The new autobiography by Dave Parker, with ghostwriter Dave Jordan, is an excellent read. The book, Cobra, concentrates on Parker's young life and time with the Pittsburgh Pirates, and reaches a climax with its stories of the 1979 World Championship season. It is an honest and forthright tale.

One of the greatest strengths of the book is how powerfully Parker's voice leads it. It seems like Dave is talking straight to you, the reader. Co-author Dave Jordan clearly worked hard on the book, which is so well organized and chronological, weaving together Parker's memories seamlessly. But Jordan disappears into the background so deftly that all you hear is Parker's voice. It is an exceptional accomplishment as the writer half of an autobiography.

The book is very strictly chronological, moving year by year. It picks up with Parker's time as a middle school athlete, moves into high school and his knee problems which knock him out of senior year sports completely. Parker is then passed over for football scholarships, his first love, but drafted by the Pirates in the summer of 1970 in the 4th round. After a decent bonus, he begins a pro career. We then move season by season into his minor league adventures, then to the majors in Pittsburgh with Willie Stargell and the gang. Most of the book is on those pro days with the Pirates. The latter part of his career, including his four years in his hometown playing with the Cincinnati Reds, gets somewhat less attention.

Parker deals honestly but discreetly with racial matters, hanging out with other Black players, a plentiful crew in those 1970s in Pittsburgh. He also comes clean about the 1980s cocaine problems, not throwing anyone under the bus but accepting responsibility for his actions. This book achieves a balance often difficult in the genre; honest, but without an apparent axe to grind. No scores are settled here, and when speaking critically, the book speaks softly. This is a celebration.

I highly recommend the book. Disclaimer: I did not buy this book, and reviewed it from a PDF provided by the publisher.