any hope of success.”—Jeff Benjamin, Senior Writer for American Track and Field and RunBlogRun
“Bob Wheeler worked very hard and learned firsthand the difference between corruption and integrity and chose the latter at personal expense.”—Howard Cosell, Sports journalist and broadcaster, ABC-TV
“The definitive volume on Thorpe.”—Pro (official magazine of the NFL)
“Jim Thorpe: World’s Greatest Athlete is the finest biography I have ever read on any athlete. No other work I have seen is in the same class. It is obvious to me that Wheeler has studied his subject in great depth and has worked diligently in the preparation of the book. I applaud his writing and both his and Flo Ridlon's efforts with the Jim Thorpe Foundation.”—Bill Mallon, Co-founder and past President of the International Society of Olympic Historians and co-author of The 1912 Olympic Games
“Wheeler was able to talk to people who had known Thorpe from childhood to the end of his life. Biographies of this depth are practically non-existent. Wheeler records Thorpe’s life with sympathy, understanding, and adherence to fact.”—Rose Robinson, Founder, American Indian Press Association, and Indian Media Woman of the Year
“Not only did Wheeler exhaustively research Thorpe’s life, but he and Dr. Florence Ridlon got his Olympic medals restored. This is the gold standard!”—Tom Benjey, author of Gridiron Gypsies: The Complete History of the Carlisle Indian School Football Team
“Jim Thorpe: World’s Greatest Athlete is undoubtedly the best documented account of Thorpe’s life. In a quest that encompassed a half-century, Bob Wheeler, with significant assistance from Florence Ridlon, succeeded in restoring Jim Thorpe’s medals and official recognition as the true gold medal winner of the decathlon and pentathlon for the 1912 Olympics—correcting a long-standing and unjust wrong. Like Jim Thorpe, Wheeler cleared the multiple hurdles thrown in his path over the years.”—Jim Campbell, Pro Football Hall of Fame researcher and historian and co-author of Hell with the Lid Off: Inside the Fierce Rivalry between the 1970s Oakland Raiders and Pittsburgh Steelers “Jim Thorpe: World’s Greatest Athlete deserves the accolade as Thorpe’s best biography. In my estimation, it should be required reading for every American student. It is a lesson for our times.”—Lavonna Ann Weller, Education Specialist, Bureau of Indian Affairs
