Before settling on a sharecropper's plot outside Fresno in the early 1940s, Jim Aldredge's family moved around searching for work. As his dad became increasingly alcoholic, Aldredge's mother relied on Aldredge and his brother to contribute to the household, instilling in them the principles of hard work and humility. The brothers succeeded as student athletes. Aldredge chose to play for the Pirates at seventeen instead of taking a scholarship to play baseball for Stanford. In his third year as a professional baseball player, an eye injury ended Aldredge's career. He went on to excel in academia and city management.
Guibor's portrayal focuses on Aldredge's example of the Christian faith through his travails. The split-second turning point of Aldredge's eye injury is a key moment when Aldredge relies on God's guidance. Besides the injury, he faces post-WWII challenges like racism and changing urban landscapes. He discourages his mother from involvement with Jim Jones' People's Temple. Guibor's expanded edition of his biography includes devotional reflections at the end of each chapter, turning Aldredge's life into a series of lessons.
The narrative prioritizes obstacles Aldredge overcomes, not always in chronological order. It begins with Aldredge's baseball career, then returns in time to his early years. It then returns to baseball, onto his career with the City of Fresno, and as a professor. Currently, he is a community activist in retirement. Short chapters divided into several parts encourage taking the time to pause and absorb. Photos and a snapshot of achievements round out the story. Extensive interviews provide dialogue and personal accounts of Aldredge's many and varied relationships. Guibor invites readers to join a spiritual journey with Aldredge as a Christian mentor and guide.