House of Nails: A Memoir Of Life On The Edge [Large Print]

Description

Eclipsing the traditional sports memoir, House of Nails is a tale of Shakespearian proportions-a relentlessly entertaining ride that careens from the heights to the abyss. Lenny Dykstra, nicknamed "Nails" for his hustle and grit, approached the game of baseball-and life-with mythic intensity. During his decade in the majors as a legendary member of the 1980s Mets and 1990s Phillies, he was named to three All-Star teams and played in two of the most memorable World Series of the modern era. Then came a second act no novelist could plausibly conjure: After retiring, Dykstra became "baseball's most improbable post-career success story" (The New Yorker). But when the real estate bubble burst in 2008, Lenny lost everything. Then the feds moved in: convicted of bankruptcy fraud (unjustly, he contends), Lenny served two and a half harrowing years in prison. Now, for the first time, Dykstra tells all about his tumultuous career on and off the field. House of Nails asks no apologies and leaves nothing left unsaid.

Lenny Dykstra manned center field for the New York Mets and Philadelphia Phillies from 1985 to 1996. He was a three-time All-Star, and won a World Series with the Mets in 1986. Since his playing days ended, he has been active in a number of business ventures, including publishing a magazine geared toward professional athletes.

"As far as sports autobiographies go, what can I say? NAILS NAILED IT!" -- Jack Nicholson "THIS BOOK IS GOING TO BLOW YOUR MIND! Obviously everyone has to buy it." -- Howard Stern "A memoir as brash and uncensored as the man himself. ... Dykstra's life story is Shakespearian in scope." -- Playboy "A swaggering salute to a steroid-fueled career of exceptional excess." -- New York Times "[A] gripping memoir. ... The man knows how to entertain." -- Esquire "Tough, straight, upsetting, and strangely beautiful. ONE OF THE BEST SPORTS AUTOBIOGRAPHIES I'VE EVER READ. It comes from the heart." -- Stephen King "A head-spinning trip. ... House of Nails is far more entertaining than your typical player memoir." -- Vice "[An] unsparing chronicle. ... pure, weapons-grade gossip. ... a no-holds-barred success. ... Dykstra is bleedingly, strikingly human. ... Darkly funny." -- The Ringer "Will rekindle memories for baseball enthusiasts and entertain nonfans. ... Tales of the author's lifestyle are mindboggling." -- Kirkus Reviews "Astonishing. ... I got to read that f#ck*ing book!" -- Denis Leary "It's phenomenal. You got to get your hands on it." -- Brandon Tierney, Tiki & Tierney "A fast-paced read with plenty of zany yarns. ... A very entertaining book." -- Baltimore Post-Examiner "WOW! Hopefully they'll make a movie out of this bad boy." -- Adam Carolla, The Adam Carolla Show "The book is as action-packed as an autobiography can be because that is how Nails' life has always been, and how it continues to be." -- Bookreporter.com