Product Description

Customer Reviews (6)

One of 2 best boxing books I have read
I have read 5-6 boxing books over the past 5 years. I have bought many boxing DVD's. This is the best boxing book I have read: insightful, well written, cliche free. This offers a very reasonable review of the strengths and weaknesses of boxing heavyweights. As a aside: this is much more informative and well written than the books by Bert Sugar.

No new ground but still a good book.
This is a rather enjoyable book.Its not meant to be a blockbuster or reveal any new ground breaking information regarding the fighters.It's basically a nice picture book about boxing that can be thrown on your coffee table.The pictures are very nice quality.The information about the fighters is more a "cliff's notes" version of the division.Its the equivalent to a piece of bubble gum to the boxing fan.

Outstanding history of the heavyweight division with a twist
This is one of the finest books I've ever read on the history of heavyweight boxing.What really propels it from the realms of the mundane are two traits that are as follows.

Firstly the prominence given to pre-Louis black fighters who partly through their own talents (ie no one wanted to square up to them) but mostly due to American racism were never given the opportunity to compete for the crown.And arguably they were so superior to other boxers of their day, that it's likely that the history of boxing might have been radically different had they had that chance.It's great to see Pete Jackson, Sam Langford and Harry Wills finally get their dues.

The second thing to recommend this book is the warts-and-all approach that Evans takes.I get so tired of reading how these guys were killers in the ring but gentlemen outside.Not true!Boxers are rough, hard men and it's refreshing to read a book that doesn't attempt to air-brush them and instead reveal all the squalid ugliness and prejudice that enveloped them.On the downside, I do get the impression though that Evans is digging for dirt slightly and going for sensationalism somewhat.For example, Dempsey is quoted as having said that Schmeling's victory over The Brown Bomber was a great validation for the white man and yet I have copies of The Ring from that era (between the two Louis-Schmeling bouts) where Dempsey is simply gushing over Joe, stating that Louis shouldn't get disheartened by his loss.

The most annoying thing about Kings Of The Ring, though, is the lack of proofreading.There are some scandalous errors such as attributing Liston-Patterson II to 1967 instead of 1963 and for this reason I cannot recommend it to a total newcomer.However, provided you know your facts already, this is a fine read that I'm already referring to over and over.And Evans' final paragraph on Tyson is a fitting and eloquent swansong to the man who could have been Dempsey, Louis and Marciano combined had he reined in his darker impulses.That paragraph is worth the price of admission alone.

A very nice history of the Heavyweight Champions
This book is never going to be ground-breaking as there has been so much written about the Heavies of the years. One thing that attracted me greatly was the use of rare photos that I hadn't seen before.

The stories on Harry Wills and Sam Langford were much appreciated as they were both overlooked in so many books.

A glossy and enjoyable book, recommended.

kings of the ring
I must admit I picked up `Kings of the Ring' with a little trepidation. I like my sports books to be correct in every detail as well as sparkling and original, and I was concerned this might be coffee table fare - great on pictures but light on text. I found myself extremely pleasantly surprised.



The book is broken up into chapters on all the heavyweight champions and a few who never won universal recognition, from the bareknuckle days to the present, and yet it manages a seamlessly coherent narrative. In the early 20th century, for example, the theme is one of white (mainly Irish-American) men striving to the top while battling to keep African Americans out of the loop. This allows the author, Gavin Evans, to delve deeper than any other I have read into the lives of some of the great fighters who were frozen out of the title race (Peter Jackson, Sam Langford and Harry Wills) and also to look at the failings of the great champions with an unblinking eye.



He clearly admires many of these men and the way they fought, but he never allows that to blind him to their many faults. As he writes in his introduction, "In retrospect their flaws probably seem more remarkable than in their own airbrushed times: the extreme racism of most of the early white gloved champions, the violence against women and other men, the greed, the stupidity, the links with organised crime, the alcohol and the drugs." All of this is exposed without recourse to euphemism or, indeed, for hyperbole and in some cases the picture that emerges is genuinely shocking. For example, I was raised to think of Jack Dempsey as a sweetheart outside the ring as much as he was a killer inside the ropes, but, sadly, this book presents a very different picture of the man: a violent, racist, bully for much of his life. Jack Johnson, Joe Louis and even Rocky Marciano also emerge more flawed, or rather more rounded, than the bowdlerised versions of their lives I'd previously encountered.



Despite all this, Evans clearly adores the old heroes - as much for their flaws as for their assets - and he lovingly provides vivid details of their fights and their lives as champions. In the end, though, he emerges as something of a modernist, taking the view that boxing, like every other sport, has moved on. He ends by predicting, tongue presumably not too far from cheek, that in 50 years time we'll be saying: "Ah, Tyson, Holyfield, Lewis, Klitschko - they don't make them like that any more."



So, definitely worth a cover-to-cover read and on top of that the pictures are truly wonderful. I've been following boxing for many moons but most of the pictures of the old champions were ones I'd never seen before, and they include contemporary cartoons and other illustrations. Highly recommended. *****

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Product Description
Throughout its history, boxing has thrilled, outraged and elevated fans with its intoxicating combination of primal violence, gutwrenching drama and stirring courage. That potent mix has attracted many of the world's finest writers. The Book of Boxing is a collection of their most powerful efforts.Amazon.com Review
No other sport can boast a body of literature that begins with Homer, Theocritus, and Plato; advances through Virgil; matures through the pens of O. Henry, Jack London, and George Bernard Shaw; and flourishes in the hands of Hemingway, Norman Mailer, and David Remnick. But then, boxing is such a primal experience that it draws a distinctly muscular prose from writers who've gotten close enough to stand toe to toe and take it on.

W.C. Heinz, one of the 20th century's towering sports writers, and Nathan Ward have pulled together a remarkable literary stable of fiction, reportage, poetry, profiles, essays, and commentaries to build a tome worthy of being called The Book of Boxing. It's an anthology with a punch, certainly; but like boxing itself, it is aboutboth art and strength, finesse and force, defeat and victory. Fight aficionados will find plenty of old friends here: all of the above, for starters, plus Frank Menke's classic account of the Dempsey-Firpo brawl, Jimmy Cannon, Joe Louis, Mark Kram on the Thrilla in Manila, and James T. Farrell's brutal short story, "Twenty-Five Bucks." But you don't have to be a fight fan to appreciate the action; aficionados of good writing should just take a ringside seat and prepare to be knocked out again and again. --Jeff Silverman ... Read more

Customer Reviews (6)

Updating a classic
This appears to be an updated version of the classic anthology, The Fireside Book of Boxing, edited by Heinz.I guess people don't read around the fireside anymore, but they buy Sports Illustrated, so the title is itself more contempo, as are some of the entries.The original has been on my shelf for years, and has been pawed through with great pleasure since those golden days of yesteryear.Anyone interested in boxing or prose style (with a little verse here and there) will treasure the collection.

wonderful
you will be in heaven.the best writing on boxing.I'm delighted.You should buy this book.

The complete collection....
Thoroughly enjoyable. The book presents some of the cleanest yet literary sports writing ever on a sport that is woefully under covered. Mr. Ward chose perfectly, marrying a historical overview of the sport with the beauty of it. I just hope this book will not be buried on the bottom shelf where too many great sports books are left to die.

"Must" reading for all boxing fans!
W.C. Heinz and Nathan Ward's Book Of Boxing is also a winner, though less visually packed: text with selected illustrations peppered throughout covers the finest writers of the sport, revealing their observations, theevents which marked boxing history, and its dark side. An intriguing surveywill fascinate any boxing fan.

A Great Old Friend Returns
It's great to see this collection out again; I remember reading it with my father and brother when I was a kid.Now Heinz and Ward have made it better than ever, with the best pieces of newspaper writing, fiction, andeven poetry ever composed about the sweet science.It covers everything,from Homer in the Iliad right up through the Holyfield/Tyson "bitefight." (ouch!) Plus‹a portfolio of good boxing shots in the middle. This is just the sort of terrific compilation that we need to raise kids ontoday, and give them some sense of what's best, and what lasts aboutsports. ... Read more

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Customer Reviews (3)

A Solid Anthology
This is an anthology of novelist, Katherine Dunn's, thoughtful musings on the sweet science written over the last twenty-five or so years.You won't find articles about Oscar De La Hoya, Manny Pacquiao or any of the other recent superstars of the sport (the exception being an insightful essay on Mike Tyson).With mixed results Dunn instead casts her gaze on the journeymen who are the foundation of the sport, the great fights from the golden era of the 1980s, the relatively unsuccessful struggle women boxers have had to be seen as something more than a sideshow and the lessons boxers gain from their years of dedication to their craft.

Dunn's essays demonstrate her knowledge of the sport and deep respect for it's practitioners.What's most impressive is her independence of thought as she reflects on events in the history of the sport during the time she's been an observer.For instance, the aforementioned article on Tyson provides a useful balance to the conventional view that he is a madman by digging beneath the surface and offering some explanation (not defense) of his conduct in the "bite fight," when he twice bit Evander Holyfield's ears.

"One Ring Circus" is not in the same league as Ralph Wiley's "Serenity" or Carlo Rotella's "Cut Time" - books that surpass this one, are deeper, more poignant for the way in which they explore how hardship reshapes character.It's strength is in its coverage of actual fights, where it it is as good, if not better, than the work of Thomas Hauser, John Schulian or Hugh McIlvanney, all of whom are considered among the best boxing reporters.

Anyone who loves boxing should read it.

The Best Writer on Boxing
Katherine Dunn is a boxer's writer. Unlike many literary types who pursue the sport as a overwrought metaphor, titillation, or slumming with the lower classes, Dunn truly understands and appreciates boxing. She has spent decades learning the sport, from the coaches to the fighters themselves. She sees the gentleness that can exist behind the gloves, the contractions of the ring, and the uncertainty of a sport that remains entrenched in another time. To have a writer of her skill translate such a sport is a rare experience.

entertaining even for the non-boxing fan
These writings on boxing amuse and divert not just in their coverage of the quirks of personality of this or that famous or forgotten fighter but offer as well sometimes controversial insights about violence in the human animal as this manifests itself in the USA and, well, everywhere. Lots of fun here even for the non-sports fan. ... Read more

Product Description
Fitness boxing is one of the hottest workout trends across America, with over 10,000 health clubs featuring fitness boxing and boxaerobics programs. But what is fitness boxing, exactly? It’s an exercise program that uses aspects of professional boxing training and aerobics to build strength and confidence, and of course, burn calories. And, it’s fun—especially with a partner.

This is the only book of its kind to lead the reader through each dynamic stage of fitness boxing. From stretching and jumping rope to sit ups, toning, and leg work, to each kind of punch and their combinations, expert Tom Seabourne puts it all together in this knockout of a fitness title. And, to make it even easier, he and two of his students demonstrate the program on a professional 30-minute DVD, produced for and packaged exclusively with this title. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

The Complete Idiot's Guide to Fitness Boxing Illustrated
I have taught boxing aerobics for many years, and I have published reviews of numerous boxing books in the past.This book is one of the best books I have ever read on Fitness Boxing.It is one of the most comprehensive and well illustrated books ever published on using boxing as a total fitness activity.It covers every aspect of fitness, not just the punching exercises of boxing.This book also includes a 650-minute DVD which demonstrates the fitness exercises and movements in the book.However, there is one flaw in the DVD in that it promises to take you through12-two minute boxing rounds, but all it does is show you how to do the exercises.Nevertheless, the book is still worth purchasing.This text is broken down into four parts.Part one provides an introduction and reasons to choose fitness boxing as your workout choice. Various warm up exercises are also shown in this section.The second part covers training tools of boxing,taking a fitness boxing class, how to use power and balance balls, using weights and how to do partner exercises. Part three finally gets into the actual mechanics of boxing.This part covers stance, balance, footwork, how to throw the basic boxing punches, and using workout bands in your boxing workout.The final section covers various workout routines such as shadown boxing and bag work.In conclusion, if you are interested in boxing for total physical fitness, you will want a copy for your personal library.I also recommend this book to fitness professionals who teach or would like to teach boxing for fitness.
Joseph J. Truncale

Book Great - DVD NOT
The Complete Idiot's Guide books are always well put together and contain lots of information.This is an excellent book on Fitness Boxing.I was really excited about getting the DVD to supplement my other workouts, but unfortunately, I was greatly disappointed.It is pretty bad.Each exercise is demonstrated, but the fitness models are not very good.They use poor form in a lot of the exercises; each demonstration is very short; the instructor is annoying - you get the idea.The book is great, but the DVD is not. ... Read more

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Customer Reviews (4)

Excellent coffee table book
Simply a fine book of short essays and loads of photographs of gyms across the US. The stories have the ability to make you feel the passion of the boxing gyms and the dedication of the fighters.

The photgraphs throughout the book are wonderful. They aren't glamour shots whatsoever, they are the down and dirty shots of real life in the gyms.

Highly recommended for the boxing fan.

Good Choice for Boxing Fans
This book is filled with inspiring photographs as well as many interesting, educational, and thoughtful texts to go along.I love to watch boxing and admire the heart of the sport.This book encaptures that vulnerable side of the sweet science.I highly reccommend this to all boxing fans.

Balanced writing, brilliant photographs--unignorable!
Shadow Boxers is a miracle of a Father's Day gift. Not without a fight, however, will pop hold onto the book--not while his wife and children are around to read it and, of course, look at it.

The universal appeal of Shadow Boxers owes much to its balanced tone, primal subject, and powerful contributors. Here are writers contending in their own prize rings--Esquire, The New Yorker, National Geographic, Time Magazine, Harper's--for trophies as big as the National Book Award and The Best American Sports Writing. Katherine Dunn, especially, packs a mean punch; again and again she finds your solar plexus before you've finished her first paragraph. (A sample: "One day many years ago, I rode my press credential into a busy boxing gym and was shocked to see a hard-punching monster known as Frankie `The Preacher Man' doing push-ups in the ring with his year-old son sprawled on his back. Amid the din of ringing bells, drumming speed bags, and smacking leather, the baby slept, his long lashes fanned across the chubby cheeks, rocking in the smooth rise and fall of his father's powerful shoulders.")

The photographs alone are worth the cost of admission. Jim Lommasson approaches his subject with the hard-hitting nostalgia of Annie Leibovitz, alongside whose photos of bluesmen, rockers, and gospel singers these fighter shots necessarily belong. Indeed, Pottery Barn has yet to make the coffee table worthy of holding Lommasson and Liebovitz's rock-solid studies of two deep-dyed national passions: Shadow Boxers and American Music (Random House, 2003).

Shadow Boxers opens with a foreword by heavyweight champ Joe Frazier (sole inspiration of the beef-punching scene in Rocky) and features a brief but vivid history of boxing gyms.

The ensuing essays abound with keenly observed ironies about the noble science (e.g., "The game is brutal, but its core is strangely gentle"; "It's dawned on me over the years that there is less macho posturing in boxing gyms than in the average corporate boardroom"), and with crisp details (e.g., the memorable description of Larry Holmes' "jump jab," and the sketch of a city gym in Portland, Oregon, where "a speed bag hung several feet above a wooden pallet, which was used to help children reach the leather punching bag"). So, too, do the essays abound with sharp personal accounts (e.g., a Golden Glove champ who "never weighed more than 140 pounds" and who first entered the gym owing to his girlfriend's parting shot: "you're not man enough"), and with touching accounts of young hoods meeting the coaches who might not only change their lives but save them.

To read Shadow Boxers is to feel the strange warmth, the beckoning glow of boxing gyms, those shabby sanctuaries where individuals can still find a devoted mentor, a group of brothers and sisters, a path toward redemption.

A unique insight into the world of professional gyms
Enhanced with a foreword by the renowned world heavyweight champion Joe Frazier, Shadow Boxers: Sweat, Sacrifice & The Will To Survive is compiled and edited by photographer Jim Lommasson, who has been documenting boxing gyms from more than a decade. Informed and informative essays are contributed by boxing enthusiasts Katherine Dunn, Carlo Rotella, Kate Sekules, Lucius Shepard, Robert Anasi, Ralph Wiley, F. X. Toole, Loic Wacquant, Joe Rein, Rene Denfeld, Larry Seurynck, Timothy Taylor, and Mark Kram, Jr. With the inclusion of 110 duotone and 65 color photographs, this 176-page, strongly recommended compendium provides a unique pictorial insight into the world of professional gyms and what those men and women who aspire to excel in their chosen sport/profession and is of especial interest to dedicated fans of boxing, as well as students of American popular sports culture.
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Product Description
Based on proven concepts of martial arts masters, such as Bruce Lee, this bestselling guide provides advanced training methods to maximize speed and reflexes for competition and self-defense. J. Barnes provides education, tools, and drills as part of his famous Speed Loop training system...which is designed to isolate, transform, maximize, and integrate the 7 keys to martial arts speed. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (28)

A Great Book for Anyone in Martial Arts
Speed Training for Martial Arts: How to Maximize Your Hand Speed, Boxing Speed, Kick Speed, Wrestling Speed, and Combat Speed for Martial Arts and MMA by J. Barnes is a book that I would highly recommend for anyone interested in developing their Martial Arts or boxing skills to the fullest. Well written and easy to understand, the author includes instructions, exercises and drills useful for all levels that increase speed, reaction time and reflexes. Mr. Barnes also covers areas such as mental shadow fighting and focus. This is a good book whether you are new to the martial arts or have plenty of experience since you can always increase your skills.

Great Training Book for Increasing Skills
With 20 years of experience, J. Barnes book "Speed Training for Martial Arts: How to Maximize Your Hand Speed, Boxing Speed, Kick Speed, Wrestling Speed, and Combat Speed for Martial Arts and MMA" is full of tips, drills and exercises to maximize your skills. Although I am not involved in martial arts, my daughter is and this book will be a great help in developing her speed and overall skills. I would recommend anyone with an interest in martial arts or boxing to get a copy of this book.

A must have.
Having studied several different martial arts disciplines, I have always searched for ways to improve my abilities."Speed Training for Martial Arts:" by J. Barnes, is a great resource that has helped me accomplish my goal.The book is filled with great teaching techniques and speed drills that will improve your physical and mental responses dramatically.The best part is the methods used in the book are easy enough for everyone and proven to get results.I recommend this book to every martial arts enthusiast.

Gaining Speed.
This book should be considered more like equipment than an actual book. In it the author gives you instructions, and drills to help gain speed and maximize your potential as a martial artist. I highly recommend it to individuals in the martial arts field looking to maximize their speed and learn different concentration and focus techniques. It would also benefit individuals in the dance field.

A Valuable Guide for Martial Artists
Having trained in the martial arts & self-defense, I was impressed with what this book has to offer. The author has an extensive background in mixed martial arts. He's also lived in rough areas where he learned to defend himself in actual street fights. He's drawn on his experience to create a practical manual that can be used to improve speed & overall fighting skills, whether in the dojo or for self-defense.

The book contains dozens of practical exercises, addressing physical, mental & energetic (Ki) principles. Many of the techniques can be done solo & require no equipment. However there are also partner & group drills, plus training techniques using everything from focus gloves to a record player to a simple paper target. The language is clear & accessible, & I believe both beginning & more seasoned students of martial arts or self-defense would find it of value. I imagine it could also be useful for people in other sports wanting to fine-tune their speed & overall physical awareness.
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Product Description
The action of the ring comes brilliantly to life in these 22 tales representing every decade of the 20th century, from beloved writers including Nelson Algren, Paul Gallico, John O'Hara, O. Henry, Ring Lardner, Jack London, Ellery Queen, and P. G. Wodehouse. The fixed fight, courage under pressure, the crooked promoter, and death in the ring animate these stories and support deeper themes of love, life, and character.Amazon.com Review
With a stable of writers that includes P.G. Wodehouse,DamonRunyon, NelsonAlgren, Irwin Shaw,and O. Henry,Boxing's Best Short Stories is a collection that comes outswinging from the opening bell.

Unlike other sports, boxing is notone you play at. It's a serious, dangerous, and complicatedcombination of business, art, brutality, and need, and the best boxingwriting pulls no punches when it closes in on those themes. Notsurprisingly, in going toe to toe with those ideas, thesewriters--heavyweights all--find ways to bring in even larger ones:hope, love, despair, triumph, courage, family, dreams. Boxing providesa powerful arena for examining them, not an end in itself; though thesweet science is present in each story, the real action takes placebeyond the ring. In "The Croxley Master," Sherlock Holmes creator Arthur Conan Doyle, an amateur fighter in his own youth,weaves a classic tale of boxing as a way up and out as a medicalstudent finances his education with his fists. RingLardner's "Champion" spars with the bitter reality that a goodfighter is not necessarily a good man. PaulGallico's "Thicker Than Water" twists the tie that bindsbrothers. JackLondon's "A Piece of Steak" uses hunger--and the way it eats atand eats up the hungry--as its powerful central metaphor.

As withhis previous collections on baseball, football, and golf, Staudoharprovides a context for each story, and if his overall introductionstates the obvious--"For all its raw violence and scheduleddestruction," he writes, "boxing combines grace with power"--hisselections beautifully demonstrate the prose equivalent. --JeffSilverman ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

The classic writers span the entire 20th century
Fans of boxing will relish this literary collection of short stories revolving around boxing experiences, contributed by such notables as A. Conan Doyle, O. Henry, Ring Lardner and more. The classic writers span the entire 20th century and the breadth of boxing experiences. ... Read more

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Customer Reviews (5)

Proof Howard could write more than Conan
Author Robert E. Howard has long been known has long been known as the father of the Sword and Sorcery fantasy genre and the creator of the iconic Conan the Barbarian character, but what many readers don't realize is Howard wrote plenty of stories not set in fantastical worlds and stories that were filled with bigger-than-life but quite human characters.

"Boxing Stories," edited by Chris Gruber, is a collection of Howard's short stories and poems having to do with the pugilistic trade. The main character in most of these tales is one sailor named Steve Costigan, but there are other characters in some of the tales. And some of the stories which do not feature Costigan and his bulldog buddy are still related to Costigan, these tales often being about friends and foes he has fought.

The writing is strong and gut-wrenching in places, a few of the tales being Howard at his finest, but Sword and Sorcery fans won't find the darker worlds and darker characters with whom they are more familiar. But that's not a bad thing. These tales show Howard's abilities from a different angle, and they allow him to betray burly he-men who can be deadly but aren't mad nor dark to the point of being anti-heroes.

If you're a fan of Howard's and want to learn more about what this awesome writer could write, or if you're just looking for some good old tales of men duking it out, this one is for you.

If you only know REH from his Conan stories....
you're missing out!Robert E. Howard was a proflic author of exciting stories, including westerns, swords and sorcery, adventure, and horror.Boxing Stories collects a sample of REH's sports stories, filled with bruising battlers who fight for a variety--but usually noble--reasons.Of note, the collection contains a story that REH regarded as one of his finest 'The Iron Men,' here presented as Howard originally intended.

Boxing Stories (works of Robert E. Howard)
Boxing stories is a good sampler of R.E.H.'s sport fiction. Ten of the stories are from his humorous Sailor Steve Costigan series. The Spirit of Tom Molyneaux is an interesting combination of ghost and boxing story featuring an african american boxer, (fair warning, it contains non p.c.elements).Iron Men ,which Howard considered one of his best stories, is included in its original form, restored from the heavily edited version first published in Fight Stories Magazine in 1930. While Howard thought it one of his best,I think Fists of the Desert and They Always Come Back are actually better. They are gritty and realistic, telling of the shabby, brutal lives of low level boxers of that era.If you enjoy R.E.H.,sports stories,or just the style of 20's and 30's pulp fiction I think you will like Boxing Stories (the Works of Robert E. Howard).

Fun read!
I got this book as an ongoing effort to collect as much of the works of Robert E. Howard as I can.But when I opened it and started reading, I was hooked!These stories are excellent.Short and quick to read, they are full of action, drama, humor, and really place the reader in the world they are set in.If you are a fan of the era, like boxing, or just wasnt a rousing read, I highly reccomend this book.

Wickedly Entertaining, Highly Addictive
Robert E Howard is a legend along with H P Lovecraft for writing hundreds of short stories for cheep pulps and getting hardly any money or recognition for their talent. While Robert E Howard is best known for his Conan stories, fans who look beond are rewarded. Such is the case with this collection of Boxing Stories. The stories are fantastic and completely over the top, and there is a vocabulary Robert E Howard uses skillfuly that will have you cracking up. The fight scenes play out like violent and gory Looney Tunes, and the diologue makes the charecters jump out of the page. Once you read a few of these short storys you'll begin to realise that this is a type of writing to be savored. Robert E Howard literally wrote the book on this type of fiction. ... Read more

Product Description
Thomas Hauser has become “must reading” in the boxing community, and his latest book demonstrates why. An Unforgiving Sport brings together Hauser’s 2008 articles from secondsout.com and espn.com, in which he exposes the inner workings of HBO Sports, goes behind the scenes at boxing’s biggest fights, revisits historical figures like John L. Sullivan, and offers revealing portraits of Don King, Oscar De La Hoya, Manny Pacquiao, Ricky Hatton, Bernard Hopkins, and a host of others.

Booklist praised an earlier collection of Hauser’s articles as “one more testament to [Hauser’s] talent and passion for the most elemental of our sports.” An Unforgiving Sport adds to Hauser’s definitive record of the contemporary boxing scene. ... Read more

Product Description
The best history of boxing classics just got a lot better. A special full colour report chronicles Mike Tyson's career and controversial first-round victory over Peter McNeeley. With this book, readers can trace the evolution of boxing from the 1920's to the present. Through profiles of boxers, examination of boxing controversies, opinions by boxing insiders, fight summaries and analysis of the skills of all-time great boxers, the reader is offered a comprehensive of what A.J. Liebling called 'The Sweet Science'. Experience first-hand accounts of the great matchups - Dempdey vs. Tunney, Louis vs. Schmeling, Dempey vs. Firpo, Zale vs. Graziano, Ali vs. Foreman, and many more classics. The Ring - 'The Bible of Boxing' - brings you the best features stories and columns that have spread in that magazine since its first edition debuted on news-stands on 15 February 1922. Includes more than 100 rare boxing photographs from 'The Ring' archives recapture great boxing moments and the personalities who created them. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

This is one bible every sports fan should not be without.
This new expanded edition of the already marvelous book includes interesting articles on Mike Tyson's road to recovery. It includes photos of greats like: Ali, Frazier, Holmes, Duran, Hagler, Leonard, Pryor andArguello. It chronicles some of the best fights in boxing history likeHagler-Leonard, Ali-Frazier I-III, Duran-Leonard, Hagler-Hearns andLeonard-Hearns I-II. This edition includes reviews articles reprinted from the classic issues of the Ring. This is one bible any sports fan should notbe without. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (5)

Excellent book
Thomas Hauser wrote a very worthwhile boxing book with Black Lights, he tells a load of stories throughout with a multi-faceted view of the sport examining a number of personalities.

Perhaps it is just me but I had trouble feeling for Costello, I liked reading about him but he didn't come across as well as he might have if the author has fleshed him out a little more.

The problem lies in the lack of depth to a number of the characters that we see. What is Don King really like? Carl King? Jose Suliaman? We get a few pages devoted to each but you could do much more.

Readable book and worth buying.

Another Hauser Knock Out
The Black Lights

It's no wonder that after reading this Muhammad Ali chose Thomas Hauser to write his story.

How this book got it's name is another great example of what Hauser can do with just one paragraph!

I had assumed that this would be somewhat of a dry read or just not as good as Hauser's other books on boxing and the world of boxing. I had thought that since it's Hauser's first attempt at writing about boxing that it would be just ok - maaaan was I wrong - THIS is a fantastic book!

Hauser is an amazing writer and is exceptional in all his writings about the sweet science.

This is a great example of a book successfully covering and achieving what it set out to do. You get educated on the inside story of professional boxing and get a great and personal insight into the world of Billy Costello.

I was caught up in every chapter and did not want to put this book down. I've never heard of Billy Costello before this book and found myself being nervous for him, being excited for him, cheering for him and feeling now like I was there with him.

Great book for anyone.

The greatest ... a must-read for boxing fans
I first read The Black Lights soon after its publication in the mid-80s. I felt then that it was as good if not better than any non-fiction examination of boxing. Rereading it recently, I was still impressed by its thoroughness, insight and candor. Sadly, the same characters who held a stranglehold on boxing then are still in charge - King, Sulaiman, Arum. The only new player is HBO, which has replaced the three networks as the major bankroller of big fights. The fighters are still used for all they are worth and then tossed aside.
Billy Costello, whose Nov. 1984 title defense is the book's focus, had a distinguished ring career. Fortunately, he also had Thomas Hauser to record his grace under pressure. You cannot help but admire Costello for his dedication and decency amid the scoundrels who flock to the sport. Readers are sure to come away from The Black Lights with the feelings of true boxing fans - a mixture of fascination, admiration and revulsion.

Take a look at the real world of boxing
This is a great book by a writer I truly admire. Thomas Hauser wrote an incredible biography of The Greatest, Muhammad Ali, and in this book he really gives the reader an inside look at boxing.

Focusing in the careerof former champ Billy Costello, the author provides an interesting viewabout promoters (Don King included, of course), managers and the terribleagony of the fighter and his fears, in and out of the ring.

Reallyrecommended!

This Book is a Definite Contenda!
This is a nice quick read that gives a behind-the-scenes view of what it takes to put together a world championship fight. The book follows the career of former Superlightweight champion Billy Costello and theindividuals that comprise help him reach the top. Interspersed throughoutthe book are anectdotes regarding the promoters, trainers, televison execs,and boxers who all want a piece of Costello.

The book really takesoff when Costello's camp tries to set up a title defense for the champ.From the stuggles to find an opponent who won't pose much of a risk toCostello's crown, to the virtual soul-selling that occurs to get the fightbroadcast, to the fight itself, you feel the turmoil that Costello, histrainer and manager all go through. The description of the actual fight iswritten so vividly you feel like you're the one in the ring.

Thistrue story makes you sorry you never followed Costello's career as it washappenng in the early 1980's. And as an added bonus, the author gives youone more reason (as if you needed another) to despise Don King. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (10)

A classic without communist meddling
All I can really say is, Smith with this book delivers beautifully on the topic and history of Shao-lin Temple style boxing. It illustrates the central concept of Shao-lin boxing (known as "Shao-lin Ch'uan") and offers a bit about the temple itself...without the modern communistic interference of the Chinese government. Buy this classic, because if it ever becomes totally unavailable, yet another lovely Chinese cultural treasure will be lost.

Also, if this is an area of interest, NEVER miss buying Robert Smith's work. Smith, a true Chinese-trained master of several arts, is also the premier martial arts historian in the West.

Excellent Little Book
This book is short and to the point.It is an excellent introduction to the Shaolin arts, as well as gong fu (wushu) in general.This book has a good amount of information in it, including drawings of the five animal styles and the exercising classics from Badhidarma.Near the end, there are a good amount of photos of two men showing (while the text explains) how to execute a interesting group of blocks, redirections and strikes--as well as a few variants.

All in all, one of my favorite martial arts books, despite it's lack of size.

A good basic guide to the Chinese form of self-defense.
Even though I am a certified Tai Chi teacher, my personal expertise has been the Japanese martial arts.Nevertheless, this book by Robert W. Smith, is a good guide to the basic principles, theories and philosophy of the Chinese form of boxing,or kung fu as it is called most of the time today.There are no so called "secrets" revealed and this is not a text that one can easily learn from without the direct guidance of a teacher.However, the book is well written and provides a good introduction into some of the Chinese methods of boxing.Rating: 3 stars. Joseph J. Truncale (Author: Season of the Warrior: A poetic tribute to warriors, The Monadnock Defensive Tactics System, The Use of the Monadnock Straight Baton, PR-24 Baton Advanced Techniques).

Secrets of Shaolin Temple Boxing
This book is very sentimental to me and my family as it has photographs of my Father and it was published the year after I was born so I am so very very happy to have found this book, thank you!

Not so good
I bought this book thinking it will help me in my research on the myths of the Shaolin temple's involvement with MA. This is a edited version of a book that was published in China in c.a. 1918 and it is one of the sources of the myths about CMA. Smith's book has to little, to called it a "definite" guide is misleading. ... Read more

Product Description
Ken Regan was a young photographer in 1964 when he covered Muhammad Ali's first fight: his historic victory over Sonny Liston in Miami Beach. Afterward, the young photographer embarked on a life-long love affair with the sport of boxing.

For the next four decades, Regan would go on to chronicle the greatest fights and the greatest fighters of the age. His extraordinary photogrpaphs include many of the most enduring images ever created in the annals of boxing, as well as portraits of notable trainers, managers, promoters, writers, and the whole panoply of celebrities associated with the sport. Featuring some of the greatest ring action in boxing history, Knockout takes us from sparring sessions and press conferences to weigh-ins and post-fight sessions.

Knockout also features Regan's compelling stories and firsthand accounts of his amazing photographic journey into the heart of boxing. Beginning with his early magazine work shooting prizefights and throughout the following decades, Regan developed close personal friendships with some ofthe greatest fighters. Regan captures intimate moments showing fighters with their families at home and on the road. With numerous black-and-white and color images, many of them seen here for the first time, Knockout is destined to be one of the most celebrated books ever published on the subject of boxing.

Foreword by Norman Mailer, preface by Budd Schulberg, afterword by Chris Murray. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (5)

It's a Knockout
Sublime photos.
Insightful writing.
A must have for any Boxing fan.

It's such a large book and it is only fitting as the photos are glorious.

a STUNNING presentation of great photos by a GREAT photographer!
I have been noticing the name Ken Regan next to some of the greatest photos I've seen during my half century of living and wasn't surprised when flipping through the pages of this book to see his name on the cover. I recently bought the book and the print quality matches the photographic efforts. This is truly a "coffee table" book. If you are a fan of boxing..and some of the greats of the era from the 60's through 80's you should LOVE IT as I do.

Beautiful collection of pix
This is a fantastic collection of pictures from one of the great photographers of our time.Even if you're not a fan of the sweet science, it's a perfect gift for someone who is.

Wonderful book!
Bought this as a Christmas gift for my hard-to-shop-for Dad - he loves it!He couldn't put it down and has been showing it off to everyone who comes to his house.Highly recommend for all boxing fans!

Undisputed heavyweight champion of the world
Ken Regan is the Undisputed Heavyweight Champion of the World!

Absolutely brilliant photographs. A magnificent book.

A "Must Buy" for any fight - or photo - fans.

Lincoln Russell ... Read more

Product Description

Customer Reviews (4)

Good book for beginners
Good book for those who have never done kickboxing before. It was very informative and provided lots of helpful tools to use such as dietand exercise routines.

Packed full of info
This is a book on full-contact rules kickboxing, meaning that all kicks, save foot sweeps, are aimed above the waist.O'Keeffe was a world-class competitor during the heyday of this form of kickboxing, and certainly knows what he's talking about.This book covers a variety of stances and guards, basic punching and kicking techniques and their variations, defensive techniques and counters, combinations, footwork, equipment, drills, conditioning, and fight prep routines.He basically takes the reader through a journey from their earliest learning stages to their fight career.On the downside, the text seemed occationally disorganized and unclear.I also feel that some of the combinations were too excentric to find much real use.All the same, it's a very good book, one I'd recomend to those interested in FC rules kickboxing, or maybe to add some spice to their Muay Thai or karate techniques.

An Excellent Introduction to Kick Boxing
This is a remarkably well illustrated book which provides an excellent overview of kickboxing, The book begins with a concise discussion of the history of kick boxing and then leaps right in to chapters on "the fundamentals", "secondary techniques", defense and counterattacks, "speed and power" and "conditioning" to name a few. The techniques described virtually always include sequential photos demonstrating the particular move which will be of great value to students of this combat art. Many of the conditioning techniques and as well as the training schedule detailed in the book would likely be applicable to many other martial acts as well as those readers just interested in general fitness. The book even includes a chapter on the role of the coach. This book is certainly recommended reading for all present students of kickboxing as well as those who are curious about this martial art or just interested in physical fitness

Among the best introductory book on kick boxing
Written by a successful trainer, this book contains all the necessary ingredients one needs to know about kick boxing. It covers the physical, technical and tactical aspects in a clear and comprehensive manner.A definite must-have for all kick boxing enthusiasts. ... Read more

Product Description
Philadelphia has long been called the number one fight town in the world. The relentless fighting style of its boxers has thrilled fans over the years. Twenty-seven champions have come from the city over the course of more than a century. ÝÝPhiladelphiaís Boxing Heritage: 1876ñ1976 retraces the legacy of determined battlers such as Joe Frazier, Benny Bass, Gil Turner, Bob Montgomery, and Bennie Briscoe. Philadelphia has also produced legions of highly skilled craftsmen such as Tommy Loughran, Jack OíBrien, Midget Wolgast, Harold Johnson, and Joey Giardello. In 1926, the Gene TunneyñJack Dempsy heavyweight championship bout was witnessed by more than one hundred thousand fans. In 1956, Rocky Marciano brought his guns to town and won the heavyweight title from Jersey Joe Walcott. In 1971, Philadelphia-trained Joe Frazier won the ìFight of the Centuryî from Muhammad Ali at Madison Square Garden in New York. Philadelphiaís Boxing Heritage: 1876ñ1976 showcases these legends and retraces their championship bouts through more than two hundred dazzling photographs. ÝÝ ... Read more

Product Description
An ancient and "internal" martial art, Hsing-I uses chi to achieve effective street fighting prowess. This seminal text deftly covers history, philosophy, training sets, and two-person fighting techniques. Also included are quotations from the ancient Chinese masters that detail the mental disposition of the boxer, along with ample photographs and illustrations. This primer about Hsing-I has been widely sought by collectors since the book's first publication almost 30 years ago. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (9)

A True Classic
This is one of my favorite books in my martial arts library.It contains a wealth of information, most of which are forms, on the major internal style of Hising-I chuan (or else known as Xingyi quan).It also shows applications in combat, with step-by-step instructions for everything. Its real treasures, though, are the stories about the masters, and the advice the masters themselves give.Not to mention the really cool pictures of a few of them doing the techniques themselves! Awesome book.

Just Plain Great
This book was instantly my favorite book on martial arts.It is moderately detailed, but the pictures of the masters, as well as the great stories and advice, make this book priceless.I myself am not experienced in this beautiful art of Hsing-I Chuan (i hope to be in the future though), but I can definitely tell this book is something good--great, actually.I also liked the applications, though many most likely will not work in a real life conflict.The fact that two full forms are listed, and a comparison is made against the orthdox method (in which the whole form is shown, making it 3 forms in a way).This book is superb

Information book
It's a nice book as a extra guidance if you already practice Xing Yi.If you are seeking a manual, this book is not for you.The book only goes to describe everything, but it never shows many pictures.And the 12 animals are barely touched upon.Once again nice introduction or extra guidance, but not a manual.

This is a Keeper
This book was one of the earlier books on martial arts that I purchased. Not knowing a thing about martial arts at the time, I couldn't get my mind around much of what was presented. On the other hand, I loved the stories within and the "advice of the masters" segment right away. I remember staring intently at the pictures of Yuan Dao, Paul Guo and especially the little section featuring the five elements done by Wang Shu Jin. Taken in an unposed mid-action way, they really convey Wang's dynamic actions. Having since studied both Xingyiquan and Baguazhang for more than a decade, I have come to realize what a goldmine was presented here. This book still lays, beaten and tattered, littered with highlighting and notes, on my bookshelf. This is because the book presented Xingyi postures by highly skilled practitioners along with excellent guides to its meaning and practice. Newer books may show more material, or translate large tracts of key points, but this book still has the goods: first rate practitioners showing their art. Recently when giving a gift to a person I wanted to get interested in Xingyi, I still chose this book.

Excellent book on Hsing-I Martial Art
This is one of the best books available on the subject of Martial Arts.
The book is on a specific subject - Internal Martial Arts (of China) known as Hsing-I.The illustrations with pictures are lucid.The book covers basic principles, basic techniques, philosophies, all the 12 style forms, brief history and biographies of masters, masters' advices, applications to self defence and a lot more.It very clearly explains why Hsing-I is known as Mind-Body Boxing.The author has put his heart into writing about Hsing-I.The scientific approach of a western mind combined with the author's expertise in the oriental subject make the book complete, thorough and interesting.The book is complete in itself on the subject.It also explains importance of Chi (Energy or Pran) cultivation that is the basis of all the internal martial arts including Hsing-I.

The book provides a complete and thorough knowledge on Hsing-I.
It is a complete reference on the subject.

Very rarely have I seen a martial arts book so interesting, lucid and complete. ... Read more

Product Description

Customer Reviews (15)

Great Book
This is a great book for boxing fans, this are all Hall of Fame boxers fighting each other, unlike Floyd Mayweather Jr this guys were willing to fight the best fighters they could find and they all fought each other during their primes, this great boxers never ducked anyone, a great era in boxing, this is a book that is very easy to read and delivers what it promises, a great book about some of the greatest boxers of all time.

Horrible read of what could have been an amazing book.
After having ready many biographies of various fighters i was ecstatic at the thought of a book containing all four legends under one cover.
The book is a dismal read though, continually sidetracking and being a never ending list of names no one has heard of or cares about. I must have waded through about 80 pages which just wouldn't get to the point. The book read through something like this,


... At the time hearns checked in to the hotel pre fight, the guy behind the desk was george's cousin, who was hearns former trainer, who had called up sue to make the reservations, as they went up to the room, the elevator guy jim recognised him as he had been to one of the fights with chris who happened to know the commentator who knew the corner man and he commented on how his physique had changed....

for every 4 paragraphs that read through like this, you will get some information about one of the fighters that is of interest, how they related to all the other fighters and what was happening with the other fighters at the same time.
Many would gripe about how the book is a study or a research into the whole scene surrounding the fighters, but the book is not titled 4 kings and a telephone directory of namedropping. Even with the intention of creating an era the book is bland and just comes up as a long winded report with no heart

One of the best books ever on boxing
Tremendous read!

This is the book about the 9 fights that the quartet of Leonard, Hagler, Hearns and Duran had against each other in the 1980's. It is the tale of four great champions both in and out of the ring written by a very skilful writer.

The pages just slip by as you get immersed in the lives of the four men and the 1980's era of great boxing.

Highly recommended.

4 Kings
This book is a true insight into some of the greatest boxers of all times. The book is easy to read and makes the reader keen to get to that next page with some interesting facts on what happened during one of the great eras of not only boxing but sport itself.

A MUST READ FOR BOXING FANS OF ALL ERAS!
This is a page turner for any fan of boxing on any level. Whether you remember any of these fights or not, Mr. Kimball has recreated the atmosphere of this era perfectly. Mr. Kimball was there for every fight and has recaptured them here. ... Read more

Product Description
The Most Wanted series (see page 25) puts on the gloves and steps inside the squared circle to chronicle the best and worst of the pugilistic world, plus everything in between. Authors David L. Hudson, Jr., and Mike Fitzgerald, Jr., answer the bell with fifty top-ten lists of famous fighters, fan-tastic finishes, oddball occurrences, and yes, even the punch-drunk palookas that padded the stats of some of the sport’s top stars. You’ll read about the greatest fight trilogies, the biggest upsets, the famous families, and the real-life boxing personalities who appeared in the movie reels. You’ll even read dueling lists about boxers with prison backgrounds and those who had a second career on the right side of the law, plus so much more.

Which all-time middleweight great, who set a record with fifteen successive title defenses, lost his debut bout at the light-heavyweight level? Whom did Muhammad Ali dub "Dracula" because of his missing front teeth? Which prolific puncher scared some opponents so badly that after they showed up at the weigh-in, they chickened out of the fight itself? You’ll find these tidbits and hundreds of others in Boxing’s Most Wanted. Whether you’re a new fan or a longtime student of the sport, you’ll find something in this book to amuse and amaze you. You don’t have to skip rope or chug raw eggs to get inside a boxing ring anymore-Hudson and Fitzgerald take you there to absorb all the jabs, roundhouses, and kayoes you can handle. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (7)

Fun Reading for Real boxing Fans
This is a fun reading for real boxing fans. Probably those that will enjoy the book the most are those that have followed boxing through the years, including past and present history. The title is filled with tidbits of information ranging from boxing firsts, traversing through sections such as great upsets, and most educated boxers, then finishing with sections with titles like boxing movies. Besides the fun bits that were found throughout the book, there was still an academic component which was evidenced in the bibliography and the well organized index. As a college professor and boxing coach, I can appreciate the work involved in creating a good index that can be used by students. As a general long time boxing fan, I can appreciate the wealth of information that author Hudson has provided in making this an enjoyable fun book. Kudos to the author. I give it five stars.

Fun, Informative boxing book
Fight The Good FightDavid Hudson is an attorney, boxing Judge, state boxing official, a good guy, a great friend of mine and an author of some 12 books. Boxing's most wanted is a funny look at the much maligned, manly sport of boxing and is well worth the price.

Good quick source book.
The books pretty much what I expected.Its a fun read and made me chuckle more often than not.Its a quick bit of boxing trivia that is a must own for any boxing fan.

Fun to read, lots of interesting information
I think anyone who has an interest in boxing will enjoy this book.There is a lot of great information that will be interesting to most readers, but mainly it's just a fun read.

Not as advertised
I thought first of all this book was boring.The important lists are of stuff you probably already know and the other lists are of nonsense.The reason I rate it so low though is that it is not as advertised in the title.Part of the title says "Chumps, and Punch-Drunk Palookas"...There is nothing like that in the book. ... Read more

Product Description

Customer Reviews (3)

Needs to be updated
This book appears just as it had in 1974.There appear to be no updates.Some of the references are outdated.Also, I was expecting some of the finer points of boxing to be discussed.No such luck.The book is more of an overview.Newer books go into far greater detail about things like weight transfer and such.It was cheap and a quick read but skip this one.

Classic
Readers may be taken aback by the simplicity of the techniques; however, they are extremely effective.Floyd Patterson was a terrific boxer.Muhammad Ali modified his techniques by moving around more.Imagine getting in the ring with either of these guys.Although Floyd Patterson had a different style than Joe Louis or Max Schmelling his training style in here is the same.I would love to see a Joe Louis, Max Schmelling, Muhammad Ali or Rocky Marciano get in the ring with these ultimate fighter guys.Although the brazilian fighting style of ultimate fighters is very effective, they wouldn't last one round with any of these boxing greats.We live in a naive generation that is impressed by these moronic thugs.They aren't that tough.These boxing greats are tough.Not one of them could take the punishment Max Schmelling could absorb.Not many of them could catch up to Ali.Not any of them could handle the punches of Louis or Marciano.And not any of them could last two seconds with Floyd Patterson.

A Class Act-Floyd Patterson
Floyd Patterson's book is less of a guide for boxers than it is reflection of a man who put others above himself. His kindness, restraint and humility are what youth today should aspire to rather than emulate the big mouthed thugs that came after him. ... Read more

Product Description
There are three elements of Muay Thai boxing: techniques, tactics and strategy. Most Muay Thai books deal only with techniques. Fighting Strategies of Muay Thai is the first book to reveal actual fighting strategies and tactics as taught in the boxing camps in Thailand.Both the author of this book, Mark Van Schuyver, and his partner in this project, Kru Pedro Villalobos, are martial artists. In fact, Villalobos is a professional Muay Thai fighter and trainer who has studied extensively in Thailand with some of the art's most well-known names. And in helping Van Schuyver with this book, Villalobos held back none of the secrets he had picked up in Thailand. Because the elements of timing and the strategies of the Muay Thai system are universal to all types of fighting, this book will be invaluable to Muay Thai fighters and trainers, professional and amateur fighters, and martial artists of all styles, including taekwon do, karate, jujitsu, judo, and no-holds-barred fighting and wrestling. The definitive work on Muay Thai strategies and tactics, Fighting Strategies of Muay Thai is a guide to total fight preparation. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (10)

Awesome
This is an awesome sport.I'm so glad I got started in it.If you want to tone up this is the way to go, plus you will know how to defend yourself.

Great !!
This book is a very good reference. It has lots of good strategies that, when applied into a sparring session, works very well. Not ideal for beginners but a must for intermediate or advance fighters .

Lousy Insights
As a professional Muay Thai instructor under Surasute Surachai...I am not impressed....pretty common sense unless you are a Beginner...Study with a certified Muay Thai instructor for insights....this book was bought for a student...after reading the other review Hypes...got nothing out of this book...

Vilalobos rules
A must have in the library of any muay thai practitioner. Real advanced topics adressing types of opponents, defensive and offensive manuevers for and against each style fighter, plus workout programs and dietary guidelines. Really well written.

Start with this
Muay Thai is one of the few external martial arts styles I greatly admire. No-nonsense but deep, it is perfect for self defense or competing. So far this is the best book on Muay Thai I read. I wouldn't say: "Read this book and go bust skulls"- but if you are wondering what's Muay Thai like before you want to start training, and don't want to rely on some hear-say info, this book is for you. ... Read more